Dewalt has come out with new all-in-one cyclone dust collector separators that look to mirror the stylings of their standard wet/dry vacuums. The Dewalt cyclone dust separators should work with their or any other shop-style vacuum.
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There will be two complete setups – one with a 6 gallon poly tank (shown above), and another with a 10 gallon stainless steel tank.
Both are advertised as being able to separate and capture up to 99.5% of debris from the vacuum airstream.
In addition to the two assemblies, the Dewalt cyclone component will also be available separately.
The cyclone can be used in various types of DIY dust separator constructions. Dewalt says it fits any airtight container.
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The Dewalt dust separators work similarly to other cyclone-based separators. The cyclone knocks the heaviest debris out of the airstream, and the remainder of the fine particulates continue on to the wet/dry vacuum or dust collector. Whatever particles make it to the vacuum are then captured in its tank, filter bag, or other filter.
Since the bulk of the collected material is usually captured by the separator, there is reduced clogging of the vacuum filter, which means suction power is maintained.
If you use a filter bag in your vacuum or dust collector, using a separate can help prolong it usable life, since you’ll be emptying the separator many times before your vacuum filter fills up.
The Dewalt cyclone separators come with a 1-7/8″ hose for collection purposes. It connects to your wet/dry vacuum or dust collector’s 1-7/8″ or 2-1/2″ hose.
Dewalt Cyclone Options and Pricing
- 6 gallon poly tank (DXVCS002): $100
- 10 gallon poly tank (DXVCS003): $140
- Cyclone attachment (DXVCS001): $40
Buy Now: 6 gallon via Amazon
Buy Now: 10 gallon via Amazon
Buy Now: DIY Cyclone via Amazon
Discussion
We’ve been seeing more and more dust collection separators, and they are generally effective at what they claim to do, which is to reduce the amount of dust and debris that could bog down your shop vacuum or dust vac.
If the design looks similar to you, that’s because the Oneida Dust Deputy ($100 at Amazon) has been on the market for quite some time. They also have DIY cyclone separator components, larger models, and also a setup with a 10 gallon steel tank.
So while new for Dewalt, this is not a new concept.
Dust Deputy cyclones have also been used in very many types of DIY constructions, and the same plans or inspiration can be used for woodworkers, makers, DIYers, or anyone else using to build something for Dewalt’s cyclone.
Regarding as to which brand, model, or design you’re looking at, cyclone separators – and other types of debris-sorting attachments or accessories – typically aim to provide 3 benefits.
They help to eliminate suction loss and also extend your filter’s lifespan by reducing the particulate matter that interacts with your vacuum’s filter. They also simplify waste disposal, especially when your separator holds a greater volume of collected dust and debris than your vacuum.
For instance, if you have a 4 gallon vacuum and a 10 gallon separator, you can clean up more before having to empty out any collection bins.
It’s also worth noting that most cyclones – including Dewalt’s – are capable or dry or wet pickup.
Is this something you could use with your shop vac or dust extractor?
If You Want to Build Your Own Separator
Ben V put together a detailed DIY dust cyclone separator how-to, using easily-sourced materials. His plans are based on the Dust Deputy cyclone, but you could substitute in the Dewalt cyclone attachment with little modification.
Joe
I already have one set up with an Oneida and a 5 gallon metal drum.
It’s a shame, if Dewalt had built theirs with their airlock system on both ends I would have considered it an upgrade.
Stuart
My understanding is that the Dewalt Airlock connections are only found on their dust collectors. Their wet/dry and shop vacuums are licensed products and so they feature standard connections instead.
fred
The last time I looked – Alton Industries made a lot of the vacuums bearing the Dewalt, Porter Cable and Stanley brand names:
https://altonindustries.com/
MoogleMan3
Yep. I have two dewalt vacs; a 4 gallon and a 16 gallon. Both are made by alton and the warranty refers to alton for service as well.
Jared
I would like to see someone come out with a shop vac with an integrated cyclone separator. I’m sure it would need to be bigger and more expensive and that’s why it isn’t done. But I think it would be nice to have a single unit.
Dewalt’s system looks good though – it’s nice to have things like this designed to work together.
Stuart
It’s possible, but there are two things inherent to cyclonic dust separators.
First, you need a second collection tank, as true cyclones essentially provide 2-stage filtering.
Second, they reduce airflow.
Festool’s separator is the best all-in-one type of integration I’ve seen so far – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/festool-ct-cyclone-dust-extractor-pre-separator/%3C/a%3E , but it only works with their CT vacuums.
Oneida has some cyclonic dust collectors, and they’re large. Plus, they have 20A or 220V motors, and so you can’t exactly plug them into any outlet.
