Dust Capture & Extraction
The Genuine XtraHand®
Frequently Asked Questions

Using the Genuine XtraHand® Dust Capture Tool with Your Vacuum

Yes. The Genuine XtraHand® is designed to work with virtually any hose-mounted vacuum or dust extractor.

The Genuine XtraHand® connects to the vacuum hose using the supplied adapter. The adapter is tapered in steps to provide a universal fit with the majority of vacuum hoses, allowing the XtraHand to be used with a wide range of domestic, trade and professional vacuum and dust extraction systems.

Depending on the diameter and type of your vacuum hose, the adapter may need to be cut and reduced in size to achieve the best fit. Correctly sizing the adapter can also improve airflow through the Genuine XtraHand® and help maximise dust capture and extraction performance.

For best dust capture and hands-free performance, the vacuum should provide sufficient airflow and suction for the application being carried out.

For further guidance on connecting, setting up and using the Genuine XtraHand® with different vacuum systems, visit our Videos page, where these subjects are explained in detail through our educational and demonstration videos.

Yes. The Genuine XtraHand® is supplied with a stepped universal vacuum hose adapter designed to connect to the majority of vacuum hoses and dust extractors.

Although the Genuine XtraHand® can be fitted directly to some vacuum hoses, we always recommend using the supplied adapter. The adapter is manufactured from flexible rubber that can expand and contract to fit the hose or port it is being connected to. This flexibility also reduces the risk of damaging the XtraHand® by trying to force it onto a hose that is not quite compatible.

Our unique flexible hose adapters are readily available from our online shop. There may also be circumstances where having more than one adapter is useful — for example, if you use the XtraHand® with several different vacuums, or have other tools that would benefit from a flexible vacuum hose connection.

If your vacuum uses a specialist or proprietary connection, an additional adapter supplied by the vacuum manufacturer may occasionally be required.

For further guidance on connecting and fitting the supplied adapter, visit our Videos page, where the process is demonstrated in detail.

If you have any doubts about compatibility or have a question about connecting the Genuine XtraHand® to your particular vacuum, please contact us through our Contact Us page. We’ll be more than happy to help and answer any questions you may have.

Your vacuum needs to provide enough suction and airflow to hold the Genuine XtraHand® securely against the surface while also capturing the dust. The simplest way we have found to check whether a vacuum has sufficient suction to operate the Genuine XtraHand® is our quick palm test — and you can do it yourself in seconds.

Stand your vacuum on the floor and turn it on.

Lift the vacuum hose so the end is at approximately arm's length and roughly level with your shoulder.

Place your flat, open palm firmly over the end of the hose to create a good seal — then let go of the hose.

If the hose remains attached to your palm under its own weight, your vacuum should have sufficient suction to work with the Genuine XtraHand®.

If the hose drops away from your palm, unfortunately the vacuum is unlikely to provide enough suction for reliable hands-free use with the XtraHand®.

This simple test is useful because vacuum cleaners and dust extractors vary considerably in power, airflow, suction and hose size. Rather than relying solely on manufacturers' specifications, it allows you to test the actual suction available at the end of your own vacuum hose.

For further guidance on using the Genuine XtraHand® with different vacuum systems, visit our Videos page, where we demonstrate its setup and operation.

If you are still unsure whether your vacuum is suitable, please contact us through our Contact Us page and we'll be more than happy to help.

Sometimes. The Genuine XtraHand® can be used with many domestic vacuum cleaners, provided the vacuum has a suitable hose connection and produces sufficient suction and airflow.

The Genuine XtraHand® was originally designed around hose-mounted vacuum cleaners and dust extractors, so traditional canister-style vacuums with a separate flexible hose are generally the most suitable type.

Vacuum cleaners such as the Numatic Henry and Hetty/Henrietta style of hose-mounted vacuum are good examples of the type of domestic vacuum that can be used with the Genuine XtraHand®, provided the vacuum is suitable for the dust or material being collected.

However, some domestic bagless, cyclonic or vortex-style vacuum cleaners may not be suitable for collecting certain types of fine construction dust. Fine dusts, including silica-containing dust produced when working with materials such as concrete, mortar, brick and stone, can potentially affect vacuum performance or damage equipment that is not designed for that type of dust.

For this reason, always check that your vacuum cleaner or dust extractor is suitable for the material and type of dust you intend to collect, and follow the vacuum manufacturer's recommendations.

Handheld vacuum cleaners and upright vacuum cleaners without a suitable separate hose connection are generally not compatible with the Genuine XtraHand®.

We have an explainer video on our Videos page that goes through the different types of vacuum cleaners and dust extractors that can be used with the Genuine XtraHand®.

