Hey fellow woodworkers! I've started working on my bench table project, but the dust situation has spiraled out of control! I'm thinking about picking up a shop vac along with one of those cyclone attachments that fit over a 5-gallon bucket. With Father's Day just around the corner, I'm hoping to snag a good deal. I live in Canada, and unfortunately, we don't have Harbor Freight here, which limits my options a bit. What do you think is the best value for a shop vac? I came across a DXV12P on sale — it's a 5.5hp with a 12-gallon tank. Would a 4.0 hp, 6-gallon vac work okay with a bucket cyclone? Plus, what's one mistake you would avoid with your first shop vac purchase? Thanks!
3 Answers
I've got a Dewalt Stealthsonic paired with a Dust Deputy and it does the job pretty well. I do plan on investing in a proper dust collection system soon, but for now, it's been solid. And you know what? If you're considering that Dewalt DXV12P, it’s currently on sale for $140 CAD which seems like a good deal!
Hey, is the 12-gallon Dewalt DXV12P enough for most projects? I've heard conflicting things.
I've been through my fair share of shop vacs, and honestly, a full dust collector is the best if you have the room and budget. But for now, I'm using a 6hp 4-gallon setup with a 55-gallon drum and it works for tools from sanders to planers. In the long run, you might want a proper dust collection system for larger machines. Just a heads up — I wouldn’t recommend those bucket cyclone attachments since they take up space and can reduce suction some.
What brand of shop vac are you using with that setup? Sounds effective!
Sounds like a solid idea! Thanks for sharing your experience!
I use two Ridgid vacs: a 16-gallon 6.5 peak HP for stationary tools and a smaller 4-gallon portable one for my handheld tools. The smaller one came with a nice hose that makes cleaning up the car and the house easier. Also, I have a Dust Stopper on a 5-gallon bucket, and it captures about half the debris effectively. Just keep in mind, you will want to invest in a HEPA filter, as they usually don't come standard with vacs. And for your hoses, flexible plastic is a game-changer!
Wow, great info! How does the 5hp Ridgid do with that bucket stopper?
Thanks for the tips! I’ll keep an eye out for deals this Father’s Day weekend.
Oh nice! So the Stealthsonic handles a Dust Deputy really well? That's definitely good to know!