Fein Dust Extractors (Standard with Hepa)

[Ron Pegram]

Hey guys,

I've read the ongoing debate regarding Fein vs. Festool vacuums for some time here and the general consensus seems to be that you all love both but wish the Fein vacuums were HEPA so they'd more closely match the Festool offerings.

I decided to bring them in exactly as you desired. The listing is here -> Fein Dust Extractors. The word from my warehouse is that they're here but 2-3 days from being put up. I figured I'd let my Festool friends and family know about them before I told the rest of the world. Yes, they're back-ordered at this moment but they should be available to ship any day now.

I also paired them up with a monster 8" random orbit sander from Fein. Fein's random orbit sanders aren't dual mode like Festool's and their vacuums aren't variable speed but I think they're an excellent value in their own way. The vacuums are quiet and high-capacity (and again, we demanded HEPA standard on all of them) and that 8" sander is perfect for BIG jobs like boat enthusiasts might have. You can see those packages here -> (Fein Sanders & Dust Extractors)

The system isn't as well thought out as Festool's (in my humble opinion) in that adaptors are needed to connect the vacuum to the sanders but everything is included in your package and Fein's strengths seem to be in capacity over Festool's dual strengths of capacity and a system approach. I wouldn't recommend a Fein over a Festool part but I think it's smart to consider both depending on the applications you tackle on a regular basis.

And who doesn't need an 8" random orbit sander? If nothing else, you can wow your friends! 

 

[Julian Tracy]

My Fein Turbo II is quieter than my CT22 and more durable.  I've somehow broken one of the systainer tabs off of my CT22 top and it wasn't even cold outside at the time.

The plastic that the CT is made of seems very brittle and doesn't seem like it would fair well in my cold tool trailer.  The hose on the Fein has a larger internal diameter than the Festool - making it much better for general pickup use.  The CT hose has such a small diameter that it's not that useful for picking odd stuff up. (I know they make larger hoses...)  And it's so short as to be very un-helpful what's up with the 8-9' hose with this thing.  (if it's longer -  that's about how short it feels in use)

Also - much easier to wrap the cord up around my Fein vac than the silly crazy long super thick cord on the CT.  The Ct's cord wraps are barely usable for that length of cord and the stupid adapter plug pigtail certainly does not help the situation.

Yea, the CT looks cooler, but I can't help but feel ripped off by looking at the $40 price tag of that chunk of plastic they call a hose garage.  (looks handy, but $40 handy - begrudgingly yes..)

No need to point out my Fein has no hose storage either.  And yes I know that it doesn't have a flat top.  Fein make a great stepped adapter that retails for only $3 - very handy for using the CT vac for other tools as well.

I love my Fein vac and like my CT22.  OMG!  Heresy!

JT

 

[semenza]

    BURN HIM, BURN HIM, QUICK !!!!!!!!!!!

      I agree about those CT cord wraps.  I don't have a Fein to compare anything else. 

      Did you se Corwins idea for those that have the handle  reply #41 http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=2184.30

Seth

 

[Corwin]

Hmmm, my solution has to be one of the most expensive ways to change the cord wrap.  One could easily make their own cord wrap for much less.  However, this is an immense help for me -- well, at least when I can manage to work in my shop.  My back and neck pain has prevented me from doing anything for awhile now, so you can imagine how appreciated a simple change like this is for someone in my situation (er, make that someone in a little better situation anyway).

In my case, the additional expense was absorbed by my ISA (thank you ever so much Ron!)  I had requested the individual parts needed and McFeely's tried to get them through Festool USA.  When Festool replied that the individual parts were not available separately, McFeely's went ahead an ordered the handle and cord clips and said that they would eat the cost since it took a little longer than (they) expected.  Wow!  I emailed Ron to go ahead and bill me for the parts, but this was one email that he chose not to respond to -- this certainly was far beyond the call...  I wouldn't expect McFeely's could offer this type of service everyday -- a little hard on the bottom line.  Service like this IS most exceptional!

Corwin