If you're unsure whether your particular vacuum is suitable, try the simple suction test explained in the question above and check your vacuum manufacturer's guidance. You can also contact us through our Contact Us page, and we'll be more than happy to help with any questions about connecting the Genuine XtraHand® to your vacuum.

Yes. The Genuine XtraHand® can be used with the majority of professional corded and cordless hose-mounted dust extractors, including systems from manufacturers such as Festool, Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee and Bosch.

The Genuine XtraHand® connects to the dust extractor through its vacuum hose rather than directly to the extractor itself. The supplied flexible stepped adapter has been designed to accommodate a wide range of common vacuum hose sizes and connections. Because the adapter is manufactured from flexible rubber, it can also accommodate some hoses and ports that use brand-specific connections.

Depending on the particular hose or connection used by your dust extractor, the supplied adapter may need to be cut and reduced in size to achieve the best fit. Some manufacturers use specialist or proprietary hose fittings. While the Genuine XtraHand® adapter can connect successfully to some of these fittings, in other circumstances an additional manufacturer-specific adapter may be required.

Professional dust extractors generally provide the airflow and suction required for the Genuine XtraHand® to operate effectively, allowing it to hold itself against suitable surfaces while capturing dust directly at the point where it is being created.

If you use more than one dust extractor, additional Genuine XtraHand® flexible hose adapters are available separately or as part of a package from our online shop, allowing you to set up individual adapters for different hoses or machines without having to continually change the same adapter.

For further information about connecting the Genuine XtraHand® to different vacuum cleaners and professional dust extractors, visit our Videos page, where we demonstrate vacuum compatibility, adapter fitting and correct setup.

If you're unsure whether your particular Festool, Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch or other professional dust extractor is compatible, please contact us through our Contact Us page, and we'll be more than happy to help you.

The Genuine XtraHand® is specifically designed to maintain airflow through the vacuum system while still creating the suction needed to hold the tool securely against the work surface.

Unlike a simple suction attachment that relies on restricting the vacuum airflow to create a strong hold against the surface, the Genuine XtraHand® uses our patented Airflow Separator technology to manage the airflow inside the tool.

The Airflow Separator divides the available suction between the area that creates the hands-free hold against the work surface and the opening used to capture dust and debris. This allows air to continue flowing through the Genuine XtraHand® and into the vacuum while keeping the tool attached to the surface.

Maintaining airflow is particularly important because a vacuum cleaner or dust extractor relies on the movement of air not only to transport dust and debris, but also to help the vacuum operate as intended and cool the motor. Excessively restricting the airflow through some vacuum systems can reduce performance and may cause additional stress or heat within the vacuum motor.

The Genuine XtraHand® was developed to achieve a balance between hands-free suction, effective dust capture and continuous airflow, rather than simply blocking or heavily restricting the end of the vacuum hose to make the tool stay in position.

The amount of airflow available will naturally vary depending on the vacuum or dust extractor being used, the hose diameter, filter condition and the application being carried out. For best performance, always ensure your vacuum filters and collection system are maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

You can see the Genuine XtraHand® and its dust extraction system working in our demonstrations on the Videos page. If you have any questions about using the Genuine XtraHand® with your particular vacuum or dust extractor, please contact us through our Contact Us page, and we'll be more than happy to help.

What Can I Use the Genuine XtraHand® For?

The Genuine XtraHand® can be used to capture and extract dust and debris directly into a vacuum or dust extractor when drilling, cutting or grinding with a wide range of hand-held power tools.

Because the Genuine XtraHand® is independent of the power tool itself, it can be positioned close to the area where the dust or debris is being created, providing hands-free dust extraction for many applications where conventional tool-mounted extraction may not be available or practical.

Its large front aperture also allows it to capture both fine dust and larger debris, making the Genuine XtraHand® a versatile dust extraction solution for a wide range of trade and DIY applications.

Yes. The Genuine XtraHand® is a hands-free dust capture and extraction tool designed to capture dust and debris directly at the point where it is created when drilling into walls.

The Genuine XtraHand® simply connects to the hose of your vacuum or dust extractor. When the vacuum is switched on, the suction allows the XtraHand® to adhere to many common wall surfaces, including plastered walls, rendered walls, brickwork — even across the mortar joint — and concrete blockwork.

Because the Genuine XtraHand® remains attached to the wall without needing to be held, you can keep both hands on the drill, giving you greater control and allowing you to concentrate on drilling accurately and safely.

Positioning the large extraction opening immediately below the drilling point allows the vacuum airflow to capture the dust and debris as it falls, helping prevent it from spreading into the surrounding area.

