One method to measure how much stuff you've collected in the can...

[OLDCHIP]

After about 40 hours on the WYNN 35A filter, the basement is still clean.  Phil's collector has inhaled about 35 hours of sanding (hand, belt and oscillating belt/drum sander).  The other 5 were mostly with a compound bezel saw and a table saw.  The trash can was getting heavier, and I figured it was time to dump it out.

Before making the drop, I drilled a 5/8 inch hole in the top of the collector and placed a 'boss' on top of that with a ¾ inch hole bored thru.  After giving the collector a shake, I gently pushed a piece of 1/2 inch CPVC tubing into the trash can, and let it rest on the top of the dust & chips collected.  Measured about 5 inches (or about 20% full) in the can.  Image 7190.

After all that, plug the ¾ inch hole in the 'boss' that was screwed to the top of the collector using a cork or rubber stopper as shown in image 7194.

Phil's collector is an amazingly efficient, simple and necessary tool for about any wood shop.