DUST DEPUTY FOR THE FESTOOL HAS LAUNCHED - PRE ORDER TODAY!

[twang120]

I ordered one last week.  Hopefully it will be in this week....

 

[L2theP]

this is a thing of beauty, beats the hell out of buying the lifetime bag for 30 bucks less, a lot more capacity vs my ct 22, now i'll be able to hook up my router table, table saw and kapex and not worry about going through 10 regular bags a day!

 

[sroxberg]

This was the 3rd week of feb, anyone get one yet?

I didn't order one but did see one in the wild at a local woodworking store. Very well made and worked great made me think about gettig one.

 

[bionicus]

Just a heads up.

I bought this unit today from a local supplier to use with my CT Midi. Arriving home the first thing I checked was how securely the two latched together. The short answer: They don't. At least not without modifications. The two latches on the left side of the CT clip on as expected, but the right side latches do not. They physically cannot. Unlike the CT 22/33s and hose garages which have fixed protrusions on the right side to secure systainers, the Mini/Midis use the basic green latch. Due to a design incongruency these latches will not clip onto the right side of the molded dust box. This would be simple enough to explain with a picture or two but I can't help there.

Looking at it, I'm thinking a sharp knife could actually remedy the issue easily enough. Then again I just paid close to C$300 after tax for seamless worry-free integration so why should I start hacking away at this thing without guarantee that everything will be golden.

To make it clear, those of you with a CT 22, CT 33, or hose garage shouldn't run into this problem. Mini and Midi owners, however, you may be disappointed.

 

[Dust Deputy]

Actually you received a first run model. Models going forward will have the modification that you speak of done at the factory. 

 

[score0matic]

Actually you received a first run model. Models going forward will have the modification that you speak of done at the factory. 

Good Response,  We like that kind of answer.

Looking at it, I'm thinking a sharp knife could actually remedy the issue easily enough. Then again I just paid close to C$300 after tax for seamless worry-free integration so why should I start hacking away at this thing without guarantee that everything will be golden.

I am sure that there are no "hacks" on this forum [scared]  It is my guess that Onida didn't even think to check out the MINI/MIDI til it was too late, it is always fun being an early adopter and having to massage the product to fit. [eek]

My [2cents], Craig

 

[Corwin]

For this product to work best within the Festool system, this container should be designed such that it can be latched to the top of a Systainer or Sortainer.  If so designed, it would also be able to attach to any of the Festool extractors.  Anything short of this is a design flaw for something that was supposed to be designed specifically for the Festool line.

Keep in mind that may of us want to attach a Systainer and/or Sortainer to the top of our vacs and then attach the cyclone's container on top of that stack.

 

[bionicus]

For this product to work best within the Festool system, this container should be designed such that it can be latched to the top of a Systainer or Sortainer.  If so designed, it would also be able to attach to any of the Festool extractors.  Anything short of this is a design flaw for something that was supposed to be designed specifically for the Festool line.

Keep in mind that may of us want to attach a Systainer and/or Sortainer to the top of our vacs and then attach the cyclone's container on top of that stack.

Yeah, I guess the original pictures shown here is what I was expecting, color difference aside -- It's now black, not grey. Had what I actually purchased today looked just like this I'd probably be keeping it. But it doesn't quite, obviously because of the right side not latching at all (apparently fixed in Oneida's second run), but also because the familiar square edged double-pronged tabs on the side, as seen in those pics, are now in fact a single sort of rounded nub which the green latches don't 'click' onto in the way I'm accustomed; the firm click that tells me things are locked down. Call me picky, but it's the little things.

So overall I'm a bit underwhelmed considering the price and it's headed back to the store. Having had time to look it over I'm thinking I'd be happier going the DIY route and securing a basic Dust Deputy to a Sys 5 as I've seen in another thread.

 

[harry_mc]

For this product to work best within the Festool system, this container should be designed such that it can be latched to the top of a Systainer or Sortainer.  If so designed, it would also be able to attach to any of the Festool extractors.  Anything short of this is a design flaw for something that was supposed to be designed specifically for the Festool line.

Keep in mind that may of us want to attach a Systainer and/or Sortainer to the top of our vacs and then attach the cyclone's container on top of that stack.

