CT 26 or CT36 for hobbyist?

[hobbes]

Ok, I'm about to buy into the "system" (well, technically I'm in already with a couple of white boxes) but I really haven't used them the way they are designed yet. I need to get a vac. So which should it be, a CT26 or CT36?

I've read about the weight of the bag filling up being heavy on the CT36, but how much weight are we talking about? I don't do this for work, just another hobbyist so mobility isn't really a big concern for me as it will primarily be garage-bound and the price difference is not a limiting factor (after taking the initial plunge, what's another half-an-uncle Ben?). I know there's some cost and time saving to be had with the larger size but I'm wondering if this will be too bulky being slightly taller.
For example, with a CT36, can it fit two of the smaller systainers under a MFT/3?Does it make the boom arm more stable or does that not make a difference?

Comments? Suggestions?

 

[RC]

[welcome] to FOG Hobbes ,

I'm in pretty much exactly the same situation being a hobbyist and having a few Festool tools that need dust extraction and I'm on the same fence whether to get a 26 or 36. I've been researching this subject for a while now and the main points I've gotten here are:

- The extractors are functionally identical i.e. the motor top part is shared between the models; the main difference between CT26/36/48 is the bucket and bag size (see my article about what parts from EKAT you need to convert from one extractor size to another)
- People have suggested that bigger is better with regards to bag filling speed and costs related to bag changing if you don't opt for a reusable long life bag
- If you run a router or planer you will fill bags faster than with saws
- Someone gave sound advice on trying how fast you fill the single use once bag you get with the extractor first and only after finding that you fill the bag every two days to invest in the long life bag since its expensive unless you really chew through bags like there is no tomorrow
- If you sand down drywall you are advised to use the use once bags for dust management, but someone did say that the long life bags filter even the fine dust just like the normal bags - they just are not suggested to be used for that application by Festool. Don't know if using a long life bag for drywall will make its life lesser though [tongue]
- There is another thread running where someone has bumped into problems of having both the boom arm and the workcentre attached at the same time; it seems that the boom arm will limit the usable parts of the workcentre
- It is also suggested in many threads that a 36mm diametre hose is significantly better when extracting dust from high volume machines like the Kapex and the 27mm diametre hoses work better with tools that require maneuverability like jigsaws, sanders and to a lesser extent the track saws
- Also it has been pointed out in another thread that a more rigid hose is better for the track saws than the D36 hose that comes with the Planex bundle which is more flexible than the normal hose since the rigid hose gets less frequently caught on the track edge 
- Can't really comment on the extractor + systainer stack height, but you could look up the different systainer sizes and the extractor datasheet and add them up  [big grin]

I've made up my mind that if I find a good deal on either the CT26 or 36 I'll get which ever comes up first and most likely I make little enough saw dust a year that it's not really cost effective to get the long life bag since even 26l is a lot of bag... Also the 26 being slightly lower it will fit in a smaller space which in my case is a positive thing.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Well, I'm a hobbyist and it often takes me months to fill up one bag with the 26.

I have a router and a planer but those two don't get used so often. I mostly use it with sanding, sawing and cleaning. So for me the 26 suffices.

 

[Sparktrician]

If you're a hobbyist and not doing high volume work, I'd suggest that the CT26 might be the better option.  It's smaller and lighter, and easier to carry around should you choose to use it in the house rather than in the garage.  The boom arm is a great addition in that (at least in my case) it helps keep the hose and power cable up where they are less likely to snag on something, and prevents stepping on the power cable when it is most likely to cause damage to the workpiece.  The stabilizers are largely unnecessary, so I have removed them with no ill effects.  Should you choose to go mobile, the top section of the boom arm is easily removed by removing the pivot limiting screw at the axle.  I keep one Sys1 with the vacuum goodies on my CT22 all the time, and it easily slides under the MFT/3.  Welcome to the FOG!!! 

[smile]

 

[Kev]

I'm a hobbyist (when I can find time) - I went for the CT36. Reasoning? It holds more.

As long as the unit sits under a MFT/3 I'm happy - I'm not personally concerned with having any systainers stored on it.

I haven't had it long at all - certainly haven't filled a bag yet. (I also have a CT Mini)

My intention was to get the boom arm, but I'm having second thoughts - thinking I may rig something up myself ... I tend to wheel the CT36 out of the garage to an under cover area where I set up the KAPEX - the boom set up will be annoyingly cumbersome (I suppose I could always eat another ad leave the boom permanently set up - no sure).

