How do you lock Procreate layers without smearing lineart?

[Steven.W]

I’ve been running my own small carpentry workshop out of my garage for about three years now, and I’m finally at the point where I need to upgrade my dust collection setup. The problem is, my current system — a cheap shop vac with a cyclone separator I built from a kit — just isn’t cutting it anymore. I’m dealing with fine dust from sanding and routing that clogs the filter in minutes, and I’m pretty sure my breathing isn’t great either.

I’ve already looked into a few options, but my budget is tight, around five hundred dollars max. I’m not sure if this matters, but my shop is in a one-car garage, so space is a huge constraint. I can’t fit a full two-stage unit like the big Grizzly or Jet models without losing half my workbench. I considered the Festool CT 36, but that’s way over my budget and seems overkill for a hobby shop like mine. I also tried adding a Dust Deputy to my existing setup, and while it helped the shop vac, the fine dust still escapes because the hose connections aren’t sealed well. Honestly, I’m starting to think I need a dedicated dust collector, not just a vacuum upgrade.

One specific thing I’m stuck on is the impeller design. I read online that some single-stage collectors move a ton of air but struggle with static pressure, which might matter for my planer and table saw. I run a Dewalt DW735 planer, and it really chokes on the current setup. I live in a suburban neighborhood, so noise is also a concern — my neighbors haven’t complained yet, but I’d rather keep it that way. Well, at least I think so. I don’t want to spend money on something that sounds like a jet engine and gets me on the HOA’s bad side.

So, for anyone who’s been in a similar situation, what would you recommend? Should I save up longer for a small two-stage system, or is there a single-stage collector under five hundred bucks that actually handles fine dust from sanding without turning my garage into a haze? I’m all ears.

[ScarlettAT]

You're not alone in thinking a two-stage is overkill for a hobby shop. In my 12x20 garage, I ran a 1.5 HP single-stage for 18 months, hooked to a 4 main line and a 2-micron bag. With tight hose connections and sealed ductwork, sanding dust mostly stayed in the bag instead of coating everything.

The real trick is sealed ducting and a real separator, not just a cyclone on a vac. Add proper blast gates, keep runs short, and give the planer and saw their own drop lines. A compact wall-mount or corner unit can tuck into a corner without eating your bench space.

Under $500 you can land a decent 1.5 HP unit with a bag or cartridge and decent static pressure—don’t chase a big brand name at the expense of fit. If you want two-stage later, you can, but solve filtration and ducting first; it makes the upgrade more useful.