Shop Vac or Dust Collection System For Bow Building

[Koko Bow]

I am looking at options for keeping the shop cleaner.  I cannot take up too much space so I'd like to hear your opinions on what you have used.

Matt

[bjhaug]

Here's our dust collection system - may be a bit more than what you're looking for.

 

It's a big one, but here's some of the shop:

37" Sander

 

Jointer and Table Saw

 

Planer

 

Radial Arm and Miter Saw:

 

Most of the stuff connects to the dust collector through the floor ducts that were installed.  There's a few other machines in there too, but none are any use for bow building other than the bandsaw.

Back on topic, a shop vac does a nice job.

[skeaterbait]

Hold me!!!! Or adopt me would work.

[Whip]

I have a Grizzly cyclone dust collection system in my shop with overhead ductwork.  It does a nice job on most of the machines.  The one thing I would do differently if I could would be to install the collector in a different room to cut down on the noise.
I also have a seperate air filtration unit hung near the ceiling to help with the fine dust particles.  On top of that, still wear a resperator when working with fine dust and exotic woods.

[Eric Krewson]

I have a Griz 2hp dust collector and a shop vac. the Griz catches most of the dust from mt power tools, the shop vac sweeps the floor.

It is not unusual for me to have about 75lbs of dust in my collector to empty every six months or so, glad it isn't floating around in my shop.

My collector sounds like a B52 taking off so I put it in an adjacent room to keep the noise levvel down in my shop.

[bjhaug]

That sounds like a good setup you have Whip and Eric.  For all convenience purposes having a larger machine keeps the particles down from the shop vac when the filter fills up.  Not to mention, as Eric put it, shop vacs are best used for sweeping floors, though from time to time they're nice to attach to the back of saw a mitersaw, or shaper or something.  It, in my opinion is worth paying for the dust collection system.  

Eric, having 75 pounds is an inconvenience.  Those barrels under the dust collector we have are 55 gal each and there is 4 of them.  When my dad was operating his cabinet shop (different location) he was using a straight line ripsaw and a 5 head moulder... we were changing out those barrels every 18-20 minutes - it was a horrible experience.

[LarsonArchery]

Dust Collection systems and Shop Vacs move air in a different way and I think the best choice is to use a dust collection system. even a small portable unit will move the air better.The one thing to make sure of is that you don't restrict the air flow with too small a diameter tubing connectors etc. I also think that using a cyclonic collection for larger chips etc is a good thing. Especially if you use a lot of exotic woods as some of the dust from them is less than helthful to breathe

[bretto]

bjhaug, There are more tools in that shop then We had at My High School. LOL

[Aeronut]

I use both and both have their place.  For the bandsaw, table saw, and drum sander I hook up the dust collector.  For the smaller stuff I use the shop vac.

Dennis

[Koko Bow]

I may make a dozen bows a year - mostly kids bows.  I would use a 4" hose and not reduce it but only at the attachment point of the bandsaw or sander.  The table saw has a 4" port.  I am trying to get the best bang for the size and I think I am leaning towards the small size with a 1 hp motor.

Matt

[bjhaug]

Koko Bow, are you thinking of something like this?

 http://www.grizzly.com/products/1-HP-Dust-Collector/G8027

[Koko Bow]

bjhaug, either that one or the smaller one.  I use the table saw about once a month but the spindle sander, belt sander and band saw see more use but the Jet table saw is by far the biggest mess producer.

[bjhaug]

I think for your purposes, either one will do fine.  Unfortunately, even with the giant monster we have at our shop for dust collection, it doesnt get all the table saw dust and our dust collector is 30hp.  

It's been my experience that the dust collection systems are best for a sander (wide-ish, or wide), jointer, planer, radial arm saw, and MAYBE the table saw.

Like I said though, I think for what you're lookin for, either one will do ya just fine.

Good luck!

[Craig Warren]

Koko Bow,
Keeping the shop clean is important, but keeping your lungs clean is far more.  Use both as suggested in other posts, but your lungs come first.

[Koko Bow]

Thanks guys.  I'll likely pick the smaller one with a 1 or 3 micron bag.