DeWalt Dust Separator Review: Is It a Must-Have for Woodworkers?

[@JoeLazzara]

Great video, very informative. Thanks for posting this. But I have a question, what really is the difference between using this and using the Dust Deputy with a 5 gallon bucket? Don't they pretty much do the same thing? Thanks

[@TheWoodworkingCorner]

Thank you for commenting. They do pretty much the same thing. If you get just the Dust Deputy, you still have to attach it to a 5-gallon bucket. If you get the Dust Deputy Deluxe, then you have the whole set up like with the DeWalt Dust Separator. I have heard good things about both and opted for the DeWalt since it was the same brand as my current shop vac.

[@JoeLazzara]

@@TheWoodworkingCorner Thanks so much. 👍

[@MultiPetercool]

Build a cart to stack the separator on top of the vac and connect the two with thin solid white PVC pipe. You’ll save a lot of floor space.

[@TheWoodworkingCorner]

I do want to do something like that however, if I stack them, then I need the vertical space for them. Right now, they fit nicely next to and under my workbench.

[@ChaoticWrath]

Solid video, I appreciate the thorough demo

[@TheWoodworkingCorner]

Thank you for the comment. After having for many months now, I really like how it collects dust/debris and so saves on dust bags in the shop vac.

[@Rusty_ok]

The small bucket is a deal killer as I have a dust stopper setting on a 7 gallon bucket. I put a little plexiglass window in the 7 gallon bucket so I can see when it needs to be emptied. It is surprising how often I have to dump.

[@TheWoodworkingCorner]

So far it has been working out well for me. A month or so in and I emptied it once and it wasn't even 1/2 full yet. I checked on the dust bag inside the shop vac and that hasn't moved much so this dust separator collects big and small particles alike. I would imagine that when I take the planer out, it will fill the dust separator much faster.

[@northernoutlier]

Great video, I just ordered the slightly larger version of this. I am hoping when combined with a shop vac it helps keep fine dust to a minimum.

[@TheWoodworkingCorner]

I was impressed with how much fine dust it collects. Having a good dust bag in the shop vac helps too. A high-efficiency bag will won't allow as much fine dust back into the air. But with me using the shop vac to clean up vs. using a dust pan and room, huge improvement for my small shop.

[@northernoutlier]

@@TheWoodworkingCorner That is good to know. I'm also upgrading my shop vac and I got an air filter to hang in the shop. I just can't stand fine dust settling on everything.

[@TheWoodworkingCorner]

I need to do that too.

[@themeat5053]

Thanks Jim, I need to do something. I'm always envious of you guys who can use a laptop in the shop. My shop is way too old school and dusty. I do use the shop vac with the table saw, but that's about it. Maybe it's time to stop being cheap.

[@TheWoodworkingCorner]

This one was health over money. I'm trying not to imagine the dust all over the shop is like the dust in my lungs. I have noticed a big difference over the past couple of months using the dust separator. Especially using the shop vac for cleaning up vs. sweeping it up. Normally, I wouldn't be able to do work in the winter months because I would need the garage door open. It's one step at a time and one tool at a time.

[@themeat5053]

@@TheWoodworkingCorner Well, I'm thinking dust collection is a good thing because all the older woodworkers I know (an probably me, too) have some form of emphysema or COPD after sucking down all the dust in the shop. Frankly, I'm not sure what to get or what I can afford. I keep lusting after the Harbor Freight dust collector, but it takes a bunch of room and we have to put my nurse/wife's car in the garage during the winter so I need room. It's a quandary; we'll see how much cash we have after Uncle Sugar kills us this April.

[@alberttreado3713]

I really like my Dust Deputy!

[@TheWoodworkingCorner]

They are very helpful for the shop.

[@janesaddiction2463]

Well now I gotta buy one 😂.

[@TheWoodworkingCorner]

Well hopefully you used the link in the description of the video :)

[@ggrimm79]

Shoot, I was hoping this was a vacuum with a built-in cyclone dust separator. Does anyone make one of those?

[@TheWoodworkingCorner]

Yes, sorry, not sure if anyone does make something like that. I know people have made carts with the vac and the separator stacked on top of either other.

[@dfy]

How do you know when it’s full?

[@TheWoodworkingCorner]

I give it a little lift to see how heavy it is. Or I pop it open and look. Many times I get a sense of how full it is by how much I am cutting and such.

[@steveho9884]

they need a light or plastic to see the dust level

[@TheWoodworkingCorner]

Agreed to that. I have been periodically picking it up to see how heavy it is. Holds a lot of debris and I haven't had to empty it too often. Thank you for watching.