Dust Collection Guides

Practical tips for cleaner air in your workshop.

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Sizes and hoses

Measure the port, match the hose, pick the right step down.

May 28, 2026 · 4 min read

Jigsaw Dust Collection: Port Sizes for Every Brand

Jigsaws have small dust ports on the side or top of the body. Here is the size for every major brand and what adapter you need.

May 27, 2026 · 6 min read

The Complete Hose Size Adapter Guide: Every Connection Explained

Confused about which adapter size you need? This guide covers every common tool port and shop vac hose combination in one place.

May 27, 2026 · 4 min read

Craftsman V20 Dust Collection: Port Sizes and Adapter Guide

Craftsman V20 tools use the same port as Milwaukee and DeWalt. Here is the complete setup guide for connecting them to any shop vac.

May 24, 2026 · 4 min read

Makita XGT 40V Dust Collection: Port Sizes and Best Setup

Makita XGT 40V hand tools use the same dust port as LXT 18V. Here is the complete guide for connecting them to shop vacs and dust extractors.

May 21, 2026 · 4 min read

How to Measure Your Tool's Dust Port (The Right Way)

Inner diameter, outer diameter, which one matters? Here is how to measure any dust port in two minutes.

May 20, 2026 · 5 min read

Ryobi ONE+ Dust Collection: Every Tool, Every Port Size

Ryobi ONE+ tools are in millions of garages. Most have dust ports. Here is how to connect them to a shop vac and actually capture the dust.

May 18, 2026 · 4 min read

Bosch Power Tool Dust Collection: Ports, Hoses, and Adapters

Bosch tools use a port standard that differs from both Milwaukee and Makita. Here is what you need to connect any Bosch tool to a shop vac or dust extractor.

May 17, 2026 · 5 min read

Dust Collection Hose Sizes: The Full Guide to Diameters and Standards

Shop vac hoses, dust extractor hoses, and central dust collector hoses all use different diameters. Here is how they all fit together.

May 15, 2026 · 5 min read

Standard Dust Port Sizes: The Complete Reference

1-1/4", 1-1/2", 2-1/2", 4". What each size is used for, which tools use which, and how to connect them all.

May 15, 2026 · 5 min read

DeWalt 20V MAX Dust Collection: Every Tool, Every Port Size

DeWalt 20V MAX hand tools share one dust port on most models. Miter saws use a bigger one. Here is the complete guide.

By tool

Saws, sanders, routers, grinders, and the hoods that help them.

August 3, 2026 · 8 min read

Homemade Dust Collection Adapters: What Actually Works

Tape, heat-formed PVC, turned pipe, rubber couplings, printed parts. An honest look at every homemade dust adapter method and where each one gives up.

August 3, 2026 · 8 min read

Dust Hoods and Shrouds: Catch What the Port Misses

A dust hood catches the spray your tool port never sees. What a hood is, why miter saws throw dust past the port, how to shape one, and what a hood cannot do.

May 31, 2026 · 5 min read

Dust Collection for Drywall: Cutting, Sanding, and Cleanup

Drywall dust is fine, alkaline, and hard on lungs. Here is how to set up dust collection for drywall cutting and sanding.

May 30, 2026 · 5 min read

Planer Dust Collection: Handheld and Benchtop Setup Guide

Planers generate a lot of chips fast. Handheld planers use shop vac adapters. Benchtop planers need larger dust collector connections. Here is the full guide.

May 29, 2026 · 3 min read

Plate Joiner Dust Collection: What to Know About Biscuit Joiners

Plate joiners (biscuit joiners) generate a lot of fine wood dust from the slot plunge. Here is the port size and adapter for each brand.

May 28, 2026 · 4 min read

Bosch PROFACTOR Dust Collection and the GKT13 Track Saw

Bosch PROFACTOR tools use their own port size, not the Milwaukee, DeWalt or Makita one. Here is what you need to connect them.

