Oneida Dust Deputy - Review

[bonesbr549]

I got my Oneida Dust Deputy this week and got it put together.  It is very impressive to use.  First off it is heavy duty molded plastic and the walls are 5/16? thick.  The bottom of the container has systainer style tabs.  I have the hose caddy on top of my CT33e and it works well.  You have to install foam striping around the lid and there is a foam gasket that fits between the cyclone and the lid.  This is where the fun began.  The instructions that came with the device were for a previous version.  I can tell they have been going though rapid changes.  The color booklet does not include directions for the bag version of the DD.  A separate sheet of copy paper indicates where the directions are now wrong.  The photos just don?t match up well.  Secondly, the documentation indicates that you no longer get two elbow units because you can now connect your hose directly to the top of the cyclone.  However, they still included a ?? by 8? copper tape strip that was to go into the second elbow that you no longer get?  You also get a piece of sponge that is 2?x2?x1? with not mention of what it?s for.  I called tech support and the guy apologized all over the place about the documentation and pointed out that they have gone through several version changes and they realize that the directions are not up to par.  I asked about the sponge and they indicated it fits in the handle where the small tube supplies vacuum to hold the bag against the wall to keep it from sucking up the bag into the tube.  I asked about the copper tape and he indicated it was for the elbow that no longer comes with the unit and was for static dissipation.  I pointed out that even in the picture it was not grounded to anything so how would it work?  He did not have a good answer.  The tool works fantastic and I love the fact that 99% of the stuff it picks up goes into the container and not into the vac. 
I spent the evening cleaning up and even did a test with some screws nuts and bolts and it worked fantastic and cool to watch the action.  Anyway there are two versions the cheap bucket version is $89.00 and the fully loaded festool version for $249.00. 
For me I?m happy with it.  If I had got the cheap one, I would need to make something to hold it and move it with the CT33/e and that would be a pain in the arse.  I like it?s all together and will probably now use it where I would use my big canister vac.  Here are a few pics

 

[Corwin]

... the documentation indicates that you no longer get two elbow units because you can now connect your hose directly to the top of the cyclone.  However, they still included a ?? by 8? copper tape strip that was to go into the second elbow that you no longer get?  ...  I called tech support and ...  I asked about the copper tape and he indicated it was for the elbow that no longer comes with the unit and was for static dissipation.  I pointed out that even in the picture it was not grounded to anything so how would it work?  He did not have a good answer...

Copper tape can be used to complete the anti-static connection across a fitting (or cyclone, separator or whatever) that is not made from a static-dissipating material.  So, with the Dust Deputy, these fittings had been the only items that were not anti-static, leaving the connection broken -- thus the copper tape.  

One does not need to separately ground the copper tape if, with the addition of the tape, there exists a completed circuit.  With our Festool extractors, the circuit runs from the tool, down the anti-static hose and on to the extractor where it continues on to ground via the CT's grounded power cord.  Anything added along this path needs to maintain the continuous connection.  I have a Clearvue cyclone that is not made from a static-dissipating material, and adding this copper tape across the cyclone completed the circuit and eliminated the static shock that I had before adding the tape.

It is nice that Oneida is refining its Dust Deputy, as these small cyclones are a great addition to a Festool extractor.  I am surprised at the number of changes they have made over such a short period of time to get a viable product to market -- but, at least they have made the effort to get it corrected.  As with so many things, the paperwork is the last thing to get right.

 

[ApgarConstruction]

I've seen a few threads on another forum about this DD.  IMO,  for 250 bucks what are you really getting?  why not just use the CT and it's bag?  I'd like to know if it's for shop use?  seems very bulky and adds even more weight to an already heavy CT vac.  I have the ct22 and it performs great, not sure why i'd need to spend another 250 to add some clunky looking awkward device on top of it.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I've seen a few threads on another forum about this DD.  IMO,   for 250 bucks what are you really getting?  why not just use the CT and it's bag?   I'd like to know if it's for shop use?   seems very bulky and adds even more weight to an already heavy CT vac.  I have the ct22 and it performs great, not sure why i'd need to spend another 250 to add some clunky looking awkward device on top of it.

That is like 45 bags worth of $$$, so I really don't get it either.

 

[mouppe]

I've seen a few threads on another forum about this DD.  IMO,   for 250 bucks what are you really getting?  why not just use the CT and it's bag?   I'd like to know if it's for shop use?   seems very bulky and adds even more weight to an already heavy CT vac.  I have the ct22 and it performs great, not sure why i'd need to spend another 250 to add some clunky looking awkward device on top of it.

This will allow you to use a CT with a planer or any tool that creates so much dust it may overwhelm the CT. Also, you will go through less bags and it is really easy to empty the bucket.

