Dust Collector Advice Please!

[SethThompson]

I'm thinking about purchasing a dust collector for my home shop and wanted to see what someone more experienced thinks.

I'm mainly a hobbyist, but lately have been trying to get more paid jobs. The volume of woodworking I do will likely be increasing greatly over the next year or so.

Right now I am looking at the Powermatic PM1300tx (MSRP $850), and the JET DC 1100VX-CK (MSRP $700).

I would be willing to go above this price range, but not a tremendous amount. Am I missing any serious downsides to these two models? Are there good options in this price range I'm overlooking? I mainly don't want this to be a purchase I regret in a year. Just hoping to buy the right tool the first time around.

Thanks for any and all advice.

Seth

 

[rljatl]

I'm certainly no expert on dust collectors, but aren't cyclones supposed to be a lot better than the bag style?  For the kind  of money you are considering spending, I would definitely take a hard look at one of these...

Oneida

 

[SethThompson]

Thank you for the reply. I might be reading the info wrong, but does the Oneida really only move 245CFM? The powermatic moves over 1,000CFM.

Seems to me like I'm missing something about the specs.

Seth

 

[rljatl]

Don't know that much about them, but I have read that Oneida is very helpful when answering questions.  Give them a call and let us know what they say about the CFMs.

BTW, I did not mean to post a link to that specific model, just Oneida's home page.  Link has been fixed.

 

[jaguar36]

Alot of it depends on what your goals are with your DC system and what tools you are going to be hooking it up to.  Those two you mentioned will keep your work area relatively clean and capture the large sawdust chips, but you will need a mask of some sort to protect your lungs.  1000CFM also isn't a ton, and for tools that are hard to capture dust from (Lathes, Tablesaws) you want as much CFM as possible.  It'd work great for tools that have a good dust collection design though.

  Cyclones keep dust from building up on the filters, and allow for a finer filter to be used by separating out the majority of the dust, but they tend to need bigger motors and are more expensive.  (Although Grizzly has one for about the same price range).  By using a cyclone you can put a fine enough filter on the DC such that it will capture the really fine dust (0.3-0.5 micron) that can cause health issues.

 

[Cheese]

I own a Jet DC 1100C unit, 110 volt version (about 10 years old) which is the equivalent to the newer DC 1100VX-CK model, but without the Vortex Cone technology. It is connected to my table saw, jointer, planer and radial arm saw. Have not had a problem with it since it was new. It works great for me. I also added a Long Ranger remote control to it which makes life real easy. No matter which DC you purchase, be sure to include remote control.

 

[SethThompson]

After looking more at the Oneida line, I don't think I will go that route. I don't like the small amount of dust it can hold. And also don't have a ton of room to dedicate to a dust collector and a separate larger container.

I'm thinking I might get both a dust collector and an air purifier. The amount of airborne dust in my shop lately has been insane, and I hate wearing a respirator.

Thanks for the input guys.

Seth

 

[Cheese]

After looking more at the Oneida line, I don't think I will go that route. I don't like the small amount of dust it can hold. And also don't have a ton of room to dedicate to a dust collector and a separate larger container.

I'm thinking I might get both a dust collector and an air purifier. The amount of airborne dust in my shop lately has been insane, and I hate wearing a respirator.

Thanks for the input guys.

Seth

Along with the Jet DC 1100C unit, I also run a Jet AFS-1000B air filtration system. I made a metal roll-around cart for it so I can easily place it where I'm working. It too has a remote control as standard equipment.

 

[grbmds]

After looking more at the Oneida line, I don't think I will go that route. I don't like the small amount of dust it can hold. And also don't have a ton of room to dedicate to a dust collector and a separate larger container.

I'm thinking I might get both a dust collector and an air purifier. The amount of airborne dust in my shop lately has been insane, and I hate wearing a respirator.

Thanks for the input guys.