May 28, 2026 · 4 min read

Dust Collection for Tools With No Dust Port

Some tools do not have a built-in dust port. Here are the adapter and shroud options for capturing dust from tools that were not designed for it.

May 26, 2026 · 5 min read

Dust Collection for MDF and Plywood: Why It Matters More

MDF and plywood produce finer, more hazardous dust than solid wood. Here is how to set up proper dust collection for sheet goods.

May 25, 2026 · 4 min read

Oscillating Multi-Tool Dust Collection: Does It Actually Work?

Oscillating multi-tools have a dust port, but most people never use it. Here is when connecting a shop vac actually helps and when it does not.

May 24, 2026 · 6 min read

Table Saw Dust Collection: The Complete Setup Guide

Table saws produce dust above and below the blade. A full capture setup needs both. Here is how to set it up for any table saw.

May 22, 2026 · 5 min read

Random Orbit Sander Dust Collection: How to Capture Most of the Dust

Sanders make the finest dust. Fine dust is the most dangerous. Here is how to get serious capture from your random orbit sander.

May 21, 2026 · 4 min read

Oscillating Tool Dust Collection: Does It Actually Work?

Oscillating multi-tools have tiny ports. Some collectors call them pointless. Here is the real story on whether connecting a vac makes sense.

May 20, 2026 · 5 min read

Circular Saw Dust Collection: How to Stop the Sawdust Mess

Circular saws throw dust everywhere. A dust port adapter and a shop vac fix that. Here is what you need and how to set it up.

May 20, 2026 · 7 min read

Table Saw Dust Collection: Cabinet, Hybrid, and Contractor Saws

Table saws make a huge amount of dust. The right dust collection setup depends on your saw type. Here is what works for each.

May 20, 2026 · 5 min read

Belt Sander Dust Collection: Stop Clogging Your Shop

Belt sanders produce some of the finest dust in the shop. Here is how to connect one to a shop vac or extractor and actually keep the air clean.

May 20, 2026 · 5 min read

Track Saw Dust Collection: Why It Works Better Than a Circular Saw

Track saws enclose the blade better than circular saws. That makes dust collection much more effective. Here is what you need to know.

May 20, 2026 · 5 min read

Jigsaw Dust Collection: How to Stop the Sawdust Spray

Jigsaws blow dust forward and upward. The small port makes a big difference. Here is how to hook up a shop vac to any major brand jigsaw.

May 20, 2026 · 6 min read

Router Dust Collection: Compact Routers, Plunge Routers, and Router Tables

Routers throw fine dust in every direction. A proper hookup changes that. Here is how dust collection works for each router type.

May 20, 2026 · 9 min read

CNC Router Dust Shoe and Dust Boot Guide: PETG Adapters for Shapeoko, Onefinity, X-Carve, and Foxalien

Every hobby CNC ships with a different spindle, a different dust shoe, and a different hose port. This guide covers the dust shoes for Shapeoko, Onefinity, X-Carve, Foxalien, and Genmitsu, plus the printed PETG adapter that connects any of them to your shop vac.

May 18, 2026 · 7 min read

Dust Collection for DeWalt Miter Saws

DeWalt miter saws capture only 40-60% of sawdust with the stock bag. Here is how to upgrade to real dust collection.

May 10, 2026 · 5 min read

Router Table Dust Collection: How to Capture the Chaos

Router tables throw chips and fine dust in every direction. The right dust collection setup can capture most of it. Here is how.

May 6, 2026 · 5 min read

How to Connect a Random Orbit Sander to Dust Collection

Random orbit sanders produce fine, harmful dust. Here is how to connect any sander to a shop vac or dust extractor and actually capture that dust.

Vacs and extractors

Shop vacs, dust extractors, and which brand port you have.

August 3, 2026 · 8 min read

Why Your Shop Vac Hose Does Not Fit Your Power Tool

Same label, different size. Here is why dust ports and shop vac hoses do not match, what to measure, and how to bridge the gap with one adapter.

