mini or midi?????

[russ_1380]

Hi everyone.

I am looking at a Festool dust extractor, the small portable ones.

Over here in the UK, the midi is ?30 dearer than the mini.  The only difference I can see between them is the bag size?  7.5 litre or 12.5 litre?

Do you think its worth the extra ?30 going for a midi over a mini?  I suppose the main benefit of a bigger bag is that you would have to change it less often than a smaller bag.

I am still quite new to this;  however one thing for sure is I am sick of getting coated in saw dust when cutting mdf! 

My dealer only has the midi in stock but can get the mini in. Ideally I'd like to pick one up today as I need to cut more mdf later.

So would you guys recommend spending the extra ?30 to get the larger capacity bag machine?

thanks

Russ

 

[justinmcf]

hi russ, i guess it all depends on your application, and what is suitable for you. i would personally spend the extra 30 quid and get the midi.

regards, justin.

 

[russ_1380]

hi justin

Yes, sorry it will be mainly for my domino and ts saw.  They churn out a surprising amount of dust when using mdf

I'd probably use it now and again for whizzing over my bench just to clean up the worst dust that accumulates there, but the main use would be to attach to my tools.

I probably use them for say 5 hours of use a week.

Can these vacs take non festool bags?  I just checked the price of festool bags

 

[Brice Burrell]

Russ, forget about the price difference and focus on what tool better fits your needs, you'll likely be happier in the end that way. As for non-Festool filter bags, I remember reading on the AU woodworking forum about someone finding a product that fit one of the Festool vacs. A better option might be a cyclone, we have a few options here in the States, not sure what you have available in the UK.

 

[russ_1380]

cheers

got the midi one.

It seems to be a good option, the auto start function plus the 3 year warranty are a good luxury worth the price.  Hopefully it will save my lungs from mdf as well.  As they used to say, you can't put a price on safety!

Do you use MDF in the States?  i heard someone mention they were trying to outlaw it due to the health concerns?

 

[AlexThePalex]

Ideally I'd like to pick one up today as I need to cut more mdf later.

So would you guys recommend spending the extra ?30 to get the larger capacity bag machine?

NEVER buy an expensive machine on an impulse.

When you gonna spend some good money on it, think it thoroughly over and take your time. Never think "I'm gonna need it this afternoon.", unless you're so rich you can buy a new one tomorrow if you don't like it. If you want to saw this afternoon and are still undecided, eat the dust or hook up the home vac with tape if you have to. It'll work. In the mean time, think over the specs of the machine, think about the intended use and discuss it with people. Posting here is a good start.

Main reason to choose for a Mini or a Midi is that you want to be mobile I think. If you don't want to be mobile and keep the vac in the shop then I think you shouldn't be looking at the Mini or Midi at all but at the CTL 22. Especially if you intend to hook it up to big dust makers like a TS or the Domino. You are going to be much more happier with the CTL 22 then.

If you do plan to take it out to the job site, then the extra capacity of the Midi might be a plus. It's not much heavier or larger than the Mini but does pack an extra 5 liters of storage capacity. You shouldn't be bothered in that case about a price difference of a mere 30 quid.

On the other hand, if you're looking at the Mini/Midi vacs over the CTL 22 because of the price difference mainly (the CTL 22 is quite a lot more expensive), then I'd suggest at looking at a used CTL 22 over a new Mini/Midi. You can get a used CTL for less than a new Mini
and it's just as good as a new one because Festool's are built rock solid.

But seriously, take your time to think it over before you buy. Unless you're a millionaire of course, then forget what I said.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Ah well, too late. But people like me have to thank people like you. Impulse buyers are why people like me get brand new stuff dirt cheap off of eBay . Anyway, I hope you won't get disappointed. The suction power of the Midi tends to be less than with the bigger model vacs.

 

[scoffelt]

I went with the Midi myself, I've used it a lot and have not filled the bag yet.  But I use it for the tools only, I have a Fein that was my first vac i use for general cleaning.  If I did not have the Fein, I would have gone with the CT22.

 

[clev1066]

Russ, I think you'll be fine with the midi. I would have also suggested the ct22, but I got mine used for less than 1/2 of retail; so it is easy for me to love it. My used unit came with the "long-life" filter bag which is a $200usd option (wow that bag cost new what I paid for the package). After a few months working the TS55, of 1000, and 150ets sander, the bag was only about half full; and it was heavy as a brick. I emptied the "long-life" bag, cleaned it up proper and started using the replaceable bags. I've since added a Domino and have been on the same bag for a couple of months. I think I still have a ways to go before filling it. In the States, the Festool bags are less expensive than the bags for my 16gallon Ridgid shop vac, so they seem like a bargain to me. I'm keeping the "long-life" bag around, as I don't have anything invested in it; but I don't really see ever using it.

I run all of my hand-held tools from the CT22, and only use the Ridgid for the miter saw and cleanup. The Festool doesn't move enough CFM to keep up with my miter saw, and the same goes for cleaning a dirty shop at the end of the day.

Mind, I have a mostly conventional shop with antique American, McMinnville iron for most of my stationary tools, so I use a dedicated dust collection system  with those beasts. Still, I wouldn't be without either a Fein or Festool extractor for my hand tools.

So what did I really just say......

The bags aren't that expensive, the midi should work fine with the TS and Domino, and there is an available HEPA filter if you find the need.

Also, we use MDF quite a bit in the States. I hate the material myself; but still use it from time-to-time.

Best wishes

 

[russ_1380]

cheers guys

Yes I had a go last night, it works good enough for me.  Its only intended for my hand tools, if I ever get some large stationary machines I'll be getting a dedicated dust extractor.  A local school near me will be getting rid of their Axminster so I might have a look at that one.

I haven't ventured on to hard wood yet, just man made sheets.  I'm still kitting the garage out in to a useable workspace so simple things such as sheving racks, cupboards, benches are al that I'm building at the moment. 

Russ

 

[Peterm]

Hey there

Sorry, a bit late to this thread (been on hols) but FWIW I have a Midi for carting about and a CT22 in the workshop, and in actual use find very little to choose between them. The CT22 shifts more air, but it's significantly bigger (and more expensive) than the Midi, and certainly with the Midi, I've never wished I had something just a little bit smaller...

I had the Midi as my only Festool Vac for years and it coped admirably - actually I had it hooked up to an 8" floor sander this week, and it worked superbly, even if I did manage to fill three bags in three days

Anyway, I think you bought the right vac for your needs.

Cheers, Pete

 

[nico]

hey,
everyone is talking about the  CTL22 but the question was mini or midi , my experience  ... is that on most jobs using the OF 1010 or TS 55 the midi works perfectly (I bought it because of the bigger bag...) , I'm now using it now for about 18 months and it works perfectly.
It does what it has to do

Kr
Nico