Replies

1. 
   Dan019 | Jun 30, 2004 11:10pm | #1

   Hey, Fred

   Dust collectors work great but you mentioned a cramped garage shop and a 2 hp dust collector has a fairly big footprint, at least in my small shop. But whichever way you go, do yourself a favor and spring for one of those 30 gal trash can plastic separator lids. They work fantastic. 99‰ of the crap now goes in the can (unless I forget to empty the can).

   My 2hp sits out of the way in a corner with pvc piped into it. The bag used to be a PITA to change until I got one of those lids. Now it's "No worries mate" as Crocodile Dundee says.

   Dan

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 01, 2004 01:19am | #2

   I haved one of those portable Bosch table saws that I use on job sites. If mess is a problem, I hook it up to a shop vac, and it really does a very good job of keeping the area reasonably clean.

   In a cramped garage, that's the way I would go. A DC takes up more space, and won't give you an advantage when used for a single tool.

3. 
   jackiechan | Jul 02, 2004 06:39am | #3

   Fred,

   A proper dust collection system with 4" or larger diameter hosing is recommended - but, it you must use a shop vac, buy a powerful and efficient unit, and keep the hose as straight as possible between the tool and the vac.  The straight hose will allow the unit to work at its maximum efficiency.  The shorter the hose used the better.  It's fairly easy to cut down a hose with a sharp utility knife (or hack saw) and reattach its fittings.

   'Short and straight maximizes the vac draw and helps to prevent potentially hazardous chip build-up/blockages.

   Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.

1. 
   fredn | Jul 02, 2004 04:48pm | #4

   Thanks Dan, Nikki and Jackie. All good advice.  I've just about decided to go with a Rigid shopvac which seems to have pretty good draw. If you think it's underpowered I'd appreciate alternate options.  I'm trying to avoid the Fein and Festool machines which are all $200+. Thanks again.  Fred

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 03, 2004 04:49pm | #9

   First, I would consider one of the vacs designed to run more quietly than the average. I don't know about Rigid, but the Shop Vac brand has a line designated QSP, which are significantly quieter than their other models. Having a loud vac screaming whilst you are running your table saw will get pretty irritating in a hurry.

   Second, less expensive vacs always use a pleated filter, which tends to get clogged up long before the vac is full, especially if you are doing something that creates fine dust (like cutting MDF). This causes a loss of suction power, and you have to lift off the housing and brush off the filter to restore suction.

   You can buy a replacement pleated filter called "Clean Stream" ( I forget the mfg) for most vacs; this helps, but does not alleviate the problem entirely.

   The more expensive models, such as Fein, use a felt bag to protect the motor, and clogging is not a problem. Fein is also among the quietest vacs available.

   Finally, some vacs have a tool activated switch, which for me is a minor convenience. That is, it may be nice to have, but I don't find it all that much of a time saver.

1. 
   fredn | Jul 03, 2004 05:05pm | #10

   Thanks Nikki. I'm beginning to feel like the blind man at the cross road with no map at midnight in a rain storm.  I've started to look seriously at one of the smaller DC units like the one that Pennstate makes. But if I'm going to spend that much maybe I should take another look at the Fein. What do you think? Thanks again. Fred

1. 
   KyleZ | Jul 03, 2004 05:29pm | #11

   I would look at the Fein.  They are so much quieter than the Shop Vacs and the Rigids.  If you hate that sound as much as I do, you will begin to dread firing up the Rigid.

   Cheers

   Kyle

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 04, 2004 12:50am | #12

   For your purposes (cramped garage, dust pick-up for TS only), I would counsel coming up with the money for a Fein. There are other high end vacs available, but that is the only one with which I have had direct experience. Moreover, 2-3 of my colleagues have Feins, and every one sings its praise.

   The Fein I bought is the smallest of the tool activated models, and it came with a long hose (12 foot, I think). This is a blessing for job site work, but a PIA when using it in the shop -- so I just cut the hose in half.

   I also have two cheap Milwaukees (8950 and 8955), which I've use for more than 20 years. ; I like them because they have a sturdy metal container which empties easily; they use a pleated filter, but you can buy a cloth bag which fits around the inside rim of the container and keeps the filter clean (and hence keeps the suction up). Best of all, Milwaukee will fix them when something goes south (Shop Vac will not).

4. 
   ASK | Jul 02, 2004 04:48pm | #5

   Fredn,

   I have been using DW746 for about 8 months now with no problems. I have in integrated into a 7' X 8' table. Under the table I have a 2.5" dust collection pipe system connected to the 15 gallon Dewalt vacuum. I wasn't very happy with the quality of the of the dust collection so I bought a 1.5 hp portable collector from Penn State with a 4" outlet and hooked it up to the saw directly. Since the DW746 has a 2.5" outlet I connected a 2.5" hose and an 2.5" to 4" adaptor at the collector. I'm still not happy. I an now going to switch the arrangement and connect the adaptor at the saw and run a 4" hose and see if it is any better. I'll let you know.

   Hope this helps

   ASK

5. 
   DougF | Jul 02, 2004 06:11pm | #6

   Fred,

   A post recommends use a cyclone chip seperator inline with the DC.  While that sounds good, the decrease in CFM is dramatic even with a 1.5hp DC system.  Hooked to a shop vac, I think the lose would be even more substantial.  

   Doug

1. 
   ukdave | Jul 02, 2004 06:18pm | #7

   I agree that the decrease in cfm occurs, but, I run my 10" contractors saw that way and I don't have a mess to clean up anymore.  The only dust that escapes is from above the blade.

   I would think hard about going for a dust collector over the shop vac.  Shop vacs are awfully loud.

   Dave

1. 
   DougF | Jul 02, 2004 07:23pm | #8

   Dave,

   I'm not arguing against DC in general but if you are using a shop vac or a DC system with marginal CFM, a cyclone separator will only diminish the overall efficiency of the dust and chip removal.  Yes, the separator is easier to empty but you loose a lot of dust removal capacity as opposed to chip removal.  Mess is one issue but chips are not what cause the health risk: it is dust and when you lower the cfm you are sacrificing the ability to remove that which harms us.

   And you are right on about the noise.  I used a shop vac with 2.25" duct system for several years before it installed a larger capacity DC system.  If cost and space is a consideration, I would spend a few extra bucks and get a 1.0 or 1.5 hp bag DC with .5 or 1 micron bags and roll it around to my tools before using the shop vac. 

   Doug