Which dust collector

One of the most important purchases to make in a workshop that uses woodworking power tools is a dust collection system. The fine dust produced by woodworking machinery can cause respiratory problems and even cancer. Protecting your lungs should be a major priority. Dust collector systems help to reduce the amount of dust in your workshop. The more ductwork you require, the higher the cost. A single stage shop dust collection system pictured above brings the dust and chips directly into the filter bag.

Two stage dust collectors are more efficient, usually more powerful, have finer micron filters, and are more expensive. If you have to run flexible hoses or duct work long long distances between power tools, then a two stage dust collector is best for you. See the photo below:. And for cheapskates like me, I was able to modify a single stage dust collector to act more like a two stage dust collector see the photo above.

These types include standard shop vacuums, dust extractors, single-stage bag dust collectors, canister dust collectors, and cyclonic dust collectors. Before deciding on the best dust collector, consider the size of the workshop, dust collection capacity, motor power, suction, and whether a fixed or portable dust collector is better for keeping the workshop clean , in addition to several additional elements that are outlined below.

Some dust collectors, like standard shop vacuums and dust extractors, can be used in just about any workshop because they are small and portable. However, these products may be ineffective options for a workshop that has multiple users because they can only connect to one tool at a time. Larger workshops benefit from bag and canister dust collectors because they can be set up in a central location in order to collect the dust from multiple tools at the same time.

The amount of dust that is regularly collected, as well as the frequency with which the dust collector is emptied, are two factors that affect your decision when it comes to dust collectors because while these tools are made for collecting dust, they still have a finite amount of debris that the bag or canister can hold. This is referred to as the dust collection capacity. For large workshops that regularly produce a high amount of dust and debris, it is best to opt for a dust collector with a dust collection capacity of at least 5 cubic feet.

Smaller workshops or small hand tools can use smaller bags or canisters, though they will need to be emptied more frequently. The power output and air suction potential are determined by the horsepower of the motor, as well as the volume of air that the dust collector can move, which is measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM. Motor power is measured in horsepower HP and dust collector motors will typically fall between 0. The air volume or suction ability of the dust collector can be about to CFM for shop vacs and dust extractors, but typically a dust collector will have about to CFM.

However, busy workshops may require a dust collector with an air suction power rating of 1, CFM or higher to adequately provide suction power to multiple tools at once. Dust collectors come in several different types based on motor power, suction ability, and dust collection system, but these tools can also be separated by their portability. Typically, a dust collector is a portable tool that is either light enough to carry or it has a wheeled base or frame that can be used to move the tool around the workshop.

However, this style of dust collector takes up floor space and can become a tripping hazard. Mounted or fixed dust collectors are installed on the wall or ceiling to help save space in a crowded workshop. Just connect the hoses to the dust collector and turn it on to start cleaning up the work space. By trapping large debris and dust particles in the filter, the dust collector can continue to work at a high level of suction power without the user having to worry about clogs.

Filter efficiency is typically measured by the minimum size of particle the filter can capture, or the absolute micron rating. For instance, a high-efficiency filter may have an absolute micron rating of 1 micron, indicating that it will stop particles and debris larger than 1 micron at least 95 percent of the time. The average dust collector filter will have an absolute micron rating of about 2.

Many manufacturers include features that are not strictly necessary for the dust collector to function, but they help to increase product efficacy and improve on the dust collector design. Some examples include remote controls, noise-reducing insulation, handles, wheels, and hose storage spaces. The list of top products below is made up of several different types of dust collector that were selected based on dust collection capacity, motor power, suction, filter efficiency, and overall value in order to help you find the best dust collector to keep the workshop clean.

This bag dust collector from Shop Fox helps to keep users safe with a built-in safety switch that must be operated with a removable key. The 1 HP motor provides enough power to generate up to CFM of air suction power, making it easy to keep the work area clean while sanding, grinding, or cutting. When the dust and debris are pulled into the dust collector, pieces of wood or metal that are larger than 2.

The combination of high air suction power, good air filter efficiency, and voluminous dust collection capacity are primary contributors to the success of this product. Because they are designed to withstand harsh conditions, baghouse filters typically have a longer service life than cartridges, which reduces filter replacement frequency. Higher cost. Because baghouse dust collector units are large and often need to be customized, their initial investment is high.

Require large amounts of space. Some industrial baghouse dust collectors have a large footprint. For this reason, baghouse dust collectors are often housed outdoors or inside a large facility that has ample space. High maintenance. For shaker and reverse air baghouses, personnel must enter the unit to replace bags, which requires the machines to be offline, and it can expose personnel to toxic dust. In addition, reverse air baghouse filters need to be cleaned frequently and residual dust buildup is difficult to remove.

High air-to-cloth ratio. Reverse air and shaker baghouse filters have a higher air-to-cloth ratio than cartridge filters. This is because there is less media per filter. Fume and smoke collectors — also called fume extractors — capture and filter ambient dust, fumes and weld smoke in an operation where limited space is available. The two types of fume extractors are ceiling-hung and portable. Applications for fume extractors include welding, fabrication, brazing, thermal spray and metal cutting.

Units are compact. Portable and ceiling-hung fume extractors take up little or no floor space. They can be placed on a tabletop or mounted on a stand with casters. Low installation cost. Since fume and smoke collectors are compact and do not require building penetration for external venting, they are less expensive to install than other types of dust collectors.

Energy savings. Fume collector systems recirculate filtered air within the facility, preventing heat loss and the development of negative air pressure inside. Depending on the application, the filters of portable fume extractors with fume hoods must be replaced regularly. The person changing the filter must also check all components of the system for best performance. Less powerful. Portable fume collectors filter less air than larger systems and are not suitable for a heavy fume load.

Downdraft dust collection tables and benches provide a ventilated work surface where dust, fumes and smoke are collected at the source.

The flat, elevated work surface has a perforated grate where particulates are captured by the built-in vacuum system below. Dirty air is typically filtered through cartridge filters and the particulates are collected into removable dust drawers.

Applications for downdraft tables and benches include welding; plasma cutting; sanding; grinding; buffing, finishing, and polishing; woodworking; paint fumes; pharmaceuticals; and composite and plastic fabrication.

Ideal for isolated areas. Downdraft dust collection systems provide self-contained filtration for small, dusty work areas within a larger facility. Downdraft dust collector systems recirculate filtered air within the facility, preventing heat loss and the development of negative air pressure inside. Downdraft cartridge filters are usually cleaned through an automated pulse-jet process and particulates are collected in removable easy to access dust drawers.

Some downdraft tables and benches can be raised or lowered, so workers can adjust the height of their workspace to accommodate different size components. Downdraft tables and benches can be designed to filter metalworking fumes, smoke, wet dust, powders and ultrafine particles.

Downdraft systems are available in stationary and portable configurations and can be customized without having to retrofit an integrated dust collection system.