Categories: Power Tools

Workshop Dust Collection Systems

Dust Collection Systems

Dust collection is extremely important in any workshop. Not only is it important to your health but it’s also an important step in keeping your tools clean and running well. Workshop dust collection systems can be as simple as a shop vac hooked up to a single hose or as complex as the one in the photograph.

Recommended Dust Collection Reading

If you’re interested in learning more about dust collection systems and how to design one then check out this great book:

Woodshop Dust Control: A Complete Guide to Setting Up Your Own System: Completely Revised and Updated

Dust Collection Equipment

The following equipment can help you create a custom dust collection system for your workshop. It’s really easy to come up with a system that fits your workshop, power tools and budget. The sky really is the limit so use some of the following information and your imagination to come up with a great dust collection system.

Dust Collectors

The heart of any dust collection system is a dust collector. Dust collectors can be as simple as a Shop Vac or as complex as a huge baghouse for manufacturing plants. I recommend you buy Woodshop Dust Control: A Complete Guide to Setting Up Your Own System which is a great book showing you how to design your own dust collection system. Shop Fox makes some really great dust collectors and most average size shops can take advantage of the SHOP FOX W1685 1.5-Horsepower 1,280 CFM Dust Collector.

Dust Collection Piping, Fittings and Clamps

If you’re going to build a dust collection system you’ll need to buy quite a bit of pipe for the trunk lines. I recommend you buy Clear Flexible Dust Collection Hose so you can see any blockages that might occur. You’ll also need to buy hose clamps, reducers, Y-fittings, and blast gates.

Image Courtesy of Dugbee
Todd Fratzel

I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site.

View Comments

  • what size clear pipe is that mounted on the wall? It's hard finding solid (no flex) clear pipe.

  • Hey Todd,
    Who better to get help and advice from than someone who's walked in those shoes.

    I've got you bookmarked.

  • Plastic pipes create static that’s can ignite the dust. You MUST have an earth wire running through or around the duct.

    • I've had this system in place for many years now....that's all a bunch of bunk. Unless you've got an industrial system you can't possibly create enough charge. I've NEVER even had a small static shock even close to what I get in the house on carpet.

  • My shop uses an Oneida Dust Deputy powered by a Craftsman vacuum. I stood the rod up in the dust tank and set the cyclonic eductor over the metal rod after giving myself one Hell of a shock. I was lucky. Static occurs under a variety of conditions. A grounding method is strongly recommended. You might go in a big boom. IMHO. A. Cooper Butcher Blocks.

  • Hello. Avid woodworker and dealt with this issue many many times. So here's the thing, yes there is very little risk if any regarding combustion of dust or wood chips running through a PVC pipe. I'm yet to hear of a single case. BUT. make no mistake physics is on the side of those who discuss static build up. No denying it fast moving air alone through PVC will generate a build up of charge. Add moving particulants into the air stream and you have a van de graaff generator. This while not dangerous (unless you are frail) you can be the grounding agent to release that built up charge. I have received countless of uncomfortable jolts from the collection hose from my planer to the 6" metal duct. And it's nasty. The copper line picks up that charge and releases it to a ground keeping you from getting shocked.

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Todd Fratzel

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