CT Clyclone CT-VA-20 vs. Dust Deputy 2.5

[woodbutcherbower]

This thread has been far more informative than I anticipated and I'm glad I posted it! Right now I'm about 80% sure I'll the CT Cyclone route, with the other 20% being for a DIY Dust Deputy - now I just need to convince my wife that $579 CAD is an investment in my health and not ego to have more green in the shop!

[member=75561]masonwoodshop[/member] This is the FOG. Non-informative threads don't exist here, and when members don't agree - they do (almost always) agree to disagree with respect and humility. So to repeat my advice - head down to the store tomorrow. You need a nice bottle of Rioja to confirm your final decision. And pick up a second one for your good lady to ensure that she agrees with you. Best wishes for your future, healthy-lungs-and-marital-harmony life.

Quote of the day = "I totally respect your opinion. Just as long as you respect the fact that your opinion is completely wrong ......".

Greetings from across the big pond.
Kevin

 

[usernumber1]

For a normal 'craftsman/woodworker' I doubt you will tell the difference*  between the CT-VA and either DD except in the ergonomics. The DD is pretty unwieldy compared to an integrated unit on top of the vac that packs nicely.

If you are a regular woodworker or contractor the CT-VA will serve you just the same except it will be nicer to use

*extremes where I noticed the DD gains an advantage
- suction advantage if vacuuming using two lengths of D36 hose or longer. Or any other flow restrictions like elbows or adapters.
- extremely messy jobs. Getting it in places you would not want your festool in. Vacuuming dirt, liquids or rocks : Because you just don't care and it works fine and it's easy to wash and the buckets are easy to clean and replace

The DD2.5 gains an advantage over the DD for sure. My vacuum also runs quieter since there is less restrictions and I can run extremely long hoses again. However it's even worse to pull around. I have not built any contraption I see many have. This would solve an issue of pulling around but it would not be compact at all.

 

[Willy Eckerslike]

There are occasions where I wish I wasn't teetotal.  The Festool kit I would have.....

 

[ChuckM]

https://www.amazon.com/vdp/0f423b5e...B09W68X4HJ&ref=cm_sw_wa_r_ib_mb_GdMw8XrziUW2C

The video suggests that one of my old DDs may benefit from an upgrade. All my DDs are used in a stationary mode.

As soon as Lee Valley carries the anti-static DD 2.5 product, I'll get one to try. It's just $54 at Amazon.

 

[NiteWalkerGR]

Hey there Cole. I've been following your festool videos on youtube (NW).

In your shoes here I'd do one of two things:
1. Use a separate shop vac and dust deputy setup. Cheaper and easier setup.
2. I'd skip the festool cyclone and get the oneida designed for festool vacs instead. The festool allows for more stacking of systainers, but the oneida has better performance and is a bit cheaper. In my shop I use a dd 2.5 with my dewalt vac. It's amazingly efficient. It will literally be years before I need to change the filter bag in the dewalt vac.

 

[derekcohen]

About two years ago I was in the market for a CT-VA-20. A woodworking friend of mine had one and the UDD, both working with a Festool vac. He was unhappy with the CT-VA-20 as it lacked the suction and dust collection of the UDD (and this would have been pre-2.5?).

I subsequently purchased the UDD, and have been very happy with its performance. Of course the CT-VA-20 does look sexier

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Tinker]

I have the DD from Rockler. It is convenient to put under my work bench and router tale and table saw. It has casters so I can roll round my tiny shop and roll it outside. It is collecting my dust and large particles. I can pickup nails from the floor but I do filter it by changing the drum when I do the floor. I use the dust and large particles for sanding my driveway. I find the nails are a bit unconveinient when rolling over with air inflated car tires. I am satisfied with my Rockler DD.
That is recommendation enuf for me.
Tinker

 

[ChuckM]

Another video on the 2.5: