Shop Vac /Dust Collector Advice

[tperk100]

Hello all,

I only occasionally need to collect dust, so I bought Hm Depot Dustopper and HD bucket to use with my Ridgid 12 amp 2.5" Vac and HEPA filter (pic attached).

First thing I needed to do was sand some fiberglass / gelcoat. To hook up my 5" sander I had to reduce the hose size down so far that the vacuum crushes the HD bucket down to about 2/3 of its size.

First thing I thought about was an OLD pictured adjustable adaptor from my FORTY yr old Craftsman. I could probably make it work.

I am looking for other suggestions on how to adjust the vacuum or otherwise economically overcome this problem. I am not interested in buying another vac, dust collector, etc.

Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[tre873]

You can try putting the bucket inside another bucket. Sometimes that helps by doubling the walls.

 

[tperk100]

Tre,
Seems to me that all the vacuum would be on the inside bucket just as if the outside bucket were not there, and that the same thing would happen. Have you actually tried this?
Thanks

 

[tre873]

I have to admit that I haven't tried it. As the inside bucket tries to collapse, it will try to deform by trying to push out in other places. With the double thickness of the walls (2 buckets), I don't think it will be able to deform as easily. It would be cheap to try and I think it will work.

 

[JimNC]

The best answer is to increase air flow from the tool, but if that’s not posssible then doubling the bucket will keep it from collapsing, you can glue the buckets together. You might also cut a hollow ring out of 3/4” plywood to fit just below the lid if the top tends to distort.

 

[tperk100]

Thanks. I bought two buckets. Will try it right now..........

5 minutes later - I am impressed. Two buckets worked!!
Thanks guys.
CASE CLOSED!

 

[tre873]

I'm glad it worked out. If you don't mind, please update this thread later and let me/us know how well the Dustopper works. I'm starting to kick around ideas for the dust collection in my woodworking room.

 

[tperk100]

Tre,

I have already done some gel coat sanding and vacuumed my entire garage floor, checked the containers, and it seems to me that it works as it should. It was a YouTube video that convinced me to go with the really simple Dustopper in the first place.

Since I am a newbie I cannot post a URL, so go to YouTube and search for "dustopper review." Look at the first one that comes up (for me) that is named "Dustopper vs Dust Deputy | Comparing the dust cyclone separators." It is by "John Builds it."

Another one named "DUSTOPPER REVIEW INITIAL THOUGHTS" was helpful. BOTH reviewers came to the conclusion that the Dustopper was very effective.

In fact, the first THREE reviews that came up for me all were highly favorable for the Dustopper.

Hope this helps.

 

[tre873]

Will do, thanks!