Seth

Please review the filter supplied and the size/percent dust particles filtered at the smallest size. There is at least one other discussion on this topic on the FOG; maybe more. Do the Powermatic and Jet have a HEPA filter; either standard or as an upgrade? If not, then the finest dust particles will go through the filter and into the air. These are the most harmful to your lungs. In addition, over time,  I would guess you will have a fine layer of dust on everything. I believe the Oneidas all have HEPA filters; actually a step above the usual HEPA filters. I'm not sure which Oneida you are looking at - Did you say? With 245 CFM it would likely be the Cobra which has a 2 1/2" inlet. While I have seen posts here about using the Cobra for tools like planers, I would not use a collector with only a 2 1/2" inlet for a planer. The volume of chips is too great. Dust collection and dust collectors are confusing topics. I would recommend reading as much as you can about it. There is a lot of information online. Before buying, be sure the collector will give you the result you want. Are you using the collector with one tool at a time or more than one? Which tools will you connect to? Find out the required CFM for these tools. If your workshop is connected to or in your house (like a basement), I'd recommend getting the best filtration you can afford. I have used a dust collector for tools like a table saw, jointer, planer, and band saw for years. For sanding I now have a Festool CT vac (HEPA filter). I have also used a ceiling mounting air cleaner to pull as much dust from the air as possible. Even with all that, I still almost always wear a dust mask (powered with a filter also). Because of all of this, there isn't much dust left on my tools or the floor or, more importantly, in my lungs. Even with all of this I always look for ways to improve dust collection. It's a big deal not to have a lot of fine dust floating around in the air in your shop. As far as I'm concerned Oneida is the expert in this area.

 

[ladilday]

Check out Bill Pentz's website on dust collection.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I only have a collector hooked to my planer, shaper, table saws and edge sander.

My 30" jointer dumps chips into a box under it, my 5 head tenoner will make a pile of fluffy shavings in a hurry.

I don't have any sort of air filter either.

my lathe can fill up a 55 gallon barrel in no time.

 

[Gary in Texas]

Seth,

The Jet DC will work just fine.  I've had the same unit with the canister filter for approx 14 years now, and it does a great job with both of my planers, 8" joiner, table saw, etc.....  I also have two air filtration units (a Jet and Air-Tech models) hanging from the ceiling.  No issues with dust or chips.

You can buy a comparable CFM unit for less from Grizzly, and Grizzly are now supplying all of their dust collectors with HEPA filters, either as a complete unit or an add-on.  Please note the HEPA filters add a considerable sum to the unit price.  You might consider buying the Grizzly 2HP or 3HP unit, see how it does for you, and then get the HEPA addition later if you feel it's needed. Just a thought. 

Check out the Grizzly G0440 and G0440HEP.  The HEPA filters add $570 to the unit price....

 

[jacko9]

I have the Oneida V-3000 and I don't have to worry about fine wood particles in the air.  Yes some other cheaper units can do the job but, what are you breathing?

Jack

 

[SethThompson]

I have the Oneida V-3000 and I don't have to worry about fine wood particles in the air.  Yes some other cheaper units can do the job but, what are you breathing?

Jack

Thank you for the suggestion. I've done some looking at the Oneida V series of collectors and am very impressed.

I'm intrigued that the filtration is up to 7 times more fine than the other two units I was considering. I'm thinking I will buy something in the V-series in the near future.

Thanks for the great advice, Jack.

Seth

 

[jacko9]

I have the Oneida V-3000 and I don't have to worry about fine wood particles in the air.  Yes some other cheaper units can do the job but, what are you breathing?

Jack

Thank you for the suggestion. I've done some looking at the Oneida V series of collectors and am very impressed.

I'm intrigued that the filtration is up to 7 times more fine than the other two units I was considering. I'm thinking I will buy something in the V-series in the near future.

Thanks for the great advice, Jack.

Seth

Seth,

Oneida has great customer support and they were very helpful in helping me design my shop system.  My V-3000 is in my shop and I find that the noise level is not any louder than my Planer or Jointer but, it sure is nice not to have that fine walnut dust irritating my noise and lungs.

Jack

 

[Birdhunter]

I transitioned from a bag type dust collector to 2 Oneida cyclone units and the level of airborne fine dust went from really ugly to wonderfully low. The air coming out of the Oneida units is probably cleaner than the air in my yard. The Oneida customer support has been superior. I've never had a problem with the units other than having to replace an impeller that went out of balance after 12 years of heavy use.

Here's what I have learned about the Oneida units:

Because of the strong suction, I had to use 6" ducting that was much stronger than what I could have bought at a big box store. I used the same strong ducting to step down to the 4" collection ports most of my machines use. The last few feet to each machine is 4" clear plastic spiral wire reinforced tubing.

