Using Dust collector (Oneida/Dustopper) significantly reduces sunction power.

JINRO

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I just purchased CT 15 and MIDI for my shop.  Both are connected to dust collector, hoping I don't have to replace bags often. 

But when I use them for my miter saw, table saw, and planer, I see dust buildup inside of hose where they are connected to tools.

I also checked suction power by placing my palm at end of hose, and it seems suction power is reduced to half... does any know how to properly use Festool vacuum with dust collector? For example, hose length, proper connectors, or reduce hose coils (possibly use boom arm)?
 
Adding a separator between the vac and the tool adds multiple connections, all of which are potential (more like actual) leak points which will add up to reduce the suction you 'feel' at the tool end of the hose.

If you haven't already check all the connections to be sure they are as airtight as you can make them. If you are using the Dustopper I have heard others say it can be difficult to get a good seal with some 5 gallon buckets.

Any hose connections that you do not need to make/break repeatedly could be wrapped with some tape to help seal them. Doesn't take much, even painters tape will help and it is easy to remove.

But even if al that is done yes, you will have a loss of suction power due to the added friction in the additional hose length and the dust separator itself no matter what make or style it is.

Some will perform better than others, and this is an area where you get what you pay for. More money will usually get you better performance.
 
Thanks for your thoughts and comments :). I guess I'll try with some paint tapes around joints and see if it helps.  I was curious if Festool vacuum owners have similar setup but didn't lose any suction power when dust collector was connected.
 
JINRO said:
Thanks for your thoughts and comments :) . I guess I'll try with some paint tapes around joints and see if it helps.  I was curious if Festool vacuum owners have similar setup but didn't lose any suction power when dust collector was connected.

Anyone who would say they've no lost suction power would be mistaken or telling lies.

Adding a dust cyclone will always result in an increase in static pressure throughout the intake, resulting in greater resistive load on the CT on one end, and reduced suction at the tool on the other end. 

'Half' is pretty subjective as a measure in any case, so maybe you've some pictures and details on the arrangement you've put together for the CT15 and Midi?  With some more information there are plenty of folks here who can offer helpful suggestions on how to improve the performance of your setups.
 
Yes, half is very subjective and I didn't meant as a fact :p. I'll take a picture later today and upload for additional help and direction! Thanks!
 
GCl1yW2.jpeg
 
I'd fit a much shorted hose between the CT15 and the cyclone, with a larger diameter that that D27 hose.  I mean, as short as you can reasonably manage, with 35-37mm internal diameter minimum.  On my cyclone setups I'm using D50 hoses between CT and extractor.  It makes a big difference. 

Also, the seal between the tool end of the non-AS hose (the long grey one) doesn't look like it'll be effectively leak-proof.  That would certainly cause losses.  If the butts on the ground are yours (tsk tsk  [laughing] ), run the CT and you should be able to see with a puff in the right direction whether or not the connection is sucking air.

It it were me, I'd put the long hose between tool and cyclone and fit some 50mm/2" hoses between CT and cyclone, paying attention to the connections etc.
 
First thing I would do is reverse your hoses. Put the large diameter hose between the vac and the cyclone and the small diameter hose between the cyclone and the tool. Think that will make a huge difference. Also, make the hose between the vac and the cyclone as short as possible. Didn't your Oneida kit come with a short hose? I just bought the same set up only without the bucket, and I got about 3' of very nice anti-static 2-1/2" diameter hose with it.
 
Just to add to my above comments, I am connecting to an old Attix 30 liter vacuum. The new bags are crazy expensive and don't fit the old canister design very well. I'm lucky to get 6 liters in the bag before it's tight packed at the inlet. I decided to try out the Dust Deputy to see if I could live with the suction loss and make the last 3 of my $10 filter bags last a few years. Contrary to Paul's comment above, I've seen very little loss of suction. I haven't the equipment to say how much, if any there is, but I'm not seeing any decrease in performance of the tools I use it with.
 
Not sure if this was already mentioned, but if that silver hose is going from the cyclone to your vac, you have it on the wrong inlet/outlet... the vac should be connected to the upper connection and the side connection should go to your tool.
 
elfick said:
Snip... the vac should be connected to the upper connection and the side connection should go to your tool.

^^^ This!

And as Jeff has it, the hose between the vac and DD should be a short one. And preferably a shorter one too between the DD and the tool, if possible.

Hose length of mine:

Between shop vac and DD: Approx. 65"
Between DD and Kapex: Approx. 50"

 
Any extra fitting, blast gate, elbow, length of hose, cyclone, etc. added to the system reduces suction. Even if completely air tight. Whenever possible maximize hose diameter, minimize length, use smooth pipe over corrugated hose, minimize number of fittings and transitions. Cyclone does work, hence takes energy from the airflow. There is no way around it.

elfick said:
the vac should be connected to the upper connection and the side connection should go to your tool.
Yeh, that too. You win Best Tip of the Month award!
 
OMG... I had my hoses connected wrong way... lol (sorry for the confusion, newbie woodworker here :P)

I'll correct hose orientation and try to change hose to shorter length. 
I guess D27 hose is Festool oem one I can buy? 27mm?

As long as Festool is capable of using DD and perform well, I'm all in to try anything you guys recommend! :)
Thanks so much all and I'll get back when updates are made!
 
  [member=77065]JINRO[/member]

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

Seth
 
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