Single CT E 26 vs two CTs (1 Midi I and 1 CT 15)

[deepspeak]

Dear members

I am setting up a pretty small shop - a strip along a 2-car garage with the cars parked in the garage. I plan to have one setup on a workbench where I would be routing, sanding and using my track saw, and a second setup next to it (likely on a flip cart) with a Kapex and a Dewalt DW735 planer. Both setups will not run simultaneously and I am a hobbyist and work slowly, so there would never be a need for speed, but efficiency always helps. I shall also need to clean up the space from time to time for dust not collected at the tool. I am not sure if I will use the cordless track saw, but I will get the Bluetooth module + remote or just the remote for the Midi in either case due to convenience of general vacuuming.

I am undecided between two choices:
1. One CT-26. I connect a 36mm short hose to it when I am using the planer or miter saw, or the 27mm to it (hung from the ceiling) when I am using the sander/router/track saw.
2. One CT Midi I dedicated to the sander/router/track saw, and one CT 15 dedicated to the miter saw/planer.

I made up a list of pros and cons, but they are still pretty evenly matched and so not helping me yet:
CT 26 pros: cheaper ($799 vs $419 + $679), less footprint overall, only one bag to replace and buy, less maintenance for a single machine, compatibility with the boom arm and other accessories.
CT 15 + Midi pros: no hassle of switching hoses, bags are cheaper ($7 per bag vs $9), more portable and need less space dedicated (the CT 15 will fit inside the miter saw/planer flip cart), redundancy, more recent models.

Can you please provide some guidance? Thanks in advance!

Deep

 

[rvieceli]

The Dewalt 735 planer puts out a lot of chips as do most planers. I have serious doubts about the ability of a regular dust extractor to keep up. If it can it will eat up bags.

The planer has an internal fan that does a decent job of getting the chips out of the unit. Before I had a real dust collector, I just ran a 4 inch hose from the planer and out the garage door. Your neighbors or spouse may not appreciate woods shavings across the yard but it does work. Many people have fashioned some sort of collector at the end of the hose, a mesh bag, a trash can with a mesh top etc. There are usually examples on YouTube.

A single extractor option might be the solution for you. Either the 26 or the Midi would work. Perhaps keeping a larger hose dedicated to the Kapex.

Ron

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Agreed ^^^ The planer's output will overwhelm high pressure (but lower volume) vacuums. Because of the nature of the DW735, a 4" hose shoved into a trash can will work better than those small hoses can do, because they are clogged.

I think I would go for the Midi, since the bluetooth is already there. It is very handy.

 

[ChuckM]

I'd go with 2 CT15, but since you wanted flexibility, 1 Midi and a CT15 are what I'd recommend. Having 1 CT (any model) limits your shop vacuuming options, and causes inconvenience in daily use. I have only one CT15, but have three other shop vacs for other machines (drill press, e.g.), and two of them are used with a DD.

Maybe your shop layout doesn't allow the use of a cyclone unit, otherwise I'd have suggested the Dust Deputy 2.0 for use with the Kapex to (practically) eliminate the need for changing bags.

For the thickness planer (also with a fan), I hook it up to a dust collector, not a dust extractor or shop vac, which is too small for that purpose.

 

[deepspeak]

Thanks for the comments, Ron, Crazyraceguy and ChuckS!
Oh wow - had no idea about the DW735. So glad I asked.
All I know is it spits out chips like crazy, didn't know the issue with vacs.
Now I will have to go back to the drawing board a bit.
The cyclone is a good suggestion. I hate how it sticks out, but I might have to go for one - maybe the Home Depot one.

So, there's really not much difference between the Midi and 26 except for the Bluetooth?

Thanks again!

 

[ChuckM]

Get the new DD2.5...same price as the Dust Stopper (with hoses) (at least here in Canada - $90 Cdn). The DD2.5 is anti-static and far superior (see the comparison video):
https://www.oneida-air.com/dust-dep...c-dust-deputy-2-5-inch-plus-cyclone-separator

Comparison Video -


I use the DD2.5 for the Kapex (replacing the previous DD Deluxe/Original).

Prices:
https://www.busybeetools.com/Produc...MIyOHOj9uJ_gIVFRDnCh2tjQihEAQYBCABEgI7N_D_BwE
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/du...VFRDnCh2tjQihEAQYASABEgIvWfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[deepspeak]

Closing the loop here - Thanks again for your suggestions.
I decided to go with the CT 15 dedicated to the Kapex and the Midi for the sander, track saw, domino, router, etc.
Once I build a router table I would *route* it's dust to the CT 15 as well.

I decided to wait on a cyclone separator to first see if my dust volume necessitates it.
It does interfere with the compactness and the Festool one is too expensive.

For now, I am using a trash can for the DW 735 and vacuuming the surface periodically.
Looking to get a cheap and cheerful dust collector at some point when the sales come up.
Advice regarding good budget dust collectors would be most welcome!

 

[deepspeak]

Hi all

Reopening this as I have a follow up question.
So, based on the very helpful advice here I settled on dedicating the CT 15 for the Kapex.
Turns out, I got a Dust Deputy ultimate for a great price and bought it.
However, the elbow of the DD-U doesn't go into the abyss that is the CT 15 hose hole.
Can you advise what you have used/seen used?
I am looking for something static transmissive keeping with the rest of the DD-U and Festool setup.

Thanks
Devdeep

 

[ChuckM]

Mine is a DD 2.5.

