DUST COLLECTION GAME CHANGER: Make Your Shop Vacuum BETTER Than a Dust Extractor.
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- čas přidán 6. 07. 2024
- LPHV Dust extractors are overrated for small shop dust collection but I will show you how to make your HPLV shop vac perform just as well as a dust extractor.
#diywoodworking #diy #woodworking #tools #dustcollector #howto #home
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“Ribbed for her pleasure” is wild😂
Camvac is what they use in the EU and they use multiple vacuum motors in one unit, similar to what you built. I wish they where sold in the states.
They are available in the US
I have a 3-motor CamVac and purchased it through a US distributor. I have the flexibility of how many motors to use with either 1-1/2”, 2”, or 4” hose depending on the demand.
I have a trimotor cam vac and bought it at stockroom supplies, the Canadian record dealer
I think you should have tested the two shop vacs with a 4 inch hose to compare it to the Dust Extractor. You could get the best of both worlds. One shop vac for tools that use smaller hoses but yet you could turn them both on when you are using larger tools that can use a 4 inch hose.
That's a really good idea
A good test of theory, but I'd like to see it performed on shop tools in use.
I was using a ridgid 6hp NXT shop vac with the dustopper & 5 gallon bucket for years on my dewalt 7491 table saw and miter saw. I then got a bench top jointer and it worked sort of ok, but would occasionally get some chips fly out from the cutter head. I also got the larger larger dewalt planer (735) and my shop vac was not enough. I even upgraded to the dustopper pro which has a rubber gasket and chips were flying from the connection points on the hose. I upgraded to a cabinet saw and had to upgrade to a proper dust collector. I got a grizzly 1.5hp wall hanging model that is basically identical to the large rockler, and use it with the dust right cyclone separator and it is perfect! It’s quieter, just like you said, more of a low hummmm, and the cabinet of the table saw doesn’t really accumulate any dust.
Having both I kinda believe getting a larger dust collector is worth it. Mine hangs in the wall and takes up no floor space whatsoever. Also I feel the shop vac releases a bit of fine dust even though it has the green hepa dust bag and filter, yet I feel the dust collector doesn’t (also with large hepa canister filter). Interesting video and cool experiment though.
That's a decent option but the negatives I see are noise and the shop vacs are going to get their filters clogged pretty quickly without a cyclonic collector that the dust needs to pass through first.
The noise is pretty awful, it's definitely something that needs to be address. Also, in my most recent video I test the duel vac system with a dust separator.
The Reason Shop Vacs are sold it to sell more filters. A Prefilter is absolutely needed if you use a Shopvac.
My thinking on this subject is: I used a shop vac for years, but it was not adequate for my jointer, planner, nor my cabinet saw. The noise was unbearable. So, if I am getting the big dust collector to manage my major machines, why not use it for the smaller ones. Increasing the size of port when I can. The noise is so much more tolerable and power consumption is not that much different. I also have a small shop but I made room because I was tired of building one day then cleaning for two days.
I have both in my shop which is half of a 2 car garage. It depends on the port size of the tool. Eg. Planer =HVLP, Mitre saw = LVHP.
Shop vac for sure! I had my shop vac hooked up to a scroll saw dust exhaust and there was so much pressure I couldn't move the work piece, I had to drill some relief holes so I could move the work piece and it was really efficient after that! I agree with what you're saying!
Never considered a dual vac, very interesting idea.
For a small shop, this could even be about combining a shop vac built into a work bench as a permanent feature, and an additional mobile shop vac that you use for other things but can be plugged into the same piping if and when you need the additional suction.
The other advantage to parallel is when you use series the second motor is getting all hot air and will wear out and overheat quickly.
Restricting airflow on the dust collector is just wrong.
Use a shop-vac for tools having 2.5" port or less. Use dust collector for 4" tools.
Just because it seems like a fun idea… I haven’t seen anyone try two low pressure vacs. Have no idea how that might perform but it sounds like an amusing experiment. Maybe something like a second LP vac put into use when the reducer has to be used.
That would be a fun (expensive) test. I bet the suction would be insane!
Another huge downside to the large dust collector shown here, which is needed for larger bandsaws/planers etc is the cloth filter bags. They are useless, they get clogged easily, and often only filtering 5 microns or higher which is poor and no good for the harmful fine dust. The result is fine dust in the air settling on everything, being breathed in too, especially in a small shop. So then you have to factor in an upgraded filter, or a more expensive extractor, or one of those former options, plus an air filter which is more money. You will then need an expensive M rated shop vac for the smaller tools (mitre saw, router, sander etc). Its incredibly expensive and restrictive for something that is so important for a nicer working environment and your health.
