Basic DC questions

[Matt Day]

All,

I've been contemplating getting a DC system (right now I just hold my breath :p ) for a while now. My basement shop is ~15' x 15', and I keep the windows open in the summer. I also can't justify spending $1000 on a cyclone for the amount of time I WW, I'd like to spend more around the $200 mark. I don't mind sweeping up chips from the planer or router, but I do mind the fine dust that hovers in the shop after using a sander or tablesaw.

I'd need to make my tablesaw (old Rockwell contractor style) enclosed and include a dust port, which shouldn't be that big of a deal, and the rest of my tools have 2" ports (BS, router, sander) except my planer which has a 4".

I think I have two avenues.

1) Get the HF DC with the Wyn filters as described in other threads. This should take care of chips, but how would I handle fine dust after hand sanding or using the ROS?

2) Get a ceiling mounted style air filtration system (like a Jet AFS500). This should eliminate most if not all of the airborne dust, right?

As I said, my current concern is airborne fine dust. If I do go with avenue 2, would it be obsolete if I got the HF DC down the line?

Thanks for the input, and sorry for being long winded.
-Matt

[Brian Parker]

I'm looking at getting a DC from PennState which runs ~250 I think, but since you seem to have a smaller shop and most of your tools have the smaller port why not hook your shop vac up to the ports to pick up the bigger stuff and get a ceiling mounted system to handle the smaller airborne particles.

[Michael Ballent]

The main concern is that you want to get the dust at the source. For a ROS, biscuit joiner, router etc., the best tool for that is a shop vac of some sort, and always buy tools that have a mechanism to collect the dust.

For hand sanding you will want to either build or buy a down draft table to suck the dust out as you hand sand.

The box dust collectors that hang off the ceiling should NEVER be used as the primary way to collect dust. Once it's in the air you are able to breath it. Odds are that your lungs are do some of the filtering as well. ;)

The single stage DCs are ok and I suspect that the dust canisters will do a much better job than the 30 micron filter bags, so the HF unit would help a lot. Remember that the particles that will do the most damage are the ones that are 30 microns and smaller.

Since I work in garage and live in Phoenix, I just place my DC outside as I work with various tools. During the summer I place a swamp cooler behind me that pushes air out the door. Best of luck on your search :D

[Chris Fite]

The dust in the air is the hazard. The chips on the floor can be swept into a dustpan. The dust is best collected at the source. You can get a serviceable dust collector for under $250. It will keep one machine at a time under control. Read Bill Pentz's site before going in cheap on dust collection. http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/index.cfm

[Matt Day]

Thanks for the replies. I think for now I'm going to get a the Shop Vac Ulta Pro 12 gallon, which comes with a 2 1/2" hose. I've found they're around $85 online, but I'll also get some bags and the HEPA filter, which brings the total to about $130. I'll use this for the mean time at each tool, and if I'm satisfied I'll stay with it. Otherwise, I'll keep it around for general use and either buy a bigger DC or build a cyclone (too much $$ right now). The HF DC was my other option, but after an upgraded bag and filter, it puts it well over $200.

[Brian Parker]

Matt since you are going with a shop vac have you considered the Mini CV06 Cyclone? Its only $165 shipped to your door and it hooks right up to your shop vac, heres a link http://www.clearvuecyclones.com/Order_Page.html

If you want they demo it and you can see the video at:
http://clearvuecyclones.com/router.mpg

[Andrew Shaber]

I think you'll be fairly happy with the vac. The biggest issue with shop vacs is the loud noise. I have a muffler on my craftsman and it cut the volume significantly. it is just a piece of 3" pvc lined with foam with 2.5-3" couplers on each end.

[Matt Day]

I ordered a Craftsman 16 gallon 6 HP (on sale for $80) this morning, along with the HEPA filter and the muffler (totalled $130). I'll pick it up after work. I think I made the right call, since I'll be able to use it for so many other things too (like cleaning out my car!).

[Matt Day]

Just a follow up:

After some backorders, I finally got the muffler and HEPA filter installed. Before the filter was put in there was a lot of dust in the air after using the shop vac in the shop. I actually avoided using it b/c it would just filter the large dust out and spit the small stuff out (what I wanted to get rid of in the first place!). With the HEPA installed I can use it all I want and the air is clean as can be. The Cleanstream is a great $32 investment!

[Don Baer]

Matt since you are going with a shop vac have you considered the Mini CV06 Cyclone? Its only $165 shipped to your door and it hooks right up to your shop vac, heres a link http://www.clearvuecyclones.com/Order_Page.html

If you want they demo it and you can see the video at:
http://clearvuecyclones.com/router.mpg

Hey Brian,
Thanks for sharing. That mini cyclone is impressive and for those of us who are DC impared I believe this offers a very good low cost option.

BTW here is the correct link

http://clearvuecyclones.com/ShopVacVideoSmall.wmv