Festool Midi vs shop vac

[overanalyze]

So here is a cheesy quick video. I was actually a bit surprised at how much more suction the Midi had. Makes me very happy with my purchase!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/n0u7poivlzs4vy0/20130817_182734.mp4

 

[Brev]

Interested to see the comparison video but it cuts out at :22 for me.

 

[Brev]

I was able to view the entire video by downloading it from the dropbox site.

That is an impressive display by the midi! More than twice the suction at about 2/3 the size!

 

[overanalyze]

I thought so...I was pleased! And its quieter and smaller!

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

I think your test is a comparison of each vacuums water lift, not so much cfm.

 

[overanalyze]

I think your test is a comparison of each vacuums water lift, not so much cfm.

Could be..either way I think it would translate into much better dust extraction...yes?

 

[John H]

So a used $90 shop vac from Lowes versus a new $485 midi from Festool  [blink]

"Water lift" is just one component of a good vac system - you also need cfm.  Water lift basically shows how much negative pressure can be generated in a closed system.  Have you ever vacuumed up some nails or something and you could hear them rattling around inside the hose nozzle?  There was enough lift to pick them up but not enough air flow (cfm) to move them to the vac

You really need both lift and cfm. 

Lifting bowling balls and cans of paint is for those late night infomercials 

 

[Paul G]

I think your test is a comparison of each vacuums water lift, not so much cfm.

Could be..either way I think it would translate into much better dust extraction...yes?

Not necessarily. As others have noted the CFM makes a big difference. I didn't understand this until I started researching a full dust collection system for my future shop. If you tried your test using a built in system it wouldn't lift that can either. Basically your test is perfect if you are using a vac to lift something, but keeping dust moving down a hose needs CFM. I use a shop vac/dust deputy rig attached to various sanders when doing drywall and it does a great job, 3 gallons of dust in the DD and a few tablespoons gets through to the shop vac making for no drop in efficiency as more is collected. I also use a Festool DC with my various Festools and it does great also. Quieter, tool activation is very convenient, the speed adjustment comes in handy when sanding, but double the price of my other rig. Both work well for their intended purpose, which for me doesn't include lifting paint cans.

 

[overanalyze]

All good points...I didn't expect the shop vac to equal the festool...but it was interesting that the festool was turned way down to get close to the shop vac. So how does one compare cfm in the real world?...without an expensive gauge...