Rockler Dust Right Click Connect System
Rockler Dust Right Click Connect System from Jay Owens
Rockler Dust Right Click Connect System

This is a re design of a legacy Rockler product line. The Flexi-Port Kit was an innovative dust collection fitting kit that had rubber ports that could conform to the array of small power tools on the market. This re design focused on fixing a flaw that the original kit had. On that kit the hose connected directly to the rubber port, and if you wanted to change power tools you either had to force the rubber port off the tool or unthread the hose from it. We set out in this new version to make it so that you could quickly move your hose from tool to tool while leaving the rubber port on the tool. We decided to keep pushing with this system and expand beyond the original two hoses, we started by adding a third adapter that could fit a variety of shop vacuum hoses, then began work on a series of dust collection accessories. While I was the primary designer. These were developed in collaboration with a team of designers. This won a PTIA award and a WOOD magazine innovate award as well.

The Flexi-Port Kit was an innovative dust collection fitting kit that had rubber ports that could conform to the array of small power tools on the market. There were two kits, one was an expandable hose for benchtop work, the other a fixed length hose for work where the hose would have to move across a shop floor. The fixed length hose also had clips for keeping a tool cord inline with the hose. This re design focused on fixing a flaw that the original kit had. On that kit the hose connected directly to the rubber port, and if you wanted to change power tools you either had to force the rubber port off the tool or unthread the hose from it. We set out in this new version to make it so that you could quickly move your hose from tool to tool while leaving the rubber port on the tool.
Ideation was focused on the quick release adapter mechanism. We like the rubber ports as they were, so we proceeded with minimal changes to them.
In manufacturing we focused on getting the 3 adapters to have the same click connection as one another.
The user has 3 choices of adapter that all work with the same fittings. Left to right, the expandable hose for benchtop work, fixed hose for across the shop work, and shop vacuum adapter for those who either need an entry level point into the system or have a shop vacuum and hose that they want to keep using.
Example of benchtop work using expandable hose.
Example of across the shop work using fixed hose.
The variety of diameters along the base of the adapter allows it to work with many of the most common shop vacuum hoses.
Another designer on the team created this awesome router dust collection port that is click connect compatible as well.
This adapter is also great for an entry level woodworker, because it can get them into this system at a much lower price point.
Another new click connect accessory is this 2.5" adapter for plugging the click connect system into other common fittings that require a 2.5" size.
The new design of the cord clips focused on two things. One was the make the new clips logically work with the click connect system by allowing the cord to be quickly attached and removed. The other was to make the clips work with the size changing expandable hose.
The open hooks for the cord and the full ring design are what achieved the previously mentioned objectives.
The first accessories added were crevice tools for easy cleanup in hard to reach areas.
The angled flexible crevice tool is great for cleaning under large tools or by benches up against walls.
The needle nose crevice tool is great for tight spaces inside tools or for cleaning out a car.
The next logical step was to make an ergonomic bench brush.
We focused on dialing in the length, bristle pattern, and ergonomics to be ideal for wiping up chips and sawdust.
Another designer on the team also did a great job designing a storage dock for the brush.
My personal favorite and the final accessory is a dust collection boot for a drill.
We wanted this to work equally as well for smaller bits as it does for large forstner bits. The addition of the sliding canopy achieved that. We also tailored it to work perfectly with our portable drill guide. The material and color break up allows the user to easily see what they are drilling while still having a shroud to collect the dust.
A long time in the making, this system came together in a way I am very proud of. It is a complete power tool and shop dust collection system for users of all abilities and budgets. Getting everything right was achieved through extensive communication with the factories and a great team effort on our end.
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Rockler Dust Right Click Connect System

This is a re design of a legacy Rockler product line. The Flexi-Port Kit was an innovative dust collection fitting kit that had rubber ports that could conform to the array of small power tools on the market. This re design focused on fixing a flaw that the original kit had. On that kit the hose connected directly to the rubber port, and if you wanted to change power tools you either had to force the rubber port off the tool or unthread the hose from it. We set out in this new version to make it so that you could quickly move your hose from tool to tool while leaving the rubber port on the tool. We decided to keep pushing with this system and expand beyond the original two hoses, we started by adding a third adapter that could fit a variety of shop vacuum hoses, then began work on a series of dust collection accessories. While I was the primary designer. These were developed in collaboration with a team of designers. This won a PTIA award and a WOOD magazine innovate award as well.

Jay Owens
Industrial Designer Minneapolis, MN