The Delta Dust Collector 50-850 is a discontinued 1.5-hp shop machine, so its price depends more on condition, included parts, and local availability than on a current manufacturer list price. U.S. buyers commonly see used units around $150-$350, while clean, complete examples or remaining new-old-stock machines can cost more.
Filters, hoses, pickup, and shipping can raise the total beyond the advertised machine price. The estimates below distinguish the collector itself from common purchase extras.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used Delta 50-850 | $150 | $250 | $350 | Working machine, condition and completeness vary |
| Clean or refurbished used unit | $275 | $400 | $550 | May include a serviced motor or upgraded filter |
| New-old-stock unit | $400 | $550 | $700+ | Scarce inventory; verify that it is genuinely unused |
| Typical pickup-ready total | $180 | $300 | $500 | Includes a modest allowance for missing bags or fittings |
| Delivery and setup extras | $0 | $75 | $250 | Depends on distance, freight, and accessory needs |
What a Delta 50-850 Usually Costs Used
For a functioning 50-850 bought locally, a practical budget is $200-$350, with about $250-$300 typical for a complete, serviceable unit. Lower-priced listings are more likely to need a filter bag, hose, wheels, electrical attention, or a careful test. A clean machine with its original base, impeller housing, motor, and bag assembly can command the upper end of the used range.
The 50-850 is generally described as a 1.5-hp dust collector intended for a small shop. Sellers may quote airflow specifications differently depending on whether they cite free-air ratings or performance under duct resistance. Buyers should confirm the label and included configuration rather than assume that a listing’s CFM claim guarantees performance at a machine hood.
New-old-stock pricing is less predictable because the model is discontinued and availability is limited. A sealed or lightly used example may be advertised for $400-$700 or more, but a premium only makes sense if the collector is complete, undamaged, and priced reasonably against current alternatives. Assumptions: U.S. local-market purchase, standard electrical supply, no extensive duct installation, and ordinary cosmetic wear on used equipment.
How Motor, Bag, and Pickup Parts Shape the Quote
A seller’s asking price may not include all the parts needed to collect dust effectively. Compare the machine configuration with the intended shop layout: a collector sold with a basic bag and short hose is not equivalent to one bundled with a better filter, blast gates, and several feet of duct. Price the complete working setup, not just the motor and housing.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | What changes the amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collector and motor assembly | $150 | $250 | $350 | Condition, local supply, included base |
| Replacement collection bag | $25 | $45 | $80 | Size, fabric, and compatible attachment |
| Filter upgrade | $60 | $120 | $220 | Filter area, filtration rating, and fit |
| Hose and basic fittings | $20 | $55 | $120 | Diameter, length, clamps, and adapters |
| Delivery or freight | $0 | $75 | $250 | Pickup distance, carrier, and packaging |
| Minor repair allowance | $0 | $40 | $150 | Switches, wheels, wiring, or small hardware |
These are planning ranges rather than guaranteed parts prices. Confirm the collector’s inlet diameter, bag attachment, and model label before ordering replacements; older machines may have been modified or may need an adapter. A filter advertised as compatible should be checked for dimensions and connection style.
Which 50-850 Condition and Filter Specs Change the Price?
Condition is the largest price variable. A motor that starts smoothly, runs without unusual vibration, and does not smell overheated is worth more than a machine offered untested. Check the impeller housing for dents or rubbing, inspect the cord and switch, and verify that the frame is stable. Heavy rust, a cracked housing, or a missing motor can turn a low asking price into an uneconomic repair.
Filter condition also matters. A torn or clogged collection bag can cost roughly $25-$80 to replace, while a cartridge-style upgrade may add $60-$220 depending on its size and filtration rating. A worn filter can reduce airflow, and a fine-dust upgrade is not a substitute for good duct design or safe handling of hazardous dust.
Shop configuration changes value as well. A unit with a 6-inch inlet, if confirmed on the particular machine, may need a reducer for smaller tool ports; fittings and hose can add $20-$120. A buyer planning to serve one machine with a short hose has different needs from someone expecting a branched duct run of 20 feet or more. Verify the actual inlet and included accessories before comparing two listings.
Electrical condition is another threshold to check. Confirm that the motor nameplate matches the available voltage and that the plug and wiring are intact; do not assume a seller’s “ready to run” description covers a dedicated circuit or local electrical-code work. If repairs require a technician, labor can add around $75-$125 per hour, apart from parts.
