Industrial Vacuum & Dust Extractor Guide: AS/NZS 60335.2.69 L/M/H Class, 2024 Silica & Engineered Stone Compliance, Cordless vs Mains, Metabo & HiKOKI Range for Australian Workshops

Australian workshop dust control has changed more in the last five years than in the previous twenty. The respirable crystalline silica WES halved to 0.05 mg/m³ in 2020. Engineered stone manufacture, supply, processing and installation was banned nationally from 1 July 2024. WHS Regulations strengthened 1 September 2024 for all materials containing ≥1% crystalline silica. The WES becomes a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) from 1 December 2026. Behind every regulatory change is the same equipment decision — the right industrial vacuum or dust extractor, certified to the right dust class, sized for the actual work. This guide covers what the AS/NZS 60335.2.69 dust classes mean in practice, how to pick between mains and cordless for AU industrial use, where shop vacs fail and dust extractors win, and the practitioner-level reality on suction, hose diameter, autostart and filter cleaning that determines whether your extraction actually works on Monday morning.

AIMS stocks Metabo's full L/M/H Class wet/dry range in 35L and 50L mains formats plus 25L/30L cordless 36V kits, alongside HiKOKI cordless 18V/36V across the vacuum cleaners & accessories collection. Premium specialist brands (Festool, Pullman, Spitwater, Nilfisk, Numatic) are sourced through specialty channels on request — see the brand reality section below for the honest map.

What is an industrial vacuum or dust extractor — and what this guide covers

An industrial vacuum or dust extractor is a workshop-grade extraction unit designed for the volumes, contaminants and duty cycles of trade, construction, mining and manufacturing work. Distinct from a consumer vacuum cleaner (designed for household carpet and floors) and from a stationary dust collector (designed for large-machine chip collection in a fixed woodshop), the industrial vacuum / dust extractor category sits in the middle — portable enough to take to the work, sealed and filtered enough to handle hazardous fine dust, and certified under AS/NZS 60335.2.69 to defined dust class limits.

This guide is for industrial and trade applications — workshop maintenance, construction site dust control, concrete cutting and grinding, engineered stone disturbance work, mining and utility infrastructure cleaning, fabrication shops, machine shops. Not in scope: stationary woodshop dust collectors (different product class, covered briefly), consumer handheld cordless vacuums for car cleaning (different market), domestic vacuum cleaners.

The 2024-2025 AU silica regulation reality — what changed

Three practical implications for AU workshops:

• An L-Class shop vac is no longer compliant for silica work. The 99% filtration of L-Class doesn't meet the 99.9% (M-Class) requirement for crystalline silica exposure control under the strengthened WHS Regulations.
• H-Class is now the default for engineered stone work (legacy disturbance), asbestos, lead-based paint, and any confirmed carcinogenic dust.
• Auto-cleaning filters are no longer optional for sustained silica work — manual-only filter cleaning rapidly degrades airflow below the level needed for effective extraction.

The pattern over the next two years (to December 2026) is continued tightening. Workshops buying extraction equipment in 2025-2026 should specify to the higher end of the compliance window — M-Class minimum with auto-clean for general silica, H-Class with auto-clean for engineered stone or carcinogenic dust.

The four product categories — shop vac, dust extractor, dust collector, industrial vacuum

The categories overlap in marketing but diverge in engineering. A shop vac and a dust extractor look similar on the showroom floor; their internal filter design, motor specification, sealing and compliance certification are different. A dust collector and a dust extractor both move air; the dust collector moves high volume at low static pressure (good for chips, poor for fine dust), the dust extractor moves moderate volume at high static pressure (good for fine dust, poor for chips). Most AU workshops doing trade or construction work need a dust extractor first; a shop vac second for cleanup; a stationary dust collector only if running fixed woodshop machinery.

AS/NZS 60335.2.69 dust class hierarchy — L, M, H decoded

AS/NZS 60335.2.69 is the Australian/New Zealand adoption of the European EN 60335-2-69 standard for industrial wet/dry vacuum cleaners. It defines three dust classes based on filtration efficiency and the workplace exposure limit (WES) of the materials being handled.