I am interested in getting one but I am wondering if there are any differences other than cosmetic ones between the original $100 version and the $250 Festool version? I am not concerned about it needing to sit on top of the CT22 as I want to be able to hook the dust deputy to both my CT22 and my shop vac whenever I want.

Richard.

 

[nickao]

I have two of the metal dust deputy.

The dust deputy is going to save you in the long run a huge amount of money on bags, that is part of the point.

I have not used the Festool version, but I am betting it is not even as good as the regular version and at that price I would skip it, it is way clunky from what I have seen.

Even with the dust deputy My CT33's still don't not keep up with my drum sander, not even close to the performance of my Jet 1000CFM or Grizzly cyclone.

I can remember a couple years ago a thread started about using a sustainer as a dust deputy and some guys even made some and many here laughed. Now Oneida patented it! They also patented the entire mini cyclone set up as well which is bull crap. How the heck can they patent something that has already been on the internet openly for at least 7 years? The first small cyclone set up like Onida uses I saw free plans for on the net in 2003! I have a feeling the companies fighting Oneida right now will win as those were "open source" plans. Hopefully they have enough money to fight it. Clearvue was selling those little cyclones based on the open source plans for at least 4 months before Onieda patented them!

 

[dng]

I agree I have seen lots of DIY cyclone setups on the web, and they all seem to work at the same level as an Oneida.  I even saw a video of one made out of reused plastic bottles and containers taped together and that seemed to work really well too.  It probably cost him 3 bucks for a vacuum hose fitting.  I think the oneida is only worth it if your looking for a polished looking cyclone, but if you dont care for that you could probably make one for about 20 bucks. 

 

[erikfsn]

Here's a link to a thread about the $99 version I got for planing. It works very well.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/fantastic-dust-collection-accessory-for-festool-vacs/

 

[zapdafish]

I was wishing the cyclone attachment were in a systainer as well so I could stack something on top of it.

 

[Corwin]

...
I am interested in getting one but I am wondering if there are any differences other than cosmetic ones between the original $100 version and the $250 Festool version? I am not concerned about it needing to sit on top of the CT22 as I want to be able to hook the dust deputy to both my CT22 and my shop vac whenever I want.

Richard.

Richard,

The $59, $99 and $249 versions all use the same cyclone.  So, the only differences is what else comes with the cyclone.  Many others have made bases to mount their buckets on top of their vacs -- no difficult at all.  Check out the Dust Deputy site.  They also offer All-Metal Dust Deputy Kits, if you prefer.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I got my Oneida Dust Deputy this week and got it put together.  It is very impressive to use. re I would use my big canister vac.  Here are a few pics

bonesbr549 - thanks for your post.  I just got a UDD (freebie with a cyclone purchase), and went through almost exactly the same trials and tribulations you did - except I hadn't gotten around to calling Oneida yet.  Thanks for letting us know what the sponge does.

Questions
- does the lid of your UDD compress/collapse somewhat when the vacuum is at full suction ? Mine does and I have read elsewhere that this should not happen with a properly sized cyclone system - but I'm not sure if the slight compression I see is within acceptable parameters.

- does your UDD make a slight whistling noise when running ?

My initial impressions of the UDD is that it makes my  fairly streamlined CT33 with boom arm suddenly very clunky.  The hoses feel like they will be in the way all the time.  But it is definitely more convenient than having to deal with a "regular" mini cyclone.  I wish it had  a port so I could check when the bag needed to be changed.

 

[bonesbr549]

I got my Oneida Dust Deputy this week and got it put together.  It is very impressive to use. re I would use my big canister vac.  Here are a few pics

bonesbr549 - thanks for your post.  I just got a UDD (freebie with a cyclone purchase), and went through almost exactly the same trials and tribulations you did - except I hadn't gotten around to calling Oneida yet.  Thanks for letting us know what the sponge does.

Questions
- does the lid of your UDD compress/collapse somewhat when the vacuum is at full suction ? Mine does and I have read elsewhere that this should not happen with a properly sized cyclone system - but I'm not sure if the slight compression I see is within acceptable parameters.

- does your UDD make a slight whistling noise when running ?

My initial impressions of the UDD is that it makes my  fairly streamlined CT33 with boom arm suddenly very clunky.  The hoses feel like they will be in the way all the time.  But it is definitely more convenient than having to deal with a "regular" mini cyclone.  I wish it had  a port so I could check when the bag needed to be changed.

