Festool Tradesman/Installer Cleaning Set Critique

[Connollyir]

I bought the Tradesman cleaning set today and while I'm glad I finally got it I have a few suggestions for Festool to improve the system.

1. Please include 2 velcro straps to secure the 36mm hose in a tight coil when stored. It is a pain to get the snake in the box so to speak, not to mention access the other pieces.

2. Include some type of rubber skirt attachment for the floor piece to protect floors.

3. Offer a powered carpet head that can run off the port on the extractor.

4. Consider a snap-lock system instead of press fit connections on the SS tube - mine was very difficult to assemble/disassemble. Perhaps that will change with wear.

5. Had the compact kit been available in a more rugged build with a head the width of the tradesman's I probably would have gone with it instead.

How do other owners of the kit feel?

-Ian

 

[Connollyir]

Totally just realized i was in the wrong section... if a mod could kindly help me out lol. [scared]

-Ian

 

[Rocky]

Have the same kit and I never store my hose in the case, it's used on the boom arm.  The tubes are a tight fit, but thats for better suction.  The floor sweep in only used to clean my garage floor, it has a lever to raise it off the floor.  I think that if Festool offered a electrical power head it would probably cost as much as one of there routers and I don't think that would be cost effective for a cleaning kit meant for job site use.  Just my opinion. 

 

[Connollyir]

Have the same kit and I never store my hose in the case, it's used on the boom arm.  The tubes are a tight fit, but thats for better suction.  The floor sweep in only used to clean my garage floor, it has a lever to raise it off the floor.  I think that if Festool offered a electrical power head it would probably cost as much as one of there routers and I don't think that would be cost effective for a cleaning kit meant for job site use.  Just my opinion. 

The level on the head was a little tight and I didn't want to force it till i read the directions.... now thats pretty crafty. I have the Mini and no boom arm, though I might have to make one myself. You're probably right about the electric, still be fun to see though.

-Ian

 

[semenza]

Have the same kit and I never store my hose in the case, it's used on the boom arm.  The tubes are a tight fit, but thats for better suction.  The floor sweep in only used to clean my garage floor, it has a lever to raise it off the floor.  I think that if Festool offered a electrical power head it would probably cost as much as one of there routers and I don't think that would be cost effective for a cleaning kit meant for job site use.  Just my opinion.  

The level on the head was a little tight and I didn't want to force it till i read the directions.... now thats pretty crafty. I have the Mini and no boom arm, though I might have to make one myself. You're probably right about the electric, still be fun to see though.

-Ian

There is the air powered turbo head available. Supposed to be pretty good.

http://festoolusa.com/power-tool-accessories/hepa-dust-extractors/floor-nozzles/turbo-suction-brush-450644

Seth

 

[Connollyir]

Have the same kit and I never store my hose in the case, it's used on the boom arm.  The tubes are a tight fit, but thats for better suction.  The floor sweep in only used to clean my garage floor, it has a lever to raise it off the floor.  I think that if Festool offered a electrical power head it would probably cost as much as one of there routers and I don't think that would be cost effective for a cleaning kit meant for job site use.  Just my opinion. 

The level on the head was a little tight and I didn't want to force it till i read the directions.... now thats pretty crafty. I have the Mini and no boom arm, though I might have to make one myself. You're probably right about the electric, still be fun to see though.

-Ian

No Kidding?!

There us the air powered turbo head available. Supposed to be pretty good.

http://festoolusa.com/power-tool-accessories/hepa-dust-extractors/floor-nozzles/turbo-suction-brush-450644

Seth

No Kidding?! I will say though that the standard head did pretty respectably on my mothers carpet about 20 min ago - better than her Miele canister. Not bad

I'm not feeling any buyers regret. Will probably switch everything into a different systainer and keep the hose in another by itself.

-Ian

 

[fritter63]

My only complaint is that the hose comes off the tubes too easily .

 

[nanook]

I'm with you Connollyir... agree on all points.  A powerhead would be ideal, or even the option to swap out the head for the air powered one. 
I feel it really needs some tweaking, its very expensive for what it is.

 

[semenza]

I am not sure but you might be able to use an electric power head from a central vacuum system?

Seth

 

[3PedalMINI]

I use this kit frequently as i vacuum my clients floors after we have finished in the rooms we work in. I love the kit, ive found the sleeves do loosen up and are much easier  to  slide in and out. The one thing i hate is the hose, it deforms the SYS5 and makes it a pain the close the lid. Since I have a CT-Midi and everything lives in my workvan i need to keep the 36mm hose with the kit. I have noticed that the standard hose that comes with the vacuums clogs and doesnt do as well picking up debris .

