CT as a shop vac?

[bill-e]

If you buy a broom and dust pan and use that to clean up the big stuff, you can use your CT as a shop vac and not worry about changing the bag too often.  The CT22 will hold a lot of dust but will fill up fast with shavings and chips. 

With most of the big stuff broomed up the 27mm hose will be less of an issue but a larger hose is recommended.

 

[Overtime]

I have one Ridgid shopvac that I use in the basement shop and up around the house & garage. Got tired of hauling it up and down the steps so I thought of using my C22 as the "all in one - go to vac" for the basement shop. I would need the fatter hose (grey or green $) and a cleanup kit (small kit or big kit w/$ystainer good floor attachment ?) and then .... Boom arm assembly and handle would be nice but not a priority for me.

  I quickly realized the cost of the Festool vac quipment was just more than I was willing to part with, much more. While I love all my Festools including the C22 and performance. I just could not see spending $250 - $350 or up to $650 (including the boom arm and handle) for CT accesories that would make it more of a shop vac. But I can see that for job site work this might make sense. But for me it's over the top. When the cost of Festools is debated , this is one catagory that is eazy to bash. 100$ plus for a hose ? not gonna happen - The CT for tool vac but not for shop vac. Festool vac accessories = 6+ shopvacs and a lifetime supply of filters and hose accessories.

  Soooo ... I still get tired of hauling my shopac up and down the steps and I will spring for another soon.

  But I did get a Domino  8) 

 

[mastercabman]

......also you can't replace the hose with a different size on the mini.....

I too have the mini, you can use the 36mm hose. Master take a close look at your mini, at the top where the power cord comes up over the top then through the little cutout and down to be stored around the handle, note there is a roundish cutout for a larger hose to come up.

i look at my mini and i don't see any cut out for a larger hose.i also took the top off and looked underneat.also it wouldn't make any sense to put a cut out in a different spot,the hose port has to line up with the bag.and if you do cut another hole,what do you do with the 27mm hose.plug it? what part do you have to order to connect the 36mm hose to the vac?(if there was a cut out)  but you are right about the suction control.the mini does have it.

 

[billybokay]

I use the larger hose quite often in the mini. Fits right in and just does not have the elbow.

 

[Tech]

Dan,
Here's my take on The Extractors:
Customers often ask why so much for a shop vac? It's not a even fair fight to compare them to a shop vac. IMHO a shop vac is bucket with a motor and a filter (word used lightly). They are also very good for making high pitched screaming sounds, producing dust clouds when emptied, catching on obstacles, and flipping over on their side.
The Festool extractors work great for cleanup. I'd recommend the D36 hose because the D27 is a bit too small and will clog. The smartest way to get the hose is with one of the cleaning sets. ( Installer 454767, Workshop 454767, Universal 454769 has standard hose , not AS). Like Bill-E said, I use a broom for the really big stuff.
Folks question the disposable bags, but once you use the system and see how well it actually works, it's a no brainer. (We've all suffered enough with mediocrity with our tools long enough.) Like everone else says, it's amazing how packed the bags can get and still function.
Here's a couple of other things to consider that can be over looked:
The wheels are smooth and the unit "comes" when you pull it. Probably not the best way to move it but in the real world we all do. You would really have to work to tip one over. The hose says firmly attached to tool and the CT. You'll find this a refreshing change to what you're used to.
these things are powerful. Static water lift measures maximum pressure at zero air flow. Most of the big industrial shop vac top out at max of 60" The CT Mini is 80" and the CT 22/33 is 90"
The CT motor is sealed from the rest of the unit. Gaskets seal the bag compartment and there is even an O ring seal around filter rake.
The rake helps clean the HEPA filters INSIDE the unit.
I've had mine for about 3 yrs and am continually amazed how well it works. It's so quiet, If other tools are running you can forget it is on. My old shop vac's have found a use as a rolling trash can!
You won't regret getting an Extractor. Pick the size that works for you. If you're just in your shop, consider CT33, CT 22 for more mobility and use on sites, or Mini or Midi for a small but really powerful, portable use.
Note new CT MIDI will be out May 1.

 

[dcdesign]

Thanks for the great info Tech.  I was unaware of the arival of the MIDI.  What are the main differences between the MIDI and the MINI?  Also I don't suppose you would happen to know the price differences between those two?    After all the responses I got supporting the CT's I have abandoned the idea of the Fein and will deffinately get the CTmini, 22, or possibly wait for the MIDI. 

 

[Bill]

We received the specs for the Midi here at Japan Woodworker.

Initially, we were under the impression that the Midi would have HEPA filters available, but, as far as we can tell, the only difference is capacity.  The Mini bag holds 2 gallons, and the Midi bag holds 3.3 gallons. The picture in the specs, and the measurements listed seem to show that the Midi is a "stretch limo" version of the Mini (stretched upward to keep the footprint the same).

Does anyone else know if HEPA will be available for the Midi?

Bill

 

[Tech]

We set up a comparison tablehttp://www.mcfeelys.com/festool/festool_subcat.asp?subcat=22.22

Basically, the MIDI is same design as MINI but about 2" taller and 3.96 gal. vs 2.6 gal. MiDI is about 1/2 lb heavier.

 

[mastercabman]

I use the larger hose quite often in the mini. Fits right in and just does not have the elbow.

how do you do that?do you have to get an adapter? i would like to know!

 

[Brice Burrell]

I use the larger hose quite often in the mini. Fits right in and just does not have the elbow.

how do you do that?do you have to get an adapter? i would like to know!

No, just put it in. Here's a pic of the mini with 36mm hose note cut out for hose.

 

[Bill]

without that pic, I dont think I would have understood.

Thank you!

Bill

 

[mastercabman]

I use the larger hose quite often in the mini. Fits right in and just does not have the elbow.

how do you do that?do you have to get an adapter? i would like to know!

No, just put it in. Here's a pic of the mini with 36mm hose note cut out for hose.

thank for the pic brice,now i "get the picture".i didn't realize that the elbow had to come out just by pulling it.i have the ct22 and i'm going to sell the mini to a friend.he ask if he could use a bigger hose than the 27mm.i toll him that i wasn't shure about it.now i have the answer. thank again

 

[Brice Burrell]

  Bill and Master, I know what you mean, the right angle hose is hard to remove from the Mini. Glad I could help. It seems like every other time a question arises I end up posting a picture, I hope you guys don't think I'm pretentious. 
Brice

 

[mastercabman]

brice, it's ok, i sometime have to draw a picture!!!

 

[Dave Rudy]

   I hope you guys don't think I'm pretentious. 
Brice

Brice, It's guys like you that make this forum exceptional.  Your contributions, including pics and videos, are invaluable.  I just got the LR 32 and have assembled posts from you, Mirko and a couple of other places, watched your youtube video a couple of times and looking forward to getting the system set up.  I'm sure you have me saved me days of figuring time.  So keep it up!!!

Dave

 

[Brice Burrell]

Brice, It's guys like you that make this forum exceptional.  Your contributions, including pics and videos, are invaluable.  I just got the LR 32 and have assembled posts from you, Mirko and a couple of other places, watched your youtube video a couple of times and looking forward to getting the system set up.  I'm sure you have me saved me days of figuring time.  So keep it up!!!

Dave

  Dave, I know that I've gotten a lot of great info from this site, I just like to Reciprocate. BTW, good luck with your new LR32, it really is a nice tool.
Brice