A lot of discussion about this new Festool product on this thread and the concurrent thread: “CT CYCLONE Pre-Seperator: Coming To NA...”.
And in them both are a good number of “how Festool SHOULD have done it” posts...
Months before any buyer/users have actually had the chance to use it.
BOTTOM LINE: This is what Festool’s offering. It is what it is. Take it... Or leave it.
When one evaluates the purchase of any new Festool product - It needs to be done in the context of Festool’s GERMAN/European focus on their PRIMARY market - The worksite TRADESMAN - An enormously larger customer base than the woodworkers’ market.
Hence, their clear focus on “mobile” products: MFTs, Systainers, Mobile Dust Extractors, Battery powered hand tools, etc. And now their “add-on” Separator.
IMO - If you’re a “Road Warrior” - Hauling your Dust Extractor from job site to job site -
This looks like a terrific improvement to the present circumstance.
I’d most likely buy one - And 2-3 extra of the collection tubs.
If your woodworking is done “in the shop” - Like me - I for one - Am not interested.
I’ll stick with my -
Oneida ALL STEEL Heavy-Duty Dust Deputy 2" DIY Cyclone Separator (
$199)
https://www.oneida-air.com/inventoryD.asp?item_no=AXD001002&CatId=%7B2C6BB449-99F9-4CB9-BC27-CAF1BB570002%7DAnd my -
Oneida Super Dust Deputy® 17 Gal. Steel Drum Kit
$101https://www.oneida-air.com/inventoryD.asp?item_no=SXK170601&CatId=%7BA34256DD-0599-4A53-B7BA-EB8FB4C63260%7DWHY:
1.
It’s a TRUE CYCLONE - Virtually TOTAL - KNOWN - separation.
2.
It’s an ALL STEEL product - Not a plastic “whanna be”.
And... While I presume Festool has built into their new Separator “anti-static” properties to avoid “frying” the electronics of their Dust Extractors - I KNOW - From years of experience - That my ALL STEEL Dust Deputy/Drum setup is safe for my Festool DE’s.
3.
PRICE - The ALL STEEL - TRUE CYCLONE and DRUM - Costs $199 + $101 = $300
$75 - 20% LESS - Than Festool’s $375 (U.S) PLASTIC Separator.
I know... Not as cheap as the plastic Dust Deputy/plastic bucket setup.
But, if you’re buying Festool tools at measurably higher prices - Why not an ALL STEEL Dust Deputy/Drum. I decided to pay a little more - Do it right - Do it once.
MY CONCLUSION:
My woodworking’s done in my shop. I’ll stick with what’s working for me.
Proven Cyclone “Total” Separation - Known to be Safe for my Festool Dust Extractors - Cheaper.
DISCLAIMER: I don’t work for/receive any compensation from Oneida. I bought the products.