Kapex dust collection issue.

[OCBuilding]

Sorry guys, I accidentally post a pole about this, when I just wanted some help.  I'm new here, but not to Festool.  Anyways, ignore the pole until I figure out how to delete it.  Can someone give me any advise on why my Kapex is leaving a substantial amount of dust when connected to my ct22?

 

[Bob Marino]

Ok, dust collection on the KAPEX won't be 100% but far beter than other saws out here. What are your expectaions?
Points to consider - did they use a 36 mm hose rather than your 27 mm hose? If they did, the 36 mm hose will give noticeably better dc. Was your suction  level on high or low? Was your filter bag full or empty? All will affect dc.

Bob

 

[OCBuilding]

Suction is up all the way, and I'm using the 36mil. Hose.  I checked suction and it is as good as when I first bought the ct22.  I give the saw plenty of start up time too.  No clogs. Did I miss something in the set up?

 

[Bob Marino]

Is your filter bag full? Filters clean?

Bob

 

[OCBuilding]

Yes sir, bags new and filters cleaned well.  It catches the fine dust, but there is a lot more dust around the saw then when I tested it at woodcraft.  I'm talkin a good four foot radius around saw.  Which, don't get me wrong, that's way better then my makita.  But, the test saw was better..

 

[Bob Marino]

Perhaps the materials used are different, or rate of cut?

Bob

 

[tbellemare]

Without turning on the saw, just put the CT on Manual and full suction while connected to the saw.

Are you getting the full flow through the rubber sawdust deflector?

If not, there could be a clog. I've clogged mine several times while cutting plastics.

Tom

 

[OCBuilding]

I am going to do a couple of controlled tests.  Hopefully, the guys at woodcraft will go along.  The manager is great.  Otherwise, well have to wait and see.  Unless, of course someone else has had a similar issue and its a simple fix that I'm missing.  I'm not gonna write off Festool over this, the saw is still fantastic.  Let me know if anyone has a quick fix.  

Thank you

 

[OCBuilding]

There is no clog on the saw, and suction seems great.  But I don't know what it's supposed to feel like. 

 

[chrisrosenb]

How are you making the cut?

There are 2 ways to make a cut.

1)  Lower the saw head & pull it to make the cut.  This cut gives very poor dust collection.

2)  Pull the saw head out, lower it & push the head to make the cut.  This cut gives very good dust collection.

 

[fdengel]

1)  Lower the saw head & pull it to make the cut.  This cut gives very poor dust collection.

It is also a kickback risk and potentially very dangerous to try this with a SCMS.

 

[danrush]

I cut loads of 4-6" nested crown and 1x4-6" stock on the flat with my Kapex.  I've found that the flat cuts do indeed seem to throw more coarse dust that the nested crown.  But for me that's OK.  I'm more concerned about the fine airborne dust that gets everywhere (including my lungs) than the coarse stuff that just falls to the floor. The Kapex gets most if not all of the fine stuff.

I'm not sure what amount a  "considerable amount of dust" is ??  For me, after a full day of cutting ( probably a hundred cuts or more),  I need to pick up maybe a small baggie or so of dust around my machine. 

Hope this helps give you an idea of what to expect day in and day out.

Dan

 

[Ted Miller]

I cut all my trim on the flat. I did have to add a small piece of rubber to the back of the DC boot on the saw to lower the boot to almost touch the stock. Now I do have my Kapex hooked up to 2hp DC with a 2 1/2" hose that is about 20" long when it is in my shop.

But for the most part I would say that this saw picks up 80-90% of the dust of course depending on how thick the stock is.

When I first unpacked my saw I had a very small trim job to do and at first thought, this collection is not really impressing me. Then the next week I was using my old DW708 in a clients garage, boy did I wish I brought the Kapex to that site.

I try to work as clean as I can and when I leave you would never know I was there...