FWW Vac Review

[EWTHeckman]

I seem to recall reading about reusable bags for the CT's. What about them?

 

[NoBreyner]

The long life bag is for the CT 22 and larger.  The one for the CT 22 is $192.00, at this price point I'd just get a dust deputy (which I did).  The LL bags have a seam that's sealed by a black strip and that strip comes off to empty the bag.  Dumping the bag will stir up dust so why not save $100+? 

Edit:  LL bags are NOT recommended for fine dust as stated in the link below.

Long Life Bags

 

[EWTHeckman]

The long life bag is for the CT 22 and larger.  The one for the CT 22 is $192.00, at this price point I'd just get a dust deputy (which I did).  The LL bags have a seam that's sealed by a black strip and that strip comes off to empty the bag.  Dumping the bag will stir up dust so why not save $100+? 

Edit:  LL bags are NOT recommended for fine dust as stated in the link below.

Long Life Bags

I'm also using a DD for the same reason.

Thanks for pointing out that the LL bags are a bad idea for fine dust. That's good information to know.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Thanks for pointing out that the LL bags are a bad idea for fine dust. That's good information to know.

As someone who had the LL bag for the CT22, I have no idea why they say this. It works great.

 

[NoBreyner]

Thanks for pointing out that the LL bags are a bad idea for fine dust. That's good information to know.

As someone who had the LL bag for the CT22, I have no idea why they say this. It works great.

I've only pointed out what they said.  That said, in your experience with the bag does the filter have any discoloration from fine dust?

 

[AlexThePalex]

I've only pointed out what they said.  That said, in your experience with the bag does the filter have any discoloration from fine dust?

None whatsoever.

Well, actually it just dawned on my that I do know why Festool makes that recommendation. It is not because the bag somehow can't handle it, it is because they regard emptying the bag with fine dust as a health hazard. That's why they recommend you only use it with big chips like from a planer because your lungs might not like it when you empty the bag filled with fine dust. I just went ahead anyway and used the LL bag for everything I did, never once bought a normal bag.    

 

[meatman]

I bought my CT22 in 2007 my dealer at the time, sold me What he called a long life bucket (sorry I don't recall the product number).

I used my CT22 every day in my factory  with three guys using it mainly for extracting sanding dust. It filled up about 2-3 times a week.  [eek] [eek] [eek]

As you can all imagine a very messy job for the apprentice (we all had to do the best jobs when we were the apprentice).
He would open the extractor and shove the 4" hose from the main extraction system into the bucket of the CT and extract the dust.   [eek]  [eek]  He would then take the filters out and extract the fine dust with the 4" hose. As I said earlier this must have been done more than 100 times. [scared] [eek]

Last year I realised I could buy a long life bag for my CT22 this I did so now no messy cleaning out jobs just empty the long life bag into a closed topped black bin liner let the fine dust settle for a few moments and then remove the long life bag. [big grin] The long life bag works very well with fine dust from sanders by the way.

My CT22 still has it's original filter and still sucks like a bad woman after all that abuse for many years, this just shows how good festool products are.
Meatman

 

[atomicmike]

I knew that leaving out the bags would be controversial, but here's why we did it (it's also explained in the article): They fill quickly, they are not really reusable (hard to empty), and they are relatively expensive.

Interesting theory on the expense. I go through about 1 box of Festool bags every year, for a grand total of $33. Up until now, I had been spending $34.95 per year on my Fine Woodworking subscription. Since I'm also in the non-renewer club, my Festool bags for next year are effectively free! Thanks Asa!

 

[GhostFist]

HAHA! May I point you gentlemen in the direction of "Furniture & Cabinetmaking" Magazine? It's a personal favourite of mine and I'm sure you'll come to enjoy it as well. For you tech dorks out there, subscriptions are available for both Android and apple devices. I subscribe via this method, latest issue can be downloaded as soon as they're released and no huge stockpiles of mags kicking around, plus it's cheaper!

