Dust separators

[jteneyck]

Yes I still have to empty my barrel but it is easier then reattaching the bag

Agreed; that's definitely an advantage for the cyclone plus bag/cartridge system. 

John

[Tapper]

Agreed; that's definitely an advantage for the cyclone plus bag/cartridge system. 

John

Converted my double bag Penn State setup to this system a couple of years ago. Bought the cyclone kit with a filter to replace the top bag and heavy cardboard tub, which has really worked out nicely for me. 

Doug

[ajkoontz]

In addition to the benefits of cyclone and other DC modification upgrades, both real and imaginary, there are also a lot more content creators on YT now which I think is adding to whatever current 'craze' there is. People putting out videos chasing whatever trend is popular or semi-popular at the moment.

That and the algorithm is really, really good at targeting content towards one interests, making something appear to be more popular at the moment than it really is.

[MarkWells]

I don't know which YouTube videos you are referring to, but I believe that in general there is a lot of bad information about dust collection.  I think there are 4 contributing factors to this:

1.  The air quality and air volume are not commonly measured.  Air quality can be measured with a relatively inexpensive particle counter.  The air volume requires a hot wire anemometer or pitot tubes and a mamometer, along with carefully done measurements.  (Propeller anemometer is not appropriate for our applications).  Without measurements, it's easy for people to make all kinds of claims.

2.  Doing dust collection correctly is expensive and time consuming.  It seems unreasonable to spend more on dust collection than tools.

3.  The dust collector industry for years has sold hobby woodworkers solutions that aren't that effective.  Part of that is because a good solution just costs too much.  Part of that is because a correctly sized cyclone is really tall.

4.  Bill Pentz has been a good advocate for better workshop air quality, but he is so verbose and extreme that it's easier to just tune him out.

I think whatever chip collection method works for you is great.  The thing to remember about all these separators is that they rob the system of air flow.  A cyclone is the most efficient separator and it requires a very large impeller, which requires a motor over 3 HP to run it.

Based on the research I did, I tried to summarize some thoughts on dust collection here:  https://www.mwells.org/woodworking/dust-...ollection/  (I recently re-read this page and want to make some clarifications and edits, but the basics I still agree with.)

Remember that the focus of dust collection should be on air quality.  A good way to improve air quality is to have lots of fresh air flowing into the shop and/or work in a huge space.

Mark