Dust is such an unavoidable part of having a workshop that we often forget how it can pose danger to our health, aside from impeding someone’s work and the overall discomfort it brings.
Dust can block and obscure the work piece – more importantly, it can worsen breathing difficulties and might cause respiratory related diseases such as pneumonia, asthma, asphyxiation, lung infection and similar diseases caused by inhalation of irritants.
If you want to keep a safe and healthy environment in your workshop, as well as other woodworking related places such as renovation sites and lumber mills, you should seriously consider putting a dust collector system in place.
What Is A Dust Collector and How Does It Work?
A dust collector is usually an attachment to various woodworking machines, and tools. Their sole purpose is to collect dust from the machine, just like what its name refers to.
A dust collector is able to collect dust from the machine by inhaling or otherwise removing airborne sawdust and fine debris, into its chamber that’s usually screened by a filter. In that way, a dust collector prevents dust from accumulating in the work area.
A dust collector is almost always a vacuum type that’s powered by an electric motor that drives an intake fan to move air at a high rate – very similar to the way a household vacuum cleaner works, but on a larger scale.
Whenever you need to operate any grinding or bladed power tool for woodworking, it’s always recommended to have it attached to a dust collector if the machine supports it. There is no better alternative to keeping a working area dust free, even if it is well ventilated, short of doing your woodworking projects outdoors.
The General Types of Dust Collectors
When it comes to dust collectors, capacity is the name of the game. In this regard, there are three general types of dust collectors available in the market, with each type focusing on a certain range of collection capacity. These are the portable dust collector, the medium-sized dust collector, and the industrial dust collector.
When it comes to efficiency, dust collectors are also classified by whether or not they have a separator stage.
Single vs Dual Stage: Single stage dust collectors make do with one dust collection bag, while dual stage dust collectors add an intermediate separator chamber before the filter stage.
Portable Dust Collectors
Portable dust collectors are the smallest type of dust collector available in the market, and they are generally the easiest ones to own, as well. Compared to the other two variants, a portable dust collector is inexpensive, with a lot of varieties out there.
Just like the name itself suggests, this type of dust collector is designed to be light, portable, easy to use and very easy to store. Due to their size, portable dust collectors tend to be very quiet as well.
On the other hand, portable dust collectors have the smallest motors and smallest dust bags, which mean a lower dust removal rate and lower capacity in general. They require regular attention from the user to clean the dust bag every now and then.
Features to Look For In Portable Dust Collectors
- Rollers for easy transport and portability.
- Compact body design for easier storage.
- A good filter to ensure that dusts won't escape from the dust bag or dust bin.
- Longer hose for much easier maneuverability and freedom of movement.
- Lighter body weight for much easier transport and portability.
- Some models have built in blue tooth startup for hands free control.
Medium Sized Dust Collectors
You can find medium sized dust collectors as a fairly common piece of equipment in many workshops such as furniture making businesses.
You can think of a medium sized dust collector as a bigger and improved version of the portable dust collector, with its bigger motor that can suck dust at a much higher rate to go with bigger dust bag or dust bin that can hold more.
They can accommodate larger machines and they do a good job of collecting dust for longer, mostly because of their larger filters as well. On the flipside, a medium dust collector can be a significant investment.
Features to Look For in Medium Sized Dust Collectors
- Bigger dust bag or dust bin for longer intervals between having to empty them.
- A higher motor capacity, typically 1 HP or more, for better performance in collecting dust.
- Noise canceling features for comfort for nearby users as well as to minimize workplace noise.
- Lighter body weight for much easier transport, portability and storage as well.
- Robust and stronger hoses for longer dust collector life.
- Good filter to keep the dust in place and to avoid it from coming back up and escaping to the surrounding area.
- Some models have remote control features that offer added convenience for some users.
Industrial Dust Collectors
As you can readily guess from the name, industrial dust collectors are your best pick when the workshop or the working area needs industrial-scale power when it comes to collecting dust.
Industrial dust collectors are heavy, bulky and generally fixed in place because of their sheer size and weight. Industrial dust collectors can also be very noisy when they are running and have to be isolated, and they are generally louder than a shop vacuum.
Despite these drawbacks, they are excellent at what they do - keeping the workshop air clear of dust. Their bigger motors, intake fans, separators, and dustbins all add up to offer unparalleled capacity when it comes to collecting dust and debris.
Features to Look for in Industrial Dust Collectors
- Noise canceling features for the convenience of the user.
- Larger and thicker hose for maintenance-free performance without leaks.
