To all Festool newbies who already have a Shop-vac

[fritter63]

Hi, Barbuilder,

I wonder if there is some point I didn't understand in your explanation. I'd like to connect an accessory like the one you mentionned to a no-brand vac to give it a try. Well, the only difference is that I have a AS #452878 instead of the non-AS #452879. But it doesn't fit at all. The point is that it's non threaded while the vac is awaiting a threaded female connector. Is there in the Festool catalog an item that can replace (or adapt to) the female connector on this #452878/9 items that I could order?

thanks for your help!

- plouf -

plouf,

I think that Festool hose will still work for you. IIRC, that's exactly the same setup I had, and Festool hose slides INSIDE that threaded hole and uses a friction fit.

DISCLAIMER: I have that hose for sale on Ebay right now and the link is listed in the classifieds here.

If you want, I'll measure the OD of the fitting, and you can measure your ID on the vac to ensure I'm not remembering incorrectly.

 

[plouf]

Hi fritter63,

I tried that already and the hose is exactly the same diameter as the threaded hole. Or maybe I didn't understand your point correctly?

thanks

- plouf -

I think that Festool hose will still work for you. IIRC, that's exactly the same setup I had, and Festool hose slides INSIDE that threaded hole and uses a friction fit.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I tried that already and the hose is exactly the same diameter as the threaded hole.

If the diameter is exactly the same, then you could use Festool's hose connector to connect the AS hose to your vac.

The threads on the vac will of course prevent it from sliding over completely, but you could secure it with tape. If you're willing to modify your vac for a more permanent solution then you could cut/sand/grind the threads off and glue the hose connector in place.

 

[Alan m]

i wonder if you could used the vac end off the vac and take it apart and put the festool hose or ends on it

 

[plouf]

Hi Alan m and Alex,

I tried several solutions to my vac connection problem and til now, none is effective or satisfying. So maybe I'll change my plans and buy a CT26 or 36 and keep this very low cost vac of mine (49,5 euros...) for other dust/liquid tasks in the house or elsewhere.

But then again, I found myself puzzled with basic questions. These vac's come with a 27 diameter. But for many tools, the 36 diameter is recommended. And that's where I realize I have absolutely no idea how these things work

Do I need adapters? or rather two hoses? in which case is AS appropriated? or useless?, and so on. Lots of newcomer questions, as you may see...

So before I go shopping, I will try to find some everything-you-need-to-know about vacs on this forum or on the web. If you have some nice links, I'm interested

have a nice day!

- plouf -

i wonder if you could used the vac end off the vac and take it apart and put the festool hose or ends on it

 

[robhowen]

I purchased this adapter at Home Depot and one end fits the TS 55 nicely and the other end fits the Shop Vac hose that I already have (that connects to my Shop Vac).  This provides a very low cost solution to use what I already have.

Rob

 

[QuailRider43]

I also use that Home Depot adapter on occasion, when I want to connect standard 2" / 50 mm hoses to 36 mm tools or cleaning attachments.

 

[Ofpiste]

rocker has a hose that fits my CT & TS and is extremely flexible and doesn't have a "set" I actually prefer it to the hose that my CT came with and am sure that the Rocker hose is a fraction of the cost of a Festool hose (sorry ultimate heresy).

 

[woodvkk]

Will the 452879 fit the dust deputy? I use a shop vac but with the dust deputy. I've been using the rockier kit and wondering if the more expensive festool hose would be better.
http://www.rockler.com/dust-right-universal-small-port-hose-kit

I know that on this message board it will be considered heresy and I'll probably get slammed for posting this BUT I wanted to make it crystal clear to anybody who is just starting their journey with Festool that it is not necessary to buy a Festool CT vacuum in order to get good dust collection from these tools. ALL YOU NEED TO BUY IS ITEM #452879!!! This is the 16.5' non-anti-static hose and it is only $75. One end is an EXACT FIT to any standard Shop Vac (which is 2 and 1/4") and the other end is for the beautiful green tool. It is a plug and play solution for those of us on a budget. This was never clear to me when I started my research and I wanted to simplify it for anyone else who may be interested (thanks to Tom Bellamare and Bob Marino for explaining this to me). Don't get me wrong, the CT vacuum is very nice and certainly has its place but for those of us who live in the shop and already own a Shop-vac this is a viable option. Some day down the road when my shop-vac dies, I'm sure I'll have a CT26. In the meantime, I hope this helps someone.  [big grin]

 

[JimD]

I use a Rigid shop vac equipped with a quasi HEPA filter (it says HEPA fabric but isn't HEPA rated), a dust deputy, and an auto-on switch.  I use the 2.5 inch hose it came with for the table saw and a Bosch 5M hose for the smaller stuff including track saw and sander.  I don't notice the vacuum is too much for the sander - but it has less powerful suction than a Festool.  Festools, while quite powerful, do not move as much air as some lesser shop vacuums but mine is not a real big one.  If you're trying to get by without a DC, I think you can even make a case for a lesser shop vacuum to try and keep up with a planner or jointer (although I doubt they can, regardless of size).

I don't use dust collection that doesn't have a good filter.  I used to but it put fine dust all over my shop.  It isn't that expensive to put a decent filter on a shop vacuum, that should be the first upgrade.  Then if you don't want to clean it all the time, add a dust deputy.  Finally, the auto-on switch is nice.  I use a power strip on mine so I can leave tools plugged in and only have to move the hose.  I think if you do the math you will find out that even adding all these things to a Rigid you won't approach the price of a Festool.  But I spent some time on the cart they sit on too - so if you are a professional and your time is money, the Festool may make economic sense.

It's nice to have quieter tools, I just got a little Senco compressor that is much quieter.  But I wear muffs when using woodworking tools so it isn't very critical how quiet the shop vacuum is.