CT-VA Seperator or Rockler Dust Right Seperator?

[Jmacpherson]

Hi

I'm stuck on the fence between the expensive Festool route or the cheaper Rockler route for dust separation.
I've tried using my own home made vortex with bucket solution but find reducers and fittings for different hoses is always a problem - I'm tired of fighting and in my moment of "brilliance" I used a black bucket

Festool route...
I have a CT17 vac which has same specs as midi and mini but no sys-doc on top.
Is the connection hose of the CT-VA long enough to run next to a vac? Would the 2x systainers and container fit under the MFT3?
The CT-VA is double the price of the Rockler and gives 20L.
Alternatively go big and get CT26 and sell CT17 but then I have store everything next to MFT3 - not ideal

Rockler...
Half the price of the CT-VA, 38L capacity and is 100% compatible with Festool vacs and hoses.
I just don't know how reliable it is vs the CT-VA which might have received more rnd?

Opinions or thoughts appreciated?

 

[threesixright]

The CT-VA comes with a ~ 74 cm hose. Bothe side have angled connectors.

I only bought it very recently, can’t give you the nitty gritty. What I have seen it’s really nice.

I use it with my MIDI. I just like it’s a system.

Sent from my X using Tapatalk

 

[Lemondixon]

I use it with my MIDI. I just like it’s a system.

Sent from my X using Tapatalk

So it is definitely compatible with the CTL or CTM Midi then? I was in the process of ordering the CTM Midi and the CT-VA Separator only to suddenly have doubts that they were compatible. The Festool website says the CT-VA works with the CT 26/36/48 dust extractors but no mention of the others, so I was doubting it would work for some reason.

How to you connect up the hose to the CT Midi from the CT-VA if there's no hose port on the front of the Midi?

Thanks

Steve

 

[threesixright]

I use it with my MIDI. I just like it’s a system.

Sent from my X using Tapatalk

So it is definitely compatible with the CTL or CTM Midi then? I was in the process of ordering the CTM Midi and the CT-VA Separator only to suddenly have doubts that they were compatible. The Festool website says the CT-VA works with the CT 26/36/48 dust extractors but no mention of the others, so I was doubting it would work for some reason.

How to you connect up the hose to the CT Midi from the CT-VA if there's no hose port on the front of the Midi?

Thanks

Steve

[member=70230]Lemondixon[/member]

I have the new CTL (with bluetooth). Works great, you only need to buy a different adapter (if you have a new MIDI) at he VAC side. They moved the port and you can't use the angled connector (that comes with the VA) for that.

See my post here:http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/festool-ctl-midi-i-(bt)-ct-va-20-the-correct-hose-adapter-(you-will-need-it)/msg574121/#msg574121

Hose connector is inside the CTL, see my pictures of the post above.

The difference in suction power is not that big with the CTL 26. Some people said the MIDI was not tested because it could be unstable (with the va on top). AFAIS it's all fine. Nevertheless the hose is long enough to put them side by side.

 

[Jmacpherson]

Thanks for the feedback [member=65767]threesixright[/member]

I went to check it out at my dealer today. I plan to use it next to my CT17 and there is more than enough room/reach for the connection hose.
Decided to go with what I know vs an unknown brand (too me) which has just launched its products in my country.
The final deciding factor was that I have seen the Festool cyclone working with the bag inside and I like the way it seals vs the Rockler option,I read you can use a bag inside it but the way the lid closes doesn't fill me with confidence.

[member=70230]Lemondixon[/member], I've seen some instagram posts of the ct-va connected to ct-midi vac/kapex/cms on some jobsite.
Couldn't see how they were connected.

The mini/midi and my ct17 have 3700 l/min of suction, the bigger machines do 3900 l/min.
Some people have commented that there is a reduction in suction when using the cyclone but the woodwhisperer did a test and in his opinion most vacs are probably over powered for hand-held power tools anyway and have room to spare because it worked fine on a of2200 router with zero airborne dust.

