CT26 clarifications

[OzarkNerd]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here and had a few questions about the CT26 for my application, which I'll caveat up front is not a textbook/ideal usage.  I have an extremely small shop, around 100 sq ft.  Think tetris: woodworking edition.  I can only have 1 tool out at a time, etc.  Space is my most scarce resource by an order of magnitude.

Currently I'm using a Ridgid shop vac w/a clearstream filter and a home depot Duststopper cyclone.  The combo works "ok" at best.  The two pieces are quite cumbersome to move and store, and of course the emptying/cleaning process usually has me wondering if there is a different hobby better suited to my temperament haha.  So with that background, I am considering a CT26 + CT-VA combo.  My two main questions are:

1)  Will this do at least as good of a job on my Dewalt 7491 jobsite table saw (2.5" port) as the shop vac setup?  I understand the big tools really need a dedicated system, but it just isn't an option with my space constraints.  And I really don't have the space for the shop vac and the CT26, so if I go with the CT26 it has to do it all.  I've seen other users mention they use their CT26 on Bosch and Sawstop job site saws so I'm guessing it would do "something" but haven't seen it compared directly to a shop vac in this usage.

2)  As long as I'm using just the CT26 or the CT26 + CT-VA, am I going to be ok with regards to static issues (that kind that hurts the extractor, not really concerned about zapping myself) when connecting to the table saw?  I've seen a few posts saying you cannot attach a CT26 to a table saw or there will be static problems.  But those problems may have been due to a non-conducting, non-Festool separator in the mix, it wasn't completely clear to me when reading the archives.  I'm assuming with an all-Festool setup I'd be ok but don't want to learn the hard way!

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[ChuckS]

Your proposed set-up is not ideal, but acceptable for your table saw, given the space limitation. No static issues either when I used a CT26 for my table saw before the new dust collector arrived.

Be sure to wear a N95 mask when you operate the saw in your tiny shop. (You can make an air filtration system from a box fan (fitted with a furnace filter rated MERV11 or above).)

 

[Peter_C]

Why not go smaller like a Mini or Midi size dust collector? They have the same suction as the CT26, just a smaller size. Jobsite table saws seem to almost always have terrible dust collection to begin with.

 

[MaineShop]

This setup would work, the jobsite saw will never have great dust collection in any case but in all other uses you will be better off. Plus the festool dust bin system and vac filters are much easier and cleaner to change quickly. You will have no regrets other then the price.

 

[Dr. P. Venkman]

I use a CT-VA with a CT 36. I’m not quite as space constrained as you, but space is still a significant issue, and I’m not ever going to have a big dust collector.

Just a couple of days ago, I emptied the CT-VA’s bucket and the next thing I used it for was cutting about 65 linear feet of half inch dados into plywood with my sawstop job site saw. After I was done, the bucket had about 5 inches of sawdust in it, and there wasn’t much on the floor at all. Admittedly, a dado cut is prone to better dust collection because the top of the blade is captured by the material, but it works better than you might expect on normal cuts also.

The ideal setup? No, but it still captures a lot of the dust, and nothing clogs up. The dust  on the floor is more due to the open grille bottom of the saw than the CT setup.

The people that tell you you a big dust collector is best are right, of course, but in my opinion, the CT/CT-VA setup is a very passable alternative when that’s not an option.

I’ll agree with Peter that jobsite saws are hardly ever designed for good dust collection.

I’ll also add that a zero clearance insert helps.

 

[pixelated]

My shop space is around 100 sq feet.
I have a Bosch job site table saw and a CT26 vac. The CT26 does as well as my old shop vac did with the saw, which is to say, the dust collection isn’t great, but that’s not because of the vac. I’m using a 2.5 inch hose for the saw, and use the standard 27mm hose for the portable tools. I also have a 36mm hose that I use with a miter saw. For space saving, I built a stand for the table saw that houses the vac under it. At the moment I’m not using a cyclone, but a CT-VA is on my wish list.

 

[Coen]

I've seen a few posts saying you cannot attach a CT26 to a table saw or there will be static problems.

Haha what?  [huh]

 

[Alanbach]

Some people save money and buy the CT15 and have static problems because it comes with a non anti static hose. As long as you don’t go that route you should be fine. Also pixelated makes a great point that in your situation the table saw dust collection might be helped out by you purchasing the larger 36mm anti-static hose. The CT26 will come with a 27mm hose which is great to start with but you might also love the larger hose eventually.

 

[OzarkNerd]

Thanks for all the responses!

My shop space is around 100 sq feet.
I have a Bosch job site table saw and a CT26 vac. The CT26 does as well as my old shop vac did with the saw, which is to say, the dust collection isn’t great, but that’s not because of the vac. I’m using a 2.5 inch hose for the saw, and use the standard 27mm hose for the portable tools. I also have a 36mm hose that I use with a miter saw. For space saving, I built a stand for the table saw that houses the vac under it. At the moment I’m not using a cyclone, but a CT-VA is on my wish list.

What exact 2.5" hose are you using?  Scanning the listed accessories for the CT26 I'm seeing a 36 and a 50, but nothing like a 63 or whatever 2.5" would be.  Considering these extra hoses cost more than my entire current setup I'd rather not have to add too many of them.  Could the 36 with a step-up adapter at the saw work?  And I understand about the limitations of dust extraction due to the saw itself.  Don't even get me started on my Dewalt 12" sliding miter saw.  That thing should be illegal haha.  I always wear a 3M P100 mask.  The dust extraction is not so I can go maskless, it's so everything in the shop isn't covered in dust.

I'd love to see a pic of that table saw stand you built.  I'll be building one for mine soon and I'm currently gathering ideas.  The extractor underneath is intriguing if it could fit the cyclone on top of it still.

