Dust Collection

[Joe W.]

Dust collection vs. Dust Filtering

I want to provide dust collection for the following machines :
 DW734 Planer with a 4” dust port/hole on the side. 
Note:  DW735 has a built in blower.  Mine, The DW734 does not.  

DW Table Saw with 2 ½” dust port

 Cutech 12” jointer with 3 ¾” dust port.

 Jet Bandsaw with two (2) 3 ¾” dust ports.  One low and one below table.

Rhyobi Miter saw with 2 ¼” dust port.

 

I went down the internet research rabbit hole and came back up for air, believing a 4-inch diameter dust collector is necessary to adequately vacuum up sawdust produced by the Table saw, Planer, and Jointer.

I have read some older postings about the Harbor Freight (HF) 2 HP dust collector and am seeking opinions from anyone who has this or even the smaller HF 1 HP one.

The area I am interested in is centered on how connection is made to the dust ports for those machines with a dust port less than 4 inches in diameter.
 

I intend to keep it simple and only hook up to one machine at a time due to space limitations/layout.  The area is a two-car garage. 

I’ve read discussions about the 1 micron vs 5 micron, and I am not a production worker, so am thinking 5 micron would be adequate.  But always open to thoughts about that too.

What got me to this point was building a movable cart that holds both the jointer and planer and was configured with a Dust Deputy dust collection system using a shop-vac  and 5 gallon bucket.  The cart (with 6 drawers) came out great, but – I discovered the shopvac & dust deputy just can’t suck up – keep up – with the sawdust produced by either one.   I think the reduction from 4” planer and the 3 ¾” jointer down to the 2 inch dust deputy is just to much of a reduction.

Oh, and for the scrollsaw, I'm using a 20inch square fand & dust filter.  And am satisfied with that.

Thoughts/opinions/ideas welcomed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

     
 

[TAIrving]

A friend gave me a Central Machinery dust collector with 4" inlet, not sure about the other specs.  It works fine for my band saw.

My DW735 planer has a 4" exhaust port and blows harder than the dust collector sucks, leading to a total failure to collect dust.  So now I roll the planer to the door and let it blow the sawdust outside.  Afterwards I use my leaf blower to send the sawdust away.  I consider it to be gratuitous mulch for that part of my lawn.  

Same technique for my lathe.  

[Joe W.]

39 minutes ago, TAIrving said:

My DW735 planer has a 4" exhaust port and blows harder than the dust collector sucks, leading to a total failure to collect dust.

 

Yes, that is the same thing this man said in his video. 
He connects the hose to the dust deputy (cyclone style dust collector) and does not attach the vacuum to it.
I've been doing the same thing as you up to this point, only putting a tarp out in front of it to collect the sawdust from the planer.
My goal is to be able to leave the garage door down when it gets cold.  And save some time with cleanup.

Thanks for your reply.   

[Hawk]

For what it's worth, I used to have both a 6" joiner and planner. To get the smaller ports to 4" for my portable dust collector I used a rubber pipe connector (reducer) from the plumbing department. This gave me a more flexible option than a hard plastic connector. I've since gotten rid of both those, just too much noise for me. Going with a drum sander instead.

Edited April 29, 2024 by Hawk

[Joe W.]

1 hour ago, Hawk said:

. . .  I used to have both a 6" joiner and planner. To get the smaller ports to 4" for my portable dust collector I used a rubber pipe connector (reducer) from the plumbing department. This gave me a more flexible option than a hard plastic connector. I've since gotten rid of both those, just too much noise for me. Going with a drum sander instead

I'll check into the plumbing section and give them a go.  Thanks for that tip.
I scrounge around for wood - discarded cabinets/tables and such.  And enjoy being able to mill the good wood into pieces I can use for scrolling.  For me, it helps rationalize/justify the cost of the power tools.   I've seen the large drum sanders and maybe one day . . . 

[dgman]

1 hour ago, Hawk said:

For what it's worth, I used to have both a 6" joiner and planner. To get the smaller ports to 4" for my portable dust collector I used a rubber pipe connector (reducer) from the plumbing department. This gave me a more flexible option than a hard plastic connector. I've since gotten rid of both those, just too much noise for me. Going with a drum sander instead.

Understand a drum sander is not for planing. It is just for sanding.

[Hawk]

57 minutes ago, dgman said:

Understand a drum sander is not for planing. It is just for sanding.

Yep, I just wasn't comfortable with the power of the planner and joiner. I have a few really nice Stanley/Bailey hand planes. Takes a bit longer, but a whole lot safer!

[kmmcrafts]

I bought the HF ( Central Machinery ) 2HP dust collector 12 - 14 years ago and it's been a great machine.. Now someday I'll actually plumb it to each machine. Currently just unhook the hose and move it from the planer to the table saw.. Used to use it on my bandsaw too but I moved it and now the hose doesn't reach it. Anyway it's connected to the two major dust makers so that works okay for me for now. Plumbing it has been on my to-do list for 10 years or more, lol

[Joe W.]

