CT22 vs CT33

[Rob Tolentino]

Greetings to Everyone,

I am new to the forum and have been woodworking for a few years.  I mostly build small pieces of furniture, such as end tables and coffee tables.  The biggest project I've tackled is a computer desk and stand for my wife.  I recently purchased the Domino after attending a demonstration at the local Woodcraft store.  After looking at Festool's other tools, I am positive that I will be adding them to my workshop.  I like the quality that I see in them and the "system" approach to dust extraction. 

That leads me to my question:  CT22 vs CT33?  I've been trying to read/research as much as possible about the issue.  Price is not the issue since the difference between both is not that great.  I understand the size, both volume and height, aspects of the machines.  I would be using it mostly in my basement workshop, but would take it throughout the house if projects dictated so.  I wouldn't mind moving it around regardless of the size.  I would like to know why the 22 outsells the 33. 

I would like some opinions before I make my decision.  I don't think I can go wrong with either choice.  Thanks.

 

[Dan Clark]

Rob,

I have the CT22.  Great machine, yada, yada.  I believe the CT22 outsells the 33 just because of size and cost.  It is smaller and lighter.  For me that was the primary reason.  For pros who drag one around daily, I believe that's a biggie. 

The CT22 packs a lot of dust in a small bag so for many people (like me) the advantage of the larger 33 bag is just not an issue.  Also, the suction and major features are the same.  (They both suck bigtime!)  Overall, I didn't see that the CT33's extra cost was worth it for me.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Bob Marino]

Dan has it exactly correct - size and cost - the 22's  way outsell the 33's. The only other difference, bsides capacitu, cost and weight is that the 33 has a small storage drawer onboard.

Bob

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Rob,
Welcome to the forum!

I'm glad to see you've started off with a Domino.  But the fact that you are looking at a dust extractor means that you will soon have some Festool sanders!

But back to your question...

I have a CT22 and have always been happy with it.  It hooks up to all my Festool tools and does a great job of taking care of dust, especially with the sanders and the TS55.  It continues to have good suction even when the bag is getting close to full or is actually full.

When I was still new at this Festool thing, there was one time when I checked my CT22 and was surprised to see that the dust bag was packed tight, a solid block.  I was surprised because the CT22 wasn't showing any signs of reduced dust collection.  It has always done a great job for me, and makes the best use of those dust bags.

I've moved the CT22 through my house when I have a sanding project, and I have also taken it to job sites when I am working in someone's kitchen or living room.  It's fairly heavy, but with the top handle it is not too bad to move around.

It's safe to say that the CT22 will serve your needs.

Feel free to ask more follow-up questions!

Stay in touch,
Matthew

 

[Michael Kellough]

When I was still new at this Festool thing, there was one time when I checked my CT22 and was surprised to see that the dust bag was packed tight, a solid block.

I was on a job site recently with my CT22 when it suddenly stopped picking up dust with the floor nozzle. I pulled the hose from the vac and saw that the tube from the front of the vac to the bag was full of debris. I opened the vac and the bag was like a sack of concrete that had gotten wet. I had to use my host's miserable little shop vac to suck some of the stuff back out of the CT22 bag so I could pull the bag's neck put of the vac port.

The weight of the debris in a bag can be substantial when it really gets packed in. With the larger capacity of the CT33 I wouldn't be surprised if at a weight of 10 to 15 pounds of debris when full so you might want to switch to an empty bag before hauling a CT33 upstairs.

 

[Tim Sproul]

Get the fairly new 'hose garage' add-on top.  It is a godsend for those of us without the boom arm.

 

[clintholeman]

I have been amazed at how tightly that my CT-22 can pack the bag!  If I had it to do over, I think I would go with the CT-33 - just ot have a little more capacity.  They are both winners, IMO.

I have a shop cat and she leaves all kinds of fuzzies laying around - cat hair packs really well too ;D.

 

[Ted Miller]

I just got back from a job and used my new TS55/CT Midi and the saw was light and the Midi performed great. I barely had any dust to sweep up after I was done with a few repairs in this kitchen...

 

[Stefan]

I bought the CT33 because of the handy drawer and it is a great tool, however it is a heavy appliance when the bag starts to fill up! My planer can fill the bag in no time hence I opted for the 33 not the 22. I think the CT22 is also to big to be lugging around and I now also have the MIDI, which is perfect for day to day stuff and the CT33 for when I need a hoover/dust extrator on a more permanent jobsite.

Becaus the bags become so compressed with dust/debris even the midi becomes heavy when the bag starts to get full.

