Customer Reviews

JET DC-1100 / 708626GK 1100 CFM Dust Collector

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been running my DC-1100 for about 6 months now. (My previous reviews mysteriously disappeared.) It is a great machine right out of the box, but I did do one modification to improve it: I added a strip of 1/4" x 3/4" foam insulation in the groove around the center ring that seats the top bag. Without it, the top bag leaked small quantities of fine dust, but not enough to foul the air. Running off 110 volts is a real advantage if you don't want to add more 220 circuits to your shop.

I bought it mainly to use with my Jet 5 hp, left tilt table saw (reviewed separately), but have since made fixtures to use with other tools. It really keeps the table saw clean. I also purchased a Woodstock International W1044, 4" to 2-1/2" adapter which allows me to connect it to my old shop vac hose for use on the floor and my router table. This machine is so quiet that my old shop vac now sits in the corner collecting no dust!

It really is quiet - making not much more noise than the average window air conditioner. I often leave it running between cuts and setups, just because I hate to bend down to reach the switch. It would be nice if Jet could mount it higher on the machine, like on one of the legs that hold the bags.

Other than the switch location and the easily fixed dust leak on the top bag, this machine approaches perfection. It will be a real improvement to your shop, especially if you are using a screaming shop vac for dust collection now!

I purchased two of these units and have been using them for the past 14 months. The dust collectors arrived in good condition and were complete. Assembly was relatively straight forward and took approximately 45 minutes per unit. These units have plenty of suction. One of my units provides collection for a Jet 15" planer, a Jet 6" jointer, a drill press and a spindle sander. The other unit provides collection for a table saw, a radial saw, compound miter saw, band saw, and a drum sander. Both units have performed reliably. The controls are easy to access and operate. I haven't had the problem some other reviewers have had with the metal band for the top bag. You do get some very fine dust seeping out between the top bag and the drum, but not a lot. I use two Jet air filtration units in my shop also, and between those and the Jet DCs my shop stays very very clean. The units run smoothly and are relatively quiet. If you plan to hook up to a planer, you need to run a cyclone separator ahead of the DC otherwise you'll be emptying your DC bags often. The lower bag is relatively easy to remove as long as you don't accidently overfill it, which is easy to do if you aren't paying attention to the DC. The DC will just keep sucking stuff up and begin to fill the top bag too.

A don't know why I waited so long to put a dust collection system into my garage shop, but I am glad I did, and the Jet DC1100 is a perfect system for me. I can't beleive how quiet it is when running, and the suction power that it generates. It pulls some of my smaller scroll saw pieces 6 inches off the work bench.

The setup was easy, took about 1 hour. Directions and diagrams were very helpful. I'm not one to usually read the directions, thus the diagrams were really the most helpful. It was put into use almost immediately with my drum sander and router. Didn't take too long for the bag to fill up, and it really wasn't too bad to remove. However, I have since purchased a W1049 Dust Collection Separator, which separators the larger dust particles into a garbage can, which in turn, is very easy to empty.

I find myself leaving the machine on, because it is so quiet. I have a setup with blast gates at each machine, so it is just a matter of opening and closing each blast gate as I work on various operations and projects.

I really wanted a powerful machine, but did not want to special wire my garage with a 230 volt system. This DC works just fine on the 115 volt system. I have it plugged into a 20 amp circuit, with the overhead lights, and have not had one blown fuse.

Of all the research I did, the Delta, Jet, Ridgid and PSI, they all had about the same features and the same price, I'm glad I purchased the Jet system.

This is the second major tool that I purchased through Amazon this year. Earlier I purchased a Delta 14" bandsaw, which arived at my home shop (was unloaded and set in my shop by the shipping company driver) in less than a week. This time was no exception. The Jet 1100 dust collector arrived, was unloaded and set on my porch (we were not home at the time of delivery)in about a week from the time of order. Fit finish and assembly of the Jet 1100 was flawless. Those hose clamps that others have complained about are perfect for the job. It does take a little thinking to assemble them properly. I believe they will hold the flex hose far tighter than the traditional band clamp.I plan to use more of them. You can track them down through this web site. Lee D. Smith Mandeville, LA

This dust collector works as well as others I have seen in use. Its a pretty good value for the money when comparing the performance with other comperable machines. It is amazingly quiet to point that I don't bother turning it off if I have multiple operations to perform in the shop. If you want to leave the machine in one spot and not move it around the shop, get the highest horsepower you can afford. This machine will allow some extensive ductwork to be hooked up without any decrease in performance. The 600 cfm machines can really only successfully be used with one hose hooked up to one machine at a time. My only gripe is the amount of dust leaks at some of the joints at the machine's connections. Some latex caulk at the metal to metal joints and some felt at the bag to metal joints and the problems were solved. I agree with everyone. You should spend the extra 75 to 90 bucks to get the 5 micron bags. The standard 30 micron bags let too much fine dust into the air that even my air scrubber isn't able to keep up with.

