I own a CT22, a Fein Turbo II, and sometimes use an older Festool CR Mini, that was purchased before they came with Hepa filters. All three vacuums are more than a decade old, and all three still work well. The Fein vacuum has had some foam fall out near the top, so I presume the fosm sound buffer may need to be replaced. From what I understand these may no longer be available as a part, do I may have to fabricate a new set if foam buffers. A couple if the vacuums could probably use a new filter. Otherwise all the vacuums still work very well. I tend not to abuse the smirff out if my vacuums so they may wind up lasting longer than those belonging to other users.
I keep seeing people on this forum refer to tools that are a previous model, or even more than 7 years old as "ancient" or something similarly derogatory. Older rools may have been used hard over time and worn out, so that would need to be checked for. There are also some materials that can go bad over time. The foam I mentioned in my Fein vacuum is one issue. grease sometimes separates and leaks. The outer insulation on power cords also seems to be a problem on older tools in some cases. My mother used a filter Queen vacuum for decades, and only stopped because the molded rubber connectors had started to melt and break down, and she didn't know where to purchase replacements, if it was even possible. I think the vacuum lasted decades.
Unless Festool is using completelt crap materials and parts, the vacuums should have a life span longer than seven years, unless they've been used daily, for hours on end, in a commercial setting, or completely abused, and dropped down steps. On a vacuum you should check the seals and filters, and see if they look like they need to be replaced. Also check the cord fir damage ir brittleness, especially near the tool, since the cords can go brittle over time. Slso check to make sure there are no cracks in the vacuum housing, since these are more likely to be expensive or unavailable to replace. For the two vacuums make sure the adapters that convert the 20amp plug to a 15amp plug are there. These aren't nevessary if you have 20amp sockets, and can be purchased or made up if you need them, but they're usefell to have since 15amp sockets are still very common.
One difference between some of the older Festool vacuums, and the newer models, that might be an issue for commercial work, is if you're using the vacuums to work on areas that might have lead paint. The CT22 was not certified for lead paint removal in the USA, according to regulations that went into effect. The newer series of vacuums was certified if fitted with Hepa filters. I'm not sure whether the actual issue was with the older vacuums, and the way they were designed and built, or whether the issue was that Festool just never had them tested, since they were comming out with a newer series of vacuums. My older Fein vacuums specifically stated that it was safe for asbestos when fitted with the fein Hepa filter.
Reading thru comments on this and other forums I seem to see a number of comments from people who believe the older vacuums may have actually been better made than the newer ones, and that the vacuum motors may have been more durable. I believe I've read the vacuum motors are made by a third party and may be available as an aftermarket part if necessary. There's also a video on youtube showing someone repairing one. There were also some features on the CT22 that aren't on the newer vacuums.
