Cyclone dust collectors are a wonderful improvement over their single-stage counterparts. Many woodworkers like to line the collection drum with a plastic bag, as it is easier to empty a bag than the heavy drum. But some cyclones aren’t designed for bags, and will suck them upward, rendering them useless. There’s a simple solution. Just cut out a circular piece of heavy rubber matting and toss it into the bottom of the bag. The weight of the mat will hold down the bag. After dumping the sawdust into the compost bin, I retrieve the disk and plop it back into the bag. I purchased the rubber mat at a local hardware store that sells scraps of bulk materials. Another source is those rubber squares sold as floor covering for gyms and garages. Look for the rubber type, not foam, around 1⁄2 in. thick.
—Willie Sandry, Camas, Wash.
—Drawings by Dan Thornton
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Sawstop Miter Gauge
Dividers
Comments
I tried this, but I found that the suction was so reduced that my planer would clog the hose. I suspect the added turbulence of the uneven bag is reducing the cyclone.
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