Kapex: which CT?

[etherfarm]

Hi.

I have a Kapex and am planning on building a station for it. I would like to get a vacuum for that station rather than wheel my CT22 to the station every time. The vacuum would be located directly under the Kapex.

I could get another CT22 and that would allow me to keep one set of bags around rather than 2, but due to space constraints, another CT22 wouldn't necessarily be ideal (the CT22 is longer (front to back + hose) than the kapex is wide. Is anyone using their Kapex with a Midi, and if so, how is that working out? I understand the Midi works better with a larger diameter hose. I suppose the real question is that if I do get that larger diameter hose, will I get equal dust collection in a dedicated Kapex situation such as the one I describe? This isn't really a price thing--it's a space thing.

The CT22 is listed at 134 CFM
The Midi is listed at 99 CFM

I suppose I could also go with the Fein Turbo II, which is listed at 116CFM.

 

[Brice Burrell]

It really doesn't matter which Festool vac you use with the Kapex, however, you're going to want the D36 hose, the larger hose makes all the difference.

 

[rnt80]

Brice beat me to it.

Whatever vac you decide to go with make sure you get the larger diameter hose.  I was really disappointed when I hooked up my new 22 to the Kapex.  The dust collection was horrible.  I don't understand why the smaller hose is included with the 22.  Well, I do understand, it just irks me.  There's another post that shows a larger diameter hose at Lowes that costs about 1/3 of what Festool wants for their 36mm.  That's probably the route I'll take.  Be sure to post some pics when you're done.  I plan on building a mobile station for the Kapex as well.  I'm thinking of using the Gary Katz design for the fence extensions.  However, I'd like to be able to remove them and use them when I have the Kapex on the ground when I'm on site.

 

[etherfarm]

OK, great. The MIDI with a larger hose it is. I have to say, though, that with my current CT22 and the smaller diameter hose, the dust collection is pretty good.

One other thing my dealer noticed today--the Kapex is speced at 1600 W but the outlet on the front of the 22 says max of 1200W. I've been using my Kapex on my 22 without incident, but isn't that a bit odd?

 

[Per Swenson]

Everybody beat me to it....

Check here.  Vac hose for kapex

Per

 

[danrush]

Have a Kapex, a 22, a mini, and use a 36 hose.  After some working with both vacs, I MIGHT be able to say that dust collection is a bit better with the 22, but I won't bet anything on it.  The mini seems to do well.  For me ( I travel to distant jobs) the difference is negligible, space and weight rule.  I'll be using the mini on jobs.

Dan

 

[Warrior]

I just picked up a Fein Turbo I which is rated at 116CFM. It will be dedicated to the kapex. I shortened a Non AS 27mm festool hose to about 4' and the dust collection is great.  I got my new Turbo I for 140.00 less than a midi vac.

I went with the Fein because of its power and I wanted to be able to upgrade to hepa filters in the future. The mini and midi vacs are only 99 cfm which is too weak IMO for anything other than the sanders, and without hepa filters I wouldnt use them with sanders.

I love my ct22 but couldnt justify adding another just to use for the Kapex. I also dont have the space in the truck for 2 CT22s but the fein fit just fein.

I think that in the small size vacs: Fein Turbo I and II are better vacs than the Festool mini and midi.

In the larger range the CT22 and 33 are so far ahead of the Fein Turbo III its funny.

 

[Steveo48]

If space is an issue, is there a reason you can't use a long hose to reach your existing vac?  Would a boom help, or some permanent hose across the wall or ceiling?

Steve

 

[Warrior]

If space is an issue, is there a reason you can't use a long hose to reach your existing vac?  Would a boom help, or some permanent hose across the wall or ceiling?

Steve

In the shop that would be a fine solution. On the job is a different story.  The kapex station on a job is semi stationary while the ct and routers may be used to be setting door hardware through out a house or there might no be enough space in one area for both the Kapex and workbench.

 

[Steveo48]

Etherfarm didn't get into that kind of detail with his question but I assumed it was for his shop since he said that space is an issue.

Steve

 

[Warrior]

oh sorry. I just assumed you were responding to my post.

 

[etherfarm]

Well, I went with another 22. The difference of $100, though significant, is somewhat worth it to me since I'll only have to buy one type of bag, and in the unlikely event that one or the other 22 goes down, I'll have an identical system ready to go. Not that any of the smaller Festools wouldn't have been just as ready...

Both very minor points, I know.

Thanks everyone for their input and help.

Next...the cart! I'm working on some real (i.e. for the house) projects right now, so the cart will have to wait a bit, but I've already got it planned out.

 

[butzla]

Correct me if I'm wrong but there's no hepa filter on the midi.  I was thinking of buying a dedicated vac for my Kapex (when I get one) but was thinking of the Fein road for less chingo.

 

[monte]

Well, I went with another 22. The difference of $100, though significant, is somewhat worth it to me since I'll only have to buy one type of bag, and in the unlikely event that one or the other 22 goes down, I'll have an identical system ready to go. Not that any of the smaller Festools wouldn't have been just as ready...

I have a Ct22, a Midi & a Fein.

Keep in mind that more than having an identical back up system,

I find that having a "more" portable vac (the midi) to be of far more benefit.

You might not be seeing those uses at the moment, but they are there.

such as......

>future travels up a ladder where the hose might not reach.

>crawl spaces, attics

>off shop work

>just taking the thing up a normal fight of stairs.

>etc.

So for the amount of consumables you acquire in the the course of "Festool" activity.......

whats a 5 bag set?

R.

Toolman....You're right there is no hepa on the midi.

(and that doesn't change my mind for what I said above.......  it's my secondary vac, not my main vac)