Thinking about a CT26 Dust Deputy combo for my home shop...

[Woody Knotsensplintah]

Hi,
I have been hesitating to buy a CT26 for the past few weeks because I think I want to add a Dust Deputy on top of it. I see the equations quantifying how many bags the dust collector can save, and the number of bags that equates to the cost of the Dust Deputy, but I don't think that is the potential benefit that appeals to me.
I don't know how long it will take to use up enough bags to justify the extra expense as I just have a small hobby shop, but I am impressed by the idea that a vortex dust collector will keep the actual vacuum system extremely clean. When I see the video demonstrations showing how much debris is diverted from the vacuum filtration systeem I appreciate the idea that the vacuum could run at full performance for years and years. I imagine that a system like this will not slowly degrade as when a vacuum's filters' clog up with particulate. If this is true then I can appreciate the value of the extra cost immediately, and I don't need to explain to myself that I am saving a cost on bags etc.

I have been holding off on buying the CT26 with the excuse that I would like to run it with the Dust Deputy from the very beginning.

So, I am writing to ask; am I crazy? Is it worth going for the matched system from the start?

Thank you.

 

[Slowlearner]

In for info

 

[RKA]

Well, you're not wrong.  The dust extractor will begin to lose performance as the bag fills.  I typically remove and toss the bag around 75% since that is the point where I notice more dust is escaping at the source. 

But, if the funds are not available to get both, why not get the CT to start and add the DD later?  I guess that depends on what you're using right now, but I'm assuming it's somehow insufficient as you've already decided to get the CT.  If you're concerned that your bag will be partially filled by the time you get the DD, heck, any of us would sell you a single bag to replace it when the DD arrives. 

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Depends what you use it for too. I'm also a hobbyist and I've had a CT33 for years and really don't need to change the bag that often. I mostly use it for sanding, pocket holes, Domino, and occasionally circular saw. I use my dust collector and regular shop vac for most other applications. I do have a pre-collector (was made by ClearVue) for both vac's but don't use it all the time.

Last year I picked up a Makita cordless track saw and wanted to be w/o any tether. I found a dust bag made by Mafell and it does an excellent job. This combo make using a track saw enjoyable.

Even though I mostly use the Festool dust extractor for sanding I would never give it up. The suction power and quietness are worth the $'s.

Mike

 

[veric13]

For me it was about size more than cost.  I went with the CT 36, because it isn't much larger size wise, but holds a lot more.  This means less bags.  I didn't go the dust deputy route, because I can slide the CT under my bench and the back end of my saw.  With the dust deputy I wouldn't be able to slide it anywhere.  I do also enjoy having a systainer on top of the CT for items I commonly use with it, so I don't have to travel as much when using it.

 

[morts10n]

I used the DD on a Midi before buying the CT26. I never used the CT26 without the DD and after 3 yrs the first bag was still empty after extensive use. I replaced the DD with CT cyclone and the CT26 was half full after one month of extensive use. I have the DD in the shop sitting next to a CT33 ( not on top) and it works great there

 

[ChuckS]

Unless you use the dust collector/extractor on a jobsite or you don't have the clearance needed in a workshop (DD stacked on top), the dust deputy is a god-send.

I just cleaned up one of the shop vacs (filter) this morning and in the first photo you can see how little dust was inside the tank. It is a routine for me to clean all my dust collection equipment (a dust collector, three shop vacs, one of which is used with a dust deputy (36mm hose) (for Kapex, DF and sanders)) every spring and fall.

I also used the CT26 with the DD before I sold the CT.

 

[Woody Knotsensplintah]

Hi,
Thank you for the helpful answers.

I am fortunate to be able to budget for both items at once, which is why I did not want to buy the CT26, use it for a month, and then buy the Dust Deputy to add to it. I would like to realize the benefit of the combined system from the start of its use.

I recently moved and finally have a place to set up an indoor workshop, so this will be my first dust extraction set up. Previously I had been using a broom and a shop vac... and the old shop vac didn't make the move.

The information you have provided here has helped make my decision to proceed.

Thank you.

 

[LDBecker]

Just seeing this - What tools are you collecting dust from? It's fine for any of the Festool machines, but not so much for table saws and the like. Most go with something with a 4" hose. I did find one guy using his CT48 on a small CNC machine on FB and he seemed happy.
I got the DD for my CT36 because I was sanding some drywall and didn't want to clog up the filters and bag. It really worked well. ZERO dust in the bag or filter. Amazing... and Oneida fixed the static electricity issues from their first versions. No issues on mine at all.
The only dislike I have of the combination is the size. It's too big to move around much in my small garage shop. I mostly keep it attached to my Kapex 120.

 

[Woody Knotsensplintah]

Hi,
I will use it with all my tools and accept that it is most useful with the handheld Festool products.

