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Product Reviews » Harbor Freight Dust Collector
Harbor Freight Dust Collector
By Seth Keller
Photos By author
Posted May 30, 2012
I needed a new dust collector in a bad way. Shop vacuums are a great way to start collecting dust and chips out in the garage or basement, but a full sized dust collector offers much more suction as well as greater capacity for chips on tools like the planer and jointer. It is always hard to justify the cost of a tool that just sits around collecting dust (that’s a joke), especially when I still need other tools for actually making things! I scoured the internet, home stores and woodworking shops for a full sized collector with at least a 2HP motor with 650 CFM suction and a 5-micron bag. I came across a version from Harbor Freight at a fraction of the cost as the closest competitor; less than $200** including shipping, so I decided to go for it.
I will admit I was skeptical after placing the order, but was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box to my new machine. It was safely shipped with fitted Styrofoam packaging, and each part was protected from the other by cardboard or wrap.
I propped the base on sleepers to attach the casters. While both the diagram and instructions informed me to use hex-head bolts and nuts for this task, there weren’t enough included in the shipment. There were enough pan-head screws included, however, so I decided to use these instead. It may be best to avoid the manual, which gives incorrect information throughout the assembly.
The cap to the fan housing has a fitted gasket that makes the machine more efficient. This detail was unexpected considering the bargain-basement price. The hose outlet bolted firmly to the blower.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Despite taking 2 hours to assemble, I’m pleased with the Harbor Freight Dust Collector. It performs well. While it doesn’t have mind-blowing suction, it has plenty to capture dust when connected to individual tools such as a table saw, jointer or planer. I will certainly invest in blast gates to manage the suction in the machine and to keep my runs of hose short. The manual was maddening, and actually mislead me in a number of circumstances…be warned! But for the money, I have been quite happy with this Harbor Freight Dust Collector. I do plan, however, to add a cyclonic separator to keep the chips from clogging the 5-micron filter and plastic bag.
Source:
Harbor Freight 2HP Dust Collector, Model 97869 $199.00
**Coupons and discounts are frequently available for all Harbor Freight tools, and shipping is a flat rate $6.99
www.harborfreight.com
(800) 423-2567
25 Comments
Thanks for reviewing this, I've been curious about it. What's the noise level like?
I bought a cool DIY cyclone kit that fits any container you already have. Look up "Dust Collector" once your inside workshopsupply(dot)com. Better airflow than Rockler's.
I've had mine over a year, paid $139.00 on sale. I use a Rockler yellow remote and everything works fine. Noise is so much better than the Shopvac I used to use. An excellent addition to your shop.
I bought one a couple of months ago. It works well and for the price it's fantastic! I found a coupon in Wood magazine for $149.00 that they have had for a couple of months. Wynn Environmental has a canister you can add on that makes it a super collector.
I've had this very same dc for many years. It works great. When the bag gets about 3/4 full, I'll empty it, because after that, it will start to loose some suction. I also added a 1 micron top bag. You can get this for $149 a lot of times, and even less with a 20%off coupon through Harbor Freight. As far as noise level goes: You should wear some sort of hearing protection while in the shop with equipment running. If you want to hear your grandkids say I love you later in life. Work safe, always.
I've had this dust collector for just under a year now. Seth is right on about the instructions. Best only used as a diagram and forget about trying to read the step by step instructions. Same can be said for most tools and assembly from Harbor Freight. I got this to upgrade from my small Delta 650 cfm unit to get more CFM. I also have the Wynn cartridge system 0.5 micron rating for a much cleaner work shop and lungs. I have noticed that there are several areas on the fan housing that are not sealed tightly but can easily be sealed with foil tape.
I have had one of these for several years. A couple of comments: 1. The 2 HP must be a peak starting number. It is not a running 2 hp motor. I couldn't find an amp draw in the specifications or on the nameplate to determine what the actual running horse power is. 2. Mine leaked dust at the hose connections between the blower and filter, and where the bag is clamped to the housing. I solved that by wrapping silicone tape around the joint before putting the hose or bag and place. Other than that, it does a nice job and is reasonably quiet, actually better than I expected.