I had to install blast gates at each machine.

I use a remote control to start and stop each Oneida unit. My dust collector remote had the same frequency as my neighbor's outdoor lighting system. Took me a while to figure out why my dust collectors were going on at dusk. He could not figure out why his outdoor lighting was going out a few minutes after it turned on.

I vacuum the pleated filter every time I empty the dust barrel. Laborious task, but needed if you want best efficiency.

Using a plastic bag inside the dust barrel makes emptying the barrel much easier. Oneida sells the bags and a large sleeve that keeps the bag from getting sucked into the works.

Wrapping all the couplings and joints reduces vacuum loss. Duct tape is OK, but I use a wide metallic looking tape that is much better.

It helps to lay out the plan for the ducting before ordering the pieces. Plan the ducting so you can add machines later.

A really good set of metal shears is required to cut the ducting. I used a duct crimping tool to fit lengths of ducting together. Today, you can buy plastic connectors to join pieces together. Much easier!

 

[jaguar36]

Because of the strong suction, I had to use 6" ducting that was much stronger than what I could have bought at a big box store.

Thats a good thing to keep in mind, when I first installed my ducting with my ClearVue, when I closed one blast gate, all my ducting collapsed.

I vacuum the pleated filter every time I empty the dust barrel. Laborious task, but needed if you want best efficiency.

Cleaning the filter helps keep airflow up, the dust buildup on a filter will actually increase the efficiency of the filter though.

 

[Cheese]

Wrapping all the couplings and joints reduces vacuum loss. Duct tape is OK, but I use a wide metallic looking tape that is much better.

I'd push on this a bit and say that fabric style duct tape will work, but it has a limited life before the adhesive dries out and the fabric starts to disintegrate, think around 5 years. The metallic tape you refer to is an acrylic adhesive backed aluminum tape used in the HVAC industry. When I apply the HVAC tape, I use a flexible plastic squeegee (the kind used to apply Bondo on cars) to smooth out all the wrinkles and ensure a tight seal. That smoothing of the tape also makes for a better looking installation. [smile]

 

[jacko9]

I have the 35 gallon collection bucket on my V-System with the fill sensor and strobe indicator which I find very useful.  I also found out they the 35 gallon bucket is one full wheel barrel of dust/chips which go right to my mulch pile.

Jack

 

[grbmds]

I am just assembling a V1500 from Oneida after using one of their first cyclones for almost 20 years. The only reason I'm upgrading is because the old ones did not have HEPA filters and, to convert mine to HEPA, would have been as difficult (less expensive of course) than upgrading to a new one. Plus the newer Oneida collectors have a much lower noise rating when operating than my old one. Otherwise, it still functions after 20 years as well as it did the first day I used it.

If you are buying for a smaller shop, will use the collector on only one machine at a time, don't mind a 17-gallon drum instead of 35, and don't mind moving the collector within 10 feet of the machine each time, the mini Gorilla may be an option. It is portable. However, if your shop is more of a permanent fixture, I'd recommend something larger, like the V system collectors. Be sure, though, that the clearance in your shop is sufficient for the height of the collector. For example, in my basement, it would be difficult to go with something other than the V1500 as the 2000 and 3000 require more clearance than I have. However, I'm sure I will be happy with the V1500 as it is very similar in CFM rating to my old one. I am looking forward to better air filtration. Cleaning the filter every time you dump the drum should only be done wit HEPA filters. If you have collector with the older kind of "spun" material, finer particles are only filter as the filter loads up. Thus, cleaning it every time actually will reduce the effectiveness until it gets too clogged. (However, I don't know what type of filters these other collectors have.)

I actually sealed my duct joints with silicone caulk (which  think Oneida suggested at the time). It has held this whole time, but I would guess taping is easier and I might do that for the duct that connects to the inlet of the collector. Oneida will help you design your duct work, which doesn't have to be anything complicated. Mine is just a single main 6" duct down the center with a couple of drops with gates for other machines. Now, all my machines are 4" but initially, I had one 5" drop for my radial arm saw which I now reduce further to 4" for my 8" jointer after rearranging my shop and dumping the radial.