I need some end user experience here. For those that have used these products I need some help with some purchase decisions. I am an advanced hobbyist not a professional.  I am looking to upgrade my current shop vac to a CT system. Both the CT 26 and the CT 36 are within the budget so price is not really a decision point at this time. I don't want to waste money but I want the best fit for me.  I love the work center concept and have a home made version now with my shop vac and Rockler vortex on a custom cart that has work center like tool holding capacity.  I really like the cyclone feature.

This is what I am thinking about: If I go with the Dust Deputy for Festool then is there really a difference in the CT 26 or 36 since most of the dust will be in the DD? Am I missing something or is this thought rational?

With a DD it looks like I lose the option of a work center, is that correct or has someone figured something else out?

Does the boom arm still work ok with the DD? OR does this become cumbersome?

Thanks in advance for your input. I love the forum and the ability to get real world advice from experienced users.

If you have the space for a DD+dust box and don't want to keep the vac under the MFT table but rather next to it go for it.

If you want to be able to move the vac around or keep it close by under your MFT I'd look hard at the long life bag for the vac you find the right size.

I've got a ctl 26 and it is plenty big and heavy with some dust in it as it is and as a hobbyist I haven't even filled my first bag this summer yet. I wouldn't get a 36 unless I was routing stuff all day long every day. The only difference between the models is the bag capacity. Also haven't experienced any tangible benefit of having the AC model (autoclean) doing woodworking and if I've understood correctly I can't have a HEPA filter because of the automatic filter cleaning feature.

I've also got a cyclone that is never used because it's too cumbersome to use in a mobile workshop of mine.

Can't comment much on the boom arm issue since I don't own one. Would like to though...

Edit: Typo correction

I wouldn't call myself an advanced hobbyist; more at an intermediate level.

I have had the CT36 with standard bags and no DD for a year and haven't changed the bag yet. I doubt if I will ever want the long life bag. Festool designs these things so that the bag packs pretty well before there is a need to change the bag. As far as the boom arm goes I really think it is a great addition because it keeps hoses and cables off the floor. Put it near a large bench and you have a great workstation.

So for me anyway its:

CT36 YES
Long Life Bag - Maybe after I retire and have a lot more free time.
Workstation - no, just put Systainer on the unit.
Dust Deputy - no
Boom Arm - yes

I have a CT22 (predecessor to the CT26), wcr, and the boom arm.  I'm retired and a hobbyist, so I work pretty much in a stationary environment.  I found the combination of the wcr and the boom arm on the vac to be cumbersome, so I simply took the boom off the vac and mounted it on a cinder block in front of my mft.  Works great for me. 

I don't have a dust deputy, but like others I don't see the need.  I'm in the shop most days and I use maybe three bags a year. 

The wcr and the boom arm seem like whimsical luxuries at first glance, but they turn out to be tools you use every day and get a grin every time you use them.