CT SYS vs CT Other...Am I crazy or just plain stupid (Forest Gump)

[Naildrivingman]

I own a CT 26 and am pleased beyond belief with it.  Recently, I've been pondering a second more portable vacuum for remote work.  I'm leaning heavily towards the CT SYS over the MIDI or MINI. I would use this vacuum for small cleanup, occasional sanding, domino, tracksaw and routing work.  Again, this would be for "spot" work only.  If the wattage demand of the tool exceeds the ability of the SYS, I would not plug the tool into the vac power (I wish FT would have used the same watt rated plug on all CTs, but oh well).  All other production work would go to the 26.

Am I missing something here or am I blinded by the "cuteness" of the SYS?

All thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

 

[Atonwa]

I had the same thoughts about the CT-SYS but wound up with a MIDI for two reasons.

1. The CT-SYS does not have variable suction and I use that quite a bit going from tools to finish sanding.

2. I always "think" I'm only going to do a quick cut on site then end up doing more which would fill that bag very quick. Then I would be trying to dump a dusty bag at a clients house somewhere to keep working.

I still may end up with one as a final cleanup vac, the portability can't be beat especially after removing the hose garage. The MIDI/MINI size is perfect for mobile site use and gives you all the features of the bigger vacs except the boom arm capability.

 

[Naildrivingman]

CRAP! Now [member=64622]Atonwa[/member] has me thinking again.  That's a bad place for me to be.

 

[denovo]

The variable suction on the mini/midi is also great for cleaning drop cloths.  I almost went with a CT SYS but ended up getting a Midi and haven't regretted the decision.

 

[Llap Goch]

Had much the same thoughts until the other day when my new CTL SYS arrived.

But it turns out I am neither crazy or plain stupid [unsure], just a delighted owner with a perfect carry around little vacuum. The lack of suction control doesn't bother me one bit: Rotex 90, 150 and Domino's work just as they do with my CTL26, Midi and Mini. The bag just fills quicker.

It is the sheer convenience of it that I like. I had to drill some masonry holes yesterday, attached the drilling dust nozzle and bingo, perfect dust free holes and no mess on the carpet. Plus, more than powerful enough to use the clamping nozzle to hold the shelf ends up.

It is a cracking little extractor, very handy to attach to other Systainers, makes a great little mobile workplace with a Sys MFT and the blower function is a real bonus.

Amazon UK had a longlife bag in the Warehouse Deals section for £30 in brand new condition so all in all a very happy (and converted) CTL Sys user!

It doesn't replace any of my other extractors, would fill up too quick for most static users but for a quick grab, easy to carry little vacuum it really is an excellent bit of kit.

 

[tjbnwi]

Get the CT-SYS and the Midi---problem solved.

Tom

 

[Holzhacker]

I think PatR gave good examples of ct sys use. The ct sys is great for the small work for some quick holes in a living room, kitchen, office whatever. I don't care about the lack of suction control. I have 3 other vacs for that.
I have two ct 22's and a fein turbo II. Each has its primary task. The Fein handles the really nasty stuff; one ct is set up as a work station, one ct is for clean up.
Get the ct sys. I can't imagine you'd be disappointed. Pick up another full vac during a sale.

 

[PeterK]

A CT48 with 2-7 meter hoses and adapter gives you 46 feet to reach the roof if you need!  [wink] No need to carry anything then.

I have been interested in the CT-SYS but for me the Midi seems much more useful.

 

[Shane Holland]

Another consideration is bag cost. The CT-SYS is about $4.67/gal of bag capacity. The CT MIDI is $2.18/gal.

 

[semenza]

Pretty all summed up above.  CT-Sys is great for true spot work (even limited sanding) and clean ups etc. Once it gets beyond that at all the Mini/Midi are a better choice.  The CT-Sys is very handy but the Mini is a close second for handiness.

Seth

 

[Naildrivingman]

I ended up with the SYS.  I will buy another 26 in the near future.  Thanks to all who commented.

