Cant decide on dust collector

[Dr. P. Venkman]

Original topic, I know...

I just got a Kapex, and I want to get a dedicated dust collector that will sit under the saw.

I have a CT 36 with a CT-VA cyclone that moves wherever I need it right now. Thinking about adding a boom arm to that one.

For the Kapex, I keep going back and forth between three options:
[list type=decimal]
[*]MIDI - the midi would live under the Kapex 
[*] CT 26 - either the 26 or the 36 would live under the Kapex, and both would accept the same attachments for more flexibility.
[*] CT 36 - basically the same idea as the 26, but I wouldn’t have to deal with two sizes of bags.

[/list]

The price goes up with each one, and I figure the cost of bags over time probably goes down as the bags get larger. I don’t know that it exactly cancels out, but they’re likely close enough over time.

I figure the flexibility/simplicity go up with each one also, and I don’t hate the idea of either only having one bag size or sticking the 36 under the Kapex and wheeling the (slightly) smaller 26 around. My gut says matching bags are a bigger benefit than the size difference.

Anyone have any reaction to any of those options or any ideas or warnings that I haven’t thought of?

Thanks.

 

[mino]

For a dedicated vac I would go for CT15 + CT-VA + a 36 mm hose.

Midi/Mini features are a waste for a dedicated vac and the bag capacity of the CT26+ is not needed if a cyclone is in use.

 

[Dr. P. Venkman]

Midi/Mini features are a waste for a dedicated vac and the bag capacity of the CT26+ is not needed if a cyclone is in use.

I should clarify. The cyclone is and will be on the vac that roams around. No cyclone on the Kapex vac. It needs to fit under the bench top the Kapex will sit on, and I would like to stick to one short run of 35mm hose directly from the vac to the saw.

 

[AlexThePalex]

26. Why is it so hard? Bigger capacity than the Midi and better suction. 36 is too big.

 

[grbmds]

Not quite sure why you need an extra dedicated vac when you have the CT36 which can be moved there when you need it. I have a central dust collection system which I only connect to a single machine at a time plus a CT48 with a boom arm that I use for sanding and other Festool and my drill press. I've always felt that, unless you're in a production environment and need  to be the most efficient with your time as possible, then the extra time it takes to move the vac and reconnect it isn't significant.

 

[Rick Herrick]

Just to muddy the water, I have a garage now full of Festool stuff, including a CT26 with Sys-Vac attached.  Works fine, love it.  But, I recently bought the Kapex with the stands package.  I too wanted something underneath that was dedicated.  I went the cheap route to see if it worked.  Bought a small Ridgid vac that fit underneath the stand perfectly.  Found a large spare hose and a connecter that fit on the outside of the Kapex just fine.  The hose was cut to 7' or so.  Also bought one of those tool/vac switches so vac comes on with tool.  Roughly $140 in total.  Works perfectly fine.  The dust is very minimal and acceptable to me.  It is wayyyy better than the dust problem I had with the Bosch 12" that I recently sold.

 

[ChuckS]

I'd go along with Rick's use of a non-Festool vac, say a Ridgid as big as it can fit into the space, on one condition: you can use the vac with an after-market HEPA filter. I fit my Sears vac with a HEPA filter.

It's a waste of the Festool extractor (any model) if you don't plan to use most of its functions including its mobility feature as an under-the-bench vac.

You sure want an auto-start function, just get one of this (which offers two 15-amp supply):https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...013-ivac-automatic-vacuum-switch?item=03J6210

I know you don't plan to use the Kapex with a cyclone. I use the Kapex a lot, and the dust deputy is indispensable. I just empty the bucket and clean the HEPA filter (https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/workshop/clean-up/70445-vacuum-filter-cleaning-wand?item=03J2430). The vac drum itself won't get filled up in 15 to 20 years of heavy use!

However, do get a CT26 if you conclude that a Festool extractor is a better fit for your shop. The Kapex is good at collecting dust! [big grin]

 

[Dr. P. Venkman]

Not quite sure why you need an extra dedicated vac when you have the CT36 which can be moved there when you need it. I have a central dust collection system which I only connect to a single machine at a time plus a CT48 with a boom arm that I use for sanding and other Festool and my drill press. I've always felt that, unless you're in a production environment and need  to be the most efficient with your time as possible, then the extra time it takes to move the vac and reconnect it isn't significant.

This is all fair. That’s basically what I do now, minus the central system.  I don’t need one (just as I didn’t need the kapex), but I want one. I also know myself well enough to know I will absolutely get lazy and make cuts without connecting it, and I don’t want to do that.

...small Ridgid vac that fit underneath the stand perfectly....Works perfectly fine.  The dust is very minimal and acceptable to me.  It is wayyyy better than the dust problem I had with the Bosch I recently sold.

I'd go along with Rick's use of a non-Festool vac, say a Ridgid as big as it can fit into the space, on one condition: you can use the vac with an after-market HEPA filter. I fit my Sears vac with a HEPA filter.

