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Dust Collection
More than just cleaning up the mess...
An effective Dust
Control (DC) system is an extremely important safety tool!
Our Main
Collector
PSI
DC2000
Wired for 220v.
The Penn State Industries DC-2000 dust collector collects dust
from the table saw, blade cover and jointer. I also move a flex
hose around to collect dust from various other machines from
time to time, like the planner. I usually find it simpler and
faster to roll over R2-D2 (Ridgid canister vac) over to the
drill press and use that for quick dust collection or clean up
(just remember to put a 1 micron filter in the vac so you do not
turn it into a dust pump!). The DC-2000 is powerful enough to
handle two machines at one time, but I usually just flip the
gates.
I may add duct work someday and this machine will handle it
in a small shop like mine.
I was frankly a bit disappointed by the materials on the Penn
State machine, very thin sheet metal, but the machine works
well.
Upgrade the Bags!
The “1-micron” bags that come with the DC-2000 are worthless.
I find that they allow dust particles to blow through the bag! A
MUCH needed upgrade is a Wynn filter.
This is a
35A Wynn Cartridge filter upgrade. It is an essential
upgrade--remember you do not want a dust pump blowing around the
most hazardous size of particles of dust! I do NOT use the
plastic bags included with the filter as I found the chips
whirring around adds to much noise to the shop. An
American
Filter Fabric lower bag is a great alternative.
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Upgrade the Collection Bag
 The
picture on the top left is a close up of PSI's "1-micron” bag
that came with the machine. The mottled look is from dust
particles that have leaked through the bag. I decided to replace
it with an
 American
Fabric Filter Cotton Duck lower bag (picture right).
Unfortunately, AFF sent me a bag that was just over an inch to
large (see fold in lower picture on the left). To the GREAT
credit of their stellar customer support, AFF said they would
manufacture and ship the correct fitting bag immediately! Great
products and great service. AFF gets my highest recommendation!
Delta
50-840 Piped to Collect from a few machines
Wired for 220v.
This is the Delta set up for work. This is a small 1 HP
machine, but upgraded with Penn State's .5-micron filter. The
upgrade was a breeze! Took about two minutes and now the
smallest, most dangerous dust is filtered down to .5 mic! Penn
State
Industries got this one right. In fact, I am not sure you can
even get this upgrade anymore. Go figure!
 This DC is tucked into its place in the shop. This machine
does not get wheeled around and it is connected to a few short
feet of 4” sewer and drain pipe.
 Along
with the filter upgrade, I added a larger base and support to
handle the weight of the new filter. I also converted the
machine to 220v. Easier on the motor--longer life. If you decide
to change over this machine, just be sure to change out the
switch to a DPST. I got one from Grizzly for a few bucks (right picture). This is a MUCH better switch--I like the paddle style!
The original switch is tucked way on the right side of the unit.
It had to be moved! So, I removed it from the original housing
and installed it in a steel box. It is now clamped now to the
top miter saw dust curtain.
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A
Few Feet of Piping
With a small unit like the Delta I own, you have to move the
DC to the machine, but this gets old quickly! Therefore, I added
some 4" drain pipe, gates and flex hose and attached it to the
miter saw, 14” band saw, and the spindle sander. Much more
convenient.
Table saw Dust Collection
I enclosed the bottom of the saw stand with some hard board,
added a $5 HVAC 4” X 12” rectangle duct, and viola…you have
great dust collection at almost no cost!
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Lathe Dust Collection
PSI makes this dust hood. It really works well! Not a single
chip escaped the suction when it is hooked up to PSI's DC2000.
I should have gotten one of these years ago--the chips really
fly when you turn you know!
Air Scrubber
I happened onto a close out sale, and got this "floor
display" machine for $98.00. What a deal! It really makes a big
difference in terms of free-floating dust.
Please note this is NOT a health issue. By the time the
collector gets this free-floating dust, so has your lungs! Your
best bet is collect the dust at the source with a DC.
This machine is GREAT for collecting dust after you have left
the shop, and it truly shines when you are finishing. It does a
nice job keeping the dust from falling on your freshly applied
finish.
Even at cost ($300) it is well worth the investment!
Shop Vac
A Ridgid 5 HP/12 gallon shopvac always stays plugged in and
ready to roll into service. I find it is much easier to simply
roll this over for quick clean-ups and simple dust collection,
like at the drill press.
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