Homemade vacuum cleaner for a carpentry workshop. DIY cyclone from a barrel. FORUMHOUSE experience Vacuum cleaner for home carpentry workshop

From the very beginning of working in the workshop I encountered the problem of removing dust after work. The only available way to clean up the floor was to sweep it. But because of this, an incredible amount of dust rose into the air, which settled in a noticeable layer on furniture, on machines, on tools, in hair and in the lungs. The concrete floor in the workshop made the problem worse. Some solutions have been to spray water before sweeping and use a respirator. However, these are only half measures. In winter, water freezes in an unheated room and you have to carry it with you; in addition, the water-dust mixture on the floor is difficult to collect and also does not contribute to workplace hygiene. The respirator, firstly, does not block 100% of the dust, some of it is still inhaled, and secondly, it does not protect against dust settling on the environment. And not all nooks and crannies can be reached with a broom to pick out small debris and sawdust.

In such a situation, the most effective solution it would be to vacuum the room.

However, using a household vacuum cleaner will not work. Firstly, it will have to be cleaned every 10-15 minutes of operation (especially if you work on milling table). Secondly, as the dust container fills up, the suction efficiency decreases. Thirdly, the amount of dust greatly exceeding the calculated values ​​will greatly affect the service life of the vacuum cleaner. Something more specialized is needed here.

There are many ready-made solutions for dust removal in the workshop, however, their cost, especially in light of the 2014 Crisis, does not make them very affordable. Found it on thematic forums interesting solution- use a cyclone filter in conjunction with a regular household vacuum cleaner. All of the listed problems with household vacuum cleaners can be solved by removing dirt and dust from the air to the standard vacuum cleaner dust collector. Some people make cyclone filters from traffic cones, others from sewer pipes, the third - from plywood and everything that is enough for imagination. But I decided to buy it already ready filter with fasteners.

The principle of operation is simple - the air flow swirls in a cone-shaped filter housing and dust is removed from the air under the influence of centrifugal force. In this case, the dust falls through the lower hole into the container under the filter, and the purified air exits through the upper hole into the vacuum cleaner.

One of the common problems in the operation of cyclones is the so-called “carousel”. This is a situation where dirt and sawdust do not fall into the dust collection container, but endlessly swirl inside the filter. This situation arises from too high a flow rate of air created by the turbine of the vacuum cleaner. You need to reduce the speed a little and the “carousel” will disappear. In principle, it does not interfere - the next portion of garbage pushes most of the “carousel” into the container and takes its place. And in the second model, plastic cyclones of this carousel practically do not exist. To eliminate air leaks, I coated the junction of the filter with the lid with hot glue.

I decided to get a larger dust collection container so that I would have to take out the trash less often. I bought a 127 liter barrel, apparently made in Samara - just the right size! I'm going to carry the barrel to the trash can like a grandmother carrying a string bag - on a different cart, so as not to strain herself.

Next is the choice of layout. Some install the dust collection unit permanently and lead channels to the machines. Others simply place a vacuum cleaner and a barrel next to each other and drag them to the desired location. I wanted to make a mobile unit on wheels to move everything around the workshop in one unit.
I have a rather small workshop and the issue of saving space is very relevant. Therefore, I decided to choose a layout in which the barrel, filter and vacuum cleaner are located one above the other, occupying a minimum area. It was decided to make the body of the installation from metal. A frame made of a profile pipe determines the dimensions of the future installation.

When installed vertically, there is a risk of tipping over. To reduce this probability, you need to make the base as heavy as possible. For this purpose, a 50x50x5 corner was chosen as the material for the base, which took almost 3.5 meters.

The noticeable weight of the cart is compensated by the presence of swivel wheels. There were thoughts, if the structure was not stable enough, to pour lead shot or sand into the cavity of the frame. But this was not required.

In order to achieve verticality of the rods, I had to use ingenuity. The recently purchased vice came in handy. Thanks to such simple equipment it was possible to achieve precise installation corners

It is convenient to move the cart while holding the vertical bars, so I reinforced their attachment points. In addition, this is an additional, albeit not large, weighting of the base. In general, I like reliable things with a margin of safety.

The barrel will be fixed in the installation frame using clamps.

At the top of the rods there is a platform for the vacuum cleaner. Next, holes will be drilled in the corners at the bottom and the wooden planks will be secured using self-tapping screws.

Here, in fact, is the entire frame. It seems to be nothing complicated, but for some reason it took four evenings to assemble it. On the one hand, I didn’t seem to be in a hurry, I worked at my own pace, trying to complete each stage efficiently. But on the other hand, low productivity is associated with the lack of heating in the workshop. Safety glasses and a welding mask quickly fog up, impairing visibility, and are bulky outerwear hinders movement. But the task is completed. Besides, there are only a couple of weeks left until spring.

I really didn't want to leave the frame like this. I wanted to paint it. But on all the cans of paint that I found in the store it is written that they can be used at a temperature not lower than +5, and on some even not lower than +15. The thermometer in the workshop shows -3. How to be?
I read thematic forums. People write that you can safely paint even in cold weather, as long as the paint is not on water based and there was no condensation on the parts. And if the paint has a hardener, don’t worry about it at all.
I found in the caches an old, slightly thickened can of Hammerite, which I used to paint a horizontal bar at the dacha back in the summer - . The paint is quite expensive, so I decided to test it in extreme conditions. Instead of the expensive original solvent, Hammerite added a little regular degreaser to make it a little thinner, stirred it to the desired consistency and began painting.
In the summer this paint dried in one hour. It’s hard to say how long it took to dry in the winter, but when I returned to the studio by the evening of the next day, the paint was dry. True, without the promised hammer effect. It's probably the degreaser that's to blame, not negative temperature. Otherwise, no other problems were found. The coating looks and feels reliable. Perhaps it’s not for nothing that this paint costs almost 2,500 rubles in the store.

