DIY Dust Collector #1: Initial Build (And a great wood find!)

First step on my DIY Dust Collector modeled off many of yours is complete. I’ve attached the hoses and sealed up most of the cracks with caulk. There are still some holes that I just have foil tape on that I need to work on sealing up more. The cart is also REALLY basic – I need a higher bar with which to drive it because pulling it around by the top tube is not stable enough.

To do:

1) Put a right-angle connection on the top tube
2) Better seal the parts that are just foil taped
3) Build a handle on the cart to both push it by and hang the hose on
4) Buy a couple more couplings for different tools (2”->2 1/2” being the most important as my tablesaw has that)
5) Trim the input tube – 12” is really overkill and sticks out akwardly far.

Parts purchased:
8’ 2” vacuum hose (mine had a teeny 1 1/4” hose)
24” x 2” PVC pipe
24” x 8” metal conduit
Various rubber couplings (2”->2”, 2”->1 1/2”) with clamps
Total parts cost so far: $55

My great wood find is right behind the new dust collector. Those cedar boards and that cedar log was $0 and I found a great source for getting more of that stuff! They use giant pieces so those “little” pieces are considered scrap to them. I see a LOT of cedar boxes as gifts to folks in my future :)

-- Jimmy, Austin, TX - Software developer by day, woodworker by night