Dust Collector

[Jim Riseborough]

I have the Harbor Freight 2HP dust collector. It seems to work fine, but I want to come up with something better than a bag for the collection. Anyone ever modify theirs for a better system? I would think a drum would work, but modifying it to adapt could be tricky.

[Art Mann]

Wow! you have a lot of possibilities available to you. You can replace the filter bag with a Wynn systems air filter. See here: http://wynnenv.com/woodworking-filters/

You can turn the dust collector into a two stage filter with a Oneida super dust deputy. See here: http://www.oneida-air.com/inventoryD.asp?item_no=AXD002030A

You can make your own two stage separator designed by a former SMC member. See here: http://www.jpthien.com/cy.htm

There are just hundreds of threads on the subject here and elsewhere on the internet. There is much more than can possibly be described in just one thread. You need to do some Google research. The links I listed will give you a start but some very clever people have posted some extremely clever enhancements to these options.

Edit: You will see a lot of trash can lid style separators on sale at the woodworking stores but my experience is they work poorly.

[Garth Almgren]

I modified mine based on how Jay Bates did his, with a Thein separator and a trash can: http://jayscustomcreations.com/2013/03/modified-harbor-freight-dust-collector/
I also vent outside, so I don't worry about collecting the super fine dust.

[Ben Rivel]

You should do all the suggestions Art Mann made.