Overview
Turn any shop vacuum with a 2-1/4'' ID outlet into a 2-stage dust and chip separator. When used with most power tools and shop vacuums, the Dust Right® Separator captures sawdust, wood chips, and other debris before it enters your vacuum, preventing the loss of suction power caused by a clogged vacuum filter. The five-caster base makes it exceptionally stable and easy to maneuver around the shop. Plus, hoses connect inside the in/out ports, preventing unintentional disconnections. The Dust Right® Separator creates a cyclonic air flow that causes most wood dust particles and other materials that are heavier than air to separate, preventing them from being passed to the vacuum. The vortex effect that is created prevents the loss of suction caused by prematurely clogged filters
Features:
- 10-gallon translucent bucket is easy to empty and easy to tell when it's full
- Holds twice the capacity of competitors' products
- Maximum performance can be expected when using the Dust Right® Separator in woodworking or general shop cleaning applications
- Includes approximately 36'' long flex-form hose to connect to your shop vacuum
Questions and Answers
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Browse 23 questions
Browse 23 questions
and 110 answers
Why did you choose this?
Rockler Store
My shop vac filter is getting full and I'm not ready to build my full shop system for a couple months.
Brad J
on Sep 24, 2017
Needed one!
Jerry C
on Sep 10, 2017
My shop vac filter is getting full and I'm not ready to build my full shop system for a couple months.
Brad J
on Sep 24, 2017
convenience
Brian P
on Sep 13, 2017
convenience
Brian P
on Sep 13, 2017
To stop plugging up my vacuums while working on projects
Thomas W W
on Aug 5, 2017
I see that this question has already been asked but it's important for me to get accurate measurements, I'm surprised that Rockler doesn't provide these... Can someone tell me the height WITHOUT the casters on? Thank you.
BEST ANSWER: Without casters 24" but with the hose plugged in it is 29" and that's making a hard bend on the hoses
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- Inaccurate
- THOMAS S on Sep 4, 2015
- Purchased on Mar 10, 2015
Can you use the seperator with a harbor freight dust collector?
BEST ANSWER: This separator is recommended for vacuums only. It is too small to use with dust collectors which use 4" hose size.
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- Steve Staff on Sep 21, 2015
Can you use this as a first stage in a standard dust collection system? I believe there is a 4 inch hose.
BEST ANSWER: I'm sure you can but you will need to get the adapter to fit your hose. Read the description and you can see that the inlet to this ain't gonna fit your 4 inch hose. Also, I'm not sure what effect the increased vacuum will have on the performance. If you try it let everyone know in a review how it works out. My vac, for now, is a Craftsman 5 horse 12 gallon and it works fine. I did have to make some duct tape mods to get my hose to fit.
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- Wayne M on Apr 22, 2017
- Purchased on Mar 31, 2017
Are the hose's anti static?
BEST ANSWER: I will get a carbon strip and attach it to one of the wheels. This is just a trial and error thought. I also hope to find a way dissipate the static build up. I shorted out my Bluetooth speaker for a moment last week using this unit. I might even try an old extension cord and iron rod, and find or make a ground point in my garage and connect it to it. If anyone else tried something like this please update. Maybe Rockler's engineering department has already made a prototype???
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- Djreggiereg on Jan 12, 2017
I presently own a 12" planer, 6" joiner, Shop Smith, 14" band saw, 12" bench top drill press, plus several smaller hand held power tools, e.g. - sander, plate joiner, router. If I coupled the Dust Right Separator to let's say a 14/16 gallon shop vacuum, would this combination be adequate for most/all of the above mentioned machines ? Reason I ask is simply I own an older Delta m/n-50-179 dust collector, 580cfm which I,m not sure if it's still in production, and also it can be a real beast to have to empty( both barrel & bag) on occasion. Would greatly appreciate an answer, since casting off the Delta(runs fine-But) I could sure free up some space in my small garage shop. P.S. My 15year old shop vac needs to retire too. Thank You. Roger.
BEST ANSWER: I recently purchased the Dust Right Separator and connected it to a new 16 gallon vac with 7.25 Hp motor. I use with with a miter saw, small sander, router and band saw and other small electric hand tools. The system works well for me. You just need to keep an eye on how fast the separator is filling up. I have not had any problems but have learned not to let the separator fill much beyond about 1/2 before I empty it out. I really like my Dust Right Separator and wish I had purchased one earlier. Good luck with your system.
