Home Pro Trades Carpenters
ByCathy Harms
Updated: Jun. 12, 2024
Dust collection is an important part of a clean and safe shop. We tested and reviewed the best dust collector and wet/dry vac machines on the market.
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ERIN LAW PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY CATHY HARMS
Dust collection is an essential part of woodworking but is often overlooked. As a professional woodworker, choosing a dust collector can be tedious, but it’s an important part of a clean and safe shop. Investing in a system that fits your space and needs will create a tidy workshop that’s a joy to work in, so you can spend more time building and less time pushing a broom.
The secret of shop dust control is to capture it as close to the source as possible. A setup that accomplishes this is a wall-mount or canister dust collector for large stationary tools like the table saw and jointer, along with a dedicated shop vac for the miter saw station. A dust extractor is the first weapon of choice for handheld tools like orbital sanders and track saws. Finally, an air scrubber hanging from the ceiling will catch the ambient dust.
With all this in mind, I tested nine of the most popular models on the market to see how they stacked up. I considered ease of setup, airflow, filtration, portability, and noise level. Backed by thorough testing, here are the best dust collectors and shop vacs on the market to tackle your workshop’s major messes.
Best Overall
Ridgid 16 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac with Detachable Blower
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Best for a Small Shop Shop
Shop Fox W1826 Wall Mount Dust Collector
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Best Wall Mount
Powertec Wall Mount Wall Mount Dust Collector
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Best Upgrade
Oneida Air Systems Dust Deputy
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Best for Professional Woodworkers
Grizzly 2 HP Canister Dust Collector
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Best Separator
DeWalt Separator with 6 Gallon Tank
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Most Portable
VacMaster Wet/Dry Vac Five Gallon Beast
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Best Tool Accessories
VacMaster Wet/Dry Vac Six Gallon
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Best HEPA
VacMaster Wet/Dry Vac 8 gallon, HEPA Certified
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Pros:
- Large drum size can handle big messes
- Budget-friendly
- Detachable blower
- Durable, well-suited for job sites and rugged terrain
Cons:
- Limited by its filtration (recommend upgrading to HEPA filters)
If you’re looking for a shop vacuum that can support big messes, the Ridgid Wet/Dry Vac should be your first choice. Ridgid has been a leading manufacturer of shop vacs for years, and this model is an excellent example of why this brand is so popular. Combining powerful suction power, durability, lightweight design, and well-designed accessory storage, this 16-gallon model checks all the boxes and is large enough to handle a full day of debris cleanup without being emptied.
Built with a 6.5 horsepower motor, this particular vac is made for heavy-duty projects. A pleated cartridge filter comes with this model and is excellent at capturing general debris, but I recommend replacing the stock filter with a HEPA filter and dust collection bag.
There’s an accessory storage rack along the back and additional storage over the rear wheels. The accessories allow me to get in-between and under car seats to suck up everything—Cheerios, puzzle pieces, sand, LEGOS, you name it, it’s under there. When paired with a Dust Deputy Cyclone Separator or DeWalt Separator, the Rigid wet/dry vacuum turns into a high-capacity, two-stage dust collection system, and with a large drum size, can capture a day’s worth of debris from the table saw or planer.
The Ridgid has easily accessible cord storage where I can quickly wrap the 20-foot cord out of the way, which is essential in a smaller workshop where space is at a premium. With a height of about 25 inches, this 16-gallon vac is tall enough to grab the top and side handles without bending over too far and makes it easier to push around corners and doorways without banging into walls. It sucked up two gallons of water in just five seconds and took four seconds to handle a mess of cat litter and screws.
ERIN LAW PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY CATHY HARMSERIN LAW PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY CATHY HARMS
Best for a Small Shop Shop
Shop Fox W1826 Wall Mount Dust Collector
Pros:
- Budget friendly option captures dust at its source
- Zipper on bottom of collection bag for easy emptying
- Wall-mounted and compact
- 85-decibel noise is quieter than most shop vacs
Cons:
- Exterior of bag is fibrous, so dust may cling to it
Wall-mounted dust collectors are an ideal pick for small shops. Because they mount directly to the wall rather than taking up precious floor space, they stay out of the way but are still close enough at hand to use at a moment’s notice. Shop Fox’s wall dust collector is only 44 inches tall with the bag inflated, while the unit is only 19 inches long.
