Opinions - Is a 1 HP dust collector enough?

[Garasaki]

I've been in the market a while now for a dust collector. I'm working on a very tight budget so I'm primarily concentrating on used equipment OR waiting for the next good deal on the HF DC.

For reasons beyond my control, I missed the 130 dollar deal on the HF DC a while back.

My best option that I've come across recently is a Jet 650 model, which is their 1 hp version (rated at "650 cfm" ). It is priced as 175 obo (meaning I could probably get it for a little less) and comes with some accessories...over the phone the guy said "hoses, pipe, elbows and such...valued at 150 to 175 dollars new"...taken w/a grain of salt since I haven't actually seen the unit yet.

I had sort of talked myself into only buying a 1 1/2 HP or higher unit (thinking of course of the HF DC as the sort of "standard"). Now that I have this opportunity, and currently have the money and motivation to make a purchase, I am wondering if the 1 hp model would do the job I want it too? Right now my main dust maker is my BT3000...I have a router and 4" jointer, both of which make fairly easy to control chips (rather then dust), but the fines from my BT3000 (running off a shopvac) make a big mess of my garage.

Any option I choose most likely involves me getting a 1-micron or less canister filter from Wynn.

Thoughts?

[Ken Massingale]

I'm not familiar with the Jet, but did have a no-name brand 1 hp DC from Cummings. I think it was $100. Connected to one machine at a time with a 10 ft. flex hose, it worked fine. It would not pull enough through a 4" DC system to be adequate. I tried it on a 4" PVC pipe run going up to the ceiling and across about 10' and down 6' and it looked at me like I was stupid. And, I guess I was.
So, if you plan to use it as a mobile unit and connect to machines as needed, my experience says it will do o.k. If you want to run a PVC system thru your shop, I wouldn't recommend it.

[Lonnie in Orlando]

I don't know if $175 is good or not. I would definitely try to negotiate a lower price. Plus, you don't "need" $150-$175 in accessories it, so that is irrelevant.

I have the Delta 1-HP DC that is similar to the Jet. I use it on one machine at a time. Use a shop made separator when connected to planer or jointer. It's worked fine for me for about four years.

PROS -
> Price (1)
I bought my Delta for $75 when Lowes closed them out. This was the previous Delta item number before the AP400. Same DC, different number.
> Price (2)
Delta AP400 for $117 + $49.99 shipping at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Delta-AP400-Sh.../dp/B00006K005
> Small footprint
Doesn't take as much floor space as larger DC
> Small current drain
No problem running DC + other tool at same time. A friend had to rewire his shop when he installed his HF DC (HF Thanksgiving deal price $129.00 + cost to rewire)
> Don't need a lot of accessories
Like Ken said, it's not powerful enough to pipe your shop with drops and blast gates. I bought extra hose, some connectors (close out at Lowes), and 5-mic bags. Plus 30-gal galvanized trashcan for dust separator.

CONS -
> One tool at a time
Must connect/disconnect to each tool. Time consuming, and I sometimes skip hooking up for a short job.
> 30-mic bag
My Delta came with a 30-mic bag. I changed to Delta 5-mic bags. It still puffs dust like a locomotive. After market 1-mic or better bags or filters are expensive. But you may find that you want to buy after market bags for almost any DC.

FYI -
> HF 2HP DC on sale
The HF 2HP DC is on sale for $199.99 on line. Retail store will probably match. This price and the Delta price at Amazon are good bargaining tools to use with the Jet seller.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=45378
> HF has a filter conversion kit
HF 1-mic conversion kit for $169.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94278

BT3000 hook up -
The Delta 1HP DC does a good job of pulling dust from the dust port of my BT3000. But I still get a lot of dust from the saw. The dust is kicked out by the blade above the saw top. Don't think any DC connected only to the dust port on the saw will catch that dust. Will need a second dust pick up above the saw. eg Sharkguard.

- Lonnie

[drumpriest]

I had the 1 hp canister filter jet and upgraded it to the 1 1/2 hp model. Honestly the 1hp did well, but lost it after about 15' of hose. The 1 1/2 is doing just fine in my shop.

I wouldn't use a 30 micron bag personally, as that is pumping fairly large dust particles through your space.

[Garasaki]

Well, I am definately receiving mixed reviews regarding this.

My thoughts for system setup were basically as follows:

I'd like to setup a 2 stage system with a preseparator (probably homemade). I do not wish to plumb my whole shop but I would like to mount the DC on the ceiling and then duct a little ways over to a single centrally located drop. I guess I haven't really totally figured that out yet...but even a single drop from the ceiling means at least 8 feet of flex duct. The ceiling mounted duct would probably be 6" so I would think that wouldn't restrict it too much.

I was planning to upgrade to a wynn filter and basically separate the DC components (motor/impeller and cartridge) to fit nicely onto the ceiling as well as improve airflow between them.

I don't think a roll around approach is what I want for this system...I'd rather roll the different tools to the DC, then vise versa. I guess the reason for that is just to retain floor space in my garage.

So I've read reviews from people sucessfully using this with a small ducted system in their shops, and I've read recommendations that it's at least 1/3 too small to effectively handle anything. So I'm still entirely on the fence about it...

[messmaker]

I doubt it would do as well as a good big shop-vac.I tried a 1hp Delta and found it useless.

