Are you using supplemental dust collection with your Kapex and dust extractor?

[gstuartw]

My workshop is coming together and as I complete it I am once again scrutinizing the dust collection system. My stationary machine dust collection needs will be served by a Clear Vue 1800 cyclone dust collector while the growing arsenal of Festool products will be using my CT 36. I do not currently own a Kapex but each time I see it I feel more and more confident I will own one within the next 6 months. Most dust conscious woodworkers I have met or seen on line who are using a miter saw, compound or not have their machine hooked up to their dust collection in at least two ways. A hose attached to the blade surround and a hood behind the saw, some even have a port under the saw.

Given the quality of the Festool design when it comes to dust collection I'm curious if many Kapex users are supplementing their dust collection beyond the  Festool dust extractor they are using? Just how complete is the dust collection on the Kapex?

 

[ccarrolladams]

In my large custom cabinet shop all of the fixed machines are serviced by the plant dust collection system, with the blowers, filters and bags outside the building as required by the local building code. In addition I own several CT22 for Festools needing controllable dust extraction.

My Kapex permanently installed on long benches have supplemental typical miter saw dust shrouds behind and slightly below them. Those are connected to the plant DC system with 100mm hoses. A convenient switch remotely opens the blast gates for those hoses when one of those Kapex is in use. Originally each of those Kapex also had a dedicated CT22 connected to the dust port with a short length of 36mm AS hose. Later I designed a device I call an "Accelerator" which has its own blower which discharges into the plant DC system. The purpose is to provide the Kapex with the same velocity of extraction as would a CT22.

I have never powered any of my Kapex through the Festool CT. Instead their CTs have toggle foot-switches. One tap turns on the extraction and the next tap turns it off. My experience is that the Kapex works most efficiently when the extraction runs continuously during a cutting session.

Those typical dust shrouds catch the fairly small amount of dust which escapes the Kapex dust extraction, saving end of shift manual clean-up. Three other Kapex are on rolling carts I designed to be positioned as needed in other areas of my shop. Those carts hold a CT22 on a low platform with rolls with the cart. Yes, traces of dust needs to be cleaned up at the end of shifts, but those roaming Kapex are only used for a few critical minutes per shift. The permanently located Kapex each are sawing 4-5 hours per shift.

The Kapex we take to customer sites travel with CT36 on UG stands. We simply place a drop cloth below and behind them when in use.

 

[sancho57]

I have 2 CT Extracters. A 26 which I bought new and a 22 which I bought used, the 26 is hooked up to my kapex and is used also with my CMS, the 22 for use with the other tools TS55, domino, sanders 850 etc.

Now I do have a Delta 13" thickness Planer.  I need to come up with something for that. Someone here showed a set up using the DD or something simular for that use which I havent tried yet but am open to.

 

[gstuartw]

In my large custom cabinet shop all of the fixed machines are serviced by the plant dust collection system, with the blowers, filters and bags outside the building as required by the local building code. In addition I own several CT22 for Festools needing controllable dust extraction.

My Kapex permanently installed on long benches have supplemental typical miter saw dust shrouds behind and slightly below them. Those are connected to the plant DC system with 100mm hoses. A convenient switch remotely opens the blast gates for those hoses when one of those Kapex is in use. Originally each of those Kapex also had a dedicated CT22 connected to the dust port with a short length of 36mm AS hose. Later I designed a device I call an "Accelerator" which has its own blower which discharges into the plant DC system. The purpose is to provide the Kapex with the same velocity of extraction as would a CT22.

I have never powered any of my Kapex through the Festool CT. Instead their CTs have toggle foot-switches. One tap turns on the extraction and the next tap turns it off. My experience is that the Kapex works most efficiently when the extraction runs continuously during a cutting session.

Those typical dust shrouds catch the fairly small amount of dust which escapes the Kapex dust extraction, saving end of shift manual clean-up. Three other Kapex are on rolling carts I designed to be positioned as needed in other areas of my shop. Those carts hold a CT22 on a low platform with rolls with the cart. Yes, traces of dust needs to be cleaned up at the end of shifts, but those roaming Kapex are only used for a few critical minutes per shift. The permanently located Kapex each are sawing 4-5 hours per shift.

The Kapex we take to customer sites travel with CT36 on UG stands. We simply place a drop cloth below and behind them when in use.

