CT Mini not up to par

[skipclemmons]

I spent most of today cutting out four bat boxes for a Boy Scout on the MFT with my Festool TS55 Saw.  I was surprised at how much sawdust was left behind using the Festool Mini.  The hose suction was fine but it did not get the sawdust as well as I am used to, even after changing the bag.  I spent 30 minutes vacuuming up sawdust, which is not what I signed up for.  Is this a filter issue, or something else?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Check your hose for a clog.

You can always remove the hose and put your hand over the inlet to check suction level at the inlet port. Then check again at the hose end. See if you notice a difference. If so, you have something blocking the hose.

 

[skipclemmons]

Will check again but don't think it is a clog.  Hose works fine and the attachments work, too.  But the sawdust removal does not seem all that great.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Is it possible that the port on the TS is clogged? You can also unplug the power cord first!!! and then use a Torx T15 (I think) bit to remove the cover from the side of the saw. Look inside to make sure there are no obstructions around the blade or dust extraction channel and port.

 

[semenza]

You say it is not picking up as well as you are used to.  I take it then that for previous cutting it has been fine?

Like Shane said check the saw  housing thoroughly , I have had splinter  and slice type pieces get caught up in the top. Especially from ripping. They can be hard to see in there.

If you made a few cuts right at the edge of a piece , just taking off a kerf width, much more dust gets away since there is no wood to block it along the outside of the cut.

Seth

 

[Brice Burrell]

Are you comparing the mini to one of the larger CT vacs, I assume you are.  If you have an older Mini they do have less suction than the newest generation CT vacs.  That said, I have an older mini and I've been very pleased with the dust collection from it.  You could have a clog or maybe you were cutting on the edges of pieces where the dust dosen't get collected all that well as Seth pointed out.

 

[PeterK]

Are you lots of short cuts on material or long cuts? Cross cuts will give dust blow-out at the end of the cut and will be more noticeable if doing lots of them. One solution is to mount a backer board to the table. I use my Mini exclusively with my TS55 and only notice increased dust while doing lots of short cross cuts. Otherwise I would think it is more of a vac issue.

You haven't by chance cut all the way through the MFT top have you? If so, the vac has no way to pick up the dust from the bottom.

Oh and did you do what I have done many times? Forget to turn the vac speed back up to rabbit after dialing it down while sanding?  [unsure]

 

[VictorL]

Check hose for holes.

 

[skipclemmons]

I opened up the saw housing and saw the beginnings of a clog at the front of the housing.  I cleaned it out with a vacuum but it required acetone to get the sap off.  I looked minor, but I was surprised that it took the solvent to get it clean.  Hopefully that solves the problem.  Thanks for the tip.

 

[skids]

I would add that I notice a difference in my midi performance when I put a new bag in it. In other words if the bag is about 3/4 full or more, it seems to pick up less, from my Kapex anyway.