They have a single model that can fit 15A outlets, and they still recommend a 20A breaker for it. There are two versions, with the smaller 17 gallon model measuring nearly 58″ tall. That’s not exactly portable, whereas a vac + separator can be moved into a van or truck.
Steven L
Oneida and Festool collaborated a while back. Cyclonic separation on top, collection bin next, Festool unit on bottom.
https://www.festoolproducts.com/oneida-axd000009-ultimate-festool-dust-deputy.html
HH
The iQ Power Tools IQ426HEPA would fit your description. Super solid dust extractor.
Davin
https://www.acmetools.com/iq-cyclonic-dust-extractor-hepa-filtration-190cfm-iq426hepa/705464792392.html
Here it is.
MM
This is a great idea. I hadn’t seen the dust deputy before, but I have often wondered how long it would take for something like this to be scaled-down to “shop vac” size.
I remember seeing a lid that fit on a metal trash can advertised for dust collection purposes in a wood shop but it never had a proper cyclone. This looks like a nice step up.
Serendipity
Home Depot has been selling one that goes on a 5 gallon bucket fire years. Works quite good.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Dustopper-High-Efficiency-Cyclonic-Dust-Separator-12-in-Dia-with-2-5-in-hose-36-in-long-with-2-Sweep-Elbows-HD12A/315749552
MM
That’s similar to the one I have seen, but it likewise isn’t a true cyclone shape. There is no cone, it’s just a lid that fits on a cylindrical container. I’m sure it works, just not as well as it could.
Patrick T
Agreed. One of the cyclone things could be better but, this does a great job on the occasions that I’ve needed to vacuum up drywall dust and almost anything else. Even used it to clean up after cutting a ton of brick. Wasn’t using a wet saw, so there was a ton of fine dust. Did great.
I don’t remember spending $50 on it though.
James Vis
I got the dustopper from HD for about $40 a few years ago. Although as others have noted it is not as effective as the dust deputy or other taller cyclone dust separators, it’s low profile is a nice feature as is the fact that it easily clips onto a basic 5 gallon bucket.
It does a great job for most basic clean up jobs and emptying the bucket is super easy.
Mobility is a challenge, but I built something similar to the below link with a few pieces of PVC and a small piece of plywood.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WyBuRjO54NM
Serendipity
If you put a tighter seal on it will work better. At least that’s my theory. I’ve been meaning to take the gasket of and putting a small bead of silicone to see if that helps. It doesn’t take matter to me because it’s a very small area.
Adrian
Dude that’s your video?? I followed your video to make mine! Thank you!
James Vis
Just to clarify, that is not my video, I simply used it as reference to make my own.
Lyle
I also have the Home Depot version that fits on a 5 gal bucket. Works well enough and it was pretty cheap.
Kingsley
The vacuum should be a cyclonic design to start with!
Dewalt vacuums and dust extractors are overpriced, poorly designed and ineffective in my opinion. I’ve had three, including the flexvolt dust extractor.
It’s annoying, and feels flimsy considering its price and fundamentally isn’t very good at doing what it should do.
I have all Dewalt gear, generally they are good, but their dust/vacuum designer/engineer hasn’t looked at the competition or even used their own product for its intended purpose.
For that reason they should be taken outside and given a good roughing up! (The vacuums, not the engineers.. but maybe )
I can’t see me buying this anytime soon.
MM
It’s funny in that many home vacuum cleaners have been using a cyclonic design for many years. I remember the old “Fantom” they used to advertise on TV infomercials more than 25 years ago. I inherited my parent’s old example when I went off to college and they bought a new one…which was also cyclonic. The famous Dysons are cyclonic. The Shark I bought a few years ago is cyclonic. Yet it’s only around now that this sort of technology is making its way to shop/garage vacs? And rather than being integrated into the vac it’s a standalone unit?
Nathan
so is the dewalt one a rebranded oneida? is it made in the US.
I do like their kit with the wheels and hose setup – and I’m consider one if I didn’t already have an oneida bucket kit on my shop vac trolley.
it looks like a nice package setup for a ready to buy kit.
wonder when the cheaper craftsman one will be on sale
Nathan
follow on question – it says 2 in 1 wet dry – can this cyclone work for wet collection too?
Leonard
I have a cyclone fro long ago. I can’t remember who made it. But it long before Oneida came out with theirs. It’s mounted to a 5 gallon metal bucket. I use it to vacuum up mostly aluminum chips from the CNC.
I also have a Oneida Gorilla from when it first came out. It’s a great small dust collector.
