I use a shop vacuum for dust control with my router and sanders. But the filter fills up quickly with chips and sawdust, reducing the vac’s performance, and it’s hard to clean the debris from between the filter’s paper pleats. To reduce this problem, I cover the paper filter with pantyhose. Cut off one leg, slide it over the filter, and tie off the end. The pantyhose acts as a pre-filter and catches lots of dust without clogging up. To remove the dust, just blow it with an air hose or clean it with a brush.

Jim Richey
Mike Baker, Hamilton, MO
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Ridgid EB4424 Oscillating Spindle/Belt Sander
With five spindles sized from 1/2 in. to 2 in. and a 4 X 24-in. belt, this sander has become a staple in many a shop Fine Woodworking visits.
Grizzly G0495X Industrial Helical Cutterhead 8-in. Jointer
Regardless of the board’s grain, this jointer produced excellent results. Its fence was totally flat, worked smoothly, and locked well, staying in place even after jointing multiple edges. Getting the fence to 90° was very easy, but the 90° stop was a little tricky to set and the fence did not go back to square when using it. For those who would use it, there is also a digital depth-of-cut scale.
Ridgid R4331 Planer
Priced nearly $300 less than the DeWalt 735X, the Ridgid R4331 is an excellent value. Its three-knife cutterhead left wonderfully clean surfaces on plainsawn white oak and white pine. It did not perform nearly as well on curly maple as the 735X.
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