[vaking]

I have a jet JSL-610DC. That is even smaller unit than the one you think - 3/4HP, 610CFM. As a portable unit it works well. I added a preseparator and this separator also serves as a Tee to connect single 4" hose from DC to 2 2-1/4 hoses to my BT3100. My BT3100 has a shark so I collect from 2 places -above and below the table (same with router table). DC and separator are mounted on same cart and roll together. I am pretty certain this type of DC will not work with permanent elaborate piping. 6" pipe on this DC does not make much sense - DC itself has 4" inlet. With the plans that you have I would skip this offer. You are planning to put serious work into it and doing it with underpowered unit is a waste.

[ragswl4]

I think moving the DC or the euipment around for dust collection will eventually get tiresome, especially if you are doing a lot of work on different machines in a short time frame.

I would suggest taking a close look at shop layout and determine the best locations for the tools that require the DC and how best to position everything. I am in a one car section of a three car garage and have positioned the DC in one corner with the bandsaw, tablesaw and planer within 6 ft of the DC. I am using black 4" plastic hose with gates to each machine and never have to move anything.

Only machine not in reach of the DC is the jointer.

DC is the HF 2HP (more like 1.5HP) with 1micron bags, top and bottom. DC was $145 and bags were $85. No dust anywhere except from the top of the tablesaw.

[Garasaki]

Well I move my equipment around now, to a degree. I am occupying 1/2 of a 2 car garage...I have a long term goal of being able to park both cars in there. This means equipment movement each time I want to work there. It aint so bad...and it forces me to keep organized.

BT3k and router "station" are on a half complete mobile base. I do tend to leave it in one spot. My only other dust maker right now is a old delta 4" jointer that could be called "benchtop" (I lift it from place to place). It hasn't really found a good home yet. I eventually want to get a planer of course, and a larger jointer may be in my future too. But really the TS is the toughest dust to control anyway. The equipment layout I have in my head isn't much different then yours sounds rags...just that the "central point" of my shop would the middle of a wall versus a corner.

I dunno...I think this may come down to price. I think I'll call the guy up and basically tell him the truth...I'm on the fence about this DC and if I could get it for, say 125 bucks, that would probably get me to come off the fence. My personal opinion is that by upgrading to a cartridge filter and being very diligent in my layout of components, this unit could work for me. At the same time, I believe that a 1.5 HP or better unit would be much better.

One thing I really like in reading the reviews is how quiet the unit is.

[Thom2]

I bought a used Grizz G1029 2hp for $125, there's no way I'd pay $175 for a used 1hp ... don't care what name is on it.

new HF flier has their DC listed @ $179.99 .... I think you'd be much further ahead to drop the extra 5 bucks on this setup if you're even considering to plumb.

besides, this is basically a one-time investment, you may as well get something you know is going to work now and as you grow the shop.

JMO

[drumpriest]

When I had a 1hp unit, I never moved it (physically) from tool to tool. What I did was have a 10' piece of clear flex hose, and a quick disconnect. This mated with drops from the tools. I would then just move the hose, which is about as difficult as using a manual blast gate.

This doesn't bother me at all, but as the tools get too far away, you lose air flow.

I wouldn't try a separator with a 1 hp machine, I think you'll lose too much CFM.

[Sawatzky]

I have the HF portable 1 HP DC. I only use it on my BT and router table, and just disconnect the hose each time. I don't mind this at all, and the DC is small enough to slide under my outfeed table. But, those are my only major dust making machines (no planer, bandsaw, or jointer). There is no way that DC would work in a plumbed shop as it just doen't pull enough air. But for my needs it works great. If you are going to go for a full size DC, get one with enough power for your needs and any future needs you forsee. I wolud only stick with a 1 HP unit if you just want a portable unit. In that case I would buy the HF 1 HP portable on sale for about $120.00.

[JimD]

I have the 1hp Delta, I think it is the AP400 and I have it working through a network of 4 inch thin wall PVC pipes to blast gates on my tools. I have a connection to my radial arm saw that I also switch to my 10 inch CMS, another to the BT3100 that goes through a 10 foot flex pipe plus the solid PVC, another to my drill press, another to my router table and last one to my 8 1/2 inch INCA jointer planner. I have plenty of suction to the 3100 and the other machines but it is marginal to the INCA. On the 3100 I connect both to the dust port and also to another port I added to my mobile base under the saw. Both are 2 inch or so so they are open at the same time. If I mess up and leave the radial arm saw connection open while the BT3100 is also open, it works OK. If I mess up and have anything else open while the planner is doing its thing, I have to stop and clean up the chips - they do not all get removed. If everything is closed it will get everything but if the board is the full 8+ inches I may have to give it a minute to catch up after each pass and may still have to clean out chips if the board is long. I use the planner the least so I consider this marginal but OK.

The stock bags were nearly worse than useless (30 micron). All the fine stuff that will collect in your lungs is just spit back out for you to breath. I bought some felt bags from Highland Hardware including an oversized one for the top that my wife modified to fit. That helps a lot with the dust and may help a little with the suction. I also made my own wooden blast gates after getting frustrated with some plastic ones that neither opened or closed all the way. I think my wooden gates that really open and close help significantly with my marginal DC. They are made of scrap and are definitely better than at least the cheap blast gates I started with - maybe the more expensive metal ones would be OK but wood ones are easy to make and work well.

Jim