Hose size
2-1/2 in vacuum hose: hoses, ends, couplers and separators
2-1/2 in hoses from RIDGID and CRAFTSMAN, POWERTEC's dimensioned 2-1/2 in ends, couplers and separators, and why the Dust Deputy 2.5 has no single ID.
Also listed as 2.5 in hose, 2-1/2 inch hose
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Short answer
2-1/2 in is the common large shop-vac hose size and a small collector-hose size. Makers dimension their 2-1/2 in ends differently: POWERTEC's 70136 end is 2-15/32 in OD and 2-9/32 in ID, while its 70291 end tapers from 2.45 to 2.49 in to fit inside most 2-1/2 in ID hoses. The catch: 'most' is not all, and Oneida's Dust Deputy 2.5 documents give conflicting ID figures. See shop-vac hose sizes.
What fitsAll 4 items that fit
Key facts
- What the label measures
- Depends on the part: POWERTEC 70136's 2-1/2 in end is 2-15/32 in OD and 2-9/32 in ID; POWERTEC 70291's end tapers from 2.45 to 2.49 in and fits inside most 2-1/2 in ID hoses[3][4]POWERTEC says 'most', not all.
- Maker-dimensioned examples
- RIDGID LA2522: 2-1/2 in locking hose that extends up to 20 ft. CRAFTSMAN CMXZVBE38759: 2-1/2 in x 20 ft locking hose kit with three adapters for CRAFTSMAN and most wet/dry vacs using a 2-1/2 in hose[1][2]RIDGID's 20 ft is stretched length; RIDGID makes no claim about other brands' tanks.
- Tank and cuff ends
- RIDGID LA2522 kit: two NXT locking adapters, a drum locking adapter and a friction-fit adapter. Cen-Tec 62909: tank adapter for Milwaukee FUEL wet-dry vacs with a 2.5 in ID tank opening[1][5]Cen-Tec lists no Milwaukee model numbers.
- Metric arithmetic
- 2.5 in x 25.4 = 63.5 mm[6]Arithmetic, not a fit allowance.
- Step adapters to other sizes
- POWERTEC 70136 (4 in to 2-1/2 in, hoses only) and 70291 (4 in end into a 4 in nominal OD port, 2-1/2 in end into most 2-1/2 in ID hoses)[3][4]
- Couplers and clamps
- Shop-Vac 170400: a rigid polypropylene coupling that joins two 2-1/2 in wet/dry vacuum hoses, friction-fit or lock-on[7]
- Separators made for this size
- Dust Deputy 2.5: female ports that accept standard 2.5 in cuffed shop-vac hose fittings (Oneida). Dustopper PRO: for wet/dry vacs with a nominal 2-1/2 in hose; its kit hose is 2.5 x 36 in[8][9][10]Oneida's manual gives conflicting ID figures for the Dust Deputy 2.5, so no single ID is published.
- Do not confuse with
- 2-1/4 in: DEWALT Canada's DWV9190 page says 'a 2-1/2-inch hose OD similar to a RIDGID or Shop-Vac hose' but also shows 57.2 mm, which is 2-1/4 in[11]Wording only; no DWV9190 dimension is published.
- Not confirmed
- Not confirmed
Watch out for
- There is no single ID for the Dust Deputy 2.5 ports: Oneida's FAQ and its drawing disagree. Oneida's wording is that the female ports accept standard 2.5 in cuffed shop-vac hose fittings.
- POWERTEC's 70136 fits hoses only, not machine ports; its 70291 is the one that goes into a 4 in port.
- CRAFTSMAN's and Dustopper's 'most' wet/dry vacs is not a list. Check your vacuum's port against the maker's own wording.
What fits
Product details below are the seller's own description unless a source is shown. Pick the variant named for each item.
2-1/2 in hose
CRAFTSMAN CMXZVBE38759 2‑1/2 in x 20 ft locking wet/dry vac hose kitChoose the 2-1/2 in x 20 ft locking hose kit.
CRAFTSMAN says it fits CRAFTSMAN and most wet/dry vacs using a 2-1/2 in hose.
Hose union
Rockler Dust Right 2‑1/2 in rubber union with two clampsChoose the 2-1/2 in rubber union with two clamps.
Rockler describes a flexible coupler that joins 2-1/2 in hose or fittings of slightly different diameters.
2-1/2 in to 4 in coupler
Rockler Dust Right 2‑1/2 in to 4 in mountable dust hose couplerChoose the 2-1/2 in to 4 in mountable coupler.
Rockler says the 2-1/2 in end fits inside standard 2-1/2 in hose and the 4 in end is stepped for 4 in hose.
Separator kit
Dustopper PRO cyclonic separator kit with 2‑1/2 in x 36 in hose and two sweep elbowsChoose the PRO kit with the 2-1/2 in x 36 in hose and two sweep elbows.
Dustopper says it fits wet/dry vacs with a nominal 2-1/2 in hose and accessory port, recommended at 5.0 HP and up. No bucket is included.
Questions
Do all 2-1/2 in shop-vac hoses fit each other's fittings?
No maker says so. POWERTEC says its 70291 end fits inside 'most' 2-1/2 in ID hoses, and CRAFTSMAN says its hose fits 'most' wet/dry vacs using a 2-1/2 in hose.[4][2]
How do I join two 2-1/2 in hoses?
Shop-Vac's 170400 coupling is a polypropylene part made to join two 2-1/2 in wet/dry vacuum hoses; see hose cuffs and couplers.[7]
What is the Dust Deputy 2.5's port ID?
Not confirmed. Oneida's FAQ and its dimension drawing disagree, so we publish only Oneida's wording: female ports that accept standard 2.5 in cuffed shop-vac hose fittings.[8]