How many amps does a dust collection system use?
- Thread starter Enigma
- Start date
sberry
Banned
They will most likely need to be on separate circuits. Is this portable or fixxed in place?
ard
Well-known member
They make 8 amp 120v duct collectors, abd 3 phase 40amp monsters ... And all in between.
What do you own???
What do you own???
CJ7VFR
Well-known member
As others have stated, you need to provide more info about your dust collection system, or the one you are thinking of buying if you don't already have it.
Is it 120V? 240V? That will let you know what type of receptacle you need to install and what size/gauge wiring it will require.
How many watts or amps does it say it uses when running? How about startup watts or amps? That number can be significantly higher than running watts or amps, which would require you to have your dust collection system on its own circuit to keep it from popping breakers when using other equipment at the same time.
Jim
Is it 120V? 240V? That will let you know what type of receptacle you need to install and what size/gauge wiring it will require.
How many watts or amps does it say it uses when running? How about startup watts or amps? That number can be significantly higher than running watts or amps, which would require you to have your dust collection system on its own circuit to keep it from popping breakers when using other equipment at the same time.
Jim
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Without a nameplate or brand and model #, this is a wild *** goose chase!
Mr. T
Well-known member
I’m just gonna say 12. Twelve amps for sure...
Not enough information for that statement.
Mr. T
Well-known member
Ok point taken.
I havent actually selected the system yet. Maybe a better question is, what size dust collection system do I need and how many amps would it draw?
This is for a home shop, probably a shop vac would work. One machine at a time and the machines are small home shop machines. 6" jointer, 1hp router, 6 inch planer, 12 inch bandsaw, 12" wood lathe, 12" Radial Arm saw (dont hate).
Only one machine at a time would be on. I would probably spend 15 hours a week in the shop. I dont foresee a lot of sawdust being made but I dont want to use a shopvac and have to change the filter. Ideally there would be a transparent plastic collector about 10 gallons or so that I can see the sawdust accumulating in and I would just easily empty it from time to time.
I would run a pipe along the wall with ports with valves for each machine.
I would like a good cfm because Im not sure I would be able to get the vacuum source real real close to some of my operations like the lathe which just seems to make a general cloud of sawdust. So if I can get a hose close to the source it should **** up most of the sawdust if the cfms are good.
Id like to get this done by the end of next week including my electric project.
I havent actually selected the system yet. Maybe a better question is, what size dust collection system do I need and how many amps would it draw?
This is for a home shop, probably a shop vac would work. One machine at a time and the machines are small home shop machines. 6" jointer, 1hp router, 6 inch planer, 12 inch bandsaw, 12" wood lathe, 12" Radial Arm saw (dont hate).
Only one machine at a time would be on. I would probably spend 15 hours a week in the shop. I dont foresee a lot of sawdust being made but I dont want to use a shopvac and have to change the filter. Ideally there would be a transparent plastic collector about 10 gallons or so that I can see the sawdust accumulating in and I would just easily empty it from time to time.
I would run a pipe along the wall with ports with valves for each machine.
I would like a good cfm because Im not sure I would be able to get the vacuum source real real close to some of my operations like the lathe which just seems to make a general cloud of sawdust. So if I can get a hose close to the source it should **** up most of the sawdust if the cfms are good.
Id like to get this done by the end of next week including my electric project.
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Stuey
Well-known member
A separate 15A circuit at the least. If you have the option, 20A.
You will NOT be able to run your saw and a dust collector on the same circuit.
You will NOT be able to run your saw and a dust collector on the same circuit.
Thanks Stuey and I really like your avatar btw.
Determining dust collection for wood working machines is similar to determining the capacity of the electrical circuit required to run the collector
First you need to roughly figure out how much dust collection you need in terms of Cubic Feet per Minute. This is a rough chart to give you some sort of reference.
Then - how are you going to connect the dust collector to your machine? Permanent duct work, flex hose or what. You need to estimate the loss in CFM
Once you have that, you can start looking for dust collectors to meet your requirements. Keep in mind with most planers, you need to make sure your actually getting the big chips because they can fall on the board and get smashed into it by the rollers. When you get a rough idea of the size of the dust collector you can then determine the electrical requirements
OR
Just take a Wild *** Guess
https://www.woodmagazine.com/figure-dust-collection-needs-by-the-numbers
First you need to roughly figure out how much dust collection you need in terms of Cubic Feet per Minute. This is a rough chart to give you some sort of reference.
