Ash

Hi Guys,
I have only been woodworking for less than a year and have all the basic tools I need. I still dont have a dust collector. I work in my basement and with a baby on the way, I dont want to take any chances. Please recommend a good dust collector that runs on 110V. Its a hobby for me, so even if it takes care of one machine only at a time, I can make it work. If it can be connected to more... I wont mind.
Upon doing some research on the web, I found out that 2 stage and cyclone DCs are much better. But it seems like none of them cost below $900-1000. The Grizzlys start at $900 and I dont even know how good they are and Oneida Air which is local here in Syracuse starts at $1000.
What do you guys recommend for a good DC system? What do most folks use here? Do I need an Air Cleaner in addition? I really want to get this right and I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks folks!

TomC

I too am a hobbiest and have the Jet Dust Dog. It is on wheels and rated at 1 1/2 HP. I have to move it and connect it to the machine I am using (PITA). It works great on the jointer and planer. It is not very effective on my table saw. I believe that is more of an issue with the design of the saws DC port.
Tom

TomC

Ash,
One other thing you might want to do is a search on Dust Collection. I just did it on this forum and found 359 pages.
Tom

TS3660

IMO, Cyclones are great for shops that are slightly more than a weekend hobby and a "regular" DC will probably do the job you need. But......it's the micron size that you filter that is important. You can get the Grizzly G1029Z that goes down to 2 microns which is very good, but the G0548 goes to 1 micron. I have also seen small 1 hp models that you hook up one machine at a time but I can't remember the micron size. A DC like the 2 I mentioned will hook to multiple machines but does take up some space so that must be considered.

__________________
Bud

"Capitalism is the unequal sharing of wealth: Socialism is the equal sharing of misery"

airhand

Full disclosure - I sell metal ductwork but I also have a new baby at home (one month old tomorrow) which is prompting my reply. I concur safety is most important which is why I would suggest metal ducting over plastic. And while I would like the business if Oneida is in your backyard and just buy from them which is easiest. But please don't go with plastic (even though some will tell you you can ground with wire), we in the industry have been following the "combustible dust" issue with dust explosions - yes in factories but plastic ducting can cause static issues which can cause sparks and with too much dust it can cause problems. I am not saying it will but it could so just be safe! And yes a hanging air unit gets just that much more dust that lingers in the air - no system is perfect. Jamie

frankp

airhand, that issue has been debunked over and over. Plastic is no less safe than metal and it's just multiple user environments with very large systems that need to worry about combustible dust. Even then, I suspect it's all bunk and just insurance nonsense based upon one or two incidents that weren't reliably pinpointed as to cause. (That last is just my opinion, not based in any heavy research.)

__________________
"I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is character!"

--Theodore Roosevelt

Ash

Thanks for both suggestions!
Looks like both are 220v though; not wired for it.
Space is not an issue as i have most of the basement to myself.

Ash

I was actually looking at this: http://www.grizzly.com/products/1-1-...llector/G1028Z
110V/2.5u/1300 cfm
$323 shipped

OTOH this unit is cyclonic: http://www.grizzly.com/products/1-1-...ollector/G0443
but is three times the price.

If there isnt much of a difference, I'd rather save the money a buy other gear.
Also any thoughts on air purifiers?

jkristia

Harbor Freight has this one on sale
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...o?itemid=97869
for $140 until 12/25/09 according to the coupon in latets issue of Wood (page 77).

I have done some search and it seems like some people use the HF unit and replace the bag with a 1 micron canister ($140) with good results
http://www.wynnenv.com/35A_series_cartridge_kit.htm

Ash

So even though with that modification+shipping+tax goes over $300, its still a better deal than stock $300 unit?
Also how difficult are these bags to clean, once they are clogged with dust!

dbhost

A ~2 HP dust collector with a pleated cartridge filter will outperform a similarly outfitted dust collector with a similar filtration bag due to surface area of filtration media. Simply put, there is more area for air to push through and get out, so it flows better, thereby increasing performance.

If you can find a 2HP 1 micron cartridge equipped dust collector for $300.00, get it.

Most of the cartridge equipped dust collectors are fitted with 2.5 micron (Grizzly) or larger filtration, which is simply too coarse for health protection. So yes, a cheap dust collector with an add on 1 micron cartridge for $300.00 is a better deal than a $300.00 stock dust collector.

A lot of guys simply thump their bags / canisters after each session with a dowel to knock any excess dust that got picked up in the filter down into the lower bag. Maintenance like that prevents having to take the filter media, either bag or cartridge off, and washing it...

