Anyone own a Fein Turbo vac? Have questions...

[billg71]

Here's my situation: I have an older Turbo II(9-55-13) that I'm happy with but I want to build a stand for my Kapex and would like to have a dedicated vac for it. A Turbo III would give me a bit more suction(99" lift vs. 90") and an additional 10 cfm of airflow(126 cfm v. 116). I think the Kapex would benefit from both BUT, I don't need the 15-gal capacity(and the increase in size) of the Turbo III just for the Kapex.

Here's what I'd like to do: Use the Turbo III head on my old Turbo II canister in the Kapex stand and put the 15-gal canister under the Turbo II head for general use.

I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with both units and knows if they're the same diameter at the canister mount? 

I could just drag my vac down to Highland and play mix'n'match, but I hate to take their time when I know I won't buy it from them because their price is so much higher than online.

So if anyone can help me out, please chime in!

TIA,
Bill

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Bill, just give Fein a call tomorrow.  They're just as helpful as Festool customer service.  They're in Pittsburgh, PA.

 

[Holzhacker]

I also have an older TII that is pretty much my shop vac these days. I use it for the 850, sanders and 12" Bosch SCMS.
Don't know if the TII and TIII heads are compatible. Just go to the store and swap their heads around, no need to take yours with.
My TII does an excellent job with the Bosch. I've never felt the need to move up to the TIII. Can't imagine the Kapex is going to put out more dust than the Bosch during cutting.

 

[GruntSgt]

I've got the older Turbo II that I use with my Festools as I have'nt gotten a CT yet. I've been using the smaller Festool hose on it with my Kapex and still getting a lot of sawdust out the back. In Henderson last week Steve told us to use the 36mm with the Kapex. He actually cut one in half and improved the efficiency. When I got home I hooked up  A Mr. Vacuum hose (app. 36mm) to it and WOW! Big difference in the collection, very little dust behind the saw. When I get my miter bench and storage built along one wall of the shop the Turbo will be dedicated to the Kapex.

 

[billg71]

Thanks for the input guys! I meant to call Fein today and ask, even called last night so I'd have the # in my phone but got busy and forgot... But at least I got soem fishing in!  [big grin]

So I just sent them an email, hopefully I'll get a response soon.

Reading responses brought to mind another consideration, what to do with the Dust Deputy?I've come to rely on it, it saves tons of time cleaning the filter bag. But there's no way it'll fit under a miter saw stand, at least not one I can fit in my shop...  [blink]

Just did some checking around, it looks like the older heads might not be compatible with the newer vacs, Highland lists 2 different 5-micron cloth filters for the old and new versions.

Maybe I'll just rig up some kind of rolling platform for the Turbo II /DD and save myself some money in the process.

I'll pass on what I hear from Fein.

Thanks again,
Bill

 

[Kevin Stricker]

You will probably improve DC over a stock TIII by making a custom 36 or 50mm short hose for your TII.

 

[billg71]

Got a reply from Fein this AM, seems the new heads aren't interchangeable with the old ones. 

Guess I saved myself a nice chunk of change, though!  [smile]

I'll build a cart for the vac and Dust Deputy and rig a shorter hose for use with the Kapex. The 36mm works better than the Fein 1-1/4, I think I'll cut down a piece of 2-1/4 hose and see if that helps.

Thanks to all for the suggestions!

Bill