Tired of costly shop vac filters and reduced suction power? I tested the Oneida Dust Deputy—here's why you need one in your shop.
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Oneida Dust Deputy Review: Tested by a Professional Woodworker
Updated on May 28, 2024
In my small woodworking shop, I have various types of dust collectors: A wall-mounted 1HP dust collector, a shop vac, a Festool dust extractor and an air scrubber to prevent ambient dust from getting in my breathing space. With all these dust collection machines, there are a lot of filters and collection bags to clean and replace.
I tend to get frustrated with suction loss from a dirty filter, having to clean my expensive HEPA filters or waiting for my filter replacement to arrive in the mail. With a Oneida Dust Deputy, I no longer have frequent issues with suction or restricted airflow. Removing sawdust is as simple as dumping out the trash can! Adding a cyclone separator was an affordable upgrade to my dust collection system, and it saved me money on replacement filters and dust collection bags.
In this review, I’ll show you why I added a Dust Deputy to my workshop, why you should add a cyclone separator to your dust collection system, and the pros and cons of the options available.
What is the Oneida Dust Deputy?
When sawdust enters a cyclone separator, it spins around the funnel until heavy wood chips fall into the collection bin while the fine dust makes its way up to the vacuum filter—so the filter works better and longer. The Dust Deputy isn’t a vacuum, and there is no motor. You run a cyclonic dust separator between a tool (like a table saw) and your shop vac. It’s installed between the intake hose and the shop vac or dust collector.
Why add a cyclonic separator to your shop? The biggest reason is that it turns a single-stage dust collector into a two-stage one. With a one-stage system, all the dust and debris runs over the impellers, through the filter and into the collection bag. The impeller gets a lot of wear, and the filter fills up quickly and needs to be cleaned more often.
With a two-stage system, the cyclone separates the dust before it reaches the impeller so only the fine dust goes through the impeller, saving wear on the impeller and filter. The motor lasts longer, too, because the separator filters out larger debris (basically everything except dust particles) so it doesn’t pass through the collector. If you’ve heard that loud “clunk” when a chip hits your expensive impeller, you know that dreaded feeling.
VIA MERCHANT
I Tried It
Oneida Air Systems Dust Deputy Deluxe
We tested the new Dust Deputy, and it's now one of our favorite shop tools.
Dust Deputy Features
- Patented cyclone separator, which upgrades any make and model wet/dry vacuum into a two-stage dust control system
- Easy to assemble
- Captures and removes up to 99.9% of dust and debris from air before it reaches the vacuum filter
- Neutral vane inlet improves performance by over 20% compared to other cyclones without this feature; this rectangular inlet feature directs the air down into the cyclone and prevents air turbulence at the inlet
How I Tested the Dust Deputy
I have had a Dust Deputy in my shop for over a year, so I’ve been able to use it repeatedly. I can count on it to perform as expected while it extends the life of my dust collector and shop vac. Standard wet/dry vacs rely on small filters that quickly become clogged with dust and debris. Each time you try to clean the filter by tapping or washing it, the fine fiber construction of the filter becomes damaged.
I first used the Dust Deputy to mill lumber, helping control all the sawdust a planer and jointer generate. And don’t even get me started on the table saw!
I also used the Dust Deputy with my shop vac to improve its performance. I eventually upgraded all my filters to HEPA filters, which are more expensive to replace. They are also ultra-delicate. Have you ever sucked up a stray screw with your shop vac? You don’t want that rattling around in your expensive HEPA filter.
Although I still need to clean and replace filters and collection bags occasionally, it’s much less often with the help of the Dust Deputy.
Assembly was straightforward. When putting the components together, don’t use a power drill, as the threads on the inside are plastic and could strip if you use a drill. Attaching the Dust Deputy to the tool and vacuum was simple. The inlet side connects to your tool, and the top hose goes to the shop vac.
There are different types of Dust Deputy cyclone separators. I chose a model under $100 that fit my shop size and needs. A great way to find out which version is best for your shop is to use the product selector tool on the Oneida Air Systems website. It will ask what machine you use most for shop cleanup (a shop vac or dust collector) and what material you’re collecting (non-abrasive dust like wood and drywall or abrasive dust like sand and gravel). It also asks if you have size constraints, if it needs to fit under a workbench or if there’s plenty of space to go.
Something I learned that wasn’t in the manual is to make sure the sawdust level in the collection bin stays lower than halfway, or you’ll start to see wood chunks make their way up to the shop vac or dust collector. There must be plenty of room for air to circulate inside the bin.
The lid is pop-on and off, so I learned quickly not to pick it up by the cyclone. While I’d like to carry the Dust Deputy and shop vac together on a cart, I have yet to make one, so my Dust Deputy sits under my miter saw station with the hose clipped in place with these clamps.
