voodoochile
Member
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2010
- Messages
- 8
Hello FOG. I've been lurking about for a while, you have a very interesting and informative site here.
I recently came into a CT22 and ETS150/3, and most recently added a DTS400EQ. The equipment is, of course, beautifully constructed in every way- balance, ergonomics, functionality, and in it's ability to function relatively dustless. I knew this already, having read the many posts on many websites. But seeing, and using, is truly believing. I felt like I had to join up here so I could share this with you, which is a bit silly, since you must already know how well this all works. Maybe it's more of a "crutch" forum, where one can find sympathy for owning such outlandish tools, I'm not sure. But here I am.
The CT22 works very well; the adjustable speed is invaluable, and the built-in tool-actuated switch socket is neat and clean in it's implementation. The unit glides around behind you well when cleaning up, and the length of the hose (and tool power cord) allow you to place it a bit away from you. I cannot even hear it running while I am sanding, unless the sander is operated at nearly half speed. I find the vac should be throttled back to about 1/4 to 1/3 speed to allow the sanding pad to move freely, and this still captures almost all of the dust. I have no way of telling just how effective it is percentage-wise, but I would venture a guess and say 97%+. I mean, you can barely even tell that you are sanding based on loose particulate, which is about nonexistent. And the paper does indeed last very, very long. So long, in fact, that I suspect is actually costs less than plain paper at the end of the day. It's pretty amazing. My only gripe about the CT22 is the stiffness of the hose. It's got a ridiculous amount of memory. This is a fair trade-off though, as it is antistatic, and it is so nice not to get a stiff zap every few minutes while vacuuming. I have been keeping the hose stored hanging up from a ceiling hook to try and relax this tendency to recoil.
I don't have the extended arm for the vac, but I do have the utility hook device, which holds the hose up near the height you work at, which is nice. I also have the hose garage, which initially seemed like a great item, especially if you transport the machine to jobsites often. But given the stiffness of the hose, I am not storing it in there. I'll probably end up selling the garage, since the machine is going to stay in the home workshop. I do have the basic cleanup tool set, which works really well, and yes, it is too tight in it's systainer. But it all fits once you fiddle the parts into their respective places. I will probably print a diagram and tuck it into the lid for easy reference. I do not have to vacuum the floor nearly as much anymore though, since I started sanding with Festool sanders. My tablesaw and miter saw do generate dust, but it's coarse, heavy dust which pretty much drops right to the floor, and is easily swept up. The fine sanding particulate, on the other hand, tends to drift throughout, landing everywhere. Not anymore! I can deal with the coarse stuff, but the fine dust was a problem, to the point where I would sand outdoors whenever possible.
So in closing, if you are considering a Festool sander, and are a bit concerned about the price of the unit, or it's consumables, you can hopefully take some comfort in knowing that the paper does indeed last a great deal longer than paper running on other sanders. Vibration is reduced to the point that you might think the sander isn't really doing it's work at first, but it is working much more effectively than most sanders. And you will definitely save a large amount of time on cleanup, even if your former sander had static dust collection (dust bag).
My two primary sanders prior to these two Festool sanders were a 6" Porter Cable R/O sander- the big right-angle unit; and a Makita 1/4 sheet sander with bag. These two sanders work well also, but they both generate a good bit of dust, especially the PC sander. And the paper does not last very long in either sander, even with very nice quality paper. I'm really pleased with these tools, and hope anyone else pondering a Festool acquisition will have confidence in giving them a go. It is now easy to see why they offer a 30-day return guarantee. I would bet that the only time anyone takes them up on it is when they want to return an item for the next model up. I have to admit I dream of a Kapex and a couple MFTs, along with a T55. Not going to happen for quite a while, but meanwhile at least I no longer avoid using my sanders out of dread for the massive dust they would make.
I recently came into a CT22 and ETS150/3, and most recently added a DTS400EQ. The equipment is, of course, beautifully constructed in every way- balance, ergonomics, functionality, and in it's ability to function relatively dustless. I knew this already, having read the many posts on many websites. But seeing, and using, is truly believing. I felt like I had to join up here so I could share this with you, which is a bit silly, since you must already know how well this all works. Maybe it's more of a "crutch" forum, where one can find sympathy for owning such outlandish tools, I'm not sure. But here I am.
The CT22 works very well; the adjustable speed is invaluable, and the built-in tool-actuated switch socket is neat and clean in it's implementation. The unit glides around behind you well when cleaning up, and the length of the hose (and tool power cord) allow you to place it a bit away from you. I cannot even hear it running while I am sanding, unless the sander is operated at nearly half speed. I find the vac should be throttled back to about 1/4 to 1/3 speed to allow the sanding pad to move freely, and this still captures almost all of the dust. I have no way of telling just how effective it is percentage-wise, but I would venture a guess and say 97%+. I mean, you can barely even tell that you are sanding based on loose particulate, which is about nonexistent. And the paper does indeed last very, very long. So long, in fact, that I suspect is actually costs less than plain paper at the end of the day. It's pretty amazing. My only gripe about the CT22 is the stiffness of the hose. It's got a ridiculous amount of memory. This is a fair trade-off though, as it is antistatic, and it is so nice not to get a stiff zap every few minutes while vacuuming. I have been keeping the hose stored hanging up from a ceiling hook to try and relax this tendency to recoil.
I don't have the extended arm for the vac, but I do have the utility hook device, which holds the hose up near the height you work at, which is nice. I also have the hose garage, which initially seemed like a great item, especially if you transport the machine to jobsites often. But given the stiffness of the hose, I am not storing it in there. I'll probably end up selling the garage, since the machine is going to stay in the home workshop. I do have the basic cleanup tool set, which works really well, and yes, it is too tight in it's systainer. But it all fits once you fiddle the parts into their respective places. I will probably print a diagram and tuck it into the lid for easy reference. I do not have to vacuum the floor nearly as much anymore though, since I started sanding with Festool sanders. My tablesaw and miter saw do generate dust, but it's coarse, heavy dust which pretty much drops right to the floor, and is easily swept up. The fine sanding particulate, on the other hand, tends to drift throughout, landing everywhere. Not anymore! I can deal with the coarse stuff, but the fine dust was a problem, to the point where I would sand outdoors whenever possible.
So in closing, if you are considering a Festool sander, and are a bit concerned about the price of the unit, or it's consumables, you can hopefully take some comfort in knowing that the paper does indeed last a great deal longer than paper running on other sanders. Vibration is reduced to the point that you might think the sander isn't really doing it's work at first, but it is working much more effectively than most sanders. And you will definitely save a large amount of time on cleanup, even if your former sander had static dust collection (dust bag).
My two primary sanders prior to these two Festool sanders were a 6" Porter Cable R/O sander- the big right-angle unit; and a Makita 1/4 sheet sander with bag. These two sanders work well also, but they both generate a good bit of dust, especially the PC sander. And the paper does not last very long in either sander, even with very nice quality paper. I'm really pleased with these tools, and hope anyone else pondering a Festool acquisition will have confidence in giving them a go. It is now easy to see why they offer a 30-day return guarantee. I would bet that the only time anyone takes them up on it is when they want to return an item for the next model up. I have to admit I dream of a Kapex and a couple MFTs, along with a T55. Not going to happen for quite a while, but meanwhile at least I no longer avoid using my sanders out of dread for the massive dust they would make.
