Thread: Budget Shop Vacuum Suggestions

A vacuum cleaner isn't anywhere good enough for dust extraction, unless it's on portable power tools that come designed with suction ports, or for cleaning the floor.
Get a proper 2 hp or better dust extractor, your partner and your lungs will appreciate it.
Kryn

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

A vacuum cleaner isn't anywhere good enough for dust extraction, unless it's on portable power tools that come designed with suction ports, or for cleaning the floor.
Get a proper 2 hp or better dust extractor, your partner and your lungs will appreciate it.
Kryn

Hi KB, Thanks for the advise. The proper DE/DC in on the queue but not in the very near future. As of now, I'm, just thinking of setting up a mini cyclone setup for my circular saw and possible portable saw. I wanna dip my toes into the whole woodworking things slowly before I invest a lot. Thanks!

Originally Posted by j4r0d

Hello guys, can anyone kindly recommend a good vacuum around the $100 mark?

Nope, can't be done.

When it comes to moving and filtering air, you can have good OR cheap.

If you're really limited to $100, buy yourself a proper dust mask; it will be better for you than a rubbish vacuum.

I do not have a dust extraction system or fixed power tools.
The best thing I did was to buy a track saw that has a dust port and vacuum cleaner with a hose to suit. The saw and its attachments do an excellent job in cutting and connect to the vacuum cleaner I work almost dust free. The only thing is I spent considerably more than $100, and that was over five years ago. The make I chose also has routers and planers that can be connected. Depending on what I do, using the planer can be dust free but the collection on the router will vary from good to very poor.
The best thing is I save time cleaning up and I have no regrets spending the money originally.

The Aldi shop vac got some good reviews a while ago. Pretty sure that was around $100.
I have a ShopVac branded vacuum and a Karcher. The ShopVac has a (I think) 2.5inch hose which is good for dust collection but can be a pain to adapt to power tools. I use the ShopVac with a Clearview Mini cyclone which works great.

Sorry, but I've used the Aldi vac and it's trash; the noise is deafening and the suction is terrible.

Also, the cheap vacs don't have a separate channel for motor cooling air, so whatever dust makes it through the filter is sent through the motor, chopped up and spat back out even finer than it started.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Sorry, but I've used the Aldi vac and it's trash; the noise is deafening and the suction is terrible.

That's good to know.

I almost bought the latest offering from ALDI a few weeks ago, to supplement my 2HP DC and Protool vacuum, but they had sold out when I got there. Glad I didn't get to buy it.

Keep an eye on the classifieds on here and on Gumtree, sure it might be a bit more than you budgeted for, but life is worth more than a couple of hundred dollars. Even a 1 HP unit will be better than a vacuum cleaner.
Kryn

I have a ShopVac which attaches to my machine fences and a K-Mart cyclone unit, with Hepa filter on the outlet, that connects to my hand power tools. Like NCArcher, my ShopVac works a treat as does the K-Mart cyclone.
Before I put in the DC system, the ShopVac was the sole connection to my table saw via a 50mm hose. Kinda worked but it was better than nothing. BTW, the ShopVac outlet is not filtered so mine has an exhaust hose that runs outside the shed.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Nope, can't be done.

When it comes to moving and filtering air, you can have good OR cheap.

If you're really limited to $100, buy yourself a proper dust mask; it will be better for you than a rubbish vacuum.

Yup, makes more sense I guess. After seeing your response, I went to have a look some better or more expensive shop vacuums and some DC units and they're not as expensive as I thought they would be. That is also the reason why I was going for the shop vacuum instead for the mean time as I thought the 2HP dust collection units would cost a fortune. I think the question is (or I might just change the whole thread title instead), will those entry level 2HP units ranging from $350-$500 be good enough?

If they're not, I guess a proper dust mask a shop vacuum would be my best bet for now. Btw, I started reading the Bill Pentz literature and it's starting to scare me as I'm starting to plan more about it carefully and not as an afterthought.

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

Keep an eye on the classifieds on here and on Gumtree, sure it might be a bit more than you budgeted for, but life is worth more than a couple of hundred dollars. Even a 1 HP unit will be better than a vacuum cleaner.
Kryn

I will do that. Just like anything second hand, is there something that I need to look for when looking for pre-loved DC units?

Originally Posted by Lappa

I have a ShopVac which attaches to my machine fences and a K-Mart cyclone unit, with Hepa filter on the outlet, that connects to my hand power tools. Like NCArcher, my ShopVac works a treat as does the K-Mart cyclone.
Before I put in the DC system, the ShopVac was the sole connection to my table saw via a 50mm hose. Kinda worked but it was better than nothing. BTW, the ShopVac outlet is not filtered so mine has an exhaust hose that runs outside the shed.

Do you have a picture of the K-Mart cyclone unit?

To everyone, do we have something like a "show me your dust collection setup" thread of some sorts? I'm now curious on how everyone is doing it and since it's not cheap and should be safe, I wanted to make sure that I'll be doing it correctly. As I couldn't find any, let me know or I can probably start a new one so everyone can show (or brag) theirs

Kmart unit - Sapphire

DFDBC8AA-B394-4252-9961-49296129F650.jpeg

ShopVac - 20l Wet and Dry

86365D55-C1E3-44BE-A5C0-B29770AB5141.jpeg

Yo probably won't like my answers but here they are anyway.

Originally Posted by j4r0d

will those entry level 2HP units ranging from $350-$500 be good enough?

Unfortunately in stock form the entry level 2HP systems will not be good enough.
Read the sticky at the top of this form to find out about the mods needed to make a 2HP marginally acceptable.

If they're not, I guess a proper dust mask a shop vacuum would be my best bet for now. Btw, I started reading the Bill Pentz literature and it's starting to scare me as I'm starting to plan more about it carefully and not as an afterthought.

With a little care you should be able to setup a DC system that will not require you to wear a mask. The alternative is to wear a mask at all time in a shed which IMHO takes most of the fun out of WW.

I will do that. Just like anything second hand, is there something that I need to look for when looking for pre-loved DC units?

Unless you have the facilities and ability to perform some metal work get one that is at least 3HP and already has a 6" inlet.

To everyone, do we have something like a "show me your dust collection setup" thread of some sorts? I'm now curious on how everyone is doing it and since it's not cheap and should be safe, I wanted to make sure that I'll be doing it correctly. As I couldn't find any, let me know or I can probably start a new one so everyone can show (or brag) theirs

It's impractical to show everyones DC system in a single thread as there a e too many components to a DC system. It's not just a DC and bit of ducting, there's DC enclosures, ducting layouts, blast gate setups and machinery modifications. Typically one woodie dedicates a whole thread to their own system. There are plenty of threads on these - you just need to look a bit harder.

some Basic setups - even though these are cyclone related keep reading and you will see the care and attention to detail used in their ducting which everyone should do if they want an efficient system,
Beginner attempt at DC - thanks to forum members
Clearvue CV1800 / Max Impeller Install - Home Garage Workshop

Improving cabinets and dust ports
Improving machine cabinet dust ports
Making 150mm DC ports for workshop machines

I also have a ShopVac branded vacuum but connected to a Dust Deputy. I have some different sized hoses with adaptors to easily connect different tools. Very good suction but a bit too noisy.

Originally Posted by BobL

Yo probably won't like my answers but here they are anyway.

I did like them, it's just harder to swallow Seriously speaking, I do take notes on all of them and will put them in mind. Thanks again.