Review: Mullet Tools cyclone/collection bin

Small dust cyclones that connect to your shop vacuum can make life a lot cleaner. A cyclone helps keep the shop vacuum’s typically small filter clean by diverting heavy sawdust and some fine particles into a separate bin, which means cleaner air and fewer messy filter-cleaning chores. Usually the big drawback is having to drag two separate units around the shop.

Mullet Tools has devised a slick single-piece cyclone/collection bin that hooks directly to a vacuum, allowing the cyclone to follow along like an obedient puppy. The two units can be quickly separated for cleaning. The Mullet cyclone bin is translucent, which makes it possible to see the sawdust level at a glance. And its 5-in. clean-out opening with a clear polycarbonate hatch makes emptying the bin quick and easy.

Setting up the Mullet with a connection customized for your specific vacuum is quick. You cut the vertical intake tube, made of rigid black PVC, at the height of your vac’s inlet, and a T couples with a slip-fit adapter to attach the Mullet securely to the vac. A template is included to ensure an accurate pipe cut. If the Mullet is going to be used with vacs of different sizes, you can buy some extra PVC and make dedicated intake pipes, which are quick to change out. 

Wide casters and capable wheels let the Mullet move as easily as my vac. The intake elbow molded into the assembly doubles as a convenient handle to help lift the duo over hoses, cords, or scrap wood. And the same handle helps make emptying the dust bin easy.

—Roland Johnson is a contributing editor.

Photo: Roland Johnson

From Fine Woodworking #302

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Mullet High-Speed Cyclone Dust Collector

Mullet Tools has devised a slick single-piece cyclone/collection bin that hooks directly to a vacuum, allowing the cyclone to follow along like an obedient puppy. The two units can be quickly separated for cleaning. The Mullet cyclone bin is translucent, which makes it possible to see the sawdust level at a glance. And its 5-in. clean-out opening with a clear polycarbonate hatch makes emptying the bin quick and easy.

Price: $279.99 at the time of writing