Shopsmith Forums

I'm ready to move from a shopvac to a real dust collector. Space is a consideration now, but I hope to have an expanded shop in the next few years. I want cleaner air and a system that isn't 20db above the threshold of pain!

I want a 1 micron system. I've narrowed it down to:

- A used Shopsmith (probably from e-bay) with a 1 micron hood.
Cost about $300- $350 (unit + shipping+ hood).
- A new Delta 50-760 or 50-786. Cost about $375- $450.

I like the Shopsmith, for the smaller footprint and staying true to the brand.

On the other hand, the new warranty makes the Delta a good choice.

Notwithstanding that this is a Shopsmith forum, whatdayathink?

Scooters,
Where are you located and is it rural?
If you are rural like me, buy the HF 2hp unit, dispense with the bags and vent it directly out side. Put a trash can separator inline.
It's much cheaper, it's pretty quiet, no bags or micron count to worry about, with the separator inline, very little dust is vented outside, and it consumes far less space.
Even if you are not rural, the amount of discharge is so negligible, neighbors will never know. I think our dryer hose discharges more stuff.

Thanks! Sounds interesting. Unfortuantely, I'm not "rural".
We have a brick home, so I'm not inclided to knock a hole in the brick. Also, I'm on the Architectural Committe for our HOA .

Looks like that isn't an option for me right now. However, I'll keep that in mind for the next house.

I was actually thinking of doing a tankless water heater and putting the DC in the closet where the old heater was. However, the old water heater died before I had an chance to work out the installation and venting details. So I wasn't able to give it a try.

There are some great forums and sites dedicated to "hot roding" the hf 2hp. Its very similar to the general/jet/etc. You can get aftermarket pleated hoods, cyclonic seperators, etc.

I have a shopsmith one that I got as part of a package deal. If I didnt, I would seriously consider the HF one.

http://workingwoods.com/hot_rodding_a_DC.htm

Thanks.. I'm not thinking of building one right now. Also, I need a cart mount for the time being.

.............Actually, I'm going to go out and take a second look at the Harbor Freight unit. Standby.....

Another option is an Harbor Freight 2 HP dust collector. They're on sale this month for $190 at Harbor Freight stores, but you can get it for $152 with one of those 20 percent off coupons found in a number of magazines and the Sunday paper. Add a Wynn filter for another $106 to $165 (depending on which one you choose) and you'll get 99.99 percent efficiency at .5 microns. Wynn also sells plastic bags for the lower portion of the dust collector.

You can find additional information about dust collection in general and use of these filters on Bill Pentz's web site: http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclon ... ersion.cfm

The HF dust collector runs on 115v and I use mine on a 20 amp circuit. Its been going strong for at least five years now, but if you're worried about the longevity of the dust collector you can get and extended warranty.

My shop is 12” x 16” I have a small Jet DC with a canister top. It is 1hp I think. A good friend has the SS collector with the tall bag. His unit is notably quieter than the Jet. And seems to do a better job too.

I'd go with the SS dust collector. Plus I'd add the remote control. I have both and am very happy with the setup.

BPR

I recommend you look at http://www.grizzly.com. I bought my unit from them over 20 years ago and it still works great. They still can provide any replacement part after all these years so they will be able to service you in the future. They make quality equipment! They have a nice 1 HP 110V canister dust collector that is 1 micron for $295 and a 2 HP 220V canister for $395. Either one will fit where your water heater is and both will have substantially more air flow than the Shopsmith. As to the comment below to vent outside. That is a bad idea. In the winter your are then moving all your warm inside heated air outside the house which just makes your heater run more and increase your heating bill. The same happens in the summer with your air conditioning. You want the entire unit inside the building so the air is cleaned and recirculated by the dust collection system.

[quote="Gene Howe"]Scooters,

If you are rural like me, buy the HF 2hp unit, dispense with the bags and vent it directly out side. Put a trash can separator inline.
It's much cheaper, it's pretty quiet, no bags or micron count to worry about, with the separator inline, very little dust is vented outside, and it consumes far less space.
Gene, can you give some more detail about how you did this? I have a Steel City DC that is very good at what I need it to do, BUT:
It takes up a lot of room and it sounds like an F-16 at full take off power. Do you get rid of both the plastic collection bad and the filter bag? I think I am "rural"!