The cyclone body is made of good plastic and has fairly thick walls. But the attachment of the filter to the barrel lid is quite flimsy - four self-tapping screws screwed into plastic. In this case, significant lateral loads may occur on the hose, which is attached directly to the filter. Therefore, the attachment of the filter to the barrel needs to be strengthened. People have different approaches to solving this problem. Basically they collect additional frame hardness for the filter. The designs are very varied, but the idea is something like this:

I approached this a little differently. I welded a holder for pipes of a suitable diameter onto one of the rods.

In this holder I clamp the hose, which bears all the twisting and jerking. Thus, the filter housing is protected from any loads. Now you can pull the unit directly behind you by the hose without fear of damaging anything.

I decided to secure the barrel with tightening straps. When I was choosing locks at a hardware store, I made an interesting observation. A five-meter tie-down belt with a foreign-made ratchet lock cost me 180 rubles, and the bare frog-type lock lying next to it cost me 180 rubles. Russian production would have cost me 250 rubles. This is where the triumph of domestic engineering and high technology lies.

Experience has shown that this method of fastening has an important advantage. The fact is that on forums dedicated to these filters they write that barrels like mine, when connecting a powerful vacuum cleaner, can be crushed due to the vacuum that occurs when the inlet hose is clogged. Therefore, during testing, I deliberately blocked the hole in the hose and, under the influence of vacuum, the barrel shrank. But thanks to the very tight grip of the clamps, not the entire barrel was compressed, but only in one place below the hoop a dent appeared. And when I turned off the vacuum cleaner, the dent straightened itself out with a click.

At the top of the installation there is a platform for a vacuum cleaner

I purchased a bagless, almost two-kilowatt monster as a household vacuum cleaner. I was already thinking that this would be useful for me at home.
While buying a vacuum cleaner from an ad, I encountered some inexplicable human stupidity and greed. People sell used items without a guarantee, with a worn-out part of the resource, defects in appearance at prices lower than store prices by some 15-20 percent. And okay, these would be some popular items, but used vacuum cleaners! Judging by the period of posting of advertisements, this trade sometimes lasts for years. And as soon as you start haggling and name an adequate price, you come across rudeness and misunderstanding.
As a result, after a couple of days I finally found it for myself great option for 800 rubles. Well-known brand, 1900 Watt, built-in cyclone filter (the second one in my system) and another fine filter.
To secure it, I couldn’t think of anything more elegant than pressing it with a tightening belt. In principle, it holds securely.

I had to get a little tricky with connecting the hoses. As a result, we have such a setup. And it works!

Usually when you read reviews from the first use of such things, people are choked with delight. I experienced something similar when I first turned it on. It's no joke - vacuuming in the workshop! Where everyone wears street shoes, where metal shavings and sawdust fly everywhere!

I have never seen this concrete floor, which is impossible to sweep due to the dust stuck in the pores, so clean. Persistent attempts to sweep it up only lead to an increase in the density of dust in the air. And such purity was given to me in a couple of easy movements! I didn't even have to wear a respirator!

We managed to collect what was left after the previous cleaning with a broom into the barrel. When the device is operating, thanks to the transparency of the filter, you can observe streams of dust swirling inside. There was also dust in the dust collector of the vacuum cleaner, but there was a small amount of it and it was a particularly light and volatile fraction.

I'm very pleased with the result. There will be no more dust storms in the workshop. You could say I'm moving into a new era.

Advantages of my design:
1. Occupies a minimum area, determined only by the diameter of the barrel.
2. The unit can be carried and pulled by the hose without fear of tearing out the filter.
3. The barrel is protected from crushing when the inlet pipe is clogged.

After some time of using the installation, I still encountered the problem of a lack of rigidity of the barrel.
I purchased a more powerful vacuum cleaner. Household, but it sucks like a beast - it sucks up stones, nuts, screws, tears off plaster and tears bricks out of masonry))
This vacuum cleaner collapsed a blue barrel even without clogging the inlet hose! Tightly wrapping the barrel with clamps did not help. I didn't have my camera with me, it's a shame. But it looks something like this:

On thematic forums they warn about this possibility, but still I did not expect this. With great difficulty, he straightened the barrel and sent it, fairly dented, to the dacha to store water. She is not capable of more.

There were two ways out of this situation:
1. Buy instead plastic barrel metal. But I need to find a barrel of a very specific size so that it fits exactly into my installation - diameter 480, height 800. A superficial search on the Internet did not yield any results.
2. Assemble a box of the required size from 15 mm plywood yourself. This is more real.

The box was assembled using self-tapping screws. The joints were sealed using double-sided foam tape.

The cart had to be altered a little - the rear clamp had to be modified to fit a square tank.

The new tank, in addition to strength and increased volume due to right angles, has another important advantage - a wide neck. This allows you to install a garbage bag in the tank. It greatly simplifies unloading and makes it much cleaner (I tied the bag right in the tank and took it out and threw it away without dust). Old barrel didn't allow this.

The lid was sealed with foam insulation for windows

The lid is held in place by four frog locks. They create the necessary tension to seal the cover on the foam gasket. A little higher I wrote about the pricing policy for these frog locks. But I had to fork out more.

It worked out well. Cute, functional, reliable. How I love.

It all started when I started falling asleep with sawdust. Any operation with a power tool generates sawdust. I tried to immediately use a Karcher construction vacuum cleaner, but it stopped working after 5 minutes of operation - the filter simply became clogged. Therefore, it was decided to make the vacuum cleaner myself. Honestly, this is my third vacuum cleaner, and there will be many more, people ask me to repeat it.

It all starts with the container. It was decided to make the container ourselves because I couldn’t find a 100-liter barrel that was light and non-constricting. Therefore, I made a frame from plywood and filled it with cellular polycarbonate. There is a ring inside to prevent the barrel from collapsing.

Using a milling compass, I cut rings and made a separator body, into which a flow of debris enters tangentially and, under the influence of centrifugal force, falls through a slot down the barrel. I foolishly took fiberboard for a round wall, don’t repeat my mistakes! 3 or 4mm plywood is better for this. The pipe is made of 50mm plumbing pipe.

The separator is covered on top with a lid with a hole on which the filter housing is mounted. The filter element is used from an injection VAZ car, their price is affordable.

A motor from a powerful vacuum cleaner with a native damper ring is mounted on the cover of the filter housing, which reduces sound and vibration.

