30L workshop dust cyclone (stage 1) for less than 25€

thingiverse

Here is stage 1 of my latest project: a budget-friendly workshop dust cyclone that SUCKS :-)\r\nStage 2 [is available at this link](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3759890).\r\nI highly recommend starting out with this one, though!\r\n\r\nTo get started, you'll need:\r\n\r\n * a workshop vacuum to create suction\r\n * a 3D printer capable of producing objects up to 18cm in height\r\n * a 30-liter hobbock with a diameter of 33cm ([I purchased this one](https://www.ebay.com/itm/170925876047)) for 20€ - if you buy two, you'll have an extra one left over for [stage 2 with FOUR mini cyclones](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3759890) to separate even finer dust.\r\n * a metal nibbler or a high-quality metal saw (if you're using a metal hobbock). Nibblers can be found for less than 15€ at Aliexpress.\r\n * some DN75 tube from your local hardware store or an adapter from your suction system to DN75. I chose DN75 because it's big enough for most applications and adaptors to other diameters are available at a low cost.\r\n * 10x screws with countersunk heads, 3mm x 10mm\r\n * some silicone or flexible glue to ensure everything is airtight\r\n * approximately 90g of PLA or ABS\r\n * a metal file\r\n * a 1.5mm metal drill\r\n * a marking pen\r\n\r\nFirst, print out the intake and vent parts. I recommend using a brim on them. Once you've finished with the vent part, remove the FDM support with a knife, hold it against the hobbock, and use it as a template to draw the intake hole outline on the hobbock. Then, use the saw or (preferably) a nibbler to cut out the hole. Try not to bend the metal.\r\nUse the metal file to remove grates from the opening.\r\nMark all screw holes with the marker. I recommend marking them with a nail tip and a small hammer as well; this makes drilling much easier.\r\nUse the 1.5mm drill to prime all screw holes.\r\nDraw a 2mm wide line of silicone or glue on the intake part around the intake hole and attach it to the hobbock with the screws.\r\nPut the counter caps over the screw tips on the inside of the hobbock.\r\n\r\nMark the center of the top lid of the hobbock and draw an 81mm (diameter) circle around it. Use the nibbler to cut out the shape. To attach the vent part onto that hole, proceed in the same way as with the intake.\r\n\r\nNow you have a dust cyclone that can be fitted with standard DN75 tubes or adaptors and it cost less than 25€ - or less than 20€ if you bought more than one hobbock.\r\n\r\nIn my tests, the cyclone shown absorbed about 98% of the dust taken in already. I am currently working on a second stage for ultra-fine dust. It will be a little more expensive but still much cheaper than any comparable, commercially available solution.