Cheap Shop Vac attachment for cleaning stove

[MCPO]

Here`s my $5 homemade shop vac attachment that will help trap fine particles when cleaning your stove. It is used in combination with the vac`s original paper / cloth filter .
It consists of a 2" plastic central vac system T and a couple wraps of electrical tape to make a tight friction fit into the vac`s exhaust hole .
This eliminates the need to buy a long exhaust hose to stick out the window as suggested by some forum users.
If you look closely you will see two layers of hot air duct filter material sandwiched between 2 cut and then force fitted galvanized screen discs in the T ends. A lip inside the T prevents it from pushing in too far.
I chose the T (two exhaust ports) simply to compensate for the reduced pressure that the added filter would have added to this setup.
I figured if one layer of this filter material traps dust particles in a home 2 layers should trap the stove residue.

Here`s the link to my pictures below. Just click around to view them all.
John
http://www.pbase.com/johnd1/image/100614111

 

[mralias]

Looks pretty good. Have you tried the vac without its regular filter to see how much your homemade one catches? Would be interested in knowing that as I may help myself to your idea.

 

[MCPO]

Looks pretty good. Have you tried the vac without its regular filter to see how much your homemade one catches? Would be interested in knowing that as I may help myself to your idea.

If I removed the original filter the attached one would probably plug up quickly since the surface area is so small.
It`s purpose is to collect any fine particles that manage to get thru the original filter.

 

[hoverfly]

That filter material look very course, I don't think it's going to filter the very fine particals what's the materials rating?

 

[MCPO]

That filter material look very course, I don't think it's going to filter the very fine particals what's the materials rating?

It`s the same filter media used in a home hot air system. I figure it will work just fine for the fine fines.

 

[Xena]

Am I missing something?
Why not just throw a drywall bag in the shop vac
like most of us do?

 

[MCPO]

Am I missing something?
Why not just throw a drywall bag in the shop vac
like most of us do?

I don`t think they make one for my older shop vac.
The ones I`ve seen have a small opening similar to the ones for my Nutone central vac system.

 

[mralias]

Am I missing something?
Why not just throw a drywall bag in the shop vac
like most of us do?

Nahhhhh...too easy....and makes way too much sense. I need stuff to complicate my life and make my wife think I am doing something for the good of the family. Beside, can't find a drywall bag to fit my wet-vac. Do you make you own???

 

[Xena]

Lol. No I don't make my own. I bought a 2 pack of the drywall bags.
They make them for all size wet/dry vacs. Mine is a 16 gal wet/dry.
They are pricey at this place but just to show they make them to
fit all size wet dry vacs. (broken link removed)
I think I paid 8 bucks for a two pack last year but I don't remember
where I bought them.

With the amount of ash I vac from the stove every year, I figure I will need
a new pellet stove before I fill the bag. :lol:

 

[MCPO]

Lol. No I don't make my own. I bought a 2 pack of the drywall bags.
They make them for all size wet/dry vacs. Mine is a 16 gal wet/dry.
They are pricey at this place but just to show they make them to
fit all size wet dry vacs. (broken link removed)
I think I paid 8 bucks for a two pack last year but I don't remember
where I bought them.

With the amount of ash I vac from the stove every year, I figure I will need
a new pellet stove before I fill the bag. :lol:

I don`t see anything to fit mine.
My $5 one should work fine.
Thanks anyway.

 

[IowaBrian]

I see Sam's Club has them online also Amazon for those that need a place to look.