CT Midi I AC or CT 26 EI AC

Alex

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Joined
Apr 9, 2025
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I'm a hobby woodworker and bought a CT Midi a few years ago based on the many threads and opinions shared here on the forum.
I didn't think I'd need AC because I wasn't seeing myself doing any drywall work. And if I did, I was ready to replace the filter and bag as often as it took.

Now, I've recently bought a house...
Boy did I underestimate the issue. The filter doesn't just clog after a while, it clogs after a few seconds of use.

And that was just me cleaning the floor after some manual demo work.
I've got a room coming up where I need to remove a layer of concrete and I wont be doing this by hand.
I realize now that my Midi wont be up to the task.

Now torn between getting a second Midi with AC or the CT 26 AC.

On the one hand, I like the size of the Midi, on the other, I'm afraid the Midi will proof too small. Especially since I read somewhere on here that the AC function is not as effective of the tub is too small.

Any guidance is higjly appreciated.

Side notes:
* I will only keep the new Vac and sell off the old one.
* My almost always work in my shop, so portability is less of a concern.
* I'm based in Europe if that makes a difference
 
Ah, based in Europe - I was wondering because we don't have a CT MIDI AC in the USA - as far as I know. If capacity is a question, would going to the 36 AC be too much of a stretch? I think that would give you longer use time between bag changes. Here in the US, the AC versions only come on the 36 and 48. The 36, while not as compact as the MIDI, would be not too big for your workshop after the job is done.
 
Now torn between getting a second Midi with AC or the CT 26 AC.
THe CT 26 AC is currently on the Recon site if you want to grab one for less cash... (as of my posting this, but what's offered changes as fast as something sells)
 
Yeah, the MIDI AC is part of the new fall line-up.
Before posting I went on the FUSA website to check the available products. Let's just say it's a lot less confusing than ours.
Here the CT26 alone comes in 4 different variants: Non-AC/AC/AC Renofix/AC Planex.

Sadly, we don't have Recon over here. I'm sure I'd be out of quite the money if we did. :)

My issue with the CT36 is mostly cost: It retails for about 830€ vs 600€/700€ for the MIDI AC/CT26.
I read that I can use a 48 bin with a CT26, so there's that option as well.
 
Yeah, the MIDI AC is part of the new fall line-up.
Before posting I went on the FUSA website to check the available products. Let's just say it's a lot less confusing than ours.
Here the CT26 alone comes in 4 different variants: Non-AC/AC/AC Renofix/AC Planex.
Actually 6 different CT 26 models if you include the 110V & 230V options. :oops: I wish we had the MIDI AC or CT 26 AC option, that'd be nice. The smallest I could purchase was the CT 36 AC which is rather large.
 
I'm a hobby woodworker and bought a CT Midi a few years ago based on the many threads and opinions shared here on the forum.
I didn't think I'd need AC because I wasn't seeing myself doing any drywall work. And if I did, I was ready to replace the filter and bag as often as it took.

Now, I've recently bought a house...
Boy did I underestimate the issue. The filter doesn't just clog after a while, it clogs after a few seconds of use.

And that was just me cleaning the floor after some manual demo work.
I've got a room coming up where I need to remove a layer of concrete and I wont be doing this by hand.
I realize now that my Midi wont be up to the task.

Now torn between getting a second Midi with AC or the CT 26 AC.

On the one hand, I like the size of the Midi, on the other, I'm afraid the Midi will proof too small. Especially since I read somewhere on here that the AC function is not as effective of the tub is too small.

Any guidance is higjly appreciated.

Side notes:
* I will only keep the new Vac and sell off the old one.
* My almost always work in my shop, so portability is less of a concern.
* I'm based in Europe if that makes a difference
Could you put a cyclone like an Oneida to collect the dust before it gets to the vacuum?
 