Empty the CT26 and CT36 are similar weights ... Add an extra 10 litres of dust ... that's about an extra 5Kg. But the CT48 is much beefier tan is little brothers and you're talking yet another 5~6Kg of dust. That's why I didn't get te CT48.

Bottom line - unless dimensions are important ... flip a coin.  [big grin]

 

[lambeater]

I was in the same situation except I was upgrading from a CT22. Thought about a 26 but went for the CT36 which I'm glad I did. Now have added the work centre on top and are in the process of fitting a boom arm. More stability and capacity.
thx
Lambeater

 

[matt.mackinnon]

I went with the 36 for the following reasons.

The cost difference was not all that big for 1/3rd more capacity.    The weight difference between the two is not all that much, and if you find that with a full bag it weighs too much, then simply empty the bag sooner.    I'd rather have the extra capacity and not always need it, than having less capacity and being stuck wishing it was there.

I am told that emptying the standard bag is pretty simple, and if it is, then I'll just won't fill it til stuffed, and empty it outside on a nice weather day.

matt

 

[Jesse Cloud]

For what its worth, I'm a hobbyist, but I'm in the shop a couple of hours every day.  I have the CT22 (predecessor to the 26).  I saw, sand, and route with the vac attached.  A bag lasts me three or four months.  The vac really compresses the dust and they hold way more than you would think.  I even have a monthly 'event' on my calendar "check Festool vac bag."

Whichever you go with, the boom arm rocks and so does the work center.

 

[sancho57]

When I bought my 26 ˆorginally wanted a midi. My dealer talked me into the 26 said it would handle the dust from the saw better. he was right.  I bought mine to set under my mfts. Got tired of dragging the 4" hose from my Dc around the shop. But Now I use the shop vac for the kapex, it sits under the kapex mft I bought and use the 26 for all my fess tool ops. Im currently building a large closet organizer and have cut up about 4 sheets of 3/4 play plus multiple of the ply to size and sanding and using the LR 32 for shelf pins , 1010 fro cutting the edge banding etc and have not had to empty it yet.

Even when I do have to empty it , that doesnt take to long. I use the original bag and just dump the dust in the trash can and clean out the HEPA filter and put everything back, takes me all of 3-4 minutes even with the W/C 1000 on it loaded.

So anyway I think the only difference between the 2 is size and price.

Thats my opinion, your milage may vary

 

[hobbes]

Wow, thanks for coming through for me! I went to sleep and came back to a stream of things to think about and learned a few things along the way! You've given me plenty to think about and consider So here's my thoughts after reading your comments:

Thanks for the welcome Reisha! I've been a lurker for several months and now I've finally ready to dive deeper into this so it'll be a fun journey to learn from so many experienced members. I knew about the EKAT but I thought that was only for replacement parts, it didn't occur to be that could be ordered of retrofitting. Does anyone know if I can just give the part # to any dealer and they can order it or would I have to navigate the German Festool EKAT site?

Realistically I probably wouldn't be filling bags THAT often (it's like going to a buffet and thinking you'll eat more than what your stomach can really handle but you go anyways). That said, I do like a good value an having the extra capacity on hand means less time spend emptying bags and that is more time doing the actual woodworking (though some might argue that emptying bags of dust and chips of wood is woodworking, but I digress).

While I like the idea of the work center (centre for the folks across the pond), It's hard to justify that one. Most likely I'll try to make a project out of that and make up my own variation out of these tools.

Matt's and Kev's rationale appeals to my value-oriented sense, but so does the rationales for the CT26 crowd. It might come down to what Kev said..who's doing to do the coin toss! Decisions, decisions...I'll probably make up my mind (err...coin toss) before the price increase.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

And don't forget, you can save some $$ by buying your vac in a "package" with another tool. [eek]

 

[alfa]

As a weekend warrior hobbyist I was in the same position and opted for the 36. Now having had it and using the boom and workstation, I think it was the way to go: Taking the workstation off to change the filter can be a little of a hassle so the larger capacity does minimize that.

 

[EJC]

I have the 22 and now the 26. I never wished for a bigger vac. I consider getting a smaller vac for my second one just to make it easier to move around when helping a friend do a project.

