How many Canadians are swapping their Mini/Midi for CT 26?

[hockey_magnet]

Just curious what others are doing regarding the CSA situation.

Chris

 

[Jeff Zanin]

I have a CT22 which is equipped with handle and boom arm, so it is great is the shop but awkward to transport.

So I have been considering a second DC and going back and forth between the MIDI and CT26, but it seems the CSA issue has taken that decision out of my hands.

Jeff

 

[Rustbucket]

Just curious.  I'm not from Canada, but what is the CSA situation?  What makes the Mini/Midi not comply?  Is it similar to the RRP here in the states?

 

[peter halle]

Just curious.  I'm not from Canada, but what is the CSA situation?  What makes the Mini/Midi not comply?  Is it similar to the RRP here in the states?

The issue as I understand it - remember I am not in the official loop - is that three Festool tools were discovered to not have the equivalent Canada approvals to the UL listing here.

Insurance requirements for companies may have a clause that mandates the use of tools having the CSA listing in Canada. 

Peter

 

[CarolinaNomad]

Considering that I have the CT-36, another big vacuum doesn't make sense to me.  I doubt I'll make the swap.  I mean, how many inspectors are going to notice the CT Midi is not in compliant?

 

[Brice Burrell]

Considering that I have the CT-36, another big vacuum doesn't make sense to me.  I doubt I'll make the swap.  I mean, how many inspectors are going to notice the CT Midi is not in compliant?

Like Peter, I don't know the particulars regarding the CSA listing for Canada and I assume this is a issue for some insurance companies for professional contractors.  So I don't think you need to be concerned about inspectors but rather your insurance company (if you're a professional).  If it makes you guys feel any better we have the same issue here with insurance companies and UL/CSA approved equipment in the States.

 

[GRegghead]

I'm still on the fence about switching. The MIDI suits my needs much more than the CT26 does though.

What are the risks for a hobby woodworker using a non CSA compliant vacuum? My MIDI is only 3 months old; if I need warranty work I'm sure Festool will force the switch at that time. What about vacuum bags? It may be that Festool stops Canadian dealers from selling bags as a way to force the compliance with the recall.

I would prefer to keep my MIDI, but it may become a hassle to do so in the long run.

 

[Peter Durand]

I'm still on the fence about switching. The MIDI suits my needs much more than the CT26 does though.

What are the risks for a hobby woodworker using a non CSA compliant vacuum? My MIDI is only 3 months old; if I need warranty work I'm sure Festool will force the switch at that time. What about vacuum bags? It may be that Festool stops Canadian dealers from selling bags as a way to force the compliance with the recall.

I would prefer to keep my MIDI, but it may become a hassle to do so in the long run.

If it becomes a hassle, you are close to Bellingham. I hope it doesn't though because we have great dealers in the Vancouver area.

 

[hockey_magnet]

For me, being a hobbyist, I thought it would be no brainer to switch. I'll be honest. I bought the Mini mainly because of the price considering it has the same suction, Hepa, etc. and I didn't think capacity would be a big deal as a non pro user for my small home renos for myself and friends,.I have a Kapex, TS 55, 2 sanders and a 1010 (used rarely) that I use the vac for.  Thinking a bit more about it since although the weight empty is no issue at all, I've emptied a very full CT 26 and I know that the weight can be a lot more when full or nearly full compared to the Mini or Midi. My Mini is just a year old. If it was going on 3 years, that would be more of a factor. I'm still leaning to the CT 26 even though since I store it in a spare room - no workshop - my wife thinks smaller is better  [big grin].

