Festool Dust Extractor: Midi vs CT 26

[J0hn]

I have the CT36 and a Bosch VAC090S.  Bosch has the 'S' (Semi Auto Filter Clean) and the 'A'version (Automatic filter clean) which is about $50 more

Yes, the Bosch is HEPA ready, but personally, I do not need a HEPA filter and I have to wonder if your thinking about working out in your driveway, do you really need one?

A plus for the Bosch - if you're using a power tool with it, it does not immediately shut the vacuum off when you shut the tool off.  The vac runs for about 7 seconds longer to get anything that is still in the hose.  (Ever pull the hose off on a Festool Vac and pile of sawdust falls on the floor?)  A minus for the Bosch is it has the more traditional vacuum adjustment where there is a vent in the hose if you need to lower the vacuum versus the Bosch doing it electronically. (I *think* the 'A' version allows you to do it electronically)  But then I never have heard about a Bosch Vac having it's circuit board fried (which is not covered under warranty) because you were using it with something like a Dust Deputy.

I find the Bosch to be a tad quieter than the Festool and if you look at the specs - Festool = 72 db and Bosch = 71 db it seems to bear this out.  Also, the Bosch is just a tad more powerful - 96" static water lift for Festool and  97" static water lift for the Bosch.  Once I stepped on my Festool hose and it now has a flat spot.  I have stepped on my Bosch hose and it recovers nicely.

Just this past Monday, ACME Tools had a 15% off sale on any one item so I pulled the trigger on a 3rd vac - the Bosch VAC090S for $509 (no tax and free shipping)  I think your looking at about $700 for the CT26 - and when was the last time you saw one of them go on sale?

 

[Steven Owen]

I have the CT36 and a Bosch VAC090S.  Bosch has the 'S' (Semi Auto Filter Clean) and the 'A'version (Automatic filter clean) which is about $50 more

Yes, the Bosch is HEPA ready, but personally, I do not need a HEPA filter and I have to wonder if your thinking about working out in your driveway, do you really need one?

A plus for the Bosch - if you're using a power tool with it, it does not immediately shut the vacuum off when you shut the tool off.  The vac runs for about 7 seconds longer to get anything that is still in the hose.  (Ever pull the hose off on a Festool Vac and pile of sawdust falls on the floor?)  A minus for the Bosch is it has the more traditional vacuum adjustment where there is a vent in the hose if you need to lower the vacuum versus the Bosch doing it electronically. (I *think* the 'A' version allows you to do it electronically)  But then I never have heard about a Bosch Vac having it's circuit board fried (which is not covered under warranty) because you were using it with something like a Dust Deputy.

I find the Bosch to be a tad quieter than the Festool and if you look at the specs - Festool = 72 db and Bosch = 71 db it seems to bear this out.  Also, the Bosch is just a tad more powerful - 96" static water lift for Festool and  97" static water lift for the Bosch.  Once I stepped on my Festool hose and it now has a flat spot.  I have stepped on my Bosch hose and it recovers nicely.

Just this past Monday, ACME Tools had a 15% off sale on any one item so I pulled the trigger on a 3rd vac - the Bosch VAC090S for $509 (no tax and free shipping)  I think your looking at about $700 for the CT26 - and when was the last time you saw one of them go on sale?

Those good points; I live in Canada. Tariffs and other issue makes things more expensive.  The CT 26 is about $85 dollars more than the Bosch model. The differences are pretty mute when it comes to price.  By the time you buy the Bosch Anti static hose you’re at the same price for both units.

 

[J0hn]

Those good points; I live in Canada. Tariffs and other issue makes things more expensive.  The CT 26 is about $85 dollars more than the Bosch model. The differences are pretty mute when it comes to price.  By the time you buy the Bosch Anti static hose you’re at the same price for both units.

I don't understand your point about the anti-static hose.  Why do you think you need one for the Bosch Vac?