Wow! Thanks for the in-depth info. I'll follow suit and include the Kapex in the Clear Vue's list of equipment to serve as well as use the CT 36.

 

[ccarrolladams]

That sounds like a good plan. I dare say virtually any dust collection system has all the capacity needed to work with a miter saw dust shroud behind a Kapex.

Let me also add to those thinking about a Mini or Midi for Kapex, those can do very well. To use a 36mm hose with those Festool extractors, you cannot place a Systainer on top. The hose comes down to the vac through the hose garage. When the Midi is under the Kapex that is very good, because the hose is running downward without a bend.

You will find that the Kapex does not create a lot of dust. Compared to the value of the work being done with a Kapex the cost of CT bags is low.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

For 90 degree cuts, the Kapex boot will do a pretty good job.  But, if you have a zero clearance fence, which is a neccesity if you want to safe the piece from tear-out, then the  kapex boot will be less efficient. It will require a a little more clean up.

If  you plan on any compound angles, then you should expect more saw dust.  The next time that I have a build requiring other than 90 degree chop saw cuts,  then I am going to try a make-shift saw hood using an old bed sheet and the extra Oneida bucket.  If this doesn't work well, then I will go buy a Fastcap Sawhood. (If I didn't have to wheel my saw into a cabinet at the end of the work day, then I would build a vacumm hood, from plywood, to catch the the excess.) hope this helps.

 

[Birdhunter]

I have a Festool vac hooked to the Kapex with the 36mm hose and find a little dust behind the saw. I'm kind of a nut on shop cleanliness and vacuum off all my tools at the end of every day. About once a week, I have to vacuum behind the Kapex. A non-scientific estimate says 90% to 95% of the dust is captured.

But, about 80% of my cuts are 90 degrees and the remainder are 45% cuts. The Kapex hood works very well for those cuts. A non-scientific estimate says 90% to 95% of the dust is captured.

I really like the way the Festool vac nestles under the Kapex stand. Very neat.

P.S. I really struggled with paying the premium for the Kapex when I had a very good older saw. I had to drag the old miter saw outside because of its massive dust cloud it generated. The Kapex eliminates that problem.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Absolutely, I use supplemental dust collection, regardless of what tool I am using, whenever it is feasible.

When using my Kapex, I hook it up to my CT-26 via a 36mm hose. Regardless of what percentage you want to claim the Kapex collects (I prefer to think of it as, regardless of the actual % of dust collected, it's better than the alternatives), it doesn't collect everything. At the end of a long day of cutting millwork, there is still a pile of sawdust surrounding my cut station.

For supplemental dust collection when working on site, I have had great results using the Shop Vac Air Cleaner air filter. I usually don't give Shop Vac products a second look, but this tool is very effective. A very simple device, it has a stainless steel body, impact resistant plastic ends, a filter cartridge and a low speed high volume fan. This tool is nearly bomb-proof, very quiet, and effective. This is a tool that appears the first day of any major remodel project, and is one of the last tools to leave.

I cannot advocate enough for this eminently affordable, effective tool. Now, just waiting for Festool to release a version with a HEPA filter and a Systainer dock......

http://www.amazon.com/Shop-Vac-1030000-Cleaner-Filtration-System/dp/B00004T181

 

[WPeters]

I have never powered any of my Kapex through the Festool CT. Instead their CTs have toggle foot-switches. One tap turns on the extraction and the next tap turns it off. My experience is that the Kapex works most efficiently when the extraction runs continuously during a cutting session.

That sounds interesting.  Where do you buy such a foot switch?

 

[ccarrolladams]

For decades I have bought most of my foot switches from Grainger. They have a comprehensive selection.

My experience is with many Festools it is best to have suction going before any dust is created and it should run after the dust stops being created. Usually there is no downside to starting extraction early, except when sanding. Auto-On is great when sanding.

Also my experience is that when using the Domino, you cannot have too much extraction, so I start that early and turn off the suction after I am sure the machine is free of dust. Early on using the Domino I found for me it is best to leave the motor turning during a session. Therefore I power the Domino through another toggle foot switch. Should I need to put the Domino down, I have a recess on the tool cart near me which will prevent the machine from vibrating off the cart. Of course I can always tap the foot switch to shut down the Domino.

 

[gstuartw]

For decades I have bought most of my foot switches from Grainger. They have a comprehensive selection.

