Newbie Kapex and CT36 question

[steve1500]

Hi, UPS just delivered my first Festool tools today!  Is there a way to auto start the CT36 when the Kapex trigger is pulled?  The note on the CT36 outlet  says not to use w anything higher than 3.xx amps. Is there some type of electrical adapter or something that I can use to autostart the CT36? I tested the sander w the vac and it worked great!

Thanks in advance,
Steve

 

[johnnyinnb]

Don`t worry about the 3 amp sticker, its just there to pass the ul specs for us and canada.

 

[mishle]

All festool tools can be plugged in the vac.

I use my kapex that way all the time.

 

[semenza]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the FOG !  [smile]

Like the others said.... plug it into the vac  and saw away.

Seth

 

[ccarrolladams]

Hi, UPS just delivered my first Festool tools today!  Is there a way to auto start the CT36 when the Kapex trigger is pulled?  The note on the CT36 outlet  says not to use w anything higher than 3.xx amps. Is there some type of electrical adapter or something that I can use to autostart the CT36? I tested the sander w the vac and it worked great!

Thanks in advance,
Steve

Hi Steve,   [welcome]  

As other have already told you, the normal way to power your Kapex is by plugging it into your CT36. That combination will work fine. Just be sure to connect your Kapex to your CT36 using a 36mm anti-static (AS) hose. The smaller 27mm AS hose supplied with the CT36 is not large enough to provide enough extraction for a Kapex.

An alternative is to plug your Kapex into a dedicated 120v 20A circuit. This way you can let your CT36 run continuously during a session of sawing by using the manual function of the CT36. This is the way I personally use my Kapex with a CT.

A trick to get the best dust extraction from your Kapex when using the CT36 auto-start is to make sure the Kapex and CT36 are up to full speed before starting the cut. This way there will be suction before any dust is created. Then when you finish each cut, let the Kapex run for a few seconds before letting off of the trigger. This will ensure the maximum amount of dust is extracted.

Kapex users have differing opinions about dealing with small or thin off-cuts. My own experience is that there is no reason to stop the extraction after a cut, even with a tiny off-cut. Those will fly around anyway.

There are certain kinds of cuts with a Kapex which will frustrate maximum dust extraction. Ideally you could participate in a Festool End-User Introduction to Festool class in Lebanon, IN or Henderson (Las Vegas area) NV. Of course on your own you can experiment with your Kapex to find the ways to perform cuts to get maximum dust extraction.

Both of my permanently installed Kapex are actually connected to my shop's dust collection system, using an accelerator to increase the velocity of the extraction air. Behind those Kapex there are conventional miter saw dust shrouds connected to the dust collection system with 4" hose. Those shrouds catch any dust missed by the Kapex extraction port.

 

[Stone Message]

All festool tools can be plugged in the vac.

I use my kapex that way all the time.

I am not so sure about this... I have just taken delivery of my brand new OF 2200 (amazing - review coming soon) and I believe that the reason that it does not have a 'Plug-It' socket is that it draws too much power for the extractor power outlet.

Peter

 

[Ken Nagrod]

All festool tools can be plugged in the vac.

I use my kapex that way all the time.

I am not so sure about this... I have just taken delivery of my brand new OF 2200 (amazing - review coming soon) and I believe that the reason that it does not have a 'Plug-It' socket is that it draws too much power for the extractor power outlet.

Peter

Peter,

We've discussed that one before and rest assured, it's ok to use the OF2200 plugged into the CT's.  Obviously if a particular situation reveals that you're overloading the circuit that they're connected to, then by all means split them off onto two circuits.

 

[Guy Ashley]

All festool tools can be plugged in the vac.

I use my kapex that way all the time.

I am not so sure about this... I have just taken delivery of my brand new OF 2200 (amazing - review coming soon) and I believe that the reason that it does not have a 'Plug-It' socket is that it draws too much power for the extractor power outlet.

Peter

Hi Peter

I have had the OF2200 for 18 months and it is used regularly plugged into the sockets of either my Midi or CT26 and it works no problem at all.

Guy

 

[dan@mapl.co.nz]

I am not so sure about this... I have just taken delivery of my brand new OF 2200 (amazing - review coming soon) and I believe that the reason that it does not have a 'Plug-It' socket is that it draws too much power for the extractor power outlet.