I couldn't agree more. I didn't film it but I did suck up a bag of flour with the dust collector to see how the bag filtered and almost all of the flour ended up all over my garage so a filter is a must for those.
Wet/Dry Vac, I have a half of a 2 car garage size shop and that works fine for me...
Great video, as I was thinking of getting the big extraction system. The tests were good but I think what would have been really good is seeing both hooked up to actual machines.
I use a single leaf blower vacuum. Works great. Two would be amazing.
Great idea!
Dust collection is a rabbit hole. I have the Harbor Freight CENTRAL MACHINERY 35 Gallon, 2 HP High-Flow High-Capacity Dust Collector. Likely identical to your WEN. I was running for a year stock. 4 inch hose to a lathe dust collector inlet. Worked pretty decent. Then I added one of those Wynne Env type drum filters...WOW...the amount of air increased a lot...would love to say exponentially, but it is drawing a significant amount more air. Now I am looking for a 5 inch hose and dust hood. Pull even more of that fine dust in.
From what I experienced with the dust extractor is a Filter is a must, the bag really does very little for fine partials.
My Ridgid 14 Gallon NXT shop vac with fine dust bag and filter in combination with a Home Depot Dustopper and 5-gallon pail works very well for everything but my small planer and jointer (counter/table top size). I do have to clean the inside of the my bandsaw cabinet as the air volume isn't enough to get it all, but I don't have any issues of dust outside of the cabinet up where I am making the cut. I have thought of adding a second shop vac setup to my table saw, I I have a blade guard that has a hose port. But have yet to do that. My dream shop vac would be the Oneida Supercell, but at nearly $3K I can't justify the cost. I have my current Ridgid shop vac setup with pail on wheels so I can move it around the shop. I do this versus having a longer hose that would allow me to leave the dust extraction setup stationary, but would likely reduce the effectiveness of the system. I haven't tested that outcome, but I can say with a 5-8 foot hose the system has worked well. Some equipment like my mitre saw I have a hose left attached to it and simply plug it into the shop vac. but for most tools, I move the shop vac with like a 5-8 foot hose to the machine, like my table saw, jointer, etc.
Honestly that set up works better then hooking a wet/dry vac to a stationary set up like I have. With each blast gate and connection you can have small leaks and lose suction over time.
Would love a practical test where you test the dust collection with the dustiest of tools: the miter saw.
Test it without anything. One shop vac. And then two. Cuz for me the shop vac works well on everything but the miter saw.
Great video.
👏👏👏
Put the shop vac into the dust collector. No filter. That's what im planning to do for my smaller ported tools.
The smoke test you did was pretty cool. Reminds me of Mythbusters! 😂
multi-stage vacuum. basically one motor with more impellers, coupled to an induction motor. I do happen to have a 12 stage, but it's too expensive to use as an extractor, it runs one of my pipe organs as a blower, extremely quiet
What I want to know is how long a hose can I run from a 2 vac setup and not lose functionality. My shop is a a 2 car garage and moving the vac from tool to tool is a non starter for me. I considered buying a small vac for each tool but if I could run a 25 foot hose from a 2 vac setup that would be great. I might try it.
A 25ft hose should be no problem. I do all of my testing with a 20ft hose.
I opted to upgrade to the Kinder model. I do the work that I normally do with all the power equipment that I own and I send the kid out with a broom and a dustpan to clean up the shop. It's what my great grandfather did, my grandfather did and my father as well. Might be nice to use a collector system but the kid is free.
😂🤣
I have the Shop Fox version of the Wen. The problem is that the filter bag leaks fine dust particles. I replaced the cloth filter with a metallic small micron particle filter.
The Wen had the same problem. I didn't film it but I sucked up a bag of flour to see how the bag worked as a filter for fine particles and about 50% of the flour ended going through the bag and all over my garage.
When I was searching for a sander in this category for use on larger tops and surfaces i considered this one as well as the Mirka and possibly another Festool. Did a little research and watched several videos including yours. Decided on something other than this one for one simple reason. The sound of the motor during start and stop. Did not sound right to me and made an “educated” guess that there might be issues regarding longevity of the unit compared to the price point. Can’t really expect a $60 sander to last very long with frequent constant use but expectations increase when paying a premium. Something about the sound didn’t seem right to me. Hopefully They do come up with a proper fix for it.
Is it possible to connect the DE and shop vac together or does that just not work?