 

[Peter_C]

I use a 2 1/2" Ridgid brand shop vac hose with my Bosch 4100 table saw. No issues and I have never had a static build up issue. Pretty much all shop vac hoses will work with the Festool.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Thanks for all the responses!

What exact 2.5" hose are you using?  Scanning the listed accessories for the CT26 I'm seeing a 36 and a 50, but nothing like a 63 or whatever 2.5" would be.  Considering these extra hoses cost more than my entire current setup I'd rather not have to add too many of them. 
...

I use several of these to connect larger tools to my dust extractor. Excellent quality and very attractive price. Perfect slip-fit into the Festool (and other) vacuum connection.
https://www.oneida-air.com/flex-hose/vacuum-hose/2-5-inch-5-5-foot-wire-reinforced-vacuum-hose

 

[pixelated]

Thanks for all the responses!

My shop space is around 100 sq feet.
I have a Bosch job site table saw and a CT26 vac. The CT26 does as well as my old shop vac did with the saw, which is to say, the dust collection isn’t great, but that’s not because of the vac. I’m using a 2.5 inch hose for the saw, and use the standard 27mm hose for the portable tools. I also have a 36mm hose that I use with a miter saw. For space saving, I built a stand for the table saw that houses the vac under it. At the moment I’m not using a cyclone, but a CT-VA is on my wish list.

What exact 2.5" hose are you using?  Scanning the listed accessories for the CT26 I'm seeing a 36 and a 50, but nothing like a 63 or whatever 2.5" would be.  Considering these extra hoses cost more than my entire current setup I'd rather not have to add too many of them.  Could the 36 with a step-up adapter at the saw work?  And I understand about the limitations of dust extraction due to the saw itself.  Don't even get me started on my Dewalt 12" sliding miter saw.  That thing should be illegal haha.  I always wear a 3M P100 mask.  The dust extraction is not so I can go maskless, it's so everything in the shop isn't covered in dust.

I'd love to see a pic of that table saw stand you built.  I'll be building one for mine soon and I'm currently gathering ideas.  The extractor underneath is intriguing if it could fit the cyclone on top of it still.

I can post up a pic later today.
As mentioned above a “standard” shop vac hose fits the vac’s inlet, mine is a super-flexible hose by either Rigid or Shop Vac, don’t remember which.
I don’t think there would be enough room under the saw for a CT26 and the cyclone, unless you are very tall, or the saw is very short  [smile]. If/when I get a CT-VA, it will live off the vac.

 

[mino]

I will vote for a CT Mini + CT-VA.

Once you have a cyclone, the dust bag size of the Mini becomes a non-issue and it is a great little install vac for work around the house. And it has Bluetooth to boot so you just get one remote for the hose and are done. It is also smaller in all dimensions.

The only reason I would got for CT26/36 for a mini-shop is if I needed to do also drywall/concrete grinding and so needed an all-in one Autoclean vac model which are not made in Mini/Midi size.

 

[Bertotti]

My family got their hands on my ct 26 now it is used as much as a house vac as a shop vac. I might actually have to break down and buy that overly expensive head for it at some point. My craftsman pulled as much dust or more from my table saw as my ct 26 but the big difference was the shop vac shot a lot more of the fine stuff back into the air where the ct catches virtually everything that went in. My perception was it didn't suck everything as well but more of the fine stuff causing me problems was captured and the chunkier pieces I just sucked up after I was done cutting. If you ever go for a dust collector do some searching first. I bought a small 1 hp delta good for one machine at a time and throws all the fine stuff right back out through the crappy bag. I will have that resolved shortly by adding a Wen Merv 15 filter canister and a 4" super dust deputy but those two alone cost more than the Delta originally did so do a lot of research first to see what will work best for you. Any chance you are in an area where you could just remove your filter from your shop vac and blow it outside? I do this sometimes, just blow it out, but I live in the country and it gets dumped in a field anyway.

 

[mino]

...
I bought a small 1 hp delta good for one machine at a time and throws all the fine stuff right back out through the crappy bag. I will have that resolved shortly by adding a Wen Merv 15 filter canister and a 4" super dust deputy but those two alone cost more than the Delta originally did ...

THIS!

People often think of a vac in sense of suction. But the turbines are a cheap commodity these days.

What makes a good vac is quality components so there is little to no leakage, and quality filters. Those two plus the perks like quietened design, BT, braided hoses etc. make up most of the cost. The turbines are a commodity which can be had for $30 from the mass makers.

When the air has to circulate in a shop the common cheap "can" style vacs can be worse than no vac for one's lungs.
The micro-particles are not caught and are blown around to a point there may end up more of them in the air compared to using the tools without a vac ...
Not seeing them, one would not be induced to use a respirator like is normal when not having a dust collection in place.

IMO the cheapo shop vacs are still a good option if you can legally vent outside on a permanent basis like in a countryside etc.

 

[fraz]

I too have a tiny shop and run a DEWALT 7480 which is very similar to your 7491. I have a CT26 and have been using it in a pinch while building new dust collector for the past few months.

I can actually use my old craftsman shop vac hose direct from saw to vac perfectly. Alternatively, there are some “screw on” fittings that fit. Tip, use hose clamps on them for security. Then just get a length of the clear hose from rockler or woodcraft and make your own.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KB82874/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TE13QZ3VQJC1E1GESBTN

The ct26 worked better suction wise than my previous dust deputy shop vac collector but be realistic that without collection at the blade, you’ll only get maybe 75-80% which still isn’t bad to sweep/vac up. 

One warning is keep an eye on how fast they can fill up. Had to plane some big lumber the other day and glad the big DC is running... that would kill my ct [emoji23]

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