Yes. The Genuine XtraHand® can be extremely effective for capturing dust and debris when drilling overhead into ceilings.

Because the Genuine XtraHand® is hands-free, the suction from your vacuum or dust extractor holds it against the ceiling while you drill, allowing you to keep both hands on the power tool and helping to capture the dust and debris directly where it is being created.

When drilling overhead, we recommend reducing the speed of the drill where practical. A slower drilling speed gives the vacuum airflow more opportunity to capture the dust and debris before it can escape or fall away from the extraction area.

The performance when working overhead will also depend on the power and airflow of your vacuum, together with the length and weight of the vacuum hose, as the Genuine XtraHand® needs sufficient suction to support both itself and the hose.

For overhead applications, corded vacuums such as Numatic (Henry) vacuums and professional L or M Class dust extractors will generally provide the best performance because of their sustained airflow and suction.

Yes. The Genuine XtraHand® is extremely effective at capturing the dust and debris created when cutting with hand-held oscillating multi-tools.

The wide front aperture of the Genuine XtraHand® allows it to capture dust generated by the rapid oscillating action of the multi-tool blade. Simply position the XtraHand® close to the cutting area so the vacuum airflow can draw the airborne dust and debris directly into the extraction system.

Because the Genuine XtraHand® is independent of the power tool, it can be positioned wherever the dust is being generated rather than relying on an extraction attachment fitted directly to the multi-tool.

This is particularly useful for jobs such as cutting plasterboard, timber and other building materials, where dust and debris can otherwise spread quickly around the working area.

The Genuine XtraHand® can also be very effective when using grout-removal blades on ceramic tiles, capturing much of the fine dust generated as the blade removes the grout between the tiles.

As with all applications, performance will depend on the material being worked on, the position of the Genuine XtraHand® and the airflow provided by your vacuum or dust extractor.

Yes. The Genuine XtraHand® is extremely effective at capturing dust and debris generated when using smaller hand-held angle grinders, particularly those with disc sizes between 100mm and 125mm.

Unlike extraction systems that need to be physically attached to the grinder, the Genuine XtraHand® is independent of the power tool, allowing you to position it close to the area where the dust is actually being generated.

For many cutting and grinding applications, simply position the Genuine XtraHand® behind or close to the area being worked on, so that the dust and debris thrown from the rotating disc travels towards the large extraction opening.

The combination of the wide front aperture and continuous vacuum airflow allows the Genuine XtraHand® to capture the majority of the airborne dust and debris before it can spread around the surrounding work area.

This makes it particularly useful when cutting or grinding materials such as brick, concrete, mortar, tiles and other masonry products where significant amounts of fine dust can be generated.

For best results, position the Genuine XtraHand® according to the direction in which the rotating disc is throwing the dust and debris, and always use the appropriate guards, personal protective equipment and dust-control procedures for the material being worked on.

Yes. The large front aperture of the Genuine XtraHand® makes it particularly effective at capturing the dust and debris created when drilling with hole saws.

Because the Genuine XtraHand® is positioned independently of the drill, it can be placed directly below or close to the cutting area, allowing the vacuum airflow to capture dust and debris as it is produced.

For larger hole saws, we recommend reducing the drilling speed where practical. Slowing the rotation gives the vacuum airflow more opportunity to remove the material being generated before it can escape from the extraction area.

Hole saws up to and including 58mm in diameter work particularly well with the Genuine XtraHand®, as they remain smaller than its large front extraction aperture.

The hands-free design also means you can keep both hands on the drill, giving you greater control while the Genuine XtraHand® takes care of capturing the dust and debris.

For best results, position the Genuine XtraHand® as close as practical to the cutting area and adjust the drilling speed according to the material, hole-saw size and amount of debris being produced.

Yes. The Genuine XtraHand® is particularly effective at capturing the large amount of dust and debris created when using smaller core drills in brick, blockwork, cement and concrete.

Because the Genuine XtraHand® is independent of the drill, it can be positioned directly below or close to the drilling area, allowing the vacuum airflow to capture both fine airborne dust and larger particles as they are produced.

For drilling holes for standard waste pipes up to and including 50mm, the Genuine XtraHand® works exceptionally well, as the core drill remains within the effective area of its large front extraction aperture.

As the diameter of the core drill increases, we recommend reducing the drilling speed where practical. This gives the vacuum airflow more opportunity to capture and remove the larger volume of material being generated.

The hands-free design also allows you to keep both hands securely on the drill, which is particularly beneficial when using core drills where greater control of the power tool may be required.

For best results, always position the Genuine XtraHand® as close as practical to where the dust and debris are being produced, and use the appropriate drilling speed, personal protective equipment and dust-control procedures for the material being drilled.