1 hour ago, kmmcrafts said:

I bought the HF ( Central Machinery ) 2HP dust collector 12 - 14 years ago and it's been a great machine.. Now someday I'll actually plumb it to each machine. Currently just unhook the hose and move it from the planer to the table saw.

Thanks Kevin,  that's the kind of information I was looking for.

[kmmcrafts]

1 hour ago, Joe W. said:

Thanks Kevin,  that's the kind of information I was looking for.

I will say though.. it's not a quiet machine.. My local lumber / tool store has a CNC router setup that they display running with a dust collector hooked up to it, I don't know what model collector it was but it was pretty quiet.. the spindle / router was making all the noise ( which isn't much ) but my Dust collector is just as loud or maybe louder than the CNC / Spindle.. so it that is a concern you may want to consider something different or look into how many dbl they put out. The one they had running at the store was a Jet.. not as big as the HF one I have.. Just something to consider I suppose..

[Wichman]

I bought the HF 2 hp about 5 years ago. The shop where I worked was having issues with the DC's they had so I took mine in and hooked it up there, worked so much better than the small ones that the boss bought two of them for the shop. All three DC's are working fine, the two mod's I made for all of them are; 1. having a canvas bag made as a replacement for the lower plastic bag ( much tougher and does not tear ) and 2. applying wide weatherstripping around the barrel where the bags go, one on top and one on the bottom. 

The weatherstripping and the canvas bag make removing and replacing the lower bag - much - easier.

I used the DC with my HF planer and it gets 95% of the chips, I also use it with a stationary belt sander and with the ROS and it gets 95%+ of the dust from them.

HF sells a 4" x 2 1/4" hose connector and it works very well, I use it with the belt sander and my miter saw.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-2-1-4-quarter-inch-hose-connector-96457.html

 

[Joe W.]

5 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

I will say though.. it's not a quiet machine ... Just something to consider I suppose..

From what I've found in my research, people say it is still quieter than a shop-vac.
I've gotten in the habit of using noise protection when using the larger machines along with the shop vac.
The ears are getting old and the tinnitus is getting constant now, so I'm doing what I can to slow down the decline. 

[Joe W.]

4 hours ago, Wichman said:

1. having a canvas bag made as a replacement for the lower plastic bag ( much tougher and does not tear ) and 2. applying wide weatherstripping around the barrel where the bags go, one on top and one on the bottom. 

Thanks for the tips and the link.
After more consideration, I think I'm going to go with the HF 1 HP DC.  The 2HP one according to specs is pulling 15 amps and my garage has limited outlets and all of them on the same circuit.  I'm not bothered by having to move the DC hose from one machine to another. 
By the way - Regards the DC bag - Stumpy Nubs has a video where he cuts the bottom of the bag off and has that attached to a 5 gallon bucket which has a large contractor trash bag inside of it, with the excess of the trash bag on the outside of the 5 gallon bucket.  The whole thing is secured with a band and when the DC bag gets full, he takes the band off the bucket and then grabs the trash bag, lifting it up, allowing the wood dust to leave the dust collection bag and settle inside of the trash bag. 
The benefit is not having to remove the dust collection bag from the top where it is attached.  
Just another way to skin a cat.    

[Hawk]

5 minutes ago, Joe W. said:

Stumpy Nubs has a video where he cuts the bottom of the bag off and has that attached to a 5 gallon bucket which has a large contractor trash bag inside of it, with the excess of the trash bag on the outside of the 5 gallon bucket. 

Nice tip, I'll have to check that out!, Thanks

[barb.j.enders]

I am realizing that my shopvac isn't good enough for the intarsia.  Has anyone used this, or something like this?  https://www.kingcanada.com/en/products/woodworking/dust-collectors-cyclone-dust-collectors/kc-1105c-600-cfm-dust-collector

[Joe W.]

19 minutes ago, barb.j.enders said:

Has anyone used this, or something like this?

Very similar to what Harbor Freight is selling for about $150,

[kmmcrafts]

2 hours ago, barb.j.enders said:

I am realizing that my shopvac isn't good enough for the intarsia.  Has anyone used this, or something like this?  https://www.kingcanada.com/en/products/woodworking/dust-collectors-cyclone-dust-collectors/kc-1105c-600-cfm-dust-collector

Keep in mind that many of these come with a dust bag that is designed more for wood chips / sawdust and not really so much for the fine dust creates from sanders etc.. while they do help a ton with the finer dust. They typically come with a larger micron filtering dust bag.. you can buy a better bag that filters out more of the finer dust I think maybe down to 1-2 micron? I don't remember now what the micron numbers are but if you're getting it to filter sanding type dust you may want to look into the better bags.. also some of the dust collectors come with the better bag but they typically are more money units too and basically the same thing with the better bag. In some cases it's cheaper to buy the less expensive dust collector and then buy a better bag.. at least that's what I found back when I was researching.. maybe different now as I've had mine for many years now. Just another thing to think about with this and what you're planning to use them for..

[Joe W.]

