hate the noise of a vacuum

[joedw00]

Using my handy Sound Pressure Meter from RadioShack, I declare this debate will be a draw. The final decision to be made based on personal opinions, preference and bias.

The dust collector measured between 82-84 dBa while the ShopVac measured 83 dBa. I saw virtually no change in readings between weighted average and non-weighted.

If I had to listen to one or the other for extended periods of time - the DC3300 would collector of choice. The ShopVac has an annoying high frequency whine that I could not tolerate for the long haul. The DC3300 is annoying too. That is why it doesn't stay on all the time I am in the shop but only when making dust.

I have to agree with Dusty. My DC3300 doesn't stay on all the time.

[bobgroh]

Dust collection is really important - if you are not now affected by dust, you need a good dust collection system so you don't develop a sensitivity to dust. If you are affected by dust (I'm close to 70 years old and dust really starts me wheezing) then you need dust collection even more!

My new dust collection system is a poor man's setup. I have a small 6 gallon ShopVac with an internal filter bag and the normal foam filter on the fan input. The ShopVac pulls through a Dust Deputy cyclone on a 5 gal paint bucket so the Dust Deputy does the first stage filtering. The outlet of the ShopVac is (in the new shop now being worked on) going to be vented through a dryer vent in the wall. All tied together with 2-1/2" hoses. Only 1 machine at a time now. Maybe something better later on. I will still have leakage at the machines but I will tackle that later on. At any rate, I should have a reasonably effective dust removal system.

You can't have too effective a dust removal system! Well, unless the drop in pressure in the shop buckles the walls! Noise - I'm going to turn on the ShopVac remotely when I turn on the machines. Plus I almost always use some hearing protectors anyways.

[Ed in Tampa]

Using my handy Sound Pressure Meter from RadioShack, I declare this debate will be a draw. The final decision to be made based on personal opinions, preference and bias.

The dust collector measured between 82-84 dBa while the ShopVac measured 83 dBa. I saw virtually no change in readings between weighted average and non-weighted.

If I had to listen to one or the other for extended periods of time - the DC3300 would collector of choice. The ShopVac has an annoying high frequency whine that I could not tolerate for the long haul. The DC3300 is annoying too. That is why it doesn't stay on all the time I am in the shop but only when making dust.

I kind of figured it would be a draw.
But again noise is not always the same. I would much rather hear my Dust collector than any shopvac. The noise level may be the same but the Dust collector noise is not as bothersome to me.

I wonder how many guys are surprized by the results of your test Dusty? I would guess a few that previously stated the dust collector is quieter.
Again noise is subjective and some noises don't bother us the same at other noise so we think they are quieter.

[mickyd]

The more important distinction is that the DC (any DC) will remove the fine dust from your air so that it can support life. The shop vac will only clean up the messy shavings.

Paul M

I agree here. I had my ShopVac outside, back lit by late afternoon sun, and I was shocked at how much dust was coming out the exhaust port. I had NO IDEA it was that bad until I saw it with back lighting. That's when I went out an bought the DC3300.

[mickyd]

I kind of figured it would be a draw......

I wonder how many guys are surprized by the results of your test Dusty? I would guess a few that previously stated the dust collector is quieter.
Again noise is subjective and some noises don't bother us the same at other noise so we think they are quieter.

I wonder if a sample of 1 is adequete?

[JPG]

I am not fond of the racket created by either a shop vac or the DC, but prefer either one to the sound of LOML informing me of the existence of a thin film of a powdery looking substance all over her recently dusted and waxed furniture!:eek:

[dusty]

I am not fond of the racket created by either a shop vac or the DC, but prefer either one to the sound of LOML informing me of the existence of a thin film of a powdery looking substance all over her recently dusted and waxed furniture!:eek:

Don't do your wood working in the house and then you shouldn't have a thin film of dust on recently waxed furniture.

[JPG]

Don't do your wood working in the house and then you shouldn't have a thin film of dust on recently waxed furniture.

I don't! I one time used the kitchen to clean a carburetor. Talk about a BIG mistake!:eek:

The shop is removed from the 'normal' living area, but forced air heat/cool is pretty effective at distributing the really fine stuff.

FWIW she thought it was funny(strange) that I had a vacuum cleaner for saw dust when we were first married. She quickly came to understand!:rolleyes:

[nuhobby]

Ditto on that, I have both Sears and Ridgid shop vacs and they scream. The DC3300's I have are quieter and the sound is at a lower frequency.

I think the resonant frequency is the key helper here. The DC3300 is at a lower frequency than the typical shop-vac. Interestingly -- the ear-muff hearing protectors I have seem to attenuate high-freq but may actually boost low-freq noise. So when I use the DC3300 I use conventional earplugs instead.

Speaking of a low-frequency sound: 330 cubic feet per minute is in the same magnitude range of volume-flow as a 4-bbl carburetor from the V8 days. Love the sound of one of those opened up!

[JPG]

. . .

Speaking of a low-frequency sound: 330 cubic feet per minute is in the same magnitude range of volume-flow as a 4-bbl carburetor from the V8 days. Love the sound of one of those opened up!

Especially with the air filter removed!:D