Key Features
Overview
The Shop Fox W1685 1.5 HP Dust Collector is a portable single-stage dust collector built for small to mid-size woodworking shops that need better chip collection without stepping up to a larger fixed system. This is a dust collector designed for collecting wood dust and chips from stationary woodworking machines. Model Number W1685. If you are running a table saw, planer, jointer, sander, or router table and want one collector you can roll where it is needed, this setup makes a lot of sense.
On the performance side, the W1685 pairs a 1-1/2 horsepower motor with approximately 1280 CFM of air suction, a 12 inch balanced steel impeller, and a maximum static pressure of 10.1 inches. In plain terms, that means it is built to move both fine dust and the heavier chips that come off planers and jointers. The motor runs on 110V, single-phase power at 3450 RPM and draws 16 amps, which keeps it practical for many home shops and garage workspaces that do not have higher-voltage service available.
What separates this machine from a lot of lighter-duty shop cleanup gear is that it is not trying to be a general-purpose wet/dry vacuum. It is a dedicated woodworking dust collection tool. The 12 inch steel radial-fin impeller is there for airflow and chip movement, and the bag system gives you a larger collection volume than a compact shop vacuum can manage. Shop Fox rates the bag capacity at 5.4 cubic feet, so you are not stopping every few minutes when a planer starts filling the bag fast.
The filtration setup matters too. Models manufactured after June 2015 include a 2.5 micron felt upper filtration bag and a plastic lower collection bag. That is an important upgrade for shop air quality compared to older coarse bag systems that let too much fine dust back into the room. For woodworkers who spend real time in the shop, better filtration is not just a comfort feature. It means less airborne dust settling on tools, workpieces, and everything else you own.
From a layout standpoint, the W1685 is built to be moved around the shop instead of anchored in one place. The portable base measures 21-1/2 inches by 33-1/2 inches, and the full height with bags inflated is 78 inches. A steel base with casters helps when you need to reposition the collector between machines or tuck it out of the way. The powder-coated finish is a practical touch on a tool that is going to live around dust, chips, and regular shop traffic.
Connection flexibility is another strong point. The collector uses a 6 inch inlet with a removable Y fitting that gives you two 4 inch openings. That makes it easier to connect to common woodworking machine dust ports without immediately needing custom reducers and adapters for every setup. If your shop is built around typical 4 inch hose runs, that detail saves time and makes the machine easier to integrate from day one.
This Shop Fox dust collector is best suited to woodworkers, cabinet shops, furniture builders, and serious DIY users who want better collection than a shop vacuum can deliver. It is specifically intended for wood dust only, so it is the right tool for sawdust, chips, and fine dust from woodworking machines, not a catch-all cleanup machine for every material in the shop. If you need a straightforward mobile dust collector with useful airflow, a steel impeller, and standard woodworking hose compatibility, this one checks the right boxes.
Move Dust Where It Starts
This is the kind of collector that makes more sense than dragging a shop vacuum from machine to machine. It is built to handle woodworking dust collection with the airflow and bag capacity needed for real chip-producing tools.
- Approximately 1280 CFM air suction for collecting sawdust and wood chips
- 5.4 cubic foot bag capacity helps reduce interruptions during longer runs
- Portable steel base with casters makes it easier to share one collector across multiple machines
Key Specifications
| Motor Output | 1.5 HP |
|---|---|
| Voltage (V) | 110V |
| Amperage (A) | 16A |
| No-Load Speed (RPM) | 3450 RPM |
| Air Suction Capacity | Approx. 1280 CFM |
| Impeller Diameter | 12 in. |
| Filtration | 2.5 micron |
| Bag Capacity | 5.4 cu. ft. |
Compatibility
Built For
Pro Tip
If most of your machines use 4 inch ports, keep the removable Y fitting installed and dedicate short hose runs to the tools you use most. It is the simplest way to get this collector working in a small shop without rebuilding your whole dust setup.
Warranty & Support
Tool Nut’s Take
Shop Fox W1685 1.5 HP Dust Collector for the woodshop that needs real chip collection
This is a smart buy for woodworkers who are past the shop-vac stage and want a mobile dust collector that can actually keep up with stationary machines.
- Who it’s for: Woodworkers, cabinet builders, and serious home shop users running table saws, planers, jointers, sanders, and router tables.
- Why it stands out: The 1280 CFM airflow, 12 inch steel impeller, and 6 inch inlet with dual 4 inch openings give it the kind of practical shop usability that matters more than flashy specs.
- Worth knowing: This unit is for wood dust only, and it is a 110V, 16A machine, so make sure your circuit is ready for it.
Common Questions
- What kind of material is this collector designed for? It is designed for wood dust and wood chips only.
- Can it connect to standard 4 inch woodworking hoses? Yes. The 6 inch inlet uses a removable Y fitting with two 4 inch openings.
- What level of filtration does it use? The standard bag filtration is rated at 2.5 micron.
- Does it run on standard shop power? It runs on 110V single-phase power and draws 16 amps.
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