Used Listing Checks That Can Prevent a Costly Surprise
Ask the seller to run the collector long enough to hear its normal operating sound and check for excessive movement. With the machine off and unplugged, inspect the bag seams, clamps, housing, impeller area, base, and wheel hardware. Confirm that the model plate identifies a 50-850 rather than a visually similar Delta collector with different parts or motor specifications.
Ask what is included in writing or through clear listing photos: upper filter or bag, lower collection bag, clamps, hose, mobile base, switch, and any reducers. Missing accessories are not automatically a deal breaker, but they should reduce the offer by the expected replacement cost. A low-cost unit sold “as is” should be valued as a repair candidate, not as a tested machine.
Set a maximum purchase price after adding the cost of missing parts and any likely repair. For example, a $175 machine missing a $50 bag and $40 in fittings has a realistic initial outlay near $265 before delivery. If the motor is untested, leave a larger contingency or walk away unless the buyer is comfortable diagnosing used shop equipment.
How Local Delivery and Shop Setup Affect the Total
Local pickup is often the best-value route because the collector is bulky and a used machine may not be packaged for freight. A nearby seller may charge nothing for pickup, while a short paid delivery or rental vehicle can add $30-$100. Long-distance freight can reach $150-$300 or more after packing and carrier charges, which can erase the savings of a low online listing.
Assembly and connection are usually manageable for a buyer with basic tools, but the full setup depends on the shop. A short flexible-hose connection might require only $20-$60 in adapters and clamps. A more organized one-machine connection may run $60-$180 for hose, a reducer, a blast gate, and mounting supplies. Multiple drops, long duct runs, or electrical work are separate project expenses and can exceed the collector’s purchase price.
Plan for the collector’s footprint and route to the machine before committing. A unit that cannot fit through a doorway or turn into a shop corner may require disassembly or a paid delivery crew. Confirm access, weight, and loading help before agreeing to a pickup time. Sellers may not have the equipment or people needed to lift it safely.
Delta 50-850 Prices Compared With Current Collectors
A used 50-850 around $200-$350 can be a reasonable budget purchase if its motor works and the filter and bags are serviceable. A new entry-level collector from another brand may cost roughly $250-$500, while a current 1.5-hp machine with a better filtration package can land around $400-$800. These are broad retail planning ranges; included filters, capacity claims, and warranties differ substantially.
Compare more than horsepower. Check the dust collector’s filtration rating, bag or cartridge area, inlet size, published airflow conditions, noise, and parts availability. A new machine may cost more but include a warranty and easier-to-source accessories. A used Delta can be cheaper upfront, yet a replacement filter and delivery may narrow the gap.
For a small shop collecting from one tool at a time, a shop vacuum with a separator may cost about $100-$350 to assemble, depending on filtration and accessories. It is not a direct substitute for every woodworking machine or a long duct system. Choose by the tool’s dust port and expected airflow, not by the lowest sticker price alone.
Three Realistic Budgets for Buying This Dust Collector
A basic local pickup can total $190-$260. This example assumes a tested used 50-850 at $175-$225, a serviceable bag, and no delivery charge. A buyer may add $15-$35 for a reducer or clamp if the included connection does not fit the tool.
A complete small-shop setup can total $330-$500. A clean used machine at $250-$325, a $60-$120 filter upgrade, and $20-$55 in hose or fittings create a practical setup for one or two nearby tools. This assumes the motor and switch test correctly and no electrician or duct contractor is needed.
A delivered, repair-risk purchase can reach $450-$700. A scarce clean unit or new-old-stock listing at $400-$550, plus $75-$150 delivery and up to $100 for missing accessories, approaches the price of some new alternatives. At that level, check the warranty, return terms, and current replacement options before paying a collector premium.
Where Buyers Can Trim the 50-850 Purchase Price
Buy locally and compare the machine’s complete contents before negotiating. A seller who includes a usable bag, base, and fittings may offer better value than a cheaper bare unit. Ask for a demonstration and use documented defects—such as a damaged switch or torn bag—to estimate a fair reduction rather than bargaining without a repair basis.
Match the filter and duct setup to actual use. Buyers who only need to connect one tool may not need an expensive network of permanent ducting or a premium filter immediately. However, avoiding an unnecessary upgrade should not mean accepting a torn bag, poor seals, or inadequate dust control. Set a realistic minimum for safe operation and budget for it before purchase.
Check listings over several weeks rather than paying extra for urgency, especially for a discontinued model. Search local used-equipment listings and woodworking groups, and compare the final delivered price with a new machine that has a warranty. When the used collector plus repairs, filter, and freight approaches $500-$600, a current-model purchase may be the lower-risk value.