50 Cent Shop Vac Hack

[@supergoober1021]

For those of us who haven’t yet built our dust control system, here’s a tip: I put my filter into a kitchen waste bag, then beat it against the inside of my waste can. Clear filter. No dust cloud.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼

[@diamonrockformed]

@@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams will a regular panty hose work?

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

@@diamonrockformed yep should be the same idea 👍🏼

[@walthodgson5780]

@@diamonrockformed these socks are significantly more durable than panytyhose. A couple of sizable chips and pantyhose are ruined. Plus the weave is much tighter on these.

[@shockingguy]

@@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams Hey Keith just found your channel because I was watching other vacuum filter videos of course, I’m curious what you’re wearing on your shirt is that your wireless mic I see some reflective black plastic thing and I keep looking for a new microphones to try thanks in advance for the tips also

[@chuckredd9131]

For several years I've been using upright vacuum cleaner bags slipped over the regular filter and held in place with a zip tie. Usually have to cut off the very top of bag to slip over other filter. You can usually find them dirt cheap (no pun intended) at garage sales, thrift stores. They last a long time, shake or blow them off.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yep, you had the same idea, Keep the big crap out of your pleats. 👍🏼

[@tableseven8133]

That was my thought as well. Because I have a small shop vac I bought back around 1985 and it is advised for dry dust and dirt to use their bag over the foam filter. The foam filer was meant for when you suck up water, not for general dirt puck up.

[@matthewh1510]

I do a lot of Remodels and repairs on rental units as a Property Manager. Shop Vacs are a essential part of my tools! I've tried every damned filter I could find over decades. None seem to last long for me. One day I go to use my shop vac and the paper filter had fallen to pieces leaving the wire cage frame. I didn't want to stop what I was doing so I got creative. I took an old T-Shirt rag and cut a long wide strip to wrap around the cage. Put 2 rubber bands on it to hold it in place. I finished the job and it seemed to work just fine. At the end of the day I took the rag off and threw it in the rag pile to be washed. I've been doing this now almost 10 years. It seems to work just fine and does not put extra strain on the motor. It catches the same amount and size of particles etc.. Works for me and I don't have to buy filters.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼 My dad had the same old shop vac for years, he never bought new filters. He use the same technique as you. Very frugal.

[@larrythompson2967]

I found a hack on here a couple years ago so, not my idea but it works pretty well. Take some regular white kitchen paper towel and wrap around the pleated filter. One layer only with a slight overlap, hold it in place with a couple pieces of wire, one top and bottom. I leave good sized tails on the wires so they are easy to undo when covered in fine dust, it doesn't take much to hold as the suction keeps it on when the vac is running. When it's clogged just undo the wires and drop the towel in the base, no mess, no dust cloud, no clean up. Dump the vac, new paper towel, good to go for a couple pennies.

[@Shiftypop]

For most jobs, I use a couple layers of pantyhose stretched over a wire cylinder made from old 14-16 gauge galvanized wire fencing. When I’m needing more filtration I use a bag filter meant for drywall dust and is designed to fit a smaller vacuum. It attaches to the intake hose stub and forms a “C” shape if you look straight down at it, with the center of the”C” being open space large enough for the usual pleated filter to fit. This cuts my usable space down by half or so.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Interesting techniques, I think a lot of people have modified their filter system in some way.

[@imbatido]

please post a video.. very intersting

[@ronmit-p5g]

or just dont use a filter

[@BarbaraRust-ju4mp]

Will this work on wet pick up

[@actionjksn]

I haven't had to deal with this problem in years ever since I started using bags. I can vacuum all kinds of dust multiple times and when I open it up the filter still looks perfect. I do sweep up the big stuff first because I don't like to fill my Shop-Vac up with all that crap.

[@lacro5686]

I agree, The bags solve the problem, but if the vac is filled frequently, that can get expensive.

[@actionjksn]

@@lacro5686 Because of that, what I do is a quick basic sweep up of the major portion of the stuff before vacuuming. I do that even if I'm not using a bag, because I hate emptying out the shop vac and cleaning the filter. Using a shop vac as a complete replacement for a broom and dustpan really fucks up the shop vac.

[@christopherhughes6519]

@@lacro5686 Cut the end of the bag off, dump it, fold it over and tape. I usually do that 3 times before installing a new one. I tried the scum sock but like the bags much better.

[@williammoses7605]

Anyone know if they sell bags for older shop vacs with the hose on the top of the unit?

[@gizzyguzzi]

j@@actionjksn sounds like false economy

[@goulartaf66]

Great tip it's also recommended to use a vacuum bag instead. Prolong the filter even longer.

[@josephsteffen2378]

Great video. About 25 years ago shopvac sold a pre-filter sock that fit over the filter. They were expensive. I purchased one and tied it on. The material was a tightly woven rayon (?). It had a really slippery feel to it. of It was a sloppy baggy loose fit, but I think it was designed that way. It worked like a charm! Plenty of extra square inches of baggy of surface area for longer periods of vacuuming. Plus the most of the debris would fall off during use. After that, I didn't have to purchase another filter. The original filter catches the last bits of dust and eventually clogs up, after many uses. The only draw back was that it took a while to untie the sock, clean the stock filter, then put it all back together. Overall it's awesome. But I haven't seen them for decades.