The certification is tested in a controlled chamber — a known quantity of fine dust is introduced, the vacuum is run, and the percentage of dust captured (versus escaping the exhaust) is measured. Manufacturers can claim compliance only when the test result hits the class threshold and the vacuum design includes the sealed containment, filter security and auto-clean (where required) elements specified in the standard.

The hierarchy is cumulative — an H-Class vacuum will perform the work of an M or L Class. The reverse is not true. Using an L-Class vacuum on silica dust does not meet the M-Class requirement, regardless of operator intent or wishful filtration claims.

H Class vs M Class — the engineered stone & silica compliance decision

The critical 2024+ decision for AU workshops working with silica-containing materials:

The 2024-2025 industry trend is toward H-Class as the default for serious compliance work, even where M-Class is technically adequate. Reasons: WES is being tightened progressively (WEL transition December 2026); H-Class equipment handles all the materials M-Class handles plus the carcinogenic class; insurance and liability exposure for under-specified extraction is rising; mining and government contractors are increasingly specifying H-Class in tender requirements.

HEPA filter grades — H13 vs H14 explained

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) is a filter classification system defined under EN 1822 (European) and adopted by reference in AS/NZS standards. The grades that matter for industrial vacuums:

MPPS = Most Penetrating Particle Size, typically around 0.1-0.3 microns where filters are theoretically weakest. The efficiency rating measures performance at this worst-case particle size. H14 captures ten times fewer particles than H13 at the same particle size — the difference between 99.95% and 99.995% sounds small as a percentage but matters operationally for silica and asbestos work where cumulative exposure over a working life is the health endpoint.

Cordless vs mains — when each wins (the practitioner reality)

The most-asked practical question on AU industrial vacuum forums and trade discussions is whether cordless industrial vacuums are powerful enough for serious industrial work, or whether they're marketing hype with limited utility. The honest answer requires looking at actual CFM and water-lift numbers, not marketing claims.

Real performance benchmarks (independent testing):

The OSHA Table 1 silica grinding sizing rule:

Tyrolit AU adds the practitioner reality: a 230mm angle grinder under load produces 50-100 m³/min of dust-laden air output — far beyond any cordless extractor's capacity. Mains extraction is the only realistic path for 230mm grinder dust capture.

Forum-validated practitioner consensus (Contractor Talk, Pro Tool Reviews, Festool Owners Group, Pop Mech, Tool Box Buzz):

• "Cordless models are no match in power for a 12-gallon corded shop vac for large jobs or large area cleanup, especially with larger or heavier debris."
• "Drywall dust especially clogs em up and weakens the suction" (Milwaukee Packout 55 CFM review).
• "An extractor which only runs 16 minutes on a charge is not offering any practical real-world advantages" (Festool CTC MIDI 8Ah battery review).
• "Pros use BOTH — cordless for day-to-day cleanup and bring the corded units for larger jobs."
• Compact handheld cordless models have smaller tanks — "plan to empty every 30-60 minutes on heavy dust jobs."
• Dual-battery cordless (Milwaukee 0888-20 dual M18, Makita 36V 2x18V) extends runtime significantly but is still bound by battery thermal management on hot AU summer sites.

The honest verdict for Australian industrial readers:

Cordless 36V H/M-Class extractors ARE sufficient for portable/mobile/intermittent silica work — short grinding tasks, anchor drilling, spot cleanup, engineered stone short-interval interventions, remote site infrastructure maintenance. Filtration certification is genuine and meets AS/NZS 60335.2.69. Runtime is 25-65 minutes per battery cycle under load depending on tank size and battery capacity.

Cordless is NOT sufficient for sustained 4-hour concrete grinding, large workshop dust capture, 230mm angle grinder extraction, or continuous-duty operations. The CFM ceiling is too low (peak ~110 CFM cordless vs 150 CFM OSHA requirement for 6" grinder, 225 CFM for 9" / 230mm). Runtime is too short for full-shift work.

