portable dust collectors

[Jens Jensen]

Looking into a portable collection system.What is best size of air flow.Will use on contractor saw,router table,22 inch edge sander and planer .I see Harbor freight has one for 100.00 plus

[justin waldron]

I bought the harbor freight 2 hp about a week ago, had a coupon for $139 in WOOD magazine, I paid the extra $35 for 2 year replacement (it is harbor freight after all!! I bought 4 in. aluminum ducting from Lowes and just used it the first time yesterday planing some cherry that I'm using for cabinets and I am completely impressed and how great this machine works. Virtually no dust/chips on the floor at all, I planed 5 boards from 7/8 down to 3/4, wasn't even enough dust to sweep really. I did notice that I needed to ground my piping, there was quite a bit of static buildup so I plan to go today and get some wire to do that and if you follow the link I post it will take you to a home made separater to make it a 2 stage unit that I plan on doing today as well. http://www.woodcraft.com/Articles/Articles.aspx?articleid=408 I don't know how I ever did it without a dust collector, for the first time I'm actually looking forward to planing the other 130 bd. ft. of cherry... sigh...

[Jens Jensen]

I have looked t this same collector but was kind of scared but if you say that it is a good deal I might have to purchase it. I do have the 5 gallon cyclone and hooked to shop vac but it leaves a lot of stuff in the saw cabinet,and as far as when I use router or planner it is soso
Thanks for info very helpful
justin waldron said:

I bought the harbor freight 2 hp about a week ago, had a coupon for $139 in WOOD magazine, I paid the extra $35 for 2 year replacement (it is harbor freight after all!! I bought 4 in. aluminum ducting from Lowes and just used it the first time yesterday planing some cherry that I'm using for cabinets and I am completely impressed and how great this machine works. Virtually no dust/chips on the floor at all, I planed 5 boards from 7/8 down to 3/4, wasn't even enough dust to sweep really. I did notice that I needed to ground my piping, there was quite a bit of static buildup so I plan to go today and get some wire to do that and if you follow the link I post it will take you to a home made separater to make it a 2 stage unit that I plan on doing today as well. http://www.woodcraft.com/Articles/Articles.aspx?articleid=408 I don't know how I ever did it without a dust collector, for the first time I'm actually looking forward to planing the other 130 bd. ft. of cherry... sigh...

[Alan]

you people have to stop giving me all these ideas. my wife won't approve lol

[justin waldron]

Hey Jens,
It was in the last 2 issues of wood, the one with the barrister bookcase on the front and the latest with the pine cupboard. I also found that the best solution is to bite the bullet and use a dust collector kit, grizzly has a good one and rockler/woodcraft etc.. As far as grounding the hose, I grounded it to the chasis of the machine. The link included the separater and I can tell you, I planed 140 board feet of cherry today and filled that bag twice and it'd be much easier to take a lid off a trash can, but I have a friend who is bringing me a 55 gallon plastic drum with a screw top. I can't say enough good things on how well it works though. My garage is 20x18 and my longest run of conduit is 15 feet and it works great. I imagine if I had to run 30 feet I'd see a loss of CFMs, but in the size of our shops it works better than good. After planing all that cherry there may have been enough chips on the floor to fill a coffee cup!! One other thing to consider too is building a downdraft table, there are plans all over the net and that's my next thing to do!!

[justin waldron]

Tell your wife what I tell mine "If i'm in the garage I'm leaving you alone", "you don't have to support me in what I do, just leave me alone while I do it" and my favorite "NO MAAM"!!

Alan Thatcher said:

you people have to stop giving me all these ideas. my wife won't approve lol

[Jens Jensen]

I found it 249.00 reg Ill take it with that 110 discount for sure.Thanks again

justin waldron said:

Hey Jens,
It was in the last 2 issues of wood, the one with the barrister bookcase on the front and the latest with the pine cupboard. I also found that the best solution is to bite the bullet and use a dust collector kit, grizzly has a good one and rockler/woodcraft etc.. As far as grounding the hose, I grounded it to the chasis of the machine. The link included the separater and I can tell you, I planed 140 board feet of cherry today and filled that bag twice and it'd be much easier to take a lid off a trash can, but I have a friend who is bringing me a 55 gallon plastic drum with a screw top. I can't say enough good things on how well it works though. My garage is 20x18 and my longest run of conduit is 15 feet and it works great. I imagine if I had to run 30 feet I'd see a loss of CFMs, but in the size of our shops it works better than good. After planing all that cherry there may have been enough chips on the floor to fill a coffee cup!! One other thing to consider too is building a downdraft table, there are plans all over the net and that's my next thing to do!!