Honestly, if you are concerned about best bang for the buck for a small workshop system, the HF 2HP #97869 fitted with the Wynn 35a is awfully hard to beat dollars wise...

IF however you can find a Delta 50-760 on Craigslist of the like, for similar money to the HF, GET IT... The impeller going straight into the inlet ring is a HUGE performance bonus...

A pre separator will help enormously with keeping your filtration media flowing air longer and not getting so caked with dust as to be unusable before you are done at the saw, sander, or whatnot... And here you need best function for the dollar as well. Oneida sells the Dust Deputy which is a sort of cyclone cylinder that connects to your single stage DC and fits on a trash can, they work well, but are bulky, and are NOT all that cost effective... Another popular option is to build a Thien Cyclone Separator Lid. (Google Thien Cyclone and you'll get all the info you could want.). It's a DIY affair, but it VERY effective in terms of both cost, and performance.

Of course if you have budget for the GO443 Cyclone you linked to, go for it. Down to .2 micron filtration is a good investment in your health!

__________________
-- Trying to follow the example of the master...

Ash

Thats awesome!
Bang for buck is exactly what I am lookin for! And you very nicely explained why these 2 together will perform very well unless I am willing to spend a $1000 on the grizzly unit.
I will put this together for now and after a while, will add the Thien Separator.
Now I am just hoping I can find this unit at my local HF!!

many thanks for this informative post!!!

P.S. What are the running costs if any to this combination, other than the power consumption?

Ash

Dang thing is out of stock in my local store!

Ash

I can get a new Delta 50-760 for $360 after bing cashback here: http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Prod/D...searchcashback

For $60 more, does it have any drawbacks over the HF modded combo? Are the included 1u filter bags reusable? Can I still do the Thien Searator Mod on the Delta?

TheRecklessOne

If you're local HF is out of stock get a rain check. I just got a rain check on an OBD II scanner and the manager told me it never expires. Also, I could have had them call me when the next one came in. Not a bad deal.

Normally I wouldn't recommend HF for anything, but at $140 bucks and good reviews across the internet it sounds like it can't be beat. Also, Woodcraft sells a cyclone seperator lid for a metal trashcan for $30.

For a small shop, $300 bucks for a DC with canister filter, $50 bucks for metal trash can and cyclone lid, you shouldn't have any issues.

Congrats on the little one on the way!

__________________
It's better to live one day as a lion than a thousand years as a lamb...

Sponsored by craigslist brand power tools

autoBrad

http://www.oneida-air.com/gorilla_mini.php

that is the smallest most portable cyclone I know of.. granted it's costly...

Ash

Thank you!
I will try to get a rain check on the HF machine. If not I guess I will have to go with the DELTA 50-760 and slowly make mods.

Ash

Space isnt a concern for me.
I have the whole basement to myself pretty much!
Was very tempted to go with this, especially since they are local for me (even though I would be paying taxes extra).

dbhost

Get the Wynn 35A spun bond filter so it can be washed out / reused, and the only recurring cost is lower bags. Use a good pre-separator and that will be fairly infrequent... The Wynn canister filter comes with 2 new bags. I would STRONGLY suggest staying with the clear bags. I have seen guys and gals use black contractor grade trash bags which is great for cheap, but the clear plastic bag lets you see how full it is getting...

If you can afford the $$, which I couldn't at the time, I would sooooo go with the 50-760 and Wynn filter. The support on those for the bag is kind of lousy, but replace the bag with a canister and you have a GREAT small shop DC... When I was looking though, the cheapest I could find the Delta was $390.00... They do go on sale, but not all that often. Check Craigslist OFTEN. I have seen a few come up since I got my HF for around $250.00

__________________
-- Trying to follow the example of the master...

Dejure

I have a Dust Deputy for my shop vac and wouldn't part with it for the world. It allowed me to chase after all manner of dust, including sheet rock dust and trash from my Paint Shaver without haveing to clean the filter every five to ten minutes. I even went to a small vac, since efficiency remains higher with the filter staying clean longer. HOWEVER, this isn't enough for stationary tools of any significance.

I liked the DD so much I invested in a 3hp unit from Oneida too. It's a scary investment (a couple thousand), but it solves a lot of dust problems. The closer you can get to a cyclone and 1 micron filtration, the better.

Watch the BS when comparing micron filtration. Many rely on the bag filling with dust to improve filtration.

Here is the information on the Thein separators others talk about. Had I known about them, I might have tried one before dropping a couple K, though the extra money gives me a lot of CFM to move dust and chips with.

http://www.cgallery.com/jpthien/cy.htm

http://www.evenfallstudios.com/woodw...ction/#more-80