Thanks for all of the information.
As far as exhausting the dust outside, it was just an idea that I was kicking around.
After reading Bill's posts on the subject, it looks like it will potentially cause more problems that what its worth.
The funding is getting closer for a dust collector for my small basement shop. After doing alot of research I'm pretty much sold on the Steel City 1.5 hp DC model 65200.
In my research I looked at Jet, Delta, Penn State, Harbor Freight, and Steel City.
For me 2 factors were important inaddition to the performance specs
-Can I get this locally? - Didn't want to pay shipping on something this heavy.
-Cost - What is the best I can get for what I have to spend?
Due to the cost constraint, I have given up on a filter cartridge (at least for now
). This means that I need the best bag filter that I can get within the budget. It also goes with out saying that a cyclone is out of the picture too.
Some general requirements: 1100+ CFM, 11+ in water, 1.5+ hp, good filter bag (less than 5 micron), and good warranty.
Off the top, while Penn State meets just about all of the requirements, it is ruled out as I would have to have it shipped to me.
Harbor Freight, has a 2hp which is good, and I have a HF store near me, I have serious concerns over the quality. Something about their 90 day warranty makes me hesitate. I feel like when I read that it should have said,"Our warranty is for 90 days or 90 feet from the store, whichever comes first." I know alot of people have them, but HF isn't really known for its quality tools.
Not ment to be a bash on the company, just a concern about their warranty.
The Jet DC-1100 is good and I can get it locally, but the filter is a 30 micron.
The Delta 50-850 Dust Collector is good as well and it can be had locally. Again long the lines of the Jet the filter is just ok - 5 micron.
The Steel City meets all of the requirements (1.5 hp, 1200 CFM, 11.1 in water, 1 micron filter (washable), and 5 year warranty). In addition I can get one locally for $319+tax.
I had a chance to see one up close last week. The filter bag isn't like the other ones that are usually provided by manufacturers. It is a felt filter bag. In reading "Woodshop Dust Control" by Sandor Nagyszalanczy, he recomends getting Felt Filters if you are not going to use a cartridge filter. Apparently the felt filters catch the most of all types of material used.
http://www.amazon.com/WOODSHOP-DUST...1-4943067?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1179937543&sr=8-12