Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
At $529, DeWalt offers a compelling value both in overall price and getting the most bang for your buck.
The number one question we got following our dust extractor shootout was, “Where’s DeWalt?” We had a little trouble getting our hands on the DeWalt DWV012 for good reason. On September 23, 2017, OSHA’s updated silica dust regulations went into effect and what followed was a lot of people scrambling to get compliant dust extractors. Fast forward a couple of months, ours is here and now I get to tell you all about it.
The DeWalt 10-gallon dust extractor is largely unchanged from the one you’ve seen for several years now. Their efforts to make it RRP (renovations, repair, and painting) compliant with EPA lead requirements means the hard work was already done.
Some, but not all, concrete jobs require two key features: Auto filter cleaning and HEPA filters. Like the other dust extractors in our shootout, DeWalt covers both. For filters, DeWalt uses two cylindrical models, one on either side. DeWalt includes HEPA filters, so you’re compliant out of the box.
DeWalt runs automatic filter cleaning every 30 seconds. Most of the other extractors we use clean every 15 seconds, or in the case of Metabo and Hitachi, auto clean when the sensors detect the need for it. There’s a balance to strike here. More frequent cleaning keeps the filter running more efficiently. However, during the 2 seconds or so that it takes for filter cleaning, suction power drops, so less frequent cleaning keeps the power up for a higher percentage of the time it’s in use.
Like most extractors at this level, the DeWalt DWV012 has power tool activation on the control panel. Plug in your tool, switch to Auto, and it will power up when it senses power moving to the tool when you pull the trigger.
The question with all dust extractors in this class is how much tool muscle you can plug into it. DeWalt starts with a 15-amp motor, so that gets it up and running better than less powerful units and matches Bosch.
I can’t find any documentation on what the limits are, so I hooked up an amp meter to see what it draws. With the vacuum power all the way down on the dial, the DeWalt dust extractor only draws 6.7 amps – potentially leaving 8.3 amps for a power tool. Realistically, you’re probably looking at closer to 7 or 7.5 amps with power peaks during heavier loads on a 15-amp breaker. You should be able to pull more on bigger circuits.
With a 15-amp motor available, DeWalt pulls 155 CFM of airflow – tops at this price point. Bosch is the next closest at 150 CFM. The easy comparison on the concrete side of things is to look at grinders. According to OSHA, you need 25 CFM for every inch of grinder wheel diameter. By crossing the 150 CFM threshold, DeWalt gives you the option to use grinder wheels up to 6 inches in diameter.
Practically, the DeWalt DWV012 gives you plenty of airflow to cover most needs around concrete, woodworking, and paint. As always, check OSHA or EPA regulations to ensure your combination of extractor, tool, and accessories keep you in compliance.
While the volume of airflow is impressive for this class, suction power is the other side of the coin. We don’t talk about it quite as much because high suction power (AKA water lift) is what you need for heavier debris, not fine dust. Whether you’re cleaning wood chips, paint chips, or concrete chips, the the water lift rating, the easier the cleanup on your part.
With a water lift in our test of just 50″ after sucking 20 pounds of concrete dust, it’s the lowest of the models we’ve tested. What you can draw from that is that DeWalt does the best job drawing in the most dust while it’s going to be at the bottom when pulling in larger debris.
*Geek Note: Our water lift test is not the same standard you see when a manufacturer mentions “100 inches of water lift”. The diameter tube we use is larger, resulting in lower heights. We only compare those values to the numbers other dust extractors acheive in our internal testing under identical circumstances.
DeWalt adds a couple of extras to their dust extractor that help it stand above some of the competition. I really like the metal telescoping handle for rolling it around the shop or jobsite while getting out of the way in the trailer.
DeWalt also spends more time considering cord and hose management. The cord wraps neatly around the center handle. The hose wraps around the canister and stays in place between it and the telescoping handle. The tag end is held securely by a clip on the telescoping handle.
At $535.84, DeWalt offers a compelling value both in overall price and getting the most bang for your buck. The next closest is Makita at the same price with a little less CFM, but better water lift. What sets the DeWalt DWV012 apart for me is that it’s a compelling blend of solid feature set and outstanding CFM for its price. Given that what I’m most concerned about collecting is dust rather than heavier debris, I don’t mind that DeWalt falls behind in the suction power category.
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On the clock, Kenny dives deep to discover the practical limits and comparative differences for all kinds of tools. Off the clock, his faith and love for his family are his top priorities, and you'll typically find him in the kitchen, on his bike (he's an Ironman), or taking folks out for a day of fishing on Tampa Bay.
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How LOUD is it? And did DeWalt do the smart thing and make it Toughsystem / T-Stak compatible, or did their product planners go “duh, compatible? Wot dat?” (note: These questions are asked primarily out of curiousity, as I’ve got a Mirka which coves my non-concrete/non-lead working needs quite nicely.)
Bosch is definitely the way to go.
I’ll stick with my Bosch.
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