I tried that hoping it was going to create a super vac 😂. I tried hooking the RIDGID up to support the DE but since the DE is so much more powerful the small vac really didn’t make a difference. It actually sounded like the RIDGID was going to blow up because the DE was pulling way too much air into it. I would love to see two DE connected though!
I use three shop vacs. One each at my table saw / band saw, disc/belt sanders, and router table. Three separate systems. Fairly economical and very effective. I also use a cyclone separater on two of the systems. Maybe it’s an 80% solution, but good enough. Also, I’ve given up on dust collection at the chop saw. I just have a semi enclosure around it to contain the mess and I sweep it out. I’m still not satisfied with that, but I haven’t seen any good solutions.
Sounds like a good set up! I haven't seen any good solutions for the chop saw either, the enclosure seems to be the best solution but if you're in a cramped space it's a struggle.
I think you should have a disclaimer as I'm rather certain running shop vac's in series will overspeed one of the motors and burn it out. I think you should look at Record Power dust extractor that is far better than dual vacs being that it's a smaller footprint and probably more power as well - I have a triple motor four horsepower model and I think it will exceed your dual shop vac setup easily on smaller hose, it can also use the larger hose 4" as well.
The Record CamVac set ups are pretty nice from what I know. If you don't mind me asking are you from the US? Most people who have them I noticed are not from US since they are a British company and the cost of them here can be pretty expensive.
@@rightsidedownstudio I am in Canada and when I looked about I noticed the price seemed to be below Festool dust machine. I haven't used their machine however I have a tool and I can hear video where they use festool on the same tool I have. I turn on one motor and it probably sounds like the festool, then I turn on 2 motors and the dust extractor sucks even stronger like a jet engine and the sucking is louder than the tool. See the videos the tool is louder than the dust collection. I also notice the dust remaining after their cuts and my cuts are like super clean comparatively. The machine I think is unparalleled if you want to run smaller tools, and it also can handle larger tools but I notice it fills up pretty quick. I asked the guy when I bought mine I wanted the big barrel and he wouldn't so I got the small barrel. Now he sells the bigger barrel and I'm not super impressed because I already have the smaller one. I'll just keep going as is.... If you reduce the hose down to a smaller size and turn on more motors, I have three, it's like an insanely fast and powerful suction. Even on a 2.5 inch hose it's pretty insane with three motors, I normally only need two on the smaller hose. That's a total of 4h.p. of dust sucking power. You'd have to spend probably over triple that price to get a dust collector and it's probably going to need 5hp to compete, and it will still suffer when you reduce down the hose size.
@@rightsidedownstudio I am just looking here, Festool is more expenstive unit than Record power, Festool has : Airflow max.: 137 cfm (3,900 litre/min) // Max. vacuum: 24,000 Pa (96" static water lift) //--// Record Power has: 891cfm @ 4"(measured with Protmex Digital Fan Anemometer), 81" max static pressure
I would love to know if changing the size of the container changes it.
Like if you took a 5 gallon shop vac and attached it to a 10 gallon bucket would it pull different?
It shouldn’t to a point, as soon as a vacuum is created in the tub it starts pulling air from the hose. So as long as you don’t go from something like a 10 gal to a 55 gal it shouldn’t make a big difference. But I just did get a 55 gal drum to test dust collection so it sounds like a fun test. I’ll try to figure out how to connect the Hart motor to the drum and see what happens.
@@rightsidedownstudio That sounds fun. I made sure notifications are turned on and can't wait.
Hope you are having a good summer!
Yes, absolutely. It will reduce it.
Hey, great test! I'm running one wet/dry vac I got from harbor freight, it's a 6 gallon I got on sale for $40. I'm also running a dust separator also from harbor freight. It does ok but I'm wanting to build a shop and I will need something a bit better maybe. If I do go with something a bit better then I think I will do a second wet/dry vac before paying for a stage one dust collector. I'm still getting stuff together and still plan to get on CZcams it's just going to take a minute due to funding. I'm going to build a shop with pallets but I need money for screws, walls, floors and a roof plus insulation. I plan to film it and put it up but I will let you know. Trying to keep the dream alive 😂😂💯😁
@@charitiekbyrd1 I have a HF vac and separator. Except mine is 9 gallon. It does pretty good except when I forget to empty the separator.
I recommend getting a pool filter sock and put it over the vacuum filter. It makes them last a long time. The only downside is the pool socks come in a pack of 50 but it's still pretty cheap. Especially if you consider how much you will save on vacuum filters.
