Check to see if it was a third party gray market store or was it actually from the Rockler store online at Amazon

Visit the ROCKLER Store
"Sold by Rockler Woodworking and Hardware and Fulfilled by Amazon. "
The above is there a link from Amazon to their store they promote products at.

If your invoice shows that it was sold at Amazon buy Rockler you have a leg to stand on for their 90 day no question returns.

 

My two Amazon receipts show Rockler was the seller/supplier. Sent to Rockler but said it was not them? And they won't make good on the return. So I own a $120 dust collector that is basically useless. I could stack cut-offs in the bin and roll it around the floor.

 

Make sure you contact Amazon Customer Service (via phone) also about your issue/experience. They've always been helpful with me for any vendor issues, and have in the past reimbursed me, instead of awaiting for the vendor's actions. Don't forget to mention the part about not accepting their receipt as purchase proof. A printed copy of your Amazon receipt is no different than a store receipt.

 

My two Amazon receipts show Rockler was the seller/supplier. Sent to Rockler but said it was not them? And they won't make good on the return. So I own a $120 dust collector that is basically useless. I could stack cut-offs in the bin and roll it around the floor.

 

My guess is that this dust separator would not work well with any planer. It's meant to be used with vacuums, and vacuums just can't keep up with the amount of dust a chips a planer produces.

I mean, you say you planed a dozen boards. How many times did you empty the bucket on the separator?

Plenty of reasons to be careful buying things from Rockler (or almost any big chain store), but this sounds like user error.

 

The planer was connected to the outlet on the separator. 16 gal shop vac was connected to other outlet on the separator. Separator never collected anything, maybe two inches of wood chips after dozen boards.

 

this was on my invoice. the phone number is Rockler

 

This is my Amazon invoice.

 

There are two distinct issues here: (1) Rockler dust separator does not capture chips and sawdust from a DeWalt planer, and (2) Rockler is not accepting the return.

(1) Rockler Dust Separator Does Not Capture Chips and Sawdust from Planer
I went to Rockler's website and found this dust separator:
https://www.rockler.com/dust-right-dust-separator

What caught my attention was the 4th photo in Rockler's listing, showing the white underside of the lid with two 90 degree angle hose fittings. It looks similar to the dust separator that I bought from Woodcraft. The Woodcraft dust separator I have was discontinued a long time ago. It had the same issue as your Rockler dust separator - not capturing chips and dust. I recently replaced it with an Oneida Dust Deputy Low Pro. See this thread:
https://www.lumberjocks.com/threads...hreads/oneida-dust-deputy-low-pro-low-profile-dust-separator-good-or-bad.357310

(Added later: Few shop vacs or dust separators can take the full output of a DeWalt 735 planer. The planer has its own fan motor to eject chips at a high rate. Many people just put a long hose in the bottom of a large trash can.)

(2) Rockler is Not Accepting the Return
@TonyWoodsy bought the dust separator from Amazon, not Rockler's own website. When you buy from Amazon, Rockler must give a percentage of the sale to Amazon, and conform to Amazon's requirements like "Prime shipping". If you buy from Rockler's website, then Rockler manages the sale and shipping, so Rockler can support their guarantee. Since you bought from Amazon, Rockler expects you to manage the return through Amazon.

If you order a Rubbermaid trash can from Target and it is defective, you return the trash can to Target, not Rubbermaid.

 

Well spoken! Thanks for the feedback though not sure I understand the Target /Rubbermaid reference. Just got done testing the Dust Separator with my Sliding Mitre and Table Saw. It barely collects anything. More proof that Rockler is selling a product that does not work and should be discontinued. Looking back, biggest mistake I made was to not try the unit with in the 30 day Amazon return window. Have always had success with Amazon in that respect. Due to illness, I didn't get to open the box for 2+ months. It was then that I got to use it and realized the unit did not work was advertised. Then started the "dance" with Rockler.

Yep if they would have disclosed that the unit could not handle the Dewalt planer then I would not have purchased it. Oh Well, it still makes a good (expensive) collection bin for cutoffs.

 

@Eeyore
I did not see where he said he had a dust separator in between or mentioned one I think his biggest gripe is that they're 90-day return policy.

I have a homemade one similar to shown below to go between my vacuum system dust collection.
the planer I have a DeWalt 735 it puts that way more wood chips than my small dust collector that I have can handle.

Mine is a simple small craftsman shop vac (also ridgid one makes just like it) with the Home Depot version of a dust separator ahead of it.

the DW735 internal fan will over run the shop vacuum

so there is a air relief via of the white dust bag.
the loose hose goes to the planer.

 

Have you tried initiating the return through Amazon?

 

Yes, but not possible. It's outside the Amazon 30 day window.

 

The Rubbermaid / Target example was that if you buy a Rubbermaid trash can from Target, then you are expected to return it through Target, not Rubbermaid. Thus you buy your Rockler dust separator from Amazon, you return it through Amazon. You are constrained through Amazon's return policy, not Rockler's. Sorry to see that the return window is closed.

There is a limit to how much chips and sawdust a shop vac and separator can take. All planers can eject a lot of chips and sawdust quickly. If you plane a deep enough cut in a wide enough board, I bet it would overwhelm any shop vac separator combo. You may be expecting too much from your setup.

Some planers have a built-in fan motor that eject chips on their own very quickly. My DeWalt DW735 planer does that. My shop vac and separator can barely keep up, and I take very shallow cuts.

 

I also have the DeWalt 735 planer and it really pushes out the chips! For now I'm going to find a decent micron collection bag and connect it directly to planer and work near the open garage door. But come winter time, when the garage door is closed, I'll need to come up with better collection system that can keep up with the planer. What separator are you using?

 

From the picture posted. Seems like you needed to check & clean the filter (on your shop vac) more often for proper performance. I'm assuming your talking about the Rockler #45556. Then you need to empty the 10 gallon bucket & shop vac more often. And not wait till the buckets are full.

For kicks & giggles, I checked the Rockler website, to see which dust separator you're referring to. Per the description, you hooked the Rockler #45556 up to a shop vac. I will agree. The quick video that Rockler posted with this unit, is very miss leading. Showing how plugged the filter can get, to entice you to get a separator. In the video, they lifted the shop vac lid to show a very plugged filter. If you notice, the Shop vac bucket was over filled with dust. Common sense will tell you, if the dust won't drop into a bucket with no space for the dust to drop, the dust has no choice- but to plug the filter.

In the video, the shop vac used, looks like a 5 gallon, shop vac. If you're using a 5-8 gallon size shop vac, it's not really designed to pull the shavings/chips out of a Planer (sufficiently). Now, if you're using a 20 gallon Shop Vac, the suction is greater than a 5-8 gallon shop Vac. If you have too much suction, the dust/chips/shavings may not be able to drop down into the bucket. Since the 20 gallon shop Vac is pulling more cfm.

This is where a separator with a "Thien Baffle" may be to your advantage. Using your shop vac. Here's a quick video that may help with what you need. How to Make ● Simple Cyclone Dust Collector (youtube.com)

 

Thanks for your feedback. Yes the Rockler #45556 unit. Actually the Vac filter was brand new and got clogged after short usage (12 narrow boards) taking very shallow cuts on the planer. There was a small amount (less than 2") of wood chips in the dust collectors bin.

You bring up a good point about having "too much suction" given the vac size and CFM combined with the planer's ejection capability. I'm using a 16 gal 5hp shop vac. I didn't run the numbers but it seems obvious that I have too much suction hence the lack of chips in the dust separators bin.

 

Planers blow out their own chips so no vac is needed. Put a bag on the planer output port and call it good. No separator or vac needed.

Shop cat not included!

 

Planers blow out their own chips so no vac is needed.

Not ALL benchtop planers include a blower to aid chip removal.
I.E. YMMV

IME everything sold at Rockrap has exaggerated marketing, and often fails to users meet expectations.
But you never know this, as they REMOVE all reviews from both the Rockler and Amazon web store with low ratings, or that mention performance problems.

Never trust, always verify in an independent forum, any Rockler items before purchase.

 

I would buy a dust deputy from Oneida. They are professionals at dust and chip collection. And less money than rockler I believe. I use one with my 19/38 drum sander. The shop vac filter stays clean, and the dust deputy excels at separation. It fits on whatever size collection container you need. For the sander, I only need a five gallon bucket. I agree it doesn't put out the volume of a planer, so you will need a large fiber drum or trash can, but it definitely cleans the air stream. Eventually I will get the sander connected to my DC.

 

A planer is one of those tools like a mitersaw that makes dust collection a challenge. I have a 2hp Grizzly ducted through hvac ducts that will handle my 12" Porter Cable planer pretty well. I use it so seldom I usually just take it out back of the shop and eject the chips into the flowerbeds. That's where I put the chips anyway. Saves having to empty the bag. Shop vacs just don't have enough cfm to get the job done.