My lid does not compress but the sides do slightly.  I've turned down the suction slightly and it did not, but I did not like it too much.  I called about that as well.  The support response was yes it will slightly, but should not impact the functionality and they indicated that it was due to the quality of the festool vac. My larger concern after some use (I was on vacation last week) is that the back suction think does not work really well. On a couple tests I did with dust dumped from my large canister The back got sucked up into the cyclone.  I have a second issue as well now.  I've noticed when starting up the back gets sucked in on the sides due to an apparent vacuum leak.  I noticed that the molded plastic on the top is not flat and the gasket does not sit firmly down.  I don't know if that mine is not defective.  I'm going back to woodcraft today to discuss with the manager.  He actually got the first ones in the store and I bought one after speaking to him about them.  He bought 4 total to have more on-hand.  If they are all like that, I may return it as I'm not happy at the moment.  They have a steel version that is the same price, but would not have the fit of the model I wanted.  We'll see I'll post my results from the discussion with woodcraft today. 

 

[hanshamm]

i just attached the ultimate dust deputy to the CT 36 + boom arm and it shocks like crazy.  i used the copper tape and everything and I can't seem to figure out why?

 

[Brice Burrell]

i just attached the ultimate dust deputy to the CT 36 + boom arm and it shocks like crazy.  i used the copper tape and everything and I can't seem to figure out why?

You did something wrong, maybe the outlet isn't grounded?

 

[Sparktrician]

i just attached the ultimate dust deputy to the CT 36 + boom arm and it shocks like crazy.  i used the copper tape and everything and I can't seem to figure out why?

You're not getting conductivity all the way through from the boom arm to the CT36.  The Dust Deputy is non-conductive.  You'll need to run a copper wire between the Festool hose on the boom arm and the CT36 to complete the grounding circuit and get rid of the zapping.  It's best to use 14 or 16 gauge stranded copper wire for flexibility. 

[smile]

 

[PeterK]

My DD uses a non antistatic hose as well as several non conductive fittings. I have never been shocked or felt a tingle. I am not using any type of conductive tape or wire. Like Brice says, check that the outlet has a functioning ground circuit and that the power cord is not damaged.

 

[Corwin]

i just attached the ultimate dust deputy to the CT 36 + boom arm and it shocks like crazy.  i used the copper tape and everything and I can't seem to figure out why?

You're not getting conductivity all the way through from the boom arm to the CT36.  The Dust Deputy is non-conductive.  You'll need to run a copper wire between the Festool hose on the boom arm and the CT36 to complete the grounding circuit and get rid of the zapping.  It's best to use 14 or 16 gauge stranded copper wire for flexibility. 

[smile]

Connecting a wire to the cyclone end of the hose that runs to your tool, and running that wire to your CT will work to eliminate static you feel at the tool -- but it will not remove any static buildup that will occur from the cyclone and down the hose to your CT.  And such a wire, while simple, would be a little awkward day in and day out.  The better solution is to complete the connection through your cyclone.  Here, either wire or copper tape will work -- with the copper tape being a cleaner solution.  Also, you might terminate your cyclone's ports with Festool's AS hose connectors (or cut one in half and use one half on each end as I have done) to make it more plug-n-play.

As Brice says, the CT needs to be plugged into a grounded outlet too, so that is also an area that could be interrupting your AS circuit.

 

[hanshamm]

Yup the plug is grounded and I don't get shock when I take the UDD out of the equation.  once I figure it out Ill post it.

 

[Benjamin]

I have spent the last 6 months using and not using the dust deputy in the field and here is my views on it.

It's absolutely essential for drywall work, it handles 99.percent of the drywall dust and is a absolute life saver for that.
For everything else it's incredibly bulky and a real chore to move around and set up. Don't get me wrong it's a incredible device but the fun thing about festool is just bringing the vac with you and attaching your sortainers to it and everything else super fast and easy , but wheeling around the dust deputy on the vac feels very bulky and is seriously heavy to walk up and down stairs and it's very awkward to carry, as I might be spoiled now but when you get used to the convenience of the festool line it's hard to take a step back.

If you had a shop and it's in a stationary spot it would be a different story but I think you should just bite the bullet and buy both the dust deputy for drywall work and long lasting bags for everything else.

Don't forget you need to get there kit as well to make it anti static which is also a choir to set up , but in all honesty it really beats the ct 36 any day as I dry walled a entire house and zero dust made its way to the filter

 

[Jaybolishes]

I put bags in the UDD. Just regular trash bags and they literally take seconds to replace.  I'll never have to replace my filter in my ac36, and my ct bag lasts forever  as nothing even gets to it.  The UDD fits on top of the vac and being made for a ct is just the best thing I could imagine if you're looking for a cyclone.  Is $250 too much for this setup, not at all IMO.  I agree if you do drywall ever this thing is a must, or another dust deputy type.  If the UDD were a piece of junk and just not worth buying, I wouldn't be singing its praises. If I were dissappointed, I would definitely voice that opinion.  But this thing has been one of the best things I've put into my shop.  Not to mention I use a drop hose from my ceiling and the udd gets the hose a lot higher off the ground so there's more useable hose to move around my 4'x8 work table.