How and why to hang a shop vac from the ceiling | dust collection hack

[@edmcbain8457]

This guy is smart, has a sense of ingenuity, and is just a likable dude

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks man!

[@paulruud5804]

😎 I’m looking forward to hearing the story of the many shop vacs. Thanks for your videos.

[@SlowandExpensive]

Cool, and you are welcome!

[@DamianDArienzo]

Me too. Why not a single larger dust collection.... And one or 2 dedicated shop vacs?? ​@@SlowandExpensive

[@randyweathington5754]

Another great video! When I retired. I downsize my shop from a 40×60 shop to a 12×20. The shop Vac system totally works in my shop. I put everything on wheels . So I have to fit everything into the cabinet of the tool. That's why I asked about the size of the box and the. Also, if it could lay on it's sides. Thanks randy weathington.

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks Randy!

[@joedance14]

Thank-you for this video! Very clever. Previously, I had gotten just a glimpse here and there of Ridgid shopvacs on the wall, and was very intrigued. This explains it all. Hope everyone there is well. Stay safe!

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks Joe!

[@Sebastopolmark]

Thanks Tony for the series. I am in the third bay of a three car garage, so I only have one fu! !! !!!nctioning wall. The good news is that I have 10' ceilings SO this just might be the answer. Will revisit (study) all the videos and make some changes in my "shop"! !! !!!

[@SlowandExpensive]

Awesome!

[@NWGR]

Excellent tips, thanks for posting! I keep my dust collection vac up on a wall mounted shelf above the right wing of my tablesaw, which would be dead space otherwise. I have a couple of other vacs to handle around the shop cleanup, but getting it off the floor and out of the way was one of the best improvements I made in my small, one car garage shop. Mine is hooked up to a dust deputy 2.5 with a 14 gallon waste container and I still use a fine filter bag in the vac. Basically nothing ever gets to the actual filter, and as long as I remember to empty the waste bucket, it takes literal years for the bag to get to the point where it would be time to change it. And even then, it probably wouldn't be full. Beautiful doggo!

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thank you!

[@David-xz3tu]

I have most of my saws and sanders hooked up to shop vacs, but recently switched my shop vacs to the Dewalt Stealthsonic vacs, they really cut down on the noise in my small shop. Highly recommend.

[@SlowandExpensive]

I'll have to check those out. Thanks!

[@randycosgrove3608]

I like the concept. Seems easier to set up than a large single collector with all kinds of piping and blast gates. Definitely outside the box thinking and it seems to be well executed. I'd be interested in hearing more about the many shop vacs.

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thank you!

[@tylerhuttosmith]

I’ve been debating running 2” pipe and the shop vac through the attic (I have garage access) to help with noise mostly. I live in Texas and the additional heat would likely cut into the life of the motor, but I don’t think negative pressure would be an issue as it’s a fairly good sized attic. Could be wrong, though. I do also have it running through a cyclone separator. It’s a small-ish garage and the sound keeps me from using it as much. I currently have it on a series of shelves stacked to the ceiling, but at a minimum I’ll likely copy your bracket design! Thanks for the inspiration and videos!

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks! I don't know about the attic idea. I guess you could but if it's mostly for noise perhaps using an autovac switch would be the solution. Then the vacuum only makes noise while the tool is making noise. That's how I roll. It's the noise of a constant running vacuum or dust collector that drives me nuts but if the vacuum only comes on with the tool it's not too bad at all. You can get one fairly cheap. There's a link for one in the description. It's currently on sale for $30. (they are usually $40 or more) I would try that before piping the vac from the attic. Good luck!

[@jonfrisch2584]

Hey...man, you could really benefit from a central dust collection system! I'm presently building a separation box - thanks for all the cool ideas!!

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks! For me having a central dust collection system would be like replacing my everyday driver with a monster truck.

[@tracischutte7540]

I line the series and as far as the comments. You do your shop my man!

[@SlowandExpensive]

Always!

[@Lwimmermastermetalart]

I will admit it’s a great idea to hang them. Always good to utilize your space the best you can. Probably better than one big vac with larger piping and gate valves at each station. However still seems like pretty much work with having so many of them. However to each his own. You put a lot of good thinking into the project and I’m sure you’ve keep dust to a min. Only thing I might suggest is replacing the 90 deg fittings wherever you can. 45 deg will be less restrictive giving a better air flow. The only drawback is the amount of space it will take compared to the 90’s Other than that good job young man. Oh and I LOVE the lights on the tube. Some cool LED color changing ones would be awesome for party mode 😂. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks! The long sweep 90's did push things out several inches and took up a lot of extra space. I didn't notice much difference in the suction but the street 90's made things much more tidy. I like the idea of using some party lights! I'll have to upgrade :)

[@jerrystark6766]

What we have here is a failure to accumulate. Nice setup. 👍👍

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thank you!