[@georgefitter7656]

I blow my filter out with a leafblower. Been six years since and haven't bought a filter yet! Works great!

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yep, I bet that works good.👍🏼

[@Hengry-hn7rb]

I been doing it for years also, I used to use the compressor but took to long to wait for it to fill up. Then for some odd reason my leaf blower fell of the wall it’s been a wonderful relationship!

[@taro546]

Me too except for me i never bought a new filter for any of my 5 shop vacs. Leaf blower works wonder.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

@@Hengry-hn7rb In the summertime I open up all my doors or windows and blow out my shop with the leaf blower it is a multi-purpose tool.

[@thegreyfuzz]

@@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams I managed to get my hands on one of those huge blowers they use for the largest bounce house type things I think it's 1hp motor spinning a 14" impeller, double or more air power of my leaf blower.... Open both garage doors and blow out the shop in a couple minutes.

[@GodsMount]

Been using a 1 gallon paint strainer and they fit perfect with the elastic band.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yep, same idea.👍🏼

[@MrBliss-jk5ct]

That's what I'm talkin about

[@davidjoyce8331]

There is a reason the filters are pleated - greater surface area. Adding sock to outside decreases surface area. Be prepared to open and clean filter more often.

[@realvanman]

We used to do that for the air filters on our dune buggies "back in the day" with a pair of nylon stockings. I never thought of doing it for a shop vac. This is brilliant!!

[@matthewh1510]

I used my girlfriends nylon stockings one time to replace a radiator belt that snapped. It got me about 5 miles down the road before it broke.

[@jorgesistana7511]

Did you make you girlfriend push the remainder?

[@tkeo12]

so what are you wearing instead?

[@akbychoice]

@@matthewh1510 radiator belt 😳

[@matthewh1510]

@@akbychoice Yep! It worked long enough to get me to a gas station that did repairs about 4 miles away. It did break right as I got to the station and I had to push it a few yards. But in a pinch, it worked!

[@theondebray]

For big cleaning jobs, I use a homemade lid with two hoses in / out on my wheelie bin to make it an intermediate dirt catcher, one hose to suck, the other connected to the vac. Dirt straight into where it has to go, and minimal dust.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼 very resourceful.

[@RandomhumorwithBill]

Love it. Nothing makes my day more than running across an idea that works for day to day life.!

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼

[@discerningmind]

Very good making the scum sock connection. But I have to say that super dusty clean-up you went through outdoors is the reason I buy bags for my shop vac. The bags keep my filter cleaner than the scum sock. Yes, the bags will rip when overused but a lawn bag can be placed over the entire vac and then turn it upside down. It's a lot less dust than what you were exposed too. There could be anything in that dust and none of is good for your lungs, nor do you want that dust on your clothes, thus tracking it wherever you go.

[@tobygathergood4990]

Great idea. In the Canadian Amazon site, these very same scum socks are 3 times the price at almost $37 for a 20 pack. However, I have used similar products before, but they kept getting badly plugged up with politicians, lawyers, insurance agents and bankers...

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

😄👍🏼 These things travel all the way from China, and then get marked up at the Canadian border. I’ll have a chat with Bezos and figure this out.

[@YoureNotReet]

@@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliamslmao😂

[@michaelkirk7908]

As I just said above, I use an old pair of wife's pantyhose. 1/2 of one leg is enough.

[@hottractor1999]

Try composesting instead.

[@chrisgraham2904]

The 20 pack on Amazon Canada is $15.99 or 80 cents per filter. (April 2023). The scum filters are also washable and reusable. I bought the 20 pack once and have been using them for over 3 years

[@solarsynapse]

Great idea! Many shop vacs already have a foam pre-filter that comes with it. You could spray it with a wax based furniture polish to really make it catch dust like you do with furnace air filters, but that would mean you would need to wash it with soap. I seen one vac with a sock hat over the paper filter. It worked! The finer the filtration, the more work the motor does.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

The stock paper filters do a pretty good job with fine dust filtration. The pre-filters just keep the crap out of the paper pleats. Generally the finer the filtration the lower the CFM /increased static pressure so there is a trade-off for a heavier pre-filter.

[@kmiller5808]

Actually, the fan motor works less hard, and pulls less amps, when filtration is finer (and air flow is restricted). This may seem counter-intuitive, but the motor works hardest, and pulls higher amps, when the air flow rate is greater.

[@solarsynapse]

@@kmiller5808 Maybe if the fan reaches the point of cavitation and the motor increases rpm. Have you tested the amp draw and temp to verify this?

[@kmiller5808]

@@solarsynapse Cavitation refers to liquid to gas phenomenon experienced in pumps, I've never heard of it in air movers. Restricting air flow in centrifugal blowers actually gives the motor a rest. I didn't want to believe it, but electrician showed me. Look at the "fan curves" provided by manufacturers of industrial blowers. It seemed logical to me that impeding air flow would cause the motor to work harder, but this is not the case.

[@solarsynapse]

@@kmiller5808 Vacuum cleaners will cavitate when you close off the intake such as with your hand on the end of the hose. A box fan will do it with a piece of cardboard sucked to the front.

