Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 14, 2007 07:35am | #1

     Sounds from the prices you quoted like you're looking at the bag-filter collectors.  "Really sick of sucking up dust"  Any way you can spring for a cannister-style DC??  You might still be sucking up dust, especially when you change the bag, otherwise.  Most of the bag-filter collectors don't filter down to very low micron-sizes either, so people end up "upgrading" the bags, which isn't super-cheap.  I have the Jet 1.5HP with cannister, really like it.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

2. 
   ajkelly | Mar 14, 2007 09:17am | #2

   Frank,

   I also recommend one of the cyclone versions.

   I have a little cyclone that I hook up to my shop vac and it works amazingly well.  I can go weeks without cleaning out my vac - everything except the fine dust is left in the cyclone canister.

   After this experience, I am saving for a true cyclone system.  Spend the extra money - you'll never regret it.  It looks like the cyclone systems start for around $700 and go up.  If these are out of your budget then get one of the little mini-cyclones or a cyclone lid and attach it to a garbage can.  You can use this while you're saving for a bigger system.  That's what I"m doing.  Clear Vue (see the link below) has a small mini-cyclone, as does Oneida.  Or you can buy a cyclone lid at most of your mail-order catalogs.

   Explore these links:  http://www.clearvuecyclones.com/Order_Page.htm,  http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0443,  http://www.grizzly.com/dustcollectors/compare2.aspx?feature=price (this compares a Grizzly to an Oneida system), http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=42234 (a good post from Bill Pentz - who did the original design on the Clear Vue), http://www.dustdeputy.com/ (the mini-cyclone from Oneida Air).

   Anybody using one of the entry-level cyclones and have good or bad comments?

   I've even been thinking about getting a 1 or 2 hp motor (I sometimes see the old bag-style collectors at garage sales/estate sales) and attaching just the motor to a mini-cyclone.  You could do that for $200-$300.

   aj kelly

3. 
   JMartinsky | Mar 15, 2007 03:28am | #3

   Dear Frank,
   A series of 2:00 AM bloody noses after working with MDF convinced me to shoot the lock off of the wallet and get an Oneida 3 HP cyclone. Best money that I could of spent. it was pointed out to me that a poor collector was almost worse than no collector. A DC that doesn't properly filter the return air will simply spew the smallest and most dangerous particles back into the shop. A good Dc system put some pleasure back in woodworking as it makes the process that much cleaner and I can concentrate on what I am doing instead of walking through piles of dust or constantly wearing it. This is an area that I think is worth some extra expense. I can't speak to the other manufacturers, but Oneida has done very well by me. Great customer service and a wonderful product.

   Best,

   John