Mini vac questions

[Brice Burrell]

This has been mentioned in other threads but Matmax makes reasonably priced re-usable filter bags for Festool vacs, including the mini.  They are cloth with a zipper so  you can easily empty them.  Matmax is located in England but will ship to the US.

http://matmax.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=27_68

Jay

Jay, have you purchased any of these bags, if so what can we expect as far as quality and for shipping cost.

 

[TOOLTOWN]

I've been wanting to get a 36mm hose for use with the Kapex but don't want to spend a $150 on a hose just to cut it in half!! Love to find someone with a half hose sitting around [big grin]  Anyone else feel like once the vac gets to about 2/3 full it starts losing suction?

Check out what I've just posted here:  http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-sales-dealer-area/short-kapex-hoses/new/#new

We are now selling pre-made short hoses for the Kapex.

Let me know what length you need,

Ken

 

[Brice Burrell]

In the last 7 weeks I went through;

20-CT 36 bags

10-CT-22 paper bags

10- CT-22 fleece bags

20- CT Midi bags

25- CT Mini bags

I find the cost of the bags to be minuscule. I know the cost of the bag and can predict how many I will use. What I can never figure out is what is the cost to me to clean up the dust if I don't collect it. I cannot see cutting the bag open and creating a cloud of dust. Just not worth it to me to save a few dollars.

Tom

Tom, I wouldn't call the cost for that many bags minuscule, by my math you're at $600 or so.  I don't see good value in the disposable bags for production work.  You could have paid for reusable bags for all of the vacs at that cost and been far ahead of the game for future use.  I know there is some inconvenience in dumping the reusable bags to factor into the value equation.  

 

[tjbnwi]

More dust was collected than chips. I believe the disposable bags are more for chips. It is a great value being able to walk over to a garbage can and just drop the bag into it. We were the only contractor to cut on the finished floors of the hotel. Everyone else had to go a room set up just for cutting. Being able to demonstrate that we left the place in better shape than when we got there was of very great value.

Tom

 

[mastercabman]

In the last 7 weeks I went through;

20-CT 36 bags

10-CT-22 paper bags

10- CT-22 fleece bags

20- CT Midi bags

25- CT Mini bags

I find the cost of the bags to be minuscule. I know the cost of the bag and can predict how many I will use. What I can never figure out is what is the cost to me to clean up the dust if I don't collect it. I cannot see cutting the bag open and creating a cloud of dust. Just not worth it to me to save a few dollars.

Tom

Tom, I wouldn't call the cost for that many bags minuscule, by my math you're at $600 or so.  I don't see good value in the disposable bags for production work.  You could have paid for reusable bags for all of the vacs at that cost and been far ahead of the game for future use.  I know there is some inconvenience in dumping the reusable bags to factor into the value equation.  

That's what I'm thinking too
That's almost $100.00 a week! 

 

[jbasen]

This has been mentioned in other threads but Matmax makes reasonably priced re-usable filter bags for Festool vacs, including the mini.  They are cloth with a zipper so  you can easily empty them.  Matmax is located in England but will ship to the US.

http://matmax.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=27_68

Jay

Jay, have you purchased any of these bags, if so what can we expect as far as quality and for shipping cost.

Yes, I purchased 2 a while back and I was very satisfied with the quality.  That beings said, I haven't used either of them yet.  I have a dust deputy ultimate on top of my mini and I fill up the dust deputy with dust and shavings; not the bag in the mini  ;D

I don't remember exactly what my shipping was but here is the quote from the other thread I mentioned

Description  Unit price  Qty  Amount     
•  Dust bag (ZIP!) for: Festool CTL (CTM) 26  £4.99  5  £24.95     
Subtotal  £24.95     
VAT 20%  £4.99     
Shipping and handling  £7.99     
Total  £37.93 GBP
From amount  $64.22 USD
To amount  £37.93 GBP

Exchange rate: 1 USD = 0.590625 GBP
Payment sent to MatMax (UK) Ltd
Invoice ID 1129

In fact here is the link to the other thread. It includes photos and additional info

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/zip-vacuum-bags-for-the-ct-mini/

Hope this helps

Jay

 

[tjbnwi]

In the last 7 weeks I went through;

20-CT 36 bags

10-CT-22 paper bags

10- CT-22 fleece bags

20- CT Midi bags

25- CT Mini bags

I find the cost of the bags to be minuscule. I know the cost of the bag and can predict how many I will use. What I can never figure out is what is the cost to me to clean up the dust if I don't collect it. I cannot see cutting the bag open and creating a cloud of dust. Just not worth it to me to save a few dollars.

