I'm trying to upgrade my dusty setup from an old rigid shop vac that doesn't use bags. I'm wondering if a dust extractor will work on my table saw and planer, or if I should get both a dust extractor and a shop vac with a cyclone for the larger dust particles. I'm aware that I'd probably go through bags pretty quickly, and a full dust collection system isn't in my budget right now. I'm specifically considering the Milwaukee dust extractor.
4 Answers
In my shop, I use a mix of tools: I have a Oneida cyclone for my large machines, a Festool dust extractor for the smaller stuff, and I also use an air filter to catch anything airborne. Plus, I wear a respirator when I’m using machines that don’t have good dust collection, like my bandsaw. If you're serious about dust collection, having a variety of tools to manage different types of dust is key!
Dust extractors and shop vacs basically do the same job—both can suck up dust, but they have different strengths. Dust extractors work better for smaller tools with restricted airflow, like random orbit sanders, while dust collectors are better for larger machines that create a lot of dust. If you're using a table saw, I'd recommend getting both a dust extractor for the smaller debris and a dust collector for the big stuff. You might want to check if you can get a bag for your current shop vac, and upgrading to a HEPA filter could help, too! And definitely consider adding a cyclone to the mix to improve your dust control.
A dust extractor is a solid replacement for your shop vac when it comes to smaller tools because it’s typically more efficient and quieter. But for larger tools like your planer, you'll definitely want a dust collector as well—it can get pretty messy and clog your shop vac fast! Make sure you assess your needs for both types for the best results!
Honestly, a dust extractor and a shop vac with a cyclone are pretty similar in function. The newer dust extractors are often quieter than traditional shop vacs, which is a bonus. If noise is an issue for you, think about building a soundproof enclosure for your shop vac to make it quieter! There are some great video tutorials on how to do this—just search for 'shop vac enclosures.'
Thanks for the advice! It sounds like investing in both a dust extractor and a collector would cover all my bases.