For some reason, I seem to be getting a lot of dust when cutting plywood with my TS55, more than I used to. I have a CT 22 vacuum, and it does just fine with my Domino and RO 125. I remember seeing somewhere about the larger diameter hose helping with this, but it really seems like there is more dust now than, say, a year ago. Any ideas?
TS 55 seems to be making a lot more dust lately
- Thread starter Sparky977
- Start date
Have you checked those HEPA filters. Sanding dust does not settle into the filter bags as well as heavier chips and shavings.
I use a cyclone type colector t capture the heavier particles, but fine sanding dust seems to continue following the suction until it raches those HEPA filters. I found this out when my CT 33 was not capturing hardly any dust from my ATF 55. It is un believable how tight the dust can pack into those HEPA filter pleats. Like solid wood.
you don't necessarilly need new filters. Just tap them so the dust breaks free and you will be back in business. When i tapped mine out, the pleats remained somewhat distorted, but the filters are working fine. I now pay closer attention to what is happening and check more often. (Per Swenson had allerted me to this problem with a post a year or so ago.)
BTW: when you do tap them, be sure to take them outside. No need to fill your shop with airbourne dust that you have already captured once. :
Tinker
I use a cyclone type colector t capture the heavier particles, but fine sanding dust seems to continue following the suction until it raches those HEPA filters. I found this out when my CT 33 was not capturing hardly any dust from my ATF 55. It is un believable how tight the dust can pack into those HEPA filter pleats. Like solid wood.
you don't necessarilly need new filters. Just tap them so the dust breaks free and you will be back in business. When i tapped mine out, the pleats remained somewhat distorted, but the filters are working fine. I now pay closer attention to what is happening and check more often. (Per Swenson had allerted me to this problem with a post a year or so ago.)
BTW: when you do tap them, be sure to take them outside. No need to fill your shop with airbourne dust that you have already captured once. :
Tinker
What Tinker said... And I think the larger hose works much better on the TS 55. I have both hose and tried them side by side. Now I only use the larger hose and I have a much cleaner floor. It is a little more awkward to use but after a while you don't give it a thought.
Dave Ronyak
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I addressed this dust collection efficiency issue by installing a 36mm hose on my CT 22 and making up a short length, approximately 1 ft of of 27mm hose equipped at both ends with "tool end" nipples. This adapter hose is a friction fit into the tool end fitting of the 36mm hose and removed by simply pulling it off whenever I want to couple the 36mm hose directly to my saw or router, and I don't have to change out the entire length of hose in order to connect to Festool sanders (or the 1010 router).
Dave R.
Dave R.
I like your idea, Dave. I have tried using the 36mm hose using Firmco sleeve fitting for use with my ATF 55 and my OF 1000 but it was just so clumsy i went back to the 27mm hose. That size seems adequate. Of course, anything seems adequate when I compare to what was going on before i cleaned out the HEPA filters. It is unbelievable how much dust was packed into them.
Tinker
Tinker
Dave Ronyak
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Here is a photo showing my hose adapter in use with TS 55.
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That big, green handle on the top, middle of the back of the CT is for keeping the filters clean. Just pull it out and push it back in a few times. It knocks the dust out of the filters.
Tom
Tom
Posted by: Tom Bellemare
Insert Quote
That big, green handle on the top, middle of the back of the CT is for keeping the filters clean. Just pull it out and push it back in a few times. It knocks the dust out of the filters.
Tom, I've always wondered whether the dislodged dust doesn't just mostly get sucked back onto the HEPA's from where it settled after a green handle job, so I take 'em out. What is everyone else's experience/opinion?
Regards, Larry
Insert Quote
That big, green handle on the top, middle of the back of the CT is for keeping the filters clean. Just pull it out and push it back in a few times. It knocks the dust out of the filters.
Tom, I've always wondered whether the dislodged dust doesn't just mostly get sucked back onto the HEPA's from where it settled after a green handle job, so I take 'em out. What is everyone else's experience/opinion?
Regards, Larry
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I have to agree with that, Larry. I look inside after I cycle the handle and have never found anything, but I think that means I didn't have anything to dislodge to start with.
I'm curious what I would see if the filter had collected a lot of stuff.
I've never used a CT for much sheet rock dust but am about to so maybe I'll have more to report on the subject soon.
Tom
I'm curious what I would see if the filter had collected a lot of stuff.
I've never used a CT for much sheet rock dust but am about to so maybe I'll have more to report on the subject soon.
Tom
Brice Burrell
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larrysee said:
Larry, when I use the "green handle" to agitate the dust in the filters I first open the vac up to check if I can see dust on the filters. If I do I put a plastic bag in the vac to catch any dust dislodged. I see no reason to just the dust drop into the vac to be sucked right back up into the filters.
festoolsem
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Other reasons for dust
1) Saw blade Kerf extended to far
2) Cutting real close to an edge
3) If using an MFT table repeated cuts into the top will create a channel with less efective dust extraction
1) Saw blade Kerf extended to far
2) Cutting real close to an edge
3) If using an MFT table repeated cuts into the top will create a channel with less efective dust extraction
