Choosing Vac. Festool CTL Midi vs Nilfisk Attix 33

[Bouden]

Hi! I need a vacuum cleaner/dust extractor, but I should throw the money after the Festool medi ctl or the Nilfisk Attix 33. Nilfisk has autoclean and accessories for approx. 3200,- DKK (£387). Festool has no accessories for 3400,- DKK (£412). It will be used for small tasks around the house and in my workshop along with the jigsaw, TS55 etc. maybe af mitersaw later on.

Nilfisk:
Autoclean (Every 15 sek(Can not be turned off))
Accessories
Large wheels at the front
A little cheaper

Festool:
Fits systainers on top
Fits my machines out of the box
The hose fits inside the machine when not in use.

Cheers!

 

[woodferret]

"The hose fits inside the machine when not in use."

I love my pre-2019 Midi but one thing to keep in mind is that if you're planning on doing a lot more work with your TS55 or mitersaw, you're going to want that D36 hose and that beast doesn't fit in the garage.  I still use it for sanding so I have to find somewhere to stash both the D27 and D36 hoses nearby - the location of the port means I can't stow the D27 in the garage either while using the other.

The wheels don't pose a problem as it's light enough even when full to just lift over obstacles if any.

"Small tasks around the house" ...

I wouldn't consider the Midi to be a good general vac although you can get the cleaning kits - which I have.  I leave it in the shop area, and would rather prefer a canister vac for general work.  The cleaning kit is useful if you're mobile and this is the only vac you have on site - which I don't think applies to most homeowners.

Vacs just always end up being one of those "I'll just get one to do all the things" but then inevitably explodes into multiple shop-vacs, extractors, collectors because each one just does their thing much better.

 

[Bouden]

Allright thanks!

And the (Small taks around the house) It is not daily cleaning of the house. But small renovation tasks such as plaster, woodwork and so on ;-)

 

[woodferret]

And the (Small taks around the house) It is not daily cleaning of the house. But small renovation tasks such as plaster, woodwork and so on ;-)

Ah, plaster.    I'll try to set expectations...

For small stuff like fixing holes, the standard MIDI is fine.  For more serious generation of extra-fine dust say sanding new drywall/plaster, consider adding a pre-separator.  Without it, I'd rate the MIDI bag as good for one wall before wanting to switch out. 

For that type of work, I have a dust deputy jerry-rigged to fit on top of my MIDI.  Although a cheap box-store (< $100) shopvac with HEPA filter and DD combo does the job just as well and way cheaper.  It just uses more footprint.

At the end of the day, if space is the _most_ important issue and having an all-in-one that can handle D36 hoses and service reno/workshop cleaning in a single footprint, I might steer you towards the CT26 instead of the MIDI.  The festool cyclone, although expensive compared to alternatives at least stacks on top nicely and is easier to empty.  If you're working from home and don't have to lug the vac up and down steep stairs every day/night then the extra weight/size is negligible and has much better accessory support for future proofing at a minor cost increase. 

 

[bertv]

I own a Midi (older model) AND a Mirka 1230 L PC, which is an OEM Nilfisk Attix 33 (identical build, different colours and some details). The latter machine is much bigger than the Midi and functions really well. It doesn’t have auto clean, but a push knob that actuates the filter cleaning.

The bag of the Mirka/Nilfisk is bigger than the Midi’s, which may be a consideration.

If I had to choose I would prefer the Mirka if used in a shop and choose the Midi if portability is a factor.

 

[Mandrewbot3k]

I was planning on buying the midi or CT26, but recently purchased the Flex Tools VCE 33 AC which I believe is the attix 33 as well. I got a crazy good deal for $239 online, so it was a no brainer for me. It's been a great extractor for my Bosch GET75, makita track saw and domino. My only complain is the rubber adapter for it is too small and it doesnt use the same ends as my bosch hose, so I just use my bosch hose for the most part. Didn't wanna cut the adapter without a replacement first for the small tools like my bosch 1/4 sheet sander. Lowes does carry the accessories though they're hard to find because you have to search for "flex" which generally brings up a billion results.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I own a Midi (older model) AND a Mirka 1230 L PC,

I am not impressed by the suction power of any Festool vac, they work really well with a tool attached but they suck for general cleaning.

Does the Mirka/Nilfisk have better suction?

I recently bought a small Nilfisk Coupe Neo household vac for cleaning and it is tiny compared to the Midi but suction is a lot better.

As for the OP's question, you don't need autoclean if you're not sanding plaster on a daily basis, and the sound will drive you nuts.

 

[rvieceli]

I have a CT-22 which the CT26 replaced and a Flex VCE44 which is a rebadged Nilfisk Attix 44. It is the same as the 33 but the tub for the bag is just taller.  Mine has a five position switch. OFF - Tool activated AC on - tool activated AC off and manual AC on -Manual AC off as well as the suction adjustment knob. Don't know if those options are available where you are located.

I like mine a lot. It will take all the Festool hoses. There is a kit for mounting Bosch L boxes or Systainers on the top.

Compared to my CT22, the suction is better on the Attix. With the tool activated setting on the vac, the vacuum stays on for a few more seconds which I like because it seems to clear the hose better.

Ron

 

[Bouden]

Thank you for your reply. I lean most towards nilfisk / mirka as there are several benefits.

 

[bertv]

I own a Midi (older model) AND a Mirka 1230 L PC,

I am not impressed by the suction power of any Festool vac, they work really well with a tool attached but they suck for general cleaning.

Does the Mirka/Nilfisk have better suction?

Yes. The Mirka lives under my MFT/3 and VL with TS55 insert. I have a Y-splitter on it with FS gates. One connection is to the saw (with another Y for under/above), the other is for sanding etc. on the MFT.
Not long ago I noticed while sanding that the extraction was awful. I checked the Mirka. It was overfilled to the point that almost a meter of hose was filled with sawdust. Point to make: the vac worked beyond what it usually needs to do — it still worked great after filling the bag to the brink of bursting, and only 'stopped' functioning on account of the obstruction in the hose.
So yeah, it works a lot better than the Midi. The Midi is used in conjunction with a cyclone (to extract my Kapex and for a drill press), where performance is less of an issue.

Another pro: because the Mirka is a Nilfisk, the bags are a lot cheaper if you don’t mind buying no-brand or other brands than Mirka (which is of course a premium brand). If have seen non-branded that were half the price of the Mirka’s.

 

[Mandrewbot3k]

I own a Midi (older model) AND a Mirka 1230 L PC,

I am not impressed by the suction power of any Festool vac, they work really well with a tool attached but they suck for general cleaning.

Does the Mirka/Nilfisk have better suction?

I recently bought a small Nilfisk Coupe Neo household vac for cleaning and it is tiny compared to the Midi but suction is a lot better.

As for the OP's question, you don't need autoclean if you're not sanding plaster on a daily basis, and the sound will drive you nuts.

Not just the sound but when you’re running a router, domino or even the track saw, the jolt is terrifying. I was waiting until it kicks in before starting my plunge just so I don’t mess it up, and then just decided it wasn’t worth using on woodworking unless I’m doing super high grit sanding which isn’t often at all.

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