DIY Dyson Vac Hack

cyclone

[James Dyson] may have built eleventy billion prototypes to perfect his famous cyclonic vacuum, but sometimes just one will do the trick.

A cyclonic separator is used in workshops to keep larger cruft out of the dust collection system. The airflow inside a separator creates a vortex that flings heavier bits and particles to the periphery of the chamber, where they settle out the bottom, while relatively clean air escapes the vacuum port at the top. This makes for fewer filter changes and a more consistent pull from the vacuum.

You can go buy a fancy professionally-made separator, but [neorazz] shows how to create one from an assemblage of PVC fittings and a five gallon bucket. The design may lack the power and slick design of the big units, but for garage hack use this may be all you ever need. They demonstrate it to be about 95% effective, and it’s very simple to make. A prior cyclonic separator hack appeared a bit more work-intensive, but the principle is all the same. It all comes down to what skills you possess and what parts you have on hand.

15 thoughts on “DIY Dyson Vac Hack

  1. Is it just me, or did he use way too much RTV sealant? Also, that is a “Y” connector, not a “T”.

    Sadly, I thought this was the cheaper one, but the other one is definitely cheaper. Of course, it uses duct tape, which is obviously far superior to RTV.

  2. 95% efficiency sucks for a cyclonic separator. I have to wonder if it is any better than the “stick two hoses through the lid of a bucket” separator I use.

    Maybe I should write up my other non-cyclonic chip separator (this one for a 1HP dust collector). Basically a 12x10x8 y duct connector set on top of a 5 gallon bucket. Works so well I have never had to clean the dust collector bag downstream of it.

  3. 95% was a guess based on empirical evidence..

    and i used that much rtv cause the prototype lid cracked clear thru under the negative pressure also why the plywood reinforcement .. i just build what i need from what i have

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