Laguna Tools MDC0560 2 HP Cyclone Manual Clean Dust Collector

I've had this dust collector for several years now. The problem with it is the short cyclone - it doesn't work very well and lets way too much swarf get to the filter.I finally had to put a Super Dust Deputy ahead of this Laguna dust collector and it works well. I don't get much swarf in either the Laguna drum or the filter.I'd never purchase a dust collector with a short cyclone again. Bad mistake on my part.

I've been working with this dust collector for about a year and a half. I've concluded that there are some major design and manufacturing flaws.Initial experience: Assembly of all the many parts went well. It is a large, heavy unit that packed into remarkably small shipping containers. Well done. I would have enjoyed more preassembly but understand completely. Turned it on, sucked up some dust. It ran well. After three uses, I turned the agitator handle and the cogs stripped out. Called Laguna and it took far too long to get a replacement. The guy was finally authorized to take the cogs from their floor model.Leakage: There are so many leakage points - splitter connection, top plate at motor (all the way around), the handle to the agitator, mounting frame for filter, hoses, even the can has problems (the handle and window are riveted in, see can situation below). I've methodically remedied these as best I could with sealants and gaskets, but can't get them all so the dustiest area of my shop is ironically the dust collector.The can situation: This is not a full size drum. You must purchase special bags. They are costly but have a good heft to them. They could probably be reused several times except - the can edges are sharp, pop rivets stick in around the handle and window. More sealant and tape but a big bag of dust surrounds any protrusion and snags. There is also a connecting hose from the can back to the collector. The purpose is to create suction at the bottom of the can to keep the bag from sucking into the cyclone. It's a small vacuum size hose that quickly fills with wood chips that spill from the hole in the bag... Additionally, the hose sent with the unit was too short so the can barely rolls out to clear the lid. This is another snag area, more chips, more clogging...The cyclone: Not very effective. I know they were going for low profile, but perhaps a deeper cyclone or better approach angle would separate better. Large debris just flows right through the cyclone into that tiny bag. I change the tiny bag about as often as the can.That tiny bag (aka that ^&#$%^&# bag). This is the worst of the worst situations for dust. In that final-filter bag (normally) is the smallest of dust - the flour. Emptying this bag from that cramped little space under a handle, around the support legs and up over the base (since it hangs down into that little rectangular space), with your head right by it is dreadful. I release that clamp and wiggle that bag off the rim and POOF goes the dust. Poof down, poof back up, poof around the leg, and poof back over the base. All with my head hanging right over it. Have snagged that bag a few times too. Haven't found replacement sizes anywhere so have had to seal with tuck tape. I believe a canister, couple of latches with a gasket and my lungs would thank me.Mobility: This is a mobile unit. Yes. Well sort of. I haven't moved this thing since I got it. It's really big. The wheels are really small so the shop and floor must be immaculate to move it around (which if you want to empty a full can requires some forethought). The unit only works on flat, level ground because the unit sets on the can to seal it and there is only 1/2" or so of play in the adjustments. And finally, I don't have a multitude of 220v/20A receptacles around to use it in multiple locations. I don't really blame Laguna on that one, I'm the one that wanted the mobile unit and they provided it for me.Conclusion: I have had many negatives to say. I should finish with some positive. The cyclone package is a good concept. I collect way more dust with it than I used to with a one-stage collector. I like that it has a remote.

I received this DC a few months ago, and for the most part it has performed well.Delivery was painless, assembly was fairly straighforward with no damages and all parts accounted for.I have a relatively small, 400sq ft dedicated woodshop. I have about 40feet of 6" trunk line, 7wyes, with 4" drops, and blast gates at each drop. This DC has no problems at any of my machines, even with a jointer/planer at the end of a line. Like another reviewer said, use 6" ducts as much as you can and as close as you can to the machine.I had done alot of research on DC's prior to purchase, and based my decision almost purely based on Lagunas specs. I needed a small footprint (small shop), relatively quiet, high CFM, and affordable, and this DC had the best marks for my needs. There are very few reviews out there on this unfortunately, but the few I did see noted problems with leaks in the joints and connections. Laguna appears to have corrected these problems, as my unit is only putting sawdust where its supposed to go...in the bin and bag.The one thing I am sorely disappointed over, is the remote control. Mine worked for about a dozen times, then failed. Called Laguna, and they sent a replacement transmitter after a few weeks.. same problem! Worked a couple of times then failed. I called Laguna again.. basically, they told me 'Well, we sent you another transmitter"! You would think that their customer service would realize that remote controls also include a receiver?!?! In my conversation with Laguna, they also told me that the range on the remote for this DC is ONLY about 10-13 feet...which I consider useless even if the remote control did work.Beings I was getting nowhere with Laguna, I advised them to go ahead and close the issue, and I would purchase a seperate remote control/starter switch on my own....very disappointing! I should be getting the PSI Remote/Starter switch (50' range) tomorrow which I will use to replace the Laguna setup.All in all, if the remote control, and Lagunas customer support were as good as this dust collectors design and performance.. it would be a 5-star home run...but, I'll give it 4-stars just for its performance and design alone.

I have used the 2HP Laguna Cyclone Dust collector since shortly after they came out with it. It is low profile so it fits in my low ceiling basement shop. It is quiet and it has more than enough power to pull heavy shavings and dust from my Powermatic lathe port and from my port leading to other machines. My hose distance is about 15-20 feet and I am using 4" plastic hose.I have never had an issue with the remote control and I use it frequently. I did remove some of the grill inside the twin port because it tended to jam up with my woodturning shavings. This is not the fault of the Laguna unit as the same issue would have impacted any port with a plastic grill. The fix was easy and the problem was cleared.I tape my port connections to eliminate any suction issues or backflow discharging dust out of the collector. This is something I do to any dust collector I use. I am not sure why one of the commentators has dust coming out of the unit. I have never experienced this problem. My collector and the area around it is totally free of dust. Maybe he allowed it to fill up to max capacity and kept running it. I think the integrity of the collector unit is quite good. It's a lot better than my double bag units even with heavy 1 micron top bags.If my unit died today, I would repurchase tomorrow.