Shop-Vac 8017562 Workshop Sawdust Collection System

I thought this would save me from buying all the parts to piece together a system for my shop. But you basically have to use the layout in their picture. The pieces fit together nicely but they are all an odd size and none of them will attach to the tools. The only piece that is compatible with standard vac hose is the blast gates. I had to go to Woodcraft to buy vac hose to connect each tool. I had to buy so much hose to connect the tools that all I really need is the blast gates and the T fittings. I bought 25 feet of hose and all the individual pieces to build this at woodcraft for $120 and it all standard 2.5 inches. I will be returning this today.

I'm still in process of getting my work shop together, so have not assembled this system yet. Material looks a little thin, but it should work out for what I need. I'll probably have to purchase extra items individually, when I see what's needed for other tools. My plan is to have three separate stations controlled by 3 separate shop vacuums, so I can operate the individual tools without moving one shop vacuum around to a tool when needed.I had an opportunity to this same set for $78, but the sale ended before I had the funds available. Then the price went up to $109. So this set was the next best price I could find.

I have a small shop in my basement and this has worked fantastically. I have been able to set up all the collection locations that I need. It makes a great difference in how much a mess you have at the end of a day.Completely on board with this product!

Got around to installing my system yesterday in a temporary setup. I was just doing a straight line setup under cabinets above my workbench. A string line helped greatly for alignment of tubing/gates. Needed to use 3/4" masking tape on each end of tubing to keep T-joints from rotating...no biggie there.Problem: All closed gates howl like crazy when system is on using a 20gal.- 6.75 hp Shop-Vac. Shop rags inserted into closed gates kills the howl, this is a minor hassle.Problem: Having to use the 2-1/2" hose provided with my Vac for the main connection takes it out of commission for other use in the system. Also you are forced to use one of the gates and 45's or 90's to connect the hose to the system. I also had to use one of the gates as an end cap, none is provided. Mine is an open ended system with no tool at the end of the chain. I had to get creative and use a 2-1/2"od PVC plumbing joint hooked up to a Shop-Vac 2-1/2" to 1-1/4" step down fitting and old 1-1/4" vac hose to fit into my chop saw. So be prepaired to have to do some yankee engineering after a few trips to the hardware to tweak the system for your various tools. I was lucky and happened to have on hand what was needed to just set up a quick/temporary system. I've yet to set the system up to my router table's, jointer/planer, table saw or planer. For these larger tools I think it will actually be easier to do a direct connect to each individual tool as needed. To me the purpose of such a system is ease of use for each application/tool. You'll need a lot more than what comes with this kit out of the box to make an integral system. So calculate your need's carefully and be prepaired to spend a minimum of 1/2 the system price for all of the tweaks you'll need. This is of course unless you just resell the kit and go back to just moving your vac around from tool to tool.Positive Note: The clear PVC pipe is kinda cool, you can watch the debris going through it. The amount of suction produced seems to be adequate for small shop use. Not for large or industrial use. You might want to check out Rockler Hardware online, or other decent woodworking sites for ideas in creating a system before you buy. Be prepaired to make some plenums for older, larger stationary tools.S. StrongFort Worth, Texas

It was a bit disappointing. It is very thin wall pipe, 1/16" thick. The picture appears to have metal mounting brackets but they are plastic. I realize the description does not say what material they are made of. I just expected a little better from Shop-Vac brand. On the bright side, it arrived very quickly.

Not to impressed with this kit. Amazon doesn't offer additional pieces (couplers, elbows, etc) so I went to the hardware store to see what I could figure out and discovered I could put together the entire system with ABS (which I did) and give the connections a couple wraps of electrical tape to "neck up" to fit the blast gates. I only ended up using the blast gates from this kit and feel they are cheaply made, slide all the way out too easily and howl like a frigging banshee when in use because the tolerances are sloppy.Save your $$ and buy only a blast gate kit (I would try an aluminum set from a different manufacturer) and use ABS pipe and some Jerry rigging. You'll end up with a better system for far less.Way overpriced for what it is.

The blast gates only allow connection to the vacuum and the appliance. You cannot place tools in line and shut off individual tools. Too much money for what you get and the pieces are not compatible with off the shelf materials. Poor

The product works very well. The price is a little out of hand as the same product can be purchased at Sam's Club for $83.