Customer Reviews

DELTA AP400 Shopmaster 1-Horsepower 650 CFM Vertical Bag Dust Collector, 120/240-Volt 1-Phase

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

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.

This is a good dust collector, and is a must if you are using a planer or table saw. It is relatively quiet and efficient. The only downside is the 30 micron bags which tend to leach a bit of fine dust into the air. But for the price of this unit, it can't be beat. It comes with a good quality 5' hose, which is adequate for most operations. The stand is very solid and mobile. Since it is on castors, you can position it next to your work. This is the perfect DC to run one machine at a time, and I would not hesitate to buy it again!

Have had the AP400 for a couple of months now and have had the same broblem with clogging on the planer as another reviewer, shavings getting hung up on the little cross bars at the inlet. I solved the problem with a slight modification (it involved metal snips) and it now works fine with no clogging! I have it connected with overhead pipe system (standard old galvinized vent pipe from my local home center) with T's coming off to four different machines with blast gates on each T to allow one at a time to be used. Works great you don't have to keep fooling with the large hose moving from one machine to another, just close and open blast gates as needed. When not in use I can disconnect the hoses that run from the blast gates at the T's down to each machine and roll all the equipment out of the way (I am set up in my garage works great.

Great suction and pulls everything into it without hesitation! I tried splitting the hose to connect it to my jointer, planer and table saw. That was a nice idea, but it doesn't have to power for that. It's designed to be used with one machine and a 4" hose. I suppose if you had two machines with 2" outlets, you could do it - otherwise, for one machine at a time, this one is fantastic!

I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was - I was expecting it to sound like a hurricane in my garage.

Just got the AP400 and it had no problems when connected to my Delta 12.5" planer. I was planing 1X8 kiln dried cedar and I had no clogging problems at all. I used it extensively on my table saw and the dust fog I had been living with when ripping was no longer there. I would highly recommend this collector to anyone who has a small shop and wants to connect one machine at a time.

I could go four stars considering that I really did get what I paid for. The machine moves enough air for my 6 inch jointer or band saw. I am happy with it. But all that is with the machines hooked up to a tewnty foot hose. And that is what the machine is good for. One machine, dont add a lot of duct work to it, and dont add a first stage to it, It just does not have the stuff for it.
The collector has a major design flaw, they put the motor and turbine way high on the machine rather then low, making the machine very top heavy. My first day I accindentaly tipped it while moving it and broke the top bag hanger. Considering the type of machine this is, one that is going to be moved a lot from tool to tool, this seems to be a problem if not a safety hazard.
While for a buck and a half this is a reasonable machine, I would urge you to spend a little more, get a machine that can handle a little more then just a one machine at a time, a collecoter that can handle a first stage (something that is about a must, and cheap), something that will be adquaete if you decide to get off the hose and add a little ductwork to your shop.

I bought my AP400 about 6 months ago and I'm lovin it. Like other reviewers, it clogged up when used with my planner, so, like other reviewers I made a modification. It now handles the big stuff from the planner without any problem. So neat. It collects probably 99% of the waste from my planner. I move it from tool to tool, but it is very easy to reconnect to the next tool, just taking a few seconds. I am not encouraging or suggesting others to make any modifications.

I've owned this DC for over a year, and it's a great machine! I'm back to order another one, so I don't have to keep moving mine around the shop all the time. I can't see spending $300 and up for a machine that does the same thing--remove sawdust! Unless you want a big one and you're going to run hoses all over the shop (I hate that). I don't think noise is an issue, either. I've had phone conversations while the dust collector is still running. Highly recommend it, as well as most Delta tools!

I do the one tool at a time thing.

It has no problems with my planer(usually the toughest job for a dust collector). I even use it to clean the floor in the garage.

I've never had a problem with this unit when using it as it is designed. Its the best deal out there for dust collection.

Hope this helps.

For a small shop, this collector is outstanding. I did not have any problems getting the hoses to stay put ( as other reviewers have) after tightening the clamp down tight. The unit is a bit noisy, but its moving a lot of air at a very high motor RPM. I use hearing protection when running it. Its not the most expensive unit, but it is built well and works great. I also bought the Delta AP050 connector pack- with an extra 20' of hose. If you don't need all the clamps it might be cheaper to piece it out and buy a hose a and couple of adapters.

This thing has enough suction to suck up a metal ratchet, a tape measure or chunk of 2X4. I want to note here DO NOT CUT OUT THE PROTECTIVE METAL CROSS PIECES in the inlet of the motor as is touted elsewhere on the internet. If you're sucking up things big enough to clog those, you should be sweeping the floor instead of sucking up giant debris. I cut the cross pieces out of mine and sucked up a big cotton cloth. T-shirst and cotton cloths will bent the impellers (wood is fine)! No big deal to straighten them, but they have to be straight or you get vibration. I've done it twice.

This is a great dust collector at a fair price. Wear some earplugs and you won't be sorry!