cleaning sets -which one?

HowardH

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Jan 23, 2007
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i got the compact cleaning set today and didn't realize it was for the 27mm hose.  That's way too small to vacuum a garage floor so I am returning it and getting a 36mm set.  The universal set in $155 but it's all plastic.  The Tradesman set is $230 but is metal and the floor attachment looks more substantial.  Is the Tradesman set worth the extra? 
 
Howard, I have the Tradesmen set and it has worked well for me, but..  I know it seems like with the lower price of the tradesmen (compared to the workshop set), and all the attachments it is a good value.  It turns out I don't use the attachments all that often.  After getting a chance to use the Workshop cleaning set at a Festool class I wish I'd spent the little bit extra on it instead.  The workshop set's floor nozzle really is much nicer.   
 
I'm confused that the compact cleaning set says is made for a 27mm hose.  That in reality seems completely untrue.  The 27mm hose fits quite loosely and makes the connection deeper in the pipes socket.  You plug in a 27mm hose, it totally looks like it isn't made for the compact set. The 36 mm hose however fits much tighter in the socket and it seems like it was made mainly for the 36mm hose.  The connection never comes out as it's so much tighter.  Also all three cleaning sets say they use 36 mm pipes, so you really arnt getting any more size in the more expensive sets.  The only real reason I can see to get the tradesman or the workshop sets, is that they come with a hose, but it seems you're not even getting a real deal on the hose. The floor nozzle seems nicer than the compact, but you can get all sorts of floor heads for cheap that will fit.  Does the tradesman floor head have beaters in it?  What extra function does the bigger head have over the compact one other than looking more bulky and difficult to get into places?

The workshop set appears to only come with the tubes and one floor head!  For $260 that seems like an incredible rip off.  You get way more nozzles and versatility in the $85 compact set.

What is the the rubber grey-finned insert for the head on the compact set?  Hard surfaced floors? It looks like the two more expensive sets don't have this head insert and that seems crazy to me.  I'm not sure what this insert is for, but it is an option not given in the other two more expensive sets. So you get less versatility, hmmm that's weird.

I like the compact mainly because it's all plastic and less apt to scratch or dent hardwood floors if you drop it while disassembling or whatever. In a YouTube video on the tradesman, you see the guy take out his shiny stainless tube sections and then THUNK, the sharp end hits the concrete floor. If that were a clients house, you have just made a bad ding in the floor.  Not to mention with repeated abuse the steel can get bent and not fit well.  Also the compact set is light and I didn't need another hose.   The floor nozel is light and the other inserts you can put in it are great.  But I wish there was comperable 50mm compact set. That is the ideal shop size like my ridgid.  All the sets are 36mm and you find yourself avoiding many things so as to not jam in the hose. Please set me straight if I'm wrong about anything, because other opinions are always good to hear. The tradesman and the workshop appear to be more expensive, yet less versatile.
 
I don't know why the compact set is listed as being made for the D27 hose. It is actually designed to work with both the D27 and D36.

Seth
 
I bought the workshop cleaning set after finding out is actually a really good deal. There is a industrial cleaning supply just around the corner from my Festool dealer and I went to see if they had a cheaper option, they had the exact same head, with the same manufacturers stamp on it and the same tubes only two longer ones instead of the three that fit in a sys for $270!
So really you are getting a $160 36mm AS hose and sys 5 for free.

I love the set, having non-marring wheels that adjust to work well on any surface makes life easy. I've cleaned hardwood, concrete, subfloor, high and low pile carpet with really good results. Plus the brushes are replaceable and there are rubber ones available for water extraction. It's really a lifetime set you should never have to replace it.
 
SRSemenza said:
I don't know why the compact set is listed as being made for the D27 hose. It is actually designed to work with both the D27 and D36.

Seth

It will not work (unless the hand end of the wand is modified) with the 36 mm hose that comes with the CT36AC. The tabs that lock it to the Planex prevent it from inserting into the handle. It will work with the crevasse tool, drapery tool and any other tool that is male to female insert.

Tom
 
The cleaning set heads on the compact and the workshop cleaning sets dont pick up planer shavings very well.

A large cleaning set at the local borg might suit you better in that regard and be significantly less expensive...
 
I have the universal cleaning set and don't have any concerns with it being made out of plastic, it seems to be of tough stuff.  If I were to do it again though I'd upgrade to the metal tradesman set because in my workshop I often clean up dust and sometimes fine plastic shavings and find that they static cling to the outside of the universal set nozzle and wand.  I'm guessing the metal wouldn't have that issue.  It's a minor nit, but it's a factor to consider.
 
I got the universal set the other week mainly to get a good deal on the d36 hose to use with my new kapex. I thought I'd sell on the actual set as in the pictures it looks a bit cheap and plasticy . Now I've seen it in the flesh I think I might keep it as it's really well made. :)
 
Christopher Robinson said:
The cleaning set heads on the compact and the workshop cleaning sets dont pick up planer shavings very well.

A large cleaning set at the local borg might suit you better in that regard and be significantly less expensive...

But they aren't green!    [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]
 
I have the least expensive "universal" plastic set.  The tools are of good quality, and the fact that the $155 set comes with a vacuum hose ($110) and a Systainer 5 ($85), it's like getting the cleaning set for free and a $50 discount on the lot!

I've actually bought this kit twice, just to get extra Sys and vac hoses for a good price.  I ditch the Sys insert and use the Sys 5 for other things, and the hose just hangs on the shop wall.

 
I just received the Workshop cleaning kit and after really considering what you get, it's a real bargain.  You get a $150 anti-static hose, a $100 or so systainer and then these really nice cleaning tools.  All in all, it's a great deal, especially if you need the hose and place to keep it all.  I'm going to have to go make a mess in my shop this weekend just so I can go clean it up.
 
Howard:

I have the Workshop Cleaning Set also. I upgraded it with the 3-piece set, 492392. Sometimes the brush and crevice tool are pretty handy.

Tom
 
That's great, Tom.  Thanks.  I should be in Austin soon so I'll stop by and see ya. 
 
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