[@robertclark2714]

You just saved me a TON of MONEY. THANK$$$$$$ I always use expensive bags in my 16 gallon Shop-Vac but the filters eventually manage to get filthy and I lose suction. So I will continue using the bags but now I will use these socks on my filter too. I will also use them on my monster MS660 saw mill chainsaw too.

[@OregonDARRYL]

A paintbrush makes a good tool for a quick clean. It gets between the folds of the filter.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yes ,I have done that a time or two. Once I forgot to take the filter out before sucking up water. 😀

[@craigburns7618]

Get the cleanstream washable HEPA filters , they're only a couple dollars more than the crappy paper ones and they last 10 times longer, use a Shop-Vac dust bag inside your vacuum and they last even longer !

[@facereader99]

Great. That reminds me that many small engine filters use a thin layer of foam over the regular paper filter. That cheap piece of foam layer keeps the filter like new for the longest time. If it were not there, one would have used about five filters. All one needs to do is to take off the foam, wash it, put it back when dry. Eventually, the paper filter will get choked by fine dust, but it saves you quite a few filters in between. I need to go buy a thin sheet of foam and either use super glue (if it does not melt right through the foam), or all purpose glue to make a sleeve around the large shop vac filter.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yep , I think it is the same idea, the foam is a pre filter to keep the big stuff out of the main filter media.

[@kodiham7532]

I use the replacement flat foam AC filters and contact glue ends to form around the paper filter.

[@joaquinsuarez6090]

Or just put a couple of zip ties if glue doesn't work.

[@MJorgy5]

I use a dust separator and a vac bag. I usually get 4-6 separator fills per bag and clean the filter after 2 bag replacements unless I'm sucking up drywall or overspray (clean filter with each bag). I will give this a shot and maybe get a 3rd or 4th bag per filter cleaning when working wood.

[@stringlarson1247]

Never bang the pleated part against the rubbish bin. Use the rubber edges to dislodge the 'big stuff. Also, when using the air hose, start by blowing from the inside of the cylinder and then take the time to run thru each crevace in the pleats and go back to the inside blowing out. If you have a German Shedder dog, that hair make a good outter filter :)

[@Rad_B_OLand]

Those blue filters are waterproof, so buy two and clean them off with the hose. Letting one dry while using the other one. No need to bang them around to knock off the dust. I’ve had the same filters for years, but I also use shop vac bags for fine dust. Don’t get me wrong this is an awesome tip and I will be implementing it into my shop vac use.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

I live in Illinois, now I have to wait until spring to use my other filter 😀 Seriously , that sounds like a good system you have. I"m just too impatient , I want to dump and get back to cleaning. I will use a bag if it is for drywall dust or other fine dust. The scum sock does not solve all shop vac related problems, but it helps. 👍🏼 Thanks for watching

[@Rad_B_OLand]

@@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams REALLY! Put it on a heat register in your house, it will be dry in less than a day. 🤦🏻 Wow! I thought I was communicating with someone with some intelligence. Thanks for the video and another shop vac hack. 👍

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

@@Rad_B_OLand Sorry, I thought I was communicating with someone with a sense of humor. You did see the smiley face right? I did not insult your intelligence. I was just trying to talk about my way of doing things. There is no reason to get so worked up over a shop vac filter. 🙄

[@jopalolive]

As he stood peeing in the wind "It's all coming back to me now"

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Conditions change...sometimes you need to pivot. 👍🏼

[@tonyc7352]

Good tip, thank you. If you already said it, I missed it but, that would be good for use on wet debris or water vacuuming, helps saves the filter paper from getting soaked.

[@jakeqwaninne8502]

i have been using my wife's old stockings,, but they aren't perfect, i'm gonna get me a scum sock,, but whenever i can , i just put another hose from the exaust , out a door or window , without using the filter, it's way stronger also,,i paint cars and we were always told that the exaust from the original "shop vac" brand was intended to blow dry water from cars after washing them to avoid soap spots, so it also does that well, it will also blow snow away pretty effectivly too,,most of the time

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

A Shop vac is a multi purpose tool. I have used the blower feature many times.👍🏼

[@danbell3827]

@@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams Just don't make the rookie mistake of forgetting to switch the hose back to the intake port before trying to suck up a pile of dust... I see that one all the time at work, and have done it a few times myself :P

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

@@danbell3827 😀 I have seen that done as a prank a few times. 👍🏼

[@brettbarager9101]

Amazon has cloth filters that go over the vac filter. That combined with a vac bag almost eliminates the majority of the particulates both coarse and fine.

[@georgedargoltz5118]

I have been using blue shop paper towels held in place by two thick rubber bands for over a year . Incredibly there is no discernible loss of suction . Try it out and comment me back. Much cheaper than the .50 cents for the scum sock. Thanks

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Sometimes it is best to use what you have.👍🏼

[@cajunpipesmoker1519]

I paused your video, went to Amazon and bought a 40 pack!!!! Great tip

[@cherokeesfinestindian]

Cool idea man, I was trying to watch you clean the filter but the sun was in my eyes. Lol 😆

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

That was dramatic video effect (on a budget)

[@algallego]

@Hassan Derrick Hassan, no one gives a shit, because that's a scumbag thing to do, unless, and only unless, you suspect she's up to no good behind your back!

