CT Mini... Is it sufficient for use with the Kapex?

adubeau

Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2011
Messages
210
I am kicking around the idea of purchasing a Kapex to replace my current miter saw... Will my CT Mini be suffcient enough for the dust collection on the Kapex...? 
 
Depends what you're cutting. If you're cutting bigger stock I think you're going to want something that takes the bigger hose - I got a CT36 for mine.
 
Yes, all five of the CT dust extractors now share all of the same specifications, with the exception of capacity. So, you may have to replace bags more frequently with the Mini, but it's certainly capable of the task. Just a note... The larger 36mm hose and/or a shorter hose has proven to offer better dust extraction on the Kapex.
 
I think mobility is the biggest factor to consider. If you will only be cutting in a shop, there is really no factor other than price to get a mini. If you move from job to job every day like me, a mini is a good choice. I use my Midi way more than my 33. I don't mind putting in a new bag more often.
 
Kev said:
Depends what you're cutting. If you're cutting bigger stock I think you're going to want something that takes the bigger hose - I got a CT36 for mine.

The bigger D36 hose fits on the CT Mini/Midi vacs.
 
The new Mini and Midi have the same suction as the larger units now. Only "catch" is if using the larger hoses, the hose comes out from inside the hose garage and has to stick out vertically so no Systainer can be mounted. The factory supplied 27mm hose has a right angle connector so it comes out horizontally.
 
It was a quite role out that all extractors have the same power... it really is a game changer. The Kapex taken on site needs an extractor.

When  you work on site you look at the cost of operation..to a point.  The CT48 bag cost in the long run is best...but when you need to pack it to a site.. a midi or mini would be of a lower cost of space and wall/door dings getting up a flight of stairs.

Would I buy a mini as my only Extractor....no,  but once I get into more than one extractor ... woohoo... small and lighter weight... is good.

I also told my Festool rep at a Woodcraft event what Festool should really do to reduce Extractors SKUs and add more functionality and add even more value to the Festool Extractor line... NO BRAINIER to me and it seemed by his reaction... he agreed Why would not Festool not haven't done this already I don't know... I'm waiting to hear back for  him/Festool.

Cheers,
Steve 
 
Shane Holland said:
Yes, all five of the CT dust extractors now share all of the same specifications, with the exception of capacity. So, you may have to replace bags more frequently with the Mini, but it's certainly capable of the task. Just a note... The larger 36mm hose and/or a shorter hose has proven to offer better dust extraction on the Kapex.

Shane,

If I read between the lines - does that mean a 36mm hose can be connected to a Mini ?

Kev.
 
Hi not Shane but yes, it can leave the vac vertically which is good when attached to the kapex
 
Festoolfootstool said:
Hi not Shane but yes, it can leave the vac vertically which is good when attached to the kapex

Now that's interesting!

I think we need some hardcore volumetric stats ... something like how many straight 4x2 cuts through oregon constitutes 10 litres of CT volume. To me, a stat like this would really help scale a Kapex user's work to their target DC.
 
Kev said:
Shane Holland said:
Yes, all five of the CT dust extractors now share all of the same specifications, with the exception of capacity. So, you may have to replace bags more frequently with the Mini, but it's certainly capable of the task. Just a note... The larger 36mm hose and/or a shorter hose has proven to offer better dust extraction on the Kapex.

Shane,

If I read between the lines - does that mean a 36mm hose can be connected to a Mini ?

Kev.

You could have saved some bandwidth if you'd read reply #4. [tongue]
 
Kev said:
Shane Holland said:
Yes, all five of the CT dust extractors now share all of the same specifications, with the exception of capacity. So, you may have to replace bags more frequently with the Mini, but it's certainly capable of the task. Just a note... The larger 36mm hose and/or a shorter hose has proven to offer better dust extraction on the Kapex.

Shane,

If I read between the lines - does that mean a 36mm hose can be connected to a Mini ?

Kev.

That will take some time!  Easiest thing would be put a counter near the kapex hinge and every time you drop the kapex head it clicks the counter!  Once your CT is full  the counter will say how many times you chopped you know kinda what size stock you have been cutting on average you then measure the width of the blade  lets say 3mm  you chopped 500 times till the CT was full thats  1500mm long and if you say you chopped 4x2 size timber on average then you know it will be a piece of 4x2 1.5m long.

JMB
 
Brice Burrell said:
Kev said:
Shane Holland said:
Yes, all five of the CT dust extractors now share all of the same specifications, with the exception of capacity. So, you may have to replace bags more frequently with the Mini, but it's certainly capable of the task. Just a note... The larger 36mm hose and/or a shorter hose has proven to offer better dust extraction on the Kapex.

Shane,

If I read between the lines - does that mean a 36mm hose can be connected to a Mini ?

Kev.

You could have saved some bandwidth if you'd read reply #4. [tongue]

Nope - didn't for me ... and this only served to increase ...
 
Kev said:
Brice Burrell said:
Kev said:
Shane Holland said:
Yes, all five of the CT dust extractors now share all of the same specifications, with the exception of capacity. So, you may have to replace bags more frequently with the Mini, but it's certainly capable of the task. Just a note... The larger 36mm hose and/or a shorter hose has proven to offer better dust extraction on the Kapex.

Shane,

If I read between the lines - does that mean a 36mm hose can be connected to a Mini ?

Kev.

You could have saved some bandwidth if you'd read reply #4. [tongue]

Nope - didn't for me ... and this only served to increase ...

Kev,

The 36 mm hose fits the mini.  It has to go straight up from the CT Mini.

Peter
 
Kev, the 36mm hose will work with all models of our CT dust extractors, including the Mini. As was already said, the hose will be in a vertical orientation coming out of the top of the Mini. Also, it probably would not fit within the space provided by the hose garage if that's a consideration.
 
Shane Holland said:
Kev, the 36mm hose will work with all models of our CT dust extractors, including the Mini. As was already said, the hose will be in a vertical orientation coming out of the top of the Mini. Also, it probably would not fit within the space provided by the hose garage if that's a consideration.

Ah - ok. I've been looking at my CT-Mini (thinking maybe it's the older version ... thinking maybe this is only the case for the newer CT-Minis) ... if I was to take the hose garage off and remove the right angle connection I think the chute looks to be about the 36mm hose size (looking from the underside of the port).

So it's technically possible, but it's not as simple as connecting a 36mm hose to the CT26/36/etc ...

(I wanted to do a few KAPEX cut comparisons with the CT-Mini and the CT36 - both with the 36mm hose to offer a hands on result - but I didn't want to take the mini apart)
 
As far as I know, the Mini's design has never changed. You should be able to just pop a 36mm right into the port.
 
Kev, maybe I should add that the connector end for the hose is the same for the 27mm and 36mm on the dust extractor inlet side.

Edit: the hose supplied with the Mini has a 90 degree whereas other hoses do not. But that should not prevent you from using them.
 
The end that connects to any of the Festool dust extractors is 50mm and that includes the 90-degree fitting that comes from the factory with the CT MINI and CT MIDI. If you want to connect any of the standard Festool dust extraction products to a CT MINI or CT MIDI, just pop out the 90-degree fitting and you have a 50mm receiver.

Tom
 
Back
Top