Hey everyone! After two years of using a shop vac and a cyclone in my garage, I've decided it's time to invest in a proper dust collector. I currently have a Festool CT 15 for my smaller tools, but I'm looking for something for my larger ones like my table saw and miter saw. I prefer a wall-mounted collector since it suits my shop's size, but most of them are only 1 to 1.5hp with airflow between 400-600 CFM. I'm considering larger 1200 CFM models, but they all come with those big dust and filter bags on a cart.
Since I plan to have a cyclone filter before the collector, I'm wondering if I can eliminate those big bags and just use a single filter bag to save space. Would that work, and do I need a specific size bag to ensure proper airflow? Also, I'm curious about how to handle miter saw dust, as they produce quite a bit. Their dust ports are only 1.5 inches — can I reduce a 4-inch hose to fit that, or should I just stick to using the Festool vac? I'm planning to build an enclosure for it soon, so any tips would be helpful!
5 Answers
Rockler offers a wall-mounted unit that provides 1250 CFM—might be worth checking out if you want something compact with solid performance.
If you're not strictly needing a wall-mounted version, I recommend checking out the Laguna B-Flux. It’s a 1hp unit with great CFM, a compact design, and a 1 micron canister—perfect for small shops! For your miter saw, reducing a 4-inch hose to fit the port is fine, but since you have the CT 15, it might be best to use that one. Miter saws aren’t great with dust collection, so enclosing the top and back can help—Rousseau makes a nice canopy for that purpose!
Honestly, if you’re okay with emptying your shop vac regularly, sticking with it might be just fine for the table and miter saw. They generally produce less dust than bigger tools like planers or jointers, so a bulky dust collector might not even be necessary.
You could consider drilling a hole in the wall to vent those bags outside. If you need to, you can build a small enclosure to house them. It helps keep your shop cleaner and minimizes clutter!
I read that dust collectors are designed to maintain specific airflow levels, so removing those bags could actually hinder performance. Think of it like trying to drink from a straw with the end blocked; it just won't work right!
Thanks for clarifying that! I want to ensure I get good airflow, so I might stick with the bags after all.