Dust Deputy (plastic) on Systainer & Festool CTL Midi

[festoller]

Unfortunately I couldn't find proper information on connecting the CTL Midi to the plastic Dust Deputy (US$ 59) therefore I thought it might be worth to start a new post for myself and other Midi owners. Images of the completed setup will be posted later.

For those not owning a Midi, the biggest difference to the other models beside power and capacity is the D27 (27 mm) hose.

I've just ordered the new Dust Deputy, but I guess it will take a few days for delivery and in the meantime I would like to order the proper accessory for a perfect setup.

I am thinking about buying the Plug It Suction Hose anyway since this would really improve my taped DIY version and this seems to be the perfect time.

From my research I've learned that it's probably not necessary to switch to D36 (36 mm) or even D50 (50 mm).  If someone feels different about this please let me know.

I am intending to use an old Systainer (probably SYS 4) instead of a bucket, mount the Deputy on top, cut the original CTL Midi D 27 hose and connect it to the Deputy. The new D 27 Plug It Hose would then connect to the tool.

The Deputy obviously has a 2" outlet and inlet therefore I assume the Festool  rotating angle adapter (#456806) and the rotating adapter (#452892) with 58 mm (outside) should almost fit. I like to keep the Dust Deputy optional, therefore the connection should be easy to take off. Will these Festool adapters fit the Dust Deputy?

Angled adapter #456806

Adapter #452892

I've seen many setups, but never with an angled connection, like the Festool rotating angle adapter, from the Deputy to the vac, although it would make a slimmer setup. Is there any downside with an angled connection?

 

[Dan Clermont]

Larger hoses such as the 36 and 50 pull more air so they would work better then the 27. This is why the KAPEX does better with a 36 and some of the tools like the Routers, HL 850 planer can accept a larger hose.

I look forward to seeing how this all goes together and you post lots of pics

Dan Clermont

 

[Jesus Aleman]

I have the older metal DD, but this should work for the plastic one as well.  I went to the plumbing section of HD and bought a rubber 90 elbox with 2 hose clamps.  It fits perfectly on the 2" DD top outlet and connects directly to a  a 1 1/2" Mr. Nozzle hose section (4.5") that I purchased from Lee Valley.  I use this 4.5' section between the DD and the CT22.  I use a 27mm antistatic hose between the DD and tool, or the reminder (19') of the Mr. Nozzle hose for general cleanup and the planer. 

No complains here.

 

[festoller]

So I guess it would probably make sense to at least connect the Midi and the DD with a 36 hose. Of course I have to try if the 36 adapter and hose will fit in the Midi with the Systainer attached, since the original 27 adapter is the angled one. Has someone tried this?

 

[wnagle]

The $99.00 Dust Deputy comes with a 2 1/2 inch hose that goes between the vacuum and the cyclone.  It has fittings on each end that are the same and they will hook onto the vac just like the Festool hoses do.  They also have this same fitting at Woodcraft.  When I set up my Dust Deputy I didn't use the black hose that comes with the Dust Deputy because it was too short for the way I mounted mine..  I mounted My Dust Deputy on top of the ct33 so I needed longer hose to go between the vac and the cyclone.  The fitting on the Festool hose fits directly on the cyclone as well.  However, when I set mine up, I put a piece of 2 1/2 inch hose from the cyclone on one end and mounted the other end on the to pf the ct33.  That is where I plug in my Festool hose so when I pull on it it doesn't put stress on top of the cyclone.  To do this, I bought two of the fittings at Woodcraft that are the same as the two that came with the dust deputy and some extra 2 1/2 inch hose.  

So really, when you buy the Dust Deputy, you don't need any extra fittings or hoses to make it work.... Only if you need a longer hose for your specific mounting application or if your add the anti stress hose the way I did.  Since the clear hose that I added has steel wire reinforcement, eventually I'm going to complete the continuity From the vac all the way through the system to the Festool hose that goes to the tool.

Also, I don't have the Midi or Mini, but if they have the 90 degree fitting at the vac, I believe you just eliminate it and the Dust deputy Hose will fit directly on the vac just like the Festool hoses do.  Keep in mind that all the additional hoses reduce suction.  And the Midi and Mini have less CFM than the 22 o33 already.  So if you are going to use the Mini or Midi with the Dust Deputy, I would think about mounting them side by side and using the shortest connection between the vac and Cyclone with the hose and fittings that come with the Dust deputy.  Also, I would consider eliminating  the extra hose that I added to reduce the stress on the top of the cyclone.  Instead I would rig up something else so when you pull on the hose it doesn't pull the top of the cyclone.

Separated Unit below:
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Mounting to CT33 below:
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Hoses attached below:
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Complete Unit below:
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[ForumMFG]

Wayne or anyone,

Can you explain in a nut shell what exactly the dust deputy is and what the benifits are of owning one??

 

[MarkF]

It's a Mini-Cyclone and diverts a substantial amount of the dust and debris to a 5 gallon bucket instead of the vac.

 

[wnagle]

Dave,

The downfall of the Paper bags in the vac are twofold.  One, they are expensive to replace, and two, if they fill up, you might not realize it until you have lost suction and plugged up you hose.  To prevent this, you have to constantly keep checking the bag to see how full it is, so you can replace it before this happens.

With the Dust Deputy, you can see the 5 gallon pail as it fills up and very little dirt even gets to the bag in the vac.  When the pail is visibly close to full you just empty it and keep going.  This allows the vac to work at full efficiency for a long time before you need to replace the bag.  This is especially helpful when using the router, or hand planer where you make a ton of chips quickly.  