Apart from the compact size, it still boasts powerful suction thanks to a one-horsepower motor. I tested this model with my table saw and jointer and found it able to collect over 99% of the dust from my table saw, having no issues moving a higher volume of air to handle the larger dust output of my table saw. It took about 100 passes on the jointer before changing the bag. The 2.5-micron filter bag filters out most contaminants, including fine dust particles. It’s a great way to keep small workshops tidy without sacrificing space.
The thick, felted bag on the Shop Fox has pluses and minuses. It gathers chips and dust in the same felted bag that serves as its filter. This machine is more affordable than canister filters and is lighter to mount to the wall. Without a separate plastic collection bag, the wood chips are tough to shake out of the felt bag and through the small zipper on the bottom. Overall, this is a great value, but if you have a bigger budget, the Shop Fox wall-mount W1844 model will make bag changes easier, and its canister filter captures airborne particles down to one micron in size.
ERIN LAW PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY CATHY HARMSERIN LAW PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY CATHY HARMS
Best Wall Mount
Powertec Wall Mount Wall Mount Dust Collector
Pros:
- Mounts off floor, freeing up floor space
- Dust collection bag filters to one micron and has a clear viewing window
- The dual-voltage motor can be connected to 120-volt or 240-volt systems
- Clear viewing window to know when it is time to empty the filter
- Snap band ring makes changing the collection bag easier
Cons:
- Loud, but not high pitched
This Powertec dust collector has an extra-small footprint, making it the perfect choice for a small but busy workshop. The machine moves 560 CFM of suction power through a 4-inch inlet with an impressive 1-micron filter-efficiency rating. The Powertec operates at about 85 decibels, just below harmful noise.
The setup consists of a couple of straightforward steps. First, mount the unit to the wall and attach the bag. If your wall is concrete or masonry, you can attach it to the wall with lag shields and screws. If not, you’ll need to attach a mounting board across studs (not included) and mount the unit to that board. Be sure to wear gloves when setting up, as there are some sharp edges on the metal band clamp used to attach the bag. Also, you’ll want help attaching the bag for the first couple of times, as it takes some practice to install the metal band without someone holding the bag in place.
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A built-in window on the dust-collection bag makes it easy to see when it is full. This dust collector weighs 35.5 pounds but is light enough to mount on the wall easily. It has a 4-inch hose that needs to be adapted to 2.5 inches for smaller tools. The machine runs on a 1-HP dual-voltage motor, allowing it to be used on either 120-volt or 240-volt power systems.
For my small workshop, this wall-mounted dust collector is the perfect choice! It takes up far less space in the corner while maintaining a similar amount of suction power and it filters up to 1-micron particle size. My shop vac has been banished to the far side of the shop, where the dust collector hose can’t reach.
ERIN LAW PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY CATHY HARMSERIN LAW PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY CATHY HARMS
Pros:
- Prevents metal from entering dust collector and damaging impeller
- Extends life of vacuum filter and power drop-off is significantly reduced
- Cost-effective solution to enhancing dust collection performance
Cons:
- Can be a hassle to move around
A workshop that uses a single-stage or bag-style dust collector to collect dust can leave you with bags to empty and filters to clean or replace, quickly becoming messy and costly. That changes with the Oneida Dust Deputy cyclone separator. The device uses centrifugal force to separate 99.9% of fine dust and heavier particles into a 5-gallon bucket and sends cleaned air to the dust collector or shop vac.
My first test of the Dust Deputy was running cedar through a thickness planer. Without the Dust Deputy, the shop vac would have filled the disposable bag within the first couple of boards. I easily collected and emptied the 5-gallon bucket of shavings rather than spending time cleaning the pleated filter of caked-on dust. Now, I have a two-stage system that means continuously high suction and prolonged filter life.
