Dust collectors are among the most important equipment to have in the woodworking workshop for the sake of safety and convenience.
Woodworking produces way too much dust, and you will not be able to work through any workpiece without a good dust collection system in place. Most importantly, the sawdust produced in the process of woodworking can get into your throat or eyes and become a major health hazard. Wearing dust masks is not enough in this case.
Product Name | Horsepower | Purpose | BUY NOW |
Expert Choice | 1.5 HP | Fast, easy installation and removal | |
Value for Money | 1 HP | Best for sander Router tables, Is portable with 4" inlet. | |
All Rounder | 1.5 HP | Powerful suction and can clean particles of size upto 1 μm |
Table of Contents
Best Dust collectors available
1. Jet DC-1100VX-5M: Best System Overall
Portable units like the Jet DC-1100VX-5M are among the finest single-stage collectors that offer quiet and economical operation. The dual dust ports of four inches help in collecting dust from two machines simultaneously.
What sets DC-1100VX-5M apart is the vortex cone mechanism that prevents air filter clogging and improves the performance. This technology delivers the efficiency of dust collection.
DC-1100VX-5M has a five-micron bag filter kit that captures up to 98% of all the five microns dust particles and 74% of the 1 μm particles, which is a commendable feature.
The industrial controls make the dust collector easy to operate and you’ll not face any hassles from the woodworking dust. The air suction capacity is good and gets the job done.
*The above mentioned scores are out of 100
** Lower the noise level score the better it is
2. Jet JCDC-1.5 Cyclone: #1 Runner Up
Jet JCDC is a highly effective dust collection system that comes with a directly-mounted filter, which eliminates the deficiencies found in the bends and flex hosing, along with complete range of other features.
The two-stage mechanism is able to catch most of the larger dust particles with its air filtration process. Even the particles of 1 μm or less will not be able to escape its powerful action.
The twenty-gallon drum that comes with it also ensures that the larger debris is collected well. The levers are easy to use and the independent casters make sure that you can empty them out quickly.
The product is a bit on the expensive side, but it gets the job done nonetheless.
*The above mentioned scores are out of 100
** Lower the noise level score the better it is
3. SHOP FOX W1685: Best for table saw
The brilliant air suction ability of 1,280 CFM means that a dust collection system can get rid of sawdust from the woodworking projects efficiently and fast.
Like other high-end dust collectors systems, Shop Fox W1685 runs on the 1.5 HP motor and comes with dual four-inch ports and a Y-fitting. It is possible to utilize it for at least two tools at one go.
You can utilize the product both as a mobile unit and a central dust collecting system because it is pretty lightweight.
The utilizes steel impellers that last longer than plastic ones. The powder-coated finish prevents chipping and fading.
*The above mentioned scores are out of 100
** Lower the noise level score the better it is
4. Shop Fox Wall W1826: Best System For A Small Shop
Shop Fox W1826 is a good choice if you have a small workshop because the collection bag is only 44 inches in length after inflation.
This system has a bag of 2.5 microns, a zipped bottom, and a capacity of two cubic feet, which all comes down to make it easy to collect and empty.
The intake hole of four inches is large enough for accommodating most power tools. It will help in managing the dust effectively.
*The above mentioned scores are out of 100
** Lower the noise level score the better it is
5. Powermatic PM1300TX-CK Best For Home Workshop
If you shop vacuum for dust, then you must consider Powermatic PM1300TX-CK.
Powermatic PM1300TX-CK is among those with the most powerful motors on this list. So, the reliability factor of this product is not something that you need to worry about.
The remote-controlled timer that comes with the system can be programmed to switch off the machine after a certain time. You can set the timer to a maximum of 99 minutes.
The turbo cone tech has to be mentioned here, which adds to the power of the dust collection system.
You can be sure about better chip separation and improved backpacking efficiency for minimizing the frequency of clearing out the dust bags. The canister filter has a wide filtering area.
Hand tools like the Powermatic PM1300TC-CK can make your work more efficient—whether DIY or large-scale projects.
*The above mentioned scores are out of 100
** Lower the noise level score the better it is
6. POWERTEC Wall Mounted DC5370 : Best Wall Mounted system
If you are looking for a value for money and reliable wall-mounted collector system, then POWERTEC DC5370 should be the one for you. The streamlined design helps in carrying it around and mounting it.
The bag that arrives with it is large enough to eliminate the need to empty the dirt constantly.
The inbuilt window in the bag lets you observe the dirt level to help you know when to empty it out. The zipper makes it easy to dump the dust from the bag.
The budget price point is a major plus, but the small motor is quite a problem for it.
*The above mentioned scores are out of 100
** Lower the noise level score the better it is
7. Baileigh Cyclone Style DC-1450C : Best Premium Choice
One of the latest products in the market, this Baileigh DC-1450C is efficient enough to get the job done. It is designed for a hassle-free and quiet operation, which is a major plus for it. Its performance levels with the most latest systems on the market.
