Dust extraction for multiple festool tools in a workshop?

[oldbrowndog]

Just curious what you would do for dust extraction and ease of use in a workshop with multiple festool tools.

I have these components
CT36 vacuum
MFT table & TS55 tracking saw
Kapex 120 mitre saw
CMS router table and OF1010 router
ETC ec palm sander

I dont move them around much, they just stay in the worshop but i cant see the logic in moving the vacuum around and connecting it up to each tool everytime i want to change from one to the other.
However
- if i got some connector that allowed for setting up multiple hoses I'd get a big drop in suction & i couldnt plug all the tools into the vac at once for automatic startup anyway..
- If i had to buy another festool vacuum for each tool that'd take up to much space and money.
- If i got another system like a built in room vac with multiple hoses i'd lose the automatic on/off tool to vac switching with the festool vac..

So whats the go in a sort of static setup like i have?

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I use my older CT22 for the Kapex and the CT-Midi for everything else. The extractor rarely needs to move, other than maybe a foot or three if I'm working on the opposite side of my big flattening/tracksawing table. In your situation, arranging things so you can keep the extractor relatively stationary in the "middle" of the workstations will reduce the need to move the extractor but realistically, you will be moving the hose unless you set up some kind of manifold system. Given the small ports on all of these tools, you need the Festool extractor or equivelent to service them, but you may need more than one, depending on how you arrange your shop. Maybe share between the kapex and router table...I suspect you'll use the latter more than the former so moving the hose wouldn't be frequent. The tracksaw and sanders, located in a different place can all share for sure.

 

[oldbrowndog]

ok yeh so there isnt really a solution that doesnt require you to detach and reattach the hose to the separate tools if your using just one CT36 right...
Because a manifold reduces suction ( it has to right) and irrespective doesnt allow for the auto on/off function.
So you're not only unplugging and attaching the hose to the vac, but also the tool. Just seems clunky to me, unless im missing something.

 

[SoonerFan]

Like Jim, I have CT that is always connected to my Kapex. Then I have CT36 with a Work Center on top for everything else. It does require attaching a plug-it and hose each time I change tools. I just leave the plug-in and hose hanging from the front of the Work Center. Works good for me.

 

[jeffinsgf]

At the risk of being cast out of the club...
Festool is not the only company that makes vacs with tool switching. I have a Nilfisk vac that's the equivalent of the CT-26. It's just as powerful but a bit smaller and quieter. I have a Festool CT-22 that lives on a shelf in my workbench. It's used for Domino, Shaper Origin, hand held routers and sanders. The Nilfisk is my mobile unit, rolling between track saw station, above collection port on my table saw and my little INCA band saw. Nilfisk, Fein, Bosch, Flex (Nilfisk re-badged), Makita, Milwaukee (also Nilfisk re-badged, I think) and others will do the job, even if they aren't black and green.

With regard to dust collection on bigger machines, I have seen many ducted systems that didn't collect anything from anywhere. One wrong bend in your duct work, and you're system is sunk. Instead of buying one big dust collector and trying to lay out ducts, I've bought several small used dust collectors and spot one next to each stationary machine. Buying smaller and used, I'm not even close to the investment I would have in a central system and my shop is extremely clean.

 

[Crispy]

Im at the point where i am considering another vacuum in my shed also, though i dont think my wife will be happy if i do this now ( meant to be saving for japan at the end of the year)
But Im not enjoying playing the constant swapping of cables and hoses game., and when you forget you havent connected the correct hose onto the ct, its gets a little messy.
I will probably setup my kapex on the smaller of what ever i end up with, and use my current ct36 for everything else - as i can only use the domino, router or sander one at a time,

 

[luvmytoolz]

I find having multiple extractors extremely useful and convenient. I can leave my CT36 permanently hooked up to my CNC and use the others wherever and whenever I need them.

I find the midi's especially handy to lug around as required as opposed to the CT36.

 

[leakyroof]

To the OP, while the expense of having more than one Vac in the shop can be hard to swallow, you alleviate frustration when using multiple tools and space between work areas.
As an example, I have my CT-26 normally connected to my Milwaukee Slider Saw at all times unless I want to sand or vacuum at the workbench that the Saw is sitting on. Then it's a quick removal of the Saw's DC hose, insert the Festool hose and tool cord, OR, just the hose since I can reach at the same time and turn the Vac to manual, with running a power tool off another outlet near the bench- I also have the Festool Bluetooth kit installed on the 26, and a Festool flexible hose, so I have the option of starting the Vac that way even if I'm not plugged into the Vac with a Festool.
For my other Vac, it's the larger Auto 33, hooked up to a Cyclone as well above it. That one can serve my Dominos, sanders, Carvex ,etc, but is not the Vac I'd normally take out of the shop due to its size and add-on configuration with the aftermarket Cyclone kit from Oneida.