The professional reality is hybrid: most AU contractors and mining operators running silica-compliant operations use both — mains 1400W L/M/H Class in the workshop and fixed station, cordless 36V H/M Class for portable and field work. Treat them as complementary, not as either/or. Anyone telling you a cordless extractor alone is sufficient for full-time concrete grinding is selling battery packs.

CFM, suction (water lift) and airflow — real vs box ratings

Vacuum performance is measured along two axes:

• Airflow (CFM, cubic feet per minute — or l/min in metric) — how much air the vacuum moves through itself per unit time. Higher CFM means more dust-laden air can pass through the inlet. Important for high-volume dust generation (grinding, cutting).
• Suction (water lift, measured in inches of water column or mm H₂O) — how much negative pressure the vacuum can generate. Higher water lift means the vacuum can pull dust through narrow hoses, around bends, and over distance. Important for fine dust extraction and long hose runs.

The two are inversely related at any given motor wattage — vacuum design tunes the trade-off. Workshop / portable extractors prioritise water lift (high static pressure, lower CFM); stationary dust collectors prioritise airflow (high CFM, low static pressure).

The "free air CFM" trap on boxes: manufacturer headline CFM ratings are typically measured at zero static pressure (no filter, no hose, no inlet restriction). Real performance with filter, hose and inlet restrictions is substantially lower. Trade pros consistently recommend checking the manufacturer's fan curve (the graph of CFM vs static pressure) to see how the unit performs under real resistance. A vacuum with 200 CFM "free air" rating may deliver 100-120 CFM in real workshop use.

Hose diameter rules — 27mm / 32mm / 36mm / 50mm / 63mm

Match hose diameter to the dust port on the tool and the type of debris. Fine dust + small port = small hose for velocity. Heavy chips + large port = large hose for airflow. Mismatched diameter causes either constant clogging (hose too small) or poor dust pickup at the source (hose too large for the tool's port).

Antistatic hoses are essential for combustible dust (sawdust, fine wood dust, plastic dust, certain metal dusts) — static charge buildup in non-conductive PVC hose can ignite the dust-air mixture. Festool antistatic is standard across their range; Bosch has antistatic options; Metabo on better models. For mineral dust (concrete, brick, masonry, stone), antistatic is good practice but not strictly required.

Autostart / Power Take Off / CordlessControl — tool-triggered extraction

One of the most operationally significant features in modern industrial vacuums is the autostart system that turns the vacuum on when the connected power tool starts and off when it stops. Different manufacturers use different names:

• Power Take Off (PTO) — mains extractors with a 240V socket on the unit; plug the power tool into the extractor socket, the extractor senses current draw and triggers its own motor.
• Metabo CordlessControl — wireless signal between the cordless tool and cordless extractor.
• Makita AWS (Auto-start Wireless System) — Bluetooth signal between Makita cordless tools and AWS extractors.
• Festool Bluetooth / Wireless module — Festool tool-extractor pairing.
• HiKOKI cordless control — HiKOKI tool-extractor coordination.

Operationally significant because: extraction is always running during cutting/grinding (eliminates operator discipline failure), wasted suction during tool-off intervals is eliminated (extends cordless runtime, reduces noise), and silica compliance becomes harder to accidentally bypass. For workshops doing daily silica work, autostart is now considered an essential rather than premium feature.

Auto-clean filter technology — manual vs semi-automatic vs pulse-jet

As a vacuum filter loads with fine dust during work, airflow drops; suction at the inlet drops correspondingly; effective dust capture degrades. After 15-30 minutes of heavy dust generation (grinding, cutting), a non-auto-clean extractor's airflow can fall below the level needed for effective extraction. Filter cleaning technology addresses this:

For sustained silica or engineered stone work, auto-clean is now mandatory equipment. AS/NZS 60335.2.69 H-Class certification specifically references auto-cleaning as a requirement for sustained use on hazardous dust. Manual-only filter cleaning is no longer acceptable for serious compliance work.