Festool requires an 'anti-static hose' because apparently, their electronics can be 'fried' by the static charge.  Bosch (to the best of my knowledge) does not have this problem.  I googled Bosch anti-static hose and see that Bosch does make one - but it is for an outdated wet/dry vac (Bosch 3931).  I also looked the hose up on Amazon and based on reviews, it appears that most people are buying this hose to use with their Festool Vacs!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AV79...feature-scomp-wm-4-wl-prc1&ref=bit_scomp_sav1

Lastly, I think you should look at the airflow requirement for some of the tools you plan on using a dust extractor with.

For example, Rockler publishes some spec and they indicate for a 12" planer, you need about 500 cfm.  A table saw is in the 350-450 cfm range.  The Bosch Vacs are more powerful than the Festools and they are rated at 150 cfm. 

I think trying to use any of these type of vacs with those types of machines are going to lead to disappointment - they are mainly for use with hand-held tools
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/dust-extractors-vac090a-50704-p/
http://www.rockler.com/skill-builders/setting-up-your-shop/getting-started-with-dust-collection

 

[Steven Owen]

Those good points; I live in Canada. Tariffs and other issue makes things more expensive.  The CT 26 is about $85 dollars more than the Bosch model. The differences are pretty mute when it comes to price.  By the time you buy the Bosch Anti static hose you’re at the same price for both units.

I don't understand your point about the anti-static hose.  Why do you think you need one for the Bosch Vac?

Festool requires an 'anti-static hose' because apparently, their electronics can be 'fried' by the static charge.  Bosch (to the best of my knowledge) does not have this problem.  I googled Bosch anti-static hose and see that Bosch does make one - but it is for an outdated wet/dry vac (Bosch 3931).  I also looked the hose up on Amazon and based on reviews, it appears that most people are buying this hose to use with their Festool Vacs!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AV79...feature-scomp-wm-4-wl-prc1&ref=bit_scomp_sav1

Lastly, I think you should look at the airflow requirement for some of the tools you plan on using a dust extractor with.

For example, Rockler publishes some spec and they indicate for a 12" planer, you need about 500 cfm.  A table saw is in the 350-450 cfm range.  The Bosch Vacs are more powerful than the Festools and they are rated at 150 cfm. 

I think trying to use any of these type of vacs with those types of machines are going to lead to disappointment - they are mainly for use with hand-held tools
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/dust-extractors-vac090a-50704-p/
http://www.rockler.com/skill-builders/setting-up-your-shop/getting-started-with-dust-collection

Eventually I like to buy a Grizzly 2 HP dust extractor.  That’s something I can budget 2-years from now.  Using the Festool dust extractor would be a better than the Ridgid Vac I’m using now.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Festool requires an 'anti-static hose' because apparently, their electronics can be 'fried' by the static charge.  Bosch (to the best of my knowledge) does not have this problem.  I

No, Festool does not requires an anti-static hose, you can use any hose you want. And all electronics can be fried by a static charge, including the Bosch's.

 

[Steven Owen]

Festool requires an 'anti-static hose' because apparently, their electronics can be 'fried' by the static charge.  Bosch (to the best of my knowledge) does not have this problem.  I

No, Festool does not requires an anti-static hose, you can use any hose you want. And all electronics can be fried by a static charge, including the Bosch's.

I always thought the anti static hose reduced clogging on smaller diameter hoses by preventing static charges that cause the dust to clump up.  Tell me if I’m wrong.

I like the power electronic control suction control on the Festool, the hose coral, the better docking design for systainers on the Festool.  I’m not a fan of elastic bands and the docking system for L-Boxx. 

With Katcher making the vacuum, it’s hard to get replacement parts on the Bosch if anything does break or wear out.

 

[semenza]

I like the AS hose because it prevents getting zapped by static shocks.

Seth

 

[antss]

Yes , the mini / midi are unstable with a DD on top. Or a few systainers. Especially when the bag is empty , making them even lighter.

