Well I can't add too much to the technical discussion, but I will add one point. Let's not lose sight of the fact that ANY dust collection is better than none, and ANY upgrade on your system you can make, now or later, is also better than none.
A shop vac collecting at the tool is a great start.
Add a cyclone collector to that shop vac and you've made a huge improvement.
Get a cheap HF dust collector, and you'll realize what a step up that is over a shop vac.
Put a Thien baffle or separator and/or upgrade the filter and again you've made a huge leap.
Getting a larger collector with more CFM....ditto
Getting more efficient ducting....ditto
Upgrading to a true cyclone machine....ditto
You can always make your system better and more effective, just remember to start doing something about it now....even it's a small step that you improve over time. That's far better than waiting until you can do the perfect (ie pricey) system and then realizing that you're waiting has already caused you health concerns.....too late then.
A shop vac collecting at the tool is a great start.
Add a cyclone collector to that shop vac and you've made a huge improvement.
Get a cheap HF dust collector, and you'll realize what a step up that is over a shop vac.
Put a Thien baffle or separator and/or upgrade the filter and again you've made a huge leap.
Getting a larger collector with more CFM....ditto
Getting more efficient ducting....ditto
Upgrading to a true cyclone machine....ditto
You can always make your system better and more effective, just remember to start doing something about it now....even it's a small step that you improve over time. That's far better than waiting until you can do the perfect (ie pricey) system and then realizing that you're waiting has already caused you health concerns.....too late then.