Harbor Freight Dust collector: Easy Empty Barrel

My second dust collector. This one is the Harbor Freight 2 hp unit. I mod it to replace the plastic collection bag with a barrel that disconnects like pulling out a drawer for easy emptying using salvage stuff from around the shop.

[@bab7880]

While the build is great, the most important thing I’m taking from this is your knob making. Such a wonderfully simple way to make it

[@CraftsmanontheLake]

Glad you like it!

[@NkySpike65]

Great job!

[@charlesknight3204]

Dan … Haven’t commented in a while; been ill and getting better. I remain in awe of your knowledge base and your true craftsmanship!!! Hope Joyce is doing well!!! Until your next video and beyond, happy trails, best wishes, take care, be safe and God bless!!! Chuck Knight formerly from Buffalo, Texas and now from Atascocita, Texas. ✝️👨‍🌾🦌🖖🙏

[@CraftsmanontheLake]

Hey Charles. Didn't know you were ill and glad your improving. I hope it's nothing long term for you. I see you've moved. Take care please.

[@charlesknight3204]

@@CraftsmanontheLake Dan … This stuff is bacterial and I am slowly improving. Been ill over three weeks, and ready to be well again. Catching up on KZbin videos. Send my warmest wishes to Joyce. God bless!!! Chuck Knight. 👨‍🌾

[@solorentalrenovations]

This is a great idea and addresses one of only a couple issues I had with this collector. The bag was a pain to get on and off and inevitably you’d end up with dust in the air as you messed with the metal band. I always dumped and reused the bag too, the trash can will hold up much better. The other issue I had was clogging…you’re just connecting it to your table saw so you should be all set, but I found that curly shavings, like the kind from a jointer or planer (especially pine) would clog sometimes because of the guard on the intake. I ended up grinding it off on mine, but since yours is tablesaw only you won’t have any issues. This is a great video, I’d have paid more to have a trash can adapter as an accessory for this. Also, those knobs…great idea, and recycling to boot

[@CraftsmanontheLake]

On my other collector I cut out the cross hatch blockage at the entrance to the impeller. Don't know if that was wise but it too would block with planer chips.

[@ericekman]

this is exactly something I've been wanting to do, putting the dust collector outside the shop in the connected 'shed' space-- glad to see someone else using this in practice! is the Wen impeller that fits the 2hp harbor freight: [3403-022] Turbo Fan for WEN 3403 ?

[@gilbertrabbe5424]

Hello Dan. Just stumbled across your channel. You are addressing a dreaded chore near and dear to me ... hate changing bags and manhandling the sawdust. Being able to locate your DC in your downstairs garage is a big plus, but watch for fine dust leakage especially if you operate it in the shop while waiting for warmer weather. From my testing and design experience while working on my own solution, I think you may eventually have leakage at your ungasketed joint between the two sheets of plywood. Dust proof closure with four bolts on a 22+" diameter joint is a tough ask. Maybe not initially, but possibly afterwards as the weight of captured sawdust increases. The other leakage driver could be increasing pressure as the filter picks up a layer of dust. Since you are just connected to a table saw and are using the 5 micron bag ... you may not have much pressure build. However if someone creates fine dust or adds a 1 micron bag or a filter cartridge, the odds of pressure build increases significantly. I tackled that problem a bit differently by sealing the DC cylinder to a separate chamber and that allows the collection bag to be separated from the DC. I access the bag by way of a easy opening hatch. My solution was highlighted in the Dec 2023 edition of Woodsmith magazine (www.dustcollectorhero.com) Always interesting to see others tackling a shared problem. Good way to learn things. Thanks for posting your video.

[@CraftsmanontheLake]

Thnx. Yes, Still waiting to install and fire it up. It's 11F here this morning down in the garage so no hurry . Yes, I figured the gasket was a 'science experiment' for sure. I just viewed your video and you have a really nice solution there. I wondered if the gasket would hold the pressure buildup. I do have a couple of ideas about that. First is that As weight grows in the barrel I could support it from beneath. And if the leakage ends up being minor, well it's in a location I wouldn't mind. Suction after the blower isn't dependent on the seal at that location. I'm still opting for a 30 gallon plastic drum I see once and awhile on marketplace as a replacement at some point. But, it's inevitable... I will find out soon!

[@gilbertrabbe5424]

@@CraftsmanontheLake If you get a drum with a snap lock ring top, you can get a good seal. Use that with a cantilevered support base to raise/lower the drum. As for your location not being a concern over minor leakage ... possible with table saw debris from lumber. I cut a lot of MDF on a large CNC router and that dust just loves to squeeze through any opening no matter how tiny!

[@CraftsmanontheLake]

@@gilbertrabbe5424 I avoid MDF if at all possible. Just the dust that comes off the tool that doesn't get vacuumed gets everywhere. But, sometimes I do use it out of necessity.