Woodshop Dust Collector Survey

The April 1997 (Volume 14. No. 3, Issue 96) of WOOD Magazine had an informative survey of 25 dust collectors.  Dust collectors are recommended for dust control because they capture air at the source (unlike air cleaners), and unlike shop vacuums, can handle dust produced from power tools, and be used continuously.  Dust collectors operate at 300 to 2000 cubic feet per minute, (compared to shop vacuums that only operate at 80 to 120 cfm).  A protocol was established using red chalk dust to test the various filter bag efficiencies.  The basic differences between single stage collector, double stage collectors, and cyclone collectors were illustrated.  Noise, safety, mobility, cost, and fire and sparking hazards were addressed.  The results were compiled into a useful table that also listed manufacturer contact telephone numbers.  In the category of "small portables" - the Makita 410 was deemed excellent on every single performance test.

This article is a handy reference for those woodworkers contemplating the purchase  of a dust collector.  Interested readers can subscribe to WOOD Magazine by calling (800) 374-9663, or to order just this issue, readers can call the Back Issue service at: (800) 572-9350.

Art Hazard News, Volume 20, No. 3, 1997

This article was originally printed for Art Hazard News, © copyright Center for Safety in the Arts 1997. It appears on CAR courtesy of the Health in the Arts Program, University of Illinois at Chicago, who have curated a collection of these articles from their archive which are still relevant to artists today.