Harbor freight 2hp dust collector....

I think they are all made the same and re labeled for the label. My Penn State unit looks identical to yours just different color.

Wynn sells a cartridge aimed directly at third party DC’s, including the Harbor Freight model. I don’t have one myself (yet), but I’ve heard good things about them, so that’s where I was going to get mine – since they say they support mounting on the HF 2HP model (which I also have).

-- The difference between being defeated and admitting defeat is what makes all the difference in the world - Upton Sinclair, "The Jungle"

I have that DC myself, and added the Wynn cannister. I haven’t personally tried the Jet, Delta, or Grizzly machines in this class, but my HF reallly sucks (in a good way!) For the money, it’s hard to beat.

-- Gene T

I have three of them they’re great you can’t beat them for the price.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

i was looking into geeting this for my lathe and now i think iwll pull the trigger when i get the money

-- wood takes time and effort... just like women

I go to a Harbor Freight store… and I have been wondering about their DC… Question: In relative terms, how loud is it… I suspect no different than any other… I get by with a shop vac and Oneida dust cyclone thing… but it just get the cfm that I need for a hood over the table saw, or an enclosure for the cut off miter saw. Plus I want to add band saw and lathe and jointer, and etc… etc…

I have small shop in our house finished basement… I’ll need to convince my wife that HF green is a decorator color… :>)

-- Al H. - small shop, small projects...

njcraftsman,

Where did you get your replacement filter bag? I saw one on Amazon from Big Horn for $33? Here is the link – http://www.amazon.com/Big-Horn-11765-Diameter-1-Micron/dp/B001C04FJY

dustyal,
This machine is much quieter than a shop vac and dust deputy. I know… I replaced them with the HF… It is a great machine and I ordered the Wynn cartridge today! It is also soooo much more in terms of suction.

-- Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

njcraftsman,

Congrats on the DC from HF. I too have the same unit, with a Thien baffled 30 gal metal trash can in line as a chip collector. The system works really well, and with most of the chips and dust going the the can, even keeps the plastic bag almost empty.

A friend here has the Grizzly 2 HP unit, and neither of us can tell the difference between them.

I’ve emptied the chip separator can twice now, and have yet to even think about the bag. It even seems to keep dust out of the filter. Almost as good as a cyclone unit, and WAY more cost effective.

Ellen, Which Wynn filter did you choose? I’m about to make a similar purchase. Thanks!

-- -Gerry, Hereford, AZ ” A really good woodworker knows how the hide his / her mistakes.”

DustyAl…..Dust collectors in general are MUCH quieter than shop vacs! My shop Vac is almost as loud at my router. As far as how many tools you can run at once I’m not sure. Recently, I had the TS, and jointer working at the same time (helper), and it proved it self more than capable (one is on a branch 45ft front the DC, and the other is 25ft from the DC). As far as what individual tools can you use with it, pretty much anything you can think of it can do I imagine, way beyond a shop vac power.

LOS…. Yep that be the very bag…I highly recomend!

-- " There is no more important rule than to wear these, SAFTEY GLASSES"

Agree with this review, I have the same model, wait for it to go on sale, they do often, then grab a 20% off coupon out of family handy man or similar mag and go pick it up .. best price on a DC in my opinion, specially for a hobbyist.

-- David - Houston, Texas. (http://www.justsquareenough.com/)

I finally broke down and bought the HF 2hp DC with a coupon from Wood magazine. I waited till the last day on the coupon. I think July 21 or 22. I tried to double up and use the 20% off also, but the clerk said no go. It actually rang up at $179 and my coupon was $139. Still a great deal. It went together much easier than I thought. All the holes lined up. It is a big heavy unit and you need at least 10 to 12 sqft to contain it. Mine is stock but thanks Los for the 1-micron bag tip on Amazon. I plan to put a Thien baffle between soon. The noise is like a small jet liner, but much more pleasant than a shop vac of any size. One of my shop vac is relegated to a cabinet underneath the router table. I’ll probably use the other for hand power tools. Ultimately I want to build a small room fitted to the outside of my garage and run hose through the exterior wall. One day…

-- david roberts, spinning Tales from Topographic Oceans, no, really.

david i think one day i will build a small shed and put my compressor my dc when i get one and perhaps some small tool storage…...............well money is always the issue

-- wood takes time and effort... just like women

njcraftsman – Thanks! Just ordered mine this morning!

I have written one of those positive reviews of the HF DC, I have had mine for a while now and have been nothing but pleased with it.. I use the Wynn filter. The OEM bag has never seen sawdust…

-- Manufacturer of fine quality sawdust since 1984. Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop. Gladly accepting shop build donations!