Abstract: A dust collector having opposing guide rails for aligning filter cartridges with the apertures defined by the collector chamber thereof so that the exhaust port of each filter cartridge is substantially aligned with the aperture to which the filter cartridge corresponds. The dust collector also comprises locking bars having free edges for moving the filter cartridges into a position where the filter cartridges contact the wall of the collector chamber which defines the apertures which form part of the air outlet pathway of the dust collector; clamps for removably securing the filter cartridges in that position; and wherein the guide rails support the filter cartridges within the collector chamber while they are being aligned therein.