Dust Collection System Ideas for Your Workshop

Whether you’re a professional woodworker, auto mechanic or hobbyist, chances are that your workshop can get dirty fast by working with these materials. Dust collection systems capture sawdust, shavings, chips and other debris right at their point of origin before they even have a chance to enter the air. Most shop dust collection systems are fairly large, freestanding units that use a special fan called an impeller to pull in dust and push clean air back out through a filter.

Today’s dust collection systems offer a variety of features to help keep your workshop clean and safe. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when determining the best dust collector for you:

• The size of your workshop is a key factor when deciding what type of dust collection system to invest in. Smaller spaces might only need a simple, portable shop vacuum. Bag and canister systems can be a better fit for larger workplaces since you can set them up in one place and connect them to multiple tools at once. Depending on the number of tools you have and their placement in your shop, you may have to construct a piping system that connects all your items to the main collection unit.
• The capacity of your dust collection system is another important factor to consider. Dust collectors can only hold so much material before they’ll need to be cleaned and emptied, so factor in the amount of dust and debris your tools produce. At least five cubic feet of collection capacity is recommended for a large workshop.
• Measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), the suction power of your dust collector is another consideration. Shop vacuums and dust extractors generally fall around 100 to 150 CFM, and larger dust collectors will be in the 400 to 500 CFM range. For very busy workshops, a dust collector with a rating of 1000 CFM or more may be required.
• Some dust collectors are fixed, while others are portable. The smallest are designed to be carried, while many shop vacuum models have wheels for easy movement. Fixed or mounted dust collection systems are larger and mount to the wall or ceiling, taking up no floor space. However, suction power gets lower the longer the tubes are.

The best dust collection systems make dust collection even easier with special features such as a TEFC motor and high-efficiency micron bags. Here are some of the top features to look for:

• A totally enclosed fan-cooled (TEFC) motor delivers long-lasting performance with reduced motor wear
• A dust collection system’s filter efficiency is rated based on the smallest size particle that its bag can stop. If your unit comes with 5-micron or 30-micron bags, consider upgrading to a bag that will capture dangerous 1-micron particles. You can also get a compact air filtration system that captures 1- to 5-micron particles.
• Some models offer remote control operation, making fixed units in large workshops a lot more convenient to use
• For portable units, look for models that offer convenient storage spaces for hoses and attachments
• The large amount of noise generated by dust collection systems can pose a hazard. In addition to wearing proper hearing protection gear, consider a system that includes noise-reducing insulation.

Tip: Look for a collection bag system that makes frequent emptying of the contents a fast and simple task. Also, make sure the attachment system creates a tight seal, leaving no room for dust to escape.