[Shop-talk] water filter for blast cabinet

[Marc]

Whats the secret to making a water filter out of a 5 gallon  bucket? I 
came across the idea on a bbs somewhere, but it was kind of vague.

I have a 5 gal paint bucket with lid. Cut two holes, insert pvc pipe and 
seal. 1st pipe is the inlet, and goes about halfway into the bucket.  
2nd pipe is the outlet, and extends about one inch into the bucket. 
Water level is below the inlet pipe. The idea is that a flex hose goes 
from the sand blast cabinet to the inlet,  and the outlet is connected 
to a shop vac. Dust particles are sucked into the bucket, hit the water 
and stay there.

Problem is apparently the air is coming into the bucket so fast that 
water droplets are being sucked into the vac. Not so good for the 
filter... I have experimented with different water levels, but same problem.

Anyone made one that works? Is there some sort of baffle needed?

-- 

Marc