Contributor
Good point. I have my Festool Kapex and a Ridgid vac on the same circuit. The Kapex can draw up to 13 amps and I don't know what the vac takes, but I never had any problems in use. I'm on a 20 amp breaker. I imagine the Kapex only takes 13 amps under max load.Originally Posted by Ken Kortge
Mike
Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.
Member
+whatever on the Dust Deputy. Get the "kit", it comes with the hose and TWO buckets. Toss out the wheels. They give you 3 for some unknown reason. Guarenteed to tip over. I put a dive weight (diving days are long gone) in it and that keeps it upright.
Ridgid vac, get the model that can accept the CleanStream HEPA filter. Available in the same Orange Giant. Not all of them can accept the HEPA. That CleanStream works well, and is washable. I've had mine for many years. It's expensive, but cheaper than replacing those paper filters every 3 months or so. Well, actually, if you get the DD, you don't really need the CleanStream unless you also want the HEPA filtration.
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If you have a vacuum of any kind, I would first see if a HEPA filter is available for it. I added a HEPA to my little Rigid pretty inexpensively. You might not want to put the money into a vacuum you are not sure of but it would be interesting to know how much money it would take. The same filter might also be usable on other shop vacuums if you upgrade.
I would then, regardless, build the little cart Woodsmith offers plans for. I found them for free over the net. I didn't build exactly their design but copied key elements. One thing I changed is I used 2 inch PVC to connect the shop vacuum and cyclone. I had to use a heat gun to form it to fit at both ends but doing this makes the unit more compact and lowers losses (flex hoses cut airflow a lot). I use a Bosch 5M hose to connect to my track saw, CMS, and sanders (DeWalt) and the 2.5 inch hose it came with to connect to my Ryobi BT3100 table saw (nice accurate inexpensive saw) and for floor sweeping. I also added a little auto-on switch to it that claims to manage the current so you can have the vacuum and tool on the same circuit. The Ryobi is rated to draw 15A and I think my Rigid is a little over 6 amps. On a really deep cut I tripped the breaker after the cut was done but otherwise having both on the same circuit has worked fine. I have a second circuit in the shop in case I need to forgo the auto on and plug the vacuum into that.
I also don't mind that my shop vacuum is somewhat loud. I wear ear muffs in the shop for the tools. Once I have them on, the noise of the shop vacuum is not loud at all.
At around 6 amps my shop vacuum is pretty small but it works fine for what I do with it. If it ever breaks I will probably get a bigger one but probably not an expensive Fein or Festool. I don't see the point. If it sucks, how much difference can there be? For the sanders I need less, not more, airflow. I plan to try my speed control for an old router next time I use a sander. I think it will work to allow me to vary airflow on the shop vacuum. I haven't tried the little shop vac on my 10 inch planner yet but it may be a little small for that. A bigger one might be better. But I use the other tools more than the planner and it isn't a huge issue to sweep up for that one tool.
A key advantage of the dust deputy is the avoidance of filter cleaning. I finally had to clean my HEPA filter but I've emptied the drywall bucket under the DD around 10 times. I waited too long the last time and let the dust back up into the cyclone or I still might not have had to clean it. Almost nothing was in the shop vacuum. I've used a thein baffle before and it doesn't do anywhere near as well with fine dust so filter cleaning is about the same. DD definitely worth it in my book. I would take an inexpensive shop vacuum with a DD any day over a fancy shop vacuum. I want to pick up dust and want to spend a minimum of time and money doing it. Expensive vacuums mean expensive bags to change. Their auto-on feature is nice but can be duplicated for about $40. An inexpensive vacuum is still cheaper.
Contributor
My advise is to get the Ridgid or something similar and also not to anguish too much about dust. You are a hobbiest working at it 3 or 4 hours a week. I don't mean to make light of the potential health concerns of fine particles, wood or otherwise, but your exposure is short term and intermittent. I worked in an industry with a air borne particle issue. The potential risk is related to Dose (how much), Dimension (how fine) and Duration (and for how long). Of course wearing a respirator is wise, especially when running your router where you will increase the short term Dose. It also is wise to not smoke. Far worse than fine dust and really bad when combined.
