CT 26 or another Midi

[Df1k1]

I currently have a Midi that I use with the MFT and TS55 and ETS 150 sander.  I'm very happy with it. Have a relatively small shop (I'm a hobbyist) but I am tired of pulling it around to different areas. Looking to get a CT 26 but here are my questions.
I'd like to dedicate the CT 26 to my Dewalt 12 inch miter saw. My thought is that  someday I may upgrade to a Kapex along with LR 32 and a 1400 router. Along with an RO 90 (seems that most on the FOG thinks it's a good compliment to the ETS150).    It would also be by my bench area where I am starting to get more and more into handtools (and  thinking that the CT 26 would be better at larger material i.e. plane shavings etc).  I don't want to spend almost $200 more if it's not necessary though. Any thoughts would be appreciated.  This is a great forum and I havelearned a lot

 

[John Beauchamp]

Your a hobbiest with a small shop and more tools on the wish list. Maybe consider a hub and hoses for the other tools instead of moving the vac. Save the money  and space for the other tools you need more than a second vac.

 

[Holmz]

There are a few threads lately on Kapex and vacuums.
Reading those will save you either money or frustration.
Almost everyone gets the green needle in the arm on the vacuum as a path to upgrade router and saws.

But spending $200 more?
More than what?
You already have a vacuum?
Other than shoes, socks and mittens I cannot see owning a pair of anything.

I would read those Kapex dust threads as the deWalt would be largely the same. Getting an estimated 90% dust collection may not be a worthwhile step up from 89%.
That is a lot of Japanese chisels.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Except for capacity, the 26 offers nothing extra over the Midi. You can fit a boom arm on the 26 but not on the Midi, that's something that's very important for some people, and totally not for others.

If neither capacity nor the boom arm are important to you, go for the Midi and save yourself some money and some space.

I've got a Mini and a 26, and I plan to swap the 26 for another Mini, though I never seem to get around to actually doing it.

 

[CNX]

Hi Df1k1,

I also have a relatively small shop but bought second vac (26 + Midi). It was a great decision.
Now both are mostly stationary at the opposite corners of the room and one 3.5-m hose can vac the entire shop simply by switching it between the two. No need to roll around the vac. That's a huge difference. They can also be tucked away saving precious spaces.

I recommend to go with 26 because it can accept a boomarm and/or a workcenter in the future, but I guess you won't regret either way.

 

[peter halle]

Years ago there was a suction difference between different Festool dust collectors.  Now any differences are so small that it doesn't matter.

Choose the size that works for you space wise but remember that smaller capacity bags fill more often.

Peter

 

[Holmz]

Years ago there was a suction difference between different Festool dust collectors.  Now any differences are so small that it doesn't matter.

Choose the size that works for you space wise but remember that smaller capacity bags fill more often.

Peter

Good point Peter ~ I suspect that you are correct.

Kestral makes an anemometer, which one could use to test the flow rate, by measuring the velocity.
It would probably be best to make a manifold the connects to either of the hoses with a fixed I/D (inside diameter) at the manifold.
Then the flow could measured using the small and large hoses as well as with various lengths of hose length.
That would make working out the differences between vacuums effectiveness something that could have metrics applied.

The specific dust collection aspect as to what passes through the vacuum a different matter.

I could envision a high-flow shop vac with an inlet and outlet could be better at generating more effective flow than the CT-xx or Midi. But with an outlet, then the CT-xx/Midi with the HEPA could be daisy chained behind the shop vac to capture the finer stuff that escapes the shop-vac. I suppose that one could even whack a dust-deputy before the shop vac.

It is sort of an idea, so maybe it is not good, but seems germane to the discussion.

 

[Michael1960]

If you buy a Kapex with the mobile stand you may find it useful to go with the smaller Midi so it can fit below the Kapex (between the legs of the stand).  Alternatively a small dedicated shop vac could be more economical.

 

[peter halle]

Years ago there was a suction difference between different Festool dust collectors.  Now any differences are so small that it doesn't matter.

Choose the size that works for you space wise but remember that smaller capacity bags fill more often.

Peter

Good point Peter ~ I suspect that you are correct.

Kestral makes an anemometer, which one could use to test the flow rate, by measuring the velocity.
It would probably be best to make a manifold the connects to either of the hoses with a fixed I/D (inside diameter) at the manifold.
Then the flow could measured using the small and large hoses as well as with various lengths of hose length.
That would make working out the differences between vacuums effectiveness something that could have metrics applied.

The specific dust collection aspect as to what passes through the vacuum a different matter.

I could envision a high-flow shop vac with an inlet and outlet could be better at generating more effective flow than the CT-xx or Midi. But with an outlet, then the CT-xx/Midi with the HEPA could be daisy chained behind the shop vac to capture the finer stuff that escapes the shop-vac. I suppose that one could even whack a dust-deputy before the shop vac.

It is sort of an idea, so maybe it is not good, but seems germane to the discussion.

Thank you Holmz.  A glance at the specs from Festool would illustrate fully my post.  If someone were to use a high flow shop vac in combination would certainly lead to electrical issues and triggering as well as a much higher decibel level.  In my line of work I have no knowledge of what an anemometer is or what it does and I suspect the average guy doesn't have one sitting around in a toolbox.