This model has the ability to filter out the air in a workshop having about 5 machines. It can work continuously for at least eight hours per day without giving you any trouble. This works ideally with a broad range of dry materials.
The smart air filtration of the collector prevents any buildups in the device. Being remote-controlled further helps in operating the product. The cyclone wall makes dust separation easy, adding to the ability of the dust collector.
Baileigh DC-1450C is one of the most cost-efficient types of systems.
*The above mentioned scores are out of 100
** Lower the noise level score the better it is
8. SHOP FOX W1727 Best For The Money
This product is comparatively lightweight, which makes it really easy to move around. Users also praise the product for being easy to assemble.
The removable key and safety switch make the device a good choice for the ones who have shared workspaces and aim to optimize the safety factor.
The suction ability of 800 CFM is commendable in removing dust from the machines. This model is good enough to be used for more than one machine as the bag holds a lot of dust.
The operation is quiet and it will not give you much trouble in its working. Needless to say, this is one of the best efficient products out there.
*The above mentioned scores are out of 100
** Lower the noise level score the better it is
9. Grizzly G8027 : Best Pick Under Budget
Grizzly is among the most affordable product on the list, it offers decent quality at a surprisingly reasonable price.
If you keep less distance between the unit and you, then it is powerful enough to be able to handle one machine at one point in time.
The thirty-micron bag that comes with it is robust but keep in mind that it will not be able to handle fine particles of dust.
The body of the product is sturdy and durable, which means it will last you a long time.
Overall, this is one of the most reliable industrial product.
*The above mentioned scores are out of 100
** Lower the noise level score the better it is
How to choose the right Product?
Choosing the right product entails way more than just selecting the right brand or model. You need to consider what works best for you.
Just because a system suits your friend’s workshop does not mean that it will suit your space. There is a broad range of products out there. So, keep the following factors in mind when looking for a new one:
Size of the workshop
One of the first things you need to consider is the size of your workshop. It is not only about the amount of space occupied, but also about its ability of it to handle the volume of dust that the shop produces. The larger your workshop is, the better your dust collector needs to be at collecting dust because it needs to function well for the entire space and keep it free from dust accumulation.
The amount of dust generated
It might sound obvious, but people frequently make the mistake of not considering the amounts of dust generated at a workshop at the time of buying. The amount of dust generated depends on the machinery and tools that you often use in the workshop.
If sanding and sawing are among the things that you do on a daily basis, then there will be loads of dust at your workshop. Hence, the efficiency of dust collection is important. A single-stage collector will not be enough and a cyclone is what you would need.
When selecting a dust collector, features that let you enter the pleated filter are beneficial. Take note that not all of them have this feature, so if convenience is important to you, look for ones that use a pleated filter.
The filtration system must always be considered. The reason is that the moisture or heat content of dust can impact the filter media of a cartridge. Also, dry materials can create dust problems during unloading and disposal. A good filtration system can help remove harmful particulates.
Dust concentration is another factor to consider. If you’re working on mineral processing, the dust concentration can range between 0.1 and 5.0 grains (about 0.32 grams) of dust per cubic.
Portable vs. fixed
You would need a portable dust collector if you have a medium or small workshop because that will help you in moving around the product in the shop from one tool to another. The portable units are the common type and also come in different price ranges and sizes to make them suit your workspace. On the other hand, fixed are large and more powerful. You need these for the large workshops that generate tremendous amounts of dust every day.
Most of them have cyclone walls, good air bag filters, and enhanced filter designs. Also, regardless if it’s a portable or a fixed, it’s always best to pick the ones that have massive tanks.
Motor power
The size of the motor has is an indication of its power and performance. It is an important factor that you need to think about at the time of shopping. Dust collection will be more efficient and powerful when you have a machine that has high motor power. The ones with a 1 HP motor (the most common type) are usually not powerful enough for large workshops. However, the 1.5 HP motors are the favorite of both hobbyists and woodworkers.
You can find a lot of high-efficiency, high-cost equipment in the market. They’re the ones that are ideal for heavy dust operations. Choose the ones that will fit your operation requirements. If the budget is tight, you can also find high-efficiency, moderate-cost equipment that still works just fine.
When buying a dust collector, you should consider not only the factors from design through installation but also the motor performance. True, design through installation is important. However, it’s the equipment’s capability to do its job is paramount.
Conclusion
Your safety and health are the first priority, and thus, you must always look for ways to minimize the risks to both at the time of setting up the workshop.
This guide may not have the complete range of products in the market, but it should be able to help you select the ones that can perform well based on your operations. For larger projects, industrial dust collection tools work best.
Though the machinery and tools you choose have important roles to play in this case, the reliability and efficiency also have to be considered.
Selecting the best dust collector for the workshop would be easy once you understand your needs. The reviews given above will further help in choosing the right one.
