11 common workshop dust collection mistakes

IMPORTANT: In the video I show an image of a workshop with an excessively long length of flex hose. I found the image on Google and thought it was a humorous example of a big piece of hose. I neglected to provide context for the image. The gentleman in the photo was attaching that hose to a much more powerful system than is found in most small workshops. He could afford to lose some airflow from the long flex hose, and it works well for him. By not providing that context I made it appear that HE was making a mistake rather than my intended point, which is that most OTHER folks should not do that with their single-stage systems. I am sorry I didn't make that clear, which is why I have removed the image from the video thumbnail and I am pinning this comment to the top so everyone can see it.

The most-effective dust collector I have is my NordicTrack.

I always turn to your videos to sanity check anything else I watch. No b/s, no over-the-top distracting behaviour, even your promo material is handled professionally. Thank you for being so much help to a budding woodworker.

You are a natural narrator! I didn't notice a single "uh" or "um" and your flow of information was smooth as a planed plank of pine, not to mention mighty handy to have in my brain pan! Well done and I've subscribed and punched the like button too!

If you have a limited budget, and have time to wait for the right deal, my experience might help. I noticed an ad on Craigslist for a shop closing, and quite a few tools for sale. Great selection, but overpriced. The 10 year old workshop was a custom 1 man shop, business died, and he was going back to working as a trade school woodworking teacher. He had a large dust collection system, and I enquired about that, he said, "it would take a week to disassemble, I'll just leave it in place when I move out". I offered $200 for everything, and promised to have it out in a week. I ended up with a 4 bag 5 Hp system, with a large cyclone, and more than enough metal piping to complete my whole 1000 sq ft woodshop. So, enter : "closing shop" or similar into CL, and maybe you will find a great deal like I did.

Nice tip on the fire hazards of sweeping up nails hitting the impeller. Thank you for taking the time to make this video, it will save me lots of time and money.

This is one of the best guides to shop dust collection. In my nearly 50 years of furniture making, I have made most of the mistakes with my systems.If only I could have had this guidance many years ago! I now have mostly short runs, blast gates on all machinery, a single stage collector, and a cyclone. I hardly have any flexible ductwork. When I built my current house, I laid 4” pvc pipe in trenches before the basement slab was poured, coming up at each (planned) piece of equipment. It took a bit of planning and was a leap of faith, but the system has worked well over the last 28 years. Thanks for your great presentation.

Everytime I start a project I check to see if Stumpy has something to say on the topic.. Thanks James you just helped me make a decision

Matthias Wandel recently posted a number of dust collection related videos, including one with hard numbers comparing a shop vac and a homemade induction motor impeller, and different sizes of hose. A good companion video to this one

You just saved me from a lot of mistakes! Clear and dust free tips as always. Thanks a lot!!!

I’ve watched a LOT of videos on shop dust collection. This one is by far the most comprehensive and understandable!! THANKS!

I'm a silversmith, and you have provided outstanding information for this type of workshop. Many thanks!

I can't thank you enough for this. I finally get it! You rock James!

Once again, you've come up with a ton of valuable info without wasting time on useless info. You really have a way of communicating great ideas!

Volumes of content in a concise to-the-point format. THANK YOU!!!

Thanks for all the tips. I recently installed a shop system and have realized how hundred of speed bumps analogy is a perfect statement.

I am just becoming a fan of your instructional and review videos. They are the best in terms of detail and underlying rationale. You are also a naturally good presenter, using clear language, concise points, linear-logical progression. You are a very good teacher. The reliance that you have on your own experiences (both good and bad results) is a perfect exclamation mark to the points being made.

I went back today and re-worked my dust collector system today and moved the gates near the main feeds and the air flow really changed for the better. Great tip!

Been researching dust collection systems for a while now. This is by far the best advice I have seen when it comes to dust collection. Thanks, you’ve earned my subscription to your channel.

Thanks for being so honest and thorough. Your tutorial videos come highly recommended and I have watched a few. My good friend, neighbour and relative told me about your site and as an avid woodworker he was my woodworking mentor. Unfortunately he passed away two days ago. I thought it only fitting to revisit one of your videos in his honour. Thanks again for your guidance.