Hose System Simplifies Dust Collection

Hose manifold simplifies dust collection

I borrowed this simple idea for a hose manifold from a tip by Chuck Lambert in FWW #229, updating it with dust-hose “splices” from Lee Valley, as opposed to simply drilling holes in plywood. These hose connectors are available for both 211⁄22-in.-dia. and 4-in.-dia. hoses, so the manifold idea will work for both shop vacuums and full-size dust collectors. Unlike Lambert, I mounted my manifold vertically, on the wall.

The hose splices are epoxied into holes in the plywood. The splices are tapered, so hoses go on and off easily but also fit tightly, with no suction loss. I mounted the plywood on the wall with simple angle brackets, and I hold the dedicated hoses in position with another handy product from Lee Valley: U-brackets that screw to the wall. The dedicated hoses can run to a variety of benchtop tools, including a handheld sander. When I want to use the vac for shop cleanup, I just unplug its hose from the manifold. —JOHN CORDUKES, Cobourg , Ont., Canada