[@dogface6040]

I haven't bought a new vac filter in at least a decade. You can clean them indefinitely. Get the gross dust off by just tapping on your hand (low abrasion) (and yeah stand upwind). Then I just run water across the filter; don't spray, no force, just let the water pick up the fine particles, washing from both directions (in/out). But I do admire the two-stage filter concept Keith uses. The larger particles will cake and fall off the fabric (this is the same principle used in bag fabric filters). Very nice.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

I’ve got to admit I’m not the best at filter maintenance. There are better ways to keep dust out of the filter, cyclones, bags etc. This sock is just a cheap way to extend the time between filter cleanings.

[@kkarllwt]

I build my own shop vacs. In the 80s Kmart discontinued some large auto filters. ( big block engines ) I bought 10 for $.50 each.I have been blowing these out ( outside with a small shopvac. ) and washing them for years. I wait til I have 3 or 4 dirty ones.

[@gatormccluskey3708]

Oh man the filter companies are hunting you down right now! LOL, Thank You it's a great idea I won't have to use my Mother in laws double DD cups!

[@thistledownwoodcraft3426]

Great tip, thanks. Watching you hose out that filer made me chuckel. My grandfather told me, `boy, never pee into the wind`.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Winds of change 👍🏼

[@shmaxo]

You can use some old nylons to achieve the same result, although a little more dust may get through, but still a great filter saver (your neighbors downwind must LOVE you lol)

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Ya same idea, I don't know anyone who wears nylons though. 😀

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

I live near a grain elevator, I am the least dusty neighbor.

[@kevinireland8020]

@@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams I feel your pain

[@gregd.88]

You just needed a good reason to buy nylons, huh!!!

[@shmaxo]

@@gregd.88 Don't need to buy them, I can them free from your wife. (drops mic)

[@lyndonp6296]

Watched this a few weeks ago.... Just put a skimmer sock on my Karcher shopvac. Thanks and seasons greetings from New Zealand. Stay safe.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Cool 👍🏼 I hope it saves you a little filter cleaning time.

[@jamesevans3347]

You know when it's a great idea because you feel so dumb not to have thought of it. Excellent 😂👍🏻

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Not a solution for world peace, but you gotta start somewhere.

[@odinata]

You will feel even dumber when you realize you don't have to order a special sock. Pantyhose works great! I use women's stockings from the dollar store.

[@THEATREGOD3]

I had some fabric at home that was a stretchy material that braids really well just like that didn't affect the power at all until it got clogged with dust but definitely saved my filter

[@antibrevity]

At the time of this post on 2021-03-12, Amazon is selling the 30-pack for a higher cost per sock than the 20-pack even *with* a 5% coupon on the 30-pack, so check the price before checking out. The difference is minor, but I expect bulk packs to be better values and will not buy them otherwise; I'll just buy more of the smaller packs instead. The difference is minor in this case, but it's unreasonable to charge *more* for a bigger volume of product and may sometimes even be done intentionally in the hopes that your customers are bad at math. Many are. Be very wary of Walmart for this, as well, as they often sell bulk packages for a higher price per unit than smaller packs. I've seen Walmart do this for everything from cereal to toilet paper, so I no longer assume that a bulk or "family" pack is the better value at Walmart; look at the shelf tag or do the math in your head or on your phone. I've even found shelf tags at Walmart that displayed completely incorrect price/unit costs, so I do a mental estimate to see if the displayed price seems reasonable.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

I’ve always used the price per ounce labels for reference , but I have never checked to see if they are accurate. Good tip.

[@placitas52]

Thanks for the video. I just ordered some. I've done it all. Including cleaning the dirty filter in that cyclone of dust. Even have shop vac bags that fit inside the vacuum to filter fine particles. Still the best item I purchased for the money is the shop vacuum itself.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

There are plenty of more expensive options. I like to start with the cheapest and work my way up.

[@philfrank9483]

That's a great tip - something I haven't heard before. Definitely going to give it a try. Thanks!

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼 Thanks for watching

[@powerwagon3731]

My vac uses a bag in addition to the filter it works great!

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yes bags were great, I use them on occasion. This tip is primarily for people who are using filter only.

[@martinsvensson6884]

My experience with bags is that they always break. And then when you open up the lid the filter is clogged anyway. Happens every time to me unless I want to empty the bag half full every time.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

@@martinsvensson6884 I have had several bags break also. I think it was because of a sharp chunk of wood or something. I just don’t like to throw away a 5-7$ bag just for general cleanup.

[@powerwagon3731]

@@martinsvensson6884 Yep your right!

[@mongomay1]

We use to use panty hose legs and socks on our pool filter elements, Same could be done for vacuum filters. Just knot or cable tie one end of the legs, might get 4-6 pre-filters that way. If the filter is solid on bottom use a leg segment as a sleeve.

[@mpbc48]

I am curious to know if covering the filter compromises performance. This type of filter allows better air flow because of the increased surface area the pleats provide. If you cover the filter, are you reducing surface area or is the cover porous enough to not have an effect?

