I'm amazed! I upgraded from a Dewalt DWV901L to the Festool CTL26. Here are my first impressions:
Noise: I hated the noise the Dewalt made, but online reviews indicated that all the dust extractors were equally loud. Not so, the Festool CTL26 is much more pleasant, and I can clean the workshop without having to wear ear defenders! The sound levels are even lower when using 36 or 50mm hoses.
Bags: The DWV901L is listed as 30l (or 17.5l wet). I reckon with a bag in, it was more like 15 litres in a full bag due to the protrusion of the filters. I like using bags as it seems pointless to collect MDF dust to empty the container and expose yourself to the dust. The Festool 26l (24l bag) is massive in comparison and will save money on bags. I have bought the Festool long-life bag for using the surface planer and chip-making jobs (I didn't want the bulk of the cyclone) and regular bags for other tasks creating fine dust.
Hoses: The Festool 50mm hose is great for connecting directly to my contractor table saw and other tools like router table and planer. It pulls a lot of air and easily clears dust and chips. I got the 36mm hose for connection to my DW717XPS mitre saw. I've got to say, with the big 36mm hose and the Festool dust boot on my mitre saw, I think it now rivals the KS120 for dust collection.
Noise: I hated the noise the Dewalt made, but online reviews indicated that all the dust extractors were equally loud. Not so, the Festool CTL26 is much more pleasant, and I can clean the workshop without having to wear ear defenders! The sound levels are even lower when using 36 or 50mm hoses.
Bags: The DWV901L is listed as 30l (or 17.5l wet). I reckon with a bag in, it was more like 15 litres in a full bag due to the protrusion of the filters. I like using bags as it seems pointless to collect MDF dust to empty the container and expose yourself to the dust. The Festool 26l (24l bag) is massive in comparison and will save money on bags. I have bought the Festool long-life bag for using the surface planer and chip-making jobs (I didn't want the bulk of the cyclone) and regular bags for other tasks creating fine dust.
Hoses: The Festool 50mm hose is great for connecting directly to my contractor table saw and other tools like router table and planer. It pulls a lot of air and easily clears dust and chips. I got the 36mm hose for connection to my DW717XPS mitre saw. I've got to say, with the big 36mm hose and the Festool dust boot on my mitre saw, I think it now rivals the KS120 for dust collection.