The biggest money saver is having to replace disposable filter bags less often. By separating out the chips and dust before they reach the vacuum, I can quickly empty the bucket, drastically reducing the frequency with which I replace the disposable bag. I have also noticed a visible reduction in dust around the shop with just a HEPA filter upgrade in my shop vac and the Dust Deputy.
A downside to the bucket/cyclone system is that it must stay attached to the vacuum by a short hose, leaving you to drag everything with you. Workarounds include building a dust collection cart or adding caster mounts to the bucket.
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Best for Professional Woodworkers
Grizzly 2 HP Canister Dust Collector
Pros:
- Heavy-duty steel adapter for connecting extra lines
- Built-in cleaning brush
- Easy to assemble
- Connects directly to saws
Cons:
- Power requirements: 240V circuit and grounded 6-15 plug
This heavy-duty dust collector from Grizzly is best for bigger—or professional—workshops with an impressive 1,700 CFM air suction. On the exterior, the canister filter has six times the filtering area of regular bag filters, thanks to the one-micron filters included. A built-in cleaning brush operates from the outside, making it much easier than other collectors in terms of upkeep.
Simultaneously connect up to three four-inch lines using the heavy-gauge clear plastic adapter. This allows for more visibility and helps track down potential clogs. As a bonus, it can connect directly to band saws, miter saws, planers and other types of saws for instant dust pickup. The unit ships with extra bags, all clear for visibility and easy to replace when full. The steel duct from the impeller to the filter improves performance, and with just a glance, you’ll know when it’s time to clear out the chips, thanks to the clear bottom bag.
Grizzly is set up for adding ductwork, elbows and other components to a duct line, but this can increase static pressure loss (airflow resistance). This resistance can be minimized using smooth pipe and gradual curves rather than flex pipe and 90-degree elbows.
ERIN LAW PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY CATHY HARMSERIN LAW PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY CATHY HARMS
Best Separator
DeWalt Separator with 6 Gallon Tank
Pros:
- Won't cause suction loss
- Prevents clogged vacuum filters
- Filters out dust from wood, drywall, concrete, clay, blasting soda, soot and metal shavings
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Requires separate wet and dry shop vacuum
The DeWalt Separator is a winning combination for defeating dust when paired with a wet and dry vac. Because it pairs with a shop vac, there’s no need to be careful about clogging the filter by sucking up non-dust particles. An adaptable port allows for a 1-7/8″ or 2-1/2″ connection, which fits various dust collection hose sizes.
The turbine airflow inside the cone effectively enhances the suction power of the shop vacuums and captures 99.5% of debris from the air stream. This eliminates suction loss and loose dust particles on the floor and in the air.
ERIN LAW PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY CATHY HARMSERIN LAW PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY CATHY HARMS
Pros:
- Lightweight
- High suction power
- Comes with high efficiency cartridge filter, dust collection bag, plus a foam filter for liquids
- Low noise level
- Fits on floor of car easily
Cons:
- Limited by 5-gallon capacity
This five-gallon model is called the Beast, and it definitely lives up to its name. It has tons of power for a wet/dry vac with such a small footprint, boasting six peak HP and 102 CFM suction power. At just 15 pounds, the vac is convenient to transport and store.
Two curved metal brackets hold the seven-foot hose, preventing it from popping out while wrapped. Circular slots on top of the vac secure the attachments: a wide utility nozzle, a narrow crevice tool, and a car nozzle for getting between car seats.
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The Beast features a cord wrap system with adjustable wings that flip inward, allowing you to pull the cord off all at once instead of unwrapping 18 feet of cord length. When put to the test, the Beast vacuumed two gallons of water in 10 seconds. It also sucked up a mix of cat litter and nails in just 8 seconds and had no problem handling the weight of the screws. The connections and canister latches have a nice, heavy-duty feel, and the unit is quiet. This model even has a noise diffuser attachment that fits into the blower port.
