Improving Your Separator Seal

For years I have struggled with my separator seal not doing it's job and the contents leaking out. Today on the show, we correct that problem. I hope you enjoy the show.
Please don't forget to like and subscribe and as always, thank you for tuning in to the show. It's very much appreciated.
If you are interested in the router circle jig that I used for this project, you can find the instructions on how to build it here... • Router Circle Cutting Jig
The instructional for the band saw circle cutting jig (part one and two) can be found at the following links.
Part one. • Band saw Circle Cuttin...
Part two. • Band Saw Circle cuttin...

[@MarkJonesRanger]

I use 4 dust deputies and one dust rite and most of the issues are when the dust bucket seal is leaking. You have a good video on fixing that seal. My dewalt planner will blow the seal on my dumpster pretty fast If I don't keep after the seal. It's hard to get these things to seal. Thanks for sharing your success with us.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you liked the project Mark. Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@jimcooney9019]

good job....................

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Thanks Jim. It's good to hear from you. Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@marcb2120]

Great video and, as usual, giving me a bunch of ideas for my own shop. Thumbs up for the bit at the end. 😆

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Thanks for the kind words on the show Marc. I truly appreciate it. If you ever have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can. Thank you for tuning in . I appreciate the support.

[@billtiffin8298]

I have the same lid and shopped around until I found a garbage can the right size. I found they were all slightly different diameters but Found a Rubbermaid one the correct size

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

The can I have Bill is a Rubbermaid and in my area, it was the biggest one I could find and it still is too small. I guess different regions carry different stock. Glad to hear that you found a can that works. Thank you for tuning in to the show and for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate it.

[@billtiffin8298]

Probably. I live in Western Canada where they are metric

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad to have a fellow Canadian here as a viewer. Welcome aboard @@billtiffin8298

[@MarkJonesRanger]

MDF is used in vacuum tables as it passes air through it. You would have to seal it well before using it.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

I've never seen MDF allow air to pass through. It's basically sawdust and glue and is extremely dense. Place a square of MDF over your shop vac hose and see if there is any air coming through. Most likely not. Either way, thanks for tuning in to the show and taking the time to leave your comment. It's appreciated.

[@MarkJonesRanger]

@@acutabove_woodworkings Look up MDF and Vacuum tables on youtube. They talk about sealing or unsealing the MDF for various vacuum uses. Sometimes they machine both the top and bottom side of a 3/8" sheet and use it for a waste board just under the pieces they are CNCing using the vacuum to hold those parts down as the air passes through the MDF. I never knew this stuff until I started researching it.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

@@MarkJonesRanger Well, who knew? Thanks for chiming in with that.

[@raymondbradford1642]

Great project Kenny thank you for sharing with us

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

You're very welcome Raymond. Glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@ghostdog662]

I use one of those lids with the metal trash cans from Lowes and have no issues with leakage.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

We used to be able to get the large metal cans from the big box stores here but they no longer carry them. I haven't seen them in years and they only carry the plastic, taller ones now. I originally wanted a metal one and wasn't able to get one in my area. Maybe I should relocate to where you are. LOL. Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@dvalley3344]

I like your dust collector modification. My only recommendation is the foam seal joint you cut at 90 degree should be at a 30 to 45 degree to make it harder for any air/dust leakage. I know this is a more difficult joint to cut. But it will help over long usage. Good video and great jigs you used. Thanks!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Thanks for the suggestion D Valley. When it comes time to change the gasket (as they just wear out over time) I will be sure to analyze the amount of leakage from the separator and if it is excessive, I will give you suggestion a try. Thanks for tuning in to the show and for chiming in with your idea. It's very much appreciated.

[@paulsmessyworkshop]

Ken, good fix and much better than buying something else. I was wondering if there was a need to seal the joint between the new ring and the edge of top with something like caulking or hot glue. As far as getting all that MDF dust out of your shop, open the door, get an electric leaf blower....goodbye dust. I always wished I could do that in my shop but my shop is in the basement. Great show as usual.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

I was wondering about the caulking myself Paul but decided that I would hold off and see how it performed first. If there comes a day that the collector leaks, I will be looking into that for sure. As for the leaf blower....that's exactly what I do when spring rolls around. The shop gets a full cleaning and that includes the backpack leaf blower. I usually end up pick up tools off the floor after that as the leaf blower is pretty powerful. LOL. Thanks for tuning in to the show and for taking the time to leave a comment and a suggestion. It's appreciated.

[@garybeasley4885]

I made a ring like that to fit my lid to a 30 gallon steel drum. Didnt need to remove the seal. I would have put a bead of silicon caulk between the lid and the ring on yours.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

That bead of silicone is actually a pretty good idea Gary and you are not the only viewer to suggest it. I may just do that as an extra little seal to make sure there is no leaking. Thanks for chiming in with that and for tuning in to the show. It's appreciated.

[@ArcticFlies56]

Kenny, for God sack and your lungs take the MDF job out side to cut it! I don’t care how good your filtration is your breathing MDF dust. The MDF dust lays on all your tools, bench, etc and when you try to clean it up, it gets air born and you breath it in. At least if you cut it outside you have a much better chance of not inhaling it. Think safety. Think about your lungs.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

I couldn't agree with you more Richard. Regardless of your DC system, this fine dust of the MDF goes everyone. I didn't expect the router motor to distribute it as much as it did though. I'll know better for next time. Thank goodness for me dust mask. Thanks for having my safety in mind and speaking up to make sure that I am safe in the shop. Thank you also for tuning in to the show. I appreciate the support and the concern.

[@alanseager5279]

just get some of that goof off works great on glue

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

I wish I would have had some of that stuff at the time Alan. I will have to pick some up and have it in the shop for future cleanup of that nature. Thanks for tuning in to the program and for the suggestion. I appreciate it.

[@barryroberts6470]

Great video Kenny, i don't use a trash can type collector, i have a 20L transparent drum so i can see when it's full, and it has the connections on the lid, to fit my 2 1/2" dust pipes that i have. I noticed that you had some along the wall by your bench, do you still use that method? Barry (ENG)

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Thanks for the kind words on the show Barry. I used to use these clear collector pipes on the wall but have since stopped using them. I found that they just didn't suit my needs and for the sake of running a hose from the shop vac to the tool, it was less of a pain that running a hose from a blast gate and then to the tool. One of the problems with a shop that have been evolving over the year is that the dust collection did evolve with it. LOL. Thanks for tuning in to the show this week. Glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate the support.

[@Aardrijk1]

Nice answer to a sucky question! 😁

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

I do my best. ;) Thanks for tuning in this week Jim. I appreciate your support.