Shopfox W1867 1.5 HP Portable Cyclone Dust Collector Review [UPDATED]

Last updated on July 23rd, 2022 at 06:05 pm

If you are considering buying the Shopfox W1867 1.5 HP Portable Cyclone Dust Collector, this post will provide you with a detailed account of what to expect.

The compact design helps around the shop and makes it more than perfect for dust collection in even large shops. It features high surface area pleated filters with paddles to mechanically knock off dust cake. It has remotely controlled magnetic switches and easy lid-lifting levers for emptying collection drums.  

Specifications

• Motor: 1-1/2 HP, 110V, 3450 RPM, 15A
• Intake hole size: 6″
• Impeller: 12-3/4″ cast aluminum
• Collection drum size: 20 gallons
• Air suction capacity: 868 CFM
• Static pressure: 9.7″
• Approx. shipping weight: 375 lbs.

Additional Features

868 CFM, Two-Stage

Three models are available to suit most dust collection needs. The W1867 Cyclone Dust Collector provides the efficiency of a 2-stage cyclone system with the portability of a single-stage dust collector. Features include high surface area pleated filters with paddles to mechanically knock off dust cake, remote-controlled magnetic switches, easy lid lifting levers for emptying collection drums, and a compact design for moving around the shop.

Power and Portability

This Cyclone Dust collector provides the efficiency of a 2-stage cyclone system with the portability of a smaller single-stage system. The Cyclone system allows for larger wood chips to fall and be caught in the drum while finer wood particles are circulated into the filter.

Buyer’s Guide

Cyclone Dust Collectors

A cyclone dust collector is one of the machines you must invest in to working comfortably in your woodworking shop. You will inevitably generate dust when working with wood in your shop, and cyclone dust collectors will ensure that dust doesn’t become a nuisance for the entire time you spend in your shop.

How it works

Cyclone dust collectors are often referred to as two-stage dust collectors because, unlike traditional dust collectors, cyclones have two collection points for dust and debris.

The primary collection point is for the heavier chips and debris, while the second is for finer particulate matter. Cyclone dust collectors utilize centrifugal force as the primary means of particle separation. 

The airflow transitions into a downward spiral or centrifugal vortex as soon as it enters a cyclone dust collector. This action forces the larger particles from the airstream into the first collection point while the finer particles move with the airflow onto the second stage filter element. The particles captured by the filter are then collected in a secondary collection point.

Feature

1. Power supply, maybe a motor or batteries. They are used to provide the power needed to run the dust collector. To give the energy required for the centrifugal action. The motors have different ratings depending on the size of the dust collector.
2. Inlets and outlets to bring dusty air in and clean air out.
3. In dust collectors/ separators, the dusty air gets to this chamber where the action of gravity lowers the speed of the debris resulting in them being left at the base of the collector. A greater wall-hugging force is produced to keep the smaller particles further away from the center of the separator.
4. The vacuum chamber is located at the top just before the outlet to enable the incoming fresh air to fill up the vacuum and later get out clean.
5. Castors are fitted in small, compact designed dust collectors to enhance the portability of the dust collector. This suits the mobile workers.

Advantages

When emptying a collection bag from a standard dust collector, a huge cloud of dust emerges from it as soon as it is removed. Since the cyclone’s primary collection point only contains heavier chips and debris, emptying the primary collection bag is cleaner and safer. 

Since the cyclonic method significantly diminishes the number of particles contacting the filter element, the frequency of cleaning and replacing an expensive filter is drastically reduced.  

Have very high air suction power to maximize the amount of air cleaned efficiently

They are made using highly durable material to last longer and give you a fresh air working environment.

Some dust collector cyclones are designed to capture even the little particles in the air. For portable dust collectors, they have castors meant for easy mobility. The collection chamber/separator has a monitoring window, plus it is straightforward to empty dirt accumulated.

Disadvantages 

Some dust collectors do not have enough suction power to clean the air effectively. Hence, the air may still be impure but just at a lower rate. 

The noise produced by the collector is much and might interfere with the concentration of the users. Unlike other dust collectors, cyclones make a lot of noise.

Some dust collectors are not easy to install and assemble. They require extra costs for you to hire professional installers.

Our Verdict

Most cyclone dust collectors will remove dust particles 2 microns or more prominent. So you’ll find that at any point, there is still a certain amount of excellent airborne particles being released into the shop environment.

We recommend that an ambient air cleaner be utilized with any cyclone or standard dust collector.  Enjoy your shopping and be sure to keep the air you breathe clean. Avoid impure air and save your lungs.

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