How To Attach Shop Vac To Sander
Dust and debris come with the territory when you’re working on a DIY project, especially when sanding. But you can make your life a lot easier by learning how to attach shop vac to sander. Not only will this save you time and effort in cleaning up, but it will also result in a cleaner and smoother finish.
This is one of the sanding furniture tips that every DIYer should know so you can say goodbye to a messy workspace and hello to a more efficient sanding process.
Dust particles from sanding can get everywhere and make your workspace a mess, especially if you’re working indoors. It can be frustrating to constantly stop and clean up, interrupting your progress.
So this is a brilliant tip if you need to sand indoors or you want to keep your work area cleaner! This will not suck up every little last speck of dust, but it will keep it out of the air. You also won’t be breathing in sawdust as you sand.
In this guide, we’ll go through the steps for attaching a shop vac to a sander so you can minimize the mess and maximize your efficiency. Keep reading for this simple yet effective method that will change the way you sand forever.
Supplies Used to Attach Shop Vac To Sander
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How to Connect Sander to Shop Vac
So, the secret is this flexible PVC adapter. You can get it in all different sizes, depending on how big your vacuum hose is and how big the dust port on your sander is.
If your shop vac has a 1.5 inch end on it, then you should get a PVC adapter that can adjust anywhere from 1 and 3/4 inch to about 2 inches. For my setup, my RIDGID has an opening of 1 1/4 inches.
I use the detail hose, which is a smaller size. Other shop vacs come with really big openings, like 2 inches or something like that. You just need to measure the end of your vacuum hose and the end of your sander. So you can get a PVC that is 1.5 inches on one side and 1 inch on the other, or basically, different sizes on either end.
The amazing thing about this flexible PVC adapter is that it has these little clamps on it. And so you just screw the bolt on it with a flathead screwdriver, and it will secure the PVC around the ends of your vac and dust hoses, creating a pretty tight seal.
Line Up Sandpaper to Sander Pad
If you flip a sander over, typically, you will see holes. The ones that have a dust port on them usually have a couple of them in the sanding pad. Make sure the holes on your sandpaper, sanding pad, or sanding disc line up with these holes.
This way, the dust that is created can get sucked into the holes and into the port. And when your vacuum is on, then it sucks the dust right up.
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If you’re using sanding screens, which are like a mesh material with tons of tiny holes, they work great! Debris still gets sucked up through those little holes.
Best Shop Vac
You’ll want one with at least 6 horsepower. The higher the horsepower, the better it’s going to suck up the fine dust that sanders create and get it before it gets into the air. A powerful vacuum will easily clear those out of your workspace.
I love my RIDGID shop vac with 6 horsepower. It comes with a regular big hose, but it also comes with a detail hose. I use this smaller detail hose all the time, way more than I use the big one. And this came with a bunch of different hose attachments, too.
Best Sanders to Attach to Shop Vac
I personally love and use my SurfPrep 3×4 sander (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order). If you’re working on a lot of furniture or detailed pieces, it’s a fantastic tool. That said, it’s definitely on the pricey side, so it’s more of an investment – not really something I’d recommend for beginners. If you’re still interested, read our Surfprep Sander reviews here!
I also love the Festool RTS 400 REQ. It’s a rectangular sander and does an awesome job, too. It is on the pricier side, too, though. Check out my Festool RTS 400 REQ Sander review for more about it.
For beginners, the DeWalt 5-inch round sander is great, and it’s very budget friendly. It’s one of the best orbital sanders on our list. The Ryobi Corner Cat is another great option – learn more about this SurfPrep sander alternative in this post.
Basically, you just need to make sure the one you choose has a dust port. If it doesn’t, there’s no way to hook it up for dust collection since there’s nowhere for anything to be sucked up. Most palm sanders don’t have this, so just keep that in mind.
Automatically Switch On Sander and Shop Vac
But there is this automated vacuum switch. It’s a handy tool that lets you plug in both your shop vac and sander. Whenever you start sanding, the vacuum will automatically start as well. And whenever you stop, the vacuum will automatically stop, too.
It really makes this whole setup the very best because you don’t have to turn your vacuum on and off separately. You can just focus on sanding, and the vacuum will automatically switch on and off as needed.
Now you know how to attach a shop vac to a sander, as well as some tips for choosing the best vacuum and sander. With the right tools and setup, your DIY projects are about to get a whole lot cleaner and easier!
More Sanding Furniture Tips
- What Kind Of Sander Should I Use To Refinish Furniture
- Best Hand Sander for Furniture
- DIY Dustless Sander For Under $15
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