Festool CTL SYS and Kapex 120

[SkyBlu63]

Hi All
I own Kapex 120 which I've been very pleased with.
My question is;
I'm thinking of buying CTL SYS and connecting it to Kapex for dust extraction in my workshop. The plan is that neither tool moves out of the workshop. I already own a cyclone(for hand tools and some machines) and large chip extractor for the planer/thicknesser , space as in most workshops is at a premium I can mount CTL SYS above the kapex. Axminster here in the UK recommend buying the D36 hose, can I not use the D27 supplied with machine.

Do I purchase a Mini or Midi and do away with the cyclone?

You thoughts , suggestions or recommendations required please.

Thanks
Geoff

 

[Birdhunter]

I think you will drive yourself batty changing bags. I own a CTL SYS and use it for a highly mobile applications, but it has a tiny bag. I have a Midi underneath my Kapex which sits on the UG stand. I connect the vac to the Kapex with a short 36mm hose. That combination works well.

 

[copcarcollector]

[welcome] to the FOG
100% on what's said above.

 

[aloysius]

Welcome to the forum sky blue.

There's a few salient facts to consider when making your extractor choice.  Firstly, your proposed setup will work with a CTL Sys connected to your Kapex, but unfortunately not all that well, & perhaps more tellingly much less effectively than alternative (& potentially much less expensive) setups.

You will extract significantly more swarf & dust from the Kapex with a bigger (35-36mm) hose.  The CTL Sys at only 1000w input, especially when combined with its "restrictive" smaller hose diameter, produces significantly less vacuum than just about any other better quality vac on the market.  Given the quantities of swarf produced by SCMS, there will be a frequent requirement to empty its longlife bag or exchange fleece bags due to it's irritatingly tiny capacity.

A Shop Vac, Henry or perhaps Trend extractor will provide,  at significantly less expense, a greater vacuum airflow, much more effective extraction capabilities and significantly less frequent service requirements, initial & ongoing expenses than your suggested setup.  The same will apply to just about each & every other reasonable quality auto switching extractor on the market.

 

[ear3]

I used the ct-sys once on the kapex while doing site work. Wasn't very effective, even with 36mm hose. If you're looking for a small footprint i would say get a midi instead or even just a normal shop vac.

 

[Gregor]

I have used a CT SYS (with the long-life bag) and two short 36mm hoses (#499196) to the Kapex (with a cyclone that has 50mm connectors inbetween). That setup worked reasonably well (looked like it performs about the same as a CT 36 with a 3.5m 36mm hose) and has now moved to my CMS (as the cyclone saves more there through chip separation for the router). I like the CT SYS for this as it is easy to wallmount.

The CTL Sys at only 1000w input

The power taken from the wall plug is completely irrelevant. 'More power' dosn't help when inefficient ducting/motor/fan/bag/filter designs just waste it, these days a vacuum is considered 'good' when 1/4 of the consumed power arrives at the nozzle...