Build Repositionable Dust Extraction Holders for Your Workshop

In this video, Ramon Valdez walks through the process of building adjustable shop vac hose holders — in both aluminum and plywood versions — using Loc-Line vacuum hose components and magnetic bases. The result is a low-cost, fully repositionable dust extraction tool that pairs with any existing dust collection setup. For more of his videos, visit him on YouTube at Ramon Valdez Fine Furniture

TRANSCRIPT:

What these vacuum hose holders do

This video is all about these vacuum-adjustable shop vac hose holders. I use these all the time. I have to start by saying — excuse the mixed format, portrait and landscape, but just bear with me. There's some fantastic information here and you'll love these things.

I use them at the band saw, edge sander, drill press, table saw, and router table. They're super useful. In addition to your main dust collection, these give you a focused point of dust extraction right where you need it.

I made one out of wood and one out of aluminum, so there's an option here for just about any shop.

Building the aluminum version

I started with some chunks of aluminum and some round bar. I don't have exact sizes, but they just need to fit the Loc-Line vacuum hose components — I'll leave links in the description. I decided to make some crude drawings, so there are dimensions in the video. Just pause it if you need to.

I cut the aluminum cradles at the band saw — aluminum cuts really easy with just a quarter-inch blade. Then I made a couple of standoffs, drilled some holes in them, and tapped some threads. There are a number of ways you could accomplish this. I have a lathe, so I use it whenever I can, but this could also be done at a drill press or even by hand. Nothing tricky about it.

I love little projects like this. They help me refine my skills, and they don't take very long — but I like to take my time and make them look good.

Creating the counterbore and assembly

On the base plate, I needed to create a counterbore. I guess you could use a router or a Shaper Origin, but since I have a lathe, I chose to do it that way. I ended up with a hole all the way through with a clean counterbore — it came out perfect. Another approach is to use a countersink to match a countersunk machine bolt head. Lots of ways to do things.

Then I drilled a couple of outer holes spaced to match the spread of the cradle. I took the aluminum cradle over to the drum sander and refined it a bit using 180 grit, just to smooth things up, remove any burrs or nicks, and make everything uniform.

To assemble, I took the base plate and attached it to a magnetic base — not a MagSwitch brand, but a magnetic base I found on Amazon. It was pretty inexpensive and works really well. I'll leave a link in the description. I used a short quarter-20 bolt to get everything squared up and tighten it all down.

How the cradle works

The cradle fits perfectly over the Loc-Line hose. Technically, all you need is the correct interior dimension — the outside shape you can make however you want. Those dimensions are in the description or somewhere in the video.

The result is fully adjustable, and I know it might seem like a small thing to get excited about, but this thing works incredibly well.

Building the plywood version

I also made a plywood version because not everybody has the capacity or capability to work with aluminum — although it really is just like working with hardwood. Many people will be more comfortable with woodworking techniques, so this is a great alternative.

The wood version works exactly the same way. I added sandpaper to the bottom for a strong grip, add the vacuum hose, and you're ready to go.

It's almost comical how much satisfaction I get out of using these, because they just work. I can position that vacuum attachment anywhere I want and it captures all the dust that my main dust collection system isn't catching.

Using both versions around the shop

The finished metal version works great. I initially thought the magnetic switch might get in the way since it sits underneath the hose, but it's really no problem. The wood version has a bit more surface area and grips a little more firmly, but both work well.

When my order came in, I had one adapter on back order. When it arrived, these components just slip right in place — snap it on, and boom, done.

At my edge sander, the main dust shroud is on the right side. If I'm ever using the left side, the left end, or even the drum, this holder is ideal. At the drill press, the wood version is large enough to clamp in place, since I have a platform above the base. The metal version, when not in use, snaps right onto the Nordfab dust extraction pipe — and that's where it lives when I'm not using it. My drill press is right by an exit door, so I can snap the metal version right there when I need it.

Wrapping up

That's going to do it for this video. Make yourself a couple of these — you will use them all the time. Check the description for links to all the components I used.

If you're new to the channel, thank you so much for joining. If you've been around for a while, I absolutely appreciate your support. Now let's get out there and make something awesome.