Does anyone know on these types of recalls if Festool's warranty "starts over" for the new tools?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Brice Burrell]

For me, being a hobbyist, I thought it would be no brainer to switch. I'll be honest. I bought the Mini mainly because of the price considering it has the same suction, Hepa, etc. and I didn't think capacity would be a big deal as a non pro user for my small home renos for myself and friends,.I have a Kapex, TS 55, 2 sanders and a 1010 (used rarely) that I use the vac for.  Thinking a bit more about it since although the weight empty is no issue at all, I've emptied a very full CT 26 and I know that the weight can be a lot more when full or nearly full compared to the Mini or Midi. My Mini is just a year old. If it was going on 3 years, that would be more of a factor. I'm still leaning to the CT 26 even though since I store it in a spare room - no workshop - my wife thinks smaller is better  [big grin].

Does anyone know on these types of recalls if Festool's warranty "starts over" for the new tools?

Thanks,

Chris

Chris, you guys up North need to consider future support of the Mini/Midi as GRegghead brought up.  Unless you absolutely need the smaller size vac I wouldn't risk holding onto the Mini/Midi without knowing Festool will support the products long in the future.

 

[hockey_magnet]

For me, being a hobbyist, I thought it would be no brainer to switch. I'll be honest. I bought the Mini mainly because of the price considering it has the same suction, Hepa, etc. and I didn't think capacity would be a big deal as a non pro user for my small home renos for myself and friends,.I have a Kapex, TS 55, 2 sanders and a 1010 (used rarely) that I use the vac for.  Thinking a bit more about it since although the weight empty is no issue at all, I've emptied a very full CT 26 and I know that the weight can be a lot more when full or nearly full compared to the Mini or Midi. My Mini is just a year old. If it was going on 3 years, that would be more of a factor. I'm still leaning to the CT 26 even though since I store it in a spare room - no workshop - my wife thinks smaller is better  [big grin].

Does anyone know on these types of recalls if Festool's warranty "starts over" for the new tools?

Thanks,

Chris

Chris, you guys up North need to consider future support of the Mini/Midi as GRegghead brought up.  Unless you absolutely need the smaller size vac I wouldn't risk holding onto the Mini/Midi without knowing Festool will support the products long in the future.

Thanks Brice, I kind of "assumed" that support would be available since I thought the vac is identical to the USA model which they are still selling, but you  and GRegghead raise a good point.

Chris

 

[nanook]

I am switching to a CT26.  

I actually was not going to return my Midi.    
In the end I decided to keep my CT Midi,  however it was a bit over a year old and the front plug was not keeping the power cords in (it just falls out all the time).  

My issue with the recall (I actually talked with a few people at Festool who told me on the phone that "there is a recall on the CT Midi in Canada") has been that the CT26 is not a comparable replacement to the CT Midi or Mini in terms of size and portability.  

Reportedly I have been told by Festool representatives that the only option is to exchange my CT Midi for a CT26.    
However, when I offered to bring them to small claims court - they did offer to refund my Midi w/ receipt.   Fair enough.   I would like to know why that is not a standard option as it was for the TS55 recall that is also currently happening?  

In the end a stock CT26 was not a good replacement for me - and since I had a minor issue with the CT Midi (see above), I decided to get that fixed under warrantee and to just keep the unit for personal use.
When I tried to warrantee the plug, I was told that Festool can not preform any work on the Midi in Canada - after explaining why the CT26 was not a suitable replacement b/c of mobility issues and that their not being able to make warrantee repairs was a problem, we were able to resolve the issue and Festool is replacing my CT Midi with a CT 26 and their including the rear accessory handle at no charge to maintain that mobility. Bags will be refunded or replaced with receipt.
Just received my UPS label yesterday and will get the unit in the mail Monday.
We will see how this goes, but 'cautiously' optimistic that Festool may have gotten their ducks in a row.  

At this point, I'm cautiously happy with the resolution to the issue.    

 

[hockey_magnet]

I am switching to a CT26.  

I actually was not going to return my Midi.    
In the end I decided to keep my CT Midi,  however it was a bit over a year old and the front plug was not keeping the power cords in (it just falls out all the time).  