Then - how are you going to connect the dust collector to your machine? Permanent duct work, flex hose or what. You need to estimate the loss in CFM
Once you have that, you can start looking for dust collectors to meet your requirements. Keep in mind with most planers, you need to make sure your actually getting the big chips because they can fall on the board and get smashed into it by the rollers. When you get a rough idea of the size of the dust collector you can then determine the electrical requirements
OR
Just take a Wild *** Guess
https://www.woodmagazine.com/figure-dust-collection-needs-by-the-numbers
Attachments
Figure out your dust collector system first, then figure out the electrical needs for the dust collector.
I strongly recommend using some sort of cyclone dust collector.
Read up about woodworking dust collection and cyclones starting here and read through the rest of his site:
https://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/beginnnerscorner.cfm
Check here:
https://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/dc_basics.cfm#CFMRequirementsTable
Your dust collector system will NEED to be on its own electrical circuit.
Any dust collector big enough to work semi-well (even on just one woodworking machine at a time) will be several horsepower worth of electrical motor running the blower.
No, a 'shop vac' will not really cut it.
The jointer and planer make lots of chips and shavings, the router spews sawdust, it will be rather difficult to collect the saw dust from the radial arm saw, the lathe also usually make lots of saw dust and shavings, but once you can rig up the dust shrouds you will probably be best off at the band saw from a dust collection standpoint (the bandsaw blade isn't whirling at 100+ mph spewing the sawdust all over like the circular saw or the router).
You'll probably need 6" diameter ducting and a 3-5 hp blower running a 13" to 16" impeller.
Yes, that is what you probably do actually need.
Which means a 240V circuit to run the 3-5 hp motor.
Or run big fans blowing fresh air in and the fine saw dust out the door/window and wear an actual respirator.
I strongly recommend using some sort of cyclone dust collector.
Read up about woodworking dust collection and cyclones starting here and read through the rest of his site:
https://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/beginnnerscorner.cfm
Check here:
https://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/dc_basics.cfm#CFMRequirementsTable
Your dust collector system will NEED to be on its own electrical circuit.
Any dust collector big enough to work semi-well (even on just one woodworking machine at a time) will be several horsepower worth of electrical motor running the blower.
No, a 'shop vac' will not really cut it.
The jointer and planer make lots of chips and shavings, the router spews sawdust, it will be rather difficult to collect the saw dust from the radial arm saw, the lathe also usually make lots of saw dust and shavings, but once you can rig up the dust shrouds you will probably be best off at the band saw from a dust collection standpoint (the bandsaw blade isn't whirling at 100+ mph spewing the sawdust all over like the circular saw or the router).
You'll probably need 6" diameter ducting and a 3-5 hp blower running a 13" to 16" impeller.
Yes, that is what you probably do actually need.
Which means a 240V circuit to run the 3-5 hp motor.
Or run big fans blowing fresh air in and the fine saw dust out the door/window and wear an actual respirator.
ard
Well-known member
Like kitchen exhaust fans, GO BIG.
I built a dust collection system for all the same items you have. And then upsized to a 2hp, 1200CFM blower. Sold the old one on CL. Like 10 hrs use on it.
Piping around the shop will take a toll on airflow. Now I can run a flex pipe to the top of the 12" planner and **** chips all day long, no muss no fuss. Even at the end of 40 feet of hard ducting.
I built a dust collection system for all the same items you have. And then upsized to a 2hp, 1200CFM blower. Sold the old one on CL. Like 10 hrs use on it.
Piping around the shop will take a toll on airflow. Now I can run a flex pipe to the top of the 12" planner and **** chips all day long, no muss no fuss. Even at the end of 40 feet of hard ducting.
thats a very helpful article Moon. Thanks. Makes me want to give up woodworking though!!!
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Angelfire
Well-known member
This, 100%. The Bill Pentz site has all the info you need to make a good decision. Bottom line though is to capture the fine, unhealthy dust, you need to have significant CFM and speed. As noted, usually a 3-5HP motor spinning a good size blower. Don't forget your filtration either. No point collecting it only to have the stuff enter back into your shop. Design it and then worry about electrical.
The units you see from the likes of Harbor Freight, Grizzly, etc....are fine for just collecting chips but for the fine stuff, you really need to step the game up.
Cheers.
