dust collector for small shop


One concern about using PVC is the possibility of static electricity building up and causing a spark in your collector. To choose the right dust collector for your shop, you'll need to consider the air volume requirements of the tools in your shop and also the amount of static pressure your dust collector will have to overcome. On the other hand, in a large shop with several stationary tools, a larger collector might be the only way to capture the chips and dust. Some, like the jointer are stationary and are permanently connected to the system, but others, like the thickness planer are on a wheeled stand and are rolled out of the way after use. A broom and dust pan can handle the job just fine, although Ive become fond of a floor sweeper that attaches to a dust collector. From a workhorse basic to bells and whistles. For example, any blockages in the ductwork will cause a severe restriction. Most collectors have dual 4 intake ports. By closing the door, you reduce the airflow in the network, focusing it on an open gate. The ducting in our 400 square foot shop consists of 4 flexible hoses connected to most machines. Can you recommend a dust collector for my small shop that is NOT made in China? Its tempting to think that a good shop vacuum can solve all dust-collection issues. The higher the airflow, the greater the capability of the collector. I usually empty the bag when it's half full. But the collectors marketed for home woodworkers have very different capabilities. That said, chopsaws are pretty messy no matter whats hooked up to them because most have not been designed with highly effective dust capturing capability. But honestly, its tough to get excited about spending money on tools that, well, collect dust. Adding a cyclone lid (leevalley.com) and trashcan to this type of set up will greatly increase your chip storage capacity and reduce how frequently youll be emptying the vacuum canister. In my case, Im remodeling a housetrimwork, cabinets, and built-insand working out of a two-car garage. And the planning process might make you rethink the way you lay out the tools in your shop. MEDIUM. Collectors of this size are about as large as you can go without requiring 220-volt service to your shop. These cartridges capture dust down to 1 micron and the pleated filter provides an extremely large surface area to improve filtration. To channel your dust collector's airflow from a particular tool, you need to be able to close off the unused portions of the network. If your shop covers more space than a good sized two car garage, or you frequently have two or more people using machinery at the same time, you may need more than one of the dust collectors mentioned above to do an adequate job. The drawing above is a good example. Since it's easier to empty the barrel than it is to remove and replace the bag, this can be a handy addition to your system. PVC. Keep your collector close to the dust. Dust collectors are loud, and you should always wear hearing protectors when they are on. The result is the static pressure loss for the machine. dust collector freight harbor april wilkerson woodworking thien modify baffle 2hp separator plans wynn wood tools 35a setup filter pre Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more. High-quality collectors are available at several different price levels. This is referred to as static pressure(SP) loss. Just give the handle a few turns and paddles will knock loose most of the dust.

