Guides
Practical answers to buying and setup questions, with links to the relevant choices.
- Guide4 in to 2-1/2 in reducers: into a hose or onto a port?Helps you pick a 4 in to 2-1/2 in (or 2-1/4 in) reducer by what each end plugs into, using the maker's dimensions.
- GuideAnti-static, dissipative and conductive hose: reading the claimsHelps you read a hose maker's static claim for what it says, without mistaking it for a safety rating.
- GuideBlast gates: sizes, end types, metal vs plasticHelps you choose a blast gate whose ends fit your hose or fittings, without relying on unmeasured material claims.
- GuideBuying dust collection fittings on Amazon: a checklist firstGives you a short checklist to confirm sizes, seller, returns and recalls before ordering a dust fitting online.
- GuideChoosing 4 in dust-collector hose: ends, spiral, wall and ratingsGives you a checklist for a 4 in collector hose: inside diameter, length, spiral hand, wall, vacuum rating and bend radius.
- GuideConnecting a 1-1/4 in hose to a bigger shop-vac inletHelps a reader choose a tank-end cuff whose stated size matches their vac inlet and check that their hose can take it.
- GuideCyclone separator kits: what is in the box and what is notHelps you see what a separator kit includes before you buy, so you can plan the bucket, hoses and elbows it still needs.
- GuideDEWALT AirLock and the DWV9000: what each adapter joinsHelps a DEWALT tool owner pick the DEWALT adapter that matches their vacuum hose, using DEWALT's own wording.
- GuideDuct fitting standards: hose fittings, S&D PVC, Schedule 40, metalHelps you pick one fitting standard for a duct run and the adapter for each place where standards meet.
- GuideDust-collector inlet sizes: 4 in inlets, inlet Ys and capsShows you where to find your own collector's inlet size and inlet parts, by model and version, before you buy hose or reducers.
- GuideDust Deputy vs Super Dust Deputy: shop vac or collector?Helps you choose a shop-vac cyclone or a collector cyclone by the machine and hose it sits in front of.
- GuideDust hose clamps: sizing by outside diameter and spiral directionHelps you buy hose clamps that fit the installed hose and, for bridge clamps, its spiral hand.
- GuideDust hose length and diameter: what the evidence showsTells you what is and is not known about how hose length and diameter affect a collector or shop vac, so you do not buy on invented numbers.
- GuideFestool hose sleeves and connectors: D 27, D 36 and the CT inletHelps a Festool owner pick the sleeve or connector whose page names their hose size and tool flange or CT model.
- GuideHose cuffs and couplers: threads, slip ends and hose-to-hose jointsHelps you match a cuff to your hose's type and thread, and pick a coupler that joins the two hose ends you have.
- GuideHow to measure a dust port: inside or outside diameterHelps a reader record the two numbers that decide fit before buying any hose, adapter or cuff.
- GuideMagnetic dust fittings: Magport, MagFitt and MagSnapHelps a reader buy matching halves of one magnetic system and know what no maker publishes about them.
- GuideMale, female and tapered dust fittings: which end goes insideHelps a reader work out whether two parts can join at all before comparing diameters.
- Guide27, 32, 35 and 36 mm vacuum hoses: not one metric standardHelps a reader match a metric tool hose by the maker's own list instead of by the millimeter figure.
- GuideNominal vs actual dust hose sizes: why 2-1/2 in is not 2.5 inHelps a reader stop matching parts by the label and start matching the two diameters that actually meet.
- GuideQuick-connect dust hose systems: Cen-Tec, Rockler and DEWALTHelps a reader count the parts each quick-connect system needs for their tools and hose before buying into one.
- GuideReplacement shop-vac hoses: RIDGID, CRAFTSMAN and Shop-VacHelps a reader buy the replacement hose their vac maker lists, with the right tank ends in the box.
- GuideRouter dust hoods: Bosch RA1172AT and hose adaptersHelps a handheld-router owner check whether Bosch's dust kit fits their router and base, and which adapter matches their hose.
- GuideSander dust port to shop-vac hose: DEWALT and Bosch routesHelps a sander owner pick the adapter the tool's maker names before trying a generic one.
- GuideWhy a separator bucket collapses, and which buckets makers nameHelps you choose a bucket that the separator maker names, and understand why buckets collapse, without modifying anything.
- GuideSewer-and-drain vs Schedule 40 PVC for dust collectionHelps you identify your PVC pipe's standard and buy the adapter made for it.
- GuideShop-vac hose sizes: 1-1/4 vs 1-7/8 vs 2-1/2 inHelps a reader identify which hose family their vac uses and what tank end a replacement or smaller hose needs.
- GuideA small-shop duct run: the parts list, one standard at a timeHelps you list the parts for a small-shop duct run in one fitting standard, with an adapter wherever standards meet.
- GuideTrack-saw dust ports: Makita and Festool connectionsHelps a track-saw owner see why to measure the port before buying an adapter, and which look-alike part is not a hose part.
- GuideIs sawdust combustible? What OSHA and NFPA say about wood dustShows what OSHA, NFPA and vacuum makers actually say about wood dust, fire and static, so you know where fit advice ends and the maker's manual begins.
- Shortlist4 in blast gates with stated end sizesHelps you pick a manual 4 in blast gate whose two ends fit the hose or port on each side, and plan the clamps it needs.
- Shortlist4 in dust-collector hoses with stated ends and wallHelps you pick 4 in collector hose whose maker states the inside diameter, length, wall and spiral hand, so fittings and clamps match it.
- Shortlist4 to 2-1/2 reducer and adapters with both ends dimensionedHelps you pick a reducer or step fitting whose maker dimensions both ends and says whether each goes into a hose or a port.
- ShortlistDust collection hose clamps and couplers matched to hose ODHelps you pick clamps that fit your hose's outside diameter and spiral hand, and couplers that join the two hose sizes you actually have.
- ShortlistQuick-connect hose kits: what each kit includesHelps you pick a quick-connect kit whose hose, hose end and tool adapters all belong to one system, so every tool clicks onto the same hose.
- ShortlistShop-vac cyclone separators with stated ports and bucketHelps you pick a shop-vac separator whose ports match your hose, whose bucket you can supply, and whose kit includes the parts you lack.
- ShortlistShop-vac hoses whose maker states the size, length and endsHelps you pick a shop-vac hose whose maker states the tank end, tool end and length, so it fits the vacuum and tools you own.
- ShortlistTool-port adapters with each end's diameter statedHelps you pick an adapter whose maker states both ends, so it joins your tool's port to the hose you own.