I am contemplating the purchase of a dust collector for my shop. I am just a hobbyist woodworker (i.e. woodworking is not my real job) and am still in the process of aquiring a full set of shop tools (aren't we all?). I currently have a table saw, router and router table, drill press as my "major" tools and will soon be buying a planer and jointer.

I am wondering how many of you have dust collection systems in your shops versus just sweeping up on a regular basis? My shop area is a single garage stall, approx 11 by 21 and I am tired of sweeping up the rest of my garage (another 2 stalls) every time I work.

Instead of a DC, would I be better off rigging up a roll of plastic sheeting that I could lower when I need to in order to contain the dust? I usually use a dust mask. Any feedback of a non-critical nature is appreciated.