I’m trying to decide on a new woodworking dust collector by the end of the year, and it’s been kicking my butt.
So far Rikon is the front-runner, with their 1.75 HP 2-stage model 60-1750.
It’s not HEPA, but looks more portable than my Jet. Pluses include the 2-stage design, cyclone, and upper collection ports.
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There’s also the Grizzly Growl Tech, which I didn’t know existed before today. But, their smallest 1.5 HP model requires a 20A outlet. I have 20A circuits but 15A outlets. Sometimes I have different things on the circuits. I’d prefer 220V over 110V at 20A, but I only have a single 20A breaker.
I’m not sure how much woodworking I’ll really be doing, but I’ll me keeping some of my tools and capabilities and as such will need a dust collector.
I could out in another 220V outlet, but who knows when I’d be ready to do that. At that point I might want to equip my garage workspace with rigid dust collection ducting.
The sensors and features of the Grizzly are appealing, and especially the lower noise level, but I think the Rikon is more practical for right now.
I also found this horizontal Grizzly unit. I’ve searched everywhere and can’t find clear indication of how the “cyclone” separator section works.
Here’s a snippet of the Grizzly’s parts diagram. The separation stage doesn’t seem particularly efficient.
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You can mount a wood top and actually use it as a workbench (although there’s no mention of the casters’ weight capacity), and it’s pretty quiet.
A HEPA filter is available separately. Given its form factor, its filter size is much smaller than for the other models.
While I think the design is pretty amazing, it doesn’t seem ideally matched to my needs.
Compared to the Rikon, I do like that you can add HEPA filter.
And I really like that it can potentially be used as a workbench even when not used as a dust collector.
Rikon Dimensions: 44″ x 28″ x 68″
Grizzly Dimensions: 53″ x 27.5″ x 40.5″
The Grizzly requires a 20A circuit but is rated at 15A at full load and has a standard plug type.
The Rikon has a 12A load rating.
Rikon: 900 CFM, Grizzly (horizontal type): 735 CFM
That’s with the included filter, the Grizzly might have more restricted flow with the optional HEPA filter.
I considered Harvey and their new G-700 Pro, but quickly decided against it.
It’s been extremely difficult searching for added info or any reviews for the Rikon and Grizzly.
I found just one influencer review for a larger 220V version of the Rikon, and nothing for the Grizzly.
Let’s say my needs change. I can myself turning the Grizzly into a downdraft table base. Or maybe using it next to a CNC router.
Realistically, am I really going to use it as a workbench?
The Grizzly takes up more space, and I’m not thrilled about its full 15A load rating. Or some of the compromises in its design.
Grizzly has a 1 year warranty, Rikon has 5.
An an aside, I also came across a Grizzly HEPA fume extractor that’s said to be suited for laser cutters. Tractor Supply has a special price at checkout!
After clicking through a few screens, here’s the special price. You save a total of $0.01.
It cannot be used with flammable vapors, but they advertise that it can be used as a shop air purifier or “whether you are using a 3D printer.”
Readers have asked for some laser engraver reviews, and I’m wondering if this would be suitable as a multi-purpose extractor. It has 8 stages of filtration – we can talk about this machine separately, I just found the strike-through price and $0.01 savings amusing.
There’s another Grizzly that might compare well against the Rikon.
But with similar footprints and designs, the Rikon warranty period seems better.
One day I might need a 220V dust collector, at which point I might upgrade.
As for my existing Jet dust collector that’s not very portable, maybe I can move it and a less-frequently-used woodworking tool or two to my basement.
Are there any other 110V dust collectors that I should consider?
Rich
Are you concerned about the Grizzly’s 20A requirement because of other tools on that circuit? If not, you could swap out a 15A outlet for a 20A outlet pretty easily. (Both meet code on a 20A circuit with 12 AWG cable and multiple outlets.) My dust collector is 120v and I’ve never felt like it was underpowered. But between the Rikon and the Grizzly, I actually like the Rikon better (form factor and warranty).
Stuart
Yes. My workshop is still evolving, and so the dust collector needs to be mobile and able to plug into any outlet.
My Jet is still functional, but a gigantic pain to move, pain to connect to, and it’s only single stage.
Neil
Oneida. Awesome products. https://www.oneida-air.com/dust-collectors/dust-cobra-high-pressure-hepa-cyclone-dust-collector
Neil
I’ve got the Mini-Gorilla, but it’s not available right now. 120v or 240v, I love it. https://www.oneida-air.com/dust-collectors/1-5hp-mini-gorilla-portable-22-gal-hepa-gfm-cyclone-dust-collector
Stuart
That’s a low-volume 2.5″ dust collector, I need a higher volume 4″ dust collector.