To prevent the barrel from being crushed when the hose is blocked, a safety valve. Simple and reliable design, you can even adjust it :)

The body is covered with Shumka. A switch and sockets for connecting power tools are installed.

An autostart unit for a vacuum cleaner from a connected load with a shutdown delay has been assembled. A kind of current relay. :) The photo shows a prototype.

Here is a photo of the vacuum cleaner test. Near Karcher. It has wheels from an old chair to carry around with you :) And a handle to shake it out.

The vacuum cleaner took its place on a stand in the corner and only comes out for cleaning. The hose from it goes to the ceiling along with a cable for connecting the tool and reaches all the working surfaces of the workshop.

I'll post photos of my vacuum cleaner's other bros. First option. He has been working in someone else's garage for a long time, the owner asks to repeat it :) 25 liter bucket. A trial version without any frills, pure functionality.

My father has this terrible monster. Not a very stable structure, but he's just a beast! When the air is blocked, half a meter of hose is sucked in and the bucket collapses. :)

In the woodworking industry, the dust and chip removal system is an invariable component of the general technical equipment of workshops and therefore must be calculated, designed and installed in accordance with a number of established rules.

Why is a dust extraction system so important?

Joinery processing is always associated with abundant formation of by-products. It would not be an exaggeration to call the amount of dust and shavings released mind-blowing, because dust suspension in woodworking workshops is a real scourge that both home and professional craftsmen overcome with varying degrees of success.

But what exactly is the need and complexity of wood waste disposal? They are represented by a combination of a number of factors, each of which requires the solution of rather specific problems:

• Problem No. 1: low weight of waste products. Unlike the metalworking industry and even work with polymer materials, wood shavings and dust are very light, they settle slowly under the influence of gravity, and the particles bind extremely poorly to each other due to static electricity.
• Problem #2: Complexity technological process. Even in a modest carpentry workshop there is an impressive list of processing equipment: planers, surface planers, sawing machines, milling and grinding machines - each technological unit serves as a source of chips and dust. With such diversity, it is extremely difficult to organize an aspiration system.
• Problem No. 3: high diversity of waste fractions. During the processing process, chips, large and small shavings, sawdust, dust and powder may be formed. It is difficult to imagine a single filtration system, at each stage of which particles of a certain size are retained, while the creation of a universal filter seems an even less likely prospect.
• Problem No. 4: impact on processing quality. Both chips and microscopic dust can build up on cutting edges or adhere to the surface of the part. All this negatively affects the cleanliness of the surface, and also increases the likelihood of contamination of the functional components of the equipment.
• Problem #5: Processing by-product hazards. This is not at all about the fact that a colossal amount of dust settles on tools and materials or harms the respiratory system. And not even that the abundance of flammable particles is a negative factor fire safety. Explosions in woodworking workshops are truly catastrophic, because a suspension of finely dispersed flammable particles in the air is nothing more than an aerosol-type explosive, similar in destructiveness to a gas-air mixture. No kidding.

The conclusion from the above is this: any facility in the woodworking industry must be equipped with a dust and chip removal system, and it is desirable that the implementation of such a system be carried out at a professional level.

General configuration

In general, two types of aspiration systems can be distinguished. The first is local filter complexes, which are equipped with each unit of installed processing equipment. The advantages of local installations are most obvious when equipment is located at a significant distance on spacious sites. There is no need to lay main channels, there is no need to organize an air pump unit with increased power. At the same time, there is an obvious benefit in energy saving, because the local filtration unit works only when a certain piece of equipment is activated.

Centralized chip and dust removal systems are also not without their advantages. They are most advantageous to use in cramped workshops, where space is limited and the equipment layout is as compact as possible. Each unit of processing equipment is connected to a main exhaust system, which operates almost all the time the workshop is open, at least if at least one of the machines is in use. The advantages of centralized aspiration systems are most obvious when production is highly loaded, but this approach requires high-quality organization of the technological process. It is worth noting that a general system for removing woodworking by-products requires less investment during organization, but entails more significant costs during use.

At the same time, the organization of hybrid systems is not prohibited. For example, the most involved parts of the complex, such as a circular saw, surface planer, milling machine and others like them, can be combined with a common dust removal system. At the same time, machines used from time to time, for example, a grinder or drum grinder, have their own local filtration units. The key rule is this: the issue of organizing a system for removing chips and dust should be placed at the forefront when creating a closed woodworking workshop and carefully thought out before the final decision on the placement of equipment and approval of the technological cycle.

Which air pump to choose

The heart of the entire aspiration system is the air pump. Regardless of whether the system is local or centralized, its effectiveness depends entirely on the performance of this node. You can offer several options: an industrial vacuum cleaner, one or more ducted blade fans, or one centrifugal one.

In home workshops, vacuum cleaners are most often used as the central unit of the aspiration system. This is explained quite simply: firstly, the performance of such equipment is often quite sufficient, and secondly, the vacuum cleaner itself can be used to clean the workshop, or quickly clean the workplace and tools. For such purposes, both industrial (construction) vacuum cleaners and household electrical appliances with a power of over 2-2.5 kW can be successfully used. It should be noted that there is a big difference between a vacuum cleaner and a chip extractor, but we will touch on this topic in more detail a little later.

Another type of aspiration system involves the use of high-power duct fans. In essence, this option represents an attempt to adapt equipment for uncharacteristic purposes; however, such projects have the right to life and, moreover, are successfully used in home and small production workshops. It must be remembered that ducted blade fans are extremely vulnerable to the presence of solid particles in the pumped air flow, so they are always installed at the end of the cleaning cycle, in other words, such an air pump pumps already purified air, despite the fact that all elements of the system operate in vacuum mode, but not pumping.