The Genuine XtraHand® can be used to capture dust from some sanding applications, although powered sanding is not one of the applications for which we primarily recommend the tool.

Most electric orbital and random-orbit sanders already incorporate their own dust extraction system, either through a collection container attached to the tool or a connection directly to a vacuum or dust extractor. Where an effective tool-mounted extraction system is available, we recommend using it.

However, when sanding by hand with a sanding block, sanding pad or abrasive paper, the Genuine XtraHand® can be positioned immediately below or close to the area being sanded. The vacuum airflow will then capture much of the falling and airborne dust as it is created.

Because the Genuine XtraHand® is independent of the sanding tool, you can reposition it around the work area as required, making it particularly useful for small hand-sanding jobs where no dedicated dust extraction is available.

As with all dust-producing applications, the amount of dust captured will depend on the material being sanded, the position of the Genuine XtraHand® and the airflow provided by your vacuum or dust extractor.

Yes. The Genuine XtraHand® has been designed to capture both fine airborne dust and larger particles and debris produced by a wide range of drilling, cutting and grinding applications.

The Genuine XtraHand® features a large, unrestricted front extraction aperture, allowing material to pass directly into the vacuum airflow without having to travel through a small opening or narrow extraction channel.

This is particularly useful when drilling with larger drill bits, auger bits and flat/spade bits, which can produce larger chips, shavings and material swarf that smaller dust extraction openings may struggle to accommodate.

At the same time, the continuous airflow across the extraction area helps capture much finer airborne dust produced when working with materials such as plaster, brick, mortar and concrete.

This ability to handle both fine dust and larger debris is one of the reasons the Genuine XtraHand® can be used across such a wide variety of applications and materials, rather than being designed solely for one particular power tool or task.

Yes. The Genuine XtraHand® is a professional dust capture and extraction tool designed for trade and professional applications, while remaining simple and practical enough to be used by DIY users at home.

The Genuine XtraHand® was developed around the practical requirements of working with hand-held power tools, providing hands-free dust extraction for drilling, cutting and grinding applications where conventional tool-mounted extraction may not be available or practical.

Because the Genuine XtraHand® is independent of the power tool, one extraction tool can be used across multiple hand-held power tools and applications rather than requiring a different extraction attachment for every individual tool.

For tradespeople, this provides a versatile dust extraction solution that can be used across a wide variety of everyday tasks, while allowing both hands to remain on the power tool for greater control, accuracy and safety.

The same professional design also makes the Genuine XtraHand® extremely useful for DIY. Once connected to a suitable vacuum, it can hold itself against many surfaces, removing the need to try to hold a vacuum hose in one hand while operating a power tool with the other.

So whether it is being used professionally on site or for DIY projects at home, the Genuine XtraHand® provides the same hands-free dust capture and extraction system designed to help control dust and debris directly where it is being created.

How Does the Genuine XtraHand® Work

& Why Is It So Effective?

The Genuine XtraHand® uses the suction and airflow generated by your existing vacuum or dust extractor to provide both hands-free attachment and effective dust capture at the point where the dust is being created.

The Genuine XtraHand® connects directly to the vacuum hose using the supplied stepped adapter. Once the vacuum is switched on, the suction allows the XtraHand® to adhere to a variety of flat or relatively flat surfaces, including brick and blockwork, without needing to be held by hand.

The suction is then diverted to its large, front crescent-shaped extraction aperture, creating a powerful flow of air into the XtraHand®. This captures dust and debris produced by drilling, cutting and grinding and carries it directly through the vacuum hose into the connected vacuum or dust extractor.

This allows the Genuine XtraHand® to remain hands-free while positioning its extraction airflow immediately adjacent to where the dust and debris are being created.

The Genuine XtraHand® uses the suction generated by the connected vacuum or dust extractor to create a pressure difference between the XtraHand® and the work surface.

Its flexible rubber skirt forms a sufficient seal against many common flat or relatively flat surfaces, allowing the vacuum suction to hold the Genuine XtraHand® securely in position. It does not require glue, adhesive pads, magnets or any additional fixing.

Because the Genuine XtraHand® is designed to remain attached using vacuum suction alone, both hands remain free for optimum control of the power tool.

The flexible rubber material is also non-toxic and non-marring, so it is designed not to leave marks on the work surface during normal use.

One of the biggest reasons is actually very simple: airflow and how close the XtraHand® can be positioned to the dust.

Rather than trying to collect dust after it has travelled away from the work area, the Genuine XtraHand® can be positioned immediately next to where the dust and debris are being created.

