Magnetic Metal Separator for 4 Inch Dust Collection Hose

Metal hitting the impeller blade of a workshop vacuum system can cause sparks and potentially start a fire in your dust collection bag. Metal can also be a pain if you use your sawdust for composting!

Professional magnetic metal separators are $1,000 or more. DIY is less than $50!

This magnetic metal separator can be mounted to the outside of a 4 inch flexible or rigid hose and prevent screws, nuts, and other ferromagnetic metals from getting sucked into your vacuum system's blower motor. Mount it near a hose clamp or junction so that when it's time to clean it out, simply unscrew the separator from the outside of the hose and the metal debris will fall out of the hose!

To assemble, secure the 18 magnets ( 0.4" x 0.4" x 4" ) into the slots with construction adhesive or similar, glue the 1/4"x20 locking hexnuts into the press-fit recesses (careful to not get glue in the threads), and screw it onto your favorite 4" hose with the 1/4"-20 thumb screws (3/4" long). M6 x 20mm should also work.

If the clamp is too loose on the outside of your hose, use some foam or a strip of cloth as a shim.

If you make this, please post a picture! I would also be grateful if you used my affiliate part links below :)

Magnets (Qty: x2): https://amzn.to/3ZqcmFu
Thumb Screws (Qty: x1): https://amzn.to/3ZqcmFu
Lock Nuts (Qty: x1): https://amzn.to/4fZPkMz

Note: Qty is the purchase quantity needed.

Contact me if you need a modification made to the file and if it seems reasonable I'll do what I can.