Fleece bags vs paper bags vs bagless — exposure reduction

Filter bags and tank design affect operator exposure to captured dust during bag change and disposal:

• Paper bags — disposable, cheap, suitable for general workshop dust. Open bag opening during change exposes operator to bag contents.
• Fleece bags ("safety bags") — finer weave, closure mechanism that lets the operator seal the bag opening before removing it from the extractor. Dramatically reduces operator exposure to bag contents during change. Recommended for any silica, lead or asbestos work.
• Bagless (cyclone separator) — dust collected in tank; for fine dust this means a substantial exposure event every time the tank is emptied. Acceptable for general cleanup; risky for silica/lead/asbestos work without secondary containment.

Standard procedure for silica bag change: don P2 or P3 respirator before opening the extractor, slide the bag closure shut, lift sealed bag straight up without inverting, place in sealed plastic disposal bag, decontaminate extractor interior with damp wipe, dispose to hazardous waste collection. Never empty an extractor bag into a workshop bin. AS/NZS H-Class compliance assumes correct procedure.

Wet vs dry mode — switchover and float shutoff

Most M-Class and H-Class extractors are dual-purpose wet/dry units. Switchover procedure:

1. Empty the tank completely of any dry debris
2. Remove the paper or fleece bag (use the tank directly for wet collection)
3. Confirm the filter is rated for wet use (modern PTFE-coated and pleated paper filters are; older felt filters may not be)
4. Engage the float shutoff if equipped — a float ball that rises with water level and shuts off suction before the motor takes water in
5. Vacuum water as required; do NOT exceed the tank's wet capacity
6. After wet vacuuming, drain the tank completely
7. Run the extractor dry for several minutes to dry the filter
8. Re-install the paper or fleece bag for dry work

Never wet-vacuum without a float shutoff or with a non-wet-rated filter — water enters the motor and destroys it. Never mix wet and dry mode work without the changeover procedure — the filter saturates and the bag turns to mush. The wet/dry capability is convenient but requires discipline.

AIMS Metabo range — full L/M/H Class detail

AIMS stocks Metabo as the primary industrial vacuum brand. German-engineered (often built by Starmix under contract), full L/M/H Class coverage in mains and cordless formats:

The 1400W mains range with SelfClean auto-filter cleaning is the AU workshop standard for sustained silica compliance work. The 36V cordless range with CordlessControl is the portable / field / spot-work answer. For workshops doing both fixed and mobile work, the combination delivers full compliance coverage.

AIMS HiKOKI cordless range

HiKOKI (the former Hitachi Power Tools brand, rebranded 2018) provides AIMS with strong cordless coverage particularly for workshops standardised on HiKOKI's 36V and 18V battery platforms:

• HiKOKI R36DB(H4Z) 36V Brushless Cordless Vacuum — 36V brushless cordless, fabric filter, 73,000 RPM brushless motor, suitable for carpet and concrete flooring cleanup
• HiKOKI R18DSL(H4Z) 18V Wet & Dry — 18V wet & dry vacuum, semi-transparent dust case, 670ml capacity, compact field format
• HiKOKI RB18DC(DS4Z) 18V Cordless Blower-Vac Combo — dual-function unit (blower and vacuum), 20-130 minute operating time per charge depending on mode and load

HiKOKI's strength is integration with the broader 36V multi-volt and 18V tool ecosystem — workshops already invested in HiKOKI cordless tools gain the autostart and battery-sharing benefits.

AU brand alternatives — source on request

AIMS does not regularly stock these brands at retail but can source on request through specialty channels — call (02) 9773 0122 or use the contact form. For most Australian industrial workshops, the Metabo + HiKOKI range delivers practical L/M/H Class coverage at standing-stock pricing.

Mining + utility deployment context

Australian mining, civil infrastructure and utility operators face dust extraction at scale. Practical context:

• Mining site silica compliance — Rio Tinto, BHP, Fortescue contractor compliance frameworks specify M-Class minimum extraction for cutting/grinding/drilling work on silica-bearing materials. H-Class is increasingly required for engineered stone disturbance and confirmed carcinogenic dust handling.
• Concrete cutting compliance positioning — Tyrolit AU guidance specifies extractor inlet positioned within 300mm of cutting zone, continuous air quality monitoring. A 230mm angle grinder under load produces 50-100 m³/min of dust-laden air output — mains extraction required.
• Spitwater VACSTORM — Adelaide-manufactured industrial vacuum range specifically built for mining underground operations, mineral processing areas, workshop heavy-duty cleanup. Tackles wet and dry waste in harsh underground conditions.
• Pullman commercial — Australian heritage brand servicing hotels, schools, healthcare, and professional cleaning. The 60L Outtrigger heavy-duty commercial is the AU heritage benchmark.
• Telecom + utility infrastructure — cell tower, substation, water/sewage utility access points often handled with portable cordless extractors integrated with contractor compliance audit trail systems.

