Which dedicated DE is best for Kapex?

[wow]

I did a couple of searches and was surprised that I didn't see an answer, Probably I didn't search correctly, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask again so here's the question:

If I were to have a Dust Extractor dedicated to the Kapex, which one would you choose? And why?

 

[shed9]

I'm currently looking into this as well as I am going to incorporate one into my Kapex bench.

My thoughts are to go with a CT36 for the capacity, however I notice a lot of people lean towards the midi's because the hose connects at the top of the machine which if fitted directly under the saw doesn't protrude the hose and hinder the operator.

The given seems to be 36mm whatever DE.

 

[RKA]

I chose the mini for the portability. Although it's dedicated to the kapex, I use the mini for other site clean up duties so lugging it up and down stairs is easy. If you use the miter saw a lot, maybe the larger capacity of the midi would be better. The 26 stays under the CMS/MFT station for everything else.

 

[jacko9]

Is there a recommendation from Festool or one of our online dealers?

Jack

 

[mlfaber]

I use the Midi for it's capacity over the mini and it is still highly portable.  I also have a CT22 but that is connected to a boom arm and stays at my MFT.  Hope this helps.  All of the Festool DE have the same power, it is just capacity and portability that becomes the deciding factor.

 

[kelauben]

I've got a couple of perspectives on this. 

First is going with a CT Mini and a Dust Deputy.  Suction is the same on all the CT's so the mini would do just fine, but adding the dust deputy would give you an inexpensive way to deal with the chips/sawdust generated from the Kapex without chewing up bags. 

Second would be a CT 36 or 48.  Same suction but now you've got more capacity for chip/sawdust collection.

A third option would be a CT 26 with a LongLife Filter Bag.  If the LongLife bags for the Mini/Midi were available in the US, I might go that direction, but that's not currently an option. 

And, of course, the 36mm hose.  Preferably, a shortened one as to not waste a long hose and have to have space for it.

Personally, I'd probably go with the CT Mini and the Dust Deputy unless I could get a LongLife bag for it.

Just my $0.02.

Karl

 

[tbellemare]

They all work fine with a 36mm hose. I think it just depends on how you want to set up...

MINI & MIDI have the hose coming out the top, while all others come out the front.

Festool saws don't make so much dust that size matters in my opinion.

Tom

 

[mlfaber]

I was going to add that I have been on the same bag in my Midi for about a year and I use the Kapex at least a couple of times a week.  I am only a hobbyist!

 

[Knight Woodworks]

I use a Midi with a short section of 39mm hose for the Kapex. Seems to me to a good compromise of capacity and portability.

I have a CT 36 with a boom arm for everything else.

John

 

[dltflt]

I have a CT33 but it is not dedicated to the Kapex. The bags do last a long time for hobbiest like me.

 

[GPowers]

Another vote for the MIDI, as that is what I have under my Kapex. I also use it as a portable DE as the CT22 has a boom arm on it.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Something to keep in mind is that the Kapex produces virtually no chips and relatively little dust, so it fills bags very slowly.

If I were starting out and needed to take a Kapex on site daily I would dedicate it to a Mini or Midi with a short 36mm AS hose. Using a Kapex produces so much profit that the price of bags is not a consideration.

In reality two of my Kapex, the ones permanently located, are connected to the plant Dust Collection system, with an additional miter saw shroud also connected to the plant DC. The other two Kapex on roaming work stations which move as needed within my shop have dedicated CT22s, largely because I own a lot of CT22s. It takes forever to fill those bags even with each of those Kapex being used hard a couple of hours daily.

 

[GarryMartin]

Another vote for the Midi.

Hose exit at the top makes it perfect for placing to the side or underneath the Kapex. Short length of 36mm hose and away you go. Midi over Mini just for that extra bit of capacity whilst still being easily portable for other uses when required.

 

[semenza]

Mini or Midi because---  Hose comes straight out the top which works well to position the CT under the Kapex.

                                  Capacity is not really a big deal on the Kapex unless you are cutting stacks and stacks of material.

                                  Smaller size lends itself to more cabinet stand options if placing the CT underneath.

                                  Costs less than the CT26 - 48 for a dedicated vac.

                                  Very portable if you need that. And even if not it is nice to have a small portable vac available once in a while.

Seth

 

[sancho57]

I wanted a DE dedicated to my kapex. So I waited till I found a used beater CT 22 on craigslist. Got it for about $200. Though its ugly it can put a water melon through a garden hose.

Since I already had a 26 with a boom arm and a work center, I just hooked my 26 w/ boom arm up to my kapex and with the length of the hose I can use it for almost everything.

So I swapped, put the WC on the 22 and use it for my CMS with my assorted modules works great.

Soooooooo with all that being said

It boils down to personal preferance

 

[rrmccabe]

They all suck   equally! as stated its just a capacity thing and what you want to tote around.

 

[roblg3]

All CT have the same suction.  A larger hose does help with better collection.  The rest is all capacity, price and ergonomic set up.  The shorter the hose and larger diameter the better the collection.

 

[JonSchuck]

One other thing to consider.  I had a ct22 and both 27 and 36 mm hoses and I wanted another vac dedicated to my Kapex so I wouldn't have to be constantly changing hoses.  So I thought I would get a midi with a 36mm hose.  So I walked into my Festool dealer the day before the prices went up last spring and asked about getting a midi but upgrading to the 36mm hose (paying the difference between the hoses).  He said they couldn't do that with the midi but could with the ct26.  I ended up buying the ct26 for about $10 less than the midi. 

 

[tjbnwi]

I filled 2 Midi bags yesterday using it only on the Kapex.

Tom

 

[semenza]

I filled 2 Midi bags yesterday using it only on the Kapex.

Tom

What were you cutting?  [eek]

Seth