 

I didn't go back through the rep[lies to see if this was mentioned, but did you check to make sure the container was ait tight (no leaks at all)? With any separator even the slightest air leak lets the debris get to the filter media. On the other hand, maybe you're done screwing with it...which I can understand.

 

I have a larger dust collector from grizzly. Does a great job. Then I started using the table saw and band saw with it.

The pleated filter clogged up in about 15 minutes and blew the bag out off the end of the filter. Cleaned the filter (took 2 hours) and about 15 minutes with the saws - again, the bag popped.

The best way I found to work - the vacumn dust separator for the fine sawdust and the big separator gets the chips.

Just a thought

 

I have been using a 1-micron filter bag from Powertec for many years. They are sold online for various prices, $24.95 and up. I have it connected to the 4" exhaust on my Harbor Freight dust collector which is connected to a homemade separator. I tried to include a link, but I couldn't. Just do a search for Powertec 1-micron bag.

• INCLUDES:1-Micron Filter Bag 14” in diameter and 24” long with a 5-1/2” diameter x 4" long neck (Measured in an inflated condition.)
  
  
• FUNCTION: Serves as a premium replacement bag with an upgraded design, along with similar size and capacity specifications as the OEM dust collector bag for the POWERTEC #DC5370 Wall Mounted Top Dust Collector

 

Rockler is the closest woodworking store to my home. Sadly, the area's Woodcraft store closed last December. I shop at Rockler because they have what I need on the shelf. I save on shipping costs, which are high. If you are choosing between two local stores, keep in mind that Rockler stores belong to the company, which is owned by one wealthy family, but Woodcraft stores are franchises, owned by individuals who are trying to make a living from selling woodworking products. Once I learned that, I gave Woodcraft more of my business, but they closed anyway.

Rockler has a few products that are exclusive to them. Some of their "exclusive" products are available elsewhere in a different color for a lower price, so always shop around. Before I buy from Rockler, I look elsewhere to see what other options are available. Often you can find the same item at a lower price.

Some Rockler-designed products are very good, some are average, and a few are awful. Rockler will sell you overpriced products that you can easily make yourself, so pay attention before you plunk down your money. You might have made the same jig in less time than it takes to drive to Rockler and back.

 

Seems like all separators get a mixed bag of reviews...so much variables with users and situations.

The Woodcraft by me is a corporate store but luckily I have both Highland WW and Peachtree WW within 20-45 minutes

 

My planer is a 15" spiral and the jointer is an 8" spiral. I can generate a lot of chips in short order. My big DC has a small bin with a 6" pipe coming off the built in separator - but emptying it is easier than a big bin.

 

I run my 735 planer connected to a 12 gallon shop vac with Oneida dust deputy in between. I swap out the 1 1/4 hose for a 2 1/4 hose and hook the dust deputy to the 735’s exhaust port. My shop vac is 32 years old and just refuses to die. Everything seems to work fine. I put a solid HEPA filter in the shop vac in place of the pleated paper kind and also put in a HEPA bag filter to wrap around the inside of the tub. These filters have not seen any sign of dust. Using the larger diameter hose I may have unwittingly stumbled on the right combination of suction to work in concert with the ejector on the planer. I make shallow cuts so I don’t really know how my setup would work under a heavier chip load. The dust deputy is the best investment I’ve made, prolonging the life of an old shop vac.

 

I was in the same trouble with at&t...they keep passing the buck and never got anything done....call the better business bureau and ask them to send you a complaint form and tell them the same thing you posted on here and include pictures...it was less than 2 weeks that at&t got in touch with me....and they took care of everything...anything to please me...they don't want a negative report with the bbb...trust me...you will get results!!!

 

was in the same trouble with at&t...they keep passing the buck and never got anything done....call the better business bureau and ask them to send you a complaint form and tell them the same thing you posted on here and include pictures...it was less than 2 weeks that at&t got in touch with me....and they took care of everything...anything to please me...they don't want a negative report with the bbb...trust me...you will get results!!!

 

I've had a very mixed experience with Rockler products as well. A lot of their stuff is just garbage IMO. Other stuff is ok. Kinda like the HF of woodworking.

Dust collection on a thickness planer never really worked for me until I got a real DC system. The best result I got was with a simple collection bag. It's amazing to me how fast my 35 gallon drum fills up with chips if I am milling lumber with the jointer and planer. They produce a ton of chips, and the chips are large and fluffy, which take up a lot more space than fine dust. If I'm milling a bunch of lumber for a table or something large, I usually have to empty the collector at least once.