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

The sock will still allow the superfine dust to pass through to the main filter. It keeps the majority of the big stuff out of the pleats to reduce cleaning. The accumulated cake will fall off easily instead of filling up the pleats.

[@jawaring4367]

you will be reducing the power/air flow, but you have to ask if it's worth the added benefit. I'm sure for a lot of jobs it's very worth it to lose s little bit of suction. panty hose also seems to be the same thing as this, so maybe go to the dollar store and get em even cheaper

[@chrissetter]

With or without the sock, you will have a drastic decrease of performance when the filter or sock is caked with fine dust. With a fresh sock alone, it won’t hurt the performance, but it will get covered almost immediately. I would recommend using a shop vac bag. It has a lot of surface area for the air to travel and keeps the filter clean, which results in more air flow. Plus, you don’t have to clean the filter/sock and expose yourself to the dust that you were trying to filter out in the first place.

[@shoe7146]

@@chrissetter Agreed. I have the same shop vac the OP has and use a shop vac bag, upgraded filter and use a dust deputy (2 stage cyclone dust collection system). The bigger wood chunks and most of the dust fall into the dust collector cyclone before it even hits the vacuum bag. The bag will collect the finer dust, and the filter will get the smallest of it. I rarely have to change out the vacuum bag and clean the filter. Yes you do loose a little bit of suction power when using the set up I have, but it is very nominal and keeps my system running better longer, without having to do frequent clean outs, if using the method OP is using. I collect dust just fine with the system I use, and would never go without using some type of 2 stage dust collection system.

[@chrissetter]

@@shoe7146 I use the same exact system and I can’t agree more. Plus you save money down the road. I even had a flooded basement and it the dust deputy hooked up to a 20 gallon bucket really saved me from constantly emptying the vacuum. The video acknowledged this method and it isn’t convenient for portability though. That’s why I have 2 shop vacs.

[@seagull6931]

I use the pool socks, they work great and really cutdown on removing filter and cleaning it as often. 😊

[@k9er233]

Thanks a lot Keith! Just ordered a 30 pack. Would you mind letting us know what that great acoustic guitar music is? Thanks again.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼 I edit with Apple IMovie that is one of the free music clips that comes with the program. I will try to find the name.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

The music is aptly named "Dustbowl"

[@misbehavens]

Great idea! I didn’t know what to expect from this mysterious hack but now I think I’m going to try it.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼

[@62Cristoforo]

I think shop vac are designed to be used with a dust bag ALONG WITH the pleated filter. The idea is the paper bag protects the filter from getting caked with fine dust

[@richardcagle5475]

them filters get pricey though. they're like $10 a pop and they fill up pretty quick if you do much at all. maybe if i knew i was gonna make a lot of something like sanding dust i would use one. maybe

[@SP-mp9yi]

This is my chosen method, the bags last me a while and there about $1,25 each now on Amazon when you buy a 12 pack.

[@richardcagle5475]

@@SP-mp9yi seriously? I need to look into that. They're way more expensive at HD an the like

[@SP-mp9yi]

@@richardcagle5475 Yeah check Amazon for that kinda thing, quality is exactly the same too. I learned that trick from the drywall'ers because the fine dust would make it through the filter s and back out the exhaust port lol 😆 so they used a cartridge filter with the bags and it never loose's suction power either. Power was the main reason I started doing it but if you need wet or something you don't want to use your bag on it's actually quite easy to take the bag out and refit it after. Good luck 🍀

[@richardcagle5475]

@@SP-mp9yi yeah, for me it's the sanding dust that definitely makes it out the port. Of course the most damaging particles is what gets out. I also have a pretty thick beard that hurts mask efficacy, so preventing it from getting loose is important to me. Haven't shaved for covid, not shaving for board dust. Although I feel that board dust is way more risky to me in the long run. Hard head I guess. Gonna try the bags now. Thanks again for the info

[@andrewchristiansen-Detroit]

You can also use AC filter foam from wal mart. Use a low temp hot glue gun to glue it into a circle. Also use a blower to blow off the filter rather than tap it like you did in the video lol. Ill probably use the scum sock over pre filter foam.. Thanks!

[@billhackley3540]

based on comments you have a very critical/observant viewing audience. worth the read

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

I really didn’t think this video would irk so many people. It is what it is simple/cheap. There are better ways to solve this problem but they are more expensive.

[@KWH803]

Best thing I've used on my shop vac is a dust deputy. It's a cyclone that goes before debris goes into the shop vac. I made a stand for the shop vac and 5 gal bucket with the dust deputy on top.

[@bobwallace5257]

I’ve been using a sleeve from an old tshirt for years works great.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yep same idea 👍🏼 very resourceful.

[@kkarllwt]

T shirt and a stapler.

