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CT Dust Extractor Video Overview.

Marc Spagnuolo of thewoodwhisperer.com, talks about Festool's line of CT Dust Extractors and how they integrate into his shop environment. Marc has three things on his mind: quality, safety and money. See an overview of the complete line of dust extractors and side-by-side video comparisons of sawing, routing and sanding with and without dust extraction.

Enjoy this great video done in Marc's entertaining yet informative way.

FASTER. EASIER. SMARTER.

The Rotex dual mode sander has a gear-driven rotary motion and a random orbital motion; both motions have their advantages.  The gear-driven rotary motion is appropriate for aggressive material removal and polishing, the random orbital motion is designed for fine sanding.

Gear-Driven Rotary Motion

The rotary motion uses a geared mechanism to spin the pad, in combination with an orbital motion.  The combination of these two motions removes material at almost three time the rate of a normal eccentric sander. 

With this pattern, the sanding action is almost as aggressive as a belt sander or a grinder.  The Rotex creates a random scratch pattern that virtually erases itself during sanding unlike a belt sander or grinder, which leave deep linear or circular scratches that are hard to sand out with the next grit up. The result is a sanded surface  that is far superior to what you can achieve with a belt sander or a grinder using the same grit.

Bottom-line: Sanding with the Rotex in rotary orbital motion saves a lot of time since material is removed in an aggressive, yet smart way, providing the best surface during each sanding step.

Random Orbital Motion

In the random orbital mode the sanding pattern is eccentric. The centripetal force resulting from the crankshaft offset causes the pad to spin. This is a weak force and the pad rotation can be stopped if too much hand pressures is exerted on the sander. Due to the eccentric motion and the rotation, the tiny orbits are stretched into long curved loops, which, when interlaced, tend to eliminate any signs of swirl marks.

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Did you know that several inconspicuous features on the TS Series Plunge Cut Saws are actually designed to aid in dust extraction, prolonging the life of the tool and creating a cleaner, healthier work environment?

The rectangular opening in the side blade cover is not only for removing the blade, it also serves as an air intake port. The opening allows air to flow into the center of the spinning blade and forced out of the dust port by centrifugal force along with the sawdust. Dust extraction for the TS saws works best if that opening is NOT covered.

Accessories for your TS Plunge Cut Saw

New Product Announcements For 2008

Ready to quench your thirst for information about new green goodies? Visit the Festool USA website on March 1st to learn about three exciting new products available in the Spring of 2008. We will be providing detailed information about features, specifications, and accessories for each of the new products, as well as information on where you can go to see the debut of these new tools.

Among the new products, is the new and improved MFT/3 Multi-Function Table, which is considered an essential component of the Festool system approach by most.  To find out more about the other two new products, visit the Festool USA website on March 1st.

by Bill Esposito

Special thanks to Bill Esposito (nhwoodworker.com) for taking the time to provide us with a Toolie Tip. I encourage you to visit Bill's website for a wealth of informative commentary on various Festool products.

Bill's CT Dust Extractor Tip

Image you're installing some custom cabinets in a client's living room and you need to use your router to add that stopped dado that you seem to have forgotten when you made the piece in the shop.  You plug your OF 1400 router into the Festool CT 22 Dust Extractor, lay out your guide rail, squeeze the trigger and everything goes black.  You just tripped the breaker!  The last thing you want to do is run your router in the clients living room without Festool's amazing dust extraction.  Don't panic. All you need to do is dial down the variable suction speed on the vacuum.  The variable speed of the CT 22 actually reduces current draw and varies the power consumption of the CT's motor between 350-1200 watts. So dialing back the speed will buy you enough headroom to cleanly get the job accomplished.

Bill's CT 22 Dust Extractor Review

Right at the core of the Festool system is dust extraction and Festool offers a line of high performance vacuums that are every bit as well engineered as their tools. The first impression you'll have when you get this vacuum is that you've bought a finely engineered tool....the term 'shop vac' will be the last thing on your mind.  Festool likes to call it a Dust Extractor.

The CT 22 is a quiet, powerful variable speed vacuum which also has a power outlet where you can connect your sanders or saws or whatever and which will automatically power on and off the CT 22 as your turn your tool on and off.

This Dust Extractor is delivered with one filter bag, the HEPA main filters and a 1' by 11.5' anti-static hose.  The CT 22 when used with anti-static accessories will dissipate static caused by vacuuming so that you will not get zapped...and yes, it works.

The CT 22 is a great vacuum and a great piece of engineering.  Those who appreciate quality and engineering will love this product. It now ships with HEPA filters which make it even more attractive.  It offers the convenience of auto start as well as the increased tool performance gained by having the variable speed.  As mentioned earlier, the down side is that you'll probably want to purchase some accessories to address some of the minor issues such as anti-static hose stiffness and the cumbersome emptying of collect water.

The CT 22 is an integral part of the whole Festool system and will make a great addition for anyone interested in keeping the workshop, job site and their lungs free of sawdust.

Thanks, Bill! Be sure to check out Bill Esposito's website at http://www.nhwoodworker.com.