THIS COLLECTOR IS GREAT AT DUST COLLECTION, AND MAN IS THIS THING QUIET! ASSEMBLY NO PROBLEM HOWEVER ALOT HEAVIER THAN I THOUGHT YOU MAY NEED HELP.ALSO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE OVERALL HIEGHT OF THE UNIT, ITS TALL FOR THE STANDARD GARAGE SHOP. WOULD HAVE GIVEN FIVE STARS ,HOWEVER WHEN ASSEMBLING THE UNIT I NOTICED THAT WHEN INSTALLING THE SQUIRREL CAGE COVER THE PRE DRILLED HOLES DID NOT LINE UP THAT WELL AND THE BOLTS THEY SUPPLY ARE DIFFACULT TO START IN THE PRE DRILLED HOLES. GREAT UNIT OTHERWISE THANX JET

I just traded my old shop vac for this Dust Collector. I must say I was truly impressed. Not only does this get most of my saw dust, but also collects a lot of the air born particals in my garage. This is quiet enough to leave on.

Bought this unit recently and have been very satisfied. I chose to buy it at a local dealer (same price) rather that risk shipping damage or other complications ordering it online. Was still able to get the free "bonus" kit containing the 10' hose, dust hood and clamps from the local dealer. Assembly was straight forward and the instruction manual was easy to follow. I was impressed by the fit and finish, screw holes lined up, well sealed, etc.

The major advantage of this unit is the attachment method of the lower bag. Other models have a crude band clamp which is pretty tough to work with. JET uses this type of clamp for the upper bag, but the lower bag has a flexible steel ring sewn into the top seam. To attach the lower bag, you squeeze this ring a little and insert it into the sheet metal housing which holds the bags. Then pull it down and the ring bottoms out against a flange on the bottom of the housing. It is a very smart design - very easy to use.

I was also impressed by the how quiet it runs. Much quieter than my Craftsman shop vac. Probably a little louder than a table saw running (not cutting anything).

I've been told the 30 micron bags are adequate for operations such as planers, jointers, table saws, etc. which don't generate fine dust. However, for sanders, etc. which generate smaller particles, a 5 or 1 micron bag might be desirable.

Penn State Industries has a 1-1/2 hp. 1100 cfm unit for the same price except it includes 5 micron vu-thru bags as standard. Jet should definetely include the 5 micron bag to stay competitive.

I have been using my DC1100 for about 6 months now. I chose the unit because the reviews say it is quieter than most. While it is much quieter than a shop vac, it still let out a sigh of relief when I turn it off. I plan on relocating it across the shop with a trunk line over to the place I tend to work. It should help to have it further away.
I use the unit with 2 4" flex tube lines. Each has a blast gate. One stays permanently connected to my Unisaw, while the other is connected to other machines that I roll into place. I plan on installing some more permanent ducting soon.
I think that this DC is as good as any of the bag type collectors. When the unit is first powered up, the bags snap into place and puff out some dust from the clamps. The stock bags also don't work real well. They still let some fine dust into the air. I plan on adding some aftermarket bags to the system to improve the filtration. Until then, I keep my AFS1000 right above the DC so the dust off the bags gets sucked right in. I also continue to use my shop vac for the sanders.
I think 4 stars is the absolute most I would give any of these bag type units. The inherent flaws in the idea preclude me from giving it 5.
This system needs some aftermarket bags. I plan on getting an oversized top bag so it will be unnecessary to have a bag on the bottom.
A remote turn on is also almost mandatory. You must walk over and bend down to turn the unit on or off.
I will probably design and build some sort of device to allow the dust to settle into a barrel or trash can. This will make emptying the unit much nicer and cleaner.
As I stated at the top. The Jet is a good start, but all bag units need some upgrades to get a higher rating than this.