Containing the Dust: Hyde 09175 Vacuum Sanding Tool

There is one constant when working with drywall and joint compound: dust.

Like the work or hate it, good at it or just beginning, it doesn’t matter. The minute you start sanding—and everyone has to sand—dust enters the equation.

If you’re building an addition or new home, it’s not a huge deal, but for 99% of the drywall sanding I’ve done it has been in an occupied space—finished basement, bedroom remodel, paint prep in all rooms of the house, repairs—you name it. And the more drywall to be finished, the bigger the dust storm.

The key to containing almost-light-as-air drywall dust is to capture it at the source—while still being able to work quickly and cost-effectively. And Hyde Tools has developed a solution that covers all the bases: the 09175 vacuum sanding tool.

At about $60, the 09175 hooks up to a typical wet-dry shop-style vac which creates suction through the unit’s wand or pole. The head operates like a typical pole sander (which I like much better than sponges for sanding drywall, so the 09175 already gets the nod). Because you’re using screens and not a solid surface, the vac’s suction gets hold of the dust at the instant of creation and gobbles it down.

At 1.8 pounds the vacuum sanding tool is a bit heavier than a pole sander and you do have the hose to deal with. But having cleaned up rooms—and, yes houses—full of drywall dust I can say I’d rather wrestle a hose for a few hours than clean every knick-knack and shelf I own. And for small repairs, this is making you money in times saved after the first job or two. On the vacuum end of things, drywall dust clogs paper filters in a hurry; use bags to capture the dust and keep working.

It has been said that the easiest problem to fix is the one you don’t have, whether you’re using joint compound or not! And with Hyde’s fast, affordable and effective vacuum sanding tool you’re on the right road to getting it done—and it’s not a dusty one.