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- STEVEN H on May 28, 2015
- Purchased on Apr 3, 2015
I have a shop vac with a smaller diameter hose, can this item be used with that?
BEST ANSWER: I think that you would have to purchase a reducer. The large end would be attached to the end of the hose coming off the dust separator, the small end on the reducer would plug into your shop vac. Rockler has these reducers available at their stores and in their catalog. I have been using the Rockler dust separator for six months and it works great. I use it while using a bench top planer, table saw, miter saw etc.
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- JERRY K on Sep 3, 2015
- Purchased on Apr 5, 2015
CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW WIDE AND TALL THIS IS, IT NEEDS TO FIT NEXT TO MY VAC?
BEST ANSWER: It is approx. 27" tall with an 18" diameter
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- Rick H Staff on May 20, 2015
There has to be an easier way of removing the top to empty the dust collector. I struggle with it each time I have to empty it. Does anyone have a solution for this?
BEST ANSWER: I've found that putting a 30" 2x4 under the unit to "lock" the wheels while turning the lid helps a lot.
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- Dennis R on Apr 22, 2016
- Purchased on Apr 5, 2015
Are the hose's anti-static ?
BEST ANSWER: They are not anti-static. In fact the loose saw dust and chips stick to the inside and outside of the container.
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- Richard on Apr 21, 2016
will this work with a Fein Turbo shop vac?
BEST ANSWER: Christopher: I think so. If your Fein has standard fittings (inlet and outlet) and accepts standard hoes sizes. I have mine connected to a standard shop vac. and it works great. It is much easier to empty the Rockler drum than my shop vac. and keeps my shop vac. much cleaner.
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- JERRY K on Jan 31, 2017
- Purchased on Apr 5, 2015
I would need this to fir under workbench that has 32" clearance...... what is the overall height with hoses connected ?
BEST ANSWER: Can't be under 32 inches unles you use a 90 degree elbow on the inlet side (not included). These things are awesome! I have 2 of them and they double the life on you vacuum filter!
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- Joseph C on Nov 25, 2016
- Purchased on Mar 6, 2015
I already have a Dust Right hooked up to my Shop Vac; however, I was wondering if you can hook two Dust Rights up in series between the tool and the Shop Vac?
BEST ANSWER: I suppose you could. This should provide additional dust collection between your Shop Vac and your tool.
However, it may cause your Shop Vac to have to work harder and takes up more space. Also, since you get very little dust in your Shop Vac when using the Dust Right already which prolongs the life of the filter on the shop vac I would think that this is not a cost effective/efficient solution. Collection of dust would not really improve. An investment in a larger more powerful shop vac would make more sense.
However, it may cause your Shop Vac to have to work harder and takes up more space. Also, since you get very little dust in your Shop Vac when using the Dust Right already which prolongs the life of the filter on the shop vac I would think that this is not a cost effective/efficient solution. Collection of dust would not really improve. An investment in a larger more powerful shop vac would make more sense.
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- JERRY K on Nov 19, 2016
- Purchased on Apr 5, 2015
The lid leaks on two sides. I cleaned the lid and canister but it didn't help. Is there a fix for this ?
BEST ANSWER: I have the same problem. I wrapped duct tape around the seam which helps considerably but does not completely eliminate the leakage. This is a pain when you want to empty it but I couldn't think of another solution.
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- Buckeye Bill on Mar 22, 2016
- Purchased on Mar 2, 2015
I bought a Vortex from Rockler. It has a 2-1/2 " port and my shop vac has a 2-1/4" port. Do you have an adapter so I can use the Vortex with the shop vac?
BEST ANSWER: No no but you should be able to shop around and find something that will adopt if not just keep wrapping a piece of tape around the two and a quarter inch hose until you get to the desired thickness
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- CJ L on Nov 3, 2015
- Purchased on Apr 2, 2015
Hi I have the festool midi vac. Can I use this dust right with it? If yes, any special hose attachments? Thx
BEST ANSWER: I would think so, I have a very old shop vac and I use it on and it works great
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- Bobby W on Sep 9, 2015
- Purchased on Mar 16, 2015
At what CFM does the Rockler Dust Right Dust Separator preform best?
