ROCKLER Dust Right Flexiport Power Tool Hose Kit - 3 To 12' Expandable Hose & 4 FlexiPorts - Lightweight Dust Collectors for Woodworking Power Tools - Collector Hose for Shop Vacuums, Table Saw & More

Why I reached for this hose kit

Dust collection around handheld tools is always a compromise. Either I’m wrestling with rigid shop-vac hoses and a nest of adapters, or I’m sacrificing capture just to keep the tool moving freely. The Dust Right FlexiPort kit hits a sweet spot I’ve been hunting for: a compact, lightweight hose that actually stays on multiple tools without tape, and swaps quickly enough that I don’t dread changing setups.

What’s in the box, in practice

At the heart is a blue 1-1/2" ID hose that compresses to about 3 feet and stretches to roughly 12. On one end lives a swiveling 2-1/4" OD port for a shop vacuum; on the other is Rockler’s Click-Connect coupler. Four flexible “FlexiPort” tool adapters come with the kit: a small 3/4" ID x 1-1/4" OD, a 1" ID with a locking clasp, and a two-size 1-1/4"/1-1/2" ID also with a locking clasp. The Click-Connect coupler includes a vent ring to bleed off suction when you need it.

The whole system is modular. You leave the vacuum end plugged into the vac or a cyclone lid, and click between FlexiPorts depending on the tool. The flexible rubber of the ports conforms better than hard plastic ever will, and the locking clasp on three of them lets you cinch onto odd-shaped dust spigots.

Setup and compatibility

Assembly is straightforward, but worth doing carefully. Press the hose fully onto the barbed ends before tightening the collars; a firm twist while pushing helps. Once assembled, my vacuum connection was plug-and-play with a standard shop vac and with a mini cyclone separator in front of it. The swivel on the vacuum end is a small touch that pays off during use by reducing hose twist.

Tool-side fit is where this kit earns its keep. Between the three clamping FlexiPorts and the smaller non-clamping one, I had secure, air-tight connections on:

• A DeWalt 5" random-orbit sander (1-1/4" port)
• A compact router with a 1" port
• A trim saw and a jigsaw with smaller outlets
• A benchtop miter saw with a nominal 1-1/2" dust port

For oval ports or slightly tapered outlets, the rubberized FlexiPorts deform and seal well once the clasp is snug. The only place I needed an extra accessory was for vacuum floor wands and 2-1/2" cleanup heads; you’ll want a simple coupler if you plan to use the kit for both tool collection and floor cleanup.

In use: what stood out

• The hose is genuinely light. Compared to many black corrugated hoses, this one puts less drag on the tool and the workpiece. I could sand a tabletop with the hose draped over my shoulder and forget about it.

• The Click-Connect coupler is secure. I don’t baby my gear, and the positive click reassured me mid-cut or mid-pass that I wasn’t about to lose suction. Disconnecting requires a firm pinch on the release tabs; it’s not dainty, but I’d rather have it too secure than pop off under load.

• The suction-control ring is surprisingly useful. When sanding, cracking the vent ring open a touch prevents the pad from sticking to the work and reduces swirl risk. Close it down for routing or when you want maximum pull.

• The expanded length has tradeoffs. At full stretch, the hose definitely wants to recoil. Under vacuum, it stiffens and will gently tug your vac. If the vac is on smooth concrete, it may roll toward you. I keep the vac or separator on a firm footing or park it close to the work to avoid the tug-of-war.

Ergonomics and behavior under suction

Every flexible hose gets stiffer once the vacuum is running; this one less so than most, but the effect is there. Over the first couple of sessions I learned to:

• Work with the hose partly extended (6–9 feet) rather than fully stretched unless absolutely necessary.
• Route the hose over a shoulder or a dowel overhead when sanding to minimize drag on the tool.
• Use the swivel to my advantage: let the hose rotate instead of twisting my wrist.

The blue spiral is smooth enough that it doesn’t scuff cabinets or finished work when it brushes past, which makes it viable for shop cleanup in a pinch.

Suction and capture performance

With a 1-1/2" ID, airflow is what you’d expect from a good shop-vac line: plenty for handheld sanders, routers, and saws, adequate for benchtop miter saws, and not a replacement for a 2-1/2" or 4" dust collector on a full-size table saw. The FlexiPorts seal so well that you benefit from the vacuum’s full static pressure; you’re not bleeding capture at a loose friction-fit.

Using the vent ring on a random-orbit sander made the biggest difference, letting me balance pad feel with capture. On a router, I keep it closed and rely on the locking clasp to prevent disconnects during plunges and lateral moves.

Build quality and durability

The hose wall feels tough without being rigid. After a few weeks of daily use, it shows no kinks, and it rebounds cleanly after being stored compressed. The swiveling port hasn’t developed play, and the FlexiPorts haven’t split or torn despite clamping to some awkward plastic outlets. The only “wear” I’ve noticed is cosmetic scuffing on the release tabs where my thumb naturally lands. If you’re swapping ports frequently with cold hands, the release action can be stiff; gloves help.

Where it fits in a dust strategy

For a small or mid-size shop that leans on a shop vac or vac-plus-cyclone approach, this kit is a near-ideal tool-side hose. It excels with handheld power tools—sanders, trim routers, jig saws, track saws—and covers light duty on benchtop machines. If your workflow relies on a central 4" dust collector, this kit is still useful as the “mobile” hose you keep at the bench for sanding and small cuts, but it’s not a substitute for high-volume collection.

Shortcomings and quirks

• Release force: The Click-Connect coupler takes a purposeful squeeze to release. That’s good for security, less great for frequent changes with tired hands.

• Hose recoil: At the full 12-foot extension, the hose’s desire to compress is noticeable. Manageable with vac placement, but you’ll feel the tug.

• Not universal: The included ports cover most common sizes, but a few tools with proprietary or oversized ports will still need an additional adapter.

• Floor tool compatibility: If you intend to use your shop vac for general cleanup with 2-1/2" accessories, plan on adding a coupler to bridge formats.

Tips for getting the most out of it

• Seat and twist: When first assembling, twist the hose firmly onto the barbs before tightening the collars to prevent air leaks.

• Stage the vac: Keep your vac or cyclone on a grippy mat or close to the work to counteract hose recoil.

• Vent for sanding: Start with the vent ring cracked open and close it until the sander feels planted without sticking.

• Label your ports: A dab of paint pen (1", 1-1/4", etc.) saves time when grabbing the right FlexiPort in the middle of a project.

Recommendation

I recommend the Dust Right FlexiPort kit for anyone running a shop-vac-based dust setup who wants reliable, quick connections across multiple handheld tools. It’s light, seals well, and the modular ports cover most of the oddball sizes we see in the wild. The suction-control ring adds real value for sanding, and the swivel on the vacuum end keeps the hose from fighting you.

It isn’t perfect: the click-release is on the firm side, the hose tugs when fully extended, and you may need an extra adapter for 2-1/2" cleanup accessories or a few proprietary tool ports. But those are manageable quirks. For day-to-day use on sanders, routers, and small saws, this kit reduced hassle and kept more dust out of the air—exactly what I hoped it would do.