Replies

1. 
   saschafer | Jan 17, 2008 06:23pm | #1

   They really aren't interchangeable. The dust collector keeps the air (not to mention the floor) clean. The air cleaner "polishes" the air, removing that last bit of lingering stuff that the dust collector doesn't get.

   If you use just an air cleaner, you'll clog up the filters rather rapidly, especially if you do work that raises clouds of fine dust, like sanding. And there will still be dust all over everything (all of the heavier stuff that settles out quickly).

   At a minimum, you should use a shop vac in lieu of a full-fledged dust collector to collect as much of the bulk dust as possbile.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   tomwalz | Jan 17, 2008 07:35pm | #3

   I just ordered an air quality monitor for $149.00

   <!----><!----> <!---->

   An outfit named Dylos has a family of particle counters starting at $149.00.  <!----> G<!---->uy was an air quality engineer for clean rooms building $5,000 systems.  Decided the world needed one a lot cheaper. 

    

   Dylos

   http://www.dylosproducts.com/index.html

    

   No connection to them - just love cool stuff<!----><!---->

1. 
   JerryPacMan | Jan 17, 2008 10:43pm | #7

   http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=39602.1 

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .

2. 
   JohnWW | Jan 17, 2008 07:35pm | #2

   The primary reason to have dust collection is to keep dust out of the air so that you don't breath it into your lungs, which is now known to be a serious health hazard.  An air cleaner is only meant to catch and remove the dust that sneaks past your dust collection system, a last line of defense basically. 

   Ideally your dust collection system will be so effective that you won't need an air cleaner because there is no dust in the air.  If there is dust in the air you will be breathing it in even as the air cleaner works to remove it, not an ideal situation.

   John W.

1. 
   bones | Jan 18, 2008 04:02am | #10

   I've never seen a DC system so efficient that it got everything. I think you need both and they are complimentary not substitutes. 

   I upgraded my DC from a double bag to a canister and plastic bag and it did wonders, but I still run the delta air filter.  Now as shop vacs go, I love the Festool CT33e with hepafilters. I cant beleive how this thing sucks it up, and I love the auto on with the tool plugged in. 

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

   Edited 1/17/2008 8:04 pm by bones

3. 
   Dorsett | Jan 17, 2008 09:54pm | #4

   Agree with every said above.

   Started out just hooking a large shop vac to each tool. Added a box fan, hung from the ceiling, with a low micron heating system filter in front. Added a second fan hung from the ceiling, with filter. After sanding or routing dust still settled on everything, yet the filters were dark with smaller particles. Added a 1 1/2 hp DC and the shop is clean. (I always wear a filtration mask.)

   Bite the bullet and purchase a good DC. Up front cost may blow your budget, but on a long term and relative basis it's cheap. When you're 65+ and get winded walking up stairs (or worse your doctor tells you your lungs are full of saw dust and you have five years left), how much would you pay for a DC then.

1. 
   rchoy | Jan 17, 2008 10:14pm | #5

   enough said. Kinda what I thought but need another opinion.

2. 
   rchoy | Jan 17, 2008 10:22pm | #6

   Rough costs on a dust collection system?  Area is about 20' x 20'.

1. 
   JohnWW | Jan 17, 2008 11:03pm | #8

   The sizing of the system is more dependent on the tools you need to hook up, rather than the size of the shop.  Jointers and thickness planers need a DC.  If you don't have those, then a shop vac or two, with good filters, may be all you need.

   John White

2. 
   flairwoodworks | Jan 18, 2008 01:21am | #9

   For a bare-bones dust collection system, I would use a shop vac (or dust collector) hooked up directly to the machine being used, with 5-feet or so of hose.  The less hose used, the more efficient the dust collection will be.  This system requires no ducting, blast gates, etc but requires you to move the hose and vacuum around the shop to every machine you use.Chris @ flairwoodworks

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

4. 
   GRW | Jan 18, 2008 03:08pm | #11

   Chris,

   I agree to what has already been said here. I would like to add that you need to concider dust collection when buying tools as well. Make sure that the tools you buy are easily connected to dust collection. Most stationary tools are already. But some manufacturers of small power tools (rounters/sanders/ect) have dust bags or "dust extraction" available.  Festool products for example have done a pretty good job with this.

    

5. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 18, 2008 03:53pm | #12

   As JohnWW said, we need to know what machines you have/want to collect the dust from B4 we can recommend what you need for dust collection.

   As an example:  If you have a planer or jointer a shopvac won't do you much good.  Also it would be helpful to know how you plan to use them, i.e. one machine at a time.  Do you not want to have to connect them as you use them vs. having them permanently connected to the DC system?

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   ---

   Edited 1/18/2008 7:54 am ET by KiddervilleAcres

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/18/2008 7:57 am ET by KiddervilleAcres

1. 
   rchoy | Jan 18, 2008 04:25pm | #13

   At this juncture I have a table saw (bosch portable), hand router (porter cable),  sanders, circular saws. The only machine that lends itself to a shop vac is the table saw.

   Chris

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 18, 2008 04:51pm | #14

   OK, what are your short & long term intentions as to new tools?  Also, do you envision working mostly with hand tools vs power tools?  What kinds of projects do you expect to do?

   If you do a lot of sanding perhaps a downdraft table that can act as your outfeed table for your TS might be handy to have.  Connecting a shopvac to it to collect the dust.  This arrangement allows you to triple function the downdraft table; outfeed for the TS, downdraft table for sanding, assembly table, etc.

   In most woodshops, a shopvac is always good to have.   The main point to think about, I think, is to assemble a DC system such that it collects the dust at the source B4 it has a chance to get airborne.

   Regards,

    Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   rchoy | Jan 18, 2008 05:08pm | #15

   My projects now for the most part involve casework with trim, simple stuff.  Rip some veneer plywood, assemble some boxes, add some simple trim, shelves, etc.

   You are correct though, later on, I would anticipate taking on furniture pieces. Where I would need planers, jointers, that would require a DC system.

   Thanks for the input.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 18, 2008 05:28pm | #16

   So, I take it you're just starting out in all this fun.  That being the case you have the luxury of expanding your needs as you progress.  That can be a good thing.

   I would not discount looking into a whole room filtration device.  They do capture a lot of the escaped dust.  Granted, if there's dust in the air, you will be inhaling some of it.  That said, I would give strong consideration to a well made respirator for the interim.  A respirator will also be handy in the future so you won't be wasting any money.

   So I think that with a respirator, whole room filtration device and a shopvac you should be in good stead for now.  And, all these devices will be usable down the road too.

   But, please DON'T make the mistake I made.  Do not ignore the need for hearing/ear protection!  I've been enjoying this fun for over 30 years and for most of the beginning years I ignored protecting my ears.  BAD mistake.  I now have a constant ringing in my ears.  Get some good hearing protection too.

   With all these in your arsenal you'll be well positioned both now and in the future.

   Best of Luck,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!