Tom

Tom, I wouldn't call the cost for that many bags minuscule, by my math you're at $600 or so.  I don't see good value in the disposable bags for production work.  You could have paid for reusable bags for all of the vacs at that cost and been far ahead of the game for future use.  I know there is some inconvenience in dumping the reusable bags to factor into the value equation.  

That's what I'm thinking too
That's almost $100.00 a week! 

The bags were 0.004% of the bid total. Barely a blip in the project cost. You just have to remember to include their cost in the bid.

Tom

 

[AlexThePalex]

In the last 7 weeks I went through;

20-CT 36 bags

10-CT-22 paper bags

10- CT-22 fleece bags

20- CT Midi bags

25- CT Mini bags

I find the cost of the bags to be minuscule. I know the cost of the bag and can predict how many I will use. What I can never figure out is what is the cost to me to clean up the dust if I don't collect it. I cannot see cutting the bag open and creating a cloud of dust. Just not worth it to me to save a few dollars.

Tom

Tom, I wouldn't call the cost for that many bags minuscule, by my math you're at $600 or so.  I don't see good value in the disposable bags for production work.  You could have paid for reusable bags for all of the vacs at that cost and been far ahead of the game for future use.  I know there is some inconvenience in dumping the reusable bags to factor into the value equation.  

That's what I'm thinking too
That's almost $100.00 a week!  

The bags were 0.004% of the bid total. Barely a blip in the project cost. You just have to remember to include their cost in the bid.

Tom

If 85 bags for, lets say 3 dollar each to be conservative, is 0.004% of the total bid, then according to my math the total bid is around 6.375.000 $ for 7 weeks work ?  

Probably a mistake somewhere, but I completely agree the cost of bags for a project is negligible compared to all other costs.

 

[tjbnwi]

Alex, math was correct, how I typed it was incorrect------0.4% of the total job cost.

Tom

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I think the Mini vac is great. It just gets filled up way too fast. Also, I can see why guys have a separate vac on the Kapex, so that it's always ready to go without having to switch outlets and hoses.

 

[tjbnwi]

I think the Mini vac is great. It just gets filled up way too fast. Also, I can see why guys have a separate vac on the Kapex, so that it's always ready to go without having to switch outlets and hoses.

You'll be wondering some day------how do CT's multiply by themselves. I have 4 and could use a couple of more. Might get a 48 for the shop.

Tom

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I think the Mini vac is great. It just gets filled up way too fast. Also, I can see why guys have a separate vac on the Kapex, so that it's always ready to go without having to switch outlets and hoses.

You'll be wondering some day------how do CT's multiply by themselves. I have 4 and could use a couple of more. Might get a 48 for the shop.

Tom

Yes, Tom! I may be on to my third Festvac soon! I think the Midi is next. What a pain switching hoses back and forth between the Kapex and the sanders.  BTW, boy, does that HL 850 come in handy on site! What a great tool!

 

[tjbnwi]

I just purchased a used 850 with the undulating head included. I'll try it out over the next couple of weeks. I have to set up the CMS TS-75 insert I purchased a couple of months ago first. It's still have not opened the box it arrived in. I hope all the parts are with it.

Midi is a nice vac. Bite the bullet and get a 36 mm hose for the Kapex station. Cut it to fit properly. Order extra cuffs and make up a second short 36 mm hose.

As you can see, I don't care how I spend other peoples money

Tom

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I just purchased a used 850 with the undulating head included. I'll try it out over the next couple of weeks. I have to set up the CMS TS-75 insert I purchased a couple of months ago first. It's still have not opened the box it arrived in. I hope all the parts are with it.

Midi is a nice vac. Bite the bullet and get a 36 mm hose for the Kapex station. Cut it to fit properly. Order extra cuffs and make up a second short 36 mm hose.

As you can see, I don't care how I spend other peoples money

Tom

Yes, I have a 36mm hose just for the Kapex...still need to cut it. Tom, would you prefer the Midi with the Kapex or the Mini?

 

[Theshipstore]

Jim    I have been using my midi on the Kapex, I made up a 36 mm short hose for it and it works great, I keep it tucked under the UG cart when I am working

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Thanks, Sal! Yes, this makes sense.