More newbie questions

[tenfingers]

Sorry for all the questions, but as an amateur, the more I use the tools, the more questions I have.....

1. Except for the sanders, do most run the vac at full suction? (using 27 mm hose)
2. Does the CT22 come with this:
      http://www.festoolusa.com/products/...onnector-for-d-27-antistatic-hose-452892.html

    or would getting it help with the hose getting all coiled and twisted? (until I get a boom arm, but I also want to stay mobile and boom arm seems like it would take a while to dissassemble every day

3. 1/2 x 1/2 " rabbit in birch plywood. Ok to do full rabbit (one pass) with OF 1400 (didnt seem to bog down at all to me)
4. How do you know when the CT22 dust bag is full? is it like a brick or do you feel you lose suction?

Again, appreciate all the responses.

 

[GreenGA]

Tenfingers...

As an amateur myself, allow me to egg you on.   :  You keep asking the newbie questions and I can learn more without asking them myself, thereby appearing more knowledgeable than I am. 

Sorry for all the questions, but as an amateur, the more I use the tools, the more questions I have.....

 

[mwhafner]

1 - Yes, the only time I adjust the suction is when sanding.  I have found that this is more critical with the non-rotary (I have the LS130 and the RTS400). 

2 - The hose that comes with the CT22 has the swivel attached.  The anti-static hoses are a little more prone to coiling up.  I started hanging mine up when not in use, and that helped the "memory" a lot.

3 - I always make these type of cuts in multiple passes, but if it works go for it.  I usually make my first pass about the same depth as the veneer, on quality ply.  On cheaper ply, I will usually make a kerf cut either with the TS or my tablesaw.  Then you can take the remainder out in one pass.

4 - I can usually tell by lifting the vac.  The suction will drop if the bag gets full, but I try to catch it just before that happens.  If I am working around the shop, I reuse my bags.  When working in a residence, I use new bags. 

 

[Chris Hughes]

1.  Another thought on vacuum setting is amprage draw.  Normally I run full out, but on one job I kept popping a breaker.  I was 200' from an outlet and so turning down the power on my sys-vac and ts75 a little made the difference.
2.  yep.
3.  It depends on depth and width of the cut.  Another factor is the diameter of the cutter.  The wider the cutter the lower the angle of attack the more work that can be done with out tear out.
4.  If the vac is heavy check the bag.  It is easy enough to do.
5.  Good Luck
                        C Hughes

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Tenfingers,

The OF 1400 certainly has enough power to cut the 1/2" by 1/2" rabbet in a single pass, but I don't normally do that.  The OF 1400 is a plunge router so it is very easy to adjust it to make a first pass taking off most of the material then a second pass fully plunged to remove the remainder.  This 2-step procedure will usually result in a cleaner final cut.

Cutting the full 1/2" by 1/2" rabbet in a single pass is more likely to clog the 27mm hose normally supplied with the CT 22 vacuum machine.  I purchased a 36mm hose and use it most of the time to mitigate this problem.  I installed the 36mm hose on my Boom Arm, then made a short length of 27mm hose with a pair of "tool end" fittings (Item #487071).  The short "adapter hose" will friction fit into the tool end fitting (Item #487721) of the 36mm hose enabling use of the same 36mm hose with all of Festool's sanders and other tools such as the 1010 and MFK 700 routers that will only couple to the 27mm hose. 

Here's a photo showing my adapter in use connected to my TS 55 saw.  I could remove the adapter in this setup because the TS 55 and TS 75 saws can be directly connected to either the 27mm or the 36mm hoses.

Other FOG members have reported that the bag can become like a brick when full, making it difficult to remove.  I never experienced that problem because I have installed a mini-cyclone in front of the vacuum.  Likewise, I have never experienced clogged HEPA or Microfilters due to that cyclone.

Dave R. 

 

[RogerF]

I highly recommend the hose garage for keeping things tidy and mobile. It also works well a safe place to rest your tools so they don't fall on the floor.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Many people like the hose garage.  I bought one based on many positive comments on this forum.  But you might want to wait a bit and see what work habits you prefer.   As a hobbyist working at home, I don't have to transport my tools.  Most of the time, I have a stack of Systainers and Sortainers on top of the Hose Garage on top of my CT 22, so the Hose Garage doesn't get much use.  I store my vacuum and DC accessories in the Systainer in which my cleaning kit came.

Dave R.