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If you are the size of saw dust the Rockler Portable Dust Collector looks big. In the real world the only things big about this DC are it's capabilities and savings. Click image to enlarge

Rockler Portable Dust Collector

Small in size, big in function

Text photos and video by Tom Hintz

Posted - 10-10-2014

A large and growing segment of the woodworking community pursues the hobby in small and often shared spaces. A full sized dust collector machine is frequently not only unnecessary but would use up precious space that could be put to better use. The Rockler Portable Dust Collector (#52525) brings you the dust-moving power you need in a space saving, easy to move package that also saves your always-important tool buying budget.

The Basics

The Rockler Portable Dust Collector is powered by a 110V, 3/4-HP motor with a 12 Amp draw. The motor has a safety switch that can be disabled by removing a plastic key. A six foot long power cord makes it easier to position the Rockler Portable Dust Collector where you need it in the shop.

The impeller is 10-1/2''-in diameter and generates 650 CFM (no bag) through a single 4”-diameter inlet. That inlet has a built in grille that prevents larger pieces that might be accidentally sucked in from getting into the impeller.

The included dust bag has a capacity of 15 gallons. The dust bag itself filters down to 30 microns but as with all filter bag equipped dust collectors, that filtering increases as the bag develops the natural layer of dust on its inside surface. With the bag inflated its overall size is 43-3/8''L x 15-3/4''W x 19-5/8''H. When not in use the storage size of the Rockler Portable Dust Collector is only 16-1/2''L x 15-3/4''W x 19-5/8''H.

The powerful motor and impeller system (left) are factory assembled. You put on the wheels and handle! the Rockler Portable Dust Collector comes with a keyed safety switch (right) that lets you disable the machine when you are not around. Click images to enlarge

In the Shop

The Rockler Portable Dust Collector comes needing a little bit of assembly. The blower housing and motor have been assembled at the factory so all you do is put the swivel casters into the base and then set the blower assembly on that and screw it down. Installing two screws to attach the carry handle is all that is left. The casters are the ball type that roll very easily even on not-so-flat floors.
You do have to add the included bag but that entails a string and snap-closed spring collar. The bag does seal very well but is intentionally easy to remove ensuring that emptying it is not a time-wasting chore.

For a long time my shop was populated by large machines serviced by a very large dust collector that sounded like it was trying to suck the “mine is bigger than yours” jointer through the hose. When I started trying the Rockler Portable Dust Collector in my shop I found that it evacuated the dust from my current reasonably-sized tools just as well as the behemoth that came before it. I expect to empty the dust bag a little more often but we seldom get into the kind of production work that entails that much bag-filling, dust-making at one time.

You will also notice that the Rockler Portable Dust Collector doesn’t come with a hose or accessories and that is actually smart on a couple levels. First it keeps the price down so you aren’t buying things you toss in a drawer and forget. The Rockler Portable Dust Collector is rather unique and can be taken and used in places a full sized DC will never see. Rockler recognized that and offers a collection of accessories that let you set your Rockler Portable Dust Collector up to best fit your shop and ensures you buy only what you need to do it. We will take a quick look at those accessory packages below.

The small footprint of the Rockler Portable Dust Collector makes it easier to put it in an out of the way place during use. This can make the shop safer in addition to reducing the floor space used. Click image to enlarge

Conclusions

The Rockler Portable Dust Collector is a very well conceived idea for the medium to small shop, including shops that might have to set up in different areas. It has more than enough evacuating power for the machines most of us have and the ability to put it where it is needed lets us make the best use of the space available.

With a street price of just $249.99 (10-8-2014) the Rockler Portable Dust Collector is as economical as it is useful. I like the size, portability and being able to add only the accessories needed for your situation. Saving money and space without sacrificing performance is anything but common these days. That makes the Rockler Portable Dust Collector worth a look if you need to step up dust collection in your shop. And don’t wait to purchase, as this machine will only be available for a limited time!

To see the Rockler product page – Click Here

Rockler Portable Dust Collector Accessories

Dust Right® Expandable Hose
The Rockler 4" Dia. Dust Right® Hose, (#47193) features a tough wire reinforcing that prevents it from collapsing or kinking. In its compressed state it is just 2-ft-long but extends to 21-ft in length so you can cover more of the shop without having to move the Rockler Portable Dust Collector repeatedly. Being collapsible, the Dust Right® Expandable Hose can stay out of the way when not in use.
The Dust Right® Expandable Hose sells for $51.99. (10-8-2014)

See the Dust Right® Expandable Hose product page – Click Here

The Dust Right® Expandable Hose (left) expands to 21-feet in length but collapses down to around 2-feet to save space. It is well made and has a wire coil built in to prevent it from collapsing. The Rockler Dust Right® Master System (right) gives you lots of fittings that are useful around a woodworking shop including a bench and floor sweep ends. Click images to enlarge

Rockler Dust Right® Master System
The Rockler Dust Right® Master System (#35906) provides a selection of tools and fittings to extend the usefulness of your Rockler Portable Dust Collector and make life in the shop easier. This outfit has one 4” Tool Port that gives you an easy connection point for the remaining components. The Dust Right Handle makes it easy to connect the Rockler Portable Dust Collector to a machine with a 4” port or for attaching the Bench Nozzle, the 36'' Extension Wand or the Floor Nozzle. You also get a StableGate® Blast Gate which provides a point to temporarily shut the air flow off and four spring Clips for hanging the components on the wall to keep precious shelf and cabinet space free.

The Rockler Dust Right® Master System sells for $82.99. (10-8-2014)

To see the Rockler product page – Click Here

Rockler Dust Right® Multi-Port Quick Release Starter Kit
The Rockler Dust Right® Multi-Port Quick Release Starter Kit (#49496) gives you the ability to set up machines in your shop so they can be quickly connected or unconnected from the Rockler Portable Dust Collector. This set comes with two 4" Dust Right® Tool Ports with two metal hose clamps and two 2-1/2" Dust Right® Tool Ports also with two metal hose clamps. These ports can be secured to machines so that the included Dust Right® Handle can be quickly moved from one dust source to another without having to loosen and tighten clamps. You also get five Keyed 4" Bridge Hose Clamps

The Rockler Dust Right® Multi-Port Quick Release Starter Kit (left) gives you two fittings for 4" and two 2-1/2" dust ports that allow you to instantly connect the hand grip and hose. The Tabletop Dust Fitting (right) can save the day when using tools that disperse sawdust like radial arm saws, miter saws and many others. Click images to enlarge

The Rockler Dust Right® Multi-Port Quick Release Starter Kit sells for just $39.99 (10-8-2014)

To see the Rockler product page – Click Here

Tabletop Dust Fitting
The Tabletop Dust Fitting (#26412) is a plastic hood with a large 12-1/2" by 16-1/2" opening and a 10-1/2” depth that can be used on many different tools such as miter saws, lathes, radial arm saws, carving, sanding, and planers that do not already have dust collection hoods. The wide opening helps catch more debris so you clean up less. It has a 3-7/8" OD port that connects to 4” components easily. The Tabletop Dust Fitting is tough but very light weight and can be secured in many positions to inhale dust that may have been previously difficult or impossible to catch.

The Tabletop Dust Fitting sells for just $25.99. (10-8-2014)

To see the Rockler product page – Click Here

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