Like all thngs Festool, you will more than likely end up with a couple of vacs or did I get carried away..... NAH

 

[Jim Becker]

Performance is the same. The biggest difference is "capacity" to hold "stuff" you've picked up. I suspect that for most folks, the CT22 is going to be just fine unless they are using the machine a lot like a typical shop vac instead of just for duct extraction.

 

[Tony M]

If I didn't buy the mini, I would have went for the 33. But I was looking at the portability issues. Of course, that's not to say I won't go for the 33 later , the boom arm sure is a nice set up.

 

[dltflt]

I bought the 33 for the capacity.  I was not worried about weight because I just roll it around the shop.

 

[tallgrass]

i have the 33 and this may seem like an odd add on to what everyone else has said but putting he handle on the 33 makes it a great tool caddy and the hight of the vacuum helps with working out of a sustainer on top of the  vacuum. also going up and down stairs withe tools on top with the handle made it soooo easy , while the smaller size of the 22 does not make it as optimal in these respects.everything all of you guys have said is right on, but i think the size also oddly enough makes it handy in an odd way, at least to me, o and i can not stress enough on getting the handle .........totally needed.

 

[Tinker]

I bought the CT 33 first.  Eventually, the BOSS wanted some work done in the living part of the house (bathroom/bedroom/kitchen).  I had, by then, mounted the boom and had the CT33 in a permenant location at end og my MFT 1080.  It seemed quite comfortable right where it was.  I decided to get a backup vac to do the portable work.  The CT 22 fit the bill purrrrffffectly.  That also comes in handy to hook up to other locations in my very small shop.

My MFT is in the middle.  My large 16" BS is at one end of shop and my small 10" BS is at oposite end.  Both are out of reach of the CT33.  My bench sander (actually seldom used) and my WoodRat are also out of reach.  The 22 without the boom is very easy to move around the shop to the odd locations and the 33 can rest comfortably right where it is.

BTW, when I first proposed doing sawing, sanding and drilling in the various parts of the house mentioned above, there develped a tremendous amount of static from you married guys know where.  That CT 22 quieted all of the static almost immediately. There was no muss and no fuss. : ;D
Tinker

 

[webfarmer]

No wrong choice here!  I've been happy with the 22 - however, my hobby lets me work almost exclusively in the woodshop, so the 33 might have been a better choice had I known that at the time of purchase.  My poor 22 is loaded up pretty heavy with the boom arm, a systainer, and a cyclone/debris box.  Not too portable, but a fantastic machine in the garage![attachthumb=1]

 

[Brice Burrell]

When the FOG group went to Henderson Ned Young and I talked with Michael Williams the marketing VP for Festool. While discussing the idea of bringing Festool's larger 44 and 55 vacs to the US we came up with another idea. We thought it would be nice if you could buy the lower portion of the 44 and 55 without the top motor portion. That way you can upgrade your vac to a larger model without buying a whole new vac. What I really liked about that idea is I could buy a larger 44 or 55 lower for use in the shop and when I want to go to the jobsite I can switch back to my 22 lower. That way the larger lower can stay at home with the boom arm still attached and I go to work with the more portable 22 vac. Michael liked this idea but that doesn't mean it will happen. Anyone else like this idea?

 

[MiterMaster]

When the FOG group went to Henderson Ned Young and I talked with Michael Williams the marketing VP for Festool. While discussing the idea of bringing Festool's larger 44 and 55 vacs to the US we came up with another idea. We thought it would be nice if you could buy the lower portion of the 44 and 55 without the top motor portion. That way you can upgrade your vac to a larger model without buying a whole new vac. What I really liked about that idea is I could buy a larger 44 or 55 lower for use in the shop and when I want to go to the jobsite I can switch back to my 22 lower. That way the larger lower can stay at home with the boom arm still attached and I go to work with the more portable 22 vac. Michael liked this idea but that doesn't mean it will happen. Anyone else like this idea?

I love this idea - will the motor be powerful enough to provide proper suction to the larger units?  I believe they have the 44 & 55 overseas, do they use the same motor as the 22 & 33?

Mike

 

[Brice Burrell]

I love this idea - will the motor be powerful enough to provide proper suction to the larger units?  I believe they have the 44 & 55 overseas, do they use the same motor as the 22 & 33?

Mike

Mike the motors on the CT 22, 33, 44 and 55 are all the same.

 

[MiterMaster]

I love this idea - will the motor be powerful enough to provide proper suction to the larger units?  I believe they have the 44 & 55 overseas, do they use the same motor as the 22 & 33?

Mike

Mike the motors on the CT 22, 33, 44 and 55 are all the same.

There you go, then I love this idea of being able to switch the bottoms out - hopefully this idea will become a reality!

Mike

 

[Chris Billman]

Anyone else like this idea?

Makes a lot of sense to me.