How to Build a Down Draft Dust Collector

Some woodworking tools, particularly sanders, can create a considerable amount of fine sawdust. This sawdust can be irritating to the respiratory system, but also can shorten the life of your woodworking tools. One way to reduce the amount of sawdust when sanding is to build a down draft dust collector to use as a sanding table. This type of dust collector uses a shop vacuum to collect the dust created by sanding on top of the table.

Shop vacuum
4- by 4-foot piece of 1/2-inch plywood
16- by 24-inch piece of 1/4-inch pegboard
3-foot piece of 1- by 2-inch lumber
Table saw
Jigsaw
Power drill with Phillips-head screw bit
1 1/4 inch deck screws
Flush mount dust port

Instructions

- 1
  Set up a table saw, and rip two 48-inch strips of 1/2-inch plywood, 7 1/4 inches wide. Cut one of the two strips into two pieces, each 23 1/2 inches long. Cut the other strip into two sections, 16 inches long apiece. These four sections will serve as the four sides of the dust collector box.
- 2
  Adjust the table saw fence, then cut a section of plywood to 16 by 24 inches to serve as the bottom of the table.
- 3
  Cut two more pieces of plywood to 15 by 9 inches.
- 4
  Cut two sections of the 1- by 2-inch lumber , each 15 inches long.
- 5
  Attach the four sides to the bottom of the box with four deck screws on each side.
- 6
  Attach one of the 15-inch pieces of the 1- by 2-inch lumber to the inside of the box on one of the short sides, using two deck screws. Repeat with the other 15-inch piece on the opposite side of the box.
- 7
  Place one of the 15- by 9-inch pieces of plywood into the box, with one 15-inch edge resting on top of one of the strips you installed in the previous step. The opposite edge of the plywood board should rest on the base of the box. Affix this board in place with four deck screws. Repeat the step with the other 15- by 9-inch board on the opposite side of the box.
- 8
  Position the flush mount dust port centered along one of the long sides of the box. Mark the hole locations for the mounting screws, plus the point in the center of the hole in the middle of the port.
- 9
  Cut a large hole in the center of the area marked for the dust port to accommodate the shop vacuum's dust hose, using a jigsaw.
- 10
  Attach the dust port to the side of the box by driving four deck screws through the mounting holes in the port. Attach the shop vacuum's hose to the dust port.
- 11
  Place the pegboard over the open top of the box, and attach with three screws on each side.

The Products Used for Cleaning a DuPont Stainmaster Carpet

DIY: Installing a Wardrobe Door Track on Laminate Flooring

Carpentry