@@a9ball1 nice, thanks! I will definitely do that, I have a lot of plans but I will get there in time. Stay safe 💯😁
It sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you, but building a shop from the ground up would be amazing. I think that would be the most rewarding builds ever and a fun build to watch. Keep that dream alive it will be worth it!
@@rightsidedownstudio I plan on filming it too so I can post it on CZcams when I get it up and running. Unless I get CZcams up before I get the shop up. Either way I will post it on here so I will have a good video about that. It's going to be hard getting everything together for CZcams and the shop build but I am determined, it's just a matter of how long it will take to get everything. Stay safe and have fun.💯😁
Do the two vac brands or quality make a difference?
I used one great one and one cheap one and I had those results so I think if you used two great ones it would increase the results and the opposite with cheaper ones.
How would the dual vac system work with a Dust Deputy?
I actually just tested that with a Dustopper. there was a little drop in suction from 25mps to 20mps but so far everything is working fine.
Great information as I have been considering getting something like that WEN. Now I'm curious with the dual vac setup, if you put one cyclone separator on the combined hose or if you put a cyclone in front of each vacuum which would be more efficient.
I'm working on that test right now, should be in my next video
Interesting to see the double-vac setup. The pressure-vs-airflow trade-off is why Oneida created the Supercell, a high-pressure dust collector for small shops. It's crazy expensive though, so I'm still on team shop-vac for the time being. I'd like to see you check out and compare the Dewalt Stealthsonic series. They are SO much quieter, it was an absolute game changer for me. I'd be curious to know how it compares to your Ridgid. It's probably less CFM, but my ears sure thank me.
I'm finishing up the video I'm working on now and then testing the Stealthsonics next. I'm really curious on they perform .
Interesting concept. Kind of the opposite of Obsessed Garage running two pressure washers in series to get a higher Gallons Per Minute flow rate. It doesn't increase the pressure, just the amount of water being pushed. (Nice tests, presentation, and humor. Subscribed.)
Thanks for the Sub!
This is a massive subject. Well presented video but there no right & wrong answers. Personally I open my garage doors & wear a dust mask. Not always possible but I have never smoked so I think I am ahead of the curve health wise
You're absolutely right, dust collection really depends on how you have your shop set up, what tools you have, what your needs are, and more. The best thing is just to know all your options and go with what works for you.
Have you tested dual parallel vacs w a dust tornado collector?
I'm working on that right now, should be in my next video
If you can reduce the decibels, the shop vac to an acceptable level then the shop vac would be a more cost effective solution.
I completely agree with you. I even made a whole video where I build a sound proof box to put the shop vac to get away from that noise.
Using the HF version of that giant dust collector for a table saw is still a good idea. The HF unit is a clone of the Wen (or is the Wen a clone of the HF?) anyways, it's an item that can be gotten for about $260 on sale and totally worth it. Yes, for hand sanders and other small dust port tools the shop van w/ cyclone setup still better.
What type of table saw? If it’s a large one like a cabinet saw I completely agree but it still might me overkill for a small job site like the one I have.
@@rightsidedownstudio I've got a jobsite saw mounted to a card and up against an outfeed table. The dust port is 2.5" I think, and it runs in a straight line through a 4", thin wall pvc pipe at the same height as the port about 5 ft. At which point a Rockler quick connect takes it right into the HF collector hose. So it's a straight run with no curves for the most part.
Notice in your basement shop you have your shop plumbed for a 4” vac system.
Just wondering why you’re downplaying them when you already using the system.
Lastly how do the two compare with how many microns of dust escapes both.
Nice presentation though. Would like to hear your feedback. Rick
I have 2" plumbing for the shop. I do the whole set up in this video czcams.com/video/KYHBS5ERAUQ/video.html I'm working on a video now with connecting them to a dust separator (Dustopper) and the RIDGID has HEPA filters but the Hart has a regular filter so the dust escape shouldn't be that bad.
Excellent concept!
Any consideration for the variable of the lift effect/surface area?
Two vacuums in parallel but the intake is double their respective diameter?
So both units draw from a 2.25" hose end?
I believe the bigger one is to suck the shit out of the air to have cleaner work environment, not to hook to tools hence dust collection, and dust extractor!!!