June 19, 2026 · 9 min read

Drywall Sander With Vacuum Setup: Pole Sander Dust Collection Adapters for Festool, DeWalt, and Milwaukee

Drywall dust is fine, fast, and bad for your lungs. The right sander plus the right shop vac plus the adapter that connects them keeps more of it out of the air. This guide covers the Festool Planex, DeWalt DCE800, Milwaukee 2830, and the PETG adapter that joins the hose to your vac.

June 19, 2026 · 8 min read

Concrete Grinder With Vacuum Setup: Dust Collection Adapters for Hilti, DeWalt, Bosch, and Metabo

Surface grinding concrete is dirty work. OSHA Table 1 says you need a HEPA vacuum and a shroud. This guide covers the hand-held and floor grinder lineup, the rental hookups, and the PETG adapter that connects any brand to any shop vac.

May 31, 2026 · 8 min read

Complete Dust Collection Buying Guide (2025): Shop Vac, Extractor, or Collector?

Not sure where to start with dust collection? This guide walks through every option from $50 to $1,000 and tells you exactly what to buy for your shop.

May 30, 2026 · 4 min read

Corded vs Cordless Dust Extractor: Which Should You Buy?

Corded dust extractors give unlimited runtime. Cordless models let you work anywhere. Here is how to decide which is right for your shop.

May 30, 2026 · 4 min read

Festool CT 26 vs CT 36: Which Extractor Is Right for Your Shop?

The CT 26 and CT 36 are Festool's mid-range and large extractors. Here is how they compare and which size is worth the upgrade.

May 29, 2026 · 5 min read

Milwaukee PACKOUT and M18 FUEL Dust Collection: Full Ecosystem Guide

Milwaukee's M18 FUEL system has one of the best integrated dust collection ecosystems. Here is how all the pieces fit together.

May 29, 2026 · 4 min read

How to Set Up a Shop Vac for Power Tools: Step-by-Step

Connecting a shop vac to power tools takes about 5 minutes. Here is the exact process from zero to working dust collection.

May 26, 2026 · 5 min read

Festool CT Mini vs CT Midi: Which Dust Extractor Should You Buy?

The CT Mini and CT Midi are Festool's most popular dust extractors. Here is exactly how they compare and which one fits your shop.

May 26, 2026 · 4 min read

DeWalt DCV517B vs DCV586B: Which Cordless Vac Should You Get?

DeWalt makes two popular cordless shop vacs. They use different hose sizes. Here is which one you need for your tools.

May 23, 2026 · 5 min read

Track Saw Dust Collection: DeWalt, Makita, and Festool Guide

Track saws collect dust better than any other circular saw. But the port size and adapter you need depends on the brand. Here is the complete guide.

May 22, 2026 · 7 min read

Best Shop Vacs for Connecting to Power Tools (2025 Picks)

Not all shop vacs work well connected to power tools. Here are the best options at each price point for tool-side dust collection.

May 22, 2026 · 5 min read

Milwaukee vs DeWalt vs Makita: Which Brand Has Better Dust Collection?

Port size is the main factor when comparing brands for dust collection. Here is how Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita stack up.

May 21, 2026 · 6 min read

Miter Saw Dust Collection: Bag vs. Shop Vac vs. Dust Collector

Miter saws make a lot of dust and the bag barely helps. Here is what actually works for 10-inch and 12-inch saws.

May 20, 2026 · 5 min read

Ridgid Shop Vac Dust Collection: Hose Sizes and Power Tool Connections

Ridgid shop vacs are a workshop staple. Here is how to connect your Ridgid vac to Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, and Bosch tools without leaky, loose hose connections.

May 20, 2026 · 6 min read

Festool CT Mini vs CT Midi vs CT 26: Which Dust Extractor?

The Festool CT line has four main sizes. Picking the wrong one wastes money or leaves you with a unit too small for the job. Here is the breakdown.