It won't take long to pay for the Dust Deputy with the savings on bags.  My shop is stationary so toting it around isn't a problem.  I set mine up to separate easily so I could transport it should the need arise.  If I was mobile, I would pick and choose when and where I carried it.

 

[ForumMFG]

Thanks Wayne & Ruta

 

[score0matic]

Wayne
I really like that setup!!   it is well layed out and simple to operate. (we need a thumbs up smiley   )  did you make some type of catch for the 5 gal bucket to keep it from getting bumped off? 

How tall is it assembled?

I wonder if you could build a frame around the deputy.  and use that frame as a base  for a hose boom?

Craig  

rambling in the middle of the nite

 

[wnagle]

Craig,

There are two buckets.  One is screwed to the wooden mounting board.  The one that catches the dust set inside of it.  I also drilled some holes in the "holster" bucket to reduce the suction when pulling the top bucket out to empty.  So to empty is simple, just pop the top off and pick the dust bucket up with the handle.

Eventually I plan to automate emptying the dust deputies and put a 4 inch gate on the bottom of the bucket.  when It's time to empty, I'll just put the hose on the 4 inch gate that goes to my large cyclone and presto, empty system without any dust.  The only time I will be exposed to dust is when I empty the Large cyclone which is already in a contractors bag.  I just close it up, seal it off and put in a new bag.

I have three small cyclones like the one you see in the pictures above and will probably be adding a fourth.  Another reason to transfer the Dust Deputy dirt into the large cyclone is this.  The large cyclone has a sensor that alerts a loud buzzer when full.  However when it goes off there it isn't quite full, maybe 6 inches of room left before it's completely full.  At that point I don't like to empty the bag early and waste bags but I also don't want to shut off the buzzer and risk spoiling my filters.  So that is the time I will go around and suction out all the dust deputies, filling the void in the large cyclone, and then change the large cyclone bag.  At least that's the plan.

 

[SteveD]

No, it does not take long to recoup the cost of the cyclone. My unit (using a metal trash can) only gets used occasionally and is able to suck up most things - even liquids - without too much worry. Using a setup like this makes economic sense if you have a planer. The bags will fill up in no time at all.

HOWEVER, bags and filters are still needed. I have had to replace a bag that appeared almost empty but refused to suck. The bag had a coating of very fine particles. Mind you that was after planing, sanding and sawing and having emptied the container at least 20 times (about 4-5 gallons each time). Cost = 1 bag.

When I tried plastic 5 gallon buckets they crumpled, usually when the vac was going full bore and something blocked the nozzle. Once it does that a crease develops and makes it more susceptible to collapses. Have you had that problem?
Also, at what point does the lid wear out (let's face it I make enough spare lids, replacing them is not a problem) and do you reinforce the lid?
Neat idea using the another container as the base. I did not think of that. Some other ideas I had - just sucked! 
Back to the drawing board...

SteveD

 

[wnagle]

Steve,

My Dust Deputy came with two buckets just for the purpose of one being for dust and the other for mounting...so it wasn't my idea.  I bought the complete unit for 99.00.  I know they sell just the cyclone for 59.00.  To me the best bargain was the complete unit.

 

[bobbobbob]

You can still use 5 gallon buckets, just double them up.  I've not any problems since doubling the buckets.

 

[JeromeM]

When I tried plastic 5 gallon buckets they crumpled, usually when the vac was going full bore and something blocked the nozzle. Once it does that a crease develops and makes it more susceptible to collapses. Have you had that problem?
SteveD

The cure for that is easy you just need to renforce the container.

 

[festoller]

A little update on the project.

The DD (plastic) arrived and it's amazingly small. I didn't expect that, but on the other hand it makes the installation a little easier.

After reading your recommendations I decided to use a Festool D36 hose, which is also a perfect fit to the Kapex.

The only thing I couldn't decide is if I should use the cheaper D36 #452881 or the more expensive antistatic one #452882 the premium for antistatic is almost 50%.
I would obviously use just a small part of the hose to connect DD and Midi and later on maybe use the rest to connect the Kapex, "if I ever decide to buy one".

What's your opinion, is the antistatic worth the premium?

 

[ForumMFG]

I had the same hard decision to make and that was when I needed a hose my kapex.  I wanted something I could afford so I was going to get the non-antistatic hose.  But then the voice kept running in my head "But what if you have a fire"  then I would of always felt like I should of went with the anti-static hose.  You can never go wrong buying this hose if you can afford it. 

 

[Corwin]

You definitely want to use the AS hose(s) when adding a cyclone to your system.  Also, you will want to complete the connection through/across the cyclone, otherwise the AS hose question is mutt.  The first day I installed my ClearVue cyclone I found I was getting zapped.  Next day I picked up some copper tape (in the garden department for controlling slugs) and completed the connection.  Fixed the static problem.

 

[Corwin]

I should add that I also used a hose connector cut in half with one half at each the intake and output ends of the cyclone to connect the hoses.  Since these connectors are also AS, this allowed me to make the needed connection (copper tape) to these added pieces leaving the hoses alone -- just plug and play.

 

[festoller]

I'am almost done with the Cyclone/Systainer project, but it seems there could be a problem with the performance of the CTL Midi. It seems the Midi will not provide enough power for proper performance together with the Dust Deputy.

I've switched to the D36 hose, but my first impression isn't that good.

Does anyone have experience with this setup (Midi - Dust Deputy), or do I have to switch to the new CTL 26?