John
Member
Larry J Browning
There are 10 kinds of people in this world; Those who understand binary and those who don't.
Contributor
+1 Good product. I have both of those. Get the first one Larry pointed to. Bit more expensive but much more flexible.
Mike
Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.
Contributor
Seriously? did anyone actually read the OP's question? All this talk about dust collectors, cyclones etc is ridiculous.
Ivan, with the tools you have, router, circular saw and sander, all have poor at best dust collection. The Festool stuff has much better dust collection but are expensive. If you're just starting out and don't know if you're going to stick with WW then you'll have to decide if that's the right path for you. If the shopvac you have now works then a new one isn't really going to improve your current situation as the tools aren't designed for good dust collection.
So unless you're ready to upgrade all your tools you'd be better off buying a good quality respirator.
Mike
[OP]
Member
Good points (and, once again, thanks to all offering advice - it's much appreciated). The sander is the worst and I'm seriously considering a replacement, but it's hard to justify the cost of a top unit like Festool or Mirka. The Makita router (rt0701cxt) and saw (sp6000j1) have fairly decent dust collection.
Your post and the post of others recommending the Ridgid 1450 vac had me thinking that perhaps the best course of action is to get equipment with good dust collection combined with a so-so vac instead of getting a top-quality vac combined with equipment without good dust collection.
Is that correct?
Member
+1 on the Ridgid vac. I used one exclusively for years and still use one for dust collection for sanders and smaller handheld tools.
HEPA filter, and I would strongly recommend the bags they make for inside the vac cannister. They do cost a bit- $18 for 2 iirc, but they last a long time and prevent the filter from clogging, so the first set of bags pays for itself in not having to replace clogged filters. Also makes emptying the vac much faster and easier.
Bill R., somewhere in Maine
Member
I've had one of the bigger Ridgid shop vacs with the detachable blower for over 15 years. I think its a WD1660 or WD1665 (has a super inflated HP rating of something like 6-1/4hp). It's been a beast....lots of suction and won't quit. It's kinda loud but the optional muffler helps. I haven't used a ton of other shop vacs, but this one sucks circles around most that I have used, and I've never regretted owning it. I use this in conjunction with a decent Grizzly canister dust collection system that removes the bulk of the chips and dust from the main tools. I use the shop vac for the mess from handtools, stuff the DC doesn't get, and general shop and car cleaning.
Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....
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For 2 years I have used the 6 gal Shop Vac from Lowes for small tools and vacuuming the floor. I use internal bags, either the fine filter yellow bag or the standard white bag in addition to the barrel shaped pleated filter that came with it. Cost was around $35 on sale. They are normally closer to $50. I buy bags on line. No matter which vacuum you get, I suggest, for convenience sake, you use bags inside it. A lot of people suggest the Rigid. Due to all the recommendations for it, I would look into that instead of the Shop Vac that I have. It must be worth the extra money. By the way, I run my Festool track saw on the Shop Vac and it works very good. I use the little shop vac a lot. That is why I like it. Easy to move around when vacuuming and easy to lift over obstacles with one hand if necessary. I do have a 4" stationary system and separator for big tools and and air cleaner too. Prior to the little vac, I had a larger Shop Vac and found it took up too much space and the larger hose was more cumbersome.
Contributor
I have a Rigid vacuum and the DD. I've used the set up for a couple of years and I have not had to clean my filter in vacuum.
I use the set-up mainly for my track saw system, with a dust collection port on my circular saw, Dewalt ROS, and my Kreg jig. Of course the set up does not suck up every particle, but it sure cuts down on the mess A LOT. I think if your looking for an absolute particle free environment, you're going to have to go expensive.
So, entry level, I would recommend a set up like this. Good luck on your selection.
Member
Buy the best equipment and in the long run it will cost you a lot less. I purchased the usual big box equipment and have come to realize that if I'd just purchased some of the Festool tools I really wanted I would have saved purchasing tools that are just sitting now. If you ever decide that woodworking isn't your "thing" you can easily sell Festool equipment on CL for nearly what you paid.
Contributor
I think Ridgid still has an optional muffler they sell at HD that helps with the noise.
Member
Totally agree with posts #2 & #3.
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