CT mini + TS 55 REQ generates dust

[Alt]

Hi,

My TS 55 that just came back from repair (blade not retracting); I was told that it was also calibrated and thoroughly checked out. It is still under warranty. I also have an out of warranty CT mini.
The mini has a brand new filter and a brand new bag. The suction, without a tool connected, is excellent.
I am using my MFT/3 and much dust flies off the back of the table.

Any suggestions?

Thank you!

 

[six-point socket II]

It will spill a little dust at the end of the cut. Can you elaborate a little bit more on what "much" is in your case?

Is it like a soda bottle cap full of dust (normal) or is it more like a cap from some "canned" vegetables/pickled veggies full of dust (maybe normal, depending on stock size/ thickness/ material ...), or maybe even a drinking glass full of dust (totally not normal)?

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Peter_C]

If you are not using a 36mm hose that goes over the saw fitting, it could improve dust collection, by substantially upping air flow. Also cover the arbor bolt hole cutout, which some do with a piece of tape.

This side plate makes a BIG difference, as it goes almost down to the material being cut. Unfortunately like so many tools it needs to be modified to allow it to be used at the same time as the chip out preventer, as there is not a cutout for the screw. A grinder takes care of it in less than a minute.https://www.festoolusa.com/accessory/491750---absa-ts-55

A quick modification to help stop it from spraying out as far forward at the end of the cut is to make a "wall" at the end of the rail, mounted to the MFT. When finished a quick vac gets most of the escaped dust in 4 seconds, as it is captured on the horizontal section l_l

 

[Alt]

Thank you for the replies!

I will try taping first.  However, I am concerned that dust may get trapped and prevent the blade from retracting; this was the problem I recently had to send it back to repair for. Will try both a middle and an edge cut; we'll see.

I did try uploading relatively small (< 5MB pictures) of the dust generated by the 2 pass cut of a 2x4 redwood. It failed and will try again.

 

[Alt]

Dust generated by a two passes 2x4 redwood, middle of the board cut.

 

[Gregor]

Or use a cutoff of the material you're operating on at the back (basically like a fence) and stop your cut before leaving that fence (so the kerf ends at the top, not the back of it) - that should keep the dust from flying out the back.

 

[xedos]

What blade are you using for this cut ?

Taping the hole shouldn't concern you.  Dust isn't coming out of there. Well, it's not supposed to.  If it is , you've got bigger problems.

As six point says, there should be a little bit of dust not captured.  Nothing like what you're showing. 

36mm hose doesn't really play well with a MINI, is expensive, and doesn't work with all tools.  Questionable value given it's very limited benefit in this case.

 

[Alt]

I have a brand new blade.

It was installed by Festool when I sent the TS 55 back for repair (blade was not retracting)

What are the bigger problems you suspect?

Thank you!

 

[Rob Z]

Hello Alt

This might be a long shot, but have you looked inside the blade housing to make sure nothing is blocking the inner side of the dust collection port?

 

[Alt]

I did mention at the start of the thread that the TS55 just came back from repair.
It was sent because the blade was not retracting.
The repair center established that the cause was dust collected in the blade chamber.
They cleaned it, installed a new blade, re-calibrated the saw and sent it back.

The original blade retraction problem appeared after I jointed (in 6 passes) a 6' long 1 3/4" maple board.

 

[sancho57]

there will always be dust when working with wood.

Make a cut without the DC hose hooked up to the saw.

Look at the amount of dust being produced.

Next,  hook the saw up to the suction hose, make sure the suction on the CT is turned all the way up and make a cut.

If you dont see a difference then theres a problem.

If there is considerably less yer OK.

 

[Birdhunter]

My guess is that Rob Z has hit on what might be the issue. Something is blocking the flow of air through the saw’s dust port.

I had a similar problem on my Kapex. Dust collection went from excellent to zip. After a lot of inspection, I found a very thin slice of wood that blocked the dust port when suction was applied. I kept the piece as a reminder.

 

[Rob Z]

Hello Alt,

I saw that about the return from FT service.  FT service is very good but not infallible.  Maybe they missed something?  I hope that's what it is---will be an easy fix for you.

I did mention at the start of the thread that the TS55 just came back from repair.
It was sent because the blade was not retracting.
The repair center established that the cause was dust collected in the blade chamber.
They cleaned it, installed a new blade, re-calibrated the saw and sent it back.

The original blade retraction problem appeared after I jointed (in 6 passes) a 6' long 1 3/4" maple board.

 

[Vtshopdog]

Can’t quite tell from photos but looks like the Kerf in your MFT might be pretty wide??

Best dust collection will be with a single blade width kerf in table.  Otherwise it sprays to right of the blade.  Try making a partial depth cut, say 1 1/4” deep in a 2x4, and see if collection improves. Or chuck a piece of blue foam under your stock and make a cut, either way would confirm or eliminate the table as an issue.

 

[Alt]

Mystery accidentally solved!

My CT Mini is at least over 10 years old and came with a its own connective sleeve adapter. I used w/o problems with a Rotex 125 that I bought at the same time.
When I purchased my XL 700 it came with a Cleantec sleeve adapter 10019348. However I continued to used the Mini's original sleeve adapter. I did not notice any problems.

Yesterday I replaced the CT Mini's original connective sleeve adapter with the 10019348.
Doing the same cut the TS 55 barely produced a little dust at the end of the cut. As expected...

I don't understand exactly what happened. To me, it seemed like the coupling was adequately tight. Well, evidently not!
Perhaps the rubber became completely worn out.

Thank you all for trying to help!

Alex