Peter

 

[gsdvorak]

I purchased a CT22 (predecessor to the CT 26) first as part of a package deal with the Domino DF500.  It worked great parking underneath the Kapex next to my workbench, so it was easy to switch between the Kapex and for use with the other Festools.  However, once I purchased an MFT3, I then found it a pain to move between locations.  Re-arranging the shop wasn't an option so, at the advice of other FOG members (who always seem to help you spend $$$) I started looking for a Mini or Midi.  The Mini came across first, and now that is dedicated to the Kapex and the CT22 sits underneath the MFT.  I have not regretted that decision.  The added bonus is the Mini is much easier to transport into the house or the job site.  Having this mix seems to work best for me- like others have said, you will just need to look at how you plan on using them and then make a decision.  Not a wrong answer either way.

Happy Shopping!

Gerald 

 

[Holmz]

....
Thank you Holmz.  A glance at the specs from Festool would illustrate fully my post.  If someone were to use a high flow shop vac in combination would certainly lead to electrical issues and triggering as well as a much higher decibel level.  In my line of work I have no knowledge of what an anemometer is or what it does and I suspect the average guy doesn't have one sitting around in a toolbox.

Peter

Good points on the noise and power consumption.

A friend who does volunteer bush fire brigade had me pick one up the fancy model on a trip.
Anemometer (Kestral)

Since the FT Vacuum specs are the same, then the main purpose of a performing measurements would be solely to understand the hose diameter and length relationship to flow using the Festool vacuum.
If one just wants to have maximum flow, then a short hose with a large diameter is the solution.

If it is a comparison as to whether "Vacuum A" sucks more than "Vacuum B", then the anemometer comes into play.
I got my CT-26 because of the HEPA for mould spores.
If I had been purchasing based upon sucking up saw dust and needing higher flow, then I would suggest that the anemometer could be used to test all the vacuums out at the shop so as to make a decision that was more based on the sucking metrics.
(+ HEPA needs, noise, etc, etc.)

Again this is just theoretical speculation  ???, as I have no Kapex hooked up to mine.

 

[jbasen]

I am a hobbyist with a small shop. I have a mini with a UDD.  Personally I wish I had a CT 26 instead of the mini so I could add a boom arm for sanding. I think the price difference is worth it to give you the added flexibility.  It is a lot cheaper than changing vacums should you decide to add a boom arm down the road.

 

[sancho57]

I wanted a 2nd CT  so I bought a used CT 22 off of Craigslist. Got a good deal on it . It's ugly I mean looks prettying beat up, but it can out a watermelon through a garden hose..

 

[Df1k1]

Great input thanks for the thoughts. Another midi (or wait a bit and think about the necessity of two) it is

 

[Runhard]

I am a hobbyist (actually a tool collector) with a small basement shop and I have a CT48 with the boom arm and two CT 26's. I had a midi but sold it because I like the CT26 better. I know that all the DE should have the same CFM, but the Festool website shows the mini and midi at 130CFM and the CT26, 36 and 48 at 137CFM. While this may be a small difference, I thought that I could tell that the midi was a little weaker than the larger models when hooked up to my Kapex with a short 36mm hose. I also prefer the way the hose attaches to the larger models.

My three Festool DE may be a little overkill, especially since I bought a 5hp Clear Vue cyclone this past Christmas, but I do not like having to move the vacs around or disconnect hoses. I have a CT26 dedicated to my Kapex and the other to my CMS. The CT48 is next to my MFT/3 for use with other tools. I have considered trying to connect the cyclone to the CMS and/or Kapex. This is probably overkill but I purchased the Nordfab style duct work with some extra fittings to reduce down to 3" so that I can see about hooking the CMS and Kapex up to the cyclone. Another option could be to build a dust hood for the Kapex.

The only negative to me with getting rid of the midi is the fact that the larger CT's are harder to take upstairs or outside to use, but I may consider buying one of the sys vacs if/when they are available to NA. Another great thing about Festool is that if you want to sell something that you do not like or no longer need, you can recoup most of your investment.

If I were in your shoes I would wait and save up more money and later buy a CT26, or even a CT48, with the RO90 to save the 10% off the vac.

 

[Df1k1]

Man that is a lot of dust extraction!!  I appreciate the input

 

[DarrenB]

Reading this thread with great interest as I am too contemplating whether to get a second and more powerful vac for my hobbyist shop.

I have an old MINI now (think it's from 2011) but it sucks (hehe) and fills up pretty quickly... so some questions.

1. I know there is a slight difference in the specs but are the new MINIs/MIDIs close to the capacity of a CT 26 or does the 26 blow the smaller ones away (pardon the pun)?

2. Are the 2015 versions of MIDI/MINI better than the 2011 versions?

3. Can I use the larger diameter hoses on the MINI/MIDI and will it give similar results as with the CT26 when used in extra dusty applications like the CMS router table, CMS TS 55, dovetail routing etc?

4. What would you buy: An extra MINI, MIDI or CT26 and which one would you use as a dedicated fixed vac?