I am starting to set up my new shop. Part mechanics [mostly motorcycle] and part wood shop. I have been looking at various dust extractors and dust collectors. I looked at Bosch's dust extractor and marvel at how convenient and quiet it is. I have also looked at larger and much louder dust collectors, like Shop Fox and Grizzly that move about 10 times as much air and collect in bags. I will have a table saw, chop saw and router table as stationary but moveable tools and of coarse various had tools. Would a dust extractor be enough or do I need the larger collector? I have built a nice shop and would like to do all I can to reduce dust.
how much dust collection?
- Thread starter rossddvm
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jakemac
Well-known member
I've had the HF 2hp dust collector for 8yrs.
I still haven't run pipes in the shop, but for the limited use I've used it, it's been great.
It's only $50 more than the 1hp model, but has a much greater capacity.
https://t.harborfreight.com/2-hp-industrial-5-micron-dust-collector-97869.html
You might also want to look at a thru-the-wall air cleaner/exhaust to filter general dust and fumes (into the neighbor's yard
).
I still haven't run pipes in the shop, but for the limited use I've used it, it's been great.
It's only $50 more than the 1hp model, but has a much greater capacity.
https://t.harborfreight.com/2-hp-industrial-5-micron-dust-collector-97869.html
You might also want to look at a thru-the-wall air cleaner/exhaust to filter general dust and fumes (into the neighbor's yard
).
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rlitman
Well-known member
I have a Fein Turbo II vacuum. That should have comparable suction to the Bosch we're comparing with. It is woefully undersized to help with my tablesaw, but my 1.5HP dust collector works great with it. I think the difference is in how poorly sealed my saw cabinet is (I'm working on improving this).
OTOH, the vacuum works ok with my sliding miter saw. Tough a lot gets past the dust chute, I'm not sure if more airflow would help much. Without the vacuum, it makes an awful mess. With it, it is kind of ok.
As for the router, I just made a vacuum attachment for my Bosch Colt the other day. With that in place, I can route to my heart's content totally dust free.
I think the best point I can make is that you should remove dust as close to its source as possible. And if your tool is designed around good dust collection at the source, a vacuum might be just fine.
OTOH, the vacuum works ok with my sliding miter saw. Tough a lot gets past the dust chute, I'm not sure if more airflow would help much. Without the vacuum, it makes an awful mess. With it, it is kind of ok.
As for the router, I just made a vacuum attachment for my Bosch Colt the other day. With that in place, I can route to my heart's content totally dust free.
I think the best point I can make is that you should remove dust as close to its source as possible. And if your tool is designed around good dust collection at the source, a vacuum might be just fine.
ez-duzit
Well-known member
You'll want to buy a real dust collector of ~2 hp.
HF 2hp collector
Oneida super dust deputy
Wynn 274 filter (or 222 if you plan to customize the orientation and need open/open)
a **** ton of 4" pvc pipe and ends
^ this is the setup I'm working on now. I think 50-60 linear ft of pipe should do everything I want, so you may need to alter depending on the size & orientation of your shop. Mine is going in a corner though it's not the 'center' of where my tools are. The layout is a little weird in that part of my shop.
I plan to have set up
portable table saw (not great built in dust collection but it does have a port)
router table (not enclosed)
miter (poor built in collection)
planer, track saw, sanders, routers all going to have shop vac size ports on them
the DC is more for me for cleanup after the work rather than preventing any dust from getting on the floor/tools. It would be nice but it's not possible to prevent dust from happening. However the 5HP+ & 6" pipe can get you closer to that than my setup will. all depends on where your wants, needs, and money intersect.
Since I am in the process of plumbing mine in the next few weeks (hopefully) if you want we can talk in more detail about my setup but there is also a 'show off your dust collection setup' thread I encourage you look at, and a lot of youtube videos some are more descriptive and easier to follow than others.
the main thing to know is how big is your shop, how much of it will be used for woodwork, and how flexible you can be with the layout. I have worked with others setting up dust collection in the past and every time there is a situation where some thing whether it be a machine, aisle, or shelf or whatever, has to move to make the piping make sense and get the most suction to the machines that make the most dust.
Oneida super dust deputy
Wynn 274 filter (or 222 if you plan to customize the orientation and need open/open)
a **** ton of 4" pvc pipe and ends
^ this is the setup I'm working on now. I think 50-60 linear ft of pipe should do everything I want, so you may need to alter depending on the size & orientation of your shop. Mine is going in a corner though it's not the 'center' of where my tools are. The layout is a little weird in that part of my shop.
I plan to have set up
portable table saw (not great built in dust collection but it does have a port)
router table (not enclosed)
miter (poor built in collection)
planer, track saw, sanders, routers all going to have shop vac size ports on them
the DC is more for me for cleanup after the work rather than preventing any dust from getting on the floor/tools. It would be nice but it's not possible to prevent dust from happening. However the 5HP+ & 6" pipe can get you closer to that than my setup will. all depends on where your wants, needs, and money intersect.
