My life changed 3 years ago when I went dustless for drywall. A $70 Ridgid vacuum, a $40 steel coil 10' hose, and a $29 Ryobi mouse. The joint compound kills sanders after a few months, but for $29..

The Ryobi has a dust port that, with a couple of rounds of duct tape to enlarge it, fits snuggly on a 1 7/8" hose. You will create more airborne dust by hand than with this system. It's so good, that I have even left furniture uncovered.

Needless to say, it's fast and the results are better.

Edit: And buy a cheap filter, cover it with cut-up pantyhose (so the fine dust never makes it to the filter), and, most of all, get a vacuum that takes bags. You will still get exhaust port dust without a bag.

Last edited by BobKay; 12/14/11 05:07 PM.
Always call the place you live a house. When you're old, everyone else will call it a home.