Okay to Use Dust Deputy with Festool Mini?

[bostonreds]

I recently purchased a Festool Mini and Dust Deputy. However, I've read on this forum about a static electricity build up that can damage the control board on the vacuum. I haven't been able to find any current information, so I'm wondering if it is okay now to use the Dust Deputy with my Festool. Is there anything in particular I should do to get this setup working properly? Thanks

 

[jbasen]

Not sure if you purchased the Oneida Ultimate Dust Deputy (UDD), which is made for attachment to a Festool vacuum, or another Oneida model. 

I have the UDD hooked to my Mini and have not had any issues.  That being said, you need to make sure you have the latest UDD model that has a black, conductive cyclone along with other updates.  If you don't have the latest, updates to the UDD, you should contact Oneida as they have, in the past, provided the required updates for free.  You will need to show them proof of purchase to get the updates for free. 

If you have another Oneida model then you could have issues unless you can find a way to make sure there is a continuous electrical path from the tool to the vacuum so you don't build up a static charge that could damage the vacuum's electronics.

Hope this helps.

 

[bostonreds]

I have the regular Dust Deputy, the clear plastic inexpensive model. I have a dustshoe mounted to my CNC machine, which has parts (and a hose) that are not anti-static. Is there anything I can do further down the airline between the Dust Deputy and Festool to discharge any built up static?

 

[peter halle]

Oneida says that it is safe.  The Festool warranty will not cover damage to the CT's electronics if the dust deputies are used.  Only you can make the decision.

Peter

 

[Bohdan]

Run a length of thin bare copper wire from the vac thru the hoses right thru the DD up to the dust shroud on the CNC. Make sure that the wire is earthed at one end or the other and you should be right. The other way is to obtain the metal tape from Oneida which will earth the DD but relies on using anti static hoses. I actually prefer the clear DD as you can see that it is working and there are no blockages.

 

[bostonreds]

Thank you all for the help

 

[Corwin]

Run a length of thin bare copper wire from the vac thru the hoses right thru the DD up to the dust shroud on the CNC. Make sure that the wire is earthed at one end or the other and you should be right. The other way is to obtain the metal tape from Oneida which will earth the DD but relies on using anti static hoses. I actually prefer the clear DD as you can see that it is working and there are no blockages.

Or, go to your local garden department and purchase copper tape that is used to repel slugs from your garden. That's where I purchased mine.

 

[jbasen]

Run a length of thin bare copper wire from the vac thru the hoses right thru the DD up to the dust shroud on the CNC. Make sure that the wire is earthed at one end or the other and you should be right. The other way is to obtain the metal tape from Oneida which will earth the DD but relies on using anti static hoses. I actually prefer the clear DD as you can see that it is working and there are no blockages.

I use this tecnique on my 4" dust collector to eliminate static and it works very well. One thing to be aware of is that on a small vacuum hose you could run into issues with chips catching on the wire and causing a clog in the hose.

Also I suggest using braided copper wire as opposed to solid wire as it is more flexible. Some woodworking stores carry a dust collector grounding kit. These are overpriced but looking at what they include will show you what you need