Choosing a dust collector

[Phil 774]

I am comparing three- 2HP dust collectors to decide which one to buy.

Currently I own a 15 year old collector North State UFO 101 that I bought used
Specs:  2 HP,  1150 CFM, 12 amps@220 Can't determine the Static Pressure Rating

I'm considering a Penn State DC2000B
Specs:  2HP. 1500 CFM, 9.5 amps@220, Max Static Pressure 9.5"  $235

also a Grizzly G1029Z2P
Specs:  2HP  1550 CFM, 9 amps@220,  Static pressure 11"  $325

Both the Penn State and the Grizzly claim CFM almost 25% greater than my old North State. 
Is it  likely that these new machines can perform that much better with the same HP rating.  I'm leaning toward the PennState due to the price, But I'd like to be sure I'm getting the performance advertised.
Any help is appreciated.


Phil

[TX_Lenador]

You might find this article useful in trying to decide on which unit to buy. It is a few years old but has quite a bit of test data for a number of units including the two you are looking into. I ended up buying the Grizzly about 18 months ago and they had it on sale so the cost was near the Penn State unit.

http://www.portercable.com/uploads/PCD/Documents/News/182DustCollectors.pdf

[BernardNaish]

You might want to consider:
If height of the fan inlet is low down how many bends will you need to bring it up to your main trunk? Fewer the bends the less suck lost.
If you are pushing it about to use on a single machine then low down is probably best. DC and machine port close together = less pipe.
Can you remove the fan from the cart so it can be close-coupled mounted just above a top hat separator? Good if flow straightener used.
5" inlet pipe better than 6" or 4". Perhaps essential.
Can a fine filter cartridge be fitted? Removes much more fine dust and improves suck.
Can a Thien baffle be fitted inside the DC itself instead of or as well as a pre-separator?
How easy is it to change the plastic bag and how effective is the seal?

[Phil 774]

I'd like to thank everyone for their help.  Today I spoke to a sales rep at Penn State Ind.  He confirmed what I've been told here.  The Penn State unit won't be much, if any improvement over the unit I currently own. 


Phil