BT Vac Advice Please...

[darita]

I'm finally jumping into the cordless realm with a TSC55 KEB.  Since the batteries can turn on a vac via BT, I figured it's time to upgrade my 20+ year old CT33E and CT22 and get a new BT capable vac.  Kind of a shame cuz both old vacs still work perfectly fine.  I've been looking at the Midi and the CT26, which by the way have been around for quite some time now. Thoughts and considerations?

 

[NiteWalkerGR]

I went through this last year and bought the ct midi I. Mainly because the cost of entry including bluetooth was over $150 less to go with the midi. With the price increase, that gap has widened even more. I've been very happy with it. I do really like how compact it is.

That said, let capacity be what ultimately entices you to choose one vac over another. This is less important if you'll be using a separator (highly recommended!) suction is more or less identical between the midi (130cfm, 96" static lift) and 26, 36 and 48 (137cfm, 96" static lift).

Like I said, I'm happy with my midi, but I don't really use the hose garage. Since I stack systainers on it, getting to the hose was a PITA, so I just keep the hose in the systainer that came with the cleaning set with the 36mm hose.

 

[six-point socket II]

Midi I.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Cheese]

About 5 years ago Rick Christopherson offered a Maxsys module for the CT 22/CT 33 vacs. The module nestled nicely inside the vac and the connection was simply 4 wires. Maybe he still has extras available or just google. I installed one in my CT 22.

If purchasing new, I prefer the newer MIDI I.

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[rst]

I use one of Rick's on my CT 26 and it works great, when Festool came out with theirs's I got none for my 36. Definitely a plus if working up on scaffolding.

 

[darita]

Ok...I got a chance to look at the Midi and the CT26.  I like the advancements of the Midi with the BT and digital vacuum controller.  It's cute little unit.  Downsides are the smaller capacity and the internal hose connection.  The 26 is a lot like my 33, only newer.  What I'm afraid of is if I get the 26, it being older, Festool will announce a new updated CT26 in a few months, leaving me wishing I had waited. 
Just PMd Rick. Thanks for the tip.

 

[NiteWalkerGR]

Honestly I'd not worry about a new version of the 26 being released. It's a great vac and is time tested and proven.

 

[darita]

Does anyone know if Rick Christopherson is still around and in business?  I tried a PM and email from his website, but no reply.

 

[mino]

For me - if money is no object - the CT26 it is universally.

Physical knobs >>> anything touch-based. You can call me old.
[smile]

As for the capacity, the bag size is not the big difference. It is in the filter area - it is twice that witht he CT 26/36/48 series. Basically they are the more heavy-duty devices.

For daily shop use, the CT 26. With or without a cyclone.
For mobile or for hobby use, the CT MIDI (or the MINI - if you plan a cyclone or need it for job sites).
For static dedicated use, with or without a cyclone, the CT 15 is hard to beat.

 

[peter halle]

Does anyone know if Rick Christopherson is still around and in business?  I tried a PM and email from his website, but no reply.

It shows that he last visited her on Dec 29, 2022.  So he is around.

Peter

 

[Claimdude]

+1 Ric's BT setup. He did one for my 220v dust collector and my CT22!

Ok...I got a chance to look at the Midi and the CT26.  I like the advancements of the Midi with the BT and digital vacuum controller.  It's cute little unit.  Downsides are the smaller capacity and the internal hose connection.  The 26 is a lot like my 33, only newer.  What I'm afraid of is if I get the 26, it being older, Festool will announce a new updated CT26 in a few months, leaving me wishing I had waited. 
Just PMd Rick. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Cheese]

+1 Ric's BT setup. He did one for my 220v dust collector and my CT22!

I also purchased his BT setup for my Jet dust collector.  [smile]  The Jet with its 4" tubing is kept on one side of the basement and for the most part I work on the other side of the basement where the CT 22 resides. With Rick's 2-button remote, from one location I can control 2 different units.

Button A = CT 22
Button B = Jet

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[NiteWalkerGR]

As for the capacity, the bag size is not the big difference. It is in the filter area - it is twice that witht he CT 26/36/48 series. Basically they are the more heavy-duty devices.

I didn't think this sound right so I double checked.
CT MIDI I filter surface area: 3898 cm² (604,2 sq.in.)
CT 26/36/48 filter surface area: 5300 cm² (821,5 sq.in.)
So certainly more surface area, but not twice as much.
And I wouldn't call the 26/36/48 heavier duty at only 7cfm more and identical static lift.

As for knobs vs touch controls, I'm fine with both really. I love my midi but will be adding a ct 26 with separator to my workshop soon.

 

[mino]

I didn't think this sound right so I double checked.
CT MIDI I filter surface area: 3898 cm² (604,2 sq.in.)
CT 26/36/48 filter surface area: 5300 cm² (821,5 sq.in.)
So certainly more surface area, but not twice as much.

Riigth.
Not sure where I got the "twice" number, possibly remembered the filter "window" area - where the air comes in - there the difference is bigger and close to 2x. That is what influences the gag peroformance and is probably why - in my experience - the CT 36 holds up suction a bit better than compared to the MIDI I/CT15. The difference is certainly more than the miniscule difference in specs indicates. But also nothing game-changing.

And I wouldn't call the 26/36/48 heavier duty at only 7cfm more and identical static lift.

Heavy duty as in not stronger/faster but as in "built like a tank" and suited for high duty cycle operation. The plastics and most parts of the CT26+ series are just overbuilt compared to most stuff I see on the market. That vac series is absolutely more heavy duty when compared to the CT MINI/MIDI series and most of the competion as well.

Whether that matters for one is another question.

 

[peacefulandpatriotically]

For me - if money is no object - the CT26 it is universally.

Physical knobs >>> anything touch-based. You can call me old.
[smile]

totally agree with this comment!!!

 

[Coen]

Honestly I'd not worry about a new version of the 26 being released. It's a great vac and is time tested and proven.

At least the CTL 26 doesn't turn off from manual-on if you stop drawing power from the outlet. That behaviour of the CTL Midi-I annoys the heck out of me.

 

[Coen]

I didn't think this sound right so I double checked.
CT MIDI I filter surface area: 3898 cm² (604,2 sq.in.)
CT 26/36/48 filter surface area: 5300 cm² (821,5 sq.in.)
So certainly more surface area, but not twice as much.

Riigth.
Not sure where I got the "twice" number, possibly remembered the filter "window" area - where the air comes in - there the difference is bigger and close to 2x. That is what influences the gag peroformance and is probably why - in my experience - the CT 36 holds up suction a bit better than compared to the MIDI I/CT15. The difference is certainly more than the miniscule difference in specs indicates. But also nothing game-changing.

And I wouldn't call the 26/36/48 heavier duty at only 7cfm more and identical static lift.

Heavy duty as in not stronger/faster but as in "built like a tank" and suited for high duty cycle operation. The plastics and most parts of the CT26+ series are just overbuilt compared to most stuff I see on the market. That vac series is absolutely more heavy duty when compared to the CT MINI/MIDI series and most of the competion as well.

Whether that matters for one is another question.

Yup, the Midi bags clog faster. Seems that most of the airflow wants to go through that one section where it contacts the filter, while with the bigger vacs it seems to use the filter bag more on the sides too.

 

[darita]

Well, just to finish up this thread...I purchased a CT26, with the Bluetooth option, so thanks all for the feedback.  It really helped.  Still, I really do want to contact Rick Christopherson so that I can convert my CT22 and 33 over to Bluetooth. Thanks again!