I'm setting up a dust collection system for my workshop and recently talked to a vendor about using a dust collector. He mentioned that dust collectors aren't suitable for thick residues like the shavings produced by thickness planers, suggesting they might get damaged in the process. He said they're only effective for fine dust, like what you get from routing MDF. Is this true? If so, how should I set up my dust collection system to handle these types of materials?
3 Answers
That info sounds a bit off! Dust collectors can actually handle those thicker shavings as long as your system is set up right. Adding a two-stage filtration, like a cyclone before the impeller, can really help by preventing big shavings from reaching the impeller and causing damage. It's all about the design of your dust collection system.
Honestly, I haven’t had any clogging issues with mine while planing! I use a Grizzly G0583Z dust collector, and it handles shavings and dust beautifully. I have it set up with a cyclone lid to catch the big bits, and I only need to empty the bag once a year. The key is ensuring your collector can move enough volume for your tools. Plan for some extra capacity since you lose some efficiency with the hoses.
I think your vendor might have misunderstood. Dust extractors, like shop vacs, definitely struggle with high volumes of wood chips because they’re tailored for fine dust. Dust collectors, though, are built to handle larger chips if you configure your system to match the output of your thicknesser!