What if you do something like a Venturi to reduce vacuum lock or impeller cavitation. The do something similar with Halloween fog machines where they have the fog machine offset from the tube to allow large airflow. It pulls in air from atmosphere as the driving air bridges the gap. If you reverse this idea for vacuum with a 3D printed coupler that goes from 4” to 2” with vents to allow atmosphere in, it might reduce any suction delinquencies (starving required volume) and amplify suction in the small tube with velocity. Maybe this will help? You could test this theory by drilling holes in the (45deg part) reducer you have. If it works or shows promise then a more efficient design could be ventured. I design and 3D print but I have no way to test this idea, I don’t have a dust extractor only shop vac.
First off you're way smarter than I am because I just spent the last hour googling half the things you said, lol. I love the Venturi idea but I don't know how it will react with solid particles passing through, unless you put it after the motor and before a dust separator. It's definitely something I want to look into more. I'm also going to try your other idea of drilling holes into the reducer and retesting a few things. I'll let you know what happens.
@@rightsidedownstudioohh no lol, I’m just speculating since I geek out over trying to solve mechanical problems. im looking at it as a person trying to breathe through a straw with a requirement of lung volume, it’s extremely hard. If you added a holes in the side of the straw, or gap between your mouth and straw, the air volume might speed up the volume extracted from the straw (Venturi) by allowing the volume required from your lungs to not be hindered from restriction. I think the hole method might not give perfect results but it might help with validating the idea.
Test parameters seem irrelevant to how we use the vacuum source connected to woodworking tools, My dual shop vac's are significantly better when hooked to my tools (Table Saw)using 2.5" flex lines than what a single vac is. I run dual Ridgid 5hp 4 gal. (The Small $99 ones) in parallel into a DustRite Y adapter and then the 2.5" hose to the tools. Building a new setup now to DIY replicate what the Canvac's do...
You make a good point, I should have explained why I chose those test. The distance test was to represent when a dust port intake is a good distance away from where the saw dust is being created such as on a miter saw where the dust intake is usually a good 6 inches away from the blade so it's almost irrelevant or on a router where it's hard to get the hose near the router without blocking your view. The clearing the box test was for clearing a chamber or cavity or just clearing the air around the tool.
This is an interesting video with a weird dual vac addition, so sub from me 😁! Def will be on the lookout for another vid with this idea. Hopefully, you can add a dust collector/container & use 2 vacs as another scenario. I think that'll solve my dust collection issues these next few years.
Thanks for the sub!
If you used 4" hose and necked it down with the two shop vacs you would have gotten better results. The volume of the 4" hose is like 9 times greater than the 2" hose. The extra resistance in 20 feet of 1.5" hose vs 20 feet of 2" hose is over 10% decrease. (This is from the carpet cleaning industry.) Use the 4" hose as far as you can until you neck down to the smaller diameter. Come 2" from both shopvacs to a 4" junction and then 4" as close to the tool as possible.
What about noise in the 2 vacuum case? Doesn’t it just go too high? Great demonstration by the way
yeah, that's a huge draw back to the dual vac set up.
curious your thoughts on CamVac. Seems to be perfect combo of volume and pressure for hobbyist workshop.
I love the idea of them and the more I'm messing around with multi vacs and dust separation the more I'm realizing I'm just building my own CamVac system. I would get one but I cant get past the 80% mark up for selling in USA.
Another vote for Camvac. Recently purchased one.
The more I'm messing around with multi vacs and dust separation the more I'm realizing I'm just building my own CamVac system. How is the noise, is it a low deeper noise like the DE or high pitched like the shop vacs?
@@rightsidedownstudioit is pretty quiet. The exhaust has hoses on them and you can direct the exhaust air and noise.
Hooked on wood in Europe made an exhaust silencing box.
@@rightsidedownstudio
Each motor (there are 1,2,3 motor versions) can be run independently. They have their own exhaust vent. Running the accessories hoses reduces noise significantly. If directed outside, then both noise and heat reduce further. I intend to run them to a sound reduction box.
The noise rises with each motor running, and is more like a shop vac.
You will most likely want to replace the filters with a third party option. just ordered mine from Canada (I live in Australia), and there is even an option to print cartridge housings, and add much cheaper filters from Amazon. The only company I’ve seen that makes them is Record, an English company, but they have distributors around the world.
Ironically, they are made only a stones throw from where I was born and raised in Yorkshire. Hooked on wood is a good source.
@@howardbecdove9780 which one do you have? and if you don't mind me asking how much did you pay? I was speaking with someone in the UK and they pay 1/8 of we do in the US. Even the smallest 2 motor 90L is $900 and they pay $250.
@@rightsidedownstudio I have the 3 motor, 3000w version, which has a a 90l drum.