Since I am in the process of plumbing mine in the next few weeks (hopefully) if you want we can talk in more detail about my setup but there is also a 'show off your dust collection setup' thread I encourage you look at, and a lot of youtube videos some are more descriptive and easier to follow than others.
the main thing to know is how big is your shop, how much of it will be used for woodwork, and how flexible you can be with the layout. I have worked with others setting up dust collection in the past and every time there is a situation where some thing whether it be a machine, aisle, or shelf or whatever, has to move to make the piping make sense and get the most suction to the machines that make the most dust.
rlitman
Well-known member
It absolutely is possible to prevent dust from happening. Festool has proven this, and the well designed dust collection on their tools works just fine with their vacuum. However, I don't have the kind of money to afford Festool gear.
Here is something I knocked out recently.
That's a piece of 1-1/4" EMT elbow squeezed to round on one end and flattened a little on the other to fit the router's opening, welded to a cutoff of shelf bracket that fits the hose clamp. Since the router spins in one direction, it throws dust in a predictable path, and this catches 100% of what it generates, even though it seems to be visually quite "open". The actual Bosch base clogs up, and makes things run way too hot. This lets the dust go right into the vacuum, and keeps the airflow keeping things cool.
With the tablesaw, most cuts will direct dust down through the table insert. All it takes is just a little downdraft there to keep the dust contained. The problem is that most saws are so open underneath that a vacuum cannot achieve this.
Also, if you make multiple cuts to simulate a dado (I do this a lot), or if you have a weak saw that needs multiple passes to make a cut at full depth, the open slot left by this will act as a guide to direct dust back through. I can watch a ribbon of dust shoot out of that slot as I cut (I have good lighting on my saw). Tenoning is also messy for me, and I've been thinking about how to improve this (a "guard" with paint brush edges perhaps).
Here is something I knocked out recently.
That's a piece of 1-1/4" EMT elbow squeezed to round on one end and flattened a little on the other to fit the router's opening, welded to a cutoff of shelf bracket that fits the hose clamp. Since the router spins in one direction, it throws dust in a predictable path, and this catches 100% of what it generates, even though it seems to be visually quite "open". The actual Bosch base clogs up, and makes things run way too hot. This lets the dust go right into the vacuum, and keeps the airflow keeping things cool.
With the tablesaw, most cuts will direct dust down through the table insert. All it takes is just a little downdraft there to keep the dust contained. The problem is that most saws are so open underneath that a vacuum cannot achieve this.
Also, if you make multiple cuts to simulate a dado (I do this a lot), or if you have a weak saw that needs multiple passes to make a cut at full depth, the open slot left by this will act as a guide to direct dust back through. I can watch a ribbon of dust shoot out of that slot as I cut (I have good lighting on my saw). Tenoning is also messy for me, and I've been thinking about how to improve this (a "guard" with paint brush edges perhaps).
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I have a Festool dust extractor and along with a Bosch. I also have a 3hp JDS Cyclone
http://jdstools.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/3HP-Cyclone-3100CK.jpg
With that being said, it can be a real pain in the *** at times to use 'dust collection'! It's gotten to the point where I will just go out into the driveway or behind the garage and do something. You are never going to get all the dust. I have a little 18v Makita blower that I use to blow off all my tools and to get the dust out from under things. Then I sweep it up and break out my gas leaf blower and blow out the garage
Don't get me wrong - there are times when you need dust collection - like when you're running the planer and you don't want the chips falling back on the board and getting imprinted by the rollers. But for those other times, I have to wonder is it really worth it?
http://jdstools.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/3HP-Cyclone-3100CK.jpg
With that being said, it can be a real pain in the *** at times to use 'dust collection'! It's gotten to the point where I will just go out into the driveway or behind the garage and do something. You are never going to get all the dust. I have a little 18v Makita blower that I use to blow off all my tools and to get the dust out from under things. Then I sweep it up and break out my gas leaf blower and blow out the garage
Don't get me wrong - there are times when you need dust collection - like when you're running the planer and you don't want the chips falling back on the board and getting imprinted by the rollers. But for those other times, I have to wonder is it really worth it?
ALinCarolina
Well-known member
Like many things, it depends on how much you can afford and how much room you have. There is also a difference in chip collection vs. dust collection. A lot of smaller units when hooked up to a saw or planer will appear to work great because they collect all the chips which sure makes for easier cleanup but doesn't do all that much for your respiratory health. Get the largest you can afford and fit in. Ideally this would be cyclone and be in a separate room or enclosure for noise reduction.
If you need to settle for less then yes I would go for 2 hp at least and minimize the amount of flexible duct.
If you need to settle for less then yes I would go for 2 hp at least and minimize the amount of flexible duct.