Oneida is on my “eventually” shortlist, but their 4″ 110V/120V dust collectors have higher power consumption needs than I’m willing to accommodate.
@Neil, I’ve looked at that over the years, but the 16A rating and Nema 5-20 plug are a no-go for me. If I’m running new dedicated outlets, they might as well be 220V.
John
To help you, I need more information.
– What devices will you be hooking up to it?
– What are their CFM requirements?
– Will you be using only 1 device at a time?
– How long will the pipes/hoses be? (Remember, you can loose up to 50% of your CFM with long runs and many elbows.
– What was it about your current Jet unit that made you replace it?
Stuart
Band saw, router table, jointer, table saw, ONE at a time. Sometimes misc attachments.
>600 CFM
Extendable hose, not ducting, which quick-attach fitting.
The JET is an ergonomic pain. Hard to move, hard to access the port at the bottom. It doesn’t need to be replaced, but I can use it elsewhere, leaving a hole in dust collection.
I bought the Jet because it was cheap. I potentially could build a better mobile base for it, but I am unlikely to.
There are wall-mounted options, but I like the ability to move things around.
It’s pretty much down to least-worst solutions.
The Grizzly are appealing, with auto-filter cleaning and noise reduction.
So it’s either the Rikon, something that’s 99% similar, or push hard to waiting until I can add more 220V outlet(s).
Robert
Stuart, have you considered posting your questions about the Rikon and the Grizzlies (A misnamed camera and two Kodiak bears walk into a bar in the Aleutians…) on Lumberjocks.com forums? The Workshop and the Tools & Jigs forums.
Stuart
I’ve shopped this category a lot over the years, and the Grizzly horizontal dust collector and quiet vertical are rare additions.
This post was mostly about sorting things out semi-rationally.
The question was more in case I missed another new model or development, or in case a reader did something really cool with one of the newer wall-mount solutions.
When shopping for a 110V dust collector, it’s not about picking the best one, but picking which compromises you can work with.
Bonnie
Especially if you’re not planning to run it day-in-day-out, I will always recommend a separator and exhausting outside rather than fussing with an interior canister filter. Yes, you lose some conditioned air, but the improvement in air quality is almost impossible to match without getting an industrial extractor. Especially for limited project use it’s so much nicer.
I used a 1.5hp HF blower this way when I was in a small single-car garage shop. Once I moved to a large shop I upgraded to a 220v Jet blower (I can’t remember if it’s 3 or 5hp, and I threw away the bags and other miscellany). If I were buying new I’d probably skip most of the woodworking brands and go for the largest Dayton (or other commercial grade) blower I could afford instead, the pressure ratings on those seem to be better than the woodworking blowers to boot.
Stuart
I tried a 4″ separator once, it was terrible.
Connecting a hose and flipping a switch is easy enough for quick work. Opening a window or the garage door when it’s freezing, raining, snowing, etc is doable, but know for me. I know myself to prefer low-friction methods.
Jim
I recently purchased Rockler’s “Dust Right” 1.5 hp dust collector with hepa filter. It is a huge upgrade from my 20 year old Delta 1 hp that just couldn’t do the job.
Josh
I’d look at the Hooked on Wood videos on the Record dust collectors. They seem like a pretty ideal solution for a hobbyist woodshop with a mix of smaller and larger diameter ports.
Stuart
Those are all 230V.
Nick
I’m in the same situation and have settled on the Oneida supercell. Seems to be about the only unit capable of dealing with high volume and high velocity requirements. I’d rather duct the one system to everything rather than have to run some tools off a shop vac… Going to have to install 220v to make it work but it exists in my laundry which joins the garage so shouldn’t be too difficult. Definitely worth considering if you haven’t already.
Josh
I have 20A circuits but 15A outlets.
but I’ll me keeping some of my tools and capabilities and as such will need a dust collector.
I could out in another 220V outlet
Beanhole
I had a 2HP Laguna that was very similar to the Rikon. I used 6″ SDR for the duct work. I ran a 3HP Sawstop with the big overarm dust collection. It did pretty well for the most part. It did “okay” with my Jessem router table…Laguna bandsaw not so much. For the price it served me well. I ended up upgrading through when I started to run my CNC router and table saw at the same time. One tool at a time and it should be golden. Go HEPA if you can. My new one is and I wouldn’t go back. It really makes a difference.
Nathan
Rikon appears to have a more efficient fan and motor so I’d lean that way. If the price is reasonable