[@barryulrich2170]

I use the same Ridgid machine with a bag and an after market Cleanstream filter for sanding drywall; but the best part of my system is the cyclone on a 5 gallon mud bucket. I have the machine and cyclone mounted to a converted child stroller to keep the two together and the pail and cyclone upright. It also gives me bigger wheels to roll around construction sites. I tape the stress points of the bag with duct tape or gorilla tape when its new and get several months out of a bag. The Cleanstream filter washes out with water and so far I haven't worn one out.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼

[@jjpayte]

Barry, could you send me a picture of what you have? Sounds like it could work for me too. Thanks

[@barryulrich2170]

@@jjpayte Yes I can send a picture or 2. I'm trying to upload a video to KZbin for you but not having much luck so I'm going to put some pics in Dropbox and reply back here with a link...providing of course that is ok with Keith Williams.

[@jjpayte]

Thanks Barry and thanks Keith! I have need for both of these

[@barryulrich2170]

@@jjpayte No problem, just a note on the Dust Deputy; the top can be removed and the new tab cut off. The tab doesn't work very well with fine dust. If you use the Dustopper make sure there is a gasket between it and the pail.

[@dzee9481]

Interesting, I have been using my wife's old nylon stockings which does the same thing. That is if the wife uses them, I figure since those are not cheap and when they rip I just cut off the rip portion and tie the other end and wrap around the filter it works great. For those of you that your wife wears nylons socks that works the same.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yep same principle applies. Plus that is the third R of recycling “re-use” 👍🏼

[@bethlangkamp6566]

Me too

[@OurOnlyHopeIsChrist]

Landscape fabric is tough, waterproof, and has small pores. Quality of fabric varies with manufacturer. A few layers can be used, as desired. Super-power hot-melt glue can be used to make any necessary joints in the fabricated cover. A major purpose of any cover is to keep debris from poking small and large holes in the pleated filter. Such holes are likely imperceptible. For that reason, I would always keep a pleated filter covered with a tough protective shield.

[@kkarllwt]

Or a stapler.

[@REJECT_GARAGE]

I almost spit out my beer.... A WHAT sock?!

[@dansoares6674]

If you use a bag in the canister you don't need the pleated filter. Just take it out. I've been doing this for years with no problems, and you will get more suction

[@logan5326]

🎵all we are is just dust in the wiiiinnndddd🎶

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Would have been nice to use that song but it would be a lot of $ 😀

[@logan5326]

@@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams haha I hear you brother....keep up the good work! 👍🏻😎

[@WCTarheel]

I've been doing the same thing for years on my 15 year old Rigid shop vac, except I use a left over filter bag from a vacuum that I no longer have. I cut off the cardboard that held it onto the old vacuum, then slide it over the shop vac filter and tuck it in at the top end. My Rigid shop vac has a screw that holds it in place, so I made a hole to pass thru the filter bag. Clean up is simple. Just pull the filter bag off and shake it and put it back on. Since it's made to filter dust, there isn't much dust on the shop vac filter. I've been using the same filter and filter bag for 15 years and it still works great.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

That is A1 shop ingenuity. Very resourceful. 👍🏼

[@n40tom]

Thanks for another great idea 💡

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

No prob👍🏼 hope it saves you some clean out time.

[@ARMYStrongHOOAH17]

Ohhhhh, that's what that thing is. My craftsman shop vac came with one of these, of sorts. It wasn't thin pantyhose like yours but it was a foamy cylinder that fit over the filter.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼

[@snap-off5383]

note to self: stand UP wind when dumping filter. 😂

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼 I’m going to take your advice next time...it all makes sense now.😀

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

Same thing for when you pee

[@snap-off5383]

@@evictioncarpentry2628 and spit!

[@algallego]

@@evictioncarpentry2628 Some people say they like the cooling effect-- sort of like a personal mister on a hot day! ;-D

[@darrellmathis1]

Lol, I use those pool filters as a filter in my car, 1999 Lexus RX300, i also spray the sock with silicone spray and let it dry, it helps to hold the dust and keep it from getting into my engine. Think i bought a pack of 30 on Amazon for like $10.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼

[@douglascorlett7890]

Well, first of all you are vacuuming all wrong. I have been a supervisor at many construction job sites and we have many temp workers come in and make the same mistake. Almost all of them will come into a room that has been "mudded" and then sanded, and then proceed to try and vacuum up the drywall mud dust. And of course the filter would plug with in minutes. Then they would have to go outside and clean it. They spent more time cleaning the filter then the floor : ( The proper way to use any vacuum is to sweep the vast majority of the dust, or what ever, first into piles and then use a broom and dust pan to put these into a garbage. Then you are left with just a light skiff to be vacuumed up. Work smarter, not harder.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

You should do a video on how to clean up a construction site, sounds like you have some good info. 👍🏼

[@jackd2083]

If your time is worth anything you should use a bag for sucking up that much dust. Fill up one bag per house size job and not have to sweep or clean the filter.

[@douglascorlett7890]

@@jackd2083 are you saying vacuum without a "filter" ? ? ? If you are, then (1) have proper face masks (PPE), and (2) you better hope the construction cleaning ladies don't catch you doing this shit, as half the stuff you are vacuuming up will come out the other end and be airborne landing all over the place, and they would cut your nuts off if they have to go up scaffolding to blow the crap from high beams and textured ceilings. I should clarify that the projects I was working on were 30 story high-end luxury million dollar condos. Your idea might be great if you are "blowing out" a garage or a pig sty, but not on one of my jobs sir : ( If you were a temp worker at a sight of mine, you would not be called back for a day 2.

