DC3300 Dust Collector Accessories

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 2:16 pm

Well, I finally was able to purchase a much-needed (used) DC3300 without paying an arm and a leg. It is in good shape but is just the dust collector unit iteself, no hoses or other accessories. So I'm wondering about folks' input on what accessories are necessary and/or recommended?

I see that SS makes both the standard black hoses and an upgraded clear hose - the black hose appears to be available now, whereas the clear hose is backordered per the SS website. What are the advantages of the clear hose? I realize it's clear so you could see blockages etc., but otherwise is it more durable, and if so, if the black hose have durability issues I should be concerned about?

Also, how much do folks use the other accessories, such as the various shop-vac type nozzles and extension wands? Do folks use their DC3300 as a shop-vac as well or just strictly for sawdust and you use a separate shop-vac to suck up the heavier stuff? I saw that SS sells this accessory package:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/dc_accessorieskit.htm

Is this a good place to start or is it overkill and I should just get the hoses to connect to my Mark V and SPT's? Also, how are people using the DC3300 with their 10E/ER?

bigted · Post by **bigted** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:14 pm

Congratulations on the purchase! I think that this is one of the few accessories that my wife is happy I got. I purchased mine used and it works very well. I purchased a black tube, and recently got a clear one which makes it much easier to see clogs when I am using my planer! I also purchased the large bag upgrade but use my shop vac extensions, brushes etc.

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:20 pm

bigted wrote:Congratulations on the purchase! I think that this is one of the few accessories that my wife is happy I got. I purchased mine used and it works very well. I purchased a black tube, and recently got a clear one which makes it much easier to see clogs when I am using my planer! I also purchased the large bag upgrade but use my shop vac extensions, brushes etc.

Are the clear hoses also more durable? SS mentions that they are crush proof or something to that effect...does this presumably mean this is not the case with the black ones?

Also, when you say you use your shop vac extensions and brushes, are the hose diameters the same as a shopvac and otherwise the attachments are interchangeable? I'm also curious how much folks use their DC3300 as a shopvac, i.e. to suck up small scraps of wood and debris on the floor etc. and not just as a means of sucking up saw dust at the source?

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:35 pm

I use the large 1 micron bag. I like clean air for breathing. As to various hose attachments; yes I use every one every offered by shopsmith. I also purchased an aftermarket clear plastic floor sweeper that was suggested for wet/dry applications. It has about a 15" wide floor sweeper unit with a four foot handle which hooks up nicely the the 2 1/2' hose. The floor sweeper has two small wheels which serve to allow moving it about one quarter inch above surface, I discovered when one wheel fell off just how well they work. Then has one long 1/4" wide slot into which sawdust and shavings are sucked up. I love it as I can see clearly what is being picked up and what should be left behind. This makes short work of floor cleaning. I also have a smaller Fein shop vac which I use for small tool and floor clean up tasks. The only problem with the Fein being it is highly efficient, quiet and fairly portable and seems prone to rolling away:rolleyes: Ah yes, the clear hose and some additional newer items are on my Santa list. With a little luck they are in a nice sized box all wrapped and awaiting Christmas morning. Merry Christmas to all, ho, ho, ho. Jim

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 7:51 pm

dgale wrote:Are the clear hoses also more durable? SS mentions that they are crush proof or something to that effect...does this presumably mean this is not the case with the black ones?

Also, when you say you use your shop vac extensions and brushes, are the hose diameters the same as a shopvac and otherwise the attachments are interchangeable? I'm also curious how much folks use their DC3300 as a shopvac, i.e. to suck up small scraps of wood and debris on the floor etc. and not just as a means of sucking up saw dust at the source?

The DC3300 works fine with standard 2" shop vac accessories. I have purchased shop vac hose from Lowes or HD for my DC3300's they work fine and no shipping costs.

