CT Midi cyclone options?

[sansbury]

A few months back when I polled the group everybody told me to buy the CT Midi over the larger extractors and to not worry about the CT-VA because $400 would buy a lot of bags. Well after 2 months of sustained use I am thinking I should have gone with a 36 or 48, though the Midi is a great version of itself.

First, I've looked longingly at the Workcenter many times. I've been building everything in my shop to be movable and better organized, so I might look into some of the DIY options for this. Like everything else it's pricey for what it is but something like it would fit my workflow really well.

The second and maybe bigger thing is that I'm filling up bags faster than expected--close to one a week. To be sure I'm doing a lot of projects so I probably spend more per project on iced coffee than on bags but the engineer in me hates inefficiency. I'm also avoiding using the vac to clean the floor even though it works much better than a broom. What do people think about the aftermarket cyclone options? I'd prefer something not too huge even if it means I have to empty it more often.

I've also seen people DIYing some interesting things with 3D printing but I haven't seen anything optimized for a small dust extractor and don't want to spend months fiddling with design.

 

[onocoffee]

Oneida has their version, but I find it to be super ugly and because of it's design, that's all you can put on your MIDI. No stacking like with the CT-VA-20. There's another company called Starmix that has a model that uses Classic Systainer tabs to lock onto a CT. It has a lower profile than the Oneida but the separator sits proud of the unit, so no stacking there either.

I have the CT-VA-20 and got a good deal on a used one on Marketplace. If time isn't a critical factor, and you don't mind trolling Marketplace, you can find a good deal on one. And while the math on my end says that it would take me until 2035 to cover the cost of the VA vs bags, it's a nice unit and I have yet to replace the MIDI bag in the 7 or 8 months I've been using it. Plus you can stack Systainers on it for better space efficiency. I have the vacuum attachments and Toprock on mine.

Here's a link to the Starmix, in case you're interested:

https://amzn.to/4fXLZyD

 

[sansbury]

Does the CT-VA work with the CT-MIDI? The website seems to suggest not, but not sure if that's just a "serving suggestion" as opposed to a harder limit.

 

[Dr. P. Venkman]

My CT-VA sits on top of my Midi and works perfectly.

You could even argue that the hose has a more direct path from the Midi to the VA, since it doesn’t have to turn a right angle out of the front (though I’m not sure that would affect performance).

I have never tried to run a 50mm hose out of the opening of the garage on the Midi, but I expect it would fit, if you’re aiming for a hose that wide.

It’s pretty expensive for what it is, but I often find myself stacking a systainer or two on top, which I find super convenient.

 

[WillAdams]

I have the Oneida and it works well, but it has me looking into a Tanos MW 1000 so that I can use systainers.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

What do people think about the aftermarket cyclone options? I'd prefer something not too huge even if it means I have to empty it more often.

Isn't this the problem you have with the MIDI, in the first place?
Some of this has to do with whether or not, you need to be mobile. As I'm sure you know, all of the CTs pack the dust/chips very tightly. This makes a big difference, if you have to carry one around. A nearly full CT36 or CT48 can be very heavy.
If you regularly use your CT in the shop and add a cyclone to it, you can easily remove it for transport. This is the best of both worlds, small/light when needed, larger volume for static use.

 

[onocoffee]

This is my current MIDI setup

 

[sansbury]

Isn't this the problem you have with the MIDI, in the first place?
Some of this has to do with whether or not, you need to be mobile.

Yeah--for my case the Midi will probably almost never leave my shop, but I also move it around constantly inside the shop, since all my woodworking equipment is on wheels and I often prefer to bring the tools to the workpiece. So I wouldn't for instance want to have the cyclone be a separate unit on its own wheels, or bolted to a wall or something.

A fixed layout would be nice, and I have over 1000sqft to work with, but I also have a 2x4' router table, CNC machine shop, electronics bench, welding corner, and mechanic's bay to fit in along with the wood shop. So basically everything except the VMC and metal lathe are on wheels, and I can rearrange the shop on the fly for what I'm working on. All of which is why the whole Festool system philosophy fits how I work so well.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

I made this a good few years ago before the CT VA was introduced......It sits on top of my CT26 or my CT Midi mk1.
It works really well.

 

[Vondawg]

Nice! Does the “DustComander” flip over and fit in the systainer for transport ? By chance.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

Nice! Does the “DustComander” flip over and fit in the systainer for transport ? By chance.

Yes,....In the second picture, you can see the plywood top with the dust commander connected to it and the complete top fits inside the plywood liner in an inverted position.
It's just a matter of opening the Systainer, remove and flip the plywood top, connect the 50mm couplings and it's ready to go.

 

[Ebuwan]

I first had the Oneida cyclone that sits on top, and I also now have the Festool systainer cyclone.

The Oneida, when doing projects in the house, is annoying because you cannot put anything on top of it. It's big and awkward in my opinion. It does however do a better job of separating than the Festool Cyclone. The Oneida sits in my garage shop.

The Festool CT-VA cyclone is much better for on top of the CT and being used in a project; i can stick a systinter tool box on top of it for storing random tools i'm using on a project. It doesn't seperate as well, but still does a great job that my bags last a long time.

I don't have a Midi; I have two 36AC's, a 26, and the original corded CT-SYS. I actually use the CT-VA with the CT-SYS a LOT; I currently have it hooked up to my Domino500/MFK700 while I'm installing trim work. Great combo for that and frees up my other CT's.

 

[morts10n]

I haven't used my Festool cyclone in a few years... would you be interested in buying it? Im in So. Ca. btw
Cheers
Dave

 

[4nthony]

I haven't used my Festool cyclone in a few years... would you be interested in buying it? Im in So. Ca. btw
Cheers
Dave

Hmmm, tempting. I'll send you a DM for details in case the OP isn't interested. I'm near Long Beach.