I deliberately didn't link to Bill Pentz site - he is a little too extreme/over the top for most woodworkers, in my opinion
After reading that, I dont know if I even want to do woodworking anymore. Scared the hell out of me. The ones he has for sale are 2 to 3 thousand dollars and from what I gather, they collect the bigger particles and the fine dust gets blasted out side. By doing this and using a 2 cartridge mask, we can safeguard ourselves from saw dust. He sounds very educated and put a lot of thought into the subject. It seems woodworking is extremely dangerous at all levels. Breathing lethal wood dusts, physically injured by tools, and fires and explosions from highly combustible wood dusts and particles. Makes me want to put everything on wheels and do it out on the driveway. I really need to rethink my whole project and what Im going to do for dust control.
You just need to use some common sense.
I have a pretty decent dust collection system, the main unit was around $2k, but to be honest with you. Half the time I don't even turn it on... For example, my table saw is a modern saw and is made for dust collection. BUT, unless you use the overhead guard to capture the dust above the table, it still makes a mess and throws saw dust right at you. Personally, I want to be able to see the blade at all times. So what really is the difference if I have a little a bit of saw dust on the floor or a lot of saw dust? It doesn't take much effort to just sweep it up. Now a jointer or planer is a different story.
I have three different 'dust extractors'. One is a Festool and two are Bosch. Same thing - you ever try fine sanding something with a big hose attached? Ya, it comes in handy at times, but I am not working in someones kitchen where I need to worry about stuff like that
I have a pretty decent dust collection system, the main unit was around $2k, but to be honest with you. Half the time I don't even turn it on... For example, my table saw is a modern saw and is made for dust collection. BUT, unless you use the overhead guard to capture the dust above the table, it still makes a mess and throws saw dust right at you. Personally, I want to be able to see the blade at all times. So what really is the difference if I have a little a bit of saw dust on the floor or a lot of saw dust? It doesn't take much effort to just sweep it up. Now a jointer or planer is a different story.
I have three different 'dust extractors'. One is a Festool and two are Bosch. Same thing - you ever try fine sanding something with a big hose attached? Ya, it comes in handy at times, but I am not working in someones kitchen where I need to worry about stuff like that
BigGarage
Well-known member
I only have a table saw, router, random orbit sander and a belt sander so I just use my shop vacuum and connect it to whatever I'm going to use. I just take the filter out every few years and clean it off. I have a replacement for it but I'll keep it until needed.
If possible you could always use several shop vacs maybe in the attic with the hoses/piping coming down to the equipment and switches to control them. I did this in my last garage and it worked great. If you are going to use only 1 tool at a time this may be the best way to go financially and practically.
Dennis
Stuey
Well-known member
You're welcome, and thanks! Made it myself!
I bought a Jet DC-1100VX-CK, although I haven't been able to use it as much as I'd like.
That's not my ideal dust collector, but I figured it's a good start, and it works on a 15A outlet. Its power draw is rated at 11A.
Bigger and better systems have higher costs and greater electrical requirements, not to mention larger footprints, heights, or both.
After reading some more on the dangers of dust, it has occured to me to use a cyclone to get the bulk of the sawdust and exhaust the unfiltered air through a pipe in the wall into the great outdoors. No filter, no mess, just empty the collector when its near full. Anybody here not using a filter and just exhausting to the outdoors? It seems to make a lot more sense and that way there would be basically no fine dust getting back into the room so long as I was able to **** all of it up at the time it is created.
The main problem with exhausting to the great outdoors (besides making a mess) is if your 'conditioning' the air in your shop, that heated or cooled air is also going outside and where does the 'makeup' air come from to replace it...
Lightning rod
Well-known member
Enigma
I use a smaller unit for the jobs you described.
I’m a hobby wood worker
Maybe 2-3 hours a week
https://www.busybeetools.com/products/dust-collector-1hp-570cfm-1-mic-bag-csa-ct053.html
This what I use up here in Canada. I’m sure you can find something similar in Florida
Works fine for me. Rated 7 amps. I use it on a dedicated 15 a circuit in the garage
I use it on a jointer, RAS , planer , router, table saw, and bandsaw , one at a time
I use a smaller unit for the jobs you described.
I’m a hobby wood worker
Maybe 2-3 hours a week
https://www.busybeetools.com/products/dust-collector-1hp-570cfm-1-mic-bag-csa-ct053.html
This what I use up here in Canada. I’m sure you can find something similar in Florida
Works fine for me. Rated 7 amps. I use it on a dedicated 15 a circuit in the garage
I use it on a jointer, RAS , planer , router, table saw, and bandsaw , one at a time
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PNWguy
Well-known member
I think you're on the right path, but need to read a bit more.
Do you want to capture all the dust, so you don't breath it, or capture the chips, so they are easy to throw away? If you're just going after the chips, it's cheap and easy. If you also want to get the dust, the price will go up.