Talk about key parameters pump unit is better in the context of comparing modern vacuum cleaners and chip ejectors. There are three such parameters: power consumption, the volume of air moved, or simply productivity, and the vacuum created. Without going into technical details, the vacuum cleaner is more designed to remove particles from the surface, while the chip ejector is focused on capturing particles suspended in the air that fly out from under the working tool, be it a milling cutter, saw blade or sanding belt. Among other advantages of the chip ejector, it is necessary to highlight the presence of a collection bag of impressive volume, as well as the undemanding nature of the system as a part of the separation unit, that is, a cyclone separator. At the same time, centrifugal fans, which are used in the vast majority of chip evacuation units, greatly lose performance if the piping system has a narrowed cross-section. Vacuum cleaners included common system aspirations require plugging the terminals on equipment that is not currently in use. Therefore, systems based on vacuum cleaners are best used in conjunction with hand tools or, for example, grinding machines, where the gripping area should be located as close as possible to the processing zone for the most effective removal of fine dust, which poses the greatest danger. In turn, centrifugal fans are especially useful due to the ability to pump air even with a high content of coarse particles, because the “snail” motor is located outside the flow.

Pipeline steel and flexible channels

Both centralized and local aspiration systems require connecting pipelines, through which waste is moved from the capture zone to the filter unit. The list of materials suitable for constructing a pipeline system is very wide.

Initially, flexible ventilation ducts. They consist of a polyethylene or polyurethane shell reinforced with a spiral reinforcing cord. Flexible pipelines have become so widespread due to their ease of installation, low cost, lack of need to use rotary fittings and the ability to quickly change the system configuration. One of the most important advantages flexible channels ensure smooth rotation of the stave, which reduces the overall aerodynamic drag.

However, flexible piping is not without its drawbacks. We must not forget that there is a fairly strong vacuum inside the channel, especially if the system is connected to a powerful air pump. If most of the terminals of the aspiration system are plugged, the pipeline may simply collapse; such cases are by no means rare. Also, due to their low mechanical strength, ducts are not recommended to be laid on the floor or in areas where they could potentially be damaged. The most budget-friendly representatives of corrugated hoses have an internal ribbed surface, which is why when the aspiration system is operating, the pipeline begins to whistle quite noticeably, while the resistance to air flow increases. They are also very prone to dust sticking to the walls due to the accumulation of static charge.

The advantages and disadvantages of rigid pipelines are exactly the opposite. Yes, in this case a reliable fastening system is required; there will be more connections, however, thanks to the internal smooth surface There are no blockages in the pipes, no sticking of wet chips and no reduction in flow rate. It is necessary, however, to remember that in terms of cost, a rigid steel will be significantly more expensive than a flexible one, and besides, the equipment connected to the aspiration system will remain immobilized. In view of the latter, a combination of rigid and flexible pipelines is often practiced: a dust removal system line is laid along the ceiling from metal or PVC channels of round or square cross-section, and then using special branch pipes shaped products a transition is being made to corrugated hoses for connecting equipment.

Filtration systems

The most important functional element of the aspiration system after air pump— unit for filtration, absorption and disposal of processing by-products. In this regard, there are quite a large number of variations, but only a few are suitable for home workshops.

The first and most important element is the separation filter, otherwise called a cyclone. Its main purpose is to separate the largest fragments, such as shavings and wood chips, so that only a suspension of small particles enters the further cleaning cycle. The design of the cyclone filter is primitive, which is why many craftsmen make it themselves, however, the purchased version provides additional advantages. For example, thanks to a distributed supply, more efficient particle deposition is achieved, and some models provide the possibility of wet absorption, which reduces the amount of fine dust at the outlet.

Sometimes aspiration systems do not have a filter element other than a cyclone filter. For example, if air is discharged outdoors, a fine filtration system is simply not required. This approach is not always reasonable: in winter time When an exhaust system with a powerful air pump operates, heat is released from the room almost instantly, which forces the installation of fine filters. In the simplest case, these are ordinary collection bags that retain the bulk of fine dust; this option is most typical for local installations. The highest quality of air purification is characterized by dust removal systems, the main unit of which is a vacuum cleaner with two or more cleaning stages. Mainline vacuum cleaners can also be equipped with a wide range of cleaning elements, although paper bags and pleated air filters similar to automobile ones are most often used.

Catchers and other components

In conclusion, it is worth talking about those elements that are given the least importance, although their importance cannot be overestimated. We are talking about all kinds of bells, receiving funnels and casings, as well as the appropriateness of their use with this or that type of equipment.

As already mentioned, when working on grinding machines An impressive amount of microscopic dust is formed. When connecting an aspiration system to such equipment, the main emphasis is on capturing the smallest particles, while large chips can freely fall to the floor and then be collected manually or a vacuum cleaner. If you use receiving funnels in such cases, the air flow from the working body itself will create turbulence and the capture of fine dust will become possible only if the suction is strong enough. The most reasonable thing to do would be to eliminate the suction bell and place the suction pipe in close proximity to the treatment area.

But where sockets are really needed is in milling, turning and sawing machines, as well as on planing equipment. Here the main emphasis is on drawing in large chips and sawdust, so the best option will equip the working area with a receiving casing that most accurately follows the shape of the working body and fits as tightly as possible to the stationary surfaces. Please note that the optimal total cross-section of the gap on all sides of the casing should be 1.5-2 times larger than the nominal diameter of the channel through which the machine is connected to the dust removal system. For large values, it is recommended to use sealing brushes, this is especially important for milling equipment.

Anyone who has ever encountered construction, repair or finishing works, knows that these processes are always accompanied by the formation of very large quantity debris, dust and dirt. By the way, it is precisely this circumstance, judging by the statements on the forums, that largely stops or slows down the desire of many owners to transform their home - few people want to deal with constant tedious cleaning during such events.

But the problem is completely solvable if the owners have a reliable and productive construction vacuum cleaner at their disposal. And of course, such a tool should be in the arsenal of a professional builder or finisher who respects himself and his clients. Such a device, by the way, will become a faithful assistant for those home craftsmen who, even at an amateur level, regularly engage in, for example, wood or metal processing or are interested in carpentry. It also helps in everyday life homework around the house, including - and during some operations even in the area adjacent to the house.

In a word, it is a very necessary and useful thing. So let's take a closer look at the topic: which construction vacuum cleaner to choose so as not to pay extra and at the same time not to be disappointed in the purchase.

Why do you need a construction vacuum cleaner?

