Need a second vac

[WarnerConstCo.]

I have a 22.  I get tired of needing one inside and one outside, at the same time.

I like my 22, not so sure about getting a 26 and having two big vacs.

But, I would like to use the second one for clean up as well, with my 36mm hose.

The midi is 400 bucks, the new 26 is 150.00 more and it has neat things.

I could sell my 22, buy a 26 and a midi, or just have two bigger vacs?

 

[Brice Burrell]

Darcy, this is a tough one.  I've got a Mini and I also have a 22.  Both have their place.  The smaller vacs are simply great for ease of moving it around the jobsite.  I'd describe carrying/moving the CT22 around the job as very doable, the Mini as super easy. Of course the small vacs are limited in capacity and the HEPA filter is an additional expense.  Having both is a very nice option to have.

 

[Bob Marino]

Yeah, what Brice said. 

Bob.

 

[RONWEN]

My perspective is always different than the contractor's because I don't have to move my tools outside of the shop.  I have the CT33 with a boom & Dust Deputy than does duty for all of the power tools in the shop however I intend to also get a CT36 for a little more mobile unit for clean-up around the shop.  It may be because I don't have to lug them around job sites but I don't consider either of them too bulky for that purpose.  The Mini might look really good to me if I were carrying it up & down stairs often.
I plan to get the CT36 in one of the Festool package deals including some other power tool that is on my wish list.

I see that across the product line the difference in weight is only a little over 9 lbs between the Mini and the CT36 and Festool has designed them all to be convenient to carry.  The argument could be the difference in weight when full however for a fair comparison there the CT36 should be emptied at the same capacity as the Mini when it's full.  http://hepa.festoolusa.com/hepa-vacuums/features/ergonomics/

 

[Brice Burrell]

Yes the weight when full is certainly a big difference.  What makes the Mini/Midi so easy to carry isn't just they it weighs less, it's that they are more compact.  That makes it easier to carry through doors and up stairs.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have the 22 and the Mini and I'm most fond of my Mini. The 22 doesn't leave the house anymore unless I'm taking the CS70 somewhere. The 22 is a great vac too but for my portable needs the Mini is much better suited. I mostly use it with the sanders, but it's also very handy for quick clean ups at home and the job site. But when I have to do a lot of sawing with the CS70 the 22 is better suited.

Regarding the weight, when the 22 is full you certainly notice the difference, I think a full bag can add at least 10 kilos.

All in all, I'm glad I got the choice between both and would advice anybody to go for the same comfort. Since you already have the 22 you could take that one out when really needed and use the Mini to make life easier with lots of smaller tasks.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I want 2 vacs on site.

Where I am working for the next couple months, I need to have stuff set up outside with my 22 and still need
something for inside as well.

I don't mind traveling with my 22, it gets wheeled out of the garage and into my trailer.

It is a slight issue going up and down steps with a bag that is getting full.

The big thing is it is only 150.00 more to get a new ct26 vs. buying a midi.

 

[tbellemare]

The new ones are narrower, which would address the point Brice was making about bulkiness.

Tom

 

[Guy Ashley]

Warner

I think I read that the new 26 is a bit lighter than the current 22, so makes the choice easier.

I use a Midi on site and its great unless I rig up the OF2200 router or the ELH 65 and it does struggle perhaps due to the 27mm hose not being able to cope with the volume.

I always thought the Mini was a bit small for most jobs, so plumped for the Midi, but now toying between getting a 26 for the workshop or another Midi.

Will read the reviews as they pour in.

 

[Brice Burrell]

The new ones are narrower, which would address the point Brice was making about bulkiness.

Tom

Tom, for all practical purposes, the 26 is the same size as the 22 with the hose garage. 

 

[Gaucho Woodworking]

All I use is the 33 model. I have two for the same reason a whole bunch of other guys have them.

 

[ccarrolladams]

So far I have not found an application the Mini can handle where I do not have space for a CT22.

When the time came for me to buy a second Festool dust extractor, I deliberately bough another CT22 so both could use the same bags. Currently one of my CT22s has the boom arm attached, so it has not left my shop. The 2006 CT22 normally sits beside a Kapex and is attached to it with a 36mm AS hose. When I take that CT22 out into the field, I leave the 36mm hose attached to the Kapex.

My cunning plan is to buy at least one more Festool vac. Now that I have a proper truck I could, in theory, take a CT36 into the field. Probably is is as easy to move within a location. Alternatively the new CT36 might be assigned to the Kapex. That auto collapsing bag would really help with saw dust collection especially. That seems less important with shavings from routers and planers.

It is not possible to own too many clamps! I am thinking the same applies to vacs and dust extractors.

 

[nickao]

Never can have enough Vacs, Festool or Fein. I may have the record for individual vacs. I went a bit crazy when the old Fein style was discontinued and my central vac was down when I was reworking the ducting.

 

[justinmcf]

for me personally it comes down to the difference in price.

the midi is au$840 and the ct-26 is au$1100.

the difference in weight between these 2 models when empty or full is only a few kilos, so that is not a deal breaker for me.

i would think i was getting better value for money buying the bigger vac.
therefor my choice would be the ct-26.
plus the ct-26 has more up to date technology as opposed to the midi which has been out for 10 years or so.

justin.

 

[Peterm]

I have a 22 in the workshop and a Midi for when I'm out and about and I certainly wouldn't want another 22/26 to cart around; actually I'm looking at picking up a Mini for the times when I need two vacs on a jobsite as for most of what I do on site a 22 is overkill. Might also be worth reminding folks that the Midi can take a 36mm hose, and it can (just!) be squeezed into the hose garage - not sure if that's the case with a Mini.

It's a fair point about the 26 being more up-to-date technology though, and if the size/weight/cost of a 26 isn't a deal-breaker and if it suits your needs, then go for it.

Pete

 

[jmbfestool]

Im in the same boat tired of needing one inside and out side!  I need  (want)  another Vacuum  I currently own the CT22  but like you im often have my Kapex and TS55 and planer set up out side  so I have my CT22 set up with it but I often need to disconnect the CT22 and bring in inside to either clean up or I wanna do some planning inside instead carrying something in and out in and out to just plane a bit of it. I do think often you need two vacuums and I have been thinking but I just dont wanna spend the money at the moment spending to much!   I have been thinking its a good excuse to buy the new 26  I did think about the Midi I wouldnt go smaller than the Midi but I dont think I wanna go smaller than the CT22 really. I think even the CT22 fills up quickly with some jobs so the Midi will only be worse.   I think I would go for the new 26 so you will have the 22 and 26 on site.  Well thats what im going to go for I think when I get my self to spend more money.

JMB

 

[grobin]

I have the mini and use it with a dust deputy for router table etc.  It handles large volumes well with a 50mm hose.  But I use the 27mm hose with my sanders, trim router etc. (no dust deputy).  I have looked at the 22 and its just too heavy for me with my arthritis.  I will take a close at the 26 when it comes out.  It would be nice to have a bit more oomph for the heavy tools outside and use the mini inside.  Moving back and forth gets old!

 

[rnt80]

I have a 22 and a midi.  The 22 stays in the shop and the midi only gets pulled out on site.  I had the 22 for about a year before I picked up the midi.  While it was manageable on site it just proved to be too bulky to be moving around.  Additionally, anytime I had to take it with me to a job I had to disconnect it from my shop made boom arm and pack up the hose and cord.  It just proved to be a hassle and a big waste of time.  Buying the second vac was one of the best things I've done to stay more efficient.