Vac Arm system??

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
I bought it last year but have not used it. My shop time is down to 0. these days. Doing alot of house projects. I watched the videos and liked what I saw so I bought it. I was looking for 2 things. One to be able to use on the table saw and other to use in close proximity of projects on a lathe. I have some projects that I need to drill acrylic out with large forstner bits so will need good dust collection. I believe this will work in conjunction with my everyday dust collector. I will hook this to a shop vac.
 
jttheclockman said:
I bought it last year but have not used it. My shop time is down to 0. these days. Doing alot of house projects. I watched the videos and liked what I saw so I bought it. I was looking for 2 things. One to be able to use on the table saw and other to use in close proximity of projects on a lathe. I have some projects that I need to drill acrylic out with large forstner bits so will need good dust collection. I believe this will work in conjunction with my everyday dust collector. I will hook this to a shop vac.
Click to expand...
I'm giving it thought. I like the concept. Might use with a Festool or ShopVac with a HEPA
 
Last edited:
jttheclockman said:
I bought it last year but have not used it. My shop time is down to 0. these days. Doing alot of house projects. I watched the videos and liked what I saw so I bought it. I was looking for 2 things. One to be able to use on the table saw and other to use in close proximity of projects on a lathe. I have some projects that I need to drill acrylic out with large forstner bits so will need good dust collection. I believe this will work in conjunction with my everyday dust collector. I will hook this to a shop vac.
Click to expand...
Directly into the ShopVac?
 
If you turn a lot of alumilite it gets stuck on the bolts holding the elbows together. Sawdust is fine. I replaced the elbows with regular plumbing elbows.
You can also just order the base and hose connecter alone and use your own pvc although it weighs more than the piping they offer.
I have one bolted to both my machine lathe bench and wood lathe bench and just switch out the vac hose
 
I went about engineering a system for bringing dust collection to my lathe (No attempt to utilize with table saw). I have a collection of components now, but am just getting started building the "system". The point I want to contribute here is that one of my components is a TV wall mount from Amazon. It is inexpensive and the description includes: Bracket Wall Mount with Articulating Arms, Extension, Tilt, Swivel, Leveling. My design will incorporate a flexible hose, thus avoiding all those 90* ells. This approach is fairly economical and will have the flexibility to collect lathe debris ranging from small pen turnings to fairly large bowls with the headstock moved to the far end of the bed.
I will get post photos once the concept described here 💡💡becomes fact:cool:
 
Apologies if I am sounding like a broken record... BUT, something important to consider is the difference between Dust Collectors and Shop-Vacs.

Dust Collectors are low pressure (suction), high velocity. In other words, they move a lot of air.

Shop-Vacs are high pressure (suction), low velocity. In other words, they do not move a lot of air.

Dust Collectors excel in situations that generate a lot of material like planers, ripsawing on table saw, router tables, and lathes.

Shop-Vacs excel in situations that generate a lot of very fine particulate matter such as sanding.

I originally had the Rockler Dust-Right Lathe Dust Collection System and it was connected to a Rigid Shop-Vac and it worked pretty well.

When I built my Dust Collector, I switched to this Hood from PSI. Because of the larger opening and amount of air that the Dust Collector pulls across the work, this works significantly better. I do not know how well this hood would work necked down to a 2.5" Shop-Vac that doesn't move as much air.

I think I see, in the link for the the system you are asking about, that it uses 1.5" tubing and the one picture of it in a shop it is connected to a Dust-Collection system.

Just a few things to think about.

David
 
Ok here goes. My main shop uses an Oneida mini gorilla.
I'm currently setting up Taig pool cue repair lathe in the garage. Will work with door open. I just ordered the Mullet top mount 2" arm. Will use with a Shop Vac. (New HEPA filter on order.)
 
WriteON said:
Ok here goes. My main shop uses an Oneida mini gorilla.
I'm currently setting up Taig pool cue repair lathe in the garage. Will work with door open. I just ordered the Mullet top mount 2" arm. Will use with a Shop Vac. (New HEPA filter on order.)
Click to expand...

Please post pictures when you have it all setup and let us know how it works for you!
 
d_bondi said:
Please post pictures when you have it all setup and let us know how it works for you!
Click to expand...
Sure will. I think a boom arm is the way to go. It should situate easier than coming up from behind.
The MULLET website is interesting. I like their concept. Have a few different systems. Customer service is active.
Speaking of service I contacted Bearwood for the Mullet boom. Got a voice mail with no return call. Will never buy from them. Aside from no communication the shipping is outrageous compared free shipping from Mullet direct.
 