 

[bkharman]

I also have a 26 and a Sys. Both work great for their own purposes. I would definitely recommend the life bag for the sys. Only life bag I own.

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Naildrivingman]

I also have a 26 and a Sys. Both work great for their own purposes. I would definitely recommend the life bag for the sys. Only life bag I own.

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I will invest in the life bag very soon

 

[Gregor]

Downside of the CTL SYS is that when you switch it to manual-on the socket goes dead, so you can't reasonably use a corded drill with the SYS (use it as an extension cord, as it would make sense) while having the drill-nozzle in play as that either falls down the moment you take your finger from the trigger -or- the drill dosn't work...

 

[Naildrivingman]

Downside of the CTL SYS is that when you switch it to manual-on the socket goes dead, so you can't reasonably use a corded drill with the SYS (use it as an extension cord, as it would make sense) while having the drill-nozzle in play as that either falls down the moment you take your finger from the trigger -or- the drill dosn't work...

But if I leave it on auto, won't the vacuum spin up when the drill is activated and then turn off about two seconds after the drill is deactivated?  That's what my CT 26 does.

 

[Gregor]

But if I leave it on auto, won't the vacuum spin up when the drill is activated and then turn off about two seconds after the drill is deactivated?  That's what my CT 26 does.

Sure, but it's nicer (when using the drill nozzle) to put the (non-CTL-SYS vac) on manual and be able to stick the nozzle where you want it to (and have it stick there till you take it off) without having to juggle a running powerdrill in the meanwhile. Also nicer to insert the non-running drill into the drill nozzle and positioning it on the mark...

 

[Stone Message]

I own a CT 26 and am pleased beyond belief with it.  Recently, I've been pondering a second more portable vacuum for remote work.  I'm leaning heavily towards the CT SYS over the MIDI or MINI. I would use this vacuum for small cleanup, occasional sanding, domino, tracksaw and routing work.  Again, this would be for "spot" work only.  If the wattage demand of the tool exceeds the ability of the SYS, I would not plug the tool into the vac power (I wish FT would have used the same watt rated plug on all CTs, but oh well).  All other production work would go to the 26.

Am I missing something here or am I blinded by the "cuteness" of the SYS?

All thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

I think that this is a really good idea. When I had finished making the video of the CT Sys I used it a few more times in just the way that you describe. It is a brilliant (and painless) way to get a quick job done.

I am not sure if Festool approve, but I also found it really handy whilst up a ladder trying to clean up plaster dust from the top of some high units. My CT26 hose would not quite stretch from the floor to the work area.

Go for it.

Peter

 

[Naildrivingman]

But if I leave it on auto, won't the vacuum spin up when the drill is activated and then turn off about two seconds after the drill is deactivated?  That's what my CT 26 does.

Sure, but it's nicer (when using the drill nozzle) to put the (non-CTL-SYS vac) on manual and be able to stick the nozzle where you want it to (oand have it stick there till you take it off) without having to juggle a running powerdrill in the meanwhile. Also nicer to insert the non-running drill into the drill nozzle and positioning it on the mark...

I haven't tried in a while, but I believe the outlet on my 26 is not active when the switch is on manual. Maybe I'm mistaken, but I can't say that I have plugged a tool in to the vac with the vac on manual.

 

[antss]

None of the USA vacs with outlets can be used as an extension cord .  Meaning , the outlet only has power when switched to the correct setting and the connected tool is running.

I'm not sure on the EU vacs.

Perhaps [member=191]Rick Christopherson[/member] can tell us if this is practical or even possible.

 

[Gregor]

None of the USA vacs with outlets can be used as an extension cord .  Meaning , the outlet only has power when switched to the correct setting and the connected tool is running.

I'm not sure on the EU vacs.

Just checked my vacs:
CTL 36 (AC): set to manual (so the vac is running) the outlet has power. Which IMHO actually makes sense.
CTL-SYS: set to manual (so the vac is running) the outlet is dead. Which IMHO dosn't make sense.