CT Midi or CT22 low suction setting with TS 55 saw

[cerv]

I am just wondering if the CT Midi or CT 22 is set at low suction would be able to pick up the dust created by the TS 55 saw.  For sure it would be affected but not sure by how much.  The reason is because I am thinking of getting a vacuum for my saw.  Maybe a CT 26  I tried with my old ridgid shop vac but the noise is driving me insane. [scared]  Also I have to run an two extension cord from two different circuit from my house (15A max) since my garage wiring is not up to par with the current load for both the saw and vacuum.
Thanks.
Roger

 

[Sean7a]

Roger, my demo TS 55 in my showroom is hooked up to a midi.  No problem

 

[cerv]

Sean,
Thanks for the info. What drove me to start considering a Festool vacuum is when I started to cut some boards.  I couldn't believe the amount of dust created by the saw; plus the power issue that I have.  Hopefully in a future I can tear and build a new garage with a seperate subpannel and at minimum 20A circuits.  [big grin]

 

[Sean7a]

You're cheating yourself if you don't get a vac.  It's part of the experience, part of the system.  Three components, in probably all of our eyes, make Fes what it is.  A tool, a rail and a vac

 

[cerv]

I totally agree with you.  I guess was the money issue that made me think differently.  But after seeing the quality of cut, a vacuum is a must.  It gets pretty old trying to keep the rails clean.  Now I only need to see if a Midi or Ct 22 would be my best bet... If I am willing to wait the CT 26...

 

[Bob Marino]

Roger,

I would agree with with Sean - on all counts. I wanted to do a quick test, so I grabbed a 3' length of mahogany, hooked up my CT 22 in one outlet and my CT MINI in another land made the rips, using each vac on high and low suction and in all honesty, there is a difference in amount of dust picked up between high and low settings, but you'd be hard pressed to easily measure it. The MINI would work fine, though I would always use it on high suction...and given a choice, would and do prefer the 22.
What did happen was that I had my saw hooked to the 22's cord BUT still hooked up to the MINI's hose [eek] [unsure], sooooooooooo, sawdust is spewing from the side, front and back of the saw and the saw stalls - all within about 5 seconds. Realized what I did and cleaned out the saw, table and  floor....and this was only 1 short rip cut. Point is, I would never consider using  the saw without a vac.

 

[bruegf]

Roger,

I've run my ct22 at full vacuum and the TS55 plugged into it on 15 amp circuits.    I think you'll be fine as long as you use a heavy enough gauge extension cord.

Fred

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I regularly use a 12ga 100' extension cord for my CT-22 and all my other tools.

Have not noticed any real difference.

 

[wnagle]

I am just wondering if the CT Midi or CT 22 is set at low suction would be able to pick up the dust created by the TS 55 saw.  For sure it would be affected but not sure by how much.  The reason is because I am thinking of getting a vacuum for my saw.  Maybe a CT 26  I tried with my old ridgid shop vac but the noise is driving me insane. [scared]  Also I have to run an two extension cord from two different circuit from my house (15A max) since my garage wiring is not up to par with the current load for both the saw and vacuum.
Thanks.
Roger

Here's another option should you decide on the larger vac and your electrical circuit is too small.  You could use an auxiliary vac switch that can plugged into two different circuits.  One for the tool and one for the vac.  And it will still cycle the vac when the tool is turned on.  This will work with any vac, Festool or non Festool.  here is a link.

http://www.infinitytools.com/iVac-Automatic-Vacuum-Switch-Box/productinfo/115-100/

 

[cerv]

Thank you all for your input.  The heaviest extension cord that I have is 14 ga. I have both 25' and 100'.  I guess that it would not hurt to have 12 ga. as well.
Bob, 
I am surprised that you ran a quick test in order to answer my question.  [not worthy] I did not noticed too much of the saw dust when trimming the rail's splinter guard since I set blade was pretty shallow.  But when trimming the saw splinter guard plus another rail 5' on a 2x4 at max blade depth. That was a different story when thinking "I 'll just skip the vac for now" At the end I spent more time cleaning the dust than making the cut.

Wayne,
I remember seeing those I-vac boxes somewhere here.  I will keep this in mind if my circuits gets overloaded.  better safe than sorry.

Roger

 

[wnagle]

Roger,

I have an older style that doesn't work on two circuits, but my circuits are all 20 amp and it works fine.  I wish they made one for a 220 volt tool and a 110 volt vac.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Roger, I use my CT Mini or 22 with the TS55 all the time in clients homes, most of the time on a 15 amp circuit.  I run the vac at full suction with the saw and I've tripped circuits very rarely.  The soft start on the tools really helps keep the them from drawing more than 15 amps.  And I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how little noise the Festool vacs make.  In fact, you'll hear the TS55 running but not the vac.

