best shop vac for dust collection

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r/BeginnerWoodWorking on Reddit: Shop vac recommendations for dust collection

November 23, 2023 -

For those of you using a shop vac for dust collection, what are you using? And are you happy with it?

I don’t have space for a full-blown dust collection system, so I want something portable that does as well as reasonably possible.

I want to take advantage of the deals this weekend and would love any recommendations on what everyone is using.

Most of my needs are from ocket holes, router, table, small tablesaw

Top answer

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I’ve used a shop vac brand, a craftsman brand, a Kobalt and currently a Festool hepa 48. I know the Festool is outta 90% of people’s range so scratch that one off. Of the others, they all work fine and similar to each other. What I’d look for is the shape that easy to move around without tipping over, wheels that can roll over a cord without dumping the whole thing and a nice long power cord. All three of my basic brands are still running after close to 10yrs of occasional use but have now moved on to do specific jobs so they’re out of the workshop. A huge benefit for me was adding the cyclone separation system to the vac of choice. It’ll save you lots of filters by getting 90% of the trash and dust into the cyclone container before it hits your actual vac canister. Sure, it’s bulky and probably will need its own cart once it’s all set up but it’s fantastic at grabbing dust and keeping your vac in healthy shape. You can make one for the cost of PVC fittings and a trash can or buy a kit. Air quality is something I didn’t pay attention to when I was younger and really with I had. Having a clean shop is also nice but it’s the super fine stuff in the air that I really appreciate being sucked up with my vac. I’d say just get whatever brand that you like and don’t sweat it too much but think about the cyclone for sure. Especially if your running paper filters on your vac canister. It’ll save them a ton of work.

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Project Farm on YT did a great comparison of shop vacs. This might be useful and will provide some insight into what to look for at the least.

Woodworkers Journal

woodworkersjournal.com › home › shop vacuum roundup

Shop Vacuum Review | Best Shop Vac | Woodworking Tools

March 2, 2015 - The Shop Vac is a general- purpose model and the most compact model in this group. It’s versatile and excels in the mobility department. I grew to like this vac because it’s a very good performer that’s easy to use anywhere. Priced at $130, it also comes with a generous selection of cleaning tools and even a paper filter bag for collecting fine dust from drywall and concrete.

Discussions

Shop Vacuum recommendations - FineWoodworking

A dust collector is what you need ... small shop solutions. Don't let me dissuade you from a vacuum though - just a different tool for a different purpose. If you are going to collect relatively fine dust from a sander or even bigger chips from a router or handheld saw, a vacuum is a good thing. The Fein is excellent, but I've got to second the comment from whoever said Festool (was called Festo). Every one of their tools is best in ... More on finewoodworking.com

finewoodworking.com

July 29, 2002

Shop vac recommendations for dust collection

I’ve used a shop vac brand, a craftsman brand, a Kobalt and currently a Festool hepa 48. I know the Festool is outta 90% of people’s range so scratch that one off. Of the others, they all work fine and similar to each other. What I’d look for is the shape that easy to move around without tipping over, wheels that can roll over a cord without dumping the whole thing and a nice long power cord. All three of my basic brands are still running after close to 10yrs of occasional use but have now moved on to do specific jobs so they’re out of the workshop. A huge benefit for me was adding the cyclone separation system to the vac of choice. It’ll save you lots of filters by getting 90% of the trash and dust into the cyclone container before it hits your actual vac canister. Sure, it’s bulky and probably will need its own cart once it’s all set up but it’s fantastic at grabbing dust and keeping your vac in healthy shape. You can make one for the cost of PVC fittings and a trash can or buy a kit. Air quality is something I didn’t pay attention to when I was younger and really with I had. Having a clean shop is also nice but it’s the super fine stuff in the air that I really appreciate being sucked up with my vac. I’d say just get whatever brand that you like and don’t sweat it too much but think about the cyclone for sure. Especially if your running paper filters on your vac canister. It’ll save them a ton of work. More on reddit.com

r/BeginnerWoodWorking

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4

November 23, 2023

Dust collection using a shopvac?

Get a cyclone as well. http://www.clearvuecyclones.com/cv06-mini/71-cv06-mini-system.html It will save you money in filters over the long run. More on reddit.com

r/woodworking

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November 15, 2015

Newbie thing! What is the best shop vac with strongest suction power?

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