Daniel Rode
07-17-2013, 10:22 AM
A while back I had a Jet 1100a 1/5 hp dust collector for my small garage shop. It came with a 30 micron bag with a canvass-like look and feel. It worked well enough but I eventually converted to a high quality canister filter that I think was 2 micron. I got better suction and far less fine dust in the shop (and my lungs).
After a 5 year hiatus, I'm returning to woodworking and purchased the 2HP Harbor Freight DC. The design is identical to my old jet but it's thinner metal with a rougher fit and finish. However, it seems very serviceable. It comes with a 5 micron bag that is made out of a felt-like material. I'm going to convert to a canister at some point this winter and those appear to be .5 micron.
Have the dust collection specs really changed that much in the last 6-8 years? The cheap included bag went from 30 micron to 5 micron and the canister filters went from 2 micron to .5?
After a 5 year hiatus, I'm returning to woodworking and purchased the 2HP Harbor Freight DC. The design is identical to my old jet but it's thinner metal with a rougher fit and finish. However, it seems very serviceable. It comes with a 5 micron bag that is made out of a felt-like material. I'm going to convert to a canister at some point this winter and those appear to be .5 micron.
Have the dust collection specs really changed that much in the last 6-8 years? The cheap included bag went from 30 micron to 5 micron and the canister filters went from 2 micron to .5?