Budget Dust Collection for Small Workshops

Small workshop owners are discovering that dust collection systems don’t require massive budgets. A growing movement of makers is building effective dust management setups for under $300, using creative combinations of standard shop vacuums and basic PVC fittings.

The secret lies in understanding airflow dynamics. A single 6-horsepower dust collector isn’t necessary when strategic placement of smaller collection points can handle particulate matter at the source.

The Basic Setup

Start with a quality shop vacuum rated at 6-8 peak horsepower. Add a cyclone separator lid that fits a standard 5-gallon bucket. This pre-filter catches 95% of debris before it reaches your vacuum’s filter, dramatically extending filter life.

Strategic Port Placement

Rather than running extensive ductwork, focus collection at your three most-used tools. For most furniture makers, that’s the table saw, planer, and router table. Short, direct hose runs outperform long ducted systems in smaller shops.

This approach gets you started safely while you save for a more comprehensive system down the road.