I can’t remember what I paid, but current prices are AU$950 (US$640) for the 2 motor, 2000w and Au$1,199 (US $808) for the 3motor (mine) 3000w version.
I’ve got no idea how or when your uk mate bought his, but on checking UK prices, the 3 motor version is selling for £680 including VAT, (Au$1,290 or US$869) which makes them more expensive in the UK than Australia. This is partly due to UK VAT (Tax) of 20%. When UK goods are sold outside the UK, VAT is not included and local taxes are added. The tax in Australia (GST) is currently only 10%
Question does the wen have a HEPA filter? And i am guessing the two wet/ dry vacs do not
Also most people use a dust separator with a wet/dry vac cause as you fill up that wet/dry vac its power get less
The wen does not, the only filter it has is the large bag on top. I didn't film it but I sucked up a bag of flower with the wen to see how the bag was as a filter and it was blowing it out all over the place so the wen does not handle fine dust very well. The Ridgid red line does have two HEPA filters and the Hart has a normal filter.
I did want to test the wet/dry vacs with a dust separator but I was already pushing 20min with the video so I cut it and I'm working on a video now where I try and make the dust separator better and I'll test it with the dual vacs.
No, and if you need HEPA level of filtration then you need it in a mask. If you put that on shop tools, DCs or shopvacs, it reduces their flow and it will clog faster.
@@davidcorliss which reduces your overall "power"...on a shop-vac or DC.
I think you're still restricting the air flow on the two shop vacs. Both shop vacs are trying to pull air through half the stand alone hose. Try using a larger hose connected to the smaller hoses going to each shop vac.
That was my first thought too, but then you would need to add the reducer to the end of the hose anyways to connect the the machine and I would run into the same problem I was having with the dust dust extractor. My main goal was to see how good of a suction I can get with a small hose.
Oneida has an Multi-Cyclone DIY Dust Deputy Design Kit
I never knew that existed, it's really cool.
I wish you would have treated the two shop vacs hooked up to 1.5inch x 4inch expansion couplings to see if the larger tube space would make a difference
I started to do that but then I felt like I was just making a dust extractor that I would need to reduce the inlet again to fit to a tool. So it would end up being 1.5" - 4" - 1.5"
I assume you mean also reduce the shop vac hose by a similar ratio...and had he done that you would see the results drop off as well. The drop is not linear either...not with hose or canister size. Its just physics...
@jzahirniak no I mean increase the shop vac hose
@rightsidedownstudio I was curious to see how fast a 4inch hose connected to the 2 shop vacs would clear out the smoke in the box
@@mattek519 I still have the box and a few smoke bombs left so I'll give it a try and let you know.
Dual vac takes up more space than a dust collecto0r.
All you need is a 45 amp breaker
No one is actually uses those for fine dust they use them for planers and jointers.
Firsttttt
duel vacs...too many DIY tools
FFS...they are two different tools for two different uses. If you have a planer, jointer, router table and/or a table saw...a DC will outperform a shopvac by a huge margin. If you want to sweep up the chips and dust that are thrown away from the DC then put a floor sweep on it and still kick a shopvacs ass.
The difference between the smoke box tests is negligible and I'd say in the margin of error since you cannot account for the smoke bombs making the same amount of smoke and since you made a different seal on the DC vs Shopvac and the subjectivity of the thumbs up. Still you said "just as well" I see your plumbing in the background. Its too small for a DC. Now I know you arent plumbed for it right now BUT if you had run 4in all over and only reduced to smaller diameters at the tool you would find that in most cases the DC does just fine and there is no need for an additional shopvac.
"If you need to reduce...stick with a wet-dry vac" Thing is you are using a shop vac that is presently selling for $295 at Home Depot where that Wen DC is selling for $351...add the Hart unit which today is $53 and you are at break even on the cost.
If reducing it gets us to the same "suck" as the shop vac then why should anyone use the shop vac over the DC? And if they have neither then why buy the $300 vac over a dust collector? And for that matter, why pay more for the Wen when the Harbor Freight DC, at full price, is $50 cheaper, or, just $4.25 more than that vac...with 1550 cfm?
About the ONLY things my shop vacs do better than my DC get full quicker and clog easier...oh, and liquids cause duh, the DC doesn't.
I get it if you dont have space for one, and its not just the height but also the footprint...you gotta make do. But if you make a lot of sawdust and have space for one you wont regret having it considering the costs of things in this video especially? You should also have a cheap shop vac cause occasionally you might need to suck up some liquids or vac your truck...and that Hart is probably plenty,