CT 26, CT 36, CT 48? How did you decide?

FOGNewbie

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For those that have one, how did you decide between the CT 26, CT 36, CT 48? I already have a Midi(the older 99CFM?) , and have already ordered a RS2E. I can use the Midi for mobile use, so space isn't too great of an issue. I would like to be able to store it under my MFT though. Is there a huge difference between the CT36 and the CT 48? Do you prefer one over the other? Why?

BTW I am strongly considering the Oneida Ultimate Dust Deputy and the boom arm and the WCR 1000 work center (future) as well.
 
Least expensive one that can take the reusable bags is how I decided.  Yes, the bag costs a bit, but the hassle of having run out onore than one occasion really drove home the value of having them.
 
I picked the one that fit my cramped storage/workshop/tool crib - the CT36 - the 26 has the same footprint as the 36, and the 48 is a tad bigger.
 
Being an American I believe "Bigger is better and too big is just right!"  ;D

That's why i bought a CT48. Really I don't need portability since I only use it in my home shop.
 
The first time I shopped for Festools in January 2006 I selected the CT22 because I was sure I could remove one of those bags when full. I was not so sure by myself I could remove a CT36 bag. I was sure I am far too cheap to try removing a bag before it was full.

Then when I discovered how well my CT22 functioned, I kept buying more of them, so I only needed to stock one size of bag. When Festool USA announced that the new CT26 and CT36 would be available in the fall of 2010, I told my dealer pals I would buy demo and over-stock CT22. I also bout 2 used CT22 from pals wanting to up-grade. By then my new large shop was built and I wanted enough CT22 they could be dedicated.

I did, however, buy a new CT36 so that I would have a pristine dust extractor to take to customer sites. Since then I have bought a second CT36 for those days I have crews at two different sites.
 
Colonel Panic said:
Being an American I believe "Bigger is better and too big is just right!"  ;D

That's why i bought a CT48. Really I don't need portability since I only use it in my home shop.

HA! That was what I was originally thinking. Maybe I shouldn't fight this urge. :-)

I appreciate all of the responses. This is kind of a tough one. I am leaning toward the CT 36(take the difference in price from the CT 48 and use it for accessories), but not nearly as sure as other Festool purchases. I think because there is part of me that is holding out for a Planex set-up (CT 36AC) in the distant future.
 
I think the choice will depend on what tools you will be using with it.  The Midi is fine for sanding and light TS55/75 use, but if you are planning on using a router or domino with it, the higher capacity of the larger machines will be appreciated.  I have a CT33 with a boom arm and it is quite stable without deploying the outrigger legs, especially if there are heavy systainers attached to it.  I think all three will park under the MFT.  I also added some Gorilla hose sleeve to the last 4' of the boom arm hose which makes it much less catchy on the MFT.

Gorilla Hose Sleeve
 
I just ordered the CT36.  The reason that I ordered it over the 26 was that it is only 2-3 inches taller, but holds a lot more saw dust.  The 48's footprint was just too big for me at this time.  Who knows I might regret it in a year or two, but I doubt it.

Matt
 
I decided on the CT36 for the increased capacity. If you are using the track saw, domino and router I think you will appreciate the larger bags. With those tools I can fill it in two days, when sanding you could almost go forever without changing the bag. The bags workout a little cheaper too.
 
Wonderwino said:
I think the choice will depend on what tools you will be using with it.  The Midi is fine for sanding and light TS55/75 use, but if you are planning on using a router or domino with it, the higher capacity of the larger machines will be appreciated.  I have a CT33 with a boom arm and it is quite stable without deploying the outrigger legs, especially if there are heavy systainers attached to it.  I think all three will park under the MFT.  I also added some Gorilla hose sleeve to the last 4' of the boom arm hose which makes it much less catchy on the MFT.

Gorilla Hose Sleeve

I plan on running other tools off of it Kapex, OF 1400, domino 500, etc..  Well I think I'm down to the CT 36 or CT 48 now.

BTW Do the reusable bags cut down on filtration?
 