+1  Attaching it to a Sortainer was my plan as well.

 

[wnagle]

Keep in mind that may of us want to attach a Systainer and/or Sortainer to the top of our vacs and then attach the cyclone's container on top of that stack.

Corwin,

Also keep in mind that if you put your dust deputy set up on top of  a systainer, the hose supplied by Oneida may not reach between the vac and the top of the cyclone.  

I have the old bucket style, in fact I just installed my third one this weekend.  I used the large hose that comes with the boom arm to go between the vac and the top of the cyclone.  The Oneida supplied hose was to short.  

I believe the buckets are a little taller than the systainer style.  That is just an observation from the pictures, not a measurement.  And I don't know the length of the hose that Oneida sends with the Festool systainer type bucket either.  This is an unwieldy connection though since there is  90 degree bend out the side of the vac turning upwards, and another 180 degree turn at the top to come down onto the cyclone.  A stiffer hose works better since it won't collapse as easy under vacuum as it goes around the bends.  

The hose that came with my last Dust Deputy was plenty stiff and won't collapse.  It was just too short, so thats why I used the 50mm hose supplied with the boom arm for this connection.

On my first Dust Deputy setups, the Oneida supplied hose was more flexible and easier to collapse on the sharp bends, and it was too short.  On those set ups, I used 2 1/2 inch wire reinforced clear hose like they sell at woodcraft.  And even it scrunched down under suction as it made the 180 degree turn at the top of the cyclone.  

The best set up would be to have a large radius solid piping at the top of the cyclone that made the 180 degree loop and a large radius 90 degree coming attached to the vac pointing up.  then the section of hose between these fittings would be easier to manage and could be just about any type of hose.  Of course you would still have to adjust the length according to accommodate the extra systainers added to your stack.

On the system I set up this weekend, I used the old style double bucket attached to a board that latches into the systainer pocket on top of the CT.  I used the Boom arm 50mm between the vac and cyclone.  I used 2 1/2 inch clear wire reinforced hose from the cyclone up the boom arm to the tip.  At the tip I threaded it through a three inch PVC 45 degree street EL that is mounted to the tip of the boom arm.  The Street EL supports the bend and keeps the hose from kinking as it makes the turn towards the floor.  I also stripped back the wire from the wire reinforced hose on both ends to connect to the Festool ends to complete the circuit to maintain the anti static properties.   I simply wrapped the wire around the Festool plastic and clamped it with a circle clamp.  Finally, I attached a 15 foot electric cord from the vac up the boom arm to the tip with wire ties.  And attached the Festool cords to both Festool hoses (27mm and 36mm) with velcro strips.  

When you attach the Festool hose to the boom arm for use, it has much better reach since it attaches on the end of the boom arm.  Even though my vac is mobile, It has enough reach to use everywhere I usually work without moving it.  And I tested the suction to see if I could notice any reduction.  Set up as described, I still have to reduce the suction when sanding with my ETS 150/3 to make it "float".  I believe the reduction in suction is minimized since the hoses start large at the vac 50mm, then through the cyclone, then to 2 1/2 inch, then to the work hoses.  And total length is about 25 feet.  The whole set up took about two hours including assembling the boom arm, cutting the mounting board.

I will try to add some pics but it's a pretty simple set up as described.

 

[bionicus]

Oneida does supply a 90-deg adapter for the top of the DD so it's not quite so unwieldy, and the hose is over 5 feet long with swiveling ends.

 

[wnagle]

bionicus,

I have purchased three Dust Deputy set ups (old style, one from Rockler and 2 from Oneida) and none of them had the 90 degree adapter you referring to.  Maybe it is included with the new set up that has the systainer type bucket.  As for the swivel ends, while they aren't a disadvantage, they really aren't of any help in this hose since it it is static piping once installed.  The last set up that I got through Rockler had the better hose, stiffer with swivel ends, however it was to short so its sitting on the shelf to be used in something else when needed.