1) The bag attached to the dust collector is just as important as all the other stuff. Most of them will pass 5-10 micron sized particles right back into the room. All the bags catch is the chips. They will not change what goes into your lungs. To get into a sub-micron bag or filter will cost a few hundred.
2) You can buy a 2hp dust collector from HF for $200, so don't be freaked out by the $2,000 pricetag of a nice system. It will have a bag that won't capture much dust.
3) 3M makes a great respirator for $20, and it uses replaceable filters.
You could be 99.99% protected (better than any dust collector) for well under $50.
4) Your planer and jointer will be the biggest offenders for making chips. They will fill your filter bag quickly, and would be helped by also using a cyclone. If you ignore those two tools (and sweep up the mess) you could easily get by with a shop vac for the other tools.
5) I've never seen a 6" planer. What is it?
6) You can vent your dust outside, depending on how close to your neighbor's house (or your house) you are. Since the dust collector moves a large volume of air, you may be emptying the room every few monutes if all the air is going outside. It would take a hell of a heater or AC unit to make up that air, and would probably cost a fortune.
7) Also look into air filters like this one.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LPD9BDI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
They don't collect chips, but can help to clean the dust from the air. They do not remove air from the building.
Do you want to capture all the dust, so you don't breath it, or capture the chips, so they are easy to throw away? If you're just going after the chips, it's cheap and easy. If you also want to get the dust, the price will go up.
1) The bag attached to the dust collector is just as important as all the other stuff. Most of them will pass 5-10 micron sized particles right back into the room. All the bags catch is the chips. They will not change what goes into your lungs. To get into a sub-micron bag or filter will cost a few hundred.
2) You can buy a 2hp dust collector from HF for $200, so don't be freaked out by the $2,000 pricetag of a nice system. It will have a bag that won't capture much dust.
3) 3M makes a great respirator for $20, and it uses replaceable filters.
You could be 99.99% protected (better than any dust collector) for well under $50.
4) Your planer and jointer will be the biggest offenders for making chips. They will fill your filter bag quickly, and would be helped by also using a cyclone. If you ignore those two tools (and sweep up the mess) you could easily get by with a shop vac for the other tools.
5) I've never seen a 6" planer. What is it?
6) You can vent your dust outside, depending on how close to your neighbor's house (or your house) you are. Since the dust collector moves a large volume of air, you may be emptying the room every few monutes if all the air is going outside. It would take a hell of a heater or AC unit to make up that air, and would probably cost a fortune.
7) Also look into air filters like this one.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LPD9BDI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
They don't collect chips, but can help to clean the dust from the air. They do not remove air from the building.
Heres the 6" planer I was referring to.
I dont have a climate controlled garage. In the winter its pretty nice, only in the dog days of summer is it really intolerable. So exhausting air outdoors does not affect me on the heating/cooling bill. The garage is not air tight so I assume that it will be able to pull air back into the room from outside.
The only dust I envision going outside will be fine dust so small that there shouldnt even be a plume but if there is I cant see that there would be so much at one time that it would affect anyone. Im guessing it would just disperse into the atmosphere pretty much instantly. Im not talking about chips and coarse dust, that would collect in the cyclone collector Im thinking.
I want to get the fine dust out of the room. I dont mind sweeping up the coarse stuff and chips or just vacuuming it up later. Its the health hazzard I want to eject from the garage.
The dust masks you speak of, what is the specification I should look for that will protect me from the fine stuff?
If I used the high performance dust masks and exhaust the fine dust outside, I may be able to virtually eliminate the dust hazzard and keep my wood working dream on a budget alive.
Thank you!
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PNWguy
Well-known member
That planer is super cool. Make Craftsman Not **** Again!
Here's a 3M respirator that takes replaceable cartridges:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IF7RCU6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
These will work for particulates.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07571LKP4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I think a combination of a cyclone for chips, and exhausting the majority of the dust outside, as well as a respirator will do you well.
Here's a 3M respirator that takes replaceable cartridges:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IF7RCU6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
These will work for particulates.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07571LKP4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I think a combination of a cyclone for chips, and exhausting the majority of the dust outside, as well as a respirator will do you well.
