Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've been using this dust collector for about a year now and it beats the crud out of using a noisy shop vac for dust collection (not to mention being able to use 4" DC ports). This unit is well made and pulls any amount of shavings I make from my jointer or planer. I've read about user modifications made to this unit regarding the ridiculous crossbar over the intake that is intended to keep curious morons from sticking their hands up or sucking grenades into the spinning impeller. This same safety device has the unfortunate side effect of making the machine extremely susceptible to clogging. While I would never endorse making such modifications, the crossbar on mine magically, umm.. disappeared while I was assembling it, very likely around the time I plugged in my grinding tool. Performance - I estimate this machine pulls 99% of dust and shavings from all of my tools that are equipped for dust collection (jointer, planer, router table). The exception is my table saw which, as anyone who owns a contractor-style table saw knows, is not designed very well for dust collection. It also works great for vaccuming the floor of the shop after using the lathe. Just don't get it near any stray plastic bags, screws, wooden blocks, or soda cans, or you'll be treated to a semi-horrifying sound. It really does move quite a bit of air, and I would argue with anyone who claims their shop vac does a better job. Unless, of course, their shop vac was the size of a refrigerator. There is a noise level to contend with, but it's more of a loud hum than the head-splitting whine you get with a shop vac. Fit and Finish - The unit is soundly made. The bags are sturdy and the frame is made from decently heavy gauge sheet metal. The bar that supports the top bag is the only piece that seems to be not up to par. Actually, it's where the bar joins the sheet metal on the frame that is the problem. The weight of the bag tends to make the bar sag. This is a minor problem, as the bag fully supports itself when the machine is turned on and the bag becomes inflated. The biggest problem I have with the machine is bag removal - especially the bottom bag. It's not actually the removal part that bugs me; the bags come off just fine. It's putting them back on that's a pain. I've come to learn that if you fold the hem of the top of the bag over the locking strap, it makes it easier to replace the bag. Then when you have it in place and are ready to flip the locking tab, you have two options: lock it down where the bag fits very loosely, or move up to the next notch where I have to call on my previously secret Superhuman strength to get the latch flipped closed. Overall, I am very happy I purchased this piece of equipment and would recommend it to anyone with a small wood shop. It has proven its worth time and again: it doesn't take up an extraordinary amount of precious shop space and most importantly, it gets the job done.