I made my own pellet vac for less than $20.00 - Video

Thanks to the design posted on YouTube by "Kntryhart", I was able to make this simple pellet vac. It actually works pretty good too.

(I'm not too good with videos): Here

Steve

Pretty slick!

Nice job Steve....I think I'll be making one too. Did I see your "modification" was to add a few holes in the upper pipe to lessen the vacuum some?

Yup, the holes was one thing - I also added a screen on the upper portion of the 3" "Y" pipe. The holes can be covered with tape as much as needed.

I'm gonna put a document together (probably .pdf) so I can post details with pics.

Steve

Instead of tape, if you've got a spare piece of the 3" pipe you can make a little sleeve that would allow you to open or close as many of the holes as needed --- cut a 2" piece and then cut an inch or so out of the ring so it's now split. You'll be able to slip it over the 3" pipe and then rotate to cover the holes or slide it up & down to cover them vertically.

DiggerJim that's exactly what I had planned on doing, which as you know would make the vacuum somewhat adjustable for different shop vacs, etc. Originally, I had tried it with my large wood-shop vac (below) but it was just way too much vacuum for it.

Steve

ShortStuff,

I see you have a couple of bags of pellets laying around....HOLY COW!

macman, I only have 3 tons - you have 5 tons plus one more on the way = 6 tons.

I'm hoping that 3 will be enough for me, but is 6 enough for you or do you think you may need more?

Steve

Short, I wasn't criticizing, it just looked like a lot the way their all stacked next to each other....mine are scattered around the basement and outside in the old woodshed.

Yes, 6 is a lot, but it's my first winter w/ a pellet stove, and I got a pretty good price (for NY) on most of the pellets, so I figured I might as well get 'em now.

I'm actually really hoping that my log home doesn't use more than 4 tons, and that I'll have at least 2 to start off next year....I won't feel in such a panic.

I knew that you were on joking :coolsmile: . I'm guessing that last winter in your hood was like it was around here, rather long and extra snowy, so those extra pellets you have may come in handy (hopefully not).

Every year it seems that there are so many people who "predict" what kind of a winter we are going to have and I am absolutely convinced that there is no way to know. They've been insisting that global warming is warming up the planet and perhaps it is, but as last winter showed us, winters can still be horrible.

All we can do is keep our fingers and toes crossed, expect the worst and hope for the best.

Steve

Steve,
what size pipes did you use? looks like 2" and 3". how do you think 4" for the verticals would work? I aske because I happen to have decent length scraps of 4", 2", and 1-1/2" laying around. my only scrap of 3" is about 6" long. i worry that there may not be enough suction with the 4". how did you attach the funnel/bowl to the 2"? a pvc drain?

I was wondering the same thing too....my guess is clear silicone.

Cool video. Don't know if I'll be needing one, but it sure is nice to see something as simple and inexpensive as that that actually works. I'll keep that design in mind come this winter if the fines are that bad. Thanks for posting some helpful info.

orangecrushcj7, I would think that 4" would probably work as long as your vacuum is strong enough. You probably wouldn't need the 1/4" holes for draft as you can see below. Only one piece is glued so it can't hurt to try.

Steve

Here's one pic:

And one more pic:

You can pretty much use anything you want for a hopper. I just happened to have a plastic shade from one of those pole lights that point to the ceiling. I just enlarged the hole on the inside and hot-glued it to the 2" pipe.

Steve

P.S. Thanks for all the good comments!

Great job, Short, and great diagram & pics.....makes me want to run to HD in the rain to pick-up the parts. LOL

Did you have that screen on hand, or something you bought?

The screen was one of the parts included which is nothing more than a 3' length of gutter protection screen from HD. I traced the right size with a Sharpie and cut out two circles, then I rotated one over the other to provide a finer mesh.

Here's the exact parts and prices:

1. 1 - 1/4"x3' dowel - $0.98
2. 1 - gutter guard - $1.94
3. 1 - 3"x2" PVC adapter - $3.36
4. 1 - 2"x45° PVC - $1.32
5. 1 - 3"x3"x2" "Y" PVC - $3.38
6. 1 - 3"x2' PVC pipe - $4.29
7. 1 - 2"x2' PVC pipe - $2.38

Total: $17.65 plus tax

Hopper I had on hand.

Steve

why are these necessary? do fines cause a problem in some stoves?

With some stoves excessive fines may clog the auger and jam it. Other folks find that the fines get airborne while they are loading the hopper and they cause an increase in household dust. Still others have allergies or asthma that is exacerbated by the fines getting in the air.

And then there are those who don't have any of these issues so they can't see why one's needed

My little one suffers from allergies and asthma I think using this device cannot but improve the air quality.Last Christmas she got a bad attack I threw out all the wreaths and the christmas tree I did suspect it could be wood pellet dust so I always gently poured the pellets in the hopper.I will try this and let you know

A few dollars and some time is cheap insurance to take care of your family.....I say it's worth it if there's any question.

And if you use ABS it is cheaper than PVC

Nice Job ShortStuff. Just what i've been looking for. I appreaciate your sharing this with the rest of us.