Can a dust collector be used as a shop vac too?

[Dennis Aspö]

I bought a DD knockoff for 25 euros from aliexpress and built my own shop vac from an old vacuum motor I had (got inspired by mr wandels dust collector), seen in background here. I've probably dumped dozens of full containers of sawdust in the woods behind my house. I am considering remaking the whole thing and building it straight up, no extra bends and less distance for the air to go = better effect.

16054736509_149537af57_b[1].jpg

[Jerry Olexa]

I also use mine all the time to "sweep"shop floor..With a sep-arator