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Pros:
- Maneuverability with strong caster feet
- Easy to access blower port
- Cartridge filter to 1 micron
- 22-feet of cleaning reach with kink-resistant hose
- Oversized latches that area easy to use and offer a secure seal
Cons:
- Cord storage can be cumbersome
This VacMaster Wet/Dry Vac has one extra gallon of capacity than the Beast and a four peak HP (rather than the six HP on the Beast). While it boasts good accessory storage, the power cord storage is lacking. To put the cord away, wrap and secure it with a Velcro strap, then hang it on the cord hook.
This model also includes a blower port. To access the blower port, remove the hose from the vacuum port and insert the end of the hose into the blower port. The cartridge filter captures fine dust down to 1 micron in size for dry vacuuming, and a foam wet filter installed on the filter cage is used for liquid vacuuming.
Accessory storage is easily accessible, keeping an impressive selection of tools securely in place: a utility nozzle, floor brush, squeegee nozzle, crevice tool and extension wands.
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Pros:
- 30-foot power cord and 10-foot hose
- Four levels of filtration, HEPA certified
- Comes with exhaust cover that keeps noise levels at 71 decibels
- Excellent mobility: Caster 360 wheels and two larger fixed back wheels allow you to hop cords and other debris
Cons:
- Attachment storage is iffy; each wand or attachment has its own post, but they're too easy to knock around
The VacMaster 8-Gallon HEPA Wet/Dry Vac is a decently priced HEPA-certified industrial machine. Its ultra-quiet two-stage motor can capture 99.9% of dust that is 0.3 micron particle size. This model features four levels of filtration, including a HEPA cartridge filter, an exhaust filter, a microfiber pre-filter and a sealable high-efficiency fine dust collection bag.
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This commercial vac has a 40-foot cleaning reach and comes with a lighted plug, kink-free hose, and foam wet filter for liquid vacuuming. It also has impressive attachments and includes a tool for every task: crevice tool, steel extension wands, dust brush, steel elbow with air control, floor brush/squeegee nozzle, and power tool adapter.
What to Consider When Buying a Dust Collector
Before deciding on a dust collector, it is important to evaluate what you need. Put simply, your dust collector needs to pull more air (rated in cfm) than your most air-hungry tool (and the ductwork) requires. Other factors to consider include the level of air filtration and the collection bag capacity.
Beginner woodworkers (who have minimal capital to invest in large stationary tools) may want to consider a small dust collector. These portable machines are manageable and easy to move around the shop from tool to tool as needed. However, you’ll sacrifice the cyclone system that separates chips and dust, resulting in more dust reaching the pleated filter. This means cleaning the filter more often.
A simple upgrade with a significant impact is to replace stock bags with felt bags rated at five microns or less. Dust particles under 10 microns are the most harmful to your lungs, and standard bags are good at capturing particles of 25 microns or bigger. Also, check the noise output to ensure it’s not too loud.
“To choose the right dust collector, the user must understand the nature of the dust they are creating, where the dust is produced, and the volume of dust produced. The user must choose the appropriate dust collector for their specific job site application based on performance needs, desired product features and any local dust regulations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards 1926.1153 and 1910 offer guidelines for respirable crystalline silica dust and wood dust,” notes Heather Lockhart, product manager for DeWalt.
Types of Dust Collectors
Several types of dust collection products are available, with the main differences being power, portability and dust collection capacity.
Shop vacs: This is an affordable option best used for smaller tools and to pick up random debris such as screws. You will have to empty the vacuum more often, and the filter clogs more frequently. The filtering capacity of a shop vac is not nearly as strong as a dust collector, but there are ways to improve it.
Dust Extractors: These are designed to collect dust from handheld power tools. Like the Festool HEPA version, they can be extraordinarily quiet and have a tool-activated switch that turns them on automatically.
Single-Stage Dust Collectors: Two-bag, single-stage dust collectors work by transporting sawdust and wood chips through an impeller to a collection bag. The heavier particles and debris then settle in the lower bag. They’re simple designs with a higher horsepower output that lets you connect to larger tools like a table saw or planer. They come in various designs: upright, wall-mounted or handheld.
