I'm considering using a shop vac with my cabinet table saw, but I'm worried about how effective it will be. I've seen new models of dust collectors that have a vertically mounted motor to save floor space, which is crucial for my garage setup (it's right next to my car entry). Given my limited workshop hours as a hobbyist—I typically work for about 4-5 hours every few weekends—do you think a shop vac is sufficient or should I look for something better? Also, I've heard that for optimal performance, I should use a 6" hose instead of a 4" since the latter just barely meets the saw's requirements. I'm thinking of getting a dust collector with around 1.5 to 2 HP. Any advice?
3 Answers
A lower-tier dust collector moves much more air than a shop vac, which is definitely better than nothing, but don’t expect miracles. If you’re doing a lot of work, you’ll still make a mess, even with the best vac. Consider investing in a larger impeller if you can; they're not too pricey, but remember you'll also need to allow for good airflow through the filters if you go big!
Honestly, I had the same setup eight years back with a dust deputy and an 8 HP shop vac. It’s worked great for me, and honestly, I haven’t felt the need to upgrade since then. I think it depends on your setup—if you don’t have larger machines installed permanently, you might be fine with a decent shop vac for now!
Are you sure about the 8 HP? That’s pretty uncommon for a shop vac, usually they max out around 4 HP.
Using a 4" hose should be okay; it’s not just about hose size, but the effectiveness of your dust collector too. Just make sure you get a grounded 4" hose for safety!
What kind of saw are you using? That 8 HP vacuum sounds like a beast! I'm just using a cyclone with a rigid shop vac.