Some Things to Think About When Shopping for a Dust Collector
by: Rob Smith

When shopping for a dust collector you should be looking for CFM's and HP.  For a small hobby shop a 1 to 1 1/2 HP, 600-900 CFM dust collector will be adequate as long as you use short runs in the piping and do not open more than 1 or possibly 2  gates. For any kind of semi-professional production type shop you will want 3+ HP, and 2000+ CFM's and preferably a cyclone type.  For the middle sized hobby shops, 1 1/2 to 2 HP , 1200-1500 CFM is just about right.

For installing a system in your shop, there are a few points to try and stick too.

1. Try to keep the pipe as large in diameter as possible until you have to reduce it for your machines.  Most people use 4" pipes, but depending on the size of your collector, 6" may be better.
2. Try to keep the pipe runs as short and as straight as possible.  If you have to, run all over the shop, you should run a main large diameter pipe down the center and then run short lengths from  it to your machines.  And if you have to make turns, make the radius as gentle as possible.  A 90 degree elbow can be used but it will reduce your dust collectors efficiency; so a couple 45's and a short run of straight pipe between them would be better.  Also, instead of using a T fitting, a Y fitting would be a better choice.
3. Pipe type can also affect your efficiency.  A rigid pipe is always better.  So if you can afford it and have the option to use it, I recommend aluminum piping or heavy PVC.  Flex hoses will work, but just not to the optimum levels of performance.
4. This is VERY IMPORTANT,  always ground your dust collector AND pipe ductwork.  The constant friction of the dry sawdust rubbing the insides of the pipes does build up static electricity and has caused fires.

As far as health benefits, a dust collector can help and be harmful at the same time.  A duct collector only filters out particles as small as the bag will allow.  Most bags come 30 microns and anything smaller is just blown back into your shop.  These are the sizes that are more likely to cause problems with your lungs.  So fix this problem you should either find a dust collector that comes with a 5 micron or less bag, or an even better idea is to build a small separate room that is well ventilated to the outside and place your dust collector in there.  That way all the small particles that go through the bag will be carried outside and not into your lungs.

Dust Collectors and Accessories