My issue with the recall (I actually talked with a few people at Festool who told me on the phone that "there is a recall on the CT Midi in Canada") has been that the CT26 is not a comparable replacement to the CT Midi or Mini in terms of size and portability.  

Reportedly I have been told by Festool representatives that the only option is to exchange my CT Midi for a CT26.    
However, when I offered to bring them to small claims court - they did offer to refund my Midi w/ receipt.   Fair enough.   I would like to know why that is not a standard option as it was for the TS55 recall that is also currently happening?  

In the end a stock CT26 was not a good replacement for me - and since I had a minor issue with the CT Midi (see above), I decided to get that fixed under warrantee and to just keep the unit for personal use.
When I tried to warrantee the plug, I was told that Festool can not preform any work on the Midi in Canada - after explaining why the CT26 was not a suitable replacement b/c of mobility issues and that their not being able to make warrantee repairs was a problem, we were able to resolve the issue and Festool is replacing my CT Midi with a CT 26 and their including the rear accessory handle at no charge to maintain that mobility. Bags will be refunded or replaced with receipt.
Just received my UPS label yesterday and will get the unit in the mail Monday.
We will see how this goes, but 'cautiously' optimistic that Festool may have gotten their ducks in a row.  

At this point, I'm cautiously happy with the resolution to the issue.    

Nanook - did you have any discussion around what the warranty on the new CT 26 would be?

Chris

 

[Saskataper]

This whole thing really sucks for me, I am starting a big contract on Monday repairing water damage in a condo complex. It's been on the books for months and I had planned on picking up a mini just for it as there are 65 units spread over 20 2 and 3 story buildings that need repairs ranging from small water stains to removing and replacing large sections of drywall, all in occupied units so dust containment is a huge issue. Lugging my 36 AC up 3 flights of stairs for the 5 or 10 minutes it will get used would be a big pain, the mini would have been perfect. I guess I'm stuck with my noisy little ridgid toolbox vac.

 

[Frank-Jan]

After I got my ctl26, I purchased a boom arm for my old CT22.
So when I'm not using the boom arm, the CT22 has the "Accessory handle", and the "mobility" hasn't improved at all.

 

[Brice Burrell]

After I got my ctl26, I purchased a boom arm for my old CT22.
So when I'm not using the boom arm, the CT22 has the "Accessory handle", and the "mobility" hasn't improved at all.

Furthermore, the handle makes the CT26 vac so much larger I can't see how this could be a suitable replacement for the Mini/Midi in regards to small size.

 

[nanook]

really, thats a problem for me then.  
It looked OK at LV.
My issue is not space in the truck, its navigating narrow stairways in old Victorians.    Seems w/ the handle you can just pull it like a cart up the stairs?
I know the CT26+ is too wide (esp w/hose) to easily carry sideways up the stairs (and too long and awkward to hand carry the other way).
I like being able to use the vac to roll systainers into sites - so the accessory handle may be my best compromise.
I'd just like my Midi certified though

 

[SPARKY FROM WINNIPEG]

really, thats a problem for me then.  
It looked OK at LV.
My issue is not space in the truck, its navigating narrow stairways in old Victorians.    Seems w/ the handle you can just pull it like a cart up the stairs?
I know the CT26+ is too wide (esp w/hose) to easily carry sideways up the stairs (and too long and awkward to hand carry the other way).
I like being able to use the vac to roll systainers into sites - so the accessory handle may be my best compromise.
I'd just like my Midi certified though

Not sure where you are in Canada but in Winnipeg I can get any electrical device approved by the department of labour for a fee, if there is anything wrong with it they will let me know.

 

[nanook]

sent it back, but thanks there. 
IMO Festool really should have taken care of it if that is the case.
thanks though!

 

[nanook]

Just to wrap this up - despite being told they were reimbursing Midi bags twice by Festool reps (and incl receipt) - I just received my box of bags back, well over a month later. No note, nothing. WTF Festool?!