Craftex (busybeetools.com), has both 110 and 220 volt models. That might be true when working with only small benchtop tools that dont include a jointer and planer. So while they do a good enough job collecting the fine dust and smaller wood chips from power tools (random orbital sanders, router tables, circular saws and the like) they are unsuitable for shop machinery. Its always good to get the longest warranty that you can on shop machinery. Used as a portable dust collection system (moved from tool to tool), dust collectors in this class will produce ample air velocity and volume to handle chip removal for even the largest home shop tools. You'll find any collection system works best when you keep the duct runs as short as possible. You can provide some baffled ventilation to aerate the room and contain the noise. hose that comes with a typical shop vacuum is too large in diameter for easy hookup, plus they are stiff and bulky. But for smaller, handheld tools like the circular saw or orbital sanders, a shop vacuum will do the trick. When the collection bag fills up, that volume is decreased and so is the effectiveness of your collector. Subscribe to our newsletter and get FREE videos and tips every week! Anatole Burkin is an author and woodworker who lives in Santa Rosa, Calif. Typically, small 1HP collectors have an air flow capacity of about 400 to 650CFM. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building. Getting into this routine will reduce your risk of a fire and will leave the bag empty and ready for a new session in the shop. This way, large chips are collected in the barrel. For your dust collector to be effective, it should be equipped with a bag capable of filtering out fine dust particles. No matter how fancy, these machines just dont have the cachet of sleek hand tools or powerful machines that cut and shape wood. The 2-12-in.-dia. Second, since the metal is grounded, there's no need to be concerned about a static discharge sparking the dust inside the collector and causing a fire. If you only use your shop in the summer then placing the collector in a weatherproof outdoor enclosure is another option, though this might be problematic if you dont live in the country and have neighbours that prefer more quite dust-free outdoor pursuits in the summer. If you have a larger shop and want to set up a duct system connected to multiple tools, the 1 1/2 -hp, 1100-1200 CFM models, like the one shown in the main photo are just the ticket. Quick and easy change. Typically equipped with a 1-hp motor and rated to generate around 700 CFM, this style is a good choice for a small shop with only a few stationary power tools. The next step up is a collector like the one shown below. You need to do this for each machine in your shop. Here are some tips and suggestions for choosing and employing a dust collector to your best advantage. (I'll address this concern a little later.). Both were up to the task and handled every situation presented in my shop. Invest in a smaller-diameter hose, which allows for easier hookup and more freedom of movement. A ceiling-mounted air filter can grab the finest particles that end up suspended in the air. Another general rule for keeping your system at its highest efficiency is to avoid 90 bends when possible. I tried out a few dust collectors that represent the different sizes and styles. But to cut to the chase, here are the key points: For respirators, use one rated for fine particles (N95 rating) as the last stand against sawdust. With a host of attachments & fittings available, the Dust Right system can give you complete dust collection in a small package with a price to match. Only open the blast gate for the machine you are using. They will also be more suitable if you move to a larger shop in the future. All of these hoses and fittings impose a resistance on the air flow, but by keeping the runs as short and straight as possible with tight fitting connections, our 1 HP Delta 50-850 provides enough suction to clear all of the debris we can throw at it. Shop Machines Project Guide. After that, it's easy to build just about any configuration. In a central dust collection system, the dust collector stays in one place in the shop and is connected to the woodworking tools it services with a system of ductwork. They have a very good reputation. For carvers primarily using hand tools, a simple broom and dustpan will make quick work of cleaning up wood chips. But the thing I like about the Steel City collector is that it comes with a 1-micron filter bag as standard equipment. In-depth articles, up-close photography, and detailed illustrations. There's a minimum amount of set-up involved - the dust collector connects to the dust collection port of the tool it's servicing with a short length of flexible hose and a keyed hose clamp. In addition to the size of the collector, you'll find two important ratings: the horsepower (hp) of the motor, and the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of airflow the unit is capable of generating. dust bench sanding lumberjocks projects The photo below shows you what I mean. With prices ranging from $319 (King) to $429 (Samona) youre bound to find the right collector that fits your budget. These collectors typically have an air flow capacity of from 1,000 to 1,600 CFM. You can usually incorporate two 45 elbows instead and accomplish the same result, but without restricting airflow as much. Adding a dust collector may be one of the best investments you can make for your health and safety. Toolless clamps and fittings. FLEXIBLE HOSE. Power sanders create very fine dust and are good candidates for a hookup to a shop vacuum. Try to keep the biggest dust producers closest to the collector and add a blast gate for each tool. Periodically give the filter a shake to clear the excess cake. Get complete site access to video workshops, digital plans library, online archive, and more, plus the print magazine. Or you may just need a larger dust collector. Keep fittings, particularly T-connectors and elbows, to a minimum. Is it OK to copy projects from the magazine? Another frequent cause of reduced airflow is dust buildup in the filter bag or canister. With these larger collectors you can set up fixed collection ducts for added convenience. We occasionally run the jointer or thickness planer while the table saw is running. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building! START WITH A LAYOUT. This means you can hook up a collection pipe to each of your stationary tools and capture the dust and chips with the flip of a switch. The good news is there are enough options on the market to suit just about any size shop. When it comes to managing dust, treat the various machines and tools in your shop differently based on how much dust they create.