Overall i think its a great value considering the cost of the 36mm hose and the sys5 alone. I also use the hose frequently with my Kapex/TS55

 

[woodie]

My only complaint is that the hose comes off the tubes too easily .

Agreed! I wish they would make a coupler and use the hose end similar to the Planex.

I looked at buying an aftermarket power head a few years ago. There really aren't many options. The best complete package I found was the kit Fein offers. Although I'm not certain how well the Festool hose fits. In the end I ordered Festool's vacuum driven power head. It's not incredibly wide, but I'm really impressed with how well it works (with 36mm hose).  Plus I don't have to manage the extra power cord.

 

[nanook]

I have noticed that the standard hose that comes with the vacuums clogs and doesnt do as well picking up debris .

Also noticed this - the 90degree turn means that it often clogs quite badly.  Bad enough that I have to take the 90degree end off the hose to get everything out.
I really hate how the MIDI does not have space for storing the 35mm hose onboard.  Its very frustrating that there is not even the option of a clip-on extension for the hose storage. 

 

[BUTTER]

I have noticed that the standard hose that comes with the vacuums clogs and doesnt do as well picking up debris .

Also noticed this - the 90degree turn means that it often clogs quite badly.  Bad enough that I have to take the 90degree end off the hose to get everything out.
I really hate how the MIDI does not have space for storing the 35mm hose onboard.  Its very frustrating that there is not even the option of a clip-on extension for the hose storage. 

Tanos makes (or made) a systainer "extension" frame that you could add in between the box and lid, giving you the depth of another Sys 1 on top of whatever you had.  It seems like that could fit on top of the MIDI?  (I've been thinking of doing this to my MIDI, or at least cutting out the bottom of a SYS1 and leaving it on top of the vac all the time.

 

[semenza]

Here is the extension frame on a Mini. A regular lid can be attached to the frame.

[attachimg=#]

[attachimg=#]

Seth

 

[nanook]

thats useful, thanks.    ---at the price of the MIDI though, Festool should include a taller hose garage IMO.

 

[jmbfestool]

Have the same kit and I never store my hose in the case, it's used on the boom arm.  The tubes are a tight fit, but thats for better suction.  The floor sweep in only used to clean my garage floor, it has a lever to raise it off the floor.  I think that if Festool offered a electrical power head it would probably cost as much as one of there routers and I don't think that would be cost effective for a cleaning kit meant for job site use.  Just my opinion.  

The level on the head was a little tight and I didn't want to force it till i read the directions.... now thats pretty crafty. I have the Mini and no boom arm, though I might have to make one myself. You're probably right about the electric, still be fun to see though.

-Ian

There is the air powered turbo head available. Supposed to be pretty good.

http://festoolusa.com/power-tool-accessories/hepa-dust-extractors/floor-nozzles/turbo-suction-brush-450644

Seth

I have the air powered turbo head its very good!!

I dont have the Festool one though because they are a MASSIVE RIP OFF I got one which is IDENTICAL only difference is where it has a small little rectangle recess to house a Festool sticker normally, mine doesnt have the Festool sticker in that place.  So by not having the sticker I saved my self £80.

annoyingly I cant find the vac head at the price I got it at.  I wish I bought a couple for spares.

JMB

 

[jmbfestool]

No sure wa the Festool one costs in the USA  but found one which looks like the same one but not festool.    In UK you can get them in 32mm or 35mm just im finiding them at £90 in UK and I paid like £30 or something for mine.  

http://www.govacuum.com/8161-Maxi-Turbo-Eureka-Part-60047.aspx

 

[jmbfestool]

Found one in UK at a better price   30 to 37 mm fitting    £45

at the top
http://www.vacuumcleanersparesuk.co.uk/acatalog/FLOOR_TOOLS.html#a1234

Festool Price £110
http://www.festool.co.uk/products/accessories/pages/detail.aspx?pid=450644&name=floor-nozzles-d-36-tkb

You can buy two non festool ones and still save money. 

 

[Corwin]

Here is the extension frame on a Mini. A regular lid can be attached to the frame.

Looks like you must have cut off the tabs on the underside of the extension frame for it to fit onto your Mini.  If so, does the extension frame 'bent out of shape' easily?  I've been considering cutting those tabs off of the extension frame that I have.

 

[semenza]

Here is the extension frame on a Mini. A regular lid can be attached to the frame.

Looks like you must have cut off the tabs on the underside of the extension frame for it to fit onto your Mini.  If so, does the extension frame 'bent out of shape' easily?  I've been considering cutting those tabs off of the extension frame that I have.

No, the tabs are still in place. The curve in the vac sides  allows room for them. If you look closely in the picture you can see them. The tabs would need to be removed to fit on any of the larger vacs.

Seth