Jake
I like this a lot because cyclone dust collection systems for woodworking shops are very expensive. This seems like it would save a lot of money.
Drew M
I have the Oneida and I’d say it may be cheap up front but you’ll end up wanting something with larger hoses and more airflow.
My setup works pretty good but it really struggles when connected or cleaning up after my planer or jointer.
Marcelo
I have a Chinese cyclone mounted into a milk-type bucket. Got it from AliExpress really cheap. Has the “SN” for Suning Environmental. Think I paid below US$ 20, shipped. Works well enough to me.
MoogleMan3
I might grab one of those; the same one is still available for ~$21 after tax and coupon.
This dewalt one is made in china anyway.
Nate B
Seems like a half-measure, I’m surprised they didn’t mount the vacuum motor and final filter directly above the cyclone. That would eliminate the extra hose, albeit the stack would be sort of top-heavy. I feel like if you’re designing it from scratch though, you can get design around that.
So, this feels like it wasn’t designed from scratch, it feels like it was slapped together from off-the-shelf parts. Anyone could build this and anyone has, and this offers little to no benefit over such systems.
JR3 Home Performance
It can be a pain having two separate things to wheel around. Either having the hose locked on to the separator so it can be tugged around or making the vac and separator move as a single unit is a missed opportunity it seems with this new tool.
I have a setup with a small volume 4.5hp shop vac with a hepa filter and a bag in the vac and separator. Basically a 3 stage system. It’s all set inside a home depot 27 gallon tote so I move it all together. I use a long 2.5” hose so it can maintain good airflow and not have to move the tote around excessively. One thing I’ve found is light materials don’t separate well so it ends up filling the bag filter too quickly anyway. Blown insulation cleanup and I think it was drywall dust that didn’t work well. I mainly use that setup when it’s critical to not exhaust dust and I have a decent amount of mixed material to suck up. For example a living space and/or potential asbestos/lead dust. When I drill holes into a surface for doing blown wall insulation that vac setup is great. I don’t have to move it too often and it does a great job eliminating dust spread when used with a custom dust shroud over the hole saw. At some point I’ll have to get either a remote control vac or one that operates concurrently with the cordless hole saw to save some steps of turning the vac on and off between drilling.
In most other cases I’ve been better off with just a bigger volume shop vac for general clean up. I run that with a foam filter and a washable cloth sleeve. It’s no hepa filter but if I’m cleaning a mess inside I try to place the vacuum outside with the hose coming inside or connect a short large hose on the exhaust port going out through a window.
Doing things like this makes my life and the clients life better/happier. I don’t get paid to prep or undo a mess so it’s faster/more profitable to find ways to reduce prep and not make a mess.
Dewalt’s innovation really isn’t there. They need to consult with innovative tradespeople like myself or other tool brands will just continue to eat away at their market share
Joatman
I just sold my Rockler Dust Right Separator. It cost about the same price. It worked fairly decent. No complaints. If I ever decide to buy another, I’ll probably give the Dewalt a try.
Chris
There’s a newly listed kit on harbor freights website from Bauer. It’s a cyclone separator. $40 gets you the seperator, a 5 gallon bucket lid, and a hose.
I was so tempted to go and buy a Dewalt unit, but maybe harbor freight might win this one?
MoogleMan3
Honestly, if you don’t mind waiting, there’s a very similar looking one on ali express for $21 after coupon.
Worth checking out. All of these smaller dust separators will perform very similarly.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000493270410.html
Nathan
Thing is the dewalt product is a self continued rolling add on. for the guy that has a vac – wants to bring along a cyclone separator – but doesn’t want to put together one off the internets.
This will be sold in store next to the vac. it has wide wheels like your 10 gallon or so vac. That’s the one place I see a benefit to it.
it’s a nice kit and in one regard it looks better than a cyclone on top of a 5 gallon bin that has wheels on it. also looks to hold more than a 5 gallon bucket.
eddie sky
LOL.. I just watched a youtuber with Oneida Pro model (floor standing unit with large motor). Tamar, I think was her name. Anyway, they struggled (her husband/partner/friend) tried to lift a 3HP motor up.. and I was like ..WTF!!! Just lay the whole thing down, mount it, then the two could lift the assembly up. Come on creative makers, think smart not hard!
I thought about the Oneida deputy for small use in basement. Looking at this mullet, how are you to easily empty it? I mean, with the DeWalt, its like a vacuum container-unlatch, dump, relatch. Too bad DeWalt is priced high and stainless… can’t imagine the shock from static when dry material.
Oh, if I had a large wood/workshop in need of a separator, I’d go with big..like the Harvey one.