I don't know how comfortable you are with the idea of adding a few new 20 circuits yourself but it really isn't very hard.  If your electrical panel is in your garage it will be ever easier. 

 

[zapdafish]

With the ct22  you can run it at high. With the auto start feature, the saw makes more noise than the vac when its cutting and when you are done with the cut, the vac shuts off automatically.

By itself, the vac is also not bad either. I love being hook the vac to my kreg jig and my drill to the vac. In fact, had to search high and low for a corded drill with a clutch  [big grin]

 

[Sean7a]

What did happen was that I had my saw hooked to the 22's cord BUT still hooked up to the MINI's hose [eek] [unsure], sooooooooooo, sawdust is spewing from the side, front and back of the saw and the saw stalls - all within about 5 seconds. Realized what I did and cleaned out the saw, table and  floor....and this was only 1 short rip cut. Point is, I would never consider using  the saw without a vac.

Bob, that's hilarious.  I've not done this....yet.  I'm sure I will.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Code in my area requires GFCI protected circuits in the garage up to a certain height (those on the ceiling for the garage door openers are excluded).  Further, they require 20a circuits.  Did you check your circuits?

Otherwise, yes, a 12ga extension will make a big difference!  I've only popped the breaker a few times and those times were when I accidentally grabbed the wrong extension, a 14ga extension.  My CT-22 and TS-75 run off a 15a circuit since I have it on a ceiling plug.

For dust collection, though, I think the TS-55 has an optional magnetic sheet that can cover the openings on the blade-side of the saw.  To me that would help a lot with what remains.  The 75 doesn't have such an accessory and my pizza delivery company doesn't have magnetic fridge menus that big  [sad]

 

[cerv]

Roger, I use my CT Mini or 22 with the TS55 all the time in clients homes, most of the time on a 15 amp circuit.  I run the vac at full suction with the saw and I've tripped circuits very rarely.  The soft start on the tools really helps keep the them from drawing more than 15 amps.  And I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how little noise the Festool vacs make.  In fact, you'll hear the TS55 running but not the vac.

I don't know how comfortable you are with the idea of adding a few new 20 circuits yourself but it really isn't very hard.  If your electrical panel is in your garage it will be ever easier. 

Brice,
That is good to know with the soft start feature.  I wonder if the new CT26 and 36 vacuums has that feature; that would be really nice.  When I fist pull the saw trigger I was delight that the saw was less noisy than my skill saw. But once got the shop vac running, I felt that I was in the middle of an airport runway.  [embarassed]
I thought about that as well but I am considering in the future demo my one car garage and build a two car garage with some shop space. I guess is how long I am willing to deal with and extension cord.  Too bad in a sense that my garage is detached from my house and the current codes required me to buried the conduit at least 18".  Right now I have two wires stinging from the house to the garage; the worst thing is that the power from the garage is coming from house light circuits  [eek] .  The house was build in the 1940's. 

Code in my area requires GFCI protected circuits in the garage up to a certain height (those on the ceiling for the garage door openers are excluded).  Further, they require 20a circuits.  Did you check your circuits?

Otherwise, yes, a 12ga extension will make a big difference!  I've only popped the breaker a few times and those times were when I accidentally grabbed the wrong extension, a 14ga extension.  My CT-22 and TS-75 run off a 15a circuit since I have it on a ceiling plug.

Yep, my garage does not have a power outlet.  the only source of power is though one of those light bulb fixture that you pull the chain.  [embarassed]
Good to know that a 12ga extension is the way to go for my situation
Thanks,
Roger

 

[Brice Burrell]

Roger, the new CT26 and 36 do have the soft start.  Given your circumstances I think a 50' or 100' 12 gauge extension cord is a must.  I wouldn't give up on the idea of adding a few new circuits.  At a minimum, add one new 20 amp circuit where it's convenient to plug your extension cord on the outside of your house to run to the garage. 

 

[cerv]

That is a great idea of adding a outlet outside of the house. Mine does not have any.  Soft start for the CT 26 and 36 what a surprise.

 

[Julian Tracy]

FYI, if you've just got a few quick cuts to do with the TS 55, and don't want to hassle with the vac - Bosch's corded planers come with a wire-framed square cotton dustbag that fits perfect on the TS 55 dust port and collects at least 70% of the sawdust, no muss no fuss.

Julian

 

[grobin]

I use a CT mini on my TS55 it isn't quite adequate on low but turned up a bit its just fine.

The comment on the heaver cord is right on! A 14 ga will work for a short cord like 25' but you really need the heaver cord for anything else.

I use my CT mini on my router table with a Dust deputy and the 50mm short hose and on high it works very well.  Also works on my little 10' band saw and saves me from having to position it permanently where my 4" dust collector can reach.

BTW hearing protection is a good idea, yes this stuff isn't that loud but long term exposure to sound levels of 90dB and above increases the chances of tinnitus.