CT 26E

[fletchtool]

Yesterday I took the CT Midi I had just bought last week back to Lee Valley to get a CT26E. I had decided I wanted an extractor that I knew (all the comments on the FOG) would accept the Ultimate Dust Deputy or if I decided to put off getting the UDD, had the capacity (6.9 gal) to handle the volume of sawdust dust from my table saw without having to change bags too often. My goal is to be able to use my table saw inside my garage (which is really now just a storage area) during the winter without getting sawdust all over everything. This evening I decided to hook up the CT26 directly to my Bosch 4100 table saw with adaptors I got from Lee Valley. I was really excited to see how clean the saw would run. The outcome was less than satisfactory... When I ripped some 3/4" maple, there was more sawdust on the saw table, floor and my work bench than in the CT26. The passive Bosch dust bag that I hooked up next was more effective than the CT26; the transition from 2 1/4" output on the Bosch to the narrow intake on the CT26 vac hose kicked the saw dust back in the saw. I had a silent inkling this might be a problem, but just expected the CT26 would extract all the dust from my table saw because Festool tools work so well. I hooked up my 4 gallon Rigid shop vac with 1 ¾” hose attached to the saw with masking tape and although not perfect, it was much better. The CT26 worked better with the 1 ¾” hose attached with masking tape to the saw too. I am disappointed about having to purchase an additional length of 2.5" hose and connections in order to have the CT26 do this job. Maybe I should have just used the Rigid shop vac for my table saw and the Midi for sanding and jigsaw use. I guess I got caught up in the excitement of new tools.

 

[JeromeM]

Shop vacs even Festool ones are not a good idea for dust extraction for table saws.  : And the UDD inlet is too small for to work in that situation.

They may get some of the dust but none of them will get most.

You need a proper Shop dust extracted for that. it will need to move upwards of 600 CFM and have at least 100mm ducting.

However if you use a 36mm hose you will get more of the dust than with the 27mm one

 

[Kev]

Yep - physics is the fundamental problem here.

A lot of the Festool tools accept the little hose, but don't clear anywhere near as well as when you use the large hose (e.g. Kapex).

Jerome's point on serious extraction is something I'm also aware of ... I'd love to buy a "real" table saw - but that's just the beginning of the spend.

 

[peter halle]

I tried something with my portable table saw last week that might help out.  I have a Dewalt portable table saw and to that I hooked up an old Rigid shop vac with the large diameter Rigid hose.  I then hooked up my CT22 to the exhaust port of the Rigid with a spare large diameter hose and plugged the shop vac's electrical cord into the CT22 receptacle.

Other than being loud, it worked well.  Saved my bag from a large amount of shavings.  Maybe not a perfect solution, but it was free.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

Dear Fletchtool

If you need to save money why just get the basic Dust Deputy and build your own box out of MDF. I have attached two photographs, one of the base that clips to the CTL 26 and the other of it complete.

Peter

 

[sl_1800]

I have a dust deputy, on a 5 gallon bucket, attached to my Rigid shop vac using 2 1/2" hose, which I use on my Dewalt portable table saw and Kreg router table.  This is still not perfect because of the lack luster dust collection of the table saw, I guess I need to turn it upside down and see what I can do to improve it's dust collection abilities.  I use my CT22 on my TS55 and many other Festools and I just got a new Midi to use on my Kapex.  I am using a orange hose from Rigid, cut down to only necessary length, on the Kapex/Midi setup and it works very well, that hose is larger than the normal Festool hose but not as big as 2 1/2".

 

[fletchtool]

Thanks everyone for all the good comments and ideas. I think I'll go back to the Midi and use the shop vac for the table saw.
The FOG is really good.

 

[tiralie]

I have the 4100 connected to my Bosch vacuum (yes that one that was rated so high in the FWW issue) with a rigid hose and it works ok. I have a zero clearance insert which reduces the amount of dust and chips that wind up on the top of the table.
yes it leaves a little dust on the floor but really the dust port on this saw is my only real complaint.
I don't plug the saw into the vacuum as I will pop a 15amp breaker.

BTW, (fletchtool) Nice fly in your profile pic.
Did you tie it? I buy all my flies mostly 'cause I really don't have the time and all the equipment/supplies would just sit there.
Did you catch anything with it?
Tim

 

[fletchtool]

Hi Tim,  you describe a really nice setup with the 4100.
The fly is an Elk Hair Caddis, tied many years ago. the pattern is very effective when there are Caddis on the water. I wish I tied more often. Salt water flies are the most fun and creative to tie....and fish.

Fletchtool