Dust Extraction: on the cheap?

[joiner_sim]

I tend to use my private workshop once a week, as I'm in the commercial one sometimes 6 days a week! Anyway, I have got a small three wheeled bandsaw that creates a bit of dust when it is running, and also when I'm using my orbital sander there is a fair amount of dust. I have a few more poratble power tools that have bags on that barely collect anything. I am also looking to get a router table (definatley) and there is also a possiblity of me buying a small planer/ thicknesser (this is not essential though because of the commercial shop).

I am looking at cheap extraction for the dust off the bandsaw, orbital sander and the router table. I have one possible buy in mind and it is a Wet n Dry vacuum.
MachineMart link

I am after dust extraction on the cheap side, but..... will this vacuum pack up or even be any good for what I want? If it isn't has anyone got any suggestions bearing in mind I'm trying to keep it cheap and also space saving.

Also, looking towards the future equipment such as a small bench top planer/thicknesser, what extraction equipment would suit all needs?

Usually I'd turn to http://www.airplants.co.uk/ but they are for the industrial workshop, and I have no experience really on a smaller scale, so a bit of guidance here would be very much appreciated

Thanks, Simon.

 

[PowerTool]

Hi Simon - I've had the Earlex vac in the shop for about three years now (weekend hobby use) and it's been fine.Use it as a general shop vac,and extractor for the bandsaw.
Couple of accessories worth considering - they do a longer hose (which means I can now reach almost the whole shop without moving it) and a one-piece filter,which is distinctly better than the foam/paper bag combo it comes with.
It's been excellent value (they also do one very similar in Wickes)

Andrew

 

[lurker]

Check out the one on B&Q - Macallister, I think

Its cheaper & better than the Earlex and comes with a cartridge filter.

 

[MVB]

I think the Earlex only filters down to 25 microns. I have one and for the money its great. I'm going to channel the exhaust end outside when I get the chance so the air inside is cleaner

 

[DaveL]

Check out the one on B&Q - Macallister, I think

I have a newish Macalister one, with the stainless steel drum, it does indeed work well and was very cheap, however this is the third machine of this type I have had from B&Q. The other two where the older design with the plastic tub, the first one went back as the hose fitting fell apart. B&Q did give me a new one as it was only ~ 6 months old. They do not carry any spares for these in the shops, so the working machine I am told went in the skip.
The replacement unit only lasted ~18 months and the motor died, I could not get it replaced by B&Q as I had lost the receipt during the replacement proceedings of the first one.
The new one was bought by Mum & Dad as a Christmas present and is still going strong.

The spares situation with the B&Q own brand stuff has gone down hill, they used to be able to provide a good range of spares for the Performance Power stuff, but having rung up about a new rubber washer for the HVLP spray system they sold a little while ago, I was told the unit was no longer sold and the spares had been dropped.
I now consider all of their own brand stuff as totally disposable and have no hope of them fixing anything that breaks, if you can find the receipt they will probably just give you your money back. I do consider things like motor brushes, dust filters and sealing washers to be consumables that you should be able to buy as required.
If their target market is DIY, do they think after one job everything goes to the tip so does not require any support?

 

[ivan]

Most cheap wet/dry vacs have motors cooled by the main airflow. The filter gets a bit clogged and cuts the throughput and then your motor burns out. You need a vac with separate motor cooling for this sort of work; it need not be expensive - Lidl had one with bypass cooling (and automatic switching) for 35 quid last year.

 

[lurker]

I've had a few power tools from B&Q and its true you do have to look on them as disposables.
I sling the boxes (containing the reciept) in the loft and have on several occasions taken something back up to 10 months later. B&Q for all its failings are really good at refunds/exchanges :lol: :lol:

I usually buy when they have an offer on - Jan is a good time. Or take a tame wrinkly on Wednesday for 10% off

I was in B&Q last evening and bearing in mind this post, I had a look at the MacAllister vac cleaner - standard price is just under £50 - I bought mine for under £30 :lol: in Jan 07 and its still going strong. I have bought a replacement filter in Wickes for about £10

 

[joiner_sim]

thanks for all the replies i think i'll be popping down to B&Q to take a look myself and then it'll be a toss up with the price of macallister and earlex which wins it.