I just purchased the dust separator today.
I just purchased a dust separator today. For 1 hour I tried separating the top from the bottom. I tried everyway I could think of and it has moved about 1" and looks like it has been through a war. Can someone please tell me if there is a secret to taking these apart? It looks like whoever put them together pushed the inside piece so deep it will not come out. I think the top has a crack in it now. maybe Gorilla tape will hold it together. if the store was still open I would take it back now.
I just purchased a dust separator today. For 1 hour I tried separating the top from the bottom. I tried everyway I could think of and it has moved about 1" and looks like it has been through a war. Can someone please tell me if there is a secret to taking these apart? It looks like whoever put them together pushed the inside piece so deep it will not come out. I think the top has a crack in it now. maybe Gorilla tape will hold it together. if the store was still open I would take it back now.
BEST ANSWER: Sounds like something is wrong, I turn clockwise to put top on & counter clockwise to take the top off.
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- Anthony G on May 8, 2017
- Purchased on May 18, 2015
I have a rockler wall vac #44179. Please advise the adaptors/hose(s) required to pair them correctly?
BEST ANSWER: Ithe all depends on your vac size
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- CJ L on Mar 22, 2017
- Purchased on Apr 2, 2015
I've got one of these and it works great with my 12 Gal Shop Vac; keeps a lot of debris from getting to the Shop Vac bag. However, I recently picked up a friends wall mount dust system with 4 inch fittings. This Dust Right Separator is now idle, and not collecting dust in the manner it was designed for.
My question: Has anyone tried to adapt this separator to work with 4 inch hoses? It could possibly be done with the Rockler fittings that call for 4 1/2 inch holes, but it would be a close call about whether the separator lid has enough flat surface for holes that large. Or, possibly the lid could be opened up and fastened to a circular piece of plywood -- that way the plywood lid could still screwed onto the Dust Right Separator can.
My question: Has anyone tried to adapt this separator to work with 4 inch hoses? It could possibly be done with the Rockler fittings that call for 4 1/2 inch holes, but it would be a close call about whether the separator lid has enough flat surface for holes that large. Or, possibly the lid could be opened up and fastened to a circular piece of plywood -- that way the plywood lid could still screwed onto the Dust Right Separator can.
BEST ANSWER: This will not work with the 4" system. You will end up pulling the dust out of the dust separator.
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- Rick H Staff on May 4, 2016
I have a Craftsman shop vacuum that uses a 4" hose. What is the adapter part (need the number) that I need to make the vacuum and this dust separator work together?
What hose size are the ports on the Dust Right Dust Separator ?
I understand that vacuum that has a 4" hose will likely suck the dust out of the separator, thereby limiting its usefulness. However, will such a vacuum also suck larger debris such as wood chips from a planer or router, small chunks of wood, or shreds of metal from the separator? Also, could the suction be reduced by use of gates in the hose that can be open and close and allowing air into the hose sufficient to reduce the suction to a degree that the vacuum would not suck the dust out of the separator? Household vacuums often have such a gate in the hose to reduce the suction for cleaning drapes and such things.
Reviews
4.4 / 5.0
399 Reviews
All products of this type that I use rely on gravity to pull out particles. If the wet/dry vac is too strong, the fine particles don't have a chance to fall to the bottom of the cyclone. I've tried the Dust Deputy similar product with a 2.5 HP vac and then a 6 HP vac. The 2.5 HP vac will have less fine dust on the filter. Keep this in mind when setting up your vacuum and separator. Test your weaker vac and your stronger vac.
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May 6, 2012
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not worth it to me
Although the Dust Right works as advertised it didn't really solve any problems for me. The goal was to not have to empty the shop vac as often. The Dust Right does catch 80% of the debris keeping it from going into my vacuum. However, because vac filter still gets clogged with fine sawdust just as often and to clean it... you guessed ...it I have to dump out the vacuum anyway. So ultimately after a year, I disconnected it and it's up in the attic.
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November 24, 2013
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Another Plus
Yesterday I took the lid off to measure the inside diameter at the bottom so I could buy a piece of pre-cast concrete to use as a weight to help counter the top-heavy nature of the beast. When I opened it up, I was surprised to find about a quarter-inch of fine sanding dust!!!! I had been using an orbital sander for a good bit the previous few days after I had emptied it of the shavings. I was most pleasantly surprised that it also collected the fine sanding dust as well, something I was led to believe would not happen.