As previously mentioned maybe its a safety issue? - risk of tipping over or weight problem since hypothetically 20L of dust = 20kg on top of an empty extractor since nothing is getting to the bag.
Maybe they are protecting themselves and customers because you can stack systainers on top of the CT-VA.
Maybe its an accident waiting to happen if someone is careless

Personally, I'm going to try it next to my CT17 if it struggles then I will get a CT26/36 (been on about this for awhile)  but that will be very expensive 200 l/min

 

[threesixright]

[member=61559]Jmacpherson[/member]

Some other consideration.

I choose the MIDI over de 26, because the limiting factor (volume wise) is the CT-VA (20 L). Since 95% wil go in to the VA container, you need 5x 20L full containers before you would need to change the bag. Well theoretically then. The suction power is the same, so only when you want to use it without the CT-VA, a 26 will be beneficial. Obviously if you need AC, that could be a deciding factor. The new MIDI, has this as a manual function. Tipping over: unless you would be suction concrete, I think that tipping over is not an issue, just don't pull the VAC like a wild man

Another thought was to use the long-life bags. But they are very expensive (~  EUR 110) and almost a ⅓  of CT-VA (~ EUR 280) price wise. On top the LF bag can not handle fine dust, while with the CT-VA thats a not an issue. The CT would also keep a resell value, I think hope.

My $ 0.02

 

[Jmacpherson]

Some feedback now that the CT-VA has seen some limited use.

Lesson #1, once you insert the hose between the vacuum and the cyclone don't turn the connection port on the cyclone.
I found that it actually twisted and lifted the black plastic lid off the cyclone unit inside.

It comes with a black cable tie, no idea what it is for and not in the user manual diagrams. I assume it is for sealing the included plastic bag.

In action I have used it with my Kapex cutting MDF and hardwood using a 36mm hose connected to the CT-VA.
Dust extraction appeared to be working the same way as it would have if connected directly to the CT extractor.

I then sanded a MDF board with 240gr mirka abranet with my ETS 125 using the 27mm hose and again it performed as expected.
There might have been some very fine residual dust on the MDF but MDF is a challenge to sand anyway - I haven't worked with MDF in ages so don't recall how my extractor performs with it.

I also didn't start with an empty dust bag in the CT so not sure how full it might be. I'm sure if I have an empty bag performance would be better but CT-VA is performing well.

Picked up a 50mm hose and connectors, will do a test with my tablesaw and thicknesser soon.

 

[DynaGlide]

Some feedback now that the CT-VA has seen some limited use.

Lesson #1, once you insert the hose between the vacuum and the cyclone don't turn the connection port on the cyclone.
I found that it actually twisted and lifted the black plastic lid off the cyclone unit inside.

It comes with a black cable tie, no idea what it is for and not in the user manual diagrams. I assume it is for sealing the included plastic bag.

In action I have used it with my Kapex cutting MDF and hardwood using a 36mm hose connected to the CT-VA.
Dust extraction appeared to be working the same way as it would have if connected directly to the CT extractor.

I then sanded a MDF board with 240gr mirka abranet with my ETS 125 using the 27mm hose and again it performed as expected.
There might have been some very fine residual dust on the MDF but MDF is a challenge to sand anyway - I haven't worked with MDF in ages so don't recall how my extractor performs with it.

I also didn't start with an empty dust bag in the CT so not sure how full it might be. I'm sure if I have an empty bag performance would be better but CT-VA is performing well.

Picked up a 50mm hose and connectors, will do a test with my tablesaw and thicknesser soon.

I think the Woodwhisperer's conclusion was there's not much of a drop in suction on the 27mm hose, there is a sizeable drop with the 36mm hose, and he didn't test a 50mm. However he concluded by observation the drop didn't affect tool pickup since the CT is so strong to begin with.

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

Here’s my CT Midi Cyclone setup

 

[alice]

As Owner of the festool pre-separater I would not recommend this.;The performance of this machine is poor The suction is good but separating the the material is poor. I find it separates about half the material this works much better.