Even the best dust-collection system won’t eliminate the need for occasional sweeping, but a good system will keep your broom and your lungs from wearing out prematurely. Anatole Burkin of Fine Woodworking gathered a sampling of machines and used them with his tools, which include a 10-in. cabinet saw, a 15-in. planer, an 8-in. jointer, and a 16-in. bandsaw. This article compares how they did in real use, along with offering tips on supplies and air-volume requirements. You’ll find out how to determine your dust-collection requirements and how to make sense of manufacturer specs. Burkin also discusses designing a central dust-collection system. The most economical and biggest-selling dust collectors are the two-bag, single-stage models. Burkin explains these, two-stage models, and two-stage cyclones and how they compare to one another. He also discusses the dangers of single-stage collectors and how to reduce the risk of fire.

From Fine Woodworking #141

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Makita LS1219L Miter Saw

This is the saw I want in my shop. For one, it’s easy to use. All of the controls are easy to reach and manipulate, and the glide mechanism is both robust and smooth. The handle works well for righties and lefties. Then there are added bonuses that no other saw has. For instance, its hold-down is superb, as it can move to different locations, hinges for a greater range of coverage, and actually holds down the work. In addition, the saw has two points of dust collection, letting it firmly beat the rest of the field. The one downside was the saw’s laser, which was so faint we had to turn off the shop lights to see it. Still, all these pluses in a package that fits tight to the wall? That’s a winner for me.

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Shop Fox W1826

The thick, felted bag on this Shop Fox is a plus and a minus. On one hand, it makes the unit much less expensive than collectors with canister filters, and also lighter and easier to hang on the wall. Without a separate plastic bag to catch chips, however, they stay in the felt bag, and the shortish zipper on the bottom makes it tough to shake them out. Otherwise, the W1826 is an excellent value.

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