Cyclonic Canister Dust Collectors: This type has a higher airflow and two-stage dust separation, separating smaller particles from larger pieces. As a result, the finer dust particles pass through the impeller and into the filter. The canister filter is excellent at capturing one-micron and two-micron dust particles effectively.
Why You Should Trust Us
As an award-winning woodworker and a certified skilled trades instructor, I have years of experience educating and crafting every piece featured on my site. I tested each product in this piece to ensure they live up to their online reputation. That way, you can make consumer-informed decisions based on real-life testing before you buy.
Our editors consulted Heather Lockhart, product manager with DeWalt, who oversees the vacuum and dust extractor categories. Lockhart develops strategic product plans for the Global Tools and Storage team, including managing product roadmaps and future innovation.
We also consulted with Brandon Walker, Superintendent of ASAP Restoration, who shared his over twenty-plus years of experience in dust collection and the construction trade.
Tom Noffsinger, a veteran woodworker for over 30 years and a FESTOOL-trained woodworking instructor, also offered his expertise in dust collection for hobbyists and small woodworking shops.
How We Found the Best Dust Collectors
I limited the selection of dust collectors and shop vacs with three microns or better filtration and dust collectors with pleated filters and heavy felt bags. I looked at the ease of assembly out of the box and how simple it is to empty and reattach the dust collection bag. I also considered collection bag capacity, power (CFM), and suction. Finally, I combed through airflow charts, decibel levels, and static pressure calculations to bring you the best dust collector and shop vac products for a shop of any size.
I started by unboxing and assembling each dust collector and wet/dry vac, noting how long the assembly took and whether the owner’s manual instructions were clear, lacking, or confusing. Then, I put the machines through their paces to test for the best and weed out the rest.
For shop vacs, I recorded the time it took each vacuum to suck up a mess consisting of sawdust, screws, nails, and chunks of wood with equal vigor. The other suction test was to fill a bucket with two gallons of water and see how long it took the shop vac to empty the bucket of water. Shop Vacs have many uses, often used in emergencies where time is a factor. So, I tested each model for difficult or confusing latches and complicated cord holders and checked to see if the hose and attachments fit together easily.
Most importantly, I used the dust collectors and shop vacs as they were intended—for cleaning up messes and a home renovation project. For dust collectors, I attached them to handheld tools and bigger equipment like a table saw and planer.
FAQ
How strong of a dust collector do I need?
Cubic feet per minute (CFM) and horsepower (HP) are two essential features to consider when determining the size of a dust collector you need. Horsepower determines the strength of the dust collector motor, and CFM is the amount of airflow the collector generates.
Medium-sized dust collectors typically have around one horsepower and 700 CFM. If your workshop has two or three power tools, a one-horsepower 700 CFM dust collector will be the smartest choice. Larger shops with multiple stationary power tools should use around one-and-a-half horsepower collectors with 1,200 CFM. The size of a workshop affects the amount of air volume (CFM) needed to effectively capture dust. Larger workshops request higher CFM ratings. Consider your peak usage when determining the strength of the dust collector. Will you be using multiple tools simultaneously or one tool at a time?
The ductwork and static pressure also determine how strong a dust collector you need. The more bends and obstacles in the ductwork, the higher the static pressure, which requires a more powerful dust collector to maintain adequate airflow.
Can you turn a shop vac into a dust collector?
Repurposing a shop vac as a dust collector can be a budget-friendly option for hobbyists or occasional users. Still, it’s essential to understand its limitations and consider whether it meets your needs and expectations for dust collection.
If you’re wondering, can wood make you sick? The short answer is yes, which is why dealing with dust is so important. But if a dust collector is too costly or bulky, you can make a budget system with just a few upgrades to your wet/dry vac. One upgrade is to add HEPA filtration to your shop vac.
When the HEPA filter and dust bag are used together, they remove 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns and larger from the air. These dust bags are uniquely shaped like rings instead of the typical U-shaped bags. This allows for cyclonic airflow, meaning dust distributes evenly throughout the bag.
