Quick answer: Size the collector to the hungriest machine you run at one time, then allow for duct losses.
- A one-machine-at-a-time hobby shop: about 1-1/2 to 2 HP.
- A small shop with a ducted system: about 3 HP.
- A busy shop with long duct runs or a wide planer: a 3 HP or larger cyclone.
Choose a fine filter (2 micron or better), because the fine dust is what harms your lungs.
1. CFM: how much air each machine needs
Dust collectors move air, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Each machine needs enough airflow at its port to carry the chips away. These are typical starting figures. Always check the machine's manual.
| Machine | Typical CFM needed |
|---|---|
| Band saw | 300 to 400 |
| Table saw (10 inch) | 350 to 450 |
| Jointer (6 to 8 inch) | 400 to 500 |
| Drum or belt sander | 500 to 600 |
| Planer (15 inch) | 500 to 800 |
| Wide planer or wide belt sander | 800 and up |
In most shops only one machine runs at a time. Size for your biggest machine and close blast gates on the others.
2. Why the rated CFM is not what you get
The CFM on the box is measured with no hose or duct attached. Every foot of duct, every elbow and every flex hose adds resistance (static pressure), and real airflow drops.
- Keep runs short and use as few elbows as possible.
- Use smooth metal duct for long runs and short pieces of flex hose only at the machine.
- Use long-radius elbows and Y fittings instead of tight 90s and T fittings.
If you have long runs, buy more collector than the table above suggests.
3. Single-stage vs cyclone
A single-stage collector pulls chips straight through the impeller into a bag or canister. These collectors are compact, affordable and fine for one or two machines.
A cyclone spins the air first, so heavy chips drop into a drum before they reach the filter. The filter stays cleaner, suction stays stronger, and emptying is easier. The Powermatic PM2200 is a 3 HP cyclone with a HEPA filter.
Powermatic's TurboCone collectors (PM1300TX and PM1900TX) sit in between. A cone above the bag separates chips before they reach the filter.
4. Filtration: the part that protects your lungs
| Filter | What it catches |
|---|---|
| 30 micron bag | Chips and coarse dust. Fine dust passes through into the shop air. |
| 2 micron canister | Most of the fine dust. A big step up for health. |
| HEPA | The finest dust. Best for enclosed shops and daily use. |
Many Powermatic collectors come in a bag version (BK) or a canister version (CK). If you can, choose the canister.
5. Metal shops: separate collectors, always
Never run metal grinding or cutting into a wood dust collector. Hot sparks can ignite wood dust in the bin. Metal shops need collectors built for metal, like the JET JDC-501 cabinet collector or the Baileigh MDC series.
Fine aluminum and some other metal dusts are combustible. Baileigh's wet collectors (MWDC series) capture dust in water. Follow the collector maker's guidance for the material you grind.
6. Power
Collectors up to about 1-3/4 HP often run on 115V. 3 HP and larger usually need 230V, and the biggest units are three-phase. Check the voltage in the product title.
Quick picks
Send us your machine list and shop layout and we will help you size a collector. Chat with us on the site or call (888) 990-8016.