Harvey or Oneida Dust Collector – Your Thoughts?
Hi,
I have saved up and am ready to purchase dust collection for my shop. The key criteria is that it can not be attached to a wall (that rules out ClearVue unfortunately). Both Oneida and Harvey have dust collection systems that fit the bill. It really comes down to either the 3HP Oneida V3000 or Harvey 700 or 800 system. All three systems are within my budget.
Do any of you have direct knowledge of both systems?
Would you choose one over the other?
I will be using it for my PowerMatic 15″ bandsaw and DeWalt 735. Maybe in the future for a jointer but I may never bother to get a jointer given cost and space issues and that I can get away with a sled to joint on the DeWalt.
There is much more info out there on the Oneida systems and seems a safer choice. Much, but not all of the Harvey systems, seem to be sponsored posts. Burbon Moth on YouTube and a few others spent their own money on the Harvey systems and seem happy with them.
Many thanks for your help.
Replies
I have installed and have been using this 3hp oneida dust collection for about 4yrs. I always keep open 1 gate, and as many as 3 gates open while the machines are running. never had a problem with dust not being collected. jointer, planer, chop saw, table saw, shaper,drum sander,ect. remote start and a 30 gallon dust bin. the best machine in the shop. I have no knowledge about harvey dust collectors, the oneida collector is one that I would buy again without hesitation. excellent fit for a hobby shop! good luck on your choice.
You don't have enough machines to warrant a system that big. The DW has a fan assist so you don't need much beyond a shop vac and separator.
The bandsaw is doesn't require much.
You will do well with a 1.5HP portable collector and a good canister filter. The Harvey is nice, but it's expensive, a space hog.
You should think about it some more. But yeah, you can't go wrong with either of them, you just don't need them.
Thanks both. I did test DeWalt 735 with my shop vac with my Dylos particle meter. The air quality went from very good to fair and 30 min with garage doors open got it back to very good. The 3 HP likely overkill. However, I want to have future dust collection capacity in case I end up getting something that does generate a lot of dust.
There is a lot of difference between a shop vac and 3hp dust collector.
On the plainer in particular the blower helps a lot.
The filter is going to be a bigger impact on the air quality. Either should be fine but a smaller unit with a canister filter or canister retrofit should be fine. I do think a cyclone add on is a good improvement to any collector that does not have a cyclone, keeps the filters clean longer.
I am a hobbyist woodworker with a 400 square foot shop. When setting up the shop 18 months ago, I asked for recommendations on a dust collector from this Forum. I chose an Oneida Supercell based on those recommendations.
Because my shop is small, the footprint of the dust collector was important. I shop-built a wheeled carrier for it and placed it near my Sawstop table saw/router table. (Oneida offers a carrier but it seems expensive for what it is).
I run 2” and 4” flexible lines with individual gates from it to my other equipment, and don’t need to move it around.
Couldn’t be happier. While it is overcapacity for some things I do, that extra power is vitally important in my experience when milling 8/4 stock. Jointers and planers produce an incredible volume of chips and dust in those operations.
Hope this helps.
* I also use a ceiling-suspended Jet air cleaner in my shop. Even with the dust collector, fine dust would be a problem without this.
I have a 20 inch planer, 8 inches jointer, 14 inch band saw, 14 inches radial and a big lathe, table saw etc…a 1 1/2 hp is plenty sufficient to get all the dust from these machines, a cartridge would be welcome for ease of cleaning .
Just a cool economical option - The following YouTube video from PatriotDIY is an upgrade modification to the HF 1550 CFM 2 HP Blower. The layout can obviously be changed so that it is not wall mount.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYTR24EQ8hI
I too am on the overkill side.
Generally, I approve of the 'buy once cry once' approach and if you are looking at getting some big iron, then a big sucker is essential and there is no point in going small however, you really don't need any of those machines unless you will be using a giant planer frequently or need high airflow for another purpose.
I have a 16" Hammer which can strip 2mm off a full width piece and no, a 1.5HP single stage could not quite keep up (though it was pretty close) when run through a thien baffle and a good chunk of 4" pipe. That having been said, I've only ever run it that hard to see if the sucker could keep up...