Construction waste and dust are unpleasant in themselves - they are carried on their feet over considerable distances, and can transform even those rooms where they are not work is being done, in the "pig sty". But this is far from the most important drawback - in the conditions of a construction site, it could probably be tolerated to some extent to a certain extent. There are more serious things.

• Dust, as you know, is a powerful allergen that can cause very serious irritation of the respiratory tract, mucous membranes and even unprotected areas of the skin. Working in a dusty room, even with the use of protective equipment, is extremely inconvenient and unsafe.
• Dust, dirt, sawdust, shavings accumulating in the work area make operations extremely difficult, impairing visibility and reducing the quality of work.
• Contamination of the work area provokes much faster wear of the cutting tool or replaceable attachments - files, knives, abrasive cutting or grinding wheels and so on .
• Many finishing technologies directly prohibit work without very thorough dust removal of the surface. Otherwise, a positive result is not guaranteed.

One way or another, it will not be possible to do without cleaning. And if everything is clear with large construction waste - it is “packed” manually and with the help of shovels into strong bags for subsequent removal, then with small waste everything is much more complicated. Banal sweeping with a broom or brushes helps little - quality cleaning cannot be achieved in this way, and you can only raise an additional cloud of dust into the air.

It is unlikely that he will become a good assistant and there are several explanations for this. Firstly, its power may not be enough to pull in fairly large and heavy fragments (pebbles, debris). Secondly, its filtration system is not designed for fine construction dust, which is formed, for example, when sanding putty walls. That is, this dust, passing through the filters, will be released back into the “atmosphere” of the room. Thirdly, as a rule, the housings and collection containers of household vacuum cleaners do not have the proper level of strength or sufficient capacity. And, finally, the degree of protection of such household appliances is clearly insufficient for cleaning construction waste - small abrasive particles can render the collector unit with brushes on the electric motor completely unusable in a very short time.

Prices for construction vacuum cleaners BORT

Construction vacuum cleaner BORT

In a word, this approach will simply “kill” even the most reliable household vacuum cleaner in record time. It is clear that one or two such cleanings will not improve the weather, but If you constantly use household appliances that are not designed for such loads, their lifespan will be very short.

Another thing is a powerful construction vacuum cleaner. It can be used in various “guises”:

• The suction pipe can be fixed in close proximity to the work area. Thus, generated waste and dust will be removed in a timely manner.

• The result will be even better if you use a power tool equipped with a special adapter pipe for connecting the suction hose of a vacuum cleaner. It may be a little more difficult to work with a connected hose, but all waste is removed immediately with virtually no residue. For example, the vast majority of woodworking tools are equipped with such adapter pipes these days.

Even the most dusty operations associated with grinding, for example, or concrete floors can be carried out in relative cleanliness if special grinding equipment is used with a powerful construction vacuum cleaner connected to it.

• It is clear that a construction vacuum cleaner is also suitable for routine cleaning during or after completion of work, for thorough dust removal of surfaces for subsequent finishing operations. Many models allow for both regular dry and wet cleaning.

By the way, nothing prevents you from using a construction vacuum cleaner for spring cleaning in residential areas. He will cope with this task perfectly - if only he had the necessary brushes or attachments. Cleaning problems can be solved personal plot– putting in order, for example, areas or paths.

• Some models of construction vacuum cleaners even allow you to eliminate blockages in your home or storm sewer.

So, let’s summarize what advantages a construction vacuum cleaner provides its owners:

• The workplace is kept clean.
• The absence of debris and dust in the work area significantly improves the quality and accuracy of workpiece processing operations.
• The service life of the tool used, working attachments or consumables for it increases significantly.
• Carrying out cleaning and instrument cleaning will require significantly less time and effort. And this speeds up and to a certain extent - even reduces the cost of the overall construction or repair.
• There is one more important nuance, which is especially worth paying attention to those craftsmen whose main area of ​​activity is repair or finishing work. Agree that a professional whose work site is always clean deserves much more trust from potential clients. Thus, the presence of a construction vacuum cleaner and its correct use seriously raises the master’s reputation and allows him to count on a higher level payment for your accuracy and professionalism.

How does a construction vacuum cleaner work?

The design of a construction vacuum cleaner is not fundamentally different from the design of a household appliance. In any case, a mechanism is used to create a vacuum of air in the device body, which forms a powerful suction flow.

The “heart” of any vacuum cleaner is a powerful Electrical engine(item 1). It is equipped with an impeller, which when rotated high speed This is what creates a strong vacuum in the housing. Some powerful models can even be equipped with two electric drives, which are activated simultaneously or selectively, depending on the power required for specific operating conditions.

Prices for Bosch construction vacuum cleaners

construction vacuum cleaner Bosch

The housing has a pipe or connecting socket to which the suction hose of the vacuum cleaner is connected (item 2). Due to the created vacuum, dust and solid waste along with air are sucked into the hose, through it they enter the compartment (container) for collecting the main part of the garbage (item 3). This compartment contains a dust collector of one design or another.

However, it is very difficult to retain all the dust in the dust collector, so the air coming out of it is subject to mandatory additional filtration. Air filters (item 4) can have different designs, and the entire system in modern models often includes several levels of flow purification.

As you can see, the principle is approximately the same as that inherent in the design of a household vacuum cleaner. But there are also differences. These include a more durable body, capable of withstanding the dynamic impacts of solid particles of construction waste accelerated by the air flow, and, of course, increased power so that there is enough vacuum to capture heavy fragments. The ability of the engine to operate for a long time without the risk of overheating is also significantly higher. Construction vacuum cleaners always have a much larger dust container. The hose usually has larger diameter, is made of durable material that prevents the accumulation of static charge. And, of course, taking into account the characteristics of construction or other industrial dust, Special attention is given to the air flow filtration system

It is clear that air filters require periodic cleaning. Many modern vacuum cleaners are equipped with self-cleaning systems that can operate in semi-automatic or automatic mode. In the example shown, the semi-automatic cleaning system is shown in pos. 5, and its activation key is pos. 6.

The self-cleaning system can work in different ways. In some models, due to the special configuration of the compartments, it is possible to temporarily redirect air flow through the filter in the opposite direction. That is, the filter is simply blown through, freeing itself from dust particles trapped in its structure. Another option, implemented in some models, is the periodic creation of a vacuum vacuum, which then ends with a light cotton that shakes the filter and removes stubborn dust from it.

There may be significant differences in the design of the main dust collector. Here, either disposable or emptyable bags, so-called cyclone-type containers or aqua filters can be used. It is worth saying a few words about each of the listed options.

• Reusable fabric bags can easily be called the most “budget” option. Many consumers are well familiar with them from household vacuum cleaners - there is no difference, except, perhaps, only for the increased volume.

The advantage of such dust collectors is their reusability. When the bag is full, just empty it, shake it out thoroughly, then lock it again and place it in the vacuum cleaner. Of course, the bag also does not last forever, but it still has a solid resource. And it turns out that in terms of the cost of one filling cycle, they are many times better than their paper counterparts.

But still, not all is well with such bags. Unfortunately, we have to admit that the fabric is unable to retain fine construction dust, which, penetrating through the walls of the bag, quickly clogs the air filters or is completely thrown back into the room air.

True, the usual satin, from which such bags were previously made everywhere, has been replaced by non-woven fabric - a modern fabric material based on natural cellulose fibers. These bags, especially in a two-layer design, are already capable of providing enough serious filtering collected dust.

• Disposable paper bags. With them, everything is simple: as soon as the bag is full, it is removed from the vacuum cleaner’s garbage container and sent to the landfill in this form. Comfortable? - of course, since there is no excess dust and dirt from pouring or shaking out garbage. In addition, paper pores are capable of allowing air to pass through and trap dust particles measuring tenths of a micron. This, in turn, means that the vacuum cleaner’s air filters will last much longer and will have to be replaced or serviced less often.

But not everything is so rosy. The main problem is that these bags are very expensive. Their cost sometimes reaches several hundred rubles, that is, operating a vacuum cleaner (especially if large-scale work is planned) becomes much more expensive. In addition, according to the “law of meanness,” situations occur when bags run out at the most inopportune moment, and their acquisition is associated with certain problems. For example, insufficient available funds, stores closed on weekends or holidays, temporary unavailability of the desired model, etc.

In addition, although the bags are made of durable paper, their walls can be damaged by sharp fragments of construction waste - for example, small fragments of glass or ceramic tiles. Then there will be a “catastrophe” - dust from the burst bag will instantly fill the dustbin compartment of the vacuum cleaner and clog the air filters. Eliminating the consequences is not a pleasant matter.

Another significant disadvantage of paper bags is that the volume of the waste collection chamber is not fully used - in this they are clearly inferior to more elastic fabric ones.

However, very often models of construction vacuum cleaners allow the use of both fabric and paper bags. That is, depending on the characteristics of cleaning, you can use them alternately. For large volumes of waste, install a fabric one, and use paper only for particularly important “clean” work when cleaning the room from fine construction dust.

• Container waste bins – they are also often called “cyclones”. Great for cleaning up large amounts of large debris.

Due to the thoughtful arrangement of the inlet pipe and the outlet filter, centrifugal force is activated, which helps remove debris from the air flow. In addition, due to the sharp increase in volume, the speed of movement of contaminated air in the container decreases, which also leads to the settling of large particles of debris at the bottom of the container. As the container is filled, it is simply emptied, cleaned, and it is ready for use again.

There are many disadvantages to such a scheme. The work is always accompanied by quite high noise - large fragments hit the walls and bottom of the container. Dust practically does not linger in such garbage containers, and therefore an additional filter must be installed at the outlet, which, of course, will quickly become clogged and require cleaning.

Such vacuum cleaners show high efficiency when cleaning large waste. For example, you can’t think of anything better for the timely collection of shavings and sawdust when processing wood. This circuit works well with moistened debris and can be used to collect water and liquid dirt.

Many models that implement a cyclonic type of waste separation can also work in the mode using dust collection bags. That is, the vacuum cleaner turns out to be very versatile.

By the way, for home workshops you can purchase a separate “cyclone”, which becomes an intermediate link between the suction hose that removes waste from working area, and a construction vacuum cleaner. The main volume of large debris will be retained in the cyclone bunker, and small fragments and dust will be finally eliminated by the filtration systems of the vacuum cleaner itself. It’s both convenient and productive, and there’s not such a big load on, say, a vacuum cleaner’s garbage bag and air filtration system. True, this usually involves stationary installation of equipment.

An additional cyclone can be purchased ready-made. However, if you look at the forums of home craftsmen, you will see that it will not be possible to assemble a fully functional similar device on your own. Moreover, for this purpose, improvised materials are often used, which are either available in every household, or their not difficult at all and not expensive to buy.

• Vacuum cleaners with aquafilter. This is a separate category similar technology, in which the principle of waste separation is completely different. As an example, look at the illustration:

The air flow with the debris captured by it (item 1) enters through the hose into the garbage container. This compartment (item 2) is pre-filled with water to a certain level. That is, polluted air is passed through water. In this watery environment, naturally, all large wastes are immediately “slowed down”. In addition, water also binds most of the fine dust that settles as dirt at the bottom of the container. The air then passes through a sponge separator filter, which absorbs remaining contaminants and water dust. And the air flow, already purified in this way, is thrown out (pos. 4). Please note that to prevent moist air from coming into contact with the power part of the vacuum cleaner, this model has separate paths for the flow necessary for air cooling of the electric drive (item 5).

The example shown is not the only option for aquafilters. So, in some models the scheme is slightly changed - the built-in pump constantly creates a “water wall” in the path of the contaminated flow, and only then does the air enter the water tank.

An aquatic system for waste separation and air purification can be considered the most effective - dust has practically “no chance”. But vacuum cleaners that work on this principle also have their drawbacks.

Firstly, this is a very high price for such equipment, which stops many potential consumers.

Secondly, such vacuum cleaners are not designed for large volumes of garbage - the aquafilter tank will have to be cleaned quite often.