- High overall airflow rate, usually measured in terms of CFM or cubic feet per minute, for faster dust collection even for a large volume of dust.
- Thick filters for much better saw dust containment and longer running times between changes.
- Industrial-grade motors starting at 2 HP and up for consistent performance even with continuous workloads
Single Stage Dust Collectors vs Double Stage Dust Collectors
There are two variants of dust collectors available in the market. These two variants - the single stage dust collector and the double stage dust collectors, can determine the overall efficiency and capacity of a dust collector.
Single Stage Dust Collectors
Single stage dust collectors are the most common type when it comes to portable and medium sized dust collectors, because models that are single stage are usually lighter which makes them suitable for homes and other spaces that require smaller, simpler dust collection features for power tools and appliances.
Another perk of single stage dust collectors is that they can be fitted into the power tools directly but on the other hand, they usually come with smaller dust bags and filters. As a result, the user is also forced to empty the dust bag or bin much more frequently.
Double Stage Dust Collectors
Double stage dust collectors outperform single stage dust collectors in terms of keeping larger debris and volume of dust at bay. In this type of dust collector, the motor and intake fan goes over an additional separator chamber before it leads to the filter and dust bag.
As a result of this arrangement, bigger debris can be collected in the chamber before they pass through the filter. This two-stage design helps to keep the filter clean for longer periods of time by preventing chips and larger pieces from getting lodged in it.
General Features to Look For In Dust Collectors
- Canister filters that are easily sourced from third-party sellers and can be easily changed. Dust collectors with standard filters let you choose from a wider array of filters to suit your budget.
- Casters and durable wheels help you cart around your dust collector from one place to another.
- Solid metal bodies with a durable finish ensures that your dust collector will last for years.
- Steel impellers for a durable, maintenance-free intake.
- A long, flexible hose ensures that you have dust collection where you need it, without having to move your dust collector more than is necessary.
- HEPA filters let you trap small particles and even smoke.
- Automatic tool start features turn on the dust collector as soon as you start using a power tool, saving you the extra step of having to turn on your dust collector before working.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Dust Collector
Choosing the best dust collector can be pretty difficult especially if the factors of buying one are not being properly considered. These factors should help in narrowing down the choices and choose the best specs of the preferred dust collector
Build Quality
Dust collectors are machines that have to run unattended, usually for several hours a day. There is often more to choosing the best dust collector for your shop than just the brand, but if you take the time to look at reviews, some manufacturers will consistently outperform others when it comes to overall build quality and durability.
A dust collector is a significant investment for your shop, and for something that will be operated for hours a day, a solid base with a durable finish will ensure that yours will last for years.
Air Suction Capacity and Power
Air suction capacity is one way to indicate the airflow rate that the dust collector is capable of. Airflow is usually given in terms of cubic feet per minute or CFM, which also generally indicates how powerful the motor of the unit is.
The CFM widely varies between portable models, which can have a CFM rate of around 150 CFM, to industrial models capable of 1,500 CFM or even more.
For industrial models, you can generally expect hefty motors rated for 1 horsepower or even 2 HP or more.
Filtration Capacity
Filtration capacity determines how efficient the dust collector is at removing suspended dust particles from the air. Most manufacturers cite a minimum diameter of dust that their filters can intercept – for standard air bag filters, expect them to screen dust particles of around 2.5 microns in diameter or thereabouts.
Some dust collector makers label their filters as HEPA filters, which is short for high-efficiency particulate air. These filters are generally considered to be fine enough to trap pollen, pet dander, and even smoke.
Bag Volume Capacity
Bag volume capacity makes a lot of difference if you have a dusty shop, and some workshops simply generate more dust compared to others. If you do a lot of sanding, sawing and grinding, a dust collector with a high bag volume capacity would be a good pick for you.
On the other hand, if your projects mostly involve assembly, you may find that a medium sized dust collector or even a portable one to make more sense for your workplace.
Shop Size and Portability
The size of your workshop is a factor in how many tools you have, and this in turn can help you decide if a dust collector that can handle multiple machines will be the best fit. Workshops with several pieces of fixed equipment are a good candidate for a medium sized or industrial dust collector that can be attached to several tools at once.
Of course, the bigger dust collector models will also take up space on your shop floor, too, which is yet another factor to consider when deciding on a specific type.
In general, portable dust collectors work better for workshops that use a lot of handheld tools – orbit sanders and belt sanders, to give a couple of examples.
Fixed medium-sized or industrial dust collectors, on the other hand, are powerful workhorses that go well with your workshop central pieces like planers and table saws.
