Hose for kapex?

[festoolviking]

Hi everyone

I've just placed an order for a kapex and considering what hose to get for it. I've dedicated a MIDI for it. My question is:
AS or non AS ?
36mm or 50mm ?
As for length I read here on the FOG that "the shorter the better".

All input is welcome  ???

Festoolviking

 

[jonny round boy]

I recently upgraded my Kapex hose to a 36mm - I bought a 3.5m AS hose & some additional fittings, cut it in half & made 2 hoses. That length is perfect for the Kapex with my mini:

[attachimg=1]

BTW, my kapex is set at a bed height of 900mm, so it's the same as it would be on a MFT-Kapex, or the mobile stand.

I did think about shortening it a little, but it may interfere with full movement when doing compound cuts to the right, so I haven't bothered. I sold the spare hose on eBay.

The dust collection is noticeably improved from the 27mm hose I was using previously. As for AS vs. non AS, I don't know, but I went with AS anyway since I got a good price on it (also not many dealers stock the non-AS hoses).

 

[GarryMartin]

I did something similar to Jonny.

I bought the 7m 36mm hose, and cut 1.5m off the end. I then fitted the Rotating Adapter and Reducing Sleeve to the cut ends, essentially making two hoses; one 5.5m long and one 1.5m long. I then dedicated my existing 3.5m 36mm hose to the CTL26 and Boom Arm combo, leaving the new long hose for workshop cleaning etc.

My MIDI is directly underneath the KAPEX so 1.5m works for me, but when I researched lengths (before getting the KAPEX and hose), anywhere between 1.5 and 1.7m was recommended. Parts used below for reference.

452886 Festool Suction Hose D36 antistatic D 36x7m-AS
452894 Festool Antistatic Rotating Adapter D 36 DAG-AS
487721 Reducing sleeve, antistatic - D 36 DM-AS

I remember reading somewhere that there was negligible difference between the 36mm and 50mm with regard to performance on the KAPEX, but that the 50mm was a little more "cumbersome" in its movement when using the saw. The 36mm is definitely the recommended bore from a Festool perspective.

 

[festoolviking]

Thanks for the quick replies  [smile]

I've been thinking in the same way as both of you. My setup is going to be similar to yours. I worked out the price to be pretty much the same if I buy a 3,5m hose or 2m (Meter ware) + connectors. So I guess I have to find out what to use the extra piece for after cutting it. I'll probably wait getting the connectors until I know. Or maybe spend the extra cash and get a 5m one which will leave me with a 3m one. Decisions, decisions.....  [tongue]

Festoolviking

 

[semenza]

AS is not necessary but if you are going to cut the hose its the way to go so that the extra piece is AS compatible with other AS hoses and such.  I think my Kapex hose is 5.5 feet. Which is just long enough with the Mini/ Midi vac directly under the saw. With on of the other CTs it needs to be a little longer  due to the vac port location.

Seth

 

[festoolviking]

Good you mentioned that Seth. I will take that in to consideration since I've got a 26 aswell.
[smile]

Festoolviking

 

[ccarrolladams]

Hi Festoolviking, Seth and Everyone,

The combination of a Kapex and either a Mini or Midi dedicated dust extractor makes good sense because sawing does not create a huge amount of dust.

Personally I use CT22 with several of the Kapex in my shop, but I started with the CT22 before I owned a Kapex. One advantage of the Mini or Midi is the hose enters from the top so it is a more direct path and kinks less.

The Kapex will accept a 36mm hose as easily as a 27mm hose, but it is not designed to work with a 50mm hose. To do so you would need an adapter fitting, which will interfere with operation of the Kapex. In point of fact, the 36mm hose provides all the suction the Kapex can effectively use.

I made it a policy to only use AS hose in my shop long ago. With a short 36mm hose for the Kapex the non-AS hose will work.

Because I own more than one Kapex and I need a slightly longer hose because of the CT22, what I do is purchase 36mmAS x 7m hose, plus 2 each vac and tool ends. I start off by cutting 2.3m off one end, then fit both pieces with the appropriate fitting. I have the right length hose for the Kapex and a useful 4.7m hose for other tools. Then when I need another Kapex hose I cut the 4.7m hose in half, and attach the appropriate fittings. This leaves me a third Kapex hose. Best of all the fittings do not wear out, the the next time I buy another 36mmAS x 7m hose and no extra fittings.

With a Mini or Midi half of a 3.5m hose is long enough.

For the 2 Kapex permanently installed in my shop, in addition to the 36mmAS hose attached to the dust port, I also have a conventional miter saw dust shroud behind and below the Kapex connected to my plant dust collection system. That deals with the small amount of debris escaping the Kapex dust collection. When we use a Kapex on a job site we place the UG stand on a drop cloth, then clean the drop cloth using the CT as needed.