By the way, use as consumables ordinary water can sometimes be not only an advantage, but also a disadvantage. Since cleaning the container (which, by the way, also requires washing it from dirt) and refilling the tank will have to be done quite often, an appropriate supply of water will be required. It seems to be nonsense, but often during construction on individual sites this becomes a significant problem. In addition, working in unheated rooms in winter is completely excluded.

How to evaluate a model when choosing a construction vacuum cleaner

Many of the evaluation criteria are probably already quite clear from the above. Nevertheless, it’s worth going over the main points that you need to pay attention to when choosing a construction vacuum cleaner.

Purpose of the selected model

It is probably necessary to immediately bring some clarity to the definitions. We have already talked about the difference between a household and a construction vacuum cleaner. But the fact is that construction vacuum cleaners, in turn, can be divided into household models (amateur, if anyone cares)like) class and professional (industrial). It is clear that the term “household construction vacuum cleaner” does not mean its purely household “brother” intended for home cleaning - the difference between them is great, and it has already been discussed.

The difference between industrial and “amateur” construction vacuum cleaners is in the volume of waste collectors, in the power of the electric drive, in the rarefaction of air created and the pumped volume per unit of time, in the ability to work for a long time without interruptions.

This means that when choosing a vacuum cleaner for construction work or for use in a home workshop, you need to know in advance how intensively the equipment will be used and how much garbage it will have to cope with. There is probably no point in purchasing a professional-class model if the work is expected to be infrequent and accompanied by an excessively large amount of contamination. It is quite possible to choose a vacuum cleaner with more moderate characteristics.

You should immediately decide what functionality the model should have.

• So, there are vacuum cleaners that can perform exclusively dry cleaning. They are among the most affordable and cope well with all basic tasks. Including the removal of fine construction dust. Perhaps the most popular category of such equipment.

• A more functional model is one that can collect not only dry debris, but also wet dirt and even spilled water. True, such a vacuum cleaner may cost a little more.

The “functionality” of some vacuum cleaners with wet cleaning capabilities also includes the removal of liquid dirt, for example, when cleaning sewer pipes, storm water inlets, storm drain gutters, etc.

• . Their difference from those discussed above is that the design includes a container for the cleaning solution, a compressor for supplying it through hoses, and working nozzles with sprayers for distribution over the floor surface. That is, when cleaning, the operator simultaneously treats the area being tidied with a water cleaning solution, and then removes all dirt together with water until dry.

This technique is usually used in cleaning companies and is used for high-quality cleaning of large areas in office centers, train stations, large stores, hotels and etc.. However, there are also quite compact models that are suitable for home use The main thing is that the acquisition costs are justified - that the additional functionality is used for its intended purpose.

There are also more narrow-profile vacuum cleaners designed for work in special conditions. This is, for example, the collection of fire and explosive dust or liquids, hot waste, etc. It is clear that it is unlikely at home conditions of this expensive specialized equipment there will be adequate application.

Features of the collected waste

This is very important aspect , which should definitely be taken into account when choosing a construction vacuum cleaner. But the fact is that the collected dust can differ very significantly in its composition. And if some types of dust-forming materials are unpleasant in themselves, others can turn into a flammable or even explosive mixture in a given concentration. In addition, the specifics of the work may suggest the presence of mold or mildew spores, pathogens, toxic substances and other invisible hazards to human health in the dust.

Based on this feature, all vacuum cleaners are divided into four classes:

Class designation	Brief description of the class
	L-class. Vacuum cleaners designed for cleaning ordinary dust that does not pose any particular danger (except for allergic irritations in people with a tendency to it). Most construction waste during renovation or finishing fits this concept. The equipment is equipped with simple filters that filter up to 99% of contaminants. The most affordable.
	M-class. Models designed for collecting dust with a medium degree of danger. This includes wood dust and waste generated during the processing of certain types of metals, including copper and its alloys, manganese, and nickel. A more advanced exhaust air filtration system – the degree of purification reaches 99.9%.
	H-class. Vacuum cleaners designed to remove dust that poses a serious danger to human health and the spread of which in the room atmosphere must not be allowed. Such contaminants include waste affected by microorganisms, mold, fungus, asbestos, lead dust, aggressive chemical compounds, etc. Equipment of this class is equipped with multi-level air filtration systems, the degree of purification of which is brought to almost one (99.995%). In addition, such vacuum cleaners necessarily provide for “clean” disposal of collected waste, which eliminates even small losses of dust. And the devices themselves are equipped with sensors for measuring air flow speed.
	ATEX– a special class of cleaning equipment designed to work with explosive or flammable substances. Such substances include coal, sugar, flour dust, aluminum powder and others. Such vacuum cleaners use brushless electric motors, and the protection class is at least IP54. IN living conditions this technique is not used.

Maybe, optimal choice, so to speak, the “golden mean” will be a class M vacuum cleaner, which will allow you to efficiently clean almost any construction waste and technological waste possible in a home workshop.

The power of the vacuum cleaner, its performance and the created air vacuum

All these quantities are very closely interrelated, and may well serve as a guide when choosing the optimal model.

• The power can range from 1.0÷1.5 kW for household-grade construction vacuum cleaners and up to 6.0÷7.0 kW for industrial models. It is clear that other operational characteristics, as well as the expected service life of the electric drive and its ability for long-term non-stop operation, largely depend on the amount of power.

It is clear that to ensure the operation of the vacuum cleaner there must be a power line corresponding to its power consumption. And if it works “in tandem” with any processing tool, then their combined power must be taken into account.

• Performance shows how much air a vacuum cleaner can pump per unit time. The usual indicator for models intended for home use, it is considered 50 liters per second - this completely allows you to cope with almost any construction work. For professional equipment, productivity can reach up to 70÷100 l/s.
• The air vacuum created in the area of ​​the suction pipe shows what type of debris the vacuum cleaner can handle and whether it can suck in heavy fragments. This value varies between 150 and 250 mbar. It is clear that the higher this indicator, the heavier the garbage can be removed using the selected model. An indicator of 170÷200 mbar is considered quite sufficient for everyday use.

