Improving My Dust Collection: Harbor Freight Modifications

I modified my Harbor Freight 2 hp dust collector by adding a pleated filter and a new flex hose and accessories. This has significantly improved the suction (anecdotally, I didn't take any actual measurements) and should result in much better air quality in my shop.
There is a ton of good information on building a Thein Baffle in the forums on this website: www.jpthien.com/
Tools/products used in this video:
Filter (100% Nanofiber): filterprofessor.com/products/...
4" flex hose: www.rockler.com/rockler-4-dia...
Dust Right tool kit: www.rockler.com/rockler-dust-...
Dust Right docking port: www.rockler.com/dust-right-4-...
Dust Right 4" tool ports: www.rockler.com/dust-right-4-...
6" flex hose: amzn.to/3optgSK
6" hose clamps (I DON"T RECOMMEND THESE): amzn.to/3L7HLVb
6" flow-tite: www.menards.com/main/heating-...
Gamma seal lid: www.menards.com/main/grocery-...
Remote outlet: www.menards.com/main/electric...
Tools in my shop:*
Dewalt DW735 planer: amzn.to/3uppEUL
Bosch Colt trim router: amzn.to/3sdmWPq
Bosch router template guide set: amzn.to/3GpY7EU
Festool OF 2200 router: amzn.to/3oj5LLa
Festool FS-1400 guide rail: amzn.to/3ops8yu
Fastcap PMS-16 tape measure: amzn.to/3L6BfxS
Fastcap PSSR25 tape measure: amzn.to/3unCuCU
Wen 3-speed air filter: amzn.to/3GrNvFw
Yost 7" vise: amzn.to/3opajQd
PEC 12" combination square: amzn.to/3LaETHd
Kinex machinist square: amzn.to/3rpv1Br
Sanding blocks: amzn.to/3J4e9pE
Bostitch air compressor + 3 tool kit: amzn.to/3AVrKNc
Safety glasses: amzn.to/34ugHP1
Respirator: amzn.to/34a8Vu3
Respirator particulate filters: amzn.to/3L3ZInH
Respirator vapor filter: amzn.to/3Hy8F6A
Custom Cuts by Chris:
Instagram(@custom_by_chris): / custom_by_chris
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/cutsbychris
Facebook: / customcutsbychris
*Disclaimer - As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@blurkee]

Thanks for the comprehensive description. Especially the links to the components. There are a lot of videos covering this subject. Yours is the least confusing I've seen. And congratulations for keeping it simple and compact.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Wow, I really appreciate the kind feedback! I am glad it was helpful and hope to keep bringing good info in future videos. Thanks for watching!

[@eswifttt]

Finally someone with a simple practical but effective method for wall mount Harbor Freight dust collector. thanks for sharing

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Thanks, Erick! I continue to be humbled by all the positive support and feedback on this build. Really appreciate it 👊🏼

[@indyvin]

Can't ask for much better efficiency than you are getting. I have a HF unit just sitting here. Your parts and source list is invaluable. Love your design. Thanks.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Yeah, I think this turd is as polished as it can get! haha. Thanks though, I appreciate the feedback and you watching!

[@gddrift6690]

Really nice job! I've watched a couple dozen HF dust collector mod videos and yours is the first that tells the viewer all they need to know and without lots of extraneous filler. I'm going to copy your setup which is made much easier by you including the links for the needed components. It's interesting how few of the videos include the links for the needed equipment. The only additional thing I'm going to do is add the Wen impeller which is about 1/3 the price of the Rikon that many seem to use. Top notch video and many thanks!

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hi GD, I’m humbled by your comments! I’m just a guy in my garage that loves woodworking. It makes me happy to know my ideas have been useful in helping others plan out their builds. Let me know how it goes!

[@GyWO10]

Great concept & build! I’m looking to get a HF DC soon & I like your design; so I can see myself replicating this in the future.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Love it, Dawayne! Thanks for watching and I appreciate the nice comment.

[@anynomous2024]

Thank you for that…it will be easy for me to follow when I upgrade my dust collecting.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Awesome! I’m happy to hear that. Good luck with your upgrade, let me know how it goes.

[@rickhayhoe]

This is GREAT! I have a Makita impeller similar to Chris's Harbor Freight job. The setup Chris shows here will work well with the Makita and solves some problems I was facing in adapting it to work with a drum filter. I'm in Japan, by the way, and as far as I know this impeller and its accessories are not exported, in case anyone thinks of looking for it. It's made to use a large canvas and felt bag to catch particles large and small, which we all know will allow very fine particles to flow right through and be expelled into the shop's air space. Makita suggests using a long outfeed hose and putting the bag outside the shop. Heh. I've been thinking about employing a drum filter and some sort of large particle separator, and this video points the way. Thanks, Chris!

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Fantastic, thanks Rick! Let me know how it works for you.

