Looking for input on the capacities of the extractors for a hobbyist. Would a CT 15 or Mini/MIDi cover my needs in using a TS, OF 2200, and Domino or do I need one of the larger CTs? I build one furniture piece at a time and use a mix of power and hand tools. I was told by my local dealer that the suction on the larger extractors are needed for The Domino and router. Just looking to see if I can get by with a smaller one. Thanks.
CT extractor capacities
- Thread starter sg1011
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Michael Kellough
Member
The small vac’s have plenty of suction. The main difference in vacs is size of bag. If you use a cyclone separator bag size is irrelevant.
The main limitation in what the vac can do is the diameter of the hose, which I think is 27mm on all the vac’s. Small hose is okay with the Domino but you’ll always have better performance with a bigger hose.
The main limitation in what the vac can do is the diameter of the hose, which I think is 27mm on all the vac’s. Small hose is okay with the Domino but you’ll always have better performance with a bigger hose.
Your dealer mis-spoke or is just plain ignorant.
The suction is relatively constant across the lineup, and even the difference isn't enough to affect a Domino's performance. Or any other tool for that matter. As Michael said, it's simply about capacity as you move up the chain. And the CT15 is lacking a lot of features the other vacs have.
A MINI/MIDI will absolutely handle the tools you mention. The diff. btw. that and say a CT48 will be how often you have to change the bag. You should easily get a couple of projects out of MIN/MIDI bag; whereas the 48 would let you go a year or two before emptying.
We use MINIs on kitchen installs with all the tools mentioned as well as general cleanup afterwards. We usually get two full kitchens out of a MINI bag. The only time i can see a separator making any kind of sense is if you're using a planer that makes long stringy waste that takes up a lot of volume and isn't particularly dusty. Otherwise it's just doesn't make financial sense.
kevinculle
Member
I don't think you will find a CT vac capable of handling a table saw, dust collection on these can be challenging even with a large dedicated dust collector with 4" lines.
There is only 7 cfm difference between the CT15 and CT48 and they all have the same 96" water lift. JUst FYI I just talked to festool the other day since I was thinking about picking up a CT48AC the measurements festool specs is with all filters in place but taken directly from the extractor without the hose.
DeformedTree
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kevinculle said:
I run a CT26 on my table saw just fine, outlet is a 50mm hose.
that'd be a jobsite saw DT. [tongue]
afish- why would you want an AC vac for woodworking ? Drywall sanding. check. Concrete grinding. check. Sawing wood. nope. Also, not sure where you're getting your measurements, but the CT48 is 57cm taller than a CT15.
Alan - TS in festool parlance is tracksaw. i.e. TS55 or TS75.
afish- why would you want an AC vac for woodworking ? Drywall sanding. check. Concrete grinding. check. Sawing wood. nope. Also, not sure where you're getting your measurements, but the CT48 is 57cm taller than a CT15.
Alan - TS in festool parlance is tracksaw. i.e. TS55 or TS75.
xedos said:
Because I dont just do woodworking and the AC function can be turned off and used with a bag so it works just as a normal CT but offers the ability to handle drywall and concrete dust. Both of which I have and will need in the future. I sand all my drywall by hand now and while its ok since Ive been doing it long enough, as age sets in its getting harder but the almost dust free sanding is even more appealing.
Yes mrB was correct. cfm (cubic feet minute) is used to measure air flow, along with water lift is the two main criteria used to measure the amount of perceived "suction" of a given vacuum. My point being there is only 7 cfm difference between the mini and the largest CT they make, so its not really a matter of suction as the one salesman said but capacity when choosing a CT unless you need the AC function.
leakyroof
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If you aren’t needing to travel with the Vacuum, then the larger sizes are nice for a shop.
I like the CT-26 since it holds a fair amount of waste, but can fit in a trunk or car easily if you need to do the odd job out of your work space. A Goldilocks size for many people.
