I have been wanting some type of overhead dust collection for my workbench and I have also wanted an above blade dust collector for my table saw.  I seem to wear table saw shavings.  So, I decided to build and overhead dusct collection boom arm (or so I call it).

Finished Product

Here is the shopping list for the arm

• (1X) 3/4 Plywood 2’x4′
• Scrap 1/2 plywood
• (2X) 2 1/2″ tube hangers (Amaon – 2 1/2″ Plastic Dust Collection Hose wall Hanger 6 pack)
• (2X) 2 1/2″ band clamps (Amazon – Powertec 70197 2 1/2″ wire hose clamp 5 Pack)
• (4X) 2 1/2″ dust collection tube x 36″ (Amazon – Powertec 70176 Clear  Pipe)
• (10′) 2 1/2″ dust collection hose
• (1X) 1/4-20 X 8″ all thread with nuts, washers
• Some 1/4 -20 bolts, washers, nuts
• Zip ties
• (2X) 2″ plumbing couplings (from big box store)
• Drywall anchors and screws
• Some scrap 2x4s and plywood or melamine
• Heavy duty stool swivel (Amazon – Trendler 7″ inch square Bar Stool Swivel)

I screwed some 2/4s across two joist in my ceiling to act as the supporting structure.  Then, I screwed on a 3/4 melamine base.  Plywood would have been better for holding screws.

The picture below shows the melamine board and my first try at the pivot joint.  I bought a cheap “lazy susan” bearing plate from Menards.  It was no where near strong enough.

The boom arm construction is pretty straight forward.  A bunch of 1 1/2″ wide strips.  (4X) 47″ long, (3X) 30″ long, (2X) 16″ long.  Some scrap pieces about 5″ long and one that is 2″ long.

I drilled a hole towards the end of each length to act as the pivot point for the 1/4″ bolt.  I drilled them with a 1/4″ drill bit to ensure a tight fit.  The holes are offset by 3/4″ from the end of the board and the sections are ‘gang’ drilled.  All corners are rounded over.

The four 47″ long pieces and 3 short 5″ scraps all get glued to the pivot base plate.   The base plate is 7″x7″ square.

Boom arm Assembly

Using the 1/4 all thread and bolts I assembled the 3 sections together.  I used  small scrap piece at the very end in between the two 16″ sections and bolted the three together to keep it rigid.

From the picture below you can see the 4, 3, 2 sections all botled together.  Once again this was the with the old lazy susan mount that would bend with the weight.

I mounted the tube sections to the boom arm with some 1/2 plywood blocks.  Bascically, screw the blocks to the boom arm and then  screw the hanger to the block to mount the tube.  I had to take the whole arm down to replace the lazy susan and had to re-hang it after the new swivel came in.

Hanging Boom Arm

I couldn’t support the thing by myself so I made some “extra hands” from my dust collection.  See the straps, clamps and scrap wood below.  I used some lag screws to mount the pivot point.

I also added the 2 1/2 tubing to the wall and ceiling as a transition from my shop vac to the boom arm.

I tie strapped an extension cord to the boom arm that is plugged into the Ivac switch.

I had to sand some boxes, so I gave it the first run through.  The hose from the sander to the boom arm is a little longer than needed, but works well.

I also used the boom arm for vacuuming the floor.  It also works great for that

Up next is the table saw dust collection part of the build.

Other Pictures