 

[Corwin]

Wayne, I am not at all concerned that the supplied hose to connect cyclone to vac is too short if a Sortainer is placed between the two since I have plenty of D50 hose.  What bothers me about this product is that (if not resolved) it does not attach to either a Systainer or Sortainer -- this is just wrong for something that was supposed to be specifically designed for the Festool system.  If they correct this issue, I may likely purchase the new setup for my other CT -- otherwise, not a chance.

Also, I find it curious that Oneida chose to change the material -- or at least the color -- for the Systainer-like bucket.  It would be a much, much better product if the bucket was constructed from either clear (or at least translucent) material so one can see when the bucket needs emptying.  Surely this concept is nothing new to their designers.

I have the ClearVue brand cyclone that was previously available from that company and believe that a cyclone is a great addition to one's Festool 'system'.  The other versions of Oneida's Dust Deputy look to be good values.  This new variation could have been a real plug-n-play accessory for us Festool users, but at this time it looks like it falls short of filling the bill -- especially when you consider the additional cost over their other products.  So, if anyone at Oneida is listening, you really need to address these issues if you expect to sell any/many of these new products.

 

[EcoFurniture]

I'm almost certain that the darker color of the production version is the result of making them antistatic. A common practice is the use of graphite.

 

[Corwin]

I'm almost certain that the darker color of the production version is the result of making them antistatic. A common practice is the use of graphite.

While that may be true, their website states, "The Dust Deputy is injection molded from translucent, static dissipating plastic."  A while back Wayne mentioned that he might modify his cyclone to improve the anti-static aspect -- maybe their translucent plastic is not as static dissipating as it needs to be.  In any event, they should only need to use this darker material on the lid and could leave the bucket translucent.  Then, there could be the business of making the connection across the cyclone -- from inlet to outlet -- better too...  I used copper tape on my ClearVue.  Maybe one would be well advised to do the same on the Dust Deputy.  

 

[wnagle]

Corwin,

You are right on on all points.  The bucket should be translucent to see when it's getting full.  It should latch onto the systainer or the vac.  And in addition to that, I think they should design a 180 degree bend on the top of the cyclone that makes the turn minimizing any reduction in suction.  For the increased price i think their new design could have been a little better designed and thought out.

That's why I stuck with the old style on my last set up.  And I got it for 80.00 from Rockler with there 20% off.  I'm still making a a few improvements as I tweak things.  Sooner or later I'm gonna have to stop messing with it and work on my blanket chest!

 

[Corwin]

Yeah Wayne, I've been asking for some anti-static sweeping 90 degree pieces for a long time.  I want one where the hose plugs into the vac and another two to make the 180 degrees needed at the top.  I tried Loc-Line's parts, but they fail to have all of what is needed to make it happen.  Heck, even without adding a cyclone, a 90 degree piece at the hose/vac location would be wonderful -- especially with the Boom Arm...  I am very surprised that someone has not offered a product that would fill this demand -- you would think that any every company that makes a shop vac or dust extractor would understand this need.  Go figure.

Also Wayne, you mentioned before about improving your anti-static connection on your Dust Deputy.  Does the 'static dissipating' plastic fail to make the connection with our Festool vacs/hoses?  I had to ask.

 

[wnagle]

Also Wayne, you mentioned before about improving your anti-static connection on your Dust Deputy.  Does the 'static dissipating' plastic fail to make the connection with our Festool vacs/hoses?  I had to ask.

Corwin, 

I connected the wire in the wire reinforced hose to all the Festool plastic pieces to complete the circuit and jumpered a wire from their to the bolt that holds the steel ring inside the cyclone.  I wasn't aware of the Dust Deputy plastic being anti static, maybe it is on the cyclone piece.  If it truly is, then maybe I could have done it a little different.  As it is, everything is connected via the wire and it seems to work fine.  I need to check it when I'm doing a lot longer sanding project.  I haven't completed the antistatic circuit on the first two setups I made with Dust Deputy yet since I was still making changes, so that needs addressed.  In fact my Kapex set up is a sears vac and all non anti static hose.  And I do notice static build up there.  That set up will be a little more challenging since everything needs a ground wire.

 

[Gene Howerton]

Has anyone received one yet?  I wondering what the holdup is.

 

[tbellemare]

I received my first one today.

I have them for sale and you can get it shipped on Thursday if you'd like. Just contact me...

Tom