[justin waldron]

It's a great deal at that price, I paid $35 for the 2 year no hassle return fyi..

Jens Jensen said:

I found it 249.00 reg Ill take it with that 110 discount for sure.Thanks again

justin waldron said:

Hey Jens,
It was in the last 2 issues of wood, the one with the barrister bookcase on the front and the latest with the pine cupboard. I also found that the best solution is to bite the bullet and use a dust collector kit, grizzly has a good one and rockler/woodcraft etc.. As far as grounding the hose, I grounded it to the chasis of the machine. The link included the separater and I can tell you, I planed 140 board feet of cherry today and filled that bag twice and it'd be much easier to take a lid off a trash can, but I have a friend who is bringing me a 55 gallon plastic drum with a screw top. I can't say enough good things on how well it works though. My garage is 20x18 and my longest run of conduit is 15 feet and it works great. I imagine if I had to run 30 feet I'd see a loss of CFMs, but in the size of our shops it works better than good. After planing all that cherry there may have been enough chips on the floor to fill a coffee cup!! One other thing to consider too is building a downdraft table, there are plans all over the net and that's my next thing to do!!

[Larwyn]

After researching dust collection before the planned purchase of a collector I came to the conclusion that I was already on the right track for me.

If I am working on a big project I simply move any machine that produces lots of sawdust outside to use it. I enjoy working outside, the dust dissipates quickly and I can spread the shavings with a leaf blower which in some cases benefits the lawn (if it is toxic dust, I just call it "weed killer"). If the weather does not allow working outside I can work inside and simply use a shop vac for dust collection purposes (usually after the fact). I like being able to hear the machine that I am using rather than having it drowned out by the shop vac, you can often hear when something is not right with a machine before you can see or feel it. I can also open large doors at either end of the shop and, if natural air flow is not enough, run a fan blowing out the double doors to clear the air. A broom and dust pan work well for chips. A suitably sized and and installed dust collection system would take too much room and money for my little shop and make too much noise for me. I enjoy woodworking but it is not a "full time" hobby for me and this is what works best for me.

Of course this system will not work if you have a shop full of large heavy stationary machines. My woodworking budget has never allowed me to joining the "Unisaw clan". I suppose my Unisaw money was used to purchase welding equipment which, for me, is not such a bad thing either.

[Jens Jensen]

I use the shop vac now with the 5 gallon cyclone and it is fairly acceptable but have noticed that the chips from my planner ends up in vac and not pail so I think it is to small to use this system.Space is a factor like yoiusaid and I would not put it outside in a shelter that would meanall the piping and would not do that..Thanks 4 input.

Larwyn said:

After researching dust collection before the planned purchase of a collector I came to the conclusion that I was already on the right track for me.

If I am working on a big project I simply move any machine that produces lots of sawdust outside to use it. I enjoy working outside, the dust dissipates quickly and I can spread the shavings with a leaf blower which in some cases benefits the lawn (if it is toxic dust, I just call it "weed killer"). If the weather does not allow working outside I can work inside and simply use a shop vac for dust collection purposes (usually after the fact). I like being able to hear the machine that I am using rather than having it drowned out by the shop vac, you can often hear when something is not right with a machine before you can see or feel it. I can also open large doors at either end of the shop and, if natural air flow is not enough, run a fan blowing out the double doors to clear the air. A broom and dust pan work well for chips. A suitably sized and and installed dust collection system would take too much room and money for my little shop and make too much noise for me. I enjoy woodworking but it is not a "full time" hobby for me and this is what works best for me.

Of course this system will not work if you have a shop full of large heavy stationary machines. My woodworking budget has never allowed me to joining the "Unisaw clan". I suppose my Unisaw money was used to purchase welding equipment which, for me, is not such a bad thing either.

[justin waldron]

Jens, one more thought. I found a 55 gallon drum as a 2 stage separator, it will need some mods, but I think will be ideal. I managed to get all of my hoses etc today at Woodcraft and impulse bought an Incra 1000hd miter sled. I should be shot.. haha

[Jens Jensen]

Wow that would buy me a nice Martin Acoustic guitar.Yes I play Bluegrass music I mean is there anything else

justin waldron said:

Jens, one more thought. I found a 55 gallon drum as a 2 stage separator, it will need some mods, but I think will be ideal. I managed to get all of my hoses etc today at Woodcraft and impulse bought an Incra 1000hd miter sled. I should be shot.. haha

[justin waldron]

I have always wanted a Martin, but I do have a Gibson Les Paul. I'm more on the blues side of things.