Are you tired of having to sweep the dust in your shop manually? If you consider the Shopfox W1666 2HP Dust Collector, this post will tell you what to expect. The W1666 dust collector features a 2 HP motor and an extra heavy-duty 12-inch steel impeller that moves 1,550 cubic feet of air every minute.
It works for wood dust only, so if you own a woodwork shop, this may be your best addition to that room yet. It comes with a 2.5 micron felt upper filtration and a PE plastic lower collection bag. They both filter the air around your shop, and the plastic bag is for easy collection. That way, you can easily dispose of the collected dust. Don’t worry about placement. This dust collector was designed with portability in mind, so you may as well move it as much as you want. It’s a great tool for workers who use several different workspaces or want the freedom to move it around when working.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, portable dust collector, then the Shopfox W1166 2-HP dust collector is yours. It also has a safety switch and removable key to optimize safety, especially in spaces with many people. This makes this dust collector a wise choice for those who share workspaces. All in all, know that this dust collector won’t ever disappoint you.
Pros
- Has air suction capacity of 800 CFM
- Bag filtration of 2.5 microns
- Said by reviewers to have easy assembly
- Very mobile
- Quiet when operating
- Typically thought of as a “manageable” size
Cons
- It does not list information on a possible warranty
- It is not as powerful
Shopfox W1666 Specifications
- Motor: 2 HP, 220V, single-phase, 3450 RPM, 12A
- Static pressure: 12.3″
- Impeller: 12″ balanced steel, radial fin
- Portable base size: 21-1/2″ x 33-1/2″
- Bag capacity: 5.4 cubic feet
- Air suction capacity: approx. 1550 CFM
- 6″ Inlet has a removable “Y” fitting with two 4″ openings
- Standard bag filtration: 2.5 Micron
- Powder-coated finish
- Height with bags inflated: 78″
- Approximate shipping weight: 108 lbs.
Facts on general Dust Collectors
Sizes of Dust Collectors
The first thing to consider when shopping for a dust collector is the size of the unit. If you have a tiny shop, you probably don’t want to give up the floor space required by the more significant collectors. On the other hand, a larger collector might be the only way to capture the chips and dust in a large shop with several stationary tools.
The good news is there are enough options on the market to suit just about any size shop. In addition to the size of the collector, there are two crucial bases: the horsepower of the motor and the cubic feet per minute of airflow the unit is capable of generating. The higher the airflow, the greater the capability of the collector.
SMALL. A 3-4hp, 650 CFM collector, might be the perfect solution for a small shop. It’s small enough to move around the shop as needed and conveniently hangs on the wall, out of the way of your tools. Despite its small size, You will find that this type of unit works very well. With a ten-foot section of hose attached, it collects planer and jointer shavings very well. And since it’s so easy to move, you’ll probably never need to use a longer hose.
This is a big step up from trying to collect dust with a shop vacuum. Quite affordable, it won’t break the bank either. On the downside, the filter bag also doubles as the collection bag. The air has to move through the dust on its return path into the shop. And the 30-micron bag allows quite a bit of fine dust back into the air.
MEDIUM. The next step up is a collector like the one shown below. Typically equipped with a 1-hp motor and rated to generate around 700 CFM, this style is good for a small shop with only a few stationary power tools. Collectors of this size also use disposable plastic collection bags for the chips and dust. This separates the chip collection from the air filtration, but it makes them a lot easier to keep clean than having to empty and clean a cloth bag.
This type of collector works well with up to 15 feet of hose but is still too small to serve a duct system connected to more than one tool at a time. Another limitation of this size and style collector is that most only have a single inlet. Several different manufacturers sell units similar to this for around $300.
LARGE. If you have a more extensive shop and want to set up a duct system connected to multiple tools, the 1 1 ⁄ 2 -hp, 1100-1200 CFM models, like the one shown in the primary photo, are just the ticket. Collectors of this size are about as prominent as you can go without requiring 220-volt service to your shop. In addition to providing plenty of collection power, many manufacturers offer pleated filter cartridges to replace the bag-style filters.
These cartridges capture dust down to 1 micron, and the pleated filter provides an extensive surface area to improve filtration. Just give the handle a few turns, and paddles will knock loose most of the dust. You can set up fixed collection ducts for added convenience with these larger collectors.
Our Verdict
When woodworking, dust collectors are among the essential pieces of equipment. Woodworking is not only a messy business, but it can also be dangerous if you get sawdust in your eyes or throat. Every woodshop is different, so the equipment it requires is other.
Price, efficiency, accessibility, and power consumption are vital when choosing a dust collector. Durability and reliability of devices are essential. Due to these machines’ functions, they’re an investment but a necessary one. You may also want to see our Shopfox W1844 Wall-Mount Dust Collector Review.
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