So, what I would do in your case if leaving it to owning only one Vac- get the Bluetooth Kit if it fits your Vac- leave the BIG/Larger Power cord from Festool,, the one that will fit all the portable tools due to its higher amerage rating, at your Vac for ease of tool fitting. You can now power one of your Festools from another socket in the shop, but turn on /Control the Vac as needed with the Bluetooth kit without your tool being plugged into the Vac.
This is handy for the rare Festool that doesn't use the Plug-It system, but has its own perm cord on the tool- you aren't stuck plugging into the Vac's outlet unless you're in a work area or project where the Vac is your only nearby outlet.
For the Kapex, I guess you just switch out your Kapex as needed with what ever Vac hose it uses , and then back to that Bluetooth hose for all the other Festool's you own.
UPDATE- Now I see the Bluetooth kit isn't available>>>

Festool 202097 Bluetooth Remote Control CT-F I/M-SET​

 

[Neil Lickfold]

I have a power point on a 433 mhz remote on/off switch. I can manually turn on /off the system with the remote fob. Or can have it set for the tool to start / stop the vacuum. Now that I have the fob near the machine / tool I am using , have found this to be a good solution for 1 vacumm. I can have the 2 Festool hoses connected at the same time, on on the machine, and the other for local clean out/clean up. I can also switch the outlet from the 2 Festool hoses, to the ducted layout in the shop next door. Then plug in the Festool hoses from the outlets. Uncap and plug in. Fob the start or stop as I go. They have about a 30m range or so. I have another box power point on an extension cord with the 433mhz remote as well.
I call it the remote extension cord. Between the 2 of them is very handy. They can be on their own Fuse circuit of the workshops.
When installed in the wall, it needs a cover plate and access to the led and the setting button of the remote unit.
My vac system is on wheels and has a 50L catch drum with a Cyclone on top with a Y out let. So can follow around all of the 2 shops. Or can be parked by the ducted system.
Pic of the remote extension cord.
The 433mhz solenoid switches I got, are intended for single phase water pump motors etc, are rated for peak 30amps 220v and constant use of 10amp/2.5kw Cheaper ones are only 25amp peak, and less than 1kw constant use. Their examples for the cheaper ones are for lights, or used for garage door openers etc Not industrial motors or constant use loads above 1 kw.

Edit update, I re checked the place and data for my Remotes. They are only rated for continuous use at 2.5kw max. If 3 kw is required, then a higher capacity relay switch is required. The 30amp peak is to allow for start up loads of water pump motors.

 

[Imemiter]

I'm going to go broken record on the board and suggest the Boom Arm for your CT36. Especially if you've got room to roll it around. Having a boomer would make hook ups to the Kapex and MFT a breeze, and be a big help with sawing and/or sanding. Also, when you inevitably get another CT, you'll already have a boom arm.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

My set-up is similar to most above. I have a CT26 on one end of my assembly bench, which is basically stationary.
Then, on the other end has a CT15. It is the one I move, if necessary. I swap the hose and Plug-it, with each different tool.
It works for me

 

[Hawkeye0001]

My most liberating purchase was a second Vac for the shop. I felt bad, after all who needs two and has space for that, right? Yeah, didn't feel bad for long, I now run 2x CTL 26 (one with a LL bag, one with a cyclone + Bluetooth) for major tasks, 1x CTL Mini for sanding and as mobile unit for out-of-shop work and 1x CTL SYS that's permanently hooked up to my Kapex and to take on quick install jobs.

Not having to switch hoses and PlugIts between tools all the time is such a huge time saver I really hate myself for not having done it sooner. This also reduced those - admittedly - many times of "ugh, it's just a quick cut, it'll be okay without a vac" to zero. There's just no more excuse or opportunity to not hook your tool up to the vac, there's one always right next to you in every corner of the shop!

To make it worthwhile I bought all my units used on classified sites as that made it considerably cheaper than buying extra hoses just to make my single CTL 26 fit for purpose. In terms of space I'm actually not worse off, the CTL SYS lives in the miter station, the CTL Mini under the MFT and the 26's in opposite corners of the shop, i.e. the latter is the only extra footprint taken. But not having to run hoses criss-crossing the shop makes the entire space far more usable than what it was with a single vac.
Weird strategy for sure, but highly recommended.