[@jackd2083]

@@douglascorlett7890 You obviously don’t know what I am talking about. The bags go inside the vacuum and catch all the dust before it gets to the filter. I’m not sure how you don’t know about these bags if you are running “multi million dollar jobs”. I wouldn’t want someone so uninformed in charge of building my dog house!😜

[@douglascorlett7890]

@@jackd2083 Sorry Jack, I did misunderstand you. Sorry, and sorry if I came across as rude too : ( Actually the disposable bags are a good idea too. I found that when doing drywall dust they would clog a bit too, other debris maybe not so much. Anyways please accept my apology for for jumping off the gun without not understanding you. Okay, you get called back for the rest of the week ; ) Sorry again, have a nice weekend : )

[@jofloresz]

These look great I have been using nylons from the dollar tree all my life with my shop vacs and they are not the strongest things they work okay but this looks like a real solution to my shop! Thank you for sharing!

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yep nylons work also. The filter socks are pretty tough and last a long time.

[@bebo5558]

Most kinds of pantyhose work well for this too!

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yep, and you can use the eggs to organize your hardware. 😀

[@jtoombs56]

They are multi purpose. Been using them for years to rob liquor stores!

[@bebo5558]

@@jtoombs56 Do you also use the pantyhose in prison or are you a very successful robber! Ha Ha

[@jtoombs56]

toombs56 @Bebo May Oh, I’m very successful and never been caught unless you count that time my sister walked in on me while I was prancing in front of my mirror.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

@@jtoombs56 😀

[@martinschulz9381]

I recently tried a vacuum bag that came with the vac for the first time, and I was sold on it. Easy to change, the and no dusty mess. only for dry though.

[@rubo1964]

yeah but you pay for it

[@martinschulz9381]

@@rubo1964 Not much, they're inexpensive.

[@benkanobe7500]

This THE best shopvac advise on KZbin! Thank you.

[@johngardiner8847]

It’s also been done to death in videos..

[@benkanobe7500]

@@johngardiner8847 Wow. Thanks! That was really helpful information.

[@michaelroberts3883]

This works well enough but I think it is better to spend $10-20 and make a diy dust collector. Chris Notap has a great video for this. I never have to clean my filter.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼

[@j.w.r3730]

Multiple filtration is always the case,simple hack like this is genius,good teach!

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼There are probably better ways to solve this problem, but not many that are cheaper.

[@crackerjack3359]

My shop vac never gets that full the Home Depot duststopper takes it all. Yes its a pain having the extra bucket but I'm going to build a cart to take care of that. However, some dust gets through to the vac filter and your idea is a good one and I'll try that as well.

[@garyangelstad5212]

Beam central vacs had a loose fitting bag with a weight in it that would rise up with the bag at start up and drop back down at shut down and "snap" the bag to get rid of the dust cake from the bag and drop it into the can

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@congamike1]

Your demonstration made my sinuses get itchy. Thanks! I'm shopping!

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

That scene was a little bit info-mercialy. 😀

[@BrainDamagedBob]

Harbor freight sells prefilter bags for shopvacs. They are substantial enough to last quite a while. They filter good enough for most dusts that you can use them without the pleated filters even being there. If it gets clogged with some really fine dust. Just whack the vacuum a few times while its turned off, and it sucks again

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

I haven’t seen those there I’ll have to check it out.

[@jbr1952]

Home Depot does also.

[@festerrage]

I like the idea of using a scum soc and think that might be a nice improvement the nylon stockings. Also, I most "shop vacs" (in general, not the brand) have filter bags that collect the majority of the dust, etc. prior to the air going to the filter and out the exhaust. With how harmful shop dust can be I also like to use a pleated filter that is HEPA rated. They're actually designed to work with the filter bags followed by the pleated filter. Without both, I've seen data that suggests you might as well just use compressed air since so much of the microscopic dust is just going right through and out the exhaust (and that's the stuff we probably shouldn't be breathing). Thanks for sharing your discovery and experience!

[@robedmonson8453]

Well done ,,,comon sense prevails yet again ,,,O,,,i was told once that comon sense is not as common as one would think..Thank U for the help

[@mazman8343]

Great video dude your spot on about the sock I use a nylon tight 🙈it works . I just got a new vac with self clean filter push button cleaning me being a chimney sweep it's so important to have good suction 👍🙏

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼

[@mazman8343]

🙏

[@elijahtilley2]

First I tap the filter in a bag. When the vac is in two peaces, I plug in the motor side in and now I have a blower. Works great.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yes, I have seen people use this technique. 👍🏼

[@KeithLovgren760]

Great video. Thanks for putting it together. I just ordered a pack. FYI - the link to amazon shows out of stock and no clear restocking date. I ordered mine through another online retailer.

[@stevebabiak6997]

Amazon has alternate brands of the same basic item when you visit the link in the description.

[@mindseyeproductions8798]

cool find! I purchased a bucket style "pre-filter" from local bigbox store; works well; a bit expensive and a pain to deal with because the pre-bucket filter keeps falling over whenever you move the hose.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Ya , I found the bucket separator bulky and awkward. Some people make a carrier for all that , but then it is a huge thing that is not very portable.