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October 13, 2014
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Mediocre at best
It works ok for light duty. When really put to work though, when used on a jointer or planer (When the separator is really useful) it's not so great. After planing several boards earlier, the separator was about half to two thirds full and my 14 gallon shop vac was COMPLETELY full and filter clogged. I'm going to have to build a Thien separator I guess.
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March 29, 2015
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Outstanding Piece of Equipment!
Received my Rockler Dust Right® Dust Separator last week and had my first chance to check it out Saturday. Opened my Shop Vac and cleaned the filter (purchased last month-fairly clean) and emptied the Vac on the floor, about 2/3 of a 5 Gal bucket of dust and chips. Did all the connections to get the seperator in line as per instructions. Started it up and vacuumed the pile up watching it swirl to the bottom, checking the vac I found it empty of dust or chips and the filter still clean. I was so impressed I dumped it again and went and got my fiance' and showed her the empty vac and had her clean it up again she said it was worth every penny I spent. THANK YOU for a fine product!
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December 29, 2014
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Great product...was thinking of making my...
Great product...was thinking of making my own, but what is your time worth? Besides, after buying fittings, container & what not I was aproaching Rockler's asking price. This is the best shop purchase I've made in a long time! Cleanup, & tool DC for 2 days w/out having to clean filter. I've read poor reveiws, & have to say that some people just don't have any common sense! If your filter is clogging due to fine particles, use a bag! That's the only way to catch fine micron dust, period. You have to empty it often because its hooked up to a plainer? No kidding? Ha... of course your going to lose a lil suction, same thing as adding 20' of hose to your vac. If your expecting the magical cure, you'll always be dissappointed. If your looking for a good small shop DC system . I highly recomend, works for me. Shop & lungs are much cleaner! Thanx again Rockler.
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March 6, 2012
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Good product for the money
I paired this separator with a 10 gal. ShopVac with a new HEPA filter. It works very well for trapping nearly all of the course chips and sawdust. Very fine dust will get past it and make it to the filter. So, you will need to blow out the filter occasionally, but not nearly as often as before. The result is much better air flow with no fine dust exiting the vacuum, due to using a HEPA filter. Without the separator, this filter would clog very quickly. I initially thought that the hose that connects the separator to the vac was kind of cheap and would need to be replaced. But, it seems to be working OK. It rolls around easily when I have a long hose connected for vacuuming the floor. The issue of the casters not being secure in the base, as some reviewers have noted, is I suspect, the result of not fully seating them in the base. It does take a considerable amount of force to get the casters to seat flush to the base. But, once they're in, it also takes a considerable amount of force to remove them. They roll and swivel well, especially considering the price. Overall, it was a very good buy.
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October 13, 2014
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Got this product along with extending...
Got this product along with extending hose back at Christmas. After using for a few months, I can now rate it fairly. I use it connected to a Craftsman 16 gallon shop vac. Last week I decided to empty the Vortex despite being less than 1/2 full. I had noticed less suction so I decided to check the shop vac too. To my disappointment, the vac was full more than the Vortex. I had just bought a new filter at time I bought the Vortex thinking there would be a little dust entering the vac but that was not the case. The only advantage of the Vortex I see is that the vac will not fill up as fast but it will fill up.
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April 4, 2012
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I bought a 16 gallon Shop-Vac...
I bought a 16 gallon Shop-Vac a few months ago, and when I was down to my last bag I purchased the Vortex. I've filled and emptied it at least fifteen times and still have the same bag in the vac as when I first hooked up the Vortex. Amazing! It's already paid for itself just in bags I haven't had to buy. Would highly recommend it.
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July 25, 2011
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Great product
Had a little extra dough from Christmas so decided to give this one a try. Absolutely great decision. It made cleanup when planing and sawing far easier. Just work and keep an eye on the bucket. When I saw it getting full I just took it out of the garage and dumped it in the trash can. Assembly was pretty simple. Screw the ducting together through the lid. Attach the casters (use an old screw driver and a hammer to easily tap them into the base) Attach the top and bottom and you're ready to use.
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January 15, 2015
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