It's a waste of the Festool extractor (any model) if you don't plan to use most of its functions including its mobility feature as an under-the-bench vac.

You sure want an auto-start function...

Rick & Chuck, this is probably what I should start with. I’ve already got everything for this setup but the auto start switch, and I ought to try it for the $50 that costs. I could even compare that setup to my CT 36 and make the decision about a CT after that comparison.

Rick, I’m also ditching a 12” Bosch.

Thanks, all!

 

[Thompmd]

My exact dilemma, I have a 36/ct-va I move around and love. The reason I am doing is simple.... I too get lazy and make a quick cut because it’s too far to move 10-15’ lol!!

In my case I’m getting a stationary planer/joiner and that is forcing me to isolate the Kapex.

Great timing, thanks

 

[mino]

Rick & Chuck, this is probably what I should start with. I’ve already got everything for this setup but the auto start switch, and I ought to try it for the $50 that costs. I could even compare that setup to my CT 36 and make the decision about a CT after that comparison.

Rick, I’m also ditching a 12” Bosch.

Thanks, all!

Cost-wise, if you want to save just get the CT15 aka "simple Midi".

It gives you all the benefits of a Cleantec vac with the self-clean M-class filters etc. at a very reasonable cost.
Functionally best is CT26 as already mentioned, but that is 2x cost for 10% more air volume.

When you consider "cheap" vacs, you need to account for the quality of air the vas put out. There is a reason just the main filter for a CT vac costs $40 or so and the self-clean bags cost what they cost. In a shop setting, they literally "purify" the air.

A cheapo vac will never have those filters - and retrofits may not be available - and/or will clog much more often.

Lastly - unless you are budget-starved-  I would avoid anything where you need to add an external auto-switch. The ones which are cheap are generally crap (fire-risk-wise) and those which are high quality go $100 or so making the "savings" moot.

 

[ChuckS]

I would avoid anything where you need to add an external auto-switch. The ones which are cheap are generally junk (fire-risk-wise) and those which are high quality go $100 or so making the "savings" moot.

Yes, don't opt for cheap auto-switches. Fire hazard alone, they often don't support the load required. The iVAC switches I quoted are ELT-listed with a built-in circuit breaker which can be reset upon overloading. I've been using two of them, one for over 5 years (Kapex + shop vac) and another 7 (SawStop (1.75HP)+ dust collector for under-the-table collection + shop vac for overarm dust collection). 

I highly recommend the iVAC switches because when "us[ing] both cords in separate circuits for greater capacity (30 amps maximum)." Most other auto-switches I came across provided a 15amp circuit. And, the iVAC is only $50 US each...and free shipping.

By the way, I started with a CT26 for the Kapex, but sold it after realizing that its mobile feature was not used and the bag couldn't keep up with the amount of sawdust my projects produced. I had to use a DD, which means any shop vac outfitted with a HEPA  filter could do the job.

 

[Rick Herrick]

I'd go along with Rick's use of a non-Festool vac, say a Ridgid as big as it can fit into the space, on one condition: you can use the vac with an after-market HEPA filter. I fit my Sears vac with a HEPA filter.

[member=57948]ChuckM[/member] Hey Chuck, thanks for the thoughts on changing to a HEPA filter.  I had completely forgotten that I did not have that with the stock unit.  I'll check HD.  Thanks.

 

[ChuckS]

I got mine from Lee Valley, but they don't seem to carry them anymore.

HD here still has them -https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ri...l-larger-wet-dry-vacuums/1000103772?rrec=true

If my HEPA is waiting to be dried, and I need to use the saw, I use this one as a stop-gap:https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ri...l-larger-wet-dry-vacuums/1000109700?rrec=true

 

[manuc]

I’ve been trying to decide the same thing for my Kapex. I’ve been looking at the Fein Turbo I that has better CFM ratings than the Festool. You can add a HEPA filter as well. I believe they have a reusable bag as well. Has anyone use this setup with a 36mm hose from Festool?

 

[Thompmd]

I assume the CT15(574831) is the one your referring to for $349. Looks like it would work nicely.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I had one of those I-vac units connected to a small shop-vac under my back bench for several years. It worked flawlessly with my DF500 and router table until one day it just didn't. Since it worked so well for so long, I just got another one exactly like it. That one met an untimely death by fire, which had nothing to do with it BTW.
I did however replace that set-up with a CT26 though. The bluetooth remote is a fantastic thing that you just don't realize you will use so much, until you actually have it.

 

[Rick Herrick]

HD here still has them -https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ri...l-larger-wet-dry-vacuums/1000103772?rrec=true

Those are the taller ones for 5 gal and up.  I still have only 1-15a circuit in my garage and the HD 4 gal is the smallest one they had.  The Kapex and the smaller HD don't trip my breaker so I have to live with it until I can add my juice to garage.  Guess I am out of luck on HEPA for this particular vacuum.