Many models have the ability to adjust the drive power, that is, both the performance and the vacuum level change at the same time. This is very convenient - sometimes when cleaning you need a certain “delicacy”, and you can set the parameters for the most comfortable work.

Design Features

Here it is worth assessing the volume of the garbage collection chamber, the material of the body, the diameter and length of the hoses, and the dimensions of the vacuum cleaner.

• We have already talked about the types of garbage disposals. But another important parameter will always be their volume. This indicator determines how often you will have to stop working in order to empty the compartment of accumulated debris and prepare it for further use. And you have to choose again with an eye to the intended operating conditions of the device.

If you plan to use a vacuum cleaner to clean up not too large volumes of construction waste, then a capacity of 20–30 liters may be sufficient. On a more serious scale or for constant waste collection when working in a home workshop, you can purchase a model with a tank of about 50 liters - this will allow you to not be distracted very often by emptying the garbage bin. And professional vacuum cleaners, designed for long-term non-stop operation, can have garbage container volumes of up to 100 liters.

Chasing large volumes if there is no particular need for it is hardly reasonable. A vacuum cleaner that is too bulky will become much more inconvenient to use and will cost more - and all this without any “preferences” for the owner. It will be easier to perform periodic cleaning on a smaller model.

• The body of a construction vacuum cleaner can be made of metal or plastic. If it is a high-quality model, there is not much difference, since modern reinforced polymers are in no way inferior in strength. Maybe, metal surfaces It’s just easier to clean off adhering dirt (drops of construction or finishing mortar).

For greater safety of the case, a safety bumper is often provided along the bottom part - in this case, the surface simply physically cannot hit, for example, a wall or partition.

• It is necessary to evaluate the quality, reliability and ease of use of the locks by means of which the individual blocks of the housing are connected into a common structure.
• Since construction vacuum cleaners are quite large and heavy units, and they still have to accommodate a considerable amount of debris, you should also think about the ease of movement within the work site or room. This means that attention is paid to the presence and reliability of a wheeled cart, to the location of the handles for rolling the device (pulling it by the hose, and especially by the power cord, is strictly prohibited).

• It would be a good idea to inquire about the length of the suction hose and power cord - they should be sufficient for the expected operating conditions.

Additional equipment for a construction vacuum cleaner

In order for the operation of a construction vacuum cleaner to be as comfortable as possible, and the removal of garbage or waste to be carried out most effectively, it makes sense to pay attention to a number of other points.

• Completeness of the model. Please read what is included with the specific model. It is advisable to have a set of interchangeable nozzles for various cleaning operations, as well as an adapter for connecting the hose to a power tool. Attention is drawn to what bags are included in the kit, how many there are, and whether it makes sense to immediately buy spare ones. It's nice when the supplier includes a spare air filter in the kit.

• The function of switching the vacuum cleaner hose to blowing is useful. Some types of cleaning are best done this way, for example, sweeping paths from fallen leaves or clearing a clogged sewer. That is, the vacuum cleaner temporarily turns into a compressor.

• Additional convenience for both operation and storage will be provided by the presence of a mechanism for rolling up the network cable and a special built-in box for storing working attachments.
• If the vacuum cleaner is designed to work with liquids, then it will be much more comfortable to use it if it has a drain pipe in the lower part of the body, closed with a removable plug.

• If you plan to use a construction vacuum cleaner in conjunction with another power tool, then the best choice would be a model equipped with a power socket on the body. It is clear that the power of the tool connected to it should not exceed the established value, which, as a rule, is indicated in a warning notice near the outlet.

This socket allows you to synchronize the operation of the resulting “tandem”. That is, when you turn on the processing tool, the vacuum cleaner starts at the same time. Once the operation is completed, suction also stops. True, a certain delay is provided for turning off the vacuum cleaner (about 10 - 15 seconds), for complete removal of waste from the work area.

• The operation of a construction vacuum cleaner will be greatly simplified if the model is equipped with an indication system. This will allow the owner to receive timely visual signals about critical filling of the garbage container or clogged air filters. That is, there is less chance, having settled down with work, to miss the moment when cleaning is required, and thereby overheat the device.

The self-cleaning system for air filters has already been mentioned. Of course, this is very convenient, and the only question is whether the potential owner of the vacuum cleaner is ready to pay extra money for this option.

• Finally, since we were talking about ensuring security in the previous subparagraph, it is worth asking whether the model you have chosen has the necessary levels of protection. As a rule, all modern vacuum cleaners are equipped with a thermal relay that is activated in case of unexpected overheating.

Now, after considering the main selection criteria, it probably makes sense to briefly familiarize yourself with the popular models of construction vacuum cleaners.

Brief overview of construction vacuum cleaner models

Probably everyone already knows, but it can still be repeated. Purchase household appliances It is necessary only in trusted trade organizations, where you can get competent advice, familiarize yourself with documents confirming the originality of the product, where the buyer will be given a mark in the technical passport, which will be the basis for warranty service.

And preference, of course, should be given to well-known, proven brands when choosing. Unfamiliar, although often very “florid” names should at least arouse caution and encourage the future owner to obtain more information about the manufacturer. Fortunately, now there are no problems with these. But if the information is unclear, the official website is either completely absent, or is “sloppy” and is clearly unprofessional, or the forums are full of negative reviews about this brand, it would be wiser to refuse such a purchase, no matter how attractive the cost of the vacuum cleaner may seem.

Find out which detergent is from our new article on our portal.

“Reputable” brands that have earned the trust and even appreciation of consumers include “Kärcher”, “Bosch”, “Makita”, “DeWalt”, “Metabo”, “Sparky”, “Bort”. Domestic manufacturers - Soyuz, Interskol and other companies - are also trying to reach the world level of quality.

The table below provides a brief description of several top-selling models in 2017.

We hope that the information received will make it easier for the reader to choose the optimal model of construction vacuum cleaner.

Prices for construction vacuum cleaners Karcher

construction vacuum cleaner Karcher

And finally - a short video with a demonstration possibilities of onefromcompany vacuum cleaner models"Karcher":

Video: An excellent assistant in construction, repair and in the home workshop - the Karcher 3.5 vacuum cleaner