1 hour ago, kmmcrafts said:

Keep in mind that many of these come with a dust bag that is designed more for wood chips / sawdust and not really so much for the fine dust creates from sanders etc.. while they do help a ton with the finer dust.

Roger that!  The data hasn't changed since you were researching.  I found the same thing regards the 5 microns vs. 1-2 microns filtration/collection.  I just purchased the HF 1HP 13 gallon dust collector and will be using it individually for my planer and jointer work.  I have turned it on and agree with other users that it is not as loud as a shop vac.  The tone is lower and not shrill like a shop vac. 
I'll test it out and report results as soon as I get some hose and clamps for it.  

[kmmcrafts]

1 hour ago, Joe W. said:

Roger that!  The data hasn't changed since you were researching.  I found the same thing regards the 5 microns vs. 1-2 microns filtration/collection.  I just purchased the HF 1HP 13 gallon dust collector and will be using it individually for my planer and jointer work.  I have turned it on and agree with other users that it is not as loud as a shop vac.  The tone is lower and not shrill like a shop vac. 
I'll test it out and report results as soon as I get some hose and clamps for it.  

I bought a dust collector hose kit from HF and thought it was pretty good quality. Come with some hood type connectors and shut off valves.. valves are plastic so I don't know the quality of those and haven't plumbed my set up yet so haven't used them yet. I see they still sell a kit but it doesn't look like it comes with all the pieces I got with mine. I believe mine came with two 10ft 4" hoses and 6-8 clamps and then the a few different connectors to put on machines.. most newer machines come with a dust port now days but my jointer doesn't and at the time my table saw didn't either so those hoods wood have been handy. 

[Joe W.]

OK!  Here's my two pennies review: 

Connected the HF 1HP Dust Collector to my DW734 Planer using a 4" downspout extension expandable to 24" (don't laugh - it worked!).
Ran some 7" wide wood thru the planer and after about the 5th pass, started getting sawdust blowback.
Disconnected the hose and sure enough, the intake at the dust collector was plugged with sawdust.
As with other reviewers, I discovered the plastic grid at the intake was blocking the sawdust from going thru and onto the outtake/collector bag.
So I did what other users did, removed the intake port from the unit and cut out the plastic grid.  Reconnected and ran more wood thru the planer.
And just like the first time, got sawdust blowback after about the 5th or 6th pass.
This time it was the outtake port, which also has a plastic grid.  Cut that one out, (like other users did) reconnected and this time started with a scrap piece of wood 1 1/2" by 7" by 5' and 1/2 feet long.  
After many passes thru the planer, I reduced the thickness by 1/2".  No sawdust kickback at all. 

At this point, I checked on the 13 gallon bag, finding it between a third and a half full. 
Decided to empty it out and found what I think is the only design flaw - no easy way to empty the bag.
Whatever goes into the 4 inch opening of the bag has to come out of that same 4 inch opening.
So for giggles and curiosity, I emptied and packed the sawdust into a 5 gallon bucket.  That took about 5 minutes.     

My takeaway is to empty the bag more frequently - - - or - - - buy another bag designed to have a large opening for disposing of the sawdust.

Then switched over to the 12" Cutech jointer and ran that same board thru several times - again with no sawdust kickback from the blades.

I haven't tried it on my other tools, but I believe if it can handle what the planer produces, it will handle the sawdust output of the table saw, bandsaw, router, or miter saw.

About fine sawdust - like talcum power size, let's say - - - I did see a little of it coming thru the bag at the point where it connects to the outtake port.  But that was it.  Not enough to make me wish I hadn't bought the dust collector.  There is a whole lot of YouTube videos and other reference material that speak to the filtration aspect of dust collectors.  The 1 micron vs.5 micron filters, and what is good enough.  I'm going to start with this and see how it goes. 
Now I've got my jointer and planer on a moveable cart with storage space, and dust collection.  Mission accomplished.       
 

[barb.j.enders]

On 5/1/2024 at 8:12 AM, Joe W. said:

Very similar to what Harbor Freight is selling for about $150,

But I don't have Harbour Freight in Canada.  Went to the shop and bought it.  I can't believe how quiet it is.  It may only be a filter bag, but it is collecting way more dust than the shop vac was.

[Joe W.]

1 hour ago, barb.j.enders said:

Went to the shop and bought it.

Congrats Barb! 
I do like the rectangular hood at the end of the hose.
I may adopt that idea for when I use my miter saw.  

[Sparkey]

Whatever dust collector you buy make sure it has the pleated filter and not the bag. The bag will collect the dust and spread the fine dust around the room. Check Grizzly. I saw some good deals and bought mine there. I ran 4” drain pipe around the shop to each piece of equipment. Also a cyclone is a great add on. It will keep you from having to mess with the bag. Here are a few pictures of mine to hopefully give you some ideas.

 

[Joe W.]

Rusty,

That is a nice setup you have there. And a nice amount of space too.

[Scrappile]

I hope is we move, which we really need to, I can make a setup like that in whatever I may have for a shop... very nice.