I'm a hobbyist woodworker and I'm really tired of dealing with all the dust and mess created while working. Is investing in a dust collection system worth it? If so, how effective are these systems at keeping the sawdust and shavings to a minimum? Are we talking about 90%, 99%, or only around 75% dust-free?
2 Answers
Honestly, if you're just starting out, a shop vac paired with a cyclone attachment that fits on a bucket is a great way to go. It's a minimal investment that really helps capture a lot of the dust. If you want something that's easy to set up and efficient, this combo could be your best bet!
It really depends on how much you're willing to spend, but I've found that with a simple shop vac setup, you can get around 90% of the dust removed. I started off with a homemade cyclone on a 20-gallon barrel, and it was a total game changer. It worked well with everything from my table saw to my sander. Definitely worth it!

That sounds awesome! I’m looking for something affordable too. Did you have to do a lot of modifications to get it to work?