I actually just bough one to try, but haven't come around to using it yet.
However, I'm nit sure how much help it'll be, because it's the fine particles clogging up the filter. And they are ususlly the ones escaping the cyclone
 
Could you put a cyclone like an Oneida to collect the dust before it gets to the vacuum?
I use Dust Deputies on all my extractors from Midi to CT36, and wouldn't be without them. As Alex noted for very fine dust they don't capture a lot, but for everything else it captures the bulk.

On the CT36 hooked up to my CNC machine, I went from emptying the bag every couple days, to maybe once a year or so at most.

I leave it inline when I use the sanders and even then it still captures a surprising amount.
 
I just had this very same debate and ended up going with the Midi. I had it for years before and thought I would go bigger but with the new Midi that just came out with AC, I am using the Festool dust separator between the tool and vac. I would have just used the Dust Deputy but I got a good deal on a Festool dust separator. Make sure you get the 2.5 version if you get the Dust Deputy.
 
I just had this very same debate and ended up going with the Midi. I had it for years before and thought I would go bigger but with the new Midi that just came out with AC, I am using the Festool dust separator between the tool and vac. I would have just used the Dust Deputy but I got a good deal on a Festool dust separator. Make sure you get the 2.5 version if you get the Dust Deputy.
What is the difference with the 2.5?
 
CT 36 AC .. if you are /primarily/ after the AC function, you want a deep-enough bin.

In AC mode the practical bin capacity for the CT 26 is about 10 litres at most but it is 20+ litres for the CT 36.

Between CT 15/25/MIDI series and the CT26/36/48 series in AC mode there is also no contest. The bigger vacs have about twice the main filter area, resulting in much less filter stress and a much better long-term performance as a result. The smaller vacs make sense if you are looking for a "what-if" use case, there the MIDI AC is a good universal option for a hobby user.
 
To give a quick update:
I've had the chance to test my midi+dust separator.
I did not expect such a dramatic improvement!
I've been able to vacuum all the dust without cleaning the filter once.
While before I had to manually clean the filter pretty much instantly and clean it multiple time with some conpressed air over the course of a day.
 
CT 36 AC .. if you are /primarily/ after the AC function, you want a deep-enough bin.

In AC mode the practical bin capacity for the CT 26 is about 10 litres at most but it is 20+ litres for the CT 36.

Between CT 15/25/MIDI series and the CT26/36/48 series in AC mode there is also no contest. The bigger vacs have about twice the main filter area, resulting in much less filter stress and a much better long-term performance as a result. The smaller vacs make sense if you are looking for a "what-if" use case, there the MIDI AC is a good universal option for a hobby user.
Do you know the reason for the reduced capaciry?
Filter size would have been my biggest concern tbh.

But with the dust separator working so well, I'm not going to buy a new vac.
 
Do you know the reason for the reduced capaciry?
Filter size would have been my biggest concern tbh.

But with the dust separator working so well, I'm not going to buy a new vac.
It is not "reduced capacity" but "reduced capacity when used in AC mode and wanting to spare the filter/get the best performance."

Check some videos on the tube how it looks in an AC mode inside the bin. There is huge dust movement and there is a need for the dust to be allowed to fall/settle from the main filter when AC kicks in. This means - unlike with a bag - when in AC mode you do not want more dust in the bin than 2-4 inches below the entry port. That prevents the already captured dust being stirred too much by the incoming air.

With the huge bin footprint, that does not leave much space for dust when in AC mode for the CT 26 bin. For AC use, you want the 36L and, ideally, the 48L bin. This is not much a concern for hobby use though - more for professional usage when emptying the bin too often can be a PITA.

The numbers I cited are approximate/guesstimate - basically CT 26 => about 10l of dust in AC mode, CT 36 about 20l and CT48 about 30l (and count with the weight, a full CT 48 bin is easily 100+lb when sucking mineral stuff).

I mention this as while with bags the 26 versus 48 is about twice the capacity, in AC mode the practical difference is about 3x or so.

