I need a vac

[K119Phil]

[not worthy] ccarrolladams is spot on. 

 

[ericbuggeln]

NE, I have two different CT22 set ups you can check out. The 30 series is too big to lug around. The 20 series can even be dicey in tight stairwells. I like the long life bag. It has a huge price tag and some people think its ridiculous, but I have been very happy with the cost to performance ratio. Plus throwing away bags is just a waste. Some jobs you still need the Ridgid. Eric

 

[USToolandFastener.com]

Based on our experience the MIDI seems to be a great "middle of the road" Dust Extractor.  Same suction capacity as the MINI but 1.3 gallons more capacity and not much larger.  The only thing is if you're sucking up a lot of big chips those bags will fill up fast and that can get expensive.  With that said, the CT26 with Longlife filter bags is probably you're best bet, much more capacity and the Longlife (re-useable) bags are available for the CT26 (will save you some $$ by being able to empty and re-use) we have both in stock and free shipping! 

 

[Jalvis]

I like the Mini......avoid anything larger if your lifting the vac often.  Otherwise get the 26.  Now that the CFM is the same on all models theres no need for a larger unit unless you want the accessories.

 

[skids]

I find that every time I ask a question similar to this it leads me down the same path every time. You need more than one!!!  [wink]

 

[johninthecamper]

I can see a third one someday

 

[NERemodeling]

so then the question is if you are going to end up with two (or three) then what are the best two...  the midi and the 36?

i feel like the mini is just too small and the 48 starts to get two big,    if you get the midi and the 36 then you are spaced by one model, the 26,  which would be to similar to either the 36 or midi so why bother?  does that make any sense??

 

[ericbuggeln]

John, what do you do specifically for work? Eric

 

[johninthecamper]

stagehand and fabricator

 

[builderbob]

The 26 and up can utilize the handle, boom arm, work center, etc. midi and mini are pretty limited as far as those accessories are concerned...26 and up are just capacity at that point. The 26 is pretty heavy with a new bag...I could imagine a loaded 36 being too heavy to lug around!

Bob

 

[ericbuggeln]

Johninthecamper, I actually meant John from NERemodeling, how embarrassing, but I have read about what you do and it sounds cool. If you are an everyday remodeler who has a shop that you do built ins, in then you would want two CT26s. The 36 is too big for field work and the 26 is the perfect ratio of capacity to maneuverability. It is really nice to not have to get a DC out of the truck all the time, but if you are gonna use the system, you would need a DC in the truck at all times. When I'm doing a big build, I bring the DC in from the truck and then I have two, which allows me to not have to move them around much. If you are a remodeler the little ones are way to small in my opinion. Rough demo you still need a shop vac, but everyday stuff I use the CT. I can tell you one thing, if you get the Long Life Bag, you will wonder why Festool didn't just make it a stock item? Eric

 

[johninthecamper]

so then the question is if you are going to end up with two (or three) then what are the best two...   the midi and the 36?

i feel like the mini is just too small and the 48 starts to get two big,    if you get the midi and the 36 then you are spaced by one model, the 26,  which would be to similar to either the 36 or midi so why bother?   does that make any sense??

you wont be getting to many festools with that kind of thinking.how many have more than one saw, drill or sander? shouldn't that same reasoning apply to dust extractors

 

[NERemodeling]

so then the question is if you are going to end up with two (or three) then what are the best two...  the midi and the 36?

i feel like the mini is just too small and the 48 starts to get two big,    if you get the midi and the 36 then you are spaced by one model, the 26,  which would be to similar to either the 36 or midi so why bother?  does that make any sense??

you wont be getting to many festools with that kind of thinking.how many have more than one saw, drill or sander? shouldn't that same reasoning apply to dust extractors

Its not about limiting myself to one or two rather since i am starting fresh i would like to make smart purchases that i dont feel are compromised in any way.  Ive also got to pace myself so its about figuring out which is best to start with for being most versatile.

John, what do you do specifically for work? Eric

I thought maybe you meant me,  sorry i was late here could have saved some confusion.  I do general remodeling, gut jobs where i would be cleaning up old plaster and blown in insulation, cleanup after sheetrockers (do any of them own vacs)  wood framing mess, tile work, cleanup at end of the day and all aspects of trim work (everything site built)    obviously bigger demo chunks could be swept up first

Its so weird for me to think that a 7 or 9 gal vac can be sooo heavy since my 12gal ridgid is never that bad,  then i realize thats because there is never more than 1 gal of dust in it before the filter is toast

 

[ericbuggeln]

It sounds like you need a CT26, a shop vac, and a dust pan and just use whatever makes sense. I only bring my shop vac if I'm doing demo. The hose that comes with the CT 26 is much smaller then the hose on a standard shop vac. I actually have all the hoses if you want to check that out. Eric

 

[skids]

The 26 weighs about 7 pounds more than the Midi. I don't think thats a dealbreaker by any stretch. Sure it's heavier, but presents alot of advantages that have to be considered.