Peter
[/quote]

I use my OF22 all the time with the vac plugged in and have had n trouble. i did a big job where i used it continually for about two hours and there was no trouble with heat or anything.

 

[Stone Message]

Thanks Dan. This started for me when I read a note by Paul Marcel saying that he felt it would draw too much power. Since then I have read the specs of both router and CT26 and it is fine. I use mine plugged in all the time now.

Thanks

Peter

 

[ajones]

Thanks Dan. This started for me when I read a note by Paul Marcel saying that he felt it would draw too much power. Since then I have read the specs of both router and CT26 and it is fine. I use mine plugged in all the time now.

Thanks

Peter

Peter I think the reason the of 2200 and other high current drawing machines do not have a plug-it lead, is the plug-it connector does not have a high enough rating

 

[Kev]

Thanks Dan. This started for me when I read a note by Paul Marcel saying that he felt it would draw too much power. Since then I have read the specs of both router and CT26 and it is fine. I use mine plugged in all the time now.

Thanks

Peter

Bloody Paul Marcel ... all he's good for is getting people addicted to Festool, showing them how good the tools are, providing really good tips and tricks ... I mean REALLY ... what is he good for ???

[big grin]

 

[Stone Message]

If it weren't for Paul I might not have bought my Domino. He has been a great help to me.

Peter

 

[PaulMarcel]

Muahahaha... 2 down, so many to go... just kidding  [tongue]

More seriously, for Peter, he might be able to run the OF-2200 off the CT-26 with no problem (but not via a PlugIt) since the current draw is half of ours in the US.  But I dunno the CT-26/UK limit.  Here, I plugged mine into a power strip I have mounted over the bench and it popped the integral breaker in the power strip (15A; OF-2200 can go to 20A).  I forgot that this wasn't my modified powerstrip (safely... bypassed the integral breaker, but replaced the wiring with 12ga).

 

[Stone Message]

Muahahaha... 2 down, so many to go... just kidding  [tongue]

More seriously, for Peter, he might be able to run the OF-2200 off the CT-26 with no problem (but not via a PlugIt) since the current draw is half of ours in the US.  But I dunno the CT-26/UK limit.  Here, I plugged mine into a power strip I have mounted over the bench and it popped the integral breaker in the power strip (15A; OF-2200 can go to 20A).  I forgot that this wasn't my modified powerstrip (safely... bypassed the integral breaker, but replaced the wiring with 12ga).

Hi Paul,

The UK are on 240v and the norm (not Abram) is that circuits are protected by a 13amp fuse in the plug that goes into the individual socket. My CT26 has a plug with a 13amp fuse in it (the OF2200 has a plug with a 13amp fuse as well) which is carrying the juice for both the extractor and the OF2200. For simple checks we usually look at the power consumption. The CTL consumes 350-1200 watts and can support a tool plugged in up to 2400 watts. The OF2200 consumes a maximum of 2200 watts and so it is safe to plug into the CTL26. The combined draw is a max of 3400 watts, just over 14amps. I suspect that this would only occur for a very short time and that the running load is much smaller.

All of this may be different for everyone in North America and I am sure some clever chap will want to point out power spikes, peak draw or instantaneous wiggley amps trying to escape and then producing vast quantities of Phlogiston. I have not blown any fuses yet!

I checked with Festool UK - the CTL26 can support the OF2200 and Paul you are right, the plugit cord is a little puny for that big beautiful, smooth and sexy router.

Peter
[spotted a typo]

 

[Kev]

If the lead is getting really hot, you have a fairly good idea that you're pushing your limits ;-)

 

[Ken Nagrod]

If the lead is getting really hot, you have a fairly good idea that you're pushing your limits ;-)

...also if your shop becomes dark.

 

[Steve R]

Steve1500,

From your name alone I since you are good person.... [big grin]

As others have said plug the Kapex into the CT no issue with the draw through the CT.

Here is the issue that you might run into if you are plunging it all into 15 amp circuit you might need to turn down the suction power (the rabbit turtle) it really is a amp draw switch for the vac. 

Think about what else is on that circuit. you might already have 5 amps being pulled by other things on that circuit. So you might only have 10 amps to use.

If you can and if you are in home shop. You should if possiable get some 20 amp circuits in the shop that don't have anything else on them.

Cheers,
Steve