Cartridge filters have a large surface area, which allows the machine to breathe better (improving airflow) and include internal flapper arms, which allow the user to brush off dust inside the cartridge, keeping them operating more efficiently. Increasingly youll see the filter bags on this style of collector being replaced by canister (cartridge) filters. Dust collector manufacturers also offer black plastic fittings to be used with hose as a ducting option. In large production shops and other industrial settings, metal ductwork is standard. USE GENTLE BENDS. The key to putting together a PVC system is a special adapter from Rockler to make the initial connection to the collector. air cleaner homemade fan dust diy cage squirrel homemadetools garage collector plans workshop tools furnace woodshop booth paint fans system Some of these collectors can have trouble starting when on a circuit with other machinery or if the circuit is at a distance from the panel. taking big cuts.

On the downside, the filter bag also doubles as the collection bag. Anatole Burkin suggests using a three-pronged approach to attack dust before it has a chance to endanger your health and dirty your workshop. That's why I leave a few connections with only a friction fit and no glue. To make things more difficult, I live in a community with strict homeowners association rules that prohibit turning a garage into a permanent workshop. Use the largest diameter possible for your ducting to allow the impeller to move a sufficient volume of air to carry the chips easily. In our shop we occasionally run the table saw and jointer or thickness planer at the same time, so we need a collector with a minimum CFM rating of 800 CFM (350 for the table saw and 450 for the planer or jointer).

Youll get maximum performance from these collectors by connecting them directly to a machine as needed, and keeping the collector hose as short as possible, certainly no longer than six feet. Without the ability to capture and hold particles 1 micron in size and smaller, a dust collector becomes nothing more than a system to recirculate the dust and keep it airborne. Your order will come with a return form with convenient instructions, or you may send your returns directly to Returns Department, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 4365 Willow Drive, Medina, MN 55340. Large dust collectors often incorporate a cyclone separator to collect the larger chips before they arrive at the impeller and bag. Good dust collection system design will go along way in making dust collectors in this class perform well in a central dust collection system. Chopsaws, routers, and biscuit joiners also can be handled by a shop vacuum, which can generate close to 100 cfm. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. For a system like this, you can use 6 diameter hose. Also, a central system is permanently connected to your tools, meaning that you can move from tool to tool freely, without having to stop work to transfer the dust collector's connection. Shavings will combust much more easily than a solid block of wood and will help a fire spread with lightning speed, while finer dust makes walking on a smooth floor that much more slippery. The Dust Right Wall Mount Dust Collector is an excellent choice for a small woodworking operation where an affordable solution is the goal. For our system then, we need a collector with a minimum SP of 3.42 (1.32 SP for the table saw + 1.1 SP for the planer and 1 SP to account for air leakage and the caking on the filter bag).

Most shop vacuum manufacturers have dedicated adapters that make changing from one tool to another easy. Theres a lot to learn about the types of dust collectors and filters, and for more on the topic, check out A Revolution in Dust Collection, FWW #223 (Tools & Shops 2012). For international returns, please click here. For bags, you can remove them and in most cases even wash them to remove excessive buildup. Dust collectors rely on a large volume of air coming in and going out to create airflow. No matter how careful you are about laying out and installing the ductwork, there are still things that can cause it to lose some of its collection power over time. Then multiply the number of feet by .055 if you will be using 4 ducting; .042 for 5 ducting; or .035 for 6 ducting. After a certain point though, too much cake on the inside of the dust collector begins to hinder the airflow through the entire dust collection system. When floor space is tight. Performance will also be affected by the size of piping you use and the style, number and location of fittings (such as elbows, Y-connectors, T-connectors, and blast gates).

Along with the increase in power, these production-oriented units typically incorporate larger collection bags to minimize time spent making room for more dust. The easiest way to do this is to incorporate blast gates (photo below) into the design.

