KAPEX dust collection, is it really that good?

AofD

AofD

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Sep 21, 2012
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Okay, so I've heard a lot about the KAPEX's excellent dust collection.  Is it really that good?  Can I bring it into my home to work on my flooring without leaving a fine layer of dust everywhere?
 
AofD said:
Okay, so I've heard a lot about the KAPEX's excellent dust collection.  Is it really that good?  Can I bring it into my home to work on my flooring without leaving a fine layer of dust everywhere?
Click to expand...

First,  [welcome] to The FOG!

The way some people use a Kapex can render the dust collection more or less effective. The technique you use while making a cut affects dust collection.

Also it is important to spend some money to have a 36mm hose as short as possible between the Kapex and the dust extractor. Working inside I suggest using a fabric drop cloth behind and below the Kapex to catch stray dust.

Both of the Kapex permanently located in my shop are hooked to the dust collection in the usual way, but also have a standard miter saw shroud behind and below them. Those hare connected to the plant Dust Collection system with 100mm hoses.

My experience has been for years that no miter saw I have ever owned collects dust as well as my many Kapex. The savings in clean up would pay for a new Kapex every year.

Of course the best way to learn the ways to get the most from your Kapex is to participate in Festool End user classes.
 
Mine has been sat in the dining area of our kitchen during our complete remodel of it and I would not have been Allowed that if it made a lot of dust. There's some larger pieces of debris that do get away, but those are easily cleaned up by detaching the hose. It has the best dust collection of any mitre saw I've ever used and I've tried quite a few.

The thing is, after a while you get pretty used to it, and then start to think that it's maybe not so great after all. Just take off the hose then to be reminded of how it usually is with that kind of saw ;-)
 
Yes, it is worthy of using inside [wink]

I have saved so much time in the last year being able to setup inside the room I am working on. Putting a single drop cloth on the floor under the saw catches the small amount of larger "chunks" that are not caught by the Kapex. The fine dust that would float in the air and land on every surface is nonexistent. I usually run a Swiffer around the hard surfaces in the room afterwards and the pad is virtually clean after doing so.

The only time the dust collection is a bit less is when cutting on a bevel, but even then it catches most of the fine dust.
 
Thanks all for the replies.  I think there are enough testimonial evidence to buy one and try it indoors.
 
I'm a new Kapex user and my first few cuts, I thought, the dust collection is just ok. I mean there was still sawdust visible here and there. I guess I was expecting to be about as much dust as when I sand: none. And then my CT-22 went on the fritz and I had to use it without dust collection. All I could say to myself was OMG! There was dust everywhere! I'd say it gets about 90% of the dust or better. Very impressed, and wouldn't hesitate to use it inside.
 
I'd also guess my Kapex, dedicated Festool vac, and big hose combination is about 90% on dust collection.

I couldn't use my previous miter saw indoors.

Big difference!
 
Well, 90% is better than the estimated 30-40% dust collection on my Dewalt 718.  It's a good saw other than the poor dust collection.
 
I am a floor installer and refinisher. I bought the kapex and 26 DC and MFT to do in house installs.  I love the saw, i have every other miter sAw. There's nothing even close. However I was a little disAppinted that the dust collection was not as good as I thought it would be. I have even connected my large dust containments to it. No better. Here's your solution. Get the fast cap hood to go with you kapex. You will be dustless. Guaranteed. Good luck.  And nice to be back on the fog.  Sam
 
I have to say sorry, but there is no way I would have the Kapex inside my house. i have the shortened 36mm hose and now have it hooked up to the larger ct36 vac (had the midi and decided it wasn't up to the task of collecting the dust) and there is still a heap of dust, front, sides and behind the saw. I must seem a tad fussy, as other's here are quite content with their setups, but I have to clean it up after every daily session. Whilst it is an improvement on my old ryobi it still isn't like the nirvana result as per sanding with the vac and festool sander. (i.e. no dust) I think you'll need to test it out in the shop before you purchase as you may not get the result you may expect or wish. Apart from that I love the saw and it get's used on nearly every DIY project I do- but I keep it and use it soley in the garage.
Acrobat
 
I use mine for laying hardwood floors,i can lay a parquet floor,making 100 or more cuts and although the kapex is not 100% dust free,the dust is usually confined to on and around the base of the saw and it`s not even a handfull
 
I use mine in peoples houses all the time. Very little chips are all thats left after cutting all day. Just try it out. If it does not satify you return it. I make my living with my tools, yes Im very pleased with my set-up. [big grin]
 
The difference with the Kapex is when they say 90% collection they mean in the vac vs. other brands with 90% in the air.  Yes, it is that good and I would certainly use it in the house or wherever I needed to make cuts.

Scot 
 
AofD said:
Okay, so I've heard a lot about the KAPEX's excellent dust collection.  Is it really that good?  Can I bring it into my home to work on my flooring without leaving a fine layer of dust everywhere?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's that good! Here's a photo of the Kapex in my den, where we used it (plus a CT26 and a long 36mm hose) to cut the reclaimed Maple flooring. Didn't have to vacuum the furniture after we were done!

[attachthumb=#1]

Regards, Dick
 

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[/quote]

Yes, it's that good! Here's a photo of the Kapex in my den, where we used it (plus a CT26 and a long 36mm hose) to cut the reclaimed Maple flooring. Didn't have to vacuum the furniture after we were done!

Regards, Dick
[/quote]

As a floor guy, that's impressive! Thanks for sharing that pic
 
I've used mine in the living room of my own house multiple times and in other occupied spaces several times. It tends to leave a little sawdust on the floor nearby but not much. I think the reason it doesn't leave dust all over is that nearly all of the fine dust is getting consumed by the dust extractor and only a small amount of the heavier sawdust is escaping. I use a 36mm x 3.5m hose - sometimes AS and sometimes not.

That's my analysis of what I've observed. As they say in the movies, your mileage may vary.

Tom
 
Okay, the saw is finally delivered and unpackaged.  Very nice.  I purchased the longer 36mm x 5m hose cause I wanted to use it for my router and track saw as well.  Many discussions within advocate using a short hose for the KAPEX, =< 3.5m.  Is it really a major DC improvement going from say 3.5 to 5 meters?  Has anyone performed objective tests?
 
Jaybolishes said:
But adding a 50mm hose would be a good improvement IMO.
Click to expand...

You'd be surprised. The Kapex is designed to be used with the 36mm hose and this is probably the optimum configuration. Others have tried the 50mm, but found it too rigid and in need of adapters to actually connect to the Kapex. If you're interested, put "Kapex 50mm hose" into the search engine for the forum, or take a look at these threads;

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/kapex-and-50mm-hose/

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/50mm-hose-to-kapex/

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/36mm-hose-length-for-kapex/

I have a 1.5m 36mm hose from my Midi to the Kapex and the dust collection is excellent.
 
AofD said:
Okay, the saw is finally delivered and unpackaged.  Very nice.  I purchased the longer 36mm x 5m hose cause I wanted to use it for my router and track saw as well.  Many discussions within advocate using a short hose for the KAPEX, =< 3.5m.  Is it really a major DC improvement going from say 3.5 to 5 meters?  Has anyone performed objective tests?
Click to expand...

Try it with the 5m and see what you think. 

Do you have a reason for so long a reach to the other tools? 

Seth
 
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