I do have a massive sucker now, similar to the Oneida, but it is primarily because I need high airflow for smaller tools and my saw guard (convenience) and turning (needs a good draught to draw sanding dust from a wide area) - the ease of clearing the big machines is just a bonus.
Yes, you CAN buy those tools and I'd 100% back you doing so, but consider the 'opportunity cost' - you could perhaps buy a smaller machine, which will be easy to sell on later, and use the rest of the cash to buy your next machine - unless it's a monster, that smaller machine will cope really well. Similarly, the space taken up, like the cash, can only be used once though the difference there is probably not worth arguing over.
One last thought - in the end, if you get pleasure from using a really nice machine, then don't sell yourself short. Single stages are a bit noisier and less cool by far so ultimately it comes down to how much fun you will get from the expense. I don't regret my big vac, even though I could have got away with keeping the small one and just being gentler on the planer...
For a smaller DC system, I’ve had great luck and satisfaction with the Oneida Mini Dust Gorilla (older 1,5HP 220V version). It is quite portable and I use it with the tablesaw, DeWalt 735 planer, 18” bandsaw, and 6” jointer. It’s amazing how well it works for a small shop. Yeah, it sometimes take more time to move the hose. I also use an air cleaner and connect my router table to my Ridgid shop vac. The Oneida replaced an older bag type dust collector - a huge step up.
I have a friend who purchased the newer Mini Dust Gorilla (120V version) and has been quite happy with it.
Good luck with your search!
I have a Jet 120v Vortex collector, with a canister filter on top and clear bag on the bottom. The flex hose reaches most tools, and I have to move it very occasionally. No blast gates, I just use 4" Rockler quick connects to move the hose between tools.
It does everything I need it to, and I'm satisfied. I use a Festool CT36 extractor for hand sanding, Domino, etc.
I really dislike shop vacs, especially for stationary tools. I used them for years, hence the dislike. I can't imagine using one on a thickness planer. The giant bag on my Jet fills up fast enough.
I use a Home Depot "Duststopper".
$39.99, works great.
For those who don’t move it around where are you finding the 3-way & 4-way connectors for the collector. Are you just putting a Y fitting in a Y fitting?
“[Deleted]”
I have the Oneida Supercell mounted on a cart and don't move it around. I'v attached a picture of how I've set it up. Sort of a kluge and may not be optimum but it works for me.
The 2.5" duct in the background connects to a port I've attached to the underside of the SawStop router box. My jointer, planer, and oscillating sander are on wheeled carts so I roll them up and hook them up individually when I need to use them. This may be aggravating to some, but it works OK for me as a hobbyist.
I am milling 6'x 10" 8/4 maple boards now to make a workbench top. Even with the 2.5" duct, the Supercell handles collection of the chips and dust beautifully. (All other blast gates are closed during these operations).
Thanks all for the input. What I find challenging with woodworking is getting real info on dust levels. I've worked on several inhalation medications in my day job. I really get and understand how dangerous 2-5 micron wood dust can be. With had tools, I really don't generate that much dust. I know this because I bought a Dyllos particle meter and measured all of the hand tool woodworking operations to see how much fine dust they generated. The worse was using sand paper by hand - not really a surprise. Sawing with hand saws came in second. Hand planes and chisel work really didn't change things much.
It's hard to get anyone manufacturer to give any real measurements. Part of why I'd also rather have more suction with a 3 HP motor is to ensure I really am pulling as much as I can from the machine. I will likely still wear my dust mask as well and keep the doors open.
What I really want is a ClearVue 5 HP system. Jay Bates did some solid measurements on his system a number of years back the way I like to do mine so I know it worked for him and that is the closest I can get to real measurements. Unfortunately, they don't make one that can be free standing. I don't feel like trying to cobble together something to make it work.
Hope this helps explain things a big more. Oh, in the 1980s when I was a teenager, I refused to change the break pads on our vehicles because of asbestos break dust. My dad said unkind words to me and did it himself. Of course, now he wheezes a bunch (no dust collector on any of his woodworking equipment) from his exposure to asbestos in his day job. I only point this out because things like this have been on my mind for a long time. Also, starting in the 1980s I would wear ear plugs to music concerts and dance clubs. I got teased a bunch by friends for that. Turns out it was a good decision. I'll stop rambling.
