The DustBubble works in a similar fashion as the Skil drilling dust collector that Ben posted about a little earlier today.
Except it doesn’t require batteries, it doesn’t have a removable collection bin, it doesn’t have any bit-cleaning brushes, it’s not really reusable, and it can fit in your pocket.
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The DustBubble is simple, but effective. It’s made of 2 layers of plastic that are fused along their perimeter, creating the bubble shape. On the front is a plastic tab, and on the back is some tape-like adhesive.
Stick it to the wall, pull the tab to expand the bubble a little bit, and you’re ready to drill.
There are a couple of different ones. The regular strength DustBubble is said to be suited for use on painted surface and sheetrock. The industrial strength DustBubble is said to be suitable for collecting metal shards and for other industrial applications.
I have used the regular strength DustBubble to help contain masonry dust when drilling into a painted block wall, and it worked reasonably well. There are better dust collection accessories, with Milwaukee’s M12 universal rotary hammer dust extractor coming to mind, but DustBubbles are simple and inexpensive options for occasional or infrequent use. For daily or even weekly use, you’ll probably want something reusable and possibly more effective.
I was able to use the DustBubble for a couple of holes, but it’s not something that you empty and put back in your toolbox for next time. Once a DustBubble is full, or the adhesive is weakened, it should be discarded.
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Over at Amazon, DustBubbles are currently priced at $3.29 for packs of 3. It’s an add-on item, so you can only buy it as part of a $25+ order. At that point, shipping is free for Prime members, and free for non-Prime members as part of $35+ orders.
McMaster also carries 3 styles – one for wood and plaster, one for painted walls and wallpaper, and one for use on metal. They’re currently $5.01 for packs of 10, except for the metal DustBubbles, which are $26.23 for 10.
Buy Now(Reg. strength via Amazon)
Buy Now(Industrial strength via Amazon)
Buy Now(via McMaster)
Yadda
I saw these on a an episode of Cool Tools 3 or 4 years ago. I’m glad to see they finally hit the market. This is something I will definitely use.
Stuart
These aren’t new. I wrote about them previously on Toolmonger more than 6 years ago, and that was after ordering them from McMaster.
ktash
could the industrial strength ones be used at a workbench for drilling, tapping metal, or are they only for walls? The description just mentions walls. If they can be used for drilling/tapping metal, I’ll get them for sure. I just hate the mess when I do that.
Matt
Just looking at the photo above how does that plastic not wrap itself right around that drill bit tearing it up?
Nick Marques
I almost always have a cardboard box on a jobsite I am working in. I lean it upside the wall and tape the flap to the wall to create a ramp / seal for the debris to be guided into the box. Works perfectly.
Tyler
It’s a nice product and fairly priced but I’m even more frugal than that. I find myself using yogurt cups for larger holes and disposable coffee cups (K-cup style) by drilling a hole through the bottom of the cup and holding the top against the wall. They may not be quite as effective as the bubble, but done right these cups actually work pretty well.
Phenom
I was explaining to my boss about them when he dug around in his desk before handing me a pack he has had over the year. Not sure why or how he bought them, other than McMaster. I was kinda angry about not knowing he had them and the time it would have saved me on several projects at work. Still have yet to test them.
Mike47
Ziploc bag and masking tape work well for this purpose.