I recently added the Kapex 120 to my shop to replace a not quite 30 year old Delta 12" CMS and have "semi-retired" my CT-22 to service the Kapex. The existing Festool hose obviously connects to the Kapex but it's the small diameter hose and much longer than needed. I have available a flexible big diameter "shop vac" hose that is perfect for the job but am confused about what Festool hose adapters are required to do a proper connection to the Kapex for best performance. I'd prefer to not buy a new, larger Festool hose for this application since I have what I have on-hand. I noticed that the Kapex has some external keying on the port which presumably something can lock to, so that would be ideal. While I "speak Festool" pretty darn well, this particular thing is outside of my current knowledge, so I'll appreciate some advice.
I recently bought a
Kapex 36mm dust port to 2.5" hose adapter off Etsy to do a similar connection. I think this might be what you're looking for.
TL;DR: It's a twist-lock connection that fit perfectly.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1695582543/hose-adapter-festool-tool-cleantec-36mm?ref=yr_purchases
A few months back I had converted my old Fein Turbo III shop vac from its "permanent" cloth filter to a HEPA filter/paper bag configuration. This was working very well, with an attached Dust Deputy collecting nearly everything, such that it looked like it would be years before I would need to change the bag. But then I picked up a used CT26... that will need a new hose. So before I figure out
which Festool hose to buy for it, and before deciding if I want to sell my converted Fein vac, I thought I would first fool around with some short/fat 2.5" hoses that I already have and test out how the dust collection is from Kapex to Dust Deputy to Fein Vac, and then from Kapex to Ultimate Dust Deputy to CT26. There's been discussion about optimal hose size given the dust port size and the specifics of the Festool dust extractors... and I'm far from being an expert on the subject, but thought it would be fun to fool around with it a bit. So I bought the above mentioned
adapter.
It has a "twist-lock" connection to the
outside of the Kapex dust port, so in theory should minimize any bottleneck. And then a
2-1/2 inch hose slides (snugly) over the other end without need for tape or clamp. Both ends fit perfectly. I cut a 3' section of hose for the Kapex to Dust Deputy connection and then used some adapter pieces from a previous setup. Here's the list of those pieces in case someone's looking to make similar connections:
1.
Kapex 36mm dust port to 2.5" hose adapter:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1695582543/hose-adapter-festool-tool-cleantec-36mm?ref=yr_purchases
2.
Hose from Kapex to Oneida DD:
https://www.amazon.com/Collection-T...-Collector/dp/B0F9GTRQ63?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1
I used
two couplers for a more snug fit (that doesn't pop off with movement) from Hose to Dust Deputy:
3a.
Powertec 70141 2-1/2" to 2-1/4" reducer:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMV9MZY6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
3b.
2.25" ID Straight Silicone Hose Coupler 131-05703-0401 - Ticon Industries:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0OBWYL?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
The clamp you see came with the Dust Deputy. It works without it, but the connection is much tighter with it, and thus doesn't pop off when moving/emptying the DD.
A word of caution with the silicone coupler-- be careful with any test fitting, as it can be quite difficult to get back off, as it essentially creates a suction against any hard plastic connector. Ask me how I know!
4.
Oneida Dust Deputy:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4PT8ZWF?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
The white hose with the copper wire and two white elbows at either end came with the Dust Deputy. I did not modify the length. It is connected directly to my
Fein Turbo III (9-77-25)
Shop Vac. The Fein FBK-3 Filter Bag Conversion kit (which included a plastic piece to hold the filter in place) is no longer available-- , but I made a simple wood disk with some wire to hold the filter instead. Message me if you want pictures of that. The Fein filters and paper bags
are still available.
Fein 1 micron filter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000223XB?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_7
Fein paper bags:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007SXLDI?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_7&th=1
The Fein conversion was a little pricey, but as mentioned above, the Dust Deputy is collecting essentially everything. In theory, one could cut open the end to empty and then re-use the bags with one of those
roller bag clips. There might also be cheaper generic versions of the filter and bags.
After the filter/bag conversion, the vac
suction was much improved, and also
much quieter. It no longer had that higher pitched noise of the "permanent" cloth filter that supposedly washes clean, but really doesn't, and thus always sounded like it was partially occluded... which it basically was after 20 years. So overall, the conversion was worth the $$.
As for the dust collection with the pictured setup (Kapex to DD to Fein shop vac): It was not perfect, but quite good even without a zero clearance insert or saw stache... and orders of magnitude better than my ancient Dewalt. Next up will be the Kapex to UDD to CT26 2.5" hose connection and test... I'll get all the video uploaded when the testing is done.