If perfect air quality is your thing then any machine with a cannister filter will help.
There are two goals in DC - less sweeping/respiratory health. Most of us are probably more concerned about the former. Anyone with any time in this craft knows preventing suspended dust is impossible, WADR to Mr Pentz.
Good luck one that one. Sounds like you’re already into PPE. The safest shops are open shops with plenty if air circulation and a nice big exhaust fan. I’m fortunate to have one of those.
Yea, I'm familiar with all of Pentz's writings on the topic. I've been into PPE for a long long time (have a day job as a chemist in which early on I worked with all kinds of nasty things helped influence me). When I used to mow the law 20+ years ago I used to wear eye and ear protection. When vacuumed in the house, I used to wear ear protection. Just trying to do the best I reasonably I can - good dust collection, PPE, open doors and good airflow.
I currently have an Oneida mini-gorrilla. It's a fine unit, for what it is. It's not as powerful as I'd like and in my new somewhat larger shop, I get tired of moving it and the hose around. I definitely want to upgrade for more power and for the ability to duct. I will note that I live at about 8000', which effectively reduces the power.
Of the two, my preference would definitely be the Oneida. I would also strongly consider the Oneida Supercell, as others have mentioned. It is a bit smaller footprint and makes ductwork much simpler and less expensive. Call Oneida and they will be happy to talk to you about which one is a better fit for you.
Thanks. I called Oneida. The two 4" dust ports on my bandsaw make the Supercell not quite ideal per their rep.
I'm not sure what bandsaw you have but I can see why this might be a problem.
My bandsaw (Laguna MBX14) also has two 4" ports. The design of the bandsaw does not present an enclosed space to the dust collector so there would be a significant of loss suction.
I don't connect my Oneida Supercell to the bandsaw. I have attached a shop vacuum as an alternative, reducing the 4" duct to a 1.5” to connect to the vacuum. (The shop vacuum is on a wheeled cart so it does double duty as a general shop clean up tool).
It does an OK job, but does not eliminate the need to give the bandsaw (and the floor around it) a periodic deep cleaning. I'll be interested to know what you end up doing.
I've got the PowerMatic 15" bandsaw (PM1500 I think). Took me quite a while to save up for it. Wher it is sitting now, is where the dust collector will more or less sit.
I have the powermatic 24in bandsaw (2 4in ports), connected to the supercell. this bandsaw is also the last tool on an approx 50ft length of FLEX TUBE. so pretty much the worst set up possible for the supercell to deliver any usable suck, but it amazingly it does just fine - not perfect, but very very little dust on table or inside saw. all connected tools (6) along run have auto blast gates, but still amazing there is any suck left at all given length of run, inefficiency of flex, and number of tools/blast gates along the way. full marks for supercell.
JT
Let me know if you would like to sell the Mini-Gorilla and use the money to purchase a larger unit.
Thanks, but unfortunately a new collector is still several items down on the priority list and isn't going to happen in the short term.
“[Deleted]”
The Harvey unit is sexy as hell, but the low horizontal format and inlets at floor level would make it a no-go for my small shop.
I have a 1.75hp rikon with an oversized impeller sucking through a steel dust deputy and exhausting to a 40x12 canister filter (Oneida). Main trunk is 5 with, 4" tool drops. Exhaust side is 8" pipe from the blower to the filter.
I have magvent dryer fittings on the drops and flex hoses for easy swapping. A thin steel disc seals one off better than a blast gate.
👋 small shop woodworker here who went with a Dylos particle counter and a Harvey G-700 dust processor.
I have no regrets. The Harvey unit is well designed and incredibly quiet.
Unless I’m resawing, I keep the unit set at the lowest power level and it does a great job. It’s really nice having a dust processor that is more quiet than your bandsaw for example.
As a person with a penchant for quiet hand tools, the amount of noise produced is an important dimension when considering a tool and comparing dB levels it is hard to find a comparable on the market.
Thanks. Can you please tell me a bit more about resawing and particle counts? Same question for when using a planer. I have the DeWalt 735.