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What should a small-shop dust collection quote break out?
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For occasional use of a table saw, planer, or sander, how do you decide whether a shop vacuum with a separator is enough, or whether a dedicated dust collector is worth the added cost? I’m looking for a realistic way to compare quotes, not a brand recommendation.
Would you expect the estimate to separate the collector, hoses or ducting, fittings, and filtration? I imagine the answer could change a lot depending on whether it serves one tool at a time or several, and how much room there is for ducting. How do limited space and fine-dust control affect what you’d recommend?
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Since you’re comparing a shop vac with a separator against a dedicated collector, I’d ask each quote to state the airflow and static-pressure assumptions at the tool connections, not just the collector’s advertised capacity. A low-priced unit can look like the bargain until the proposed duct layout and fittings add resistance; the useful comparison is whether it can meet the tool’s needs in the space you have.
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