Vac hose catching

Worm Drive

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Dec 19, 2013
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Today I was cutting up plywood with my track saw. The vac hose kept snagging on the edge of the plywood. I had some foam pipe insulation kicking around, so I overhung the leading edge of the plywood a couple inches and put the foam over the edge. It gives a soft, round edge for the hose and cord to slide over.
 
Worm Drive said:
Today I was cutting up plywood with my track saw. The vac hose kept snagging on the edge of the plywood. I had some foam pipe insulation kicking around, so I overhung the leading edge of the plywood a couple inches and put the foam over the edge. It gives a soft, round edge for the hose and cord to slide over.

I haven't seen this idea yet. Something new all the time [smile]

Seth
 
That is a great idea! Probably the most frustrating thing for me when using my track saw is dealing with the cord and hose.  I do have the adapter that goes on the end of the track and it does ok as long as the cord/hose stays on it.  I'm sure there's a scrap piece of foam in my garage that's just waiting to be used.  Thanks for sharing!  [big grin]
 
You would think that a manufacturer that is built it's business on innovation and engineering power tools would have a smooth sided vacuum hose. My wife's Electrolux has a smooth hose on it . I feel the Festool vac hoses are the biggest disappointment of all their tools.  [sad]
 
I've used a short length of garden hose slit lengthwise and slipped over an edge of a piece of sheet goods in much the same way.  A friend had an 18" length of 2" PVC from which he'd cut a 3/4" slit so it would do the same thing, but he had to tape it in place to keep it from falling off. 

 
We have that attachment here.  It is item number 489022 just like in AU.

Peter
 
Untidy Shop said:
[size=12pt]
Do you guys in NA have this?

http://www.festool.com.au/epages/tooltechnic.sf/en_AU?ObjectID=25711

With apologies if I am missing the issue here!  [unsure]



That deflector was also made for the earlier version of the guide rails that only had a downward facing t-track. The current rails are wider than the deflector and have an upward facing t-track that is still exposed when the deflector is installed. It tends to want to grab the cord if the user isn't guiding it somewhat.

The image on that linked site shows the older style guide rail.

Tom
 
Worm Drive said:
Untidy Shop said:
[size=12pt]
Do you guys in NA have this?

http://www.festool.com.au/epages/tooltechnic.sf/en_AU?ObjectID=25711

With apologies if I am missing the issue here!  [unsure]



Reviews that I read for the guide said, that it could be finicky to keep the hose on the guide. Also, the fact that you lose usable track space, led me to not buy the guide.


Both are true, with my track saw, you just have to give a final check. It also helps if vac is at end of rail to 'feed' hose and cord, but I imagine this may not be necessarily possible with the VERY long rails.

 
Having started my working life in a large custom kitchen factory (500+ workers) in 71, I learned many production based tricks.  Always keep your hose as high as possible.  Keep your vac hose and power plug together. 
Industrial Velcro (buy it by the 10 yd box) is golden.  Always loop the hoses over your guide hand.  When crosscutting keep the vac on the short side and throw as much as possible on your material.  If cutting fairly short pieces off use a clamp to keep the hose on top.  When cutting lengthwise, put the vac behind you mid length.  Loop the hose over your guide hand and then over your shoulder, behind your neck, holding the hose with your free hand.  Holding the loose end will help prevent sudden stops.  I use this method regularly to cut acrylic and carbonate sheet for fabrication (much handier than my sliding table saw for short runs).  PS. the only real good use for the end guide is to keep the track from gouging your genitals. [big grin]
 
rst said:
PS. the only real good use for the end guide is to keep the track from gouging your genitals. [big grin]

Best quote I've read all day! Thanks for the smile!
 
rst said:
Having started my working life in a large custom kitchen factory (500+ workers) in 71, I learned many production based tricks.  Always keep your hose as high as possible.  Keep your vac hose and power plug together.  
Industrial Velcro (buy it by the 10 yd box) is golden.  Always loop the hoses over your guide hand.  When crosscutting keep the vac on the short side and throw as much as possible on your material.  If cutting fairly short pieces off use a clamp to keep the hose on top.  When cutting lengthwise, put the vac behind you mid length.  Loop the hose over your guide hand and then over your shoulder, behind your neck, holding the hose with your free hand.  Holding the loose end will help prevent sudden stops.  I use this method regularly to cut acrylic and carbonate sheet for fabrication (much handier than my sliding table saw for short runs).  PS. the only real good use for the end guide is to keep the track from gouging your genitals. [big grin]

[size=11pt]

Thanks for that. Brought a smile.    [smile]

I use the over the shoulder technique when routing on and off the rail. Only use end guide with tracksaw.

What is good about this thread is the multiple solutions being presented.

And so far, all my 'tackle' and fingers are attached!   [thumbs up]

 
Saw the foam cover suggestion and went looking for some to use it...did not find any (they are all up at our cabin) but did find some electric wire covering. Works perfectly - will need to tape it on the bottom side to keep it from falling off (or maybe on the ends).

Love the foam idea and will use that once I can get one of the foam noodles back home.

[attachthumb=#]

[attachthumb=#]
 

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"And so far, all my 'tackle' and fingers are attached!"

Obviously a HG & Roy fan.  I listened to them every Saturday afternoon when I lived in Sydney back in 1990. Are they still around?
 
Yes, but not regularly. In the more recent, since Sydney Olympics, past they have provided 'specialist' commentary in 30min or so preliminary shows. Not for London though.
 
Boom Arm was my solution...I just got tired of it getting caught and messing with...
 
You can make a boom arm from Schedule 80 1" ABS pipe  and fittings that will work fine.  I attach mine to my Fein vac with a strap clamp and attach the hose an cord with velcro.  You will have to make outriggers to keep the vac from tipping but it certainly is more economical that the Festool attachment.
 
rst said:
You can make a boom arm from Schedule 80 1" ABS pipe  and fittings that will work fine.  I attach mine to my Fein vac with a strap clamp and attach the hose an cord with velcro.  You will have to make outriggers to keep the vac from tipping but it certainly is more economical that the Festool attachment.

Can you post pics?
 
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