I have had Festool 4 vacs at one time, but would keep just the 26 if my other Vac, 36 Auto-Clean, had to go.
Had a Midi and CT-Sys, Midi is nice too if space is tight in your shop.
I like the CT-26 since it holds a fair amount of waste, but can fit in a trunk or car easily if you need to do the odd job out of your work space. A Goldilocks size for many people.
I have had Festool 4 vacs at one time, but would keep just the 26 if my other Vac, 36 Auto-Clean, had to go.
Had a Midi and CT-Sys, Midi is nice too if space is tight in your shop.
cpw
Member
If you are a hobbiest, the bag capacity probably doesn't matter too much. There is obviously a cost associated with the bags that is less per liter of dust when you get a bigger extractor; but if you are not actually filing them that much the extra cost over time might not be that important to you. The OF2200 can produce a lot of chips, even if the bag isn't an issue the default 27mm hose can be. A 36mm hose will do much better for the router and even track saw. If you are going to be doing general cleanup, the 27mm hose end is also a bottleneck that jams often.
If the choice is between a MIDI and a CT15, I would prefer a MIDI over a CT15, just because I have the bluetooth module on my CT26 but not my (old style) MIDI, and find it very useful for general cleanup.
If the choice is between a MIDI and a CT15, I would prefer a MIDI over a CT15, just because I have the bluetooth module on my CT26 but not my (old style) MIDI, and find it very useful for general cleanup.
[member=12429]sg1011[/member] The router will fill a Midi pretty fast. If it is mostly small roundovers then not too bad. But with large edge profiles or dados you may be going through more bags than you want.
If you want hedge the vac cost ..................... get a Midi, use it for a while, if the capacity isn't enough, add the CT separator down the road. That arrangement will give you max filtering, capacity, and portability. It is easy to connect / disconnect the separator as needed. Especially if it is not stacked on top of the CT. I have my separator on a Festool roll board (or whatever it is called) next to the CT. I don't have it stacked because they need to fit under a bench and also be rolled out once in a while.
D36 hose will definitely improve DC on the router. But you can use the provided hose (32/27) and add the D36 down the road too.
Seth
If you want hedge the vac cost ..................... get a Midi, use it for a while, if the capacity isn't enough, add the CT separator down the road. That arrangement will give you max filtering, capacity, and portability. It is easy to connect / disconnect the separator as needed. Especially if it is not stacked on top of the CT. I have my separator on a Festool roll board (or whatever it is called) next to the CT. I don't have it stacked because they need to fit under a bench and also be rolled out once in a while.
D36 hose will definitely improve DC on the router. But you can use the provided hose (32/27) and add the D36 down the road too.
Seth
Jim_in_PA
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mrB said:
CFM is Cubic Feet Per Minute...a measure of volume...and is independent of "suction" or static pressure. They are interrelated, however, when it comes to dust extraction. Small tools benefit from high static pressure despite air flow volume being low from a small port and small hose. Larger tools require large volume of air flow at a much lower static pressure. The air moves the dust/chips in that scenario since the air is available through a larger port and a larger duct.
Thanks for all the responses! I’ve settled on the Midi. The added features more than make up for the price difference between the MIDI and CT15.
I did for a moment consider the Makita 11 gallon extractor. In the past, I’ve never been a fan because the Festool system works beautifully together. The new Makita allows for sustainers to be latched on top. I also think they are slightly stronger. I think the Festools are designed better and with the user in mind. Still nice to have a couple of different products to consider.
I did for a moment consider the Makita 11 gallon extractor. In the past, I’ve never been a fan because the Festool system works beautifully together. The new Makita allows for sustainers to be latched on top. I also think they are slightly stronger. I think the Festools are designed better and with the user in mind. Still nice to have a couple of different products to consider.
SRSemenza said:
Seth
That’s a great idea. I didn’t even consider a separator, but it makes total sense. I’ll definitely have to look at a few different ones, but as always, it’s kind of hard to use anything other than the Festool as the system works flawlessly together.