Yes, I have CTM 36 AC, CTL 48 AC and will be getting a 26L spare bin for them for bag use with a cyclone ... the 36L bin is needlessly big for bag use with a cyclone.
 

While before I had to manually clean the filter pretty much instantly and clean it multiple time with some conpressed air over the course of a day.

Multiple times on Festool Live Fridays, Sedge mentioned to NOT clean the filter with compressed air.

You risk a possibility of blowing too hard and causing tears and piercing holes in the filter.

Instead, Sedge recommended to tap the filter lightly on the inside of a waste bin.

He then ends with “that’s an expensive filter to replace!”
 
Multiple times on Festool Live Fridays, Sedge mentioned to NOT clean the filter with compressed air.

You risk a possibility of blowing too hard and causing tears and piercing holes in the filter.

Instead, Sedge recommended to tap the filter lightly on the inside of a waste bin.

He then ends with “that’s an expensive filter to replace!”
Thanks for the warning.
Are we talking microsopic tears/holes or visible ones?

I'm not quite sure I would have gotten the filter clean enough by tapping it on something...
But I will give it a try next time :)
 
It is not "reduced capacity" but "reduced capacity when used in AC mode and wanting to spare the filter/get the best performance."

Check some videos on the tube how it looks in an AC mode inside the bin. There is huge dust movement and there is a need for the dust to be allowed to fall/settle from the main filter when AC kicks in. This means - unlike with a bag - when in AC mode you do not want more dust in the bin than 2-4 inches below the entry port. That prevents the already captured dust being stirred too much by the incoming air.

With the huge bin footprint, that does not leave much space for dust when in AC mode for the CT 26 bin. For AC use, you want the 36L and, ideally, the 48L bin. This is not much a concern for hobby use though - more for professional usage when emptying the bin too often can be a PITA.

The numbers I cited are approximate/guesstimate - basically CT 26 => about 10l of dust in AC mode, CT 36 about 20l and CT48 about 30l (and count with the weight, a full CT 48 bin is easily 100+lb when sucking mineral stuff).

I mention this as while with bags the 26 versus 48 is about twice the capacity, in AC mode the practical difference is about 3x or so.

Yes, I have CTM 36 AC, CTL 48 AC and will be getting a 26L spare bin for them for bag use with a cyclone ... the 36L bin is needlessly big for bag use with a cyclone.
That makes sense.

For me the AC would have been for hobby use, and for this renovation project only. I'm not particularly concerned with having to empty the bin more often.
I feel like the MIDI gets heavy enough as it is, would not want to carry a CT 48 up and down the stairs...

For now I'm content with my cyclone setup - just need to figure out how to mount it ontop of the MIDI for better mobility.
 
Thanks for the warning.
Are we talking microsopic tears/holes or visible ones?

I'm not quite sure I would have gotten the filter clean enough by tapping it on something...
But I will give it a try next time :)

It's both - depending on how close you're holding the nozzle. But tiny tears poses the problem because it destroys the effectiveness of the filter, as it's filtering the smallest particulates that lodge in your lungs and slowly kill you.
 
Thanks for the warning.
Are we talking microsopic tears/holes or visible ones?

I'm not quite sure I would have gotten the filter clean enough by tapping it on something...
But I will give it a try next time :)
Keep note that once a filter is destroyed, it is destroyed. No going back.

If you have only a single vac, you want to keep/maintain two main filters. One for AC use /never clean it, just keep it dusty in an air-breathing setting so it does not catch mould/ other for bag use. Once the "AC" use filter is used up, "promote" the bag use one and the cycle continues. Optimal for this is to also have two main filter frames as well.

ADD:
For a hobby user, having a "bad/damaged" filter on hand too is practical for situations you have some ugly stuff to vacuum, like some mouldy wall etc. So do not throw it out, keep it around for those cases you do not care about the filter doing its job all that well.
 
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