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Dust collector = shop vacuum?
From Jonathan Gymer, via e-mail
Is there a difference between a Dust Collector for my Shopsmith accessories and a shop vacuum like those sold at local stores?
There is a BIG difference between a conventional shop vacuum and a dust collector (such as the Shopsmith DC3300).
Where, as first glance, a conventional, store-bought shop vacuum appears to have more "guts" than a dust collector when you place your hand over the end of the hose, it's really not as well-suited to dust pick-up as a true dust collector.
For proof of this, position a smoke-producing device (such as a cigar or cigarette) in a metal jawed vise or clamp. Begin approaching it from six or so feet away with the sucking hose a shop vacuum and take note of how close you have to get before it begins to capture the smoke. Now, try the same thing with a high CFM (cubic-feet-per-minute) Dust Collector. You'll see the difference right away.
Shopsmith's DC-3300 dust collector sucks at the rate of 330 cubic-feet-per-minute....whereas a conventional shop vacuum sucks at about 1/3 that rate or 100 CFM. As a result, dust collectors really do a better job of capturing fine dust, shavings and (small) chips...they're quieter...and they offer multiple outlets which allow you to run more than one machine at once.
In addition, the DC-3300 holds 30 gallons of debris for less frequent emptying....than a conventional shop vacuum, which typically offers 16 gallons or less of capacity.
However, Dust Collectors are NOT for wet pick-up . . . and not well suited for picking-up large volumes of big wood chunks (although the Shopsmith DC3300 has been designed to handle the occasional chunk without damage). Dust Collectors are for collecting dust at its source and shouldn't be used for sweeping the shop floor clean of anything and everything that may fall on it. Continue . . . |
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