To hook up the vac's (or CT15's) hose to the DD, I use a short length of a hose that fits into the DD's outlet port as a bridge. Then, I use a Fastcap universal vac adapter (https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/workshop/dust-collection/parts-and-accessories/114859-universal-vacuum-adapter), a cut-off of a spare shop vac hose, and a short length of pvc pipe (red, about 37mm) to hook up the Kapex to the cyclone:

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

However, if I had known about this video, I might've done it with shop-made PVC adapters:


The PVC adapters are something anyone can make in the shop, without relying on any 3-D printed technology.

 

[Cheese]

For now, I am using a trash can for the DW 735 and vacuuming the surface periodically.
Looking to get a cheap and cheerful dust collector at some point when the sales come up.
Advice regarding good budget dust collectors would be most welcome!

What don't you like about using the trash can? It's actually easier to deal with than emptying the plastic bag on a dust collector. Two handles allow you to move it easily whereas the plastic bag is a pain. I purposely don't allow my dust collector bag to fill fully because it's a real bear trying to remove it from within the support structure of the dust collector because the bag will bulge and become entangled with the vertical supports.

On another note, the blower is so powerful on the Dewalt, that I never even have to turn on the Jet 2 HP dust collector. The Dewalt just pumps all of the chips into the plastic bag, so I'm actually using my dust collector like a trash can but I don't have the convenient handles.  [smile]

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.
On another note, the blower is so powerful on the Dewalt, that I never even have to turn on the Jet 2 HP dust collector. The Dewalt just pumps all of the chips into the plastic bag, so I'm actually using my dust collector like a trash can but I don't have the convenient handles.  [smile]

Mine is a Ridgid also with a blower. I use it with a dust collector out of habit, but I don't find much difference in dust collection using with or without the dust collector. I still see some chips on the front table or the floor. I need to plane something tomorrow for a neighbor, and will try it with the blower alone.

 

[Cheese]

I need to plane something tomorrow for a neighbor, and will try it with the blower alone.

That'll be interesting. If I move my wood shop outside, I'll just use the trash can approach with the Dewalt. Right now I'm in the basement, thus the need to hook it up to the Jet.

 

[deepspeak]

For now, I am using a trash can for the DW 735 and vacuuming the surface periodically.
Looking to get a cheap and cheerful dust collector at some point when the sales come up.
Advice regarding good budget dust collectors would be most welcome!

What don't you like about using the trash can? It's actually easier to deal with than emptying the plastic bag on a dust collector. Two handles allow you to move it easily whereas the plastic bag is a pain. I purposely don't allow my dust collector bag to fill fully because it's a real bear trying to remove it from within the support structure of the dust collector because the bag will bulge and become entangled with the vertical supports.

On another note, the blower is so powerful on the Dewalt, that I never even have to turn on the Jet 2 HP dust collector. The Dewalt just pumps all of the chips into the plastic bag, so I'm actually using my dust collector like a trash can but I don't have the convenient handles.  [smile]

Oh, I do like the trash can for the DW735.
The Dust Deputy is for the Kapex --> CT 15.
Oneida wasn't able to suggest something that works without issues.
They suggested an adapter they sell, but that is not static transmissive and defeats the purpose of using the DD Ultimate.
It also doesn't have good reviews, some suggesting it fits loosely in the extractors.
I wonder if Festool might sell an adapter that will work...

 

[ChuckM]

That'll be interesting. If I move my wood shop outside, I'll just use the trash can approach with the Dewalt. Right now I'm in the basement, thus the need to hook it up to the Jet.

I used the thickness planer without the d.c., and the blower worked well as most of the chips got expelled:

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

Next time, I will put a garage bag at the end of the hose to collect the chips.

 

[peacefulandpatriotically]

Chuck: I have a DW745 and it looks like your machine has a similar blower.  I don't think you can simply tie a plastic trash bag at the end to collect the chips.  What many folks in this scenario do (including myself) is to take a large pillow case and use it instead of the trash bag.  This allows the excess airflow from the planer blower to escape.  Obviously, this means that small dust particles are not trapped in the dust bag but I think that is mitigated if you can position the hose and pillow bag outside or far enough away from you so it isn't creating a fine dust cloud in your face.

 

[squall_line]

Hi all

Reopening this as I have a follow up question.
So, based on the very helpful advice here I settled on dedicating the CT 15 for the Kapex.
Turns out, I got a Dust Deputy ultimate for a great price and bought it.
However, the elbow of the DD-U doesn't go into the abyss that is the CT 15 hose hole.
Can you advise what you have used/seen used?
I am looking for something static transmissive keeping with the rest of the DD-U and Festool setup.

Thanks
Devdeep

I don't think that the hose that comes with the CT 15 is antistatic, so that part of the equation is moot.

 

[ChuckM]

I don't think that the hose that comes with the CT 15 is antistatic, so that part of the equation is moot.

The CT15s now come with anti-static hoses; previously not.

 

[ChuckM]

Chuck: I have a DW745 and it looks like your machine has a similar blower.  I don't think you can simply tie a plastic trash bag at the end to collect the chips.  What many folks in this scenario do (including myself) is to take a large pillow case and use it instead of the trash bag.  This allows the excess airflow from the planer blower to escape.  Obviously, this means that small dust particles are not trapped in the dust bag but I think that is mitigated if you can position the hose and pillow bag outside or far enough away from you so it isn't creating a fine dust cloud in your face.

You're right about letting airflow escape. I don't want a balloon explosion.  [big grin]

Something I can try next time is to divert the hose to a trash can, then to a pillow case, and see which is a better long-term arrangement.

Thanks for the heads-up.