[@cedartreeworkshop]

Going to try this with my WD4522A. I have a 13’ ceiling in my shop that should be perfect for hanging a few canisters above tools.

[@SlowandExpensive]

Perfect!

[@jamaxit]

I totally relate to all the shop vacs and wish I would have gone down that path. I have one of those 3HP cyclone dust extractors….it’s loud, takes up a lot of space and I wish I could sell it for 2/3rds of what I paid for it and I would be on shop vacs.

[@SlowandExpensive]

There's a big 5hp dust collector in my friends shop and when I was working in there my favorite time of day was anytime that thing was turned off. Most folks think that a big collector with ducting and blast gates is going to be the cat's meow but the truth is it's more like the lions constant roar and so frustrating having to remember to open and close all the blast gates.

[@loumonte658]

Cool set-up.

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks!

[@garyfoster3076]

Well, damn damn damn. Outsmarted by shop vacs❤

[@SlowandExpensive]

😉

[@jimaspinii7579]

Your special effects are WONDERFUL! How much time do they take?

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks! It really just depends on the video. This one didn't take long. I started on Friday morning and uploaded it on Sunday evening but there are a few on my channel that I have weeks and even months involved in the making. If you haven't seen the one about the cyclone dust separators yet it was a serious project for me. It took me while to do all the special effects in that one. I almost crashed my computer making it. Here's a link kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGXCe3aMotOgj7M

[@jimaspinii7579]

Much appreciated!!!

[@grahampurvis5160]

I have been generous with my dust so far.I spread it everywhere.😜I think your way is better.😂

[@SlowandExpensive]

The stuff is easy to spread!

[@rdg848]

So nice to see your setup. I've been planning to build a mobile shop vac and cyclone separator cart. In every video I've seen on these, the cyclone separator is above the vacuum. To me it makes more sense to put the vacum above the separator. I was going to do it the typical way, but seeing your setup gives me the confidence to do the opposite. Any idea why everybody else puts their separators above their vacums?

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thank you! I'm working on my next video now and it's all about my dust collection cart. Hope to have it uploaded by Sunday evening. It will give you some food for thought on your build. As for why people place the separator over the vacuum I just don't know. The process works the same way no matter the location so why anyone would go out of the way to place it above the vacuum is weird. On a dust collection cart I think everything works out 100% better with the vacuum on top.

[@rdg848]

@@SlowandExpensive Sounds great. I'm a subscriber now, so I won't miss that video.

[@The42Joker]

I love the idea of moving them high! Never thought of that! I'm going to do that for sure. Thanks! Now, you don't have a dust cyclone on your above blade table saw collector?

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks! Yeah, I decided that there's not enough dust to justify having the cyclone on that vacuum. At least for now. I may add one back to it in the future if I get super busy but for now the dust going straight into the vacuum just makes more sense. It will take several months before it needs to be emptied or cleaned.

[@The42Joker]

Fair enough@@SlowandExpensive Dust collection up high is my new mission for the shop. I have a couple of vacs, and now I know where to put them. A little pvc and I'll be set. Thanks again for the inspiration!

[@billweyant4532]

I only wonder if your plainer or jointer ever clog your lines?thats why I bought a big 2hp dust collector but still have my bucket setup for sanding and clean up besides saw dust.my saw dust goes to a farmer.

[@SlowandExpensive]

I don't have a jointer but but when I use my planner I direct the chips directly into a can no extra dust collector involved but a 5hp shop vacuum is only going to work well with smaller tools. Even the largest shop vacuum is only going to pull about 160cfm and something like the tools you mention usually need around 400cfm (minimum) and 4" hoses for adequate collection. My largest dust creating tool is an 80" belt sander and I have it hooked to a conventional single horsepower dust collector.

[@drewfoxworthy1057]

pretty clever!

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thank you!

[@paulmassey482]

I am doing this ...great idea, let me know if you want an image.

[@SlowandExpensive]

Sure, that would be great! If you can link the image here in the comments that would be perfect. Thank you!

[@DarylBambic]

"I like this dude!", I just said to myself. So I subscribed.

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks!

[@henryrossouw930]

Brilliant.Mine is going to hang from now on.😂😂Take up too much space

[@SlowandExpensive]

Perfect!

[@Dan-vy8he]

Thanks for sharing you projects...you dust maker. :)

[@SlowandExpensive]

@@Dan-vy8he Thank you!

[@barryshrives]

Now that’s a very well thought out design just a shame I don’t have the head room to do this in my workshop

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thank you!

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thank you!

[@pazmaniaoh6341]

I just finished a dust collection system inspired by your videos. Id love to share it with you if you have any way to contact you.

[@SlowandExpensive]

Sure, when you're on my main channel page and click on the about section (the arrow next to Ideas and adventures of a garage workshop) you will see my email there. I'd love to see what you've built!

