I've been working on some basic outdoor furniture and recently bought a planer. Until now, I've just been blowing the dust off my driveway, but after planing about 20 boards, the dust accumulation was overwhelming! I really need a temporary solution to capture most of this dust without spending a lot until I can afford a proper dust collection system for my garage. Any suggestions for the cheapest method to manage this dust while I finish up a few more projects?
3 Answers
I’d suggest trying a DIY approach with a cardboard box as a hood over your planer and a trash can beneath it. It's not perfect, but it should help capture a good amount of the wood chips without a lot of expenditure. Plus, if you're already using a shop vac for other tools, you can connect that to the setup. Just remember to wear a mask to keep the fine dust out of your lungs!
Honestly, you could use a shop vac for now, but keep in mind that planing produces a lot of material, so you'll be changing bags frequently. If your budget allows, look for a solid dust collection system—something mobile even, like the Harbor Freight DC on wheels. It might set you back a bit initially, but it'll save a lot of hassle in the long run, especially when you decide to upgrade.
If you're not ready to invest in a full dust extractor for the planer, you might want to consider getting a portable dust collector around 1 HP. I’ve seen some used ones at Harbor Freight or WEN for around $75. Alternatively, if you want a quick fix, you could rig a 4" hose to a trash bin right next to your planer. It won't eliminate all the dust, but it should catch most of the bigger chips. Just make sure you're using proper PPE because some dust will still escape into the air!
I second that! A shop vac is fine for small stuff, but for a planer, a dedicated system will be way more efficient and save you from constant cleaning up.