New shop setup - DC or Air Filter?

[GaryA]

Hoping you guys can help. Building a new house and I have a single car 11x21 garage (pic below) that will be my dedicated workshop. Going in there, I have a BT3100, Delta planer, HF Bandsaw, router table as far as the larger dust makers - eventually I'll get a jointer. I do have a big Ridgid Pro 6.5HP 16 gallon shop vac. I'm considering purchasing the JDS 750-ER air filtration system to capture airborne dust http://www.amazon.com/JDS-750-ER-Fil...&n=228013&s=hi . I dont think I can swing both a DC & the air filtration right now (mainly budget wise, but would appreciate the extra space too if I didnt have to give it up to a DC). Given that I have the heavy duty shop vac - should I get the JDS AF first? Can I even get away without a DC (i.e. is the shop vac enough)? I will be working with MDF quite a bit as well as hardwood. Thanks!

[LCHIEN]

actually, you'll need both. DC cannot capture all the dust.

[wardprobst]

If you only have funds for one, I'd suggest a DC first. You actually would be better off with both in that small a space with MDF. Point of use capture make the DC my first objective but it needs to capture smaller particles to be of worth.
DP

[GaryA]

Thanks guys. As far as DC's go - what do you all like for a shop this size? According to Taunton's 07 Tool guide - the Delta 50-760 got best value and best overall (1 micron bag included) at $320 - also included are the Grizzly 1028Z and Jet DC1100A - but you needed to buy better bags. Any feedback on which to get? 1.5HP good size for this shop?

[TheRic]

I have a small shop, I just got the HF DC. Plan on using a box fan, or two, with a furnace filter over it. Once I get more $$$$ and a few other tools higher on the list, going to get a real Air Filter, with the bells and whistles.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Definately DC over air filter.

Delta 50-760 at Amazon is 315 which seems like a decent deal on a decent DC. Prior to upgrading I had a 1.5 HP HF DC ($125) with a oversized bell shaped 1 micron bag ($35) which allowed me to use plastic bag on the bottom. It worked very well until I started milling tons of wood. It kept up with every thing except the 15" planer with 12" plus boards. It left some chips in the machine causing dents in stock from the roller. Of course I had my unit piped throughout the shop versus on a dedicated machine with the DC close by. I don't think you would have that problem with the machines you are talking about. It had no problem keeping up with 8" jointer, even face jointing.
My guess is you will be fine with a off the shelf Delta or the upgraded HF unit.

[jackellis]

You can always make an air cleaner out of an old furnace blower. Build a box that holds one or more home HVAC filters on the air inlet side. Wiring it up is simple enough. I think I spent $15 on misc parts, maybe a full sheet of 1/2" plywood (A-C is good enough), and the blower was free from a heating contractor's boneyard. The metal ones you can buy have some nice bells and whistles, but I'm not sure they're worth the cost, especially if on a budget.

[JimD]

I think it was FWW that did a test, maybe it was Wood, of the aircleaners and also a simple box fan with a high quality furnace filter literally duct taped on one side. The box fan did about as well as the $200 and under air cleaners. Made me feel better because what I am using is a box filter fan and motor in a homemade wooden box holding an electrostatic (washable) funace filter. I also have a 1hp Delta DC with upgraded bags. My DC struggles to keep up with my 8 5/8 jointer/planner but is otherwise OK.

Jim

[GaryA]

Thanks for the great input. I just pulled the trigger on the Delta 1.5HP, and wife gave clearance on an air filter purchase as well since it is health related.