[@lanzer22]

Shop vacs are dirt cheap, and with cyclone collectors it really doesn't matter how good the vac's filtration system is, and you're not paying for extra power just to suck dust across 30 feet of tubes across the garage. The only drawback is that you have to collect more bins overall, but unless you're running a factory, we all know how much dust we make on a weekly basis. This is unconventional but tremendous value for the money.

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks!

[@hdwoodshop]

Been thinking of adding dust collection right at my large dust producing machines. I purchased and have rescued several shop vacs. With so many vacs yourself, just curious about why you chose to go up, instead of integrated at the machine? I think you would also have less pressure and velocity losses due to long runs and sharp turns. Great video, appreciate you sharing your very ingenious ideas.

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thank you! All of the vacs that are hanging from the ceiling are directly behind the machines they are collecting dust from except the one that is collecting the dust off the top of the table saw blade. I'm not sure how I could integrate them any more than they are. As for the one collecting over the top of the table saw, it could be directly over the table saw but I'd rather it be over against the wall. If it was mounted directly over the saw I would still have to route the power cord back down, which would have to go across the ceiling over to and down the wall and then across the floor and back under the saw to connect to the autovac switch. I don't notice a loss in suction, or at least one that is interfering with the dust collection, with the long run. It is only about 12 feet and I feel the idea of a noticeable loss in suction would have to be a lot more than that. I think I may have to do some experiments to see exactly how far a long run has to go before there is a noticeable loss.

[@waynerutledge8802]

What happened to the explanation of why so many shop vacs?

[@SlowandExpensive]

It will all be explained in a special video :)

[@kpmathis71]

Hey, instead of all that you could have....sat in the house on your rump like all the internet critics do. My main issue with this is my garage ceiling height (drive under garage in 70s house, so 9' max. What rating do you look for as minimum for a vac as dust collector? (Hp or cfm or static pressure or ?)

[@SlowandExpensive]

My ceiling is also 9'. I don't really have a specific minimum requirement for using a shop vac for dust collection. The little ones works on smaller tools. I have three other small 3.5 hp ones like the one over my table saw hooked up to some smaller tools and they work great. One is hooked to my scroll saw another is usually hooked to my little spindle sander but it's currently hooked to an orbital sander at my friends shop and then there is one that I use for general clean up around the shop and for cleaning the cars and stuff. I find that the amperage is usually a better marker for how powerful one is. The hp ratings can be misleading. The one under my table saw is a 6hp it's 11 amps it's rated at around 150cfm. The little ones like the one over the table saw is 3.5hp 7,5 amps and is around 60 cfm. I have a whole bunch of the 5hp 9.2 amp ones. They are rated at around 130cfm. I've hooked three and four of them together before and they get pretty powerful. I recently bought a little cordless miter saw and found a little cordless stick vac that actually works decent for dust collection with it. It just depends on the tool.

[@PhongNguyen-iz3sj]

You should place your vac right above your cyclone. Seal the hole on side of the shop vac and drill an appropriate hole at the base. Then run a much shorter hose to your cyclone with no elbows. Much better suctions.

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks for the nonsensical advice

[@PhongNguyen-iz3sj]

@@SlowandExpensive My apology. It was NOT meant to mock or belittle your engineering ability. I was hoping to give you a way to improve your setup. I will take it as my fault for not clearly explaining my self. 1. Longer hose, especially flexible ones, produce more drag and there by reduce efficiency. 2. A 90 degree elbow vs a straight run is less efficient. By sealing the 2.5" hole that comes with all shop vac and drilling a different 2.5" hole at the bottom of the shop vac, you can then connect the hose vertically and have a straight and shorter run to the cyclone. It is only a suggestion. If you think it is crap .. no problem. You have a good day .. happy wood working.

[@jimaspin2274]

super Super SUPER ! ! !

[@SlowandExpensive]

Thanks!

[@regularguy9264]

Now I’m wishing I had higher ceilings in my small shop…..

[@SlowandExpensive]

I feel for you. One must have at least 9' ceilings to comfortably deal with sheet goods. Any less is a frustration.

[@AdamsLab]

Simple solution for having the shop-vac available while hanging on the wall. Hose reel. I have my vac in a little shack outside of my shop (for the same reason you mention, space, and noise) and have a 40' hose on the inside for connecting to tools, vacuuming cars, etc. I use the Rockler 40' hose, which is great, but DO NOT recommend their reel (it has a design flaw that causes leaks). I bought a Coxreels reel and the hose works great on it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYfdn5RugcyqaZY

[@SlowandExpensive]

I use autovac switches, so my vacuums only run when a tool is in use. The tools are usually making as much, if not more, noise than the vacuum, so noisy vacuums aren't really an issue for me. I actually find that my setup is much more peaceful than shops that have a collector that's running all the time. My longest hose is only about 12' so I don't know that I could do much with a hose reel but I do know those things are pricey :)