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Models DC1B-5, DC3-5 and DC250Wood Magazine April 1997
LOWERING THE BOOM ON DUST
Our tests of 25 dust collectors reveal which one of these dust-bustin' dynamos belongs in your shop.
If you do any amount of woodworking, you know how fast wood chips, shavings, and sawdust pile up. The big chips create a nuisance underfoot, but the fine dust that sifts into every nook and cranny becomes downright devilish. It can spoil a finish, cause wear and tear on motors, and create a health hazard.
To keep this worrisome dust in check, you need to collect it at the source - your woodworking tools - and contain it. Dust collectors solve both problems, and we tested 25 models to help you choose one to settle the dust in your shop.
Fast Facts
- While many of the collectors we tested are built virtually the same, the performance varied greatly based on the filtration capabilities of the collection bags
- When it comes to filtering out dust, polyester/felt bags do an excellent job without restricting air flow. We'll tell you which machines offer these as a standard equipment or options...
CONTAINING DUST: THE MARK OF A GOOD FILTER
A dust collector's effectiveness depends on its filter material. If dust passes through the filter, there's little point in collecting it. ...Penn State' collectors came equipped with polyester/felt bags - and we found them well worth the $20 - $30 extra cost over the standard bags. The 5-micron bags come standard on Penn State's DC250.If we were in the market....
- In the small portable class... The Penn State DC3-5 - with its combination of power, high-filtration bag, and two-year warranty - ranks as both a top tool and top value...
- ...For the same reasons mentioned about its smaller counterpart, the Penn State DC1B-5 gets the nod as our top pick among the 1-hp collectors.
- ...Among the 1.5 to 2.5-hp units... Penn State's combination of 5-micron standard bags and 2.5-hp make the DC250 a top tool at a great price.
Summary of Results
DC3 -5 DC1B-5 DC250 Airflow in CFM 760 700 1350 Bag Filtration Excellent Excellent Excellent Bag Changing Excellent Excellent Good Fit & Finish Excellent Good Good Assembly Excellent Excellent Good Overall Rating Top Tool
Top ValueTop Tool
Top ValueTop Tool
Top Value--Written by Kerry Gibson
--Technical consultant: Bob McFarlin
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