The Dust Deputy® cyclone is a craftsman's dream; a durable, high performance product made in the USA that can be adapted for almost any shop!
While Oneida Air does offer kits to provide easy installations for our customers, we're immensely proud of the ingenuity they've shown when it comes to using the Dust Deputy. With just some simple modifications and spare materials lying around the shop, they've taken what was already a great product and fully customized it to fit their needs. Not only is this a great way to save money but it's simple and fun to do as well!
We frequently get questions from enterprising craftsmen about what works and what doesn't so we've compiled a list of our recommendations here. These suggestions apply for both the Dust Deputy and the Super Dust Deputy cyclones except where noted.
Choosing a Dust Container
Though you can use almost any kind of drum with the Dust Deputy, it is especially important to consider whether it's:
- Sealed Air Tight - If there are any cracks or leaks present in the drum (or anywhere else in your custom assembly) this can create a backdraft that will significantly reduce the cyclone's ability to separate material(s).
- Built With A Strong, Rigid Structure - Your drum should be reinforced or rigidly built to avoid caving in due to the air pressure created by your vacuum and the Dust Deputy. Another item to note is that the larger your container is, the more reinforced it must be to withstand the higher pressures.
| Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic |  |
Stick with rigid (preferably reinforced) drums. Avoid bins with a flexible or rubbery structure. |
| Fiber |  |
Use thick-walled, fiber drums. Choose ones with a laminate interior if vacuuming wet materials. * |
| Metal |  |
Almost any kind of steel (preferably reinforced) drum will work flawlessly. |
* Fiber drums are not typically suitable for high pressure applications above 80" WC (i.e. with standard wet/dry vacuums) and may collapse unless additional reinforcements are added to the drum.
Attaching the Cyclone to the Lid
In addition to choosing the right drum for the job, you'll also want to ensure that your lid creates an air tight seal. We've seen a variety of ways to do this from our customers and while some last longer or are more durable than others you're not limited by what material you use to create the seal as long as no air leaks out.
As far as the lid itself is concerned you'll want to make sure it's sturdy enough to support the weight of the cyclone (this applies more to the Super Dust Deputy). Many customers use plywood but other kinds of wood, metal, plastic, and fiber lids can also work. The suction provided by your vacuum will hold down the lid when in use (if your seal is air-tight) but we recommend using simple latches for added security and easy removal.
Template Downloads
To make things easier we're providing some lid templates for you to use. Simply print these out and use them to outline where on the lid to make your cuts and drill marks. Separate files for the regular and Super Dust Deputy are available below.
