Dust collection has become integral to my setup, whether I’m on site or in my shop; in fact, I’ve come to dread working without it. While I hook up large tools to a shop collector, I run hand tools like a track saw and sanders through portable extractors. Their filters clog quickly and are costly to replace, though, so I started connecting an in-line cyclone separator to the extractor. The separator collects most of the dust before it ever reaches the extractor, not only keeping the filters running clean but also eliminating the need to empty filter bags multiple times a day. I own three cyclone dust separators—a Festool CT-VA 20, an Oneida Dust Deputy, and a DeWalt DXVCS002—and I’ve found the DeWalt to be the superior choice.
<i>The DeWalt DXVCS002 cyclone separator moves with the work, thanks to its casters and stable base (left). Compared with the author’s Oneida and Festool units, the DeWalt has a larger capacity without adding too much footprint and has better stability and mobility (above).</i>
The more bends, sharp turns, and restrictions in a dust collection system, the greater the loss of suction. The Festool separator has too many of the above, with two 90-degree bends in the included hose alone. Inside the unit is a compact version of cyclone technology that is restricted in piping size and doesn’t allow for the volume of airflow needed.
DeWalt took a different approach, using the same tried-and-true cyclone design that’s the basis for most industrial collectors. The loss of suction in this type of design, if any, isn’t noticeable, as it allows maximum airflow. DeWalt claims that its cyclone separator captures 99.5% of dust, and while I don’t have a way to scientifically measure that, I am 99% sure it captures more than my Festool and certainly more than enough to meet my needs. With the DeWalt at about a third of the price of the Festool and having better performance, it’s a clear choice between the two.
I also prefer the DeWalt over Oneida’s Dust Deputy, for several reasons, not least of which is ease of assembly: A handful of screws and the DeWalt was ready to go out of the box, wheels and all. In comparison, the Dust Deputy comes in pieces and takes time to set up. The other big reason I prefer the DeWalt over the Dust Deputy is the quality of the build. The Dust Deputy has a 5-gallon bucket and lid attached to a cyclone, whereas the DeWalt has a 6-gallon poly shop-vacuum base with nice, locking latches and a thicker wall. I typically use a 250-cfm Bosch extractor in my shop, which, when I turn it on, will regularly flex the sides of the Oneida bucket and nearly collapse it if I put my hand over the hose. Not so with the DeWalt, which remains rigid without losing its shape or succumbing to the pressure. And it beats the price of the Dust Deputy by about $8.
I always appreciate getting more for less and recommend DeWalt’s cyclone dust separator over both Oneida’s Dust Deputy and Festool’s CT-VA 20. Price: $135. dewalt.com