Would this be a good dust collector and could I collect the bulk sawdust and vent the fine stuff with this machine? It is only $25 from a local garage sale? Should I get it?
https://scontent-mia3-2.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/72676042_10162684417630360_8979216791188275200_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_oc=AQlVA3K0mayCk1VJhMgmCCXISwFEMgk-LIEYrY02sRe6BKAaQWEHjl0JIcuIIOJzNSU&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.**&oh=2e896e27d1fce1a260129cee71f1d6e2&oe=5E3E5EFC
https://scontent-mia3-2.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/72676042_10162684417630360_8979216791188275200_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_oc=AQlVA3K0mayCk1VJhMgmCCXISwFEMgk-LIEYrY02sRe6BKAaQWEHjl0JIcuIIOJzNSU&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.**&oh=2e896e27d1fce1a260129cee71f1d6e2&oe=5E3E5EFC
Lightning rod
Well-known member
For $25, yes
Try it, if it doesn’t meet expectations, you can add to it
Or go bigger. That’s what i use and it will work fine
You may have to replace the top bag if it’s nasty and clogged
Try it, if it doesn’t meet expectations, you can add to it
Or go bigger. That’s what i use and it will work fine
You may have to replace the top bag if it’s nasty and clogged
thanks rod but i snoozed and loozed. its gone.
johnnyradiant
Well-known member
I've a couple woodworker friends that have become allergic to a couple different wood species after working with it for years without any problems. Dust - how you work with it and in it should be heavily considered.
Some dust collection ducting systems are ok but they can be prone to air leakage - spend your time on the set-up so that you end up with as little leakage as possible - that might just mean spending a bit more money on decent blast gates.
I wouldn't buy a system that JUST meets specs. It might move most of what you want but it likely will be very evident that it is just barely performing at min requirements, leaving a large margin for disappointment.
Some dust collection ducting systems are ok but they can be prone to air leakage - spend your time on the set-up so that you end up with as little leakage as possible - that might just mean spending a bit more money on decent blast gates.
I wouldn't buy a system that JUST meets specs. It might move most of what you want but it likely will be very evident that it is just barely performing at min requirements, leaving a large margin for disappointment.
What do you think about this one? It uses 16 amps. and makes 850cfm 8.5 inches of static pressure. I was thinking of exhausting it outside through the block wall. Is this a strong dust collector? how much stronger than a shop vac which is what I use now. I could really use some help setting this up. I want to get going with some projects. Thanks for any input.
As others have said, dust collection systems range from inexpensive to thousands of dollars, and the efficiency at collecting dust varies by quite a bit. generally speaking, in order to collect a greater percentage of the fine , lung-damaging particles, the cost goes up. Many dust collection systems( usually cyclones) have HEPA filters ( dust bags are worthless at collecting the particles that pose a health threat). While they can filter the air back into your shop and remove the majority of harmful particles, some do still get returned to the air. That is why many woodworkers will use a half mask respirators with p100 cartridges in addition to the dust collector. Some might view that as overkill, it depends how much of a threat you feel these particles are to your health. Some woodworkers are affected by very small amounts of particulate matter and suffer symptoms. Some reason they aren't going to live forever, and are satisfied with less protection. Like most things in life, you pay the price and get the protection you feel you need.
The ceiling box-type filtration units do remove some dust that managed to get away from the dust collection at the source(individual tool). They however, do not filter out the finer particle, so I don't put much emphasis on health preservation.
You sound as if you need to do some reading on woodworking dust collection, so you can get a better idea of what levels of protection you need and are willing to afford.
Best of luck in that decision making.
The ceiling box-type filtration units do remove some dust that managed to get away from the dust collection at the source(individual tool). They however, do not filter out the finer particle, so I don't put much emphasis on health preservation.
You sound as if you need to do some reading on woodworking dust collection, so you can get a better idea of what levels of protection you need and are willing to afford.
Best of luck in that decision making.
Heres the one I have in mind.
https://www.pennstateind.com/store/...MIhoD99dKX5gIVJOeGCh3pdQNeEAYYCSABEgJ4_vD_BwE
I want to know if 850cfm and 8.5 inches of pressure is adequate for a small garage shop. I plan to not use a bag but rather just exhaust it outside through a hole in the wall. 16 amps. I also plan to use the special dust masks in conjunction. I think it would work based on what Ive learne on here unless Im missing something.
Penn State DC3-XL
https://www.pennstateind.com/store/...MIhoD99dKX5gIVJOeGCh3pdQNeEAYYCSABEgJ4_vD_BwE
I want to know if 850cfm and 8.5 inches of pressure is adequate for a small garage shop. I plan to not use a bag but rather just exhaust it outside through a hole in the wall. 16 amps. I also plan to use the special dust masks in conjunction. I think it would work based on what Ive learne on here unless Im missing something.
Penn State DC3-XL
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