[@sama1732]

Just came across your channel. Love it how resourceful and the mod. Also thank you for the components list. I hate it when video describe this and that without pointers to the actual parts. Subscribed.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Thank you, Sam! As a home woodworker I try to put info in my videos that I would find helpful. I’m glad you found it useful and I really appreciate the subscription 👊🏼

[@1AXMRDR]

Nice design! Thanks for sharing.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate you watching.

[@mcvb765]

Great video I like your set up. I’ve been looking for a small set like your. Thanks for sharing

[@CustomCutsByChris]

I appreciate it, Mike! It’s been working really well for me. Have a great day.

[@beezee6979]

Just found this video. Thanks for sharing it. A very good setup!

[@CustomCutsByChris]

You bet, happy to hear you enjoyed it! I appreciate the compliment.

[@beand]

Good stuff! I like your setup over others because yours has the smallest footprint. I just used your video as inspiration for my exterior build. Wish i would have seen it before i bought a dust deputy lol.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Sweet, I like to hear that! I really considered putting my DC outside or in the attic to save space but decided against it as my shop is heated/cooled and I thought it would suck out my conditioned air too quickly.

[@zapa1pnt]

I love the idea of using a french cleat system for the blower/motor. I have tried to figure a simple way to get rid of the rolling cart part (takes too much room) but couldn't come up with anything. This makes it much easier, because it is not necessary to try to hold the darn thing, up against the wall, while mounting it.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Glad you found it helpful! I like the French cleats for hanging heavy or bulky things like this as you don’t have to awkwardly hold the item in place to attach any hardware. Just drop it on the cleat and boom goes the dynamite.

[@crescentworks6855]

The French cleat is a smart move! Going to use that.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

They are a great way to hang many things, especially big heavy things like this!

[@jayraysdiy852]

Good job. I like it!

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hey thanks, Jay! I like it too :) it has been working very well and really improved my suction.

[@woodsniffer]

I like it Chris looks nice and compact and clean looking. (No pun intended) quick and to the point nice video.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hey Phil! Thank you for watching and for the nice comment. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it.

[@woodsniffer]

Did you get the 13130F - Replacement for Radeks Workshop filter

[@CustomCutsByChris]

@@woodsniffer Yes, the one with the nanofiber media.

[@woodsniffer]

@@CustomCutsByChris is that one with FR ?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

@@woodsniffer yes, that is correct. Good luck with your build!

[@charlescote8391]

Thank you

[@CustomCutsByChris]

No thank YOU, Charles! Hope you enjoyed it. I appreciate you watching.

[@joshlillpop5595]

How’s it working a year later? Did you make any changes since the video? Great job, looking into doing something similar.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hi Josh, still working great and really like the set up. I have not cleaned the filter but probably should do that, performance still seems good though. I haven’t made any changes since the video. Thank you for tuning in and for the comment!

[@akquicksilver]

Good upgrade. Do you have any idea what the micron rating on the filter is and is your HF motor a 120V or 220V?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hi JB! I think it is 0.5 micron or better but the site does not say that specifically. Basing that off other nanofiber filters I’ve looked at. The HF motor is 120V. Thanks!

[@utaheng1]

Nice video. I am currently putting together a setup very similar to what you have done. How well does it work when that 21' flex hose is fully extended?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Awesome! Good luck with your build. Most of my big tools are close to the DC so I don’t have to stretch the hose too far for them. Only time it’s fully extended is cleaning up the shop floor/bench tops and I can’t say I’ve noticed a difference in suction when doing that.

[@raizt1596]

How well does the floor vacuum attachment work? Some people are saying it doesn't have enough suction and they are just using their old shop vac instead of the dust collector vacuum attachment to clean the floors.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

I use mine all the time and haven’t had any problems with it. I’ve found it has plenty of suction for general clean up of dust off the floor.

[@alanewoelksr8641]

Replacement fan for harbor freight dust collector

[@laurac4562]

nice

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Thanks, Laura.

[@eejamaican]

Did you rotate the blower housing? My blower end does not point in that direction when mounted. Do you happen to have or can point me to a video or resource on how you did this?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hi there, I’m sorry I somehow missed your question. Yes I did rotate the blower housing. I don’t have a video, I did it before I started making them. If I remember correctly I just opened the housing and removed the screw’s mounting the housing behind the impeller and rotated it to the desired direction. I think you may have to remove the impeller to access the mounting screws. Hope that helps!

[@shenanfaas1802]

I have been trying to find a 6" dust inlet for the propeller and the one that I could find is obviously a horrible knockoff and it didnt fit in the original circle at all. Where did you get yours?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hi, Shenan! I used an HVAC fitting called a 6” take off. I opened the hole on the metal housing for the impeller to match the inside diameter of the fitting by cutting the housing with a metal blade and jigsaw. I then attached the fitting with rivets instead of screws to be sure the screws didn’t poke through and contact the impeller. I hope that helps, let me know if you have any more questions! Here is a link to a similar fitting. www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Flow-6-in-Air-Tite-Take-Off-ATTO6/100143514

[@bsdbryn]

Nice mod! Are you happy with the results now that you’ve had it running for a while?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hi there, thank you! Yes I really do like it a lot. It actually feels like a legitimate dust collector now haha. The filter is working great and I don’t miss the puff of dust I would get when I turned it on in the old configuration. Love the single flex hose too, perfect size for my space.