 

[rxe]

Strikes me that the price difference is pretty marginal, and the key differences are:

- The 36 bag may be heavy
- The 36 is higher and bulkier.

I am also a hobbyist, and went for the 36.  If I am sawing, the bags last for ages - literally months.  As soon as I break out the planer, it fills up very fast.  I roughed up a load of timber with the "rustic" blade on the HL850, and blam, bag full. 

If the bag being too heavy for emptying is potentially a problem, then empty more often.    The height of the overall machine may or may not be a problem, mine fits under the MFT, so I don't worry about it.   

I find the refillable bags to be an absolute miracle.  Yes, a hideous one off expenditure, but then the "bag problem" is sorted forever.

 

[fdengel]

I have the 22 and now the 26. I never wished for a bigger vac. I consider getting a smaller vac for my second one just to make it easier to move around when helping a friend do a project.

+1, except I don't have a 26...

 

[Jeramy]

I bought the 26 with boom arm last year for use with TS75 saw and RO125 sander on MFT.  I soon added the 1400 router which generated a lot more waste.  Then came a router table at which point I added the Ultimate Dust Deputy (which sits on top of the 26).  The Dust Deputy uses a plastic bag which is easily emptied, and does a great job of taking out so much of the dust that I have still not emptied the bag of my 26.  Only downside with the boom arm is you lose maneuverability regarding moving 26 around the shop/house.  The CT 36 would offer no benefit over the 26 in this configuration.

 

[hobbes]

I thought I would update you on what I went with...(drum rolls)  [big grin] heads, it's a CT36. I went with the larger size even though in most cases I wouldn't need that extra capacity but I didn't want to change bags THAT often and since mobility isn't a big factor for me this seemed to make a better fit. I like the rationale that if I was worried about the bag weight I can always empty it sooner and what sold me was the fact that empty it's just a couple of pounds heavier and space wise, it's height difference and not width difference so usually height consideration isn't as big a factor for storage. Anyhow, I can go on and on but it was nearly a coin toss and I'm sure both will more than be better than what I'm using now (Wet/dry vac).

How that I've made that decision, along comes another one. So I know that it comes with a 27mm hose and that fits some tools and some tools it's better to use the 36mm hose . Do you guys get two separate hose to attach or do you get an adapter and just use the 36 and use a reducer on the end as needed when it's a tools that needs the smaller diameter?

Separately, sounds like the Dust Deputy is another hot item to add...boy, the list goes on and on...feels like a very green slippery slope that I just hopped on...

 

[Kev]

I thought I would update you on what I went with...(drum rolls)  [big grin] heads, it's a CT36. I went with the larger size even though in most cases I wouldn't need that extra capacity but I didn't want to change bags THAT often and since mobility isn't a big factor for me this seemed to make a better fit. I like the rationale that if I was worried about the bag weight I can always empty it sooner and what sold me was the fact that empty it's just a couple of pounds heavier and space wise, it's height difference and not width difference so usually height consideration isn't as big a factor for storage. Anyhow, I can go on and on but it was nearly a coin toss and I'm sure both will more than be better than what I'm using now (Wet/dry vac).

How that I've made that decision, along comes another one. So I know that it comes with a 27mm hose and that fits some tools and some tools it's better to use the 36mm hose . Do you guys get two separate hose to attach or do you get an adapter and just use the 36 and use a reducer on the end as needed when it's a tools that needs the smaller diameter?

Separately, sounds like the Dust Deputy is another hot item to add...boy, the list goes on and on...feels like a very green slippery slope that I just hopped on...

I grabbed a sys5 kit that contained the big hose and the metal sectioned accessories. Threw back the extra accessories that came with the CT36, bit kept the 27 hose.

 

[semenza]

I bought the 26 with boom arm last year for use with TS75 saw and RO125 sander on MFT.  I soon added the 1400 router which generated a lot more waste.  Then came a router table at which point I added the Ultimate Dust Deputy (which sits on top of the 26).  The Dust Deputy uses a plastic bag which is easily emptied, and does a great job of taking out so much of the dust that I have still not emptied the bag of my 26.  Only downside with the boom arm is you lose maneuverability regarding moving 26 around the shop/house.  The CT 36 would offer no benefit over the 26 in this configuration.

Jeramy, Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

Good thoughts on the size. Yeah, the router can really fill the bag quickly.

Seth

 

[Jeramy]

Thanks for the welcome Seth