Common workshop mistakes — the 10-row table

Selection by application — the practical kit

AIMS supply ladder — workshop to compliance

AIMS stocks the Metabo and HiKOKI range across the vacuum cleaners & accessories collection. Specialty premium / heritage brands sourced on request through specialty supply channels.

For workshop fit-out, silica compliance equipment specification, mining site contractor compliance support, or specialty brand sourcing, call AIMS on (02) 9773 0122 or use the contact form. Specialty brand items typically ship in 2-4 weeks through specialty supplier channels.

Related AIMS guides

• Respirator Guide — P2/P3 respirator selection for silica + engineered stone + asbestos work (the PPE side of the extraction workflow)
• Diamond Blade Guide — concrete cutting tool side; pair with M/H-Class extraction
• Angle Grinder Guide — grinder selection; 6"+ grinders require mains-tier extraction
• Plasma Cutter Guide — plasma fume/dust extraction context
• Bench Grinder Guide — fixed-station grinding extraction
• Industrial Hand Cleaner Guide — post-work skin care after silica/lead exposure prevention
• Safety Glasses Guide, Safety Boots Guide, Hearing Protection Guide — PPE stack for industrial dust work
• Industrial Paint Marker Guide — workshop layout marking that defines cutting zones for extraction setup
• Industrial Padlock Guide — securing the workshop / mining site equipment between shifts
• Lockout Tagout Guide — lockout/tagout for vacuum motor maintenance and filter changes

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a shop vac, dust extractor, and dust collector?

A shop vac is a general-purpose wet/dry vacuum for workshop cleanup — large debris, occasional fine dust, cloth or paper bag, no specific dust class certification. A dust extractor is purpose-built for fine hazardous dust — HEPA filtration, sealed containment, auto-clean filter, AS/NZS 60335.2.69 L/M/H certified, designed to connect to power tool dust ports. A dust collector is high-CFM low-pressure equipment for stationary woodshop machinery (table saw, jointer, planer) — moves large volumes of chips and shavings rather than fine dust. Most professional workshops use both a dust extractor (for portable tools + compliance) and either a dust collector (for stationary machines) or a shop vac (for general cleanup).

What does L/M/H class mean for vacuums?

L, M and H are the three dust classes defined by AS/NZS 60335.2.69 (the AU/NZ adoption of EN 60335-2-69). L Class captures 99% of dust, suitable for low-hazard materials with workplace exposure limit (WES) greater than 1 mg/m³ — general dust, soil, household debris. M Class captures 99.9% of dust, suitable for medium-hazard materials with WES greater than 0.1 mg/m³ — wood dust, cement, concrete, masonry, silica (general site work), paint particulates. H Class captures 99.995% of dust, suitable for high-hazard materials — asbestos, mould spores, lead, carcinogenic substances, and engineered stone disturbance work post-2024.

Do I need an H-Class vacuum for silica work in 2024-2025?

Yes — increasingly. The Safe Work Australia 2024-2025 regulatory framework has tightened. For general silica work on traditional concrete, masonry and brick where the WES of 0.05 mg/m³ is not exceeded, an M-Class vacuum with auto-filter-cleaning is the workshop standard. For engineered stone work (manufacture, supply, processing and installation banned from 1 July 2024 nationally; legacy disturbance work still permitted under strict WHS controls), H-Class is required. For asbestos, mould, lead-based paint, all confirmed carcinogenic dust — H-Class is mandatory. The trend is toward H-Class as the default for compliance work; M-Class remains acceptable for general construction site cleanup.

What does the 2024 engineered stone ban mean for my workshop?

