Dust Deputy vs. Ultimate Dust Deputy System

[HappyCamper]

There has already been a discussion of this subject, but the replies were not clear.  I was hoping someone could come up with a more definitive reply. (or if there was, I couldn't find it.)  Both systems are made by Oneida and operate on the same principles of a cyclone attached to either a 5 galleon drum or a 9 galleon box.  The latter fits more elegantly on top of a Festool vacuum and offers better fittings in addition to being able to be used with a bag.  This comes at a steep price here in Canada though.  The original Dust Deputy is on sale for $89, while the specialized Festool ready Ultimate Dust Extraction System is $299,  so more than three times the price.  Some mentioned that the feature of using the bag was not that helpful.  Does anyone have any experience with one or the other (if not both) who could comment of why this huge difference in price? 

I have checked out the specs on the Oneida site and still can't figure it out.  I don't plane to mount this on top of the vacuum cleaner (CT 22) in any event and can probably come up with the appropriate couplings for the cheaper version to work with the Festool vacuum. 

I was about to pull the trigger on the $89 dollar version, but thought I would check. 

 

[Scott in San Diego]

I have the Ultimate Dust Deputy mounted on my CT33 and am very happy with it.  If you have no plans to mount it on your CT, I would buy the less expensive original Dust Deputy, as they both use the same plastic cyclone.

 

[nickao]

Can you link to that 89.00 version because they have a couple versions from 39.00,51.50 and 79.00 for the two bucket and adapter fitting set up.  I think you are looking at the deluxe.

Not sure about Canadian shipping, but its worth a peek anyway.

http://www.oneida-air.com/inventoryD.asp?item_no=AXD001004&CatId={6EE79B16-EB63-43E7-8F30-1E06240A24A4}

http://www.amazon.com/Oneida-AXD001004-The-Dust-Deputy/dp/B002JP315K/ref=pd_cp_hi_2

http://www.amazon.com/Oneida-Molded-Dust-Deputy-Cyclone/dp/B0037MFZN0/ref=pd_cp_hi_1

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2021015/26326/Oneida-Molded-DIY-Dust-Deputy-Cyclone.aspx

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2021015/26325/Oneida-Molded-Deluxe-Dust-Deputy-Kit-With-Two-5gallon-Plastic-Buckets.aspx

I have had both, though mine were metal verse the topper. They perform the same, but I actually like my 10 gal drum the best. The setup for Festool is just overpriced, you do not get any better performance at all compared to a 5 gal bucket, I didn't notice any.

 

[EWTHeckman]

I have the DustDeputy DIY. (Just the cyclone. I had to provide the buckets and mount it to a lid myself.) Here's a couple of thoughts.

You must use two buckets. My CT is easily able to cause a single bucket to collapse. Putting one bucket inside another prevents collapse. (The DustDeputy Deluxe comes with a double bucket setup.)

It tends to fall over fairly easily if I'm not paying attention. The DD Deluxe seems like it might be only slightly better than my setup, unless the bottom bucket is weighted. Since the DD Ultimate mounts right to the CT, I can't see it falling over. That's probably the Ultimate's biggest advantage.

The tool end of the 36mm hose fits right into the DD's ports. Most of the time, I use the 36mm hose to connect between the CT and DD. The 50mm end of the 36mm hose does not fit on the DD. If I'm using the 36mm hose on the input side of the DD, I swap out the 50mm connector with another tool connector.

The 50mm connector of the 27mm hose does fit on the DD connections.

One of the advantages of the DD Ultimate is that it is a 9 gallon box vs. a 5 gallon bucket. If you tend to fill up vac bags pretty quickly, this might be an advantage.

I've been considering getting a 50mm hose to run between the CT and the DD when I need the 36mm hose connected to a tool and to use with my floor standing power tools. The DD Ultimate comes with a 50mm hose specifically for connecting between the CT and the DD.

It seems to me that the DD Ultimate has three advantages:

1. It's a LOT more stable.

2. Can run longer between emptying.

3. Can substitute for buying an additional 50mm Festool hose in certain situations.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[nickao]

Yes, but the performance of the units is identical.

You must be using some cheap  buckets, I never collapsed one of mine with my CT 33.  ;D

Or just use a 5 gallon steel bucket if you are getting buckets that collapse, they are a10.00 - 18.00 or sometimes less. You would have to cut the hole in the top which might be a hassle in metal, but easily doable.

 

[RONWEN]

If I didn't already have the DD bucket setup I might go with their ultimate setup but as has been said the performance is the same and one advantage that I like with the translucent buckets is being able to tell with a glance how full the bucket is -- with the ultimate it has to be opened to check how full. 
I cut a hole for the bucket in a piece of ply that snaps into my hose garage on top of my CT33 which makes it a handy setup.

 

[NoBreyner]

I uploaded my pics of how I attached my DD to my CT Mini.  It's the last post.  $69 for a Dust Deputy + scrap plywood vs. $200 - $250 for the Ultimate Dust Deputy?  I have better uses for my money, and it'll probably go towards the TS55.

Dust Deputy mounted on a CT mini

 

[EWTHeckman]

You must be using some cheap  buckets, I never collapsed one of mine with my CT 33.  ;D

I never had that problem with my old Craftsman shop vac.  [eek] [big grin]

The CT 26 collapsed the first time I used it. It was on max suction, but I didn't even fully obstruct the airflow before it collapsed. Darned super powerful Festool!  [big grin]

The specs on the CT 26 say 137 CFM. How much suction does the CT 33 have? I'm wondering if that's why you never had trouble.

I had been using a translucent bucket. I've now switched to two opaque buckets.

 

[EWTHeckman]

one advantage that I like with the translucent buckets is being able to tell with a glance how full the bucket is -- with the ultimate it has to be opened to check how full. 

I've noticed that it's fairly easy to see how full the container is (5 gal bucket in my case) by looking down through the top of the DD when the hose is off. Not as convenient as a translucent bucket, but still not bad.

 

[RONWEN]

one advantage that I like with the translucent buckets is being able to tell with a glance how full the bucket is -- with the ultimate it has to be opened to check how full. 

I've noticed that it's fairly easy to see how full the container is (5 gal bucket in my case) by looking down through the top of the DD when the hose is off. Not as convenient as a translucent bucket, but still not bad.

I guess that should also work with the "ultimate" containers. (Or perhaps that is what you were talking about)?

 

[HappyCamper]

Thanks for th replies.  I ordered the cheaper version.  This will allow me to spread my tool money around a little further.

 

[EWTHeckman]

I guess that should also work with the "ultimate" containers. (Or perhaps that is what you were talking about)?

Yep, that's what I was talking about. You do have to remove the host to see down into the container. I suspect that happens more often with the 5 gallon bucket setup than with the DD Ultimate.