FOGNewbie said:
For those that have one, how did you decide between the CT 26, CT 36, CT 48? I already have a Midi(the older 99CFM?) , and have already ordered a RS2E. I can use the Midi for mobile use, so space isn't too great of an issue. I would like to be able to store it under my MFT though. Is there a huge difference between the CT36 and the CT 48? Do you prefer one over the other? Why?

BTW I am strongly considering the Oneida Ultimate Dust Deputy and the boom arm and the WCR 1000 work center (future) as well.

I ended up with the CT48 because the size of the vac didn't seem significantly larger than the smaller vacs and the bag capacity was larger; so requiring emptying less often. As for the boom arm, I bought it but it is kind of a problem sometimes and can get in the way. At other times, though, it is very useful to keep the hose out of the way when using the saw. It's not a clear-cut advantage for me. Plus, you need to have a decent ceiling clearance for the arm. I had to cut the pipe shorter on mine which isn't a real problem, but it was something that took a little experimentation to get it the right height.

As for the Dust Deputy . . . I have one that I used at first with my Fein vac prior to buying the Festool. I don't see much of an advantage with the Festool vacs. Festool has a great vacuum that, on its own, really does a great job and doesn't allow much dust back into the air. Why mess with an already close to perfect system?
 
at a $100 more bucks and cheaper per liter bags,the 48 pays for the extra  cost in something like a dozen bags
 
Since you have the Midi for mobile work you might opt to go with what ever size of a CT since portability is not an issue.

I selected the CT26AC and I'm really happy to have it instead of a larger one since this gets really heavy when the bag is 2/3 full... I can just imagine how heavy a 48 full bag must be.
I wouldn't go big on the vac if you insist on having a cyclone separator inline with it - kind of redundant since the cyclone will catch 95% of all debris and your CT will be running on an empty bag forever... Maybe slap a cyclone on your 22 and get a CT26 for mobile work?  [tongue]

I had a cyclone and gave up on it due to having to move my CT around and it was just too cumbersome with the cyclone. I'm currently using the standard Festool bags for mine and I regularly empty them into the bin (with my mask on  [wink]) and I'm still on my first bag for the third year running (hobbyist = about. 6 full bags)... the fabric material self clean bags (496 187) are very strong in that sense. If they weren't I'd get the long-life bag and keep the VAC's footprint down to its original. As it stands I've got a five pack on the shelf waiting to be opened and if they all last as long as the bag that came with the vac it'll be about 10 years down the line before I need to think about a replacement bag.

One thing I would probably in retrospect drop is the AC functionality of the vac - I don't do drywall sanding so the AC is a totally redundant feature for anything wood... I have it permanently turned off.
 
The 36 is just a little taller than the 26, the 48 is quite large. For the small cost increase of the 36 or the 26 and the volume difference ... I went 36.

If you never have to lift it, size won't be an issue, but if you did - a full 48 would be heavy!
 
I have a Ct36, simply because they didn't offer the 48 at the time. I also have the older midi. I carry the midi around the house for spot work. The 36 is to cumbersome for moving around unless you can roll it there. With that said, I go through far more midi bags than the 36 bags. I have since added (this month) two 23 foot non AS hoses for the 36 so I can work upstairs without lugging the vac there. Hope it works.

Kevin
 
Like a few others I went with the 36.  For me the footprint was right and the extra capacity over the 26 was a bonus for use with tools that produce more dust.  I have only been using Festool for 3 - 4 but so far the 36 has been terrific for my needs.
 
for shop use id go with the 48, my 26 and 22 fills up kinda fast when Im in the middle of a project
 
jobsworth said:
for shop use id go with the 48, my 26 and 22 fills up kinda fast when Im in the middle of a project

I told u measure twice cut once... [poke] [smile]
 
Festoolfootstool said:
jobsworth said:
for shop use id go with the 48, my 26 and 22 fills up kinda fast when Im in the middle of a project

I told u measure twice cut once... [poke] [smile]

It's ok, his other pastime is making particle board from scratch [big grin]
 
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