From 1 July 2024, the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs is prohibited across all Australian states and territories. Engineered stone is defined as an artificial product containing at least 1% crystalline silica by weight. The ban does NOT cover legacy engineered stone already installed in existing buildings — disturbance work (cutting, drilling, demolition, removal, disposal) is permitted but only under strict WHS controls including H-Class vacuum extraction with auto-filter-cleaning, dedicated PPE including P2/P3 respirators, water suppression, exposure monitoring, and worker health surveillance. If your workshop disturbs legacy engineered stone, an H-Class vacuum is now mandatory equipment.

What's the difference between HEPA H13 and H14 filters?

HEPA H13 captures 99.95% of particles at 0.3 microns. HEPA H14 captures 99.995% at the same particle size — ten times fewer particles slip through. H14 is the filter grade required to meet AS/NZS 60335.2.69 H-Class certification. For asbestos, respirable crystalline silica in engineered stone, lead and other carcinogenic dust, the extra safeguard of H14 is essential — by the time you discover an H13 filter wasn't quite enough, exposure has already occurred. H13 is acceptable for general M-Class work where the WES isn't being approached; H14 is the standard for H-Class compliance.

Can I use a regular shop vac for concrete cutting?

No. Standard shop vacs lack the M/H-Class certified filtration, sealed containment, and auto-clean filter that AS/NZS 60335.2.69 and Safe Work Australia silica regulations require. A standard shop vac will collect visible debris but pass respirable silica particles through the filter and exhaust them back into the workshop air at face level. For any concrete cutting, grinding, drilling or sawing under the WHS Regulations strengthened from 1 September 2024, an M-Class minimum (Grade 99.9% filtration with auto-clean) is required. For engineered stone or confirmed carcinogenic dust, H-Class is required. The standard shop vac is for general cleanup of large debris only.

What is auto-clean filter and why does it matter for silica work?

Auto-clean (or 'AutoClean') is a semi-automatic filter cleaning system built into M-Class and H-Class dust extractors. As the filter loads with dust during work, suction drops; an auto-clean mechanism (typically air pulse or filter shaker) periodically dislodges accumulated dust from the filter back into the collection bag without the operator stopping work. This matters because manual-only filter cleaning rapidly degrades performance during extended grinding or cutting operations — within 15-30 minutes of heavy dust generation, a non-auto-clean extractor's airflow falls below the level needed for effective extraction. Safe Work Australia silica compliance specifically calls for auto-cleaning H-Class units for sustained silica work.

What size hose do I need for my power tool?

27mm hose for small handheld tools — random orbital sanders, jigsaws, small routers, palm sanders. 32mm hose for medium tools — small circular saws, larger sanders, multi-tools. 36mm hose for general cleanup, larger circular saws, mid-range power tools. 50mm hose for general workshop cleanup, stationary tools with 50mm dust ports, mid-size table saws and chop saws. 63mm and larger for stationary machinery generating heavy chips and shavings — thicknessers, planers, large band saws. Smaller diameters give better dust velocity but clog faster on heavy debris; larger diameters give more airflow but lower velocity. Match the hose to the dust port on your tool and the type of debris being captured.

What is Power Take Off / autostart on a dust extractor?

Power Take Off (PTO), autostart and Metabo CordlessControl are different names for the same feature — the dust extractor automatically starts when a connected power tool starts, and stops when the tool stops. Mains extractors typically have a PTO socket — plug the power tool into the extractor's socket, the extractor senses the tool turning on and triggers its own motor. Cordless systems (Metabo CordlessControl, Makita AWS, Festool Bluetooth) use a wireless signal between the tool and extractor. This feature is operationally significant because it ensures extraction is always running during cutting/grinding, eliminates wasted suction during tool-off intervals, and removes the discipline failure of operators forgetting to turn on the extractor before starting work.

Can I vacuum water with a dust extractor?

