Help with upgrading to a CT

BostonMike

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2015
Messages
29
Hello all, currently using a Rigid shop vac with Dust Deputy...wondering if upgrading to either the Midi or the 26 is worth it...I plan on adding a DTS in the next week so I am considering buying it with a new Festool vaccum

Thanks for your input
 
I guess the two questions to ask concern desired portability and capacity.  I stepped up initially from the Ridgid to the Midi, but then returned the Midi within the 30 day time period to get the CT26.  Nothing wrong with the Midi (all Festool vacs have the same power), but I just felt that with a lot of routing and TS work, the extra capacity on the 26 was worth it.  I know sometimes people favor portability if they're doing a lot of moving around on a job, and therefore prefer the smaller size of the Midi.  To be honest, the CT26 is not that heavy even when the bag is full -- but then again, I don't do work where I'm constantly walking up and down stairs, and so maybe would feel differently if I were.  I suspect, though, that many who prefer the Midi for site work have a larger model as their stationary vac.  In terms of system integration, both the Midi and the 26 have sys-docking at top.
 
Also, if you're going to be using sanders with it, you will want adjustable suction. We sand at the lowest speed on the CT.

Your Ridgid, like most shop vacs, is full speed...all the time. No good with Festool sanders....trust us!

Cheers,
Frank
 
I do flooring and sanding.  For the past 9 years I've used a Rigid with a Clean Stream HEPA filter.  I thought it was the greatest thing on earth.  I do grind concrete when I need and with my pearl abrasives dust extractor I can do it in a homeowners house with 98% dust free.
I purchased a CT36 AC and what I thought was awesome was nothing compared to the CT36. I can run 2 sanders at once and no dust, not even a slight haze.  Grind concrete, sure just pop the bag out and turn on the auto clean. Very happy.  As for the bag. I've done 2 staircase and various other projects like ripping several sheets of Advantec sheeting with the TS55 and tearing out about 400 ft of partical board. And it's still not 1/2 way full
 
SittingElf said:
Also, if you're going to be using sanders with it, you will want adjustable suction. We sand at the lowest speed on the CT.

Your Ridgid, like most shop vacs, is full speed...all the time. No good with Festool sanders....trust us!

Cheers,
Frank

I don't understand?
Why do you use the slowest sanding speed?
And what vacuum speed do you use?
 
Higher speeds suck the sander to the surface and cause walking and most of the time little marks that look like the "@" symbol. Every sander and grit and wood is different.
I use speed 6 on flat work and speed 3-4 for edges and delicate stuff.  I also use speed 4 when I sand drywall.  I like the pad to go slower and allow the vacuum to catch everything.
 
33 with boom arm in my shop. MIDI for travel. The fact that they are tool carts has not been mentioned yet. My 33 is truly a station, and the midi makes travel so much easier with tools on top.
 
Holmz said:
I don't understand?
Why do you use the slowest sanding speed?
And what vacuum speed do you use?

Not the slowest sanding speed, he said he sands with the CT at its slowest speed for the reasons he mentions in a later post.
 
Since I don't carry the CT around and only use it in my shop for sander and some other dust collection, I bought the CT48 for capacity. It really doesn't take up much more floor space and, as I've used it more and more, I have found that it works well with the boom arm. If you would be moving the vac from job site to job site, though, then you would want something more portable. I wouldn't want to carry the CT48 around. I found, as was said, that when you sand with Festool sanders you do need to dial the speed/suction down to the lowest setting so the sander doesn't chatter and stick to the sanded surface. That is especially true with the ETS125. Works great though. I use it sometimes with other tools. Even on a small table saw, the CT48 performs almost as well as with my dust collector. I also own a TS55REQ on which it works well also. Used with the OF 1400 it's dustless. The CT is the best I've ever used.
 
I find that generally I only need to dial the speed down with the 3 smallest sanders, the DTS400, RTS400 and ETS125. They only have 200 watt motors so they are not that strong, but they have an excellent built in cooling/dust extraction fan that also adds to their suction power.

All other sanders have more power so they are able to ignore the force of the suction. Unless you sand with the finer grits on a flat surface, in that case suction needs to be turned down a bit too. Just a tad.
 
I have found that turning the CT down for my ETS150/5 just makes it operate smoother and with less effort with no loss in dust collection. You're right about the ETS125 though. It is probably too light. I like the results but find it harder to use as it is not as well balanced and more affected by the vacuum.
 
Think I'm going to have to give the "reducing the vac" thing a go, I normally leave it on full for everything. Including the sanding ro90, ets 125 and 150, have found no marks or issues so far. Always willing to try something new
 
Back
Top