Regarding using the DC3300 as a shop vac, caution is necessary as whatever you pickup goes through the impeller. This is not the case with a standard shop vac.

hdoilcan · Post by **hdoilcan** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:16 pm

SDSSmith wrote:The DC3300 works fine with standard 2" shop vac accessories. I have purchased shop vac hose from Lowes or HD for my DC3300's they work fine.

^^^This^^^

bigted · Post by **bigted** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:46 pm

I have a Rigid Shopvac - the extension, brushes debris head is the same diameter as the shopsmith hose diameter. I have only used the clear hose for a short period of time, so I'm not sure about the durability as I have not had a crushing issue with the black hose. As I mentioned, so far, the greatest asset has been the ability to see clogs in the hose and also it is longer so you do not have to move the unit around. My shop is my wife's garage, so I do not have permanent piping. I did not use the dust collector before I got the 1 micron bag but I do believe that it is a worthwhile upgrade. I bought mine during a shopsmith special sale. I also have a specialty hose that is designed to work with a bandsaw, drillpress, etc. - has a stiff/flexible head to be used as a surface collector - the jury for me is still out on this - for now, it is more trouble to set up and results have been minimal at best.

claimdude · Post by **claimdude** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:51 pm

dgale wrote:Well, I finally was able to purchase a much-needed (used) DC3300 without paying an arm and a leg. It is in good shape but is just the dust collector unit iteself, no hoses or other accessories. So I'm wondering about folks' input on what accessories are necessary and/or recommended?

I see that SS makes both the standard black hoses and an upgraded clear hose - the black hose appears to be available now, whereas the clear hose is backordered per the SS website. What are the advantages of the clear hose? I realize it's clear so you could see blockages etc., but otherwise is it more durable, and if so, if the black hose have durability issues I should be concerned about?

Also, how much do folks use the other accessories, such as the various shop-vac type nozzles and extension wands? Do folks use their DC3300 as a shop-vac as well or just strictly for sawdust and you use a separate shop-vac to suck up the heavier stuff? I saw that SS sells this accessory package:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/dc_accessorieskit.htm

Is this a good place to start or is it overkill and I should just get the hoses to connect to my Mark V and SPT's? Also, how are people using the DC3300 with their 10E/ER?

I got 3 of the clear hoses earlier this year and like them much better than the old style black (which I still have one of and don't use). They are very flexible. The clear are not as crush resistant as the black it seems to me but I won't go back to the stiff black one.

Jack

mrhart · Post by **mrhart** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 10:16 am

dgale wrote:Are the clear hoses also more durable? SS mentions that they are crush proof or something to that effect...does this presumably mean this is not the case with the black ones?

Also, when you say you use your shop vac extensions and brushes, are the hose diameters the same as a shopvac and otherwise the attachments are interchangeable? I'm also curious how much folks use their DC3300 as a shopvac, i.e. to suck up small scraps of wood and debris on the floor etc. and not just as a means of sucking up saw dust at the source?

I have a DC that came with the black hose. I just recieved in the last week or two, the 16' clear hose. Do NOT buy a black hose. Mine had some hard use before I got it, but there's no comparison. The clear hose is thicker, appears not to kink or crush easily and I can see the material going through it so its cool. In my opinion, there is no comparison, cheapie black one vs. much better quality clear one.
Call and ask them over the phone if they have any, don't trust the website.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 10:49 am

mrhart wrote:I have a DC that came with the black hose. I just recieved in the last week or two, the 16' clear hose. Do NOT buy a black hose. Mine had some hard use before I got it, but there's no comparison. The clear hose is thicker, appears not to kink or crush easily and I can see the material going through it so its cool. In my opinion, there is no comparison, cheapie black one vs. much better quality clear one.
Call and ask them over the phone if they have any, don't trust the website.

Are you speaking of clear hoses from Shopsmith or clear hoses in general.

I have no experience with clear DC hoses. My three hoses are all from Shopsmith, are all black, are all at least 20 years old and are all still in use (even the one I keep stepping on).

When I need replacement hoses, I will give clear hoses serious consideration.