I would have started with the 26 if I had it to do over. I love my midi, but want a 26 in addition, possibly as a replacement. The midi is a PIA to change hoses, I would advise giving strong consideration to that aspect if you are going to swap hoses alot. And inevitably you will get into the Festool system and sand, and cut etc and need to use two hoses regularly.  Trust me, changing the hoses on a midi when your mid job focused on something else really stinks. And I haven't even mentioned the differences in cord wrap/storage.

If it's only one vac you want need, there is NO perfect vac in the festool lineup. But...The best compromise IS the CT26. It gives you some portability, and room to grow and better ease of use overall.

 

[NERemodeling]

stagehand and fabricator

Similar to what im doing right now.  Im sitting up on a spotlight tower doing a tech rehearsal...  every year i run1 of 2 spotlights for a local Easter play. Nice change of pace.

 

[johninthecamper]

I've been done that before, at the county fair,flimsy,  scafolding towers,near the beach, wind, spray ,salt.constant movement makes it hard to follow smoothly,hard enough indoors. unfortunately I never say no,just wish I got more money sometimes(all the time) .truss spot is my favorite,usually like a belly gunner,over the crowd or talent

 

[FulThrotl]

The 26 and up can utilize the handle, boom arm, work center, etc. midi and mini are pretty limited as far as those accessories are concerned...26 and up are just capacity at that point. The 26 is pretty heavy with a new bag...I could imagine a loaded 36 being too heavy to lug around!

Bob

i have a 36 in my van. there are times i'm just cleaning up an area of construction debris,
and little bags fill up fast, and the cost is prohibitive. i had a 22, and when i had to
get the lead certification, i went with the 36. when it's completely full of drywall dust and
concrete dust, it weighs about 65 lbs.

i was tougue and grooving 2x6's for a subfloor, with a 2200, and little bags and vacs
aren't gonna work..... then i had a brilliant idea.... turned off the vac, routed all the wood,
and used the chips and damp sawdust as sweeping compound......  [huh]

note to self: 3/8" tounge and groove makes a lot of chips on 2x6 fir.

 

[NERemodeling]

The 26 and up can utilize the handle, boom arm, work center, etc. midi and mini are pretty limited as far as those accessories are concerned...26 and up are just capacity at that point. The 26 is pretty heavy with a new bag...I could imagine a loaded 36 being too heavy to lug around!

Bob

i have a 36 in my van. there are times i'm just cleaning up an area of construction debris,
and little bags fill up fast, and the cost is prohibitive. i had a 22, and when i had to
get the lead certification, i went with the 36. when it's completely full of drywall dust and
concrete dust, it weighs about 65 lbs.

i was tougue and grooving 2x6's for a subfloor, with a 2200, and little bags and vacs
aren't gonna work..... then i had a brilliant idea.... turned off the vac, routed all the wood,
and used the chips and damp sawdust as sweeping compound......  [huh]

note to self: 3/8" tounge and groove makes a lot of chips on 2x6 fir.

since you have had the 22 and now have the 36, do you ever regret getting the 36,  do you ever dread taking it out of the truck, carry it up to a second floor just to clean up a little dust??  how is the 36 going up and down stairs when it is full or even empty?  im still having a delima about which to get.    buying bas for the 36 makes alot more sense $$ wise in the long run.

thanks

 

[jacko9]

The CT22 was my first vac the only complaint is that it is cumbersome to move from room to room and up stairs especially for short projects. I got the MIDI for my Kapex and it has become my favorite vacuum. Easy to carry around and has the same power as the larger models. Mobility of the vacuum is key in on site work with Festools.

If I had to do site large debris cleanup regularly I would buy an Oneida dust deputy that I can hook up to a large garbage can. A couple of people have done it and you can find different treads in this site about it.

Bruce

I added a Oneida Dust Deputy to my CT22 and now I don't have to worry about bag replacement.  It still has the same vacuum suction as far as I can tell but, I can clean up a lot of messes without replacing the CT22 bag.

Jack