If you're in a shop and not rolling then around , I doubt it will matter to you though.

I like the anti static hoses better too, but can't really give you a rational reason why. 

And I was never zapped by static when my primary vac was a Fein or even last century when I first attached a B&D 1/4 sheet sander to a ShopVac with some tubing from a pool supply house because no one made suitable fittings to attach the dust port.  But I still prefer the AS hoses. 

 

[Steven Owen]

Yes , the mini / midi are unstable with a DD on top. Or a few systainers. Especially when the bag is empty , making them even lighter.

If you're in a shop and not rolling then around , I doubt it will matter to you though.

I like the anti static hoses better too, but can't really give you a rational reason why. 

And I was never zapped by static when my primary vac was a Fein or even last century when I first attached a B&D 1/4 sheet sander to a ShopVac with some tubing from a pool supply house because no one made suitable fittings to attach the dust port.  But I still prefer the AS hoses.

There’s a lot little things I don’t like in the Bosch design.  It’s also a big pain to order service parts for some Bosch tools.  An extra set of Bosch mount brackets has to be ordered as a special order service part for their gravity rise stands. 

When I need a service part for Dewalt and Festool, common replacement parts are easy to find online.

 

[J0hn]

There’s a lot little things I don’t like in the Bosch design.  It’s also a big pain to order service parts for some Bosch tools.  An extra set of Bosch mount brackets has to be ordered as a special order service part for their gravity rise stands. 

When I need a service part for Dewalt and Festool, common replacement parts are easy to find online.

You mean brackets like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1609B02007-Tool-Mount-Assembly/dp/B00NQUIQ3Y

 

[Steven Owen]

There’s a lot little things I don’t like in the Bosch design.  It’s also a big pain to order service parts for some Bosch tools.  An extra set of Bosch mount brackets has to be ordered as a special order service part for their gravity rise stands. 

When I need a service part for Dewalt and Festool, common replacement parts are easy to find online.

You mean brackets like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1609B02007-Tool-Mount-Assembly/dp/B00NQUIQ3Y

At a cost of $210 Canadian to add two extra arms to a $300 stand.

 

[Steven Owen]

Here’s the million dollar question for the CT Midi.

Does the CT Midi require an Eblow adapter to attach a 50 mm hose or can you just plug a 50 mm (2 Inch) hose directly into the port without using any kind of elbow?

 

[rst]

The 50mm hose will plug straight in...it will stick straight up however.  You can get a 90% elbow from Oneida...AXD600103, this one is anti-static, listed under Dust Deputy accessories

 

[Steven Owen]

The 50mm hose will plug straight in...it will stick straight up however.  You can get a 90% elbow from Oneida...AXD600103, this one is anti-static, listed under Dust Deputy accessories

Thanks RST.

It’s a coin toss between the Midi or the CT 26.  I’m leaning hard toward biting the bullet and spending the extra $150 to get the 26 CT.  The elbow is probably not a big deal for the handheld tools.  It may be an issue for the larger table saw and planer.

The Dewalt 735 shoots out dust like a canon.  I already use my 6.5 HP 90 CFM Rigid Vac on the Dewalt 735 with a dust deputy.  I can image the Festool will do a better job.

The router table will be the hardest one to deal with a split hose for the fence and under table collection.

 

[antss]

If you're not planning on going mobile with it, get the ct26.  The $150 will seem inconsequential months from now.

Also, no one has mentioned that the mini/midi won't support the Maxsys module for remote operation.  This may not appeal to you now, but may in the future.

 

[Steven Owen]

If you're not planning on going mobile with it, get the ct26.  The $150 will seem inconsequential months from now.

Also, no one has mentioned that the mini/midi won't support the Maxsys module for remote operation.  This may not appeal to you now, but may in the future.

I’ll probably end-up with the CT26.  I find myself wishing the price of the long life bag for the CT 26 was more reasonable; it is what it is.