WriteON said:
Sure will. I think a boom arm is the way to go. It should situate easier than coming up from behind.
The MULLET website is interesting. I like their concept. Have a few different systems. Customer service is active.
Speaking of service I contacted Bearwood for the Mullet boom. Got a voice mail with no return call. Will never buy from them. Aside from no communication the shipping is outrageous compared free shipping from Mullet direct.
Click to expand...
David is correct with differences and I think we all know this. But I agree with your attempt to use both methods at a certain location and that is what my point was. Both tools have their limits and pros and cons. I too use the dust collector hood David linked. In fact I bought one last year and when I get back into shop I need to replace the same kind I had prior on the lathe. They work very well. The Mullet will be better for dust collection.
 
lvturner said:
Really hoping to see pics of one of these working. Almost bought one a few times.
Click to expand...
Should have on Weds...will show and review. Using on this set up.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5891.jpeg
    IMG_5891.jpeg
    524.4 KB · Views: 24
jttheclockman said:
That will work fine. You can have real close and yet still out of the way. As I said this was my thinking also.
Click to expand...
I like the way you think. The fact that you bought one encouraged me to get it. It appears to be very well designed. If you call Mullet direct the customer service is excellent. I renewed the interest in a Rockler 750 w/boom. Reviews say the boom slips. The set would be way over $1000 with accessories. Was hesitant and passed... I'm glad the Mullet came up. I have 3 different vac to choose from.
 
Last edited:
WriteON said:
I like the way you think. The fact that you bought one encouraged me to get it. It appears to be very well designed. If you call Mullet direct the customer service is excellent. I renewed the interest in a Rockler 750 w/boom. Reviews say the boom slips. The set would be way over $1000 with accessories. Was hesitant and passed... I'm glad the Mullet came up. I have 3 different vac to choose from.
Click to expand...
I thought the same way but highly followed woodworkers have endorsed it and that is what put me over the edge. Years ago and I never built it, but I bought a system that had a boom similar to this but it was for an overhead vac system for a tablesaw. Require Unistrut hanging from ceiling but you could move it along like a track system. Being I need to move my tablesaw when I cut large boards and plywood I thought this was the way to go. I never installed because I never got around to cleaning the shop. This past year I did the cleaning and saw the system you have and thought like you it was expensive but kept coming back to the idea of how portable it is. I have projects throughout the house like moldings to install in all the rooms and I may just set this up for dust collection for my sliding miter saw. The dust collection on those things always are not very good. Plus like I said I will be drilling large holes in acrylic that becomes dusty and this will help in that situation too. Any little problems like some mentioned clogging 90's or loose fittings I am mechanical enough to overcome them. I never let things like that bother me when I read reviews on items. Some people are just not mechanically inclined and if it does not work perfect they freak out. Like you I have 3 different vacs. Thought about using my Festool but will go with a Ridged. Now I have a large and small one but both have a Hepa filter so covered there. Good luck with your projects.
 
WriteON said:
Going into what kind/type vac? Can you post a picture or 2...thanks.
Click to expand...
Eeek, the shop is a disaster right now. It's embarrassing, but here you go. The 4" hose coming out of the collection can goes to a portable Harbor Freight dust collector. Shop vacs are just way too loud. This set up could use some tweaking, but it suits my needs quite well for now. I can move the hose to the table saw or band saw pretty easily.

The collection can is a cheap trash can from Walmart with fittings to make it similar to a vortex collector (though not quite as effective) and some door frame insulation stuck around the rim of the lid. I don't understand why people let larger pieces go through their dust collector impellers before getting to the collection chamber/bag, but it's not my money they're using.

20250628_180953.jpg 20250628_181000[1].jpg
 
sorcerertd said:
Eeek, the shop is a disaster right now. It's embarrassing, but here you go.
Click to expand...
No shop is embarrassing.
sorcerertd said:
Shop vacs are just way too loud. I wear hearing aids...they make loud louder.
Click to expand...

Used one for a lifetime w/no ear protection....and I'm feeling my oats. Hearing protectors for the last few years each and every time..
sorcerertd said:
This set up could use some tweaking, but it suits my needs quite well for now. I can move the hose to the table saw or band saw pretty easily.
Click to expand...
👍
sorcerertd said:
The collection can is a cheap trash can from Walmart with fittings to make it similar to a vortex collector (though not quite as effective) and some door frame insulation stuck around the rim of the lid. I don't understand why people let larger pieces go through their dust collector impellers before getting to the collection chamber/bag, but it's not my money they're using.

View attachment 385635 View attachment 385636
Click to expand...
The Mullet Boom and Shop Vac will used on the Taig lathe. No many big pieces..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom