Hello,
I am in the market for a new dust collector, And looking for opinions, advise.
Anyone using a 1.5hp Cyclone DC out there?
Trying to stay 110v which limits me to 1.5hp models.
I would have to run another 220v circuit to go with the 2hp models.
I can do that, but trying not to.
Looking at four models, brands at the moment. But open to others.
Reviews seem really mixed. Sort of love/hate. And most are when machine has been in use a short time.
Seems they all have issues of one sort or another. A big one seems to be the need for a 30 amp breaker.
That too is mixed. Some have no issue with a 20amp.
I would have to check, but seems I read that I need 10g wire to upgrade my 20 amp system. I cannot remember, but I don't thing I used 10g when I wired the shop. So if a 30 amp upgrade is really necessary to stay 110v. I would go ahead a wire another 220v. Or scrap the Cyclone and stay with a regular DC.
I should add that I am a hobbyist woodworker, 3 car garage shop. And one big tool at a time.
Currently using a tired Harbor Freight 2hp DC. So anything is going to be an upgrade. and a cyclone is probably overkill. But I would like cleaner air in my shop too.
Comments and opinions welcome,
thanks.
Seems like the Oneida mini gorilla is the only one in the list that is HEPA filtered, that would be something on my checklist.
I can't speak for experiences with much on the list, but I do have a 1st gen mini gorilla that has been connecting to one-tool-at-time for many years. It pushes around easily and isn't too loud when it runs. No complaints about separation and air flow.
You will be much happier in the long run if you spend a little time and $ on a 240v circut and a larger machine. If you want to protect your lungs, it is a small price to pay. Buy the biggest DC you can.
Best Luck!
There are no cheap and easy decisions to picking best dust collection.
Have wanted HEPA rated DC for years, but the decision matrix is too abusive for me.
Random thoughts:
+1 having 240v for DC solves a lot of problems and lets you pick best machine for your shop.
BUT, most 240v machines are larger, heavier, and more challenge to roll around shop. If you will continue to hook up machines as you need them, might want a 2HP machine and nothing larger. I would only recommend 'largest DC you can afford' when you have fixed location and fixed ducting in your shop.
- Plastic anything does not survive well in desert SW of Arizona. Plastic stuff drys out, cracks, and break way too easy. The Oneida Gorilla scares me as it is $1200 of plastic. Will consider one after fellow AZ outdoor shop shows me one used for 10 years. Saw the latest Jet at wood working store and they have cost reduced the support frame and is using plastic? It is another tool won't last in my unconditioned AZ garage used by this Klutz.
- Have you physically looked at LxWxH or foot print of these machines? The C-Flux is larger than others on your list. TBH - the increased size of the cyclone machines is a key reason I don't have one. I don't want to be rolling an even larger DC around my shop. My last couple shops have had the ginormous grooves in concrete with requires 4"+ casters or the tools are PIA to roll around. None of your list has large enough casters for my shop. :-(
Please understand #IAMAKLUTZ and persnickety lunatic with wood working is my retirement hobby.
Hence, YMMV
A short cyclone/cone are are not good for sucking fine dust from drum or wide belt sanders so if you have a sander or thinking about it these may not be a good choice?
I have the Oneida Mini Gorilla, and like it a LOT! It does require 20A/120V service. (10A/220V is an order option, but my motor can be jumpered for 220V service.)
It consumes very little floor space, particularly for a HEPA rated cyclone collector.
It serves everything in my shop (one at a time!), including my 16" jointer/planer.
My 2-car garage shop shares space with a mid-size SUV, and everything but the wood lathe is on wheels or mobile bases, so fixed ducting and serving multiple machines (there's only me in there anyway) are not necessary or workable. The OMG with a 10 foot flex hose (5 inch diameter) serves each machine admirably (I haven't set up a hood for the lathe yet).
Assembly instructions were excellent, and I put it together easily by myself.
The entire collector, including the motor and filter, is made in the USA.
I have a 1.5 hp General rated for 1300 cfm, exchanged filter bag for a pleated cartridge and hard piped (4" PVC) shop. Looked at a few cyclone models rated at 1.5 hp and they didn't come anywhere close to the cfm's my current set up has? Have a Veritas cyclone lid collector set up for 12" jointer/planer and tablesaw and have never had any problems. LOL, have to be careful when using a 4" flex hose for clean up as it will suck up large chunks of wood(2×4 cut offs)
I had a "good" dust collector for many years. After years of chronic sinus infections along with the loss of my sense of smell as a result years ago I upgraded this year to an Oneida Supercell and the difference is amazing. I wish I'd spent the money on a really good dust collector a long time ago. Your lungs and health are worth it. The success of this kind of purchase will be noted by all the bad things that DON'T happen to you. Plus my shop is a lot cleaner and there is less dust around the rest of the house too. My wife likes that.
So I have discovered that the 1.5hp cyclones lack in performance.
Note that it would be better than the Harbor Freight DC that I currently use, and may even be a bit better that the Jet Vortex I will most likely end up buying. And then maybe not.
But I don't see spending $1200 on a machine that is clear to me that it is not going to get the job done.
Unfortunately for me, the 1.5hp machines were at the top of my price range. And the added cost of a second 220v circuit doesn't help that.
So I am still in need of a new DC. And as I mentioned above. At the moment it looks like I will most likely go with
the jet 1.5hp Vortex DC. DC-1100VX-CK.
So with all that said. If the budget allowed, I think the Oneida V-System 3000 HEPA Cyclone Dust Collector
is the clear winner for me. A cool $2499.00
Hi Big John…
Sorry to chime in so late, but got a new puppy 2 weeks ago and my days are consumed with watching her squat. Did your other one die, or are you going go run two. I'm building a new shop and have a good Delta, 1100 cfm and thinking about getting another in lieu of running ducts and paying out 3k for one with duct work.
Along with the Jet Vortex, give some serious thought to adding in an Oneida Super Dust Deputy cyclone with a collection drum. I have an older Jet 1100 without the vortex. I just finished up adding it into the mix in my garage shop. The SDD really works very well in tandem with the Jet. Well worth the time, effort and expense.
I picked up the Jet 1.5hp Vortex DC. DC-1100VX-CK back in late August from Home Depot for $675. I used the savings to pick up the Jet Remote at the same time. I have it piped in with 4" green sewer PVC and Lee Valley self cleaning blast gates to my table saw, miter saw, band saw, router table, and planer.
Just today I hooked up a dust right quick change and stretchy hose to the band saw so I could use the Jet DC with my buffer and its new dust hood.
This is my first dust collector so I can't give much of a comparison to other larger models. I can say that my shop is staying MUCH cleaner than it used to. It's not the most powerful DC ever of course so I still get some chips on the floor from the planer and the router table. However that fine layer of dust that used to build up after every project is no longer there. I will swap some sweeping duties over breathing in that fine dust any day of the week.
Hi Big John…
Sorry to chime in so late, but got a new puppy 2 weeks ago and my days are consumed with watching her squat. Did your other one die, or are you going go run two. I m building a new shop and have a good Delta, 1100 cfm and thinking about getting another in lieu of running ducts and paying out 3k for one with duct work.
Hello,
My old Harbor Freight DC is still chugging along. I bought that DC used back in 2013 with the intent to upgrade it in a year or so. Figured if it lasted a year, I got my $100 out of it. And it got me started.
And I think it has a 30 micron bag filter, so not very clean at all. So here it is seven years later and I am still using it.
I really got into the cyclone idea. And I do believe in the cyclones with the hepa filters. But they have turned out to be to pricey for my budget.
I did get to put my hands on the Jet I was interested in the other day, and I found it to feel really flimsy.
Right next to it was the Powermatic version. I had missed it all together till that moment.
And I do like its added features. So it is my intent to pick it up when the next sale starts.
Black Friday 10%.
My small shop, one good DC will be fine. I have a hose dedicated to my table saw. And a blast gate to Tee off it to another hose to attach to all the other tools as needed. And I use the Rockler dust right connectors for all that. So pretty easy to switch it. My table saw is the only real stationary tool. The rest are on wheels, and move to a central spot for use.
No room for a dedicated hard line system.
Only diff. between the jet and pm1300's are the paint job, remote control, and the dust chute - which is plastic on the Jet. You pay for all those options on the PM though.
Why not soup up your HF with a Wynn canister filter and Thein baffle (or cone from either JPW brand) ? You'll have roughly the same thing for about 1/3 the cost.
I concur - get 220v whatever you do, if you plan to continue the hobby.
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