CT MIDI or CT 26?

[antoniomcs]

Hi guys,

I'm torn between buying a CT MIDI or a CT 26.
I've never used a dust extractor, and the main use would be to use with a sander, jigsaw and CNC (workbee).
Would it be necessary to use the CT 26, even using a dust deputy?
Or the setup CT MIDI + dust deputy would be enough?
By the way, I think the ideal would be to use it with a dust deputy, can you confirm, please?

Thanks

 

[squall_line]

It's more about airflow than capacity if you're using a cyclone.

If you plan to use the Dust Deputy, the CT26 will have a higher starting flow rate that will be affected less by the DD than the MIDI.

If you want to use Bluetooth, your budget will be a bigger determinant, as the cost to get the BT module and buttons for the CT 26 is quite a bit higher than just getting a button for the MIDI, and the starting price is higher, too.

That said, I got my MIDI and my 26 on Recon and got a BT module used on eBay, so there are ways to get there for less.

 

[Paul_HKI]

Either machine will work fine (I have both) but I'd be inclined to get a CT26 with the regular D27 ended hose for the sander/jigsaw, and consider a D36 hose for the CNC.  Depending on which tools you have, the BT feature may or may not be attractive to you.  I love it, but if it was just running with corded bench tools attached, I don't think it would bother me not to have it. 

 

[ChuckM]

Given my previous experience with the CT26 and CT36 which was all good, I find my current CT15 meeting all my needs as I don't have any need for the blue tooth feature. The Dust Deputy with a large bucket will increase the holding capacity of the CT 15 and drastically reduce the need for changing filter bags. Do note that the CT15 comes with a regular hose, not the anti-static one.

 

[krudawg]

Hi guys,

I'm torn between buying a CT MIDI or a CT 26.
I've never used a dust extractor, and the main use would be to use with a sander, jigsaw and CNC (workbee).
Would it be necessary to use the CT 26, even using a dust deputy?
Or the setup CT MIDI + dust deputy would be enough?
By the way, I think the ideal would be to use it with a dust deputy, can you confirm, please?

Thanks

I've owned both -  I bought the Midi First.  If you like bending over all the time to move it, then you want the Midi.  There is no cord wrap, and accessories are limited.  I had my eye on the CT-26 for two reasons; The cord wrap and the rear mounted handle.  After owning the Midi for 5 years those two items were large on my mind.  Someday I'll get the Work Center and the boom arm.  As far as everything else - they both work great.

 

[squall_line]

There is no cord wrap, and accessories are limited.  I had my eye on the CT-26 for two reasons; The cord wrap and the rear mounted handle.  After owning the Midi for 5 years those two items were large on my mind.  Someday I'll get the Work Center and the boom arm.  As far as everything else - they both work great.

To help minimize confusion, the modern Bluetooth MIDI-I, released in 2019, comes with a cord wrap in the package. There is also an optional handle available.  When I got the handle for mine, I moved the cord wrap to my OG MINI (2016 vintage), where the cord wrap mounted up just fine.


I didn't even bother scribing mine, but I was careful not to wrench it down too tight and crack anything.

 

[pettyconstruction]

When I bought my Ct-26,I wanted the MIDI.
Now I am happy with the 26 but still want the smaller vac.

I am a mobile contractor,and the 26 gets heavy,especially when it gets close to full.

I have added the Bluetooth and find it extremely helpful ,so I think for me , the CT-15 is out.

Which ever you choose,you will be happy.
Ps. I also have the Ct-sys that I seem to grab a whole lot more than I thought I would before the purchase.
Again, for me, it’s the mobility that I like .
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[AlexThePalex]

I also like the mobility of the Midi better. I have both vacs, but prefer to keep the 26 in its place, and the Midi goes everywhere with me.

 

[Vondawg]

Don’t know how big the CNC is but I’d be much easier the empty (and save bags) to use the smaller vac with a dust deputy and then have a vac that could move round easier…they both have the same suction. I have the ct-cyclone and the DD and the real cyclone(DD) works much better…

 

[jcrowe1950]

I also like the mobility of the Midi better. I have both vacs, but prefer to keep the 26 in its place, and the Midi goes everywhere with me.