I have a cast iron contractors style table saw with a custom box stand that I want to continue to improve with regards to dust containment, a router table with a built in dust catch, a chop saw which I am in the process of mounting on a new bench that will feature integrated dust containment, and a radial arm saw that I have used extensively but want to retire by making some sort of cross cut jig for my track saw and a jig for "dado" slotting with a router.

I don't have room for extra shop vacs so the CT26 and the stacked dust deputy seemed like a lot of capability for the floor space it uses.

I don't doubt I will still be using a broom, but at least I can start evolving with dust management.

I suspect that in the near future a deluxe homeowner shop vac will have an effective vortex canister built right in. The current systems all seem cobbled together, and it seems to me that it should be easy to stick everything into one sleek box that with a similar height and footprint, but for now I am glad to have a system that works well and I look forward to making good use of it. 

Thank you.

 

[ryanjg117]

I think the CT26 plus Dust Deputy is a great combo. I have a CT36 with Dust Deputy and have used it for everything - general shop cleanup, miter saw, router, all handheld Festools, sanding drywall on my entire shop, and even hooked it to the back of my DeWalt DW-735 12" planer which was probably the only situation where it didn't really work. (That, I think, was a separate issue caused by the fact that the planer has it's own chip ejection system which didn't seem to jive well with the vac suction.)

Like others have mentioned, I've changed the bag maybe... twice? In six years?

LDBecker raises a good point in that it really depends on the machines you're going to be using. Everything you listed sounds fine, though cabinet and contractor saws are pretty notorious for poor dust collection at the tool. Not the fault of the vacuum. Jointers and planers just aren't going to work well as they produce too many large chips.

I am enticed by Festool's cyclone product, as it looks nice and interfaces more cleanly with the vac, but apparently it takes a big hit out of your vac's suction. Wood Whisperer tested both cyclones head-to-head and found the Dust Deputy has a much lower impact on suction. Honestly, I've never really wanted for more suction on any of my Festool vacs.

The design of the Dust Deputy isn't perfect. Yeah, it fits and locks in like a systainer, but it often finds its way out of those small latches. I've tipped the vacuum over a time or two (boom arm contributes to that, for sure). The hose from the Dust Deputy to the vac comes unseated at both ends pretty regularly. And the 1/4" air valve connector is annoying, rigid, and gets in the way sometimes. I ran down to Homeless Despot and grabbed some John Guest right angle fittings and that let me shorten the 1/4" line and tuck it back a little better. I think Oneida has since made some design improvements that should fix a few things, namely the vac hose coming undone.

 

[demographic]

I used the DD on a Midi before buying the CT26. I never used the CT26 without the DD and after 3 yrs the first bag was still empty after extensive use. I replaced the DD with CT cyclone and the CT26 was half full after one month of extensive use. I have the DD in the shop sitting next to a CT33 ( not on top) and it works great there

Hmm, not exactly a glowing endorsement for the CT Cyclone. The Dust Deputy seems to be far and away better.
Wouldn't mind getting one myself but its got to be very mobile and I'm not sure I can keep tbe size down.
I've considered putting the DD inside a large systainer and using the space round the DD to store the hose and cleaning kit.

 

[David D]

I am fairly new to the Festool world and recently bought the Ultimate Dust Deputy, even though I don't have a Festool vac (yet). I'm currently using it with an old Sears shop vac and must say that I'm very pleased with it's performance. It's amazing that almost ZERO dust makes it into the actual vacuum. Not having to stop and clean the filter frequently and the cost savings of bags and filters makes the cost of the Dust Deputy well worth it. I'm looking forward to attaching it to a CT26 as soon as the budget allows.

 

[ChuckS]

I am not discouraging anyone from getting a CT26 which is really good (myself a previous CT26 owner). But, if you need or want better dust filtration for your Sears shop vac in the meantime, consider getting this:
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=64681&cat=1,42401

However, I would not recommend using a Kapex directly with the CT26's plug-in/auto switch given the potential motor issue. I use this auto switch with my Sears shop vac/Dust Deputy for my Kapex:http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=63013&cat=1,42401,72660 (Extension cord used:http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=76078&cat=1,240,41065,76078)

No burning issue or smell [tongue] or unusual motor sound for my Kapex which is used regularly (4 years old now) given the above vac/auto switch set-up.

 

[ChuckS]

Just came across this mobile DC DD set-up:https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs2_vsMA5Ql/

 

[coho10]

I've had my CT26 for years and use it with a Dust Deputy attached to the top via a home-made plywood platform.  I have never changed a bag even though I empty the DD about once a week.  Here's my set up

 

[PeterK]

Another one who has the Dust Deputy. Mine is the metal version with their metal collector bucket. Really works well. My biggest complaint is not curable though. All of these cyclone devices take a lot of space - height - and make it really difficult to use in my small shop. Just no way to tuck the vac and cyclone under other tables. Have toyed with trying to wall mount it but then becomes difficult to access to empty or replace bag.