I'm looking to get a dust collector but not sure how much machine to get as it seems the more the better but I'm not sure at what point it just becomes unnecessary. It's a 2 car garage workshop that has a 10" walker turner table saw, 6" walker turner jointer, Wen 12.5" planer and a drill press.
Regardless of what I end up getting I want to upgrade the filter bag to the Wynn filter and get a cyclone. Some of the collectors I'm considering are the Harbor Freight, the Grizzly G1030Z2P ($530 shipped), Grizzly G0860, G0703, G0861, G0862, or the Oneida Mini Gorilla.
I'm having a little paralysis by analysis on which to choose. The Harbor Freight with the upgrades everyone says is good but I'm not sure if the flow is enough. The 3hp Grizzly has A LOT of flow which I liked but with the upgrades brings the price into a whole new category which is why the 2-stage and cyclones are included. The Oneida would be all inclusive and has a lower micron filter so no upgrades would be necessary.
It all depends on how you approach things and if your DC unit is going to be mobile or you're going to run ducting. If you're of the mind that you will upgrade later then buy the HF unit. if you're going to keep upgrade later then perhaps buy a bigger more powerful unit if your budget will allow.
My approach has been to upgrade and I've done that in a none traditional way. I have 4 HF units instead of buying a larger more expensive unit and having ductwork all over the place I have a unit in each corner of my shop. The other thing I have done is to build small lean-to sheds on the outside and place my units in there, this eliminates noise use of floor space and the need for fancy filter systems for my DC units plus I have less than $500 in my four units less than a single DC units with similar capabilities.
If you're planning on turning a single stage unit into a cyclone I would suggest looking at physical specs: make it a minimum (true, the HF is not) 2 HP, and 3 would be much better. The minimum impeller diameter should be 12", though some in this size come with larger ones. Be sure to get 1 micron or smaller nags, or choose one with a canister filter. Pay no attention to the factory CFM numbers since in most cases they are a figment of an advertising person's imagination. The replies to your question will span the entire breadth of available DCs, and they will all be the correct answer for the person typing the reply. Figuring out what you want/need is much tougher….a lot of it will depend on just what you expect from your DC. If you want to avoid sweeping the floor the answer is much different versus you're trying to protect your lungs.
Like what Fred said, the choice is what you expect to get out of it. I have heard many veteran worker say they feel the most expensive tool in the shop should be DC. More collection is always better than less for numerous reasons. I got by with a shop vac for a long time in my one side of a two car garage. I noticed a massive difference when I upgraded to a proper DC. It can definitely be better but I make due. The main thing I would recommend is don't let you lungs filter your shop air. Think about a air filter as well when looking at dust collectors.
Any collection is better than none, go with what fits in your budget and keep your lungs clean.
I have a 2hp jet w canister filter. It pulls well through 50' of 5" steel duct. ( From an 8" jointer and a 15" planer) I do not have a cyclone. It vents back into the shop because I have heating and cooling.
Noise level is about 70 decibles, hardly noticeable. It is a 2 micron filter because that is all that was available. Today, I would get a 1 micron filter, so you may have to buy a bag style and upgrade. I would not get a HF to upgrade. Same money at the end, and a lot of work with impeller change out. As stated above, use the machine, not your lungs.
My workshop is 30' x 40' x 10'h, though my woodworking area is in a space a little larger than a one-car garage.
I have the 2 hp Grizzly G0548Z with one micron canister filter and like it very well - the performance has been great. I also have a Super Dust Deputy cyclone but have been busy with a variety of outdoor activities and haven't had the opportunity to place it into my system yet.
My collection system consists of two runs of 4" PVC pipe along the bottom of the wall. I already had the pipe on hand left-over from another project and had intended to eventually upgrade to 6" pipe, but the current system has been performing so well that I plan on keeping it. One line has a hose that serves my bandsaw (with a wye to collect at both dust ports) and a second hose that serves my jointer, and the second line has a hose that serves my radial arm saw with a second hose that I switch between my table saw and planer as needed. There is a blast gate at each hose/pipe connection point. I will typically only have one blast gate open at a time, but during some processes in which I am going back and forth between machines, I will often leave two blast gates open with great results.
I presently use a shop vac / Dust Deputy combo for the drop-down area at my workbench for my sander, portable router table, scroll saw, etc., but may plumb the Grizzly to this area too at some point, as well as to a future floor mounted drill press (between the BS & RAS). I used the shop vac / DD combo for my initial DC system until reaching a point I needed the upgrade and the funds became available.
The ultimate size and type of your DC system can be dependent on not only the overall size of your shop, but also the number of machines and blast gates that are open simultaneously as well as your budget. I would recommend a one-micron canister type filter for better overall shop air quality.
My main concern is lung health and i plan on still wearing my respirator while working even after getting a DC. I want it to be mobile so that I can move it around the garage/rearrange the layout. The footprint is also concern since I have my yard stuff and other miscellaneous things in there as well.
I don't want to end up getting something that is completely unnecessary for a hobbyist only using a single machine at a time.
I would get the unit with the largest impeller and horse power rating that you can afford. No one was ever sorry for buying too much d/c. If you could extend your budget slightly and get a 5HP or so Grizzly then later on upgrade to a better filter and add a cyclone.
Another pretty neat option would be to get the HF unit, upgrade the impeller and purchase a Wynn canister filter and add a cyclone. You could even get the Rockler Dust Right system with the quick change ports on each of your machines and buy a custom 60ft hose (these hoses are about $55 shipped) with the Dust Right handle installed. Then you could quite easily change between machines as you go without having to run a trunk line, or buy a bunch of expensive hoses and fittings and such.
With smaller dust collector, moving it around is best.
My thoughts on DC was how long will I use it and how good do I need it to be. I find a respirator at my age is makes breathing harder. When I worked, we used respirators all the time but I was younger. I also wanted the best DC to clear finer dust. I got a big one and have no regrets.
There are numerous forum threads on this topic with a lot of great information. All of the comments above are relevant, especially the need to keep the air filtered.
I'm moving to a new shop and I'm contemplating the same questions. Ultimately, after reading all of the advice, ideas, suggestions, and recommendations your system will need to work for you. Budget, space, complexity and the kind of woodworking you do will dictate the "best" system for your shop. Over time, it will evolve so don't think you have to get it exactly perfect on the first try. I've had 3 different Dust Collectors and I'm still trying to find the "best" version for my shop. I'd like to think this version will be better than the other once I decide on the components.
Budget
Space - distances are important with long flex hose or ducts. Also, do you have space to roll around or install.
Complexity -roll around or ducts
Kind of Woodworking - the type of dust can play a role. - Planer chips and drum sander dust are really different.
These are the kind of things one needs to consider and answer before picking a DC.
A DC is great for the major tools but not so good for some. For Sanders and other smaller tools a good vacuum is much better. Many of these tools produce fine dust which is more of an issue. Not only is the dust collector important but the pickups or hoods are critical. We often discuss the DC but rarely the pickups.
If you want to get a unit that will last for years and do a good job, even with a drum sander or edge sander, bite the bullet and get a clearvue or oneida 5hp. The Grizzly 3hp cyclone is almost the same as a 5hp unit.
Skip the tickler dust right. And use as little flex hose as possible. Too much drag and suction loss.
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