May 20, 2026 · 6 min read

Cordless Dust Collection: Milwaukee vs DeWalt vs Makita Vacs

All three brands make a cordless shop vac that pairs with their tool system. Here is what each one does well, and when to go cordless vs corded.

May 20, 2026 · 8 min read

Angle Grinder Dust Shroud and Vacuum Attachment Guide: Connect Any Grinder to Any Shop Vac

Every angle grinder dust shroud uses a different port size. Every shop vac hose is a different diameter. This guide covers the shrouds for DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, and Makita grinders, plus the printed PETG adapter that connects any of them to your vac.

May 16, 2026 · 4 min read

Makita LXT Dust Collection and the Right Vacuum Adapter

Makita LXT tools do not use the same port as Milwaukee or DeWalt. Here is what that means for your shop vac hose, your Festool extractor, and your adapters.

May 14, 2026 · 6 min read

Festool Dust Extractor Guide: CT MIDI, CT MINI, and CT 15

Festool makes three popular dust extractors for portable tools. Here is what each one does well, what hose sizes they use, and how to connect non-Festool tools to them.

May 12, 2026 · 5 min read

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Tools: Complete Dust Collection Guide

Milwaukee M18 FUEL tools share one dust port across most models. Here is everything you need to connect any M18 tool to dust collection.

May 8, 2026 · 6 min read

How to Set Up a Shop Vac for Power Tools

A shop vac with a good adapter system can capture most of the dust your tools make. This is how to do it right.

May 8, 2026 · 6 min read

Is a Dust Extractor Worth It Over a Shop Vac?

A shop vac costs $60. A dust extractor costs $400. Here is what the difference actually is, and when you need the more expensive option.

Ducting and fittings

Pipe runs, elbows, wyes, gates, separators, and floor sweeps.

August 3, 2026 · 9 min read

Blast Gate Guide: Why Gates Leak, Stick, and What Fixes It

Blast gates leak air and jam with dust. Here is why it happens, where to mount a gate, which way it faces, and what a self-cleaning gate changes.

August 3, 2026 · 9 min read

CFM and Static Pressure in Dust Collection, Plain English

What CFM and static pressure actually mean, why the number on the box is not what you get, and why hose size changes suction more than almost anything else.

August 3, 2026 · 7 min read

Floor Sweeps: Sweep the Pile Straight Into the Duct

What a dust collection floor sweep is, where to mount one, why they clog in the corners, and the one thing you should never sweep into it.

August 3, 2026 · 9 min read

Elbows, Wyes and Tees: How Fitting Shape Changes Your Airflow

Wye or tee, one 90 or two 45s, what elbow radius to use, and what a street elbow is. The shape of every junction decides what reaches your tool.

August 3, 2026 · 9 min read

PVC vs Metal Dust Collection Ducting: Which Should You Run?

PVC or metal duct for dust collection, what each one actually wins at, why 4 inch PVC is not 4 inches, and whether to glue or screw your joints.

August 3, 2026 · 10 min read

Does PVC Dust Collection Pipe Need Grounding?

Shop builders ground their PVC duct and report the shocks stopping. An electrician with a meter says outside wire does almost nothing. Every position, laid out fairly.

May 25, 2026 · 5 min read

Cyclone Separators for Shop Vacs: What to Buy and Why

A cyclone separator between your tool and your shop vac extends filter life 10x. Here is how they work and which one to get.

May 20, 2026 · 8 min read

How to Set Up a Central Dust Collection System

A central dust collector connects all your stationary tools to one unit. Here is how to plan the duct layout, pick the right collector, and connect every machine.

May 12, 2026 · 5 min read

Is a Cyclone Separator Worth It?

Short answer: yes, if your vacuum fills up fast. Here is how separators work, which sizes fit which vacs, and when the upgrade makes sense.

Air, filters, and basics

Filters, micron ratings, materials, and where to start.

August 3, 2026 · 8 min read