Advice on a Dust Extractor

[tomk]

My most used hose is one of the new style, like the Midi comes with, but in a 36mm size and 5 meters long. Some folks buy the 7 meter hose and cut some off adding new ends for additional uses. The 5 meter is plenty long enough for me, and allows the dust collector to be outside the room I am working in. The D27 hose the vac comes with should be able to plug onto the end of the D36 hose. The Ridgid hoses should fit right into the Festool dust collector.

I like the metal Festool cleanup tools, but they are expensive, where plastic will get the job done. *shrugs*

No Bluetooth yet? Once you add a longer hose, Bluetooth becomes a feature you will not be able to imagine how you ever got along without.

Ha yeah there was no way I was going to leave the store without the bluetooth remote. I'm already used to having the remote on my old vac and I'd never go back to using the manual switch again.

 

[afish]

Ok so I have been going back and forth between the Makita vc4210 and the ct 36 ac and figured I would mention a few things I didnt see previously.  Im only comparing the makita to the ct 36ac as both have the AC function which may or may not be important for some.  However its the two closest models spec wise.  Here is why I have decided against the Makita.

1. The Makita BT requires an extra box to be plugged into the vac and hangs off the vac via what looks like a velcro strap.  This might not seem like a big deal at first but anyone who has tried to move around a jobsite that already has obstacles everywhere and has what seems like an endless supply of items to snag a cord will understand you dont want any extra cords or crap to get hung up and slow you down.  After all isnt this the reason cordless tools have become so popular

2. From what I can tell it looks like there is no ON/OFF button on the makita BT and requires you to buy an extra transmitter for each tool and it will only work with Makita tools.  Chime in if Im wrong on that.

3. Hose and cord storage. This is another annoying factor of the Makita.  Both the cord and hose are externally hung or clamped to the outside of the unit.  Making moving and transporting from jobsite to jobsite more frustrating.  I see that makita hose popping off at least twice or the helper dragging it behind him/her on the way back to the truck or van.  This seems like a minor issue at first but its always been an annoyance with those unwieldy hoses that sometimes seems like they have a mind of their own.  The nice tidy hose garage and cord storage of the festool looks waaaay better and more refined to me. There are a lot of condos in my area so this often requires moving tools and equipment long distances through common areas such as lobbies, hallways, elevators etc. So being neat and tidy and moving as much in/out, in as few trips as possible becomes very important.

4. the Makita BT is more expensive which eats into the the cost savings of getting it in the first place.

Just figured I would point those items out since only #3 was obvious to me at first.  These items may or may not matter to you just as the AC function may or may not matter.  If you dont need AC then the price gap narrows even more. The Makita is still quieter which is nice but in the end it looks like Festool is the winner to me and as you may or may not know I dont always consider Festool to be the better choice. 

 

[afish]

Well talked myself into it thanks to you guys.  CT 36 AC will be here next week.  Still trying to decide on planex 2 or Mirka.  Seeing some reports that the planex 2 is harder to use and more prone to leaving swirls.

 

[guybo]

Hi again mirka is nice  w/180 head movement good level 5 and ceiling sander does not like texture though, the planex light shows every sin  [big grin] but great on texture removal .guy

 

[afish]

I also like how the festool can have a section removed for tight spaces but that mirka looks like its more user friendly and better finish. Its had for me to believe the festool leaves swirls easily. Dust collection and ease/quality of finish is primary importance. the light is nice but I feel like it can be added pretty easily so its not a huge deciding factor but is a very nice feature.

 

[demographic]

The bluetooth add on is a real joy to use, the remote button that goes on the end of the hose allows any tool that fits the hose to be used with the extractor without ratching about under the workbench to knock it on and I find I tidy up my workspace a lot more now its so easy to use as well.

One thing that Festool really needs to get on top of is the cordless extractor thing cos most tradesmen who work on snagging type jobs where they are constantly on the move really need it.
Currently Makita and De-Walt are ahead of them in this respect and it loses them sales to tradesmen.

 

[tomk]

Hey everyone,

I thought I'd post a follow up after I've been using the MIDI for a while...

Performance

- Power is adequate. It is at least as good as my old Rigid - maybe slightly more powerful.
- Suction appears to be maintained fairly well when set to the lower settings while on high it's running full tilt.
- Works great with a larger hose and my dust deputy when running the planer
- No problem picking up heavier debris with the floor sweep (metal, concrete, rock)
- Rolls very smoothly. Can tug it along.
- Cord length is generous and easy to manage.
- Fairly quiet operation especially when running at lower power levels. The sound is more pleasing to ears vs other vacs (lower pitched)
- Excellent bag system. Not really any need to clean the filter thus far.
- Hose garage works well to keep everything self contained.
- Bluetooth module works flawlessly. Never had any trouble or delays.
- Switched outlook is very handy for tools with lower power draws. Vac stays on for a few seconds after tool turns off.
- Easy access to the HEPA filter for changing, cleaning, or swapping to wet filter.
- Fairly light weight (until bag gets full).
- Small footprint is easy to fit through doors and hallways.
- Exhaust is adequately diffused as to not blow other objects around.
- Rubber hose end tends to stay in place better than hard plastic
- Wheel lock does a decent job at keeping the unit stationary

Quality
- Overall I'd give quality a 4 out of 5.
- Lots of plastic but it doesn't feel "cheap".
- Plastic may be more subject to damage vs. my Rigid vac which could have easily survive a 6 ft drop
- While the front casters DO work they really aren't fit for purpose. They belong on a 1990's desk chair. No chance they will go over debris or gravel.
- Included hose is very nice.
- Fit and finish is top notice
- Sounds like a premium vac
- Much sturdier than it looks!

Value

- Overall I think it is slightly overpriced for what you get.
- It should be about $75-$100 less. 
- If I had to decide I would still buy it again but ask me again after next year's price hike and I may say no.
- Bags are reasonably priced vs. their performance.

Likes

- Quiet
- Dust control
- Integrated remote and switched outlet
- Flat top for stacking systainers
- Long cord
- Premium hose
- Variable speed (and I did end up liking the digital control better vs the old knob)
- Hose input (might be controversial to some but it's great how the hose plugs in from the top. Keeps from making messes.
- You can pack the bag very full before you need to change
- Mostly mess-free as the bag catches nearly everything.
- Available floor sweep kit is nice.

Dislikes

- No odor control. Vac up a bunch of sawdust and you will smell it if you use it in the house. Could have easily added activated charcoal layer to filter or bag.
- Front casters are cheap.
- Included hose has a diameter which is slightly too small. Plugs easily with larger debris.
- Included hose is just a tad too short due to new design moving input to top of the unit.
- Can't adjust the speed without turning on the vac
- Master power switch doesn't cut power to switched outlet
- Hose garage needs just a tad more height
- Filter cleaning seems mostly a gimmick won't the filter just suck the dust back in when you release the lever?
- Non-standard hose end size. This problem isn't unique to Festool.

Summary

Overall I am pleased with the unit even though the price was steep. This is one of those tools you don't think about but gets more use than just about ever other tool in your shop so it does make sense to invest a bit more here. While this is a premium vac with a premium price it is not rugged so take good care of it. It is also likely to be stolen if left at a job site. The small capacity hasn't been an issue because of how well the space is used  and because I use a dust deputy when generating large debris such as with the planer or table saw. While there is room for small improvements, it was worth the upgrade from the Rigid.