Hey everyone! I'm diving deeper into my woodworking hobby and recently picked up a budget-friendly cyclone attachment for my drum. I'm struggling to find the right adapters to connect it to my shop vac. I've got a reducer for my vac hose that works for my sander and saw, but I'm stumped on what to use between the shop vac and the cyclone. The cyclone seems to have an exterior dimension of about 54mm. I really need a solution that allows me to easily disconnect for cleaning up dust and debris from renovations. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
Fernco fittings in the plumbing aisle can work really well for this. They’re pretty versatile and allow for a good fit on various sizes! Check this link for options: [Fernco Fittings](https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Pipe-Fittings/Fernco/N-5yc1vZbqpfZ4hs).
In a pinch, I’ve used rolled-up cardboard to match the inner and outer dimensions I needed. Just wrap it in electrical tape for sturdiness. Not a permanent fix, but I've been using one I made five years ago, and it still gets the job done!
I used a few adjustable plumbing rubber couplers to connect my shop vac, cyclone bucket, and tools. I keep them just tight enough that they don’t require tools to unplug but stay in place when I'm moving around. They work great! Here are some similar ones: [Coupling 1](https://www.homedepot.ca/product/pro-connect-flexible-coupling-2/1000120009) and [Coupling 2](https://www.homedepot.ca/product/pro-connect-flexible-coupling-2-x-1-1-2/1000119997).
You might want to look into 3D printed adapters! There are plenty online that you can download and have printed through services like Amazon or even your local library—if you're near one like in Denver, they often offer printing options.
Definitely take a vernier caliper with you to measure the real diameters of your fittings. Head to the plumbing section and look for the closest match; just keep in mind that pressure fittings and grey water fittings can have different sizes despite what the label says. A roll of duct tape and some thin cardboard can help make adjustments for a snug fit. And don’t forget, if you're interested in 3D printing, many Maker Spaces and libraries provide help with that—it’s a great way to meet people with similar interests, too!
Never thought of that! I haven't done any 3D printing before, but it sounds like a great way to solve some random problems. Thanks a bunch!