I'm planning to sand and repaint some old furniture and I'm curious if a Stealth Sonic 16-gallon shop vac paired with a dust separator will be sufficient for this job. Should I invest in a dust extractor instead? I'll be wearing an N95 mask while sanding in my garage, but I want to ensure I'm as safe as possible. Also, what's the best dust separator out there? I'm considering getting the Dustopper Pro from Home Depot.
5 Answers
For sure, wear a dust mask! Sanding dust can be really harmful, especially since some of it is invisible until it settles. I actually prefer using a respirator because it feels easier to breathe while working for longer periods. A good shop vac can definitely handle sanding, but just be aware that cheaper models might only last about 30 minutes before needing a cool-down. Higher-end vacs run longer and have great filtration.
Definitely don't skip out on using a mask! Sanding dust can be really sneaky and harmful.
Using a bag inside your shop vac is a great idea! It keeps the filter from getting clogged up, and the separator will help catch a lot of the dust before it even hits the filter.
I've got the Stealth Sonic, and it works well once you add a HEPA filter. But be careful with high-grit sanding as it can cause swirl marks if the suction is too strong. I'd recommend saving up for a good sander and dust extractor setup like Festool or Mirka—they're worth the investment!
Any specific models you’d suggest? And if I do go the premium route, can I forgo the regular shop vac since the high-end ones can handle liquids and filtering?
Check out the Hercules dust extractor from Harbor Freight. It outperforms most shop vacs and cyclones for sanding tasks. I had to clean my filter frequently with my rigid shop vac and cyclone, but the Hercules has made my life much easier with its automatic features.
I tried my Dust Deputy with a sander and my shop vac, and the results were great—very little dust made it to the filter!
Your average 1 horsepower shop vac should be more than enough. Just be cautious that high suction can bog down some sanders. I use a Mullet dust separator with my shop vac; it allows me to use them separately, which is handy. Cyclone-style separators work great for sanding dust, too.
Are you happy with that setup? What benefits does the Mullet dust separator have compared to something like the Dustopper Pro?
Thanks for the tip! How long should I wait after sanding before it's okay to take off the mask? Also, any advice on how to find the right size for a respirator without just guessing?