Hi Alex, et al,

    I agree with Alex on this one....I leave my CT26 in place with the workcenter on top and if I need any degree of mobility, I use the Midi....in fact, I bought the Midi because moving the CT26 around was such a hassle...

 

[gunnyr]

I have a MIDI, CT-26 and CT-48.  The 48 is equipped with the WorkCenter and boom arm,but has never left my shop.  The MIDI stays on my van full time and gets used almost every day.  The 26 is most often used in my shop when routing with a Dust Deputy attached.  I also often take my 26 on site to use with my miter saw when I know I'll be there for a few days.  Those jobs are when I'm really happy that I don't have to tote the 26 around regularly.

My MIDI does not have Bluetooth and spending big bucks just for that feature sound good when I'm working and not so much when I'm doing my books....

Short version, if you will be using the extractor on site get the MIDI, if you'll be in your shop, go with the 26 or 36.

As an aside, IMHO a cyclone or separator is best used to increase capacity, not save money on bags.  You have to buy a lot of bags to get your money back on the Festool Separator.  Trend makes aftermarket bags that I've found to be more than adequate.

 

[antoniomcs]

Either machine will work fine (I have both) but I'd be inclined to get a CT26 with the regular D27 ended hose for the sander/jigsaw, and consider a D36 hose for the CNC.  Depending on which tools you have, the BT feature may or may not be attractive to you.  I love it, but if it was just running with corded bench tools attached, I don't think it would bother me not to have it.

Does it mean that I would have to switch hoses in the festool every time I would use the CNC or a bench tool?

 

[antoniomcs]

Don’t know how big the CNC is but I’d be much easier the empty (and save bags) to use the smaller vac with a dust deputy and then have a vac that could move round easier…they both have the same suction. I have the ct-cyclone and the DD and the real cyclone(DD) works much better…

It's the largest Workbee model from Ooznest, 1500mm x 1500mm (59" x 59").

 

[antoniomcs]

I have a MIDI, CT-26 and CT-48.  The 48 is equipped with the WorkCenter and boom arm,but has never left my shop.  The MIDI stays on my van full time and gets used almost every day.  The 26 is most often used in my shop when routing with a Dust Deputy attached.  I also often take my 26 on site to use with my miter saw when I know I'll be there for a few days.  Those jobs are when I'm really happy that I don't have to tote the 26 around regularly.

My MIDI does not have Bluetooth and spending big bucks just for that feature sound good when I'm working and not so much when I'm doing my books....

Short version, if you will be using the extractor on site get the MIDI, if you'll be in your shop, go with the 26 or 36.

As an aside, IMHO a cyclone or separator is best used to increase capacity, not save money on bags.  You have to buy a lot of bags to get your money back on the Festool Separator.  Trend makes aftermarket bags that I've found to be more than adequate.

So, imagine you're using the CNC with the MIDI or the 26, without a cyclone.
And what if the bags are full in the middle of the work?
You can't pause the CNC (I think), just to change bags... isn't the best solution to use the dust extractor + cyclone?

 

[antoniomcs]

I really appreciate all the answers, but it's out of budget to buy two dust extractors, I can only buy one.
I don't need bluetooth and I just want a versatile unit to use with the CNC and with the bench tools.
Is it possible?
Is the extractor + cyclone the best option to elongate the life of the bags, or do you think there's no need for it?
Will the setup CNC + extractor be enough? What if the bag gets full in the middle of the CNC work?...

 

[squall_line]

I really appreciate all the answers, but it's out of budget to buy two dust extractors, I can only buy one.
I don't need bluetooth and I just want a versatile unit to use with the CNC and with the bench tools.
Is it possible?
Is the extractor + cyclone the best option to elongate the life of the bags, or do you think there's no need for it?
Will the setup CNC + extractor be enough? What if the bag gets full in the middle of the CNC work?...

If your biggest concern is a full bag in the middle of your work, a CT26 with a cyclone is the best way to ensure the maximum capacity while also saving on bags for smaller jobs that don't completely fill the cyclone.  Always start each job with an empty cyclone, and after a few runs you should have a better idea of how much you collect (keeping in mind that you won't capture everything from the CNC anyway) and whether or not you need to worry about filling a bag.