Although highly unlikely, the impact of a piece of metal on a metal impeller could create a spark or cause a piece of hot metal to smoulder in the collection bag, so it is a good practice to empty the collection bag at the end of every shop session. The smaller volume of fine dust created by chopsaws, routers, and sanders can be handled by a shop vacuum. If you have a very small shop, you probably don't want to give up the floor space required by the larger collectors. Invariably, the object is to reduce the impact the piping has on the efficiency of the system. Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox. These motors take a few seconds to come up to full speed. As you can see in this photo, the Jet canister also features "sweepers" to help remove dust from the pleats. cyclone mini dust vacuum homemade collector diy cleaner blower shopvac deputy modification lumberjocks projects woodworking air workshop mreza homemadetools sucker Your email address will not be published. Finer and fewer dust particles dont require as much air volume. Shop vacuums arent suitable for a job that big. A good place to start is to make a scale drawing of your shop and tools to experiment with different layouts. Manufacturer guarantees/warranties for power tools, CNC and laser products will supersede the Rockler Guarantee if these items are damaged or defective. Units similar to this are sold by a number of different manufacturers. Thanks, This is a big step up from trying to collect dust with a shop vacuum. filter air workshop diy dust box bird fan purifier cleaner dander lumberjocks collector wood garage lungs projects plans woodworking woodshaver Rather than using expensive test equipment, I simply tried to find out how well each performed on common shop tasks like collecting chips from a planer. 10030CF M1) and a wall-mounted machine (Grizzly Industrial model No. While there isnt much that can go wrong on a dust collector, you dont want to be stuck having to foot the price of repairs. Considering what they provide (a clean shop and healthy lungs), dust collectors are a sound investment and provide excellent value for the money. Our most popular products based on sales. Use a dust collector for bigger, stationary machines, a shop vacuum for handheld tools, and round things out with an overhead air filtration system combined with a dust mask. When a power tool plugged into the vacuum is turned on, the vacuum starts automatically. It's small enough to move around the shop as needed and conveniently hangs on the wall, out of the way of your tools. For the full article, download the PDF below: Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers. King KC-3105C $319.00 kingcanada.com Metal ductwork offers a couple of advantages. These have the strength to survive unscathed after an encounter with a large chunk of wood or metal. One of the few is made by Oneida: https://www.oneida-air.com/dust-collectors. Bags rated at 1-micron are dense enough to capture the particles most dangerous to your health. Dust collectors in this class are typically rated at a maximum static pressure of 8+ inches of water, making them powerful enough for a hobbyist's basement or one car garage sized shop. A 3/4 -hp, 650 CFM collector, like the wall-mounted unit shown below might be the perfect solution for a small shop. Craftex CT095N $369.00 busybeetools.com SIZE MATTERS. SYSTEM MAINTENANCE. dust collector freight harbor april wilkerson woodworking thien modify baffle 2hp separator plans wynn wood tools 35a setup filter pre For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The materials Im using range from rough lumber to sheet goods. As the cake builds up it restricts the particle size that will pass through the filter media, which is a good thing. The bags provide between 12 and 20 square feet of filter area. grizzly Delta 50-760 $419.00 deltaportercable.com In fact, grounding kits, like the one shown above, are available for this very purpose. All the models we looked at come with an optional canister filter except the Steel City. Moving up to a 5 HP dust collector will typically get you a whopping 4500+ CFM to keep bulky shavings moving along with plenty of static pressure to overcome long runs of amply-sized ductwork. Even though the 1 1/2 -hp collectors are powerful, it's still a good idea to only have one gate open at a time to keep up a strong airflow to pull dust and chips. The only problem with metal ductwork is that it's expensive. It mounts in seconds with simple (included) brackets. As the motor comes to speed there will be a great in-rush of current to the motor and this can sometimes trip the circuit breaker. Switching from 120 to 220 volts typically requires altering a couple of connections in the motors junction box or if in doubt; follow the manufacturer instructions, or hire an electrician to do it for you. 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