I love the Grainger catalogue, tons of stuff I don't need but for some reason I would like to have. Fortunately Grainger is really proud of their merchandise and prices it accordingly or I'd have quite an inventory of stuff I can't rationalize. I don't know the price point you are at when you buy your foot switches but given you're purchasing for your business I'm sure you are going for the stuff that will take lots of use day in and day out so the Grainger prices are a bit more cost effective.

I found one in their inventory, the Linemaster General Purpose Foot Switch, Maintained Action that seems fit the bill for my usage (mfg model 632-DA) for $77.40.  A search at Amazon though shows I can get it there for $50.24! Bonus!

 

[ccarrolladams]

Since I am along-time satisfied customer of Grainger and not their spokesperson, all I can share is my experience.

They show respect for all their customers, but their inventory focuses on those items vital to keeping businesses running. I mean spare parts for pumps and exhaust systems. They do sell on-line and often we can anticipate needs to save the labor of sending an employee to pick up a will call order. I selected the location of both my metal fabrication and custom cabinet business with care. Both are within a 15 minute drive from the Grainger store in Burbank. Their sales reps stay in touch with us to better anticipate our future needs. By the same token, when I select such mundane items as air handlers, I do my best to stick with brands supported by Grainger inventory.

Sure, I spend my corporate money as if it were my own, because I am the only shareholder. But long experience has taught me to be loyal to qualified vendors. Saving a few dollars purchasing from an unknown vendor to me is not good business. I know if Grainger ships the wrong product, perhaps because I made a typo on the purchase order, it will be sorted out. This is like the Festool return policy.

Of course those who are not using tools to earn a living have more flexibility in vendor selection. Personally I like doing business with the same vendor contacts for years. Yes, I am pals with a lot of Festool dealers. I keep returning to my primary brick and mortar Festool dealer because many years ago he was my Inca rep and then manager of a high-end woodworking tool store before he went in business for himself. Over the years he has never given me bad advice. Oh, yes, one of his brothers has been my industrial plumbing contractor for close to 30 years and one of his brother-in-laws is my industrial electrical contractor. In the movie business, this sort of nepotism is standard operating procedure.

 

[gstuartw]

Since I am along-time satisfied customer of Grainger and not their spokesperson, all I can share is my experience.

They show respect for all their customers, but their inventory focuses on those items vital to keeping businesses running. I mean spare parts for pumps and exhaust systems. They do sell on-line and often we can anticipate needs to save the labor of sending an employee to pick up a will call order. I selected the location of both my metal fabrication and custom cabinet business with care. Both are within a 15 minute drive from the Grainger store in Burbank. Their sales reps stay in touch with us to better anticipate our future needs. By the same token, when I select such mundane items as air handlers, I do my best to stick with brands supported by Grainger inventory.

Sure, I spend my corporate money as if it were my own, because I am the only shareholder. But long experience has taught me to be loyal to qualified vendors. Saving a few dollars purchasing from an unknown vendor to me is not good business. I know if Grainger ships the wrong product, perhaps because I made a typo on the purchase order, it will be sorted out. This is like the Festool return policy.

Of course those who are not using tools to earn a living have more flexibility in vendor selection. Personally I like doing business with the same vendor contacts for years. Yes, I am pals with a lot of Festool dealers. I keep returning to my primary brick and mortar Festool dealer because many years ago he was my Inca rep and then manager of a high-end woodworking tool store before he went in business for himself. Over the years he has never given me bad advice. Oh, yes, one of his brothers has been my industrial plumbing contractor for close to 30 years and one of his brother-in-laws is my industrial electrical contractor. In the movie business, this sort of nepotism is standard operating procedure.

I fear I may have been misunderstood  for your reply imparts a sense that I may have insulted you. In no way did I intend to insult your choice of using Grainger, it was only an attempt to make others aware of a less expensive source. I appreciate Grainger for who they are as a business and understand there is value beyond price. When I had a small manufacturing business I too used Grainger. Now that I'm a less frequent purchaser of items they carry I do put price on a higher importance. I'd never purchase enough from them to establish a relationship that more frequent purchasers can add value to. By the way are you in the movie business?

 

[sl_1800]

I have a Festool Midi dedicated to my Kapex via a Dust Deputy.  I actually believe I may be losing a little suction with the DD as the dust collection isn't as good as I would like, and yes I am using the equivalent to a 36mm hose.