With the CT26 plus cyclone (DD or Festool), the cyclone needs to fill up before the unit overflows into the CT.  Once it starts to fill the vacuum bag, you have 24l of space (6.3 gallons) before the bag fills up (26 without a bag, thus the CT-26 designation).  The CT MIDI/CT 15 hold 3.3 gal in their bags.

I'm not as familiar with the Dust Deputy, but if you can put the cyclone on top of different sized containers, that's a different way to increase overall capacity.

CT26 doesn't come with Bluetooth but has the option to add it later in case you ever change your mind.

I don't know which way is more economical for your situation: CT MIDI with a larger cyclone capacity or CT 26 with a regular cyclone capacity.  Until you start to fill the cyclone from the CNC, it's hard to really say.

 

[ChuckM]

A CT15, at half the price of a CT26, performs well enough for your CNC and bench tools. The key things that a CT15 is inferior to a CT26 or higher are: standard hose and smaller capacity (you said the bluetooth isn't needed, and their airflow max is similar).

If you use a DD (which I recommend), the capacity weakness is not there anymore.

You can try with the standard hose, and if you don't like it, you can always buy an anti-static hose. Even with that extra expense, the CT15 is still far far cheaper than a CT26.

I have used my CT15 with the standard hose mostly for my DF500, PRO5 Ltd sanders and non-Festool sanders since Feb. this year. If I had to do it again, I'd buy 2xCT15 instead of 1xCT26 without questions. I was a previous owner of Midi, & CT26, and have also used a CT36 (Kapex, track saw, & Domino Joiner) occasionally.

 

[mino]

If your budget allows for a CT26, go get the Mini (not MIdi) + Festool Cyclone + Bluetooth button.

That will have you set for every use case at best total cost.

If you find later that you do now want to re-connect all the time, you can get a CT15 (or CT26) and dedicate it (with the cyclone or without) for the CNC use.

You are 50/50 in being happy with just the Mini + CT-VA + BT button so no point in "overkilling" it with a CT26 from the start.

Getting a Midi + Cyclone gives you no advantage compared to a Mini, as the key point is the cyclone and the vac will be less portable for those out-of-workshop strolls.

Also, ref DD versus Festool cyclone frop hobby use - for me Festool all the way. It is portable and you can see how it fills so easily prevent a situation where you fill it up accidentally. DD may be better for semi-commercial (cost, capacity, efficiency) and stationery use while the Festool is more flexible which is key to be for hobby use.

I used it even for attic cleaning recently which would be a no-go with the huge setup a DD requires ...

 

[Coen]

CT-VA takes up a huge space. The Midi or 26 alone fits below a CMS, MFT.. CS-50..

The Midi has an awesome manual filter clean, the 26 doesn't.

I own both, selling neither  [tongue], but with the Midi and it's new filter clean I've had less issue with suction reduction when wallchasing in (aerated) concrete. The Midi's filterclean restores a huge chunk of suction power when things get clogged, but it also clogs faster due to lower filter area.

I think you also need to do the calculation for yourself how much bags you will fill. Before you 'earn back' the cost of the CT-VA 20 you need to fill up quite a bunch of bags.

You can get the Festool branded CT 26 bags for €5 all in per bag in Germany if you are willing to order like 20 and wait 3 weeks...

A CT-VA 20 at €275... equals 55 bags. That's almost 1.5 cubic metres of dust...

For me as DIY user.. it will take way too long to get a return on that investment and that still puts a zero value on space, less clogging, slightly more suction. So I pass. Your situation might be different.

 

[antoniomcs]

Someone mentioned the setup with the CT15 + cyclone.
I was looking the specifications, and the CT15 is more used to clean construction sites.
It doesn't have an M or L dust class specification (in Europe), therefore I don't think that it's suitable to use in a woodworking environment.
Am I thinking correctly?
That explains why it's much cheaper than the the Mini or Midi.

The Mini also seems tempting, but the 7.5L bag doesn't seem to be enough, even with a cyclone... or is it?

A little off topic, since I'm based in Europe, I'm not able to buy the DD, so I think I will try the Dust Commander, it seems to have high user ratings.