Dust Collector

[ron310]

Can anyone recommend a dust collector for a small 1 car garage workshop.
I'd like to keep it under $700 if possible (i know that may be a stretch).
I only use one tool at a time and mostly cut mdf.
I appreciate the help!

[yaksplat]

I use a combination of this dust collector:

http://www.amazon.com/DELTA-50-760-1-5HP-Vertical-Collector/dp/B00078V9KA

and this air cleaner:

http://www.amazon.com/708620B-AFS-1000B-Filtration-Electrostatic-Pre-Filter/dp/B00004R9LO

The combination takes you up to your budget, but that that point you have no hoses yet.  Check craigslist for used ones.  I picked up that dust collector at a garage sale for $100 

[wcndave]

The delta is great, however really suited for larger machines like table saws and jointers.

You have two types of waste, chippings and dust.  some machines like jointers produce large chips that would really quickly fill a small bag.  Other machines like sanders, or routers will produce fine dust that is dangerous to breathe.

the second link above means the dust is already in the air and you are breathing it, and MDF is really really nasty.

so, i would suggest if you are circular saw / router / sander type person, and even for some work on table saw, to get a much smaller vacuum unit, or dust extractor, rather than a chip collector.

even a top top of the range festool vacuum is well below your budget: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18132&site=ROCKLER for $465.

If you do a lot you'll go through bags, however you can get a "lifelong" reusable bag.

If you are not a serious woodworker, or even if you are and just don't want the rolls-royce of dust extractors, the Fein models on Rockler are also great.

i suggest a "good" woodworking site like rockler (not home depot types) would provide what you need with any of their vacuum.

the footprint is also much smaller than a chip collector, and you can use them as an actual vacuum when you are done!

[kahlid74]

The delta is great, however really suited for larger machines like table saws and jointers.

You have two types of waste, chippings and dust.  some machines like jointers produce large chips that would really quickly fill a small bag.  Other machines like sanders, or routers will produce fine dust that is dangerous to breathe.

the second link above means the dust is already in the air and you are breathing it, and MDF is really really nasty.

so, i would suggest if you are circular saw / router / sander type person, and even for some work on table saw, to get a much smaller vacuum unit, or dust extractor, rather than a chip collector.

even a top top of the range festool vacuum is well below your budget: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18132&site=ROCKLER for $465.

If you do a lot you'll go through bags, however you can get a "lifelong" reusable bag.

If you are not a serious woodworker, or even if you are and just don't want the rolls-royce of dust extractors, the Fein models on Rockler are also great.

i suggest a "good" woodworking site like rockler (not home depot types) would provide what you need with any of their vacuum.

the footprint is also much smaller than a chip collector, and you can use them as an actual vacuum when you are done!

Kind of a Misnomer.  That Delta has a 1 micro filter, which means it's filtering dust as well as chips.  The festool unit is good but the Delta is a much better buy for a workshop.

As far as dust in the air, no dust collector is going to completely remove it, which is why we use air scrubbers in addition to dust collectors.  The collectors keep our workshop clean and the scrubbers help remove as much dust from the air as possible to keep it that way.  When working with wood, you're still going to breathe some in, it happens.  I made a thread about this a while ago, with regard to what the air scrubber in my workshop has done for my health.  It's 100% worth it.

So I second the collector from Yak but if you're feeling like a fun project, build your own Air Scrubber.  It's a blast.

[ron310]

I thought this was a Wii thread.

 

That actually made me laugh

[wcndave]

I'd have to disagree.  The chip collector may have a 1 micron filter, however the OP said a small i car garage.  that means 3x5 metres, which is small.  a VAC sits under a bench, in a cupboard, is small and quieter.  the Delta is rather large.  Even as a woodworker, I don't have something that large, although I am considering when I upgrade to a 8m x 8m space.

the scrubber actually causes circulation in the air, which lifts very very fine settled dust in to the air.  You should not have this running whilst you are in the shop.  when you leave, turn it on for a few hours.

In the end though, the OP will have to decide, both solutions work, one is cheaper and compact, the other great for larger tools (less bag changes).