Dust Collector or Shop Vac? What Planers, Saws and Grinders Need

A planer or table saw can bury a workshop in chips, and a shop vac may not keep up. In short: use a vacuum for routers and clean-up, a dust collector for chip-making machines such as planers and table saws, and a separate collector for metal grinding.

PartsForMachines lists 17 dust and chip collectors from SIP, Sealey and Draper in its dust collector range.

Dust Collector or Shop Vac: Which Do I Need?

It depends on the machine. A shop vac develops strong suction but moves a fairly small volume of air, which can suit routers and router tables, plus clean-up. A dust collector moves a much larger volume of air, which suits stationary chip-making machines such as planers, thicknessers and table saws.

Collectors connect straight to static machines through a 100mm or larger hose and catch the waste where it is made. For bench-top machines, a compact drum unit such as the 01923 50-litre dust and chip collector has a 50-litre drum and both a cartridge filter and a filter bag.

How Do I Compare Dust Collector Airflow?

Put every figure in the same unit first: multiply m³/min by 60 to get m³/hr, and multiply cfm by about 1.7. Check each machine's manual and the size of its dust port, then compare collectors in m³/hr.

Collector airflow in our range runs from about 180m³/hr on compact 50-litre units to 3,900m³/hr on the largest models. A twin-inlet bag collector such as the 01954 2HP single-bag dust collector gives 2,500m³/hr through one 125mm or two 100mm inlets, so it can run two machines at once.

Will a Dust Collector Catch the Fine Dust?

A standard bag catches chips and general wood dust; for the finest dust, fit a finer filter. Fine dust is the part to worry about, because wood dust can cause asthma and hardwood dust can cause cancer.

Many bag collectors are rated to 5 microns, which suits general wood particles. For MDF and other fine dust, step up to a 1µm cartridge. The 01994 3HP double-bag package comes with the 62606 1µm cartridge, which also fits several other 2HP and 3HP collectors. Even with good filtration, wear a suitable mask for very dusty work such as sanding.

Can I Use a Woodworking Dust Collector for Metal Grinding?

No: use a collector built for metal, and never draw grinding sparks into one that holds wood dust. Sparks and wood dust are a fire risk, so keep wood and metal extraction apart. Check that a collector is meant for metal before you connect a grinder.

The 01996 metal dust collector is designed to extract grinding dust at source from linishers, bench grinders and fettling tables. It handles ferrous and non-ferrous metals and stainless steel, and has two 100mm ports and a collection tray.

What Should I Check Before I Buy?

• The machines you will connect, their dust port sizes and what each manual asks for.
• Airflow in one unit (m³/hr), plus the number and size of inlets.
• Filtration: a 5µm bag for chips and general dust, a 1µm cartridge for MDF and other fine dust.
• Wood or metal: a dedicated metal dust collector for grinding.
• Power: many run from a 13A socket, but a larger unit can draw 16A and come without a plug.

Not sure what your machines need? Browse the dust collector range or contact the PartsForMachines team by WhatsApp, telephone or email with a list of your machines and their port sizes.

Product options, delivery options and returns terms are shown on each product page. A 30-day return policy applies to eligible items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a dust collector double as a vacuum for clean-up?

Some can. The 01969 and 01990 single-bag collectors come with a floor attachment and extraction hose, and the Draper 79359 has a floor suction facility. If you want to clean the floor with your collector, check that a floor tool is included.

Does a double-bag collector have any advantage over a single bag?

Yes: more airflow, capacity and inlets. The 2HP 01954 has one 153-litre bag and 2,500m³/hr, while the 01956 3HP double-bag dust collector has two 153-litre bags, 3,900m³/hr and a triple inlet adaptor for three machines.

Should I buy a bigger extractor for machines I might add later?

List every machine you expect to connect, with its port size, and choose a collector with enough inlets for them. Several twin- and triple-inlet collectors come with a blanking adaptor, so one unit can serve a single machine now and more later.

My machines have 100mm, 45mm and 35mm ports. Will one extractor fit them all?

Usually, with adaptors. The 01923 50-litre dust and chip collector comes with a 2m hose and a five-piece step adaptor set that takes its 100mm inlet to 105, 70, 45, 40 or 35mm.

Will a dust collector run from a 13A socket?

Many will, but check the plate. The 01954 and 01963, for example, run on 13A. The Draper 80947 300-litre extractor draws 16A and comes without a plug, so have an electrician provide a suitable supply.

What does a no-volt switch do on an extractor?

It cuts the power if the supply is interrupted and stops the extractor restarting by itself when the power comes back. Several Draper extractors have one, including the 54253.

How do I keep a dust collector working well?

Check that it is pulling properly every time you use it, and maintain it regularly. If you fit the 62606 1µm cartridge, use its manual shaker and cleaner to knock dust off the filter.

Does emptying the bag expose me to fine dust?

It can. Emptying bags and cleaning up can stir up fine dust, so wear a suitable mask. Never blow dust off with compressed air; clean up with a suitable vacuum instead.

Are the exhaust fume extractors in this range for dust?

No. Exhaust fume extractors fit a cone over a vehicle's exhaust pipe and draw the fumes away through ducting, which on wall-mounted systems is routed outside. Use a dust collector for wood or metal dust.