Replies

1. 
   mudman | Oct 16, 2005 05:48am | #1

   There is a garage vac unit on the market, it is made by Craftsman or one of the brands availible at Home Depot or Lowes. I remember it was pretty inexpensive, less than $90. Really all you need to do it plumb out a good shop vac the way you would a Dust Collection system.

   Mike

2. 
   Dave45 | Oct 16, 2005 03:41pm | #2

   I have two dust collector blast gates at my bench for temporary hookups to sanders, biscuit joiner, etc.  When it's cleanup time, I put on a reducer and just use the shop vac hose and attachments.  Works great and much less noise than the shop vac.

1. 
   Grits | Oct 16, 2005 05:53pm | #3

   Dave

   If I just worked wood, that is exactly what I would do; however, I also use a vac to clean up metal shavings.

   Grits

1. 
   Dave45 | Oct 16, 2005 09:29pm | #4

   Metal shavings?????  Doesn't the sign on the door say WOODworking???  Do I need to upgrade my drugstore reading glasses AGAIN??? - lol

1. 
   Grits | Oct 16, 2005 10:47pm | #5

   Dave

   I have a duel addiction.  About 1299 sq, ft. of my shop are devoted to woodworking and about 201 sq. feet (separate room) house my machine tools.

   I guess that makes me sicker than most.

   Grits

3. 
   jazzdogg | Oct 17, 2005 12:35am | #6

   Hi Grits,

   I recall having read some very informative posts on this subject in the past (an advanced search should turn something up).

   Some things that remain lodged in my feeble mind are the effect of fine sawdust on a central vacuum system (and its warranty); the ease or difficulty of removing sawdust from its filtering system; and the low CFM ratings of central vacs (relative to dust-collection systems) because of their smaller diameter ducting.

   Given my druthers, I'd have a completely separate dust collection system for the shop, with duct work large enough to assure unimpeded air flow from the far side of the shop. I'd put the collector outside to segregate the noise, sawdust & chips from the workspace, and I'd integrate vacuum hose outlets and floor sweeps throughout the shop in addition to machine outlets, each with their own blast gates.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie