Midi vs ct26

[Pmc2013]

Hey everyone.  Looking to the veteran for some advise.  I am looking at the ct 26 and the midi to compliment my limited festool collection.  I do a lot of painting and light carpentry.  I hope to add a ts in the near future.  I guess I like the mobility idea of the midi but hesitant about its capacity and lack of accessory upgrades.  My thought is the ct 26 cannot be too much harder to lug in and out of homes and rooms.  Any experiences and or recommendations?

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I own both vacs.

The MIDI is awesome for quickie in-n-out projects, and is the perfect match for smaller tools like Domino, TS saws, sanders, etc... VERY nimble in interior spaces.

The CT-26 is noticeably less agile in tight locations. That being said, if you think you'll want to extract from bench-top tools (CMS, Kapex, table saw), then you'll want a CT-26 and a D36 hose.

Unless you think you'll be filling up 1+ bags/day, I wouldn't get too hung up on the difference in capacity of the 26 vs MIDI, rather I'd look more at do you want something more nimble, or something that could accommodate larger tools.

Hope this helps!!

 

[Nick C]

Lighter is better, but you're right--the CT 26 is really not that heavy, and the bigger rear wheels are nice. If you plan to do sawing, routing, and site clean-up, then I think you will appreciate the larger capacity of the CT 26, so that would be my recommendation.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Nick has a great point, the CT-MIDI will suck up dust with the best of them, but immediately struggles with any sort of "chunks", let's call it anything larger than a marble or so.

 

[bionicus]

If you're constantly up and down staircases or in tight spaces you'll appreciate the Midi. Otherwise just go with the 26, if for no other reason than the hose attaches front and center so when you tug it along it follows instead of immediately T-boning a wall.

 

[RKA]

Nick has a great point, the CT-MIDI will suck up dust with the best of them, but immediately struggles with any sort of "chunks", let's call it anything larger than a marble or so.

Well, if they have the same suction capacity, that leaves the elbow on the midi connecting the hose to the vac, right?  And if you want to use a 36mm hose, that elbow is replaced with a straight connector?

 

[Pmc2013]

That was another consideration.  The hose hook up seems better on the ct26. 

 

[epicxt]

I have the 26 and am planning to add the midi as soon as I finish the job I'm on (and get paid. The 26 is nice for stacking a bunch of systainers on and rolling into the job, but for interior work I want the smaller footprint. Also  for my workflow it's really nice to have one ct for the Kapex and another with a y-connector with blast gates for running the ts and router/sander,etc.

Another consideration is that when the 26 is nearly full it's pretty darn heavy.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Nick has a great point, the CT-MIDI will suck up dust with the best of them, but immediately struggles with any sort of "chunks", let's call it anything larger than a marble or so.

Well, if they have the same suction capacity, that leaves the elbow on the midi connecting the hose to the vac, right?  And if you want to use a 36mm hose, that elbow is replaced with a straight connector?

I don't get why Tom says that. The Midi does NOT struggle with "chunks". The elbow connection has no noticeable effect at all.

It is the 27 mm hose that has a problem with sucking up larger chunks, and that problem occurs equally with the Midi and the CT 26, or any Festool vac with a 27 mm hose.

 

[Scott B.]

It is possible to overload the right angle connection on a midi with debris. It is capable of suction that can overwhelm the ability of material to travel through the right angle. I find it happens mostly when a partial hose clog clears and sends a large cluster all at once, and it is most likely to happen when the bag is more than 75% full.

It won't happen on fine dust, but larger matter that is sucked up during floor cleanup can do it.

 

[tjbnwi]

I have a Mini, Midi, 22, and 36AC. They all have their place.

The Mini is best at in and out. It's small foot print and capacity is a blessing and a curse. Fits in small space, easy to carry, but fills quickly. Small wheels it rolls okay.

The Midi is just that, got it for those 'tweener jobs. Will most likely dedicate it to the Kapex with a 36 mm hose. The top inlet is best for this.

CT 22 was my first. You never forget your first. It has served me well for many years. Travels and tools well.

CT 36 AC was purchased with the Planex. I use it for all other tasks. Can be difficult to get through a home due to weight and bulk. I should put HEPA filters in it for the wood working.  

Which ever one you decide on they will make your life easier. The picture is of almost 100 liters of collected dust after 9 hours of cutting. 2 CT 36 bags, 1 CT 22 bag.

Tom

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Nick has a great point, the CT-MIDI will suck up dust with the best of them, but immediately struggles with any sort of "chunks", let's call it anything larger than a marble or so.

Well, if they have the same suction capacity, that leaves the elbow on the midi connecting the hose to the vac, right?  And if you want to use a 36mm hose, that elbow is replaced with a straight connector?

I don't get why Tom says that. The Midi does NOT struggle with "chunks". The elbow connection has no noticeable effect at all.

It is the 27 mm hose that has a problem with sucking up larger chunks, and that problem occurs equally with the Midi and the CT 26, or any Festool vac with a 27 mm hose.

Sorry about that, I should have explained better.

The elbow connection on the CT-MIDI is a MAJOR ISSUE if you're sucking up long splinters of wood or other long debris, for instance when performing general job site cleanup. If they're longer than a few inches long, they can't turn the corner, so they sit there in the hose and plug up everything that comes behind them. To clear this obstruction, you need to remove any systainers off the top of the vac, pull the hose, and try to get some needle nose pliers up in the elbow to pull out the obstruction. I've learned my lesson on this, but every time a new sub shows up I need to educate them so I'm not wasting time clearing an obstruction.

Also, I almost always use my CT-26 with a D36 hose, so I forget that some folks still use a D27 hose with theirs.

If you have to own 1 vac, and you want it to do everything, yeah then go for the 26. If you are primarily looking for an interior fitting vac for your smaller tools and dust pickup, then it's the MIDI, all day long.

BTW, the "Compact Cleaning Set" is a fantastic accessory for the MIDI, definitely look at picking it up with your purchase, you'll love it!
http://www.festoolusa.com/power-tool-accessories/hepa-dust-extractors/cleaning-sets/compact-cleaning-set-497697

 

[Pmc2013]

Thanks for all your input.  I think I will end up purchasing the ct 26.  I think it's just a bit more versatile.  I do a lot of plaster repair work and I keep thinking of the "marble size chunks".  Should I need another dust extractor that's more maneuverable I know what to do. Anyone have or use the mini?  Thoughts vs the midi

 

[tjbnwi]

I have the Mini and Midi. I'm old and the Mini is easier to carry. Other than that they're both good.

Tom

 

[rljatl]

Is it possible to use a Mini bag in a Midi vac?  How about a Midi bag in a CT26?

 

[bionicus]

Is it possible to use a Mini bag in a Midi vac?  How about a Midi bag in a CT26?

Yes. No.

 

[Kev]

I'm CT-Mini + CT36

Mini for portability and the 36 stays in ad around the workshop.

As I get myself more organised I'l get another 36.

I wouldn't suggest a 36 if you're in and out of a van - the 26 could get quite heavy as it is.

 

[Pmc2013]

Well I pulled the trigger today guys.  I went with the midi. Once I actually got my hands on the CTs I felt the 26 was just to large to pull in and out of rooms/ vehicle.  Thanks for all your insight and I'm sure their was no bad decision.

 

[overanalyze]

If you buy the fleece self clean bags, you can empty them once they get full pretty easily. I have been using the same bag for a while. This way capacity is less of an issue. Just don't do this for RRP lead paint activities.

 

[iamnothim]

I'm a garage hobbyist.  I choose the CT-Midi and I love it.
I read about clog issues so I simply grab a 8" garden rake and whisk up all the chunks first.  Takes 5 minutes.

I've never had a clog at the elbow.  If I do have a clog I just remove the wand from the hose and the obstruction is right there at the front of the hose.
Since all the CT's have the same CFM, I went for size and portability.  I don't stack Systainers so the Midi is the perfect size for DIY homeowners.

I am waiting for a hose adapter to arrive because the "Y" hose with the CMS Router table will not fit in the corner.