Most woodshops, no matter how small, need some form of dust collection. Whether it's a single unit mounted on the wall or a central system that runs throughout the shop, getting rid of the sawdust is important for both cleanliness and safety.

There are a few different options when it comes to small shop dust collection. Wall-mounted units are a popular choice, as these units typically come with one or two ports that can be connected using hoses or duct work to various tools in the shop.

Another option is a portable dust collector. These units are smaller and can be easily moved around the shop as needed. They're also much cheaper than a dedicated dust system making them a good option for budget-conscious woodworkers.

Finally, there are central dust collection systems. These are more expensive and require more installation, but they're the most effective way to collect dust in a woodshop. Central systems typically have a larger capacity than wall-mounted or portable units, so they can handle multiple tools at the same time.

I just upgraded my 440 square foot shop’s dust collection with the Mini Gorilla by Oneida Air Systems, which is a portable dust collector. Dust collection is such a hot topic in the woodworking community, so let’s dive into why I went with the Mini Gorilla and you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.

The Importance of Dust Collection in Woodworking

Everyone knows that dust collection is important in woodworking for a number of reasons. First, it helps to improve air quality by removing airborne contaminants such as fine dust, and other particulates, making the air safer to breathe. This can make the shop more pleasant to work in and improve overall health and safety. Additionally, dust collection can also help to reduce noise levels and keep the shop clean. These systems work by drawing in contaminated air and passing it through a series of filters. The filtered air is then discharged back into the shop, leaving the contaminants behind. This process is repeated continuously, providing a constant supply of clean air back into the shop.

So keeping that in mind, those are the features that I am looked for in a new dust collection system - it’s ability to remove airborne contaminants, ease of setup and maneuverability, and noise reduction, and cost - as these can get super expensive!

Mini Gorilla Cost

Like mentioned above, the portable dust collection systems are a good option for budget conscious woodworkers. They are a bit more than wall mounted units but they are made in the USA so expect to pay more than you would for a unit made in China.

Mini Gorilla Performance

The Mini Gorilla dust collector from Oneida Air Systems is an excellent choice for those in need of an effective moblie and durable system in a small shop. This unit features a powerful 1 HP motor that can move up to 558 CFM of air at the tool, making it ideal for removing that dust, fumes, and other airborne contaminants that we talked about earlier. The unit also has a  large capacity air filter that can be easily cleaned with compressed air when needed. Overall, the Mini Gorilla is an excellent choice for those in need of an effective and durable dust collection system.

Prior to using the Mini Gorilla, my setup consisted of a 12 gallon shopvac and 15 gallon barrel. Which was nosiey and didn’t do anything for catching fine dust particles. I set my Mini Gorilla up using flex hose and quick connect fittings one each of my larger tools, check out that video if you want a more in depth explanation. 

After using the Mini Gorilla for a couple weeks, here are the biggest advantages that I have seen when comparing it to my previous system:

• Better suction at the tool

• Faster hose connection

• Less fine dust in the air

• Cleaner shop floor

• No stopping to clean out chips from the hose

• Not worrying about the bucket being overfilled

When using the Mini Gorilla at each tool, I immediately noticed less fine dust in the air and an overall better suction. Knowing I am not breathing in those fine dust particles, even with a mask on is such a relief. This also leaves me with less mess to clean up around the shop and on the floor. 

Another great feature is the viewing window into the dustbin. You don’t have to worry about guessing when it is full. Before this, I was always guessing as to when I needed to dump out the barrel. Which I missed all the time and then had to spend 30 minutes blowing out the dirty shop vac filter, which was a pain.

Dust Deputy for Smaller Tools

As I mentioned earlier I also recently swapped out my shop vac set up for the Dust Deputy 2.5 by Oneida and put it to the test.

The Dust Deputy works by trapping 99% of the dust and debris that would normally clog your shop vac or dust extractor. This means that your dust collector will run more efficiently and last longer. The Dust Deputy is also easy to empty, so you won't have to worry about the mess.

It uses the large 2.5” hose size that attaches to shopvacs and dust extractors so you don’t have to worry about finding the right fittings to make it work. When I tested the Dust Deputy I didn’t find much drop in performance but check out the video to see what I think works best.

So if you're looking for an effective way to collect dust using smaller tools in the shop, the Dust Deputy is the perfect solution. The compact unit is easy to set up and will keep your dust collector running more efficiently.

You can check out the video where I compare the performance of the dust deputy to my previous setup. And let me tell you, the result speaks for itself!