Its large extraction aperture allows a large amount of air to move through the XtraHand®, creating an area of moving air in front of and above the source of the dust.

Dust and debris entering this airflow are drawn into the XtraHand® and carried directly through the hose into the vacuum or dust extractor.

This is particularly important when using hand-held power tools because drilling, cutting and grinding can throw dust and debris in different directions.

The combination of a large capture area, strong airflow and positioning close to the source is what makes the Genuine XtraHand® so effective at capturing dust.

The further dust travels from where it is created, the more difficult it becomes to contain.

Once fine dust becomes airborne, it can quickly spread into the surrounding area. Larger particles can also be thrown away from the tool by the movement of a drill bit, cutting blade or grinding disc.

It is the very fine dust particles that can present the greatest health risk. These particles can be breathed deep into the lungs and may cause damage over time without you immediately realising it.

Many vacuums can use HEPA filtration or specialist dust bags to help contain fine dust, while professional dust extractors used by trades are available in different dust classes, including L, M and H Class, depending on the type and level of dust being controlled.

Positioning the Genuine XtraHand® close to the point where the dust is being created means the dust and debris can enter the vacuum's airflow before it has an opportunity to spread into the surrounding area.

This is why positioning is so important. Rather than trying to clean up dust afterwards, the aim is to capture it as it is being created.

The Airflow Separator is an important part of the patented design of the Genuine XtraHand® and helps control how the airflow supplied by the connected vacuum or dust extractor is used.

When the vacuum is switched on, suction causes the flexible skirt of the XtraHand® to contract against and around the work surface, allowing the tool to hold itself securely in position.

The Airflow Separator then helps direct the airflow towards the large front extraction aperture, creating the strong flow of air used to capture dust and debris as it is produced.

A simple way of understanding the principle is to think about putting your thumb partly over the end of a running hosepipe. The smaller opening changes the way the water flows, causing it to leave the hose faster and travel further. The XtraHand® uses its internal design to control and direct the vacuum's airflow where it is needed.

Importantly, the Airflow Separator allows the Genuine XtraHand® to perform two jobs at the same time: maintaining sufficient suction to hold itself against the work surface, while maintaining airflow through the extraction aperture to capture dust and debris.

This controlled balance between attachment and extraction is one of the important principles behind the Genuine XtraHand® design.

Effective dust extraction depends on two important things: suction and airflow.

Suction creates the pressure difference that allows the Genuine XtraHand® to attach itself to a suitable surface, while airflow is what carries the dust and debris away from the work area and through the hose into the vacuum or dust extractor. The two need to work together.

Some hands-free dust capture devices use small extraction openings that restrict the amount of air that can flow through the tool. This can help create enough suction for the device to remain attached to a vertical surface, particularly when it also has to support the weight of the connected vacuum hose.

However, if the airflow becomes too restricted, the system's ability to capture and carry dust and larger debris away from the work area can be reduced. Excessive airflow restriction can also affect the performance and efficiency of the connected vacuum or dust extractor.

The Genuine XtraHand® has therefore been designed to maintain useful airflow while still providing sufficient suction for hands-free operation.

This is also why the condition of your vacuum or extractor is important. A clean filter, an unobstructed hose and a suitable vacuum or dust extractor can all make a noticeable difference to the performance of the Genuine XtraHand®.

No.

The Genuine XtraHand® contains no batteries, motors or electrical power supply.

It simply connects to the hose of a suitable vacuum or dust extractor and uses the suction and airflow already being produced by that machine.

That makes the XtraHand® extremely simple to use: connect it to the vacuum hose, switch the vacuum on and position the XtraHand® where the dust is going to be created.

There are no batteries to charge and no additional electrical equipment required.

The Genuine XtraHand® was not designed simply to stick to a wall and catch dust from a drill bit.

It has been developed as a multi-purpose dust capture and extraction platform for hand-held power tools, capable of being positioned independently of the tool itself.

Its combination of a large extraction aperture, hands-free operation and patented airflow technology means it can be positioned according to where the dust is going to travel, rather than being permanently restricted to the position or shape of a particular power tool.

That allows the same XtraHand® to be used across applications including drilling, hole sawing, core drilling, cutting with oscillating multi-tools and dust capture from smaller angle grinders.

And because it is independent of the power tool, the user can continue to keep both hands on the tool, providing greater control while the XtraHand® deals with the dust.

Dust Capture & ExtractionThe Genuine XtraHand® Frequently Asked Questions

Using the Genuine XtraHand® Dust Capture Tool with Your Vacuum

What Can I Use the Genuine XtraHand® For?

Dust Capture & Extraction
The Genuine XtraHand®
Frequently Asked Questions