It is not the first time that I have been asked this question. Before today, most of my readers have asked me if they can use their Shop Vac for dust collection. Well, the answer is on the affirmative. A Shop Vac can be used as a dust collector.

Shop VAC for Dust Collection – 3 Simple Tips

However, to do that, there are several things that you must know. In this post, I highlight all the essential tips that you must remember to use your shop Vac as a dust collector. Take a look at what I have prepared for you.

• Buy Dust Collector Adapter

Many people want a shop vac with a dust port that they can directly plug a dust hose into. Unfortunately, this will hardly happen simply because the sizes of dust ports in these two power hand tools vary.

As such, the best way is to buy a universal adapter. This type of adapter can be found online, home care centers, or any shop that sells your vacuuming accessories.

Once you get the universal adapter, take a utility knife and then cut off the soft rubber to fit your dust port onto the shop vac and also on to the vacuuming hose.

The recommended hose is the 1-1/4 inch hose for any hand-powered tools. But just in case you are using larger dust ports, you can always seal up using duct tape.

• Buy a 6ft 1-1/4 Inch Hose.

With a 6 ft hose in hand, you can connect the hose directly to your shop vac. Use the 1-1/4 in. hose and connect it to your standard 2-1/2 in. vacuuming hose using a plastic friction coupling designed for fittings.

The smaller hose will be lighter and much more flexible, as opposed to the larger one. As such, it will prevent your shop vac from getting any kinks as it works as your next dust collector. This is possible since your shop vac comes with a dust port but not a dust collection system.

• Install a Better Filter

Finally, you should install a better filter. Why is this necessary? Often, when you turn on your Shop-Vac, you will notice a cloud of fine dust blowing out through your exhaust. This is because excellent dust will flow through most filter systems that come with shop vacs.

Choose a HEPA filter instead. With a high-end filter, you’ll be able to trap finer dust particles easily. They will make your shop vacuum dust collector more efficient.

NOTE: You can also make permanent adapters so that you don’t have to change your adapter every time that you need a dust collector from your shop vac. This will save you so much time and make your work easier.

You can add up to 18-ft. length of this 1-1/4 in. hose for any hand power tool that you need and incorporate a remote control system for smooth operation.

Video Credit – Alex Quiroz

Conclusion

So can a shop vac be used for dust collection? Well, you have an answer to that. More importantly, you also have everything that you need to know for this process to work. Irrespective of all that, if you want any home cleaning tool to last, you must take proper care of it.

Learn all the top care and maintenance tips for your shop Vac too. If you do, you’ll get an easy to use home cleaning tool with better efficiency, durability, and above all that, performance. This is the simplest tip that every user needs to know.