Kapex 120 Dust Extraction

[Stephen Coff]

Whats guys thoughts, you think a bigger rubber mold would help capture more dust and with extraction ?

 

[Max Fracas]

I borrowed an idea from another FOG member (can't remember who--but thanks!) who used some toolbox drawer liner to make the Kapex dust shroud bigger.  Even though the picture shows a dusty Kapex, I think the added material does help. 

Putting the fence halves too close together defeats the purpose of the extended shroud because it pushes the sides together and the dust escapes.  You could probably play with the shape of the extended shroud and get improved performance. 

 

[Stephen Coff]

Max,
Thanks for the reply, very much along the lines of what i'm thinking though in place of original and probably a bit wider and definitely deeper.

 

[Stephen Coff]

Yet to test it though what i had in mind. Just grabbed some rubber from Clarke Rubber and used scissors & stanley knife to cut out using the standard clip and holes.[attachimg=2][attachimg=3][attachimg=4]

 

[Gwerner]

I've found that the best improvement to dust collection using the Kapex (based on suggestions from members here) is to not treat it as a non-sliding saw. Use the sliding feature regardless of the size of the piece you're cutting. Once I started doing that the amount of dust being thrown into the air was greatly reduced.

 

[Stephen Coff]

Gwerner,
I appreciate the response though brought a compound saw because of its huge cutting area otherwise that makes this a stupidly overpriced drop saw. I havent used it yet though think its a mix of issues
1. The part changed doesn't cover a big enough area captureing most of the saw dust, its evident in how much sits under the pivoting bolt.
2. The exhaust track opens out massive and requires a huge amount of volume & velocity.

Ill provide further feedback after using it.

 

[Cheese]

Whats guys thoughts, you think a bigger rubber mold would help capture more dust and with extraction ?

Here's an earlier thread on putting a mustache on a Kapex.http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/kapex-dust-collection-modification/150/

The first post shows the basic Kapex setup and the 119th post shows the saw in action. The 3rd video is the most impressive.

A product similar to these Easy-Cut Strip Brushes was used.https://www.mcmaster.com/#strip-brush-holders/=vlxewl

 

[Stephen Coff]

Cheese,
This is awesome and think the bristles might be a better option to conform around the supports. If only could get bigger than 3" and fix them straight to the frame not off the rubber.

 

[JBird]

This is awesome and think the bristles might be a better option to conform around the supports. If only could get bigger than 3" and fix them straight to the frame not off the rubber.

I have used 4" brushes attached directly to the frame and it is not effective. The problem is the force of the air coming off the blade, and the high velocity of the chips, pushes the chips right through the brushes. The dust collection performance is noticeably worse compared to the stock rubber shroud. It's almost as if the Kapex designers knew what they were doing when they designed the dust collection and have already optimized the solution.