I was pleased to discover that the Dust Deputy is compatible with any make/model machine in my shop. It comes with tapered ports that fit standard 1.5-inch to 2.5-inch hose fittings. It also works with most materials: Wood dust, drywall dust, concrete dust, water, baking flour, grass, pet hair—just to name a few.
I chose the Dust Deputy over making a DIY version because making my own was more fuss than it was worth. The Oneida system comes with a collapse-proof bucket that won’t fold under high vacuum pressure, and the anti-static components significantly reduce the likelihood of static shocks. Clear, see-through plastic components give a real-time view of how much dust the cyclone separates from the air.
Pros
- Captures 99.9% of dust and debris from air
- Prevents metal or other foreign objects from damaging impellor
- Extends life of your machine’s dust filter
- Available in various sizes and configurations
- Anti-static components
- Maintains suction power
Cons
- Lack of portability
FAQ
How do I clean my Oneida filter?
Cleaning the Dust Deputy is as easy as it gets. First, remove the lid from the collection bin, and then dispose of the dust and debris collected in the bin.
What Other Experts and Reviewers Think
“I added the Super Dust Deputy 4/5 to my small studio furniture workshop to save on bag changes and to capture large chips that were getting caught and causing clogs in the main collector. The separation was appealing to help save time dealing with both those issues,” explains Ashley Pieper, woodworker, artist and owner of Shallow Creek Woodcraft.
“Setup and hook up is simple. Emptying the bin is easy and quick,” Ashley explains. “The Dust Deputy takes my collection system to a two stage with better suction at my tools and better air quality in the shop. Overall, it’s a great product that works exactly as advertised, and that is always a plus!” When asked if there were any issues with the Dust Deputy, Ashley said, “This is more of a conditional preference than an issue but a larger collection bin would work better for the amount of milling I do.”
Verified Amazon purchaser, M.W. appreciated the easy installation and has this to say, “Setup is even easier than the instructions indicate. And everything fit perfectly into my old Rigid 5 gal wet/dry vac…Ultimately – I wanted this to save on cleanup. And it tackled this task amazingly well! But more so it keeps ALL the dust out of the air (and subsequently my lungs!). The whole area feels and smells cleaner. And cleanup is now a 1 minute job – instead of the 30+ mins it used to be (AND sawdust doesn’t get literally EVERYWHERE!!). Not to mention: the vacuum bin is spotless!”
Five star Amazon reviewer, R. Marks, writes, “Good for dust control and keeping your vacuum working. It allows a lot of the dust to drop out before being sucked in the main vacuum. Saves time in the shop.”
Oneida Air Systems verified buyer, Andre B., had this to say: “It works for more than just sawdust. I bought this on a chance that it would work on something other than wood saw dust, and it did not disappoint! I do a lot of router work on foam insulation board for Halloween and Christmas yard decorations. Using just a shop vac would clog my filter in a short time. The Dust Deputy has eliminated my filter clogging. This device collects dust so fine that it statically sticks to the insides of bucket. I don’t quite know the physics behind the Dust Deputy, but it works like magic! I would definitely recommend the DD! No more foam insulation dust everywhere!”
Oneida Air Systems vs. DeWalt, Jet and Mullet
If you’re in the market for a cyclone separator, you’ve likely encountered other popular products from big brands, such as the DeWalt Separator, Jet Cyclonic Separator and the complete system Mullet Cyclone Separator. I chose Oneida Air Systems Dust Deputy because it’s a well-known brand and made in the USA.
There were mixed reviews online for the Jet, with some customer concerns about clogging. I was able to test the DeWalt Separator, and it has standout features that the Dust Deputy doesn’t have, such as the locking clasps on the lid, which make it more secure and easier to open. The lid on the Dust Deputy is a pop top that either takes a couple of tries or needs a bucket tool to open it. The DeWalt Separator has excellent hose storage that fits everything snuggly and securely into the collection bin, and the base includes caster wheels.
Final Verdict
While the DeWalt Separator was a strong contender, I felt that the Dust Deputy was made of stronger material. The see-through feature was a must-have, and the separation efficiency was better, as I had more dust and wood chips left in the Dust Deputy collection bin compared to the other brands.
An affordable upgrade to my dust collection system, the Dust Deputy has saved me time and money on expensive replacement filters and dust bags. The simple design can be adapted to any shop vac or dust collector. It also simplifies waste disposal, holding much more dust and debris than what reaches the vacuum.
Where to Buy the Oneida Dust Deputy
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I Tried It
Oneida Air Systems Dust Deputy Deluxe
Our favorite wet/dry vac for all your shop cleaning needs.
You can buy the Dust Deputy Deluxe from Amazon for a list price of about $120. Numerous Dust Deputy kits in various sizes and configurations to suit different vacuum setups and dust collection needs, ranging in price from around $40 to a stainless steel model for about $1,500, are also available on Amazon. They even have a cyclonic separator just for Festool vacuums.