Hi Gang- Thanks for all of the comments. Four months down the line, and I still consider this a *great buy*! I fill the bag every two weeks and can't imagine what I would do without it these days. A number of you suggest great upgrades, including the 1 micron bag or even the Wynn cartridge as RingNeckBlues suggests. When I have a second, I first want to try a DIY Thein separator, or one such as Stew recommends. I'll keep you all posted. Keep the comments coming! Best, Seth
I have a similar dust collector that I found the cfm rating to be a bit low for my shop. I upgraded mine with a larger bag from American Filter. They will custom make a bag based on the space you have in your shop to accomodate the height of the bag. I doubled my CFM. Grizzly is another place that sells an identical item and is even the same color. Most of these are made in Tiawan these days. Never a big fan mof Harbor Freight but its hard to find American made equipment and tools any more.
I have had this unit for several years and quickly found two upgrades badly needed. First upgrade was the Wynn 0.5 micron filter. This is an absolute must to protect your and your family's lungs. Second, the lower bag was filling way too fast when using the planer so I built a trash can separator using modified plans found on the net. Now the shop is much cleaner, the dust does not migrate into the house (Wife much happier now, very important) and the collector bag needs emptying much less, also very good as it can be a royal pain in the kazoo to get sealed back. Plans for the mods have been located in the library at International Association of Pen Turners site or I'll be happy to try to answer any questions on this.
HI All- Woodrt, I will look into the larger bag by American Filter... this is an interesting option. Ctubbs, I am definitely hearing you on the .05 micron filter. Upgrades like these are inevitable, but the HF Dust Collector is a great way to start collecting dust, that's for sure. Thanks for the comments, Seth
In a few different Woodworking magazines, there is usually a HF page with coupons. A lot of times, this collector with a coupon is $149. Plus, if you have a 20% coupon, they'll usually let you use it on there also. I've had this same collector for many years, and it performs fine. I did add a 1 micron upper bag to it just recently for additional health safety.
I have a Harbor Freight dust collect to which i added the Wynn 0.5 micron filter and my variation of a Thain separator. Love it. it is so much quieter than my brothers DC and not a problem with it running. Does a good job with the dust.
Hey Y'all- I still haven't found time to modify this dust collector yet! Aagh. I can't wait to control the dust even more in my shop! So many great suggestions. Seth
I use mine everyday and plane many board feet of cedar and white ash along with Oak. I usually dump my bag and my 30 gallon trash can just ahead of collector three times a month or more.I got lucky and paid 139.00 and well worth the costs. Flower beds are full of chips and chicken coop gets chips now and then. Highly recommend to any woodworker ,I have told some about it and some have bought
Hi JensJ! Yes, I agree... worth every penny. You sure are making a lot of dust! What types of things do you make with the cedar, ash and oak? Thanks for the comment. Seth
I own this dust collector as well, and after adding blast gates for the different stations, it does a very good job, as long as the hose runs are kept as short as possible.
i have this one had it for 10 years for a 150 ivestment it cant be beat works great rwoods
Excellent! It still works great for me too. Seth
Have been using the HF collector for some time now and I am extremely pleased. First thing I did, before even using it, was to add a Thien separator. It worked great. Top bag is really clean. I ordered a canister filter for it as my next upgrade and saw another potential upgrade where you move the motor onto the ring to get rid of the one host. There are directions for mods on YouTube.
How often do you change the filter bag?
Hi iletopytg- I have never changed the filter bag. When I empty the clear plastic bag on the bottom, I also clean the top cloth filter. While wearing my respirator, I remove it and turn it inside out, and go outside. I shake it and take my air hose and blast any loose particles off, and then re-install both the top andbottom bags. Thanks for the comment! Best, Seth
I also have this unit going on year 8. I am very please with it. has worked perfectly since day one. I agree on the instruction booklet & was also missing a couple bolts, but simple fixes. Great investment. as far as noise goes, A house vacuum is louder than the dust collector. two thumbs up from me.. also when I got mine it had cloth bags on both top & bottom.
Thanks for the comment Tom- I love it too! Now that I've had it for awhile, I'm considering adding the Wynn filter that everyone raves about. Seth
Bought the HF Dust Collector about a month ago and immediately modified it to 6" inlet coupled to a Thein 'tophat' separator that I designed after reading and watching many articles and videos about the Thein design. With a 30 gallon trashcan about 3/4 full of sawdust and chips I had perhaps a handful of dust particles in the plastic bag. Added a Wynn 35A filter, dumped the can and installed a new plastic bag, after sawing and planing enough to fill the can to about 1/2 full there is a tint of fine dust in parts of the bag, but no appreciable accumulation. Reducing from 6" PVC to 4" hose right at the inlet to the separator at this time and moving the hose from machine to machine, still deciding on layout of pipe and waste gates before going further.