Aluminum dust collection

[Nick C]

I note that there is a blade for the Kapex and the track saws that cuts aluminum. There is also a Festool router bit for aluminum. Is it OK to use the Festool dust collector when cutting aluminum with these tools? I am a little concerned about harming the vac filter, and also introducing hot metal debris into a vac containing combustable wood debris.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Collection metal dust while cutting is always a risk. As you say the particles can be hot enough to ignite the vac's contents. Festool is aware of this problem and has made a spark trap especially for this. It is pricey though. Without this contraption, there certainly is a risk involved.  

 

[Alan m]

does anyone on the fog actually have one of those. they pop up every now and then but no one has any experience of it.
i wonder if some kind of preseperator would work

 

[Kev]

Collection metal dust while cutting is always a risk. As you say the particles can be hot enough to ignite the vac's contents. Festool is aware of this problem and has made a spark trap especially for this. It is pricey though. Without this contraption, there certainly is a risk involved.  

Looks cheap compared to the cost of what could go wrong!

 

[tbellemare]

I have sold the Spark Traps for knock-down of chunks more than for hot metal. They work well to take chunks out of the flow of stuff going into the CT and soon the back of the bag. I have had hot metal fragments from cutting hit my skin many times and I wouldn't want them going into a bag full of dust.

Tom

 

[AlexThePalex]

Collection metal dust while cutting is always a risk. As you say the particles can be hot enough to ignite the vac's contents. Festool is aware of this problem and has made a spark trap especially for this. It is pricey though. Without this contraption, there certainly is a risk involved.  

Looks cheap compared to the cost of what could go wrong!

Well, that's most certainly true. The question is whether the occasional cut in metal justifies spending a lot of money on it. The Amazon link says $126 but most other links say $200 or more. In Europe it's €220. I think when it comes to Festool's best sellers list, this thing is right at the bottom of it.

Personally, I don't see the need for dust collection when cutting metal. Unlike wood or plaster dust, it doesn't get airborne but drops to the ground right away due to its density. Seems much safer to me to just swoop it up afterwards then to suck it into a fire hazzard.

 

[tbellemare]

Spark Trap here, $126.

Tom