Yes if it's a wet/dry extractor (most M-Class and H-Class extractors are dual-purpose) — but follow the manufacturer's switchover procedure. For wet vacuuming, remove the paper or fleece bag (use the tank directly), ensure the filter is rated for wet use (most modern PTFE-coated and pleated paper filters are), and engage the float shutoff if equipped. Wet extractors have a float ball that rises with water level and shuts off suction before the motor takes water in — critical to avoid motor damage. After wet vacuuming, drain the tank completely, run the extractor dry for several minutes to dry the filter, and re-install the bag for dry work. Never wet-vacuum with a dust extractor that doesn't have a float shutoff or with a non-wet-rated filter.

Mains vs cordless industrial vacuum — which should I buy?

Both, if you do serious industrial work. Mains 1400W extractors deliver 127-148 CFM with 92" water lift and continuous runtime — the standard for sustained concrete cutting, grinding, large workshop cleanup and silica compliance work. Cordless 36V (2x18V) extractors deliver 74-109 CFM with 36-76" water lift and 25-65 minute runtime depending on battery — sufficient for portable / mobile / spot work and short-interval silica compliance interventions. For a 230mm angle grinder producing 50-100 m³/min of dust-laden air, cordless cannot keep up; mains is required. For drilling anchors, small grinding tasks or field maintenance on remote infrastructure, cordless wins on mobility. Most professional AU contractors run both — mains in the workshop / fixed station, cordless for field and portable work.

Why are dust extractors more expensive than shop vacs?

Dust extractors have substantial engineering content that shop vacs lack: HEPA-grade filters (H13 or H14) instead of cloth or paper, sealed containment to prevent dust bypass around the filter, auto-clean filter mechanisms (air pulse or shaker), AS/NZS 60335.2.69 dust class certification testing and documentation, Power Take Off / autostart electronics, antistatic hoses for combustible dust, fleece bag systems for exposure reduction during bag changes, and significantly higher motor and turbine specifications for sustained high-static-pressure operation. A shop vac is designed for occasional cleanup; a dust extractor is designed for daily sustained compliance work. The price difference reflects the compliance certification and engineering depth.

How do I prevent silica exposure when changing the bag?

Use fleece bags (sometimes called 'safety bags') rather than paper bags for any silica, lead or asbestos work. Fleece bags have a tighter weave and a closure mechanism that lets you seal the bag opening before removing it from the extractor — exposure to the bag contents during change is dramatically reduced. Standard procedure: don P2 or P3 respirator before opening the extractor, slide the bag closure shut, lift the sealed bag straight up without inverting it, place in a sealed plastic disposal bag, decontaminate the extractor interior with a damp wipe. Never empty an extractor bag into a workshop bin — sealed disposal direct from the extractor to hazardous waste collection. AS/NZS H-Class compliance assumes correct bag change procedure.

Do I need an antistatic hose?

Yes if you're extracting combustible dust — sawdust (particularly fine furniture-making dust), grain dust, plastic dust, certain metal dusts. Static electricity builds up as dust particles travel through a non-conductive PVC hose at speed; the discharge spark can ignite the dust-air mixture inside the hose or collection bin. The risk is real — fine wood dust in an enclosed bin is genuinely explosive. Antistatic hoses (Festool standard, Bosch optional, Metabo on better models) have a conductive layer or wire that dissipates the static charge safely. For metal grinding dust, masonry dust and similar non-combustible materials the risk is much lower, but antistatic hose is good general practice.

What's the difference between Metabo, HiKOKI, Festool, and Pullman?

Metabo (German, owned by Hitachi/HiKOKI parent) — full L/M/H Class industrial range, mains 1400W 35L/50L and cordless 36V 25L/30L. Often built by Starmix under contract. AIMS standing stock. HiKOKI (Japanese, was Hitachi Power Tools) — strong cordless 18V/36V range, blower-vac combos, integrated with the broader HiKOKI tool ecosystem. AIMS standing stock. Festool (German) — premium dust extraction specifically for the Festool tool ecosystem, premium woodworking integration, $1,100+ tier; not stocked at AIMS retail. Pullman (Australian heritage) — durable commercial vacuum specialist, hotels/schools/healthcare/professional cleaners; not regularly stocked at AIMS. For Australian industrial silica compliance work, Metabo's full L/M/H range covers the practical workshop needs at AIMS standing-stock pricing.