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.triactivemedia.fcm&hl=en
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/furniture-cabinetmaking-magazine/id437194402?mt=8
http://www.woodworkersinstitute.com/page.asp?p=1792

 

[mlfaber]

AsaChristiana
I knew that leaving out the bags would be controversial, but here's why we did it (it's also explained in the article): They fill quickly, they are not really reusable (hard to empty), and they are relatively expensive. So while the Festool works wonderfully with its bags installed and acting as a prefilter, keeping the HEPA filter unclogged and flowing freely, we made a judgement call that for most woodworkers, the bags would prove to be a nuisance and a constant drain on the wallet and ultimately be discarded. Or they would hesitate to use the vac for general cleanup for fear of running through their bag supply too quickly.

What about the cost of replacing the HEPA filters a lot more often than would be needed if bags were used. You can buy 10 bags for the cost of replacing the HEPA filters 1 time.

Hope this helps explain things.

It sure does. It explains why I am no longer a subscriber to FWW  after being one continuously since 1975.

I am shocked it took this long for someone to compare the cost of replacement filters to bags. FWW I purchased my CT22 for many reasons but mostly the fact that they are HEPA and utilize bags as pre-filters. My health is much better off for it (my wife too)!  Also, in the new issue of FWW, letters section, there is a remark against the high noise output of the Bosch.

 

[mjozefow]

I think anyone who has never made a poor judgment call should discontinue their subscription immediately.  :

I love Festool stuff, and I love pretty much everything construction/woodworking related to the Taunton Press. I have many of their "For Pros by Pros" books and have subscribed to both FWW and FHB since high school.

I did not like this review, but I read it completely before I made the decision to buy my CT26. For me the HUGE increase in noise of the Bosch was too much to swallow. Plus, I knew a track saw was in my future, and I like stuff to work/fit together.

So although they made a poor judgment call, I would not dream of canceling my subscription over one article. Taunton Press is responsible for teaching me so much, and inspiring me to always seek out the best construction practices.

 

[jacko9]

I think anyone who has never made a poor judgment call should discontinue their subscription immediately.  :

I love Festool stuff, and I love pretty much everything construction/woodworking related to the Taunton Press. I have many of their "For Pros by Pros" books and have subscribed to both FWW and FHB since high school.

I did not like this review, but I read it completely before I made the decision to buy my CT26. For me the HUGE increase in noise of the Bosch was too much to swallow. Plus, I knew a track saw was in my future, and I like stuff to work/fit together.

So although they made a poor judgment call, I would not dream of canceling my subscription over one article. Taunton Press is responsible for teaching me so much, and inspiring me to always seek out the best construction practices.

.    

I agree and since there are so few woodworking media today one questionable review methodology would not cause me to drop any of my Taunton subscriptions which I have subscribed to from issue one.  They have acknowledged Festool as an excellent maker of fine products in many reviews but, every now and then some (non-woodworker I'm guessing)  decides to do a review with very poor parameters

Edit> moved reply outside of quote box.

 

[mikeneron]

Hey jacko, noticed on a couple of posts where you are quoting that you are putting your reply within the quote so it actually doesn't look like you are posting anything but the quote.  Just a heads up.

 

[jacko9]

Mikeneron,  Thanks - this old man is trying to figure out this "online stuff".  [eek]

 

[butzla]

Suction aside, what I really like about the Bosch is the 7 second delay after the tool plugged into it shuts off.

 

[Dan Clark]

Suction aside, what I really like about the Bosch is the 7 second delay after the tool plugged into it shuts off.

The Festool CT's only have a 3 second delay, so having it a bit longer would be nice.  Not a biggie, but nice. 

Dan.

 

[butzla]

Dan, yours must be newer than the two I have, both shut off simultaneously.

 

[Dan Clark]

Dan, yours must be newer than the two I have, both shut off simultaneously.

Jim,

My CT22 is about 5 years old and my CT26 is about 6 months old.  I tested both today and both have the delay.  Sounds like yours may be defective.  Give Festool Service a call; they should be able to help.

Regards,

Dan.