[@kevinwilliams8581]

You mentioned your old system wouldn't clear your table saw of sawdust. Does your upgrade keep up with your table saw now? I have a similar situation.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hi Kevin, yes the new system keeps up very well. There is a little dust that collects in the corners but the bottom of the cabinet stays clean. I’ve been really happy with the upgrades and don’t anticipate needing to make any more changes for the foreseeable future. Thanks!

[@aroundtheshop]

The Canister filter is a little smaller than what i've seen others use, Have you tested CFM?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

No I didn’t set anything up to measure CFM. I can say with confidence that it has way better CFM than my old set up but that’s not saying much, it was pretty inefficient.

[@Ray-bo7zg]

How long does the filter last you? Do you blow it out occasionally with compressed air?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

I have not changed it since I installed it. Honestly I’m not sure how long they are supposed to last. I did take it off a couple months ago blew it out as best I could.

[@josephromero1596]

Could I run this online horizontally from behind blower through filter into sealed bucket? My system is built into work bench so no room to hang lol pretty much same way u did except horizontal

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Yeah I think that would work Joseph. If I’m understanding correctly I don’t see why not.

[@josephromero1596]

@@CustomCutsByChris ok cool - basically take ur exact system and tilt it 90 degrees- so instead of gravity assistance the blower would just push the dust out through the filter

[@DG-vo8yc]

Do you have the one or two horsepower harbor freight dust collector? Thanks!

[@CustomCutsByChris]

I have the 2hp motor.

[@regibson23]

Those wireless remotes are technically rated for 15 amps so you should be good. Technically.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Sweet, good to know. It’s been working fine so I’ll stick with it. Thanks Rob.

[@hobbes3]

What's the MERV rating for that filter? Is it HEPA-rated?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hey Hobbes, honestly the website doesn’t give those specs so I cannot say for sure.

[@bsoneill3]

Can you replace/clean the filter? Looks like it's semi permanent.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Great question Brendan. To clean it I leave it in place and blow compressed air from outside letting the dust settle in the bucket in the bottom. Replacing would be a little more work but I don’t expect to need to do that more than every couple years, if that.

[@billlichirie14]

Please, what is the filter model number and cost??

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hi Bill, there is a direct link in the video description to the filter I used. It is part #13130F on filterprofessor.com and cost $90. Thanks for watching!

[@jerryhoggard9398]

will this help to pull more dust?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Adding the filter did help increase suction yes.

[@jjbuzard21]

Why did you go with a 6 inch pipe instead of stay with 4 inch?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hi Fuzzy, I decided to use 6" for the blower intake and outlet as I have read that this will increase the airflow through the blower leading to better suction. I didn't do any scientific measurement to see if I gained anything but I figured it wouldn't hurt anything. My suction hose that goes to all the tools is still 4".

[@zapa1pnt]

@@CustomCutsByChris: You should run 6" round ducting (PVC is Expensive) as far as you can, from your collector (including the connection to the barrel) and keep the 4" flex to a minimum. The flex tube is a bit of a restriction for more reason than it's size. The corrugation, on the inside, slows the air flow.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Yeah I do agree that would be more efficient. I’ve struggled to find a good route to run the ducting in my small space, or maybe have just struggled committing to a more permanent layout :-) I appreciate the tips though!

[@gatordontplay8161]

How’s the setup working for you now?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Love it, Gator! Working great except for the time I didn’t empty the dust barrel and the bucket under the filter got so full it broke off 🤦‍♂️ other than that, I like the setup.

[@gatordontplay8161]

@@CustomCutsByChris haha, lesson learned! I clicked on the link for the filter, it doesn’t work. Do you have the model number?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Checked my order it says “13130F - Radek's Workshop - OEM Replacement Filter” thanks for letting me know, I’ll try to fix the link.

[@sprabaryfamily]

ur title States this is a video about how to install the wynn filter to your dust collector. why, why does this not simply show what the title suggests?

[@CustomCutsByChris]

While I didn’t use the Wynn filter, the one I used is similar. I thought I covered the install of it but if there is something you still have questions on I’m happy to help if I can. Thanks!

[@LisaEhleringer]

Your filter is a $70 part with $50 shipping... no thanks.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Hi Lisa, $50 is a lot more than I paid for shipping. I know everything has gone up lately but I agree that seems high!

[@donmeyers3090]

Yep, I just checked. This exact filter is $95 and now they want $52 for shipping!! Yikes.

[@regibson23]

Those wireless remotes are technically rated for 15 amps so you should be good. Technically.

[@CustomCutsByChris]

Good to know, thanks! It’s been working well so I guess that’s what’s important. Thank you for watching.