[@mindseyeproductions8798]

@@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams I agree; and I have seen the carts people have made for them; I will eventually do the same of coarse after I have "raged against the machine."

[@kkarllwt]

Screw the bucket down to one or more pieces of plywood. Your choice of size and weight.

[@electricamish]

we found that too, only after buying them for our pool skimmer, and we don't need a new one for months, ....so we had many extra, and their cheap. started thinking of other uses. Used to always be the foam filter over the paper in the shopvac.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Same , I bought a 30 pack so I had to start finding uses for them.

[@DMUSA536]

Yup that’s what happens when I clean my filter. The wind shifts and dust in my face. Thanks for the tip

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

I would have liked to use “Dust in the wind” as the music for that scene. But This is not TikTok.

[@The-Year-2025]

I was thinking this way for years. I prevent my filters from getting clogged now by just using bags....good old fashioned vacuum bags, cheap Amazon ones, no filter cleaning needed....ever

[@back2backjack1]

Good idea I may have to try this. I also use a piece of fleece ( as in fleece blanket) fitted over the filter held in place with bungee and staples.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yep same idea👍🏼

[@kkarllwt]

Staples and cloth will make anything, unless you want pretty

[@Casper_Espresso]

I have a cheap MasterCraft wet dry vac, and the filter disintegrated after about 3 or 4 uses, I actually just use a sock with a hole in it and put that as a filter. It doesn't do a complete job, but it takes out 90% of the dust. And socks are washable.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼

[@robperkins2674]

I use a clean old socks simple and using a shop vac from the 80’s and still working great

[@wayneclu91]

I used shop paper towels & nylons my Mrs. discarded since my unit does not use paper refill cartages but a foam rubber sleeve. Also clean it with some dish soap

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Get er done 👍🏼

[@DabblelyDiddly]

I prefer to just use the bags.. I notice far less loss of suction minus what the bag does.. I wish ridgid would adopt the hepa material you get for nice bagged household vacuums as it is far more breathable than the paper... Does an even better job at filtering too.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼

[@pjenslin1]

Thanks for this great idea. You got me thinking. We don't get these cheap pool skimmer socks in my country. Do you think stockings / pantyhose may work?

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Yes they will work. Stockings are not as durable as the socks, but from what I hear in the comments a lot of people use them.

[@jameskelly9800]

Best idea yet. I've been making my own, but Scumsocks are the way to go. I hope you bought stock in Scumsock inc. before posting this vid.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Great, I hope they help you out a bit. 👍🏼 These socks are kind of a generic item. There seems to be a hundred different brands.

[@BourneAccident]

Been there done that. After discarding the scum sock, I still had to clean my filter. So why bother. Now, I just pop out my clogged filter, bang it out, then blow out all the dust with a leaf blower, reinstall, and back in business. I am using the same filter for the past 5 or 6 years. That's that. I do this every time I feel weight in the vac. Easy peasy.

[@GerardPinzone]

This is why I still buy (house) vacuum cleaners that use bags. It less maintenance and the costs are the same in the long run.

[@BelLavoroAutoSpa]

I use high efficiency dirt collection bags in mine. Costs more of course, but it compacts the dirt and when full just throw it out and replace. Never have to replace the filter!

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

👍🏼

[@kkarllwt]

Or cut one end and empty it. Then staple it closed.

[@GearJamminHank]

As a homeowner I don't use my shopvac enough so I just buy bags. I have to buy two bags every six months or so at $20. The bags are so much nicer to deal with for cleanup.

[@judyrobertson5564]

Very nice video. Thanks for sharing. I will give that a try. God bless you and yours.

[@robgad2271]

Excellent. Thanks for the info and the link. This is something that I can really use!

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

It won’t solve all of your shop vac related problems, but it is a cheap, easy improvement

[@robgad2271]

@@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams I agree, but it sounds better than spinning a filer to clean it and saves on direct impact damage to the paper filter. Half of my problem is small sharps and causing the filter to pass though dust. Adding the filter bag over the filter element, than a wrap of 100 mesh stainless ateel screen and a HD rubber band should help my simple and fast approach to both of these problems. Cheers.

[@Nyhvac]

I use the bag filter with that pleated hepa filter. Works great just remove the bag discard it and the pleated filter will collect whatever went thru the bag. Which isn’t much. It’s a game changer.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

That video would be called $8 shop vac hack?

[@incy55]

I use another vacuum to clean the pleats in the filter if my shop vac. works great no damage from banging it around. Ising the brush attachment get in the pleats real well. I will try the scum socks though.

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Ya, the sock just gives you more time between clean outs.

[@Unbendable74]

Crazy how this brings back memories of my teenage years

[@ODDBALLGALLERYKeithWilliams]

Nothing beyond 20 though, right.

[@dotarsojat7725]

When my Shopvac filter plugs up, I rinse it with a garden hose, and let it dry. Filter gets cleaned, and the water keeps the dust down.

[@jackc70]

Great idea! Did you also cap off the output hole? Looks like a solid cap plug on it.

[@nickadamson6053]

It's a "muffler", it's a small gauze filter that helps control dust and muffles the noise a little bit.