DeWalt Paper Bag for Dust Extractors (5 PK)

Why I started using these bags

A tidy extractor makes for a tidy jobsite. After a few weeks of drywall sanding, concrete chasing, and general shop cleanup, I ran the DWV9401 bags through the paces to see if they actually reduce mess and hassle or just add cost. Short answer: for fine dust, they do exactly what they’re supposed to do—contain the mess at the point where it usually escapes—while keeping the extractor’s guts cleaner and maintenance simpler.

Setup and fit

Installation is straightforward. The DWV9401 bags slide onto the inlet inside the DeWalt canister (DWV010 and DWV012 in my case) with a firm, positive fit on the collar. The bag unfolds and nests naturally in the drum without fighting you, and the alignment is intuitive enough that you won’t be guessing which way is up. There’s enough rigidity in the collar to make on/off changes easy even with gloves on, and the paper body expands evenly once you power up the extractor. No tools, no fiddling—one of those set-and-forget consumables.

In use: drywall, wood, and concrete

I tested the bags across three messy tasks: sanding drywall patches, collecting planer/jointer fines mixed with chips, and vacuuming concrete dust from a grinder shroud. The biggest win was with drywall and concrete. The bag corrals the talc-like fines that otherwise coat the inside of the tank and cling to the filter pleats. With the bag in place, suction stayed consistent longer because the filter wasn’t clogging as quickly, and the auto-clean cycle on the extractor didn’t puff clouds back into the drum. On wood, the benefit is mixed: fines pack down beautifully in the bag, but big chips will fill it fast. For woodworking machines that produce shavings more than dust, I’d skip the bag; for sanding or routing where fines dominate, it earns its keep.

Dust control during emptying

Emptying the extractor is where these bags shine. With a bare canister, even careful dumping gives a plume of fine dust. With the DWV9401 installed, removal is clean and controlled. As long as you avoid compressing the bag, most of the dust remains sealed inside the paper, and tipping it into a contractor bag doesn’t fog the room. I noticed a small puff when I yanked the bag too fast, so the trick is to lift it straight up, keep it upright, and move slowly. The whole process takes a fraction of the time compared to scraping out a coated drum and beating dust off the filter.

Capacity and performance trade-offs

Expect capacity to be functionally lower than the drum volume; that’s normal for any bag. Suction stays strong until the bag is roughly two-thirds full, then begins to taper. That’s my cue to swap it. Overfilling a paper bag makes it heavier, harder to handle, and easier to tear at the seams. With fines, the compaction is excellent and you can push further, but I wouldn’t. For chip-heavy tasks, the bag fills quickly without adding much benefit—again, best used where fines dominate. I didn’t notice any meaningful airflow drop with an empty or half-full bag compared to bagless.

Build quality and durability

These are paper bags, not fleece. The paper is multi-ply and better than the bargain-shop vac liners I’ve used, with clean seams and consistent glue lines. They handled concrete fines, drywall dust, and general shop sweepings without issue. Where paper has limits is moisture and sharp debris. Wet pickups are a nonstarter—don’t do it—and a handful of masonry shards or fasteners can nick the bag if you’re careless. If you routinely vacuum nails and screws, you’ll want to pre-screen or skip bags altogether. Used as intended, I didn’t have a single split or blowout.

Compatibility notes

They’re designed for DeWalt’s DWV010 and DWV012 extractors, and that’s how I used them. Fit is spot-on, and the collar mates squarely with the inlet. If you’re hoping to use them in something else, check the inlet geometry and part cross-reference first. Dust bags are not universal, and a poor fit defeats the whole purpose of containment. As a small housekeeping note, these are sold in a five-pack and aren’t eligible for warranty—pretty standard for consumables.

Value and workflow impact

Are bags an extra cost? Sure. But they trade dollars for time and air quality. On drywall and concrete, they save filter life, cut cleanup, and reduce exposure when you empty the tank. If you bill your time or value not breathing a dust cloud at the end of the day, that trade pencils out quickly. On chip-heavy woodworking, the math is murkier; you’ll burn through bags for convenience alone. My compromise is simple: bag in for fine dust jobs, bag out for bulky debris. That workflow keeps costs sensible while giving me the benefits where they matter.

Limitations and what they’re not

A few guardrails:
- Not for wet pickup. Paper will fail, and you’ll have a mess.
- Not a HEPA filter. The bag collects; your extractor’s filter does the fine filtration.
- Not ideal for hot materials, ashes, or sharp rubble.
- Not the most durable option if you regularly handle demolition debris. In that case, a fleece bag (if available for your machine) or bagless operation with frequent drum cleanouts may be better.

None of those are flaws so much as the reality of paper bags. Use them where they make sense, and they perform well.

Tips for best results

• Change early. Swap at roughly two-thirds full to maintain airflow and avoid heavy, awkward lifts.
• Purge the hose. With the extractor running, lift the hose high and let any remaining fines hit the bag before you shut down.
• Handle gently on removal. Lift straight up, keep the bag upright, and move slowly to avoid stirring dust.
• Keep spares sealed. Store extra bags in a tote to protect them from humidity and jobsite abuse.
• Match the job. Fine dust? Bag in. Big chips or fasteners? Bag out.

Recommendation

I recommend the DWV9401 bags for anyone running a DWV010 or DWV012 and dealing with drywall, wood fines, or concrete dust. They cut cleanup time, protect your filter, and—most importantly—keep dust out of the air when you empty the extractor. They’re not the right choice for wet messes or heavy demolition debris, and they’re overkill for machines that produce mostly shavings. But used for the fine dust they’re designed to capture, they’re a straightforward, reliable consumable that makes the extractor easier and cleaner to live with.