Another upgrade to your shop vac is a cyclone separator to keep the filter cleaner and make it easier to dispose of sawdust. A popular one is the Dust Deputy separator, which captures about 98% of the dust in the five-gallon bucket, leaving the filter on your shop vac cleaner and running more efficiently.
The shop vac can be attached to most large power tools, but it won’t be as effective as a dust collector since it may not provide the same airflow or suction power as a dedicated dust collector. You’ll find yourself cleaning out the dust receptacle of a shop vac much more frequently, especially with tools that create a lot of dust.
Technically speaking, the difference between a shop vac and a dust collector is that a shop vac is a high suction, low airflow (which is why you can suck a screw right off the floor with the narrow hose). A dust collector has high airflow and low suction (which is why lighter sawdust and wood chips will float down the wide hose, but it can’t pick up metal or large pieces).
A dust extractor is similar to a shop vac but can move a larger volume of air. It also has better filters, typically HEPA grade, that trap airborne dust down to 0.3 microns. Consider it a portable dust collector that you can take with you to the job site!
While repurposing a shop vac as a dust collector can be effective for smaller-scale projects and portable tools, it may not be as efficient or powerful as dedicated dust collection systems designed for larger woodworking or industrial applications. Regular maintenance is key. Clean or replace the filter and dust collection bag regularly for optimal performance.
“If possible, a dust collector should be fitted with a filter capable of capturing 1 micron particles of dust. Equally important is that any filter should be kept clean with agitation after every work day,” says Tom Noffsinger, a veteran woodworker of over 30 years.
What is a good CFM for a dust collector?
Cubic feet per minute (CFM) and horsepower (HP) are two essential features to consider when determining the size of a dust collector you need. Horsepower determines the strength of the dust collector motor, and CFM is the amount of airflow the collector generates.
Medium-sized dust collectors are typically around one horsepower and 700 CFM. If your workshop has two or three power tools, a one-horsepower 700 CFM dust collector will be the smartest choice. Larger shops with multiple stationary power tools should use collectors that are around one-and-a-half horsepower and 1,200 CFM.
Here’s a rough guideline:
Small Workshops or DIY Enthusiasts: A dust collector with a CFM rating of around 350 to 700 CFM should suffice for smaller workshops. These units are typically compact and suitable for handheld tools like sanders and routers.
Mid-Size Workshops: If you have a mid-size workshop and use larger stationary tools such as a table saw, planer or jointer, consider a dust collector with a CFM rating between 700 and 1100 CFM. This range provides sufficient airflow to capture dust generated by larger machinery.
Large Workshops or Commercial Settings: For larger workshops or commercial settings with multiple tools operating simultaneously, you may require a dust collector with a CFM rating exceeding 1100 CFM. High-capacity dust collectors like the Grizzly 1 HP dust collector with multiple intake ports or ductwork systems may be necessary to handle the increased volume of dust.
Once you have matched the dust collector’s CFM rating with the requirements of your specific tools and workshop setup, you will want to take into account the ductwork system, as this will also impact the overall performance of the dust collection system.
“A higher CFM means more air is moving, and more dust is being collected and filtered out of the air, or straight off the tool. Ultimately, as a hobbyist, you might want to shoot for something in the middle range of CFMs because it’s too low, and you’ll be disappointed and too high, and you won’t notice the difference for anything but the extra amount you paid. For most hobbyists, the minimum CFM required for efficient dust collection would likely be around the 350 range, whereas woodworkers with more projects, or ones that require more uptake, would likely need a CFM in the 800s to be safe,” says Brandon Walker, Superintendent at ASAP Restoration LLC.
Originally Published: March 22, 2024
Author
Cathy Harms
Cathy Harms owns Charms Woodworks, a one-woman woodworking shop where she specializes in building furniture using fine joinery techniques and teaches toymaking/STEM workshops. All her woodworking projects are made with true DIY spirit and dedication to the finer points of design, form and function.
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