New for 2023 - CT-25 - Swap the tub to the MIDI-I?

[squall_line]

Saw the new CT-25 listed in the "Fall 2023 releases" email from Festool.

Looking on the website, and based on the price, it appears to be a CT-15 on a much larger tub.  No hose garage, no Bluetooth, no wrapped hose, no brake.  Overall height with the loss of hose garage is only 13 mm taller than the CT-MIDI-I with the hose garage (508 mm vs 495 mm).

I think the CT-MIDI-I and the CT-15 shared a tub size, even if the 15 didn't have a brake. Based on the elimination of the CT-MINI-I from the lineup, I'm guessing it wasn't a popular size compared to the MIDI-I and 15.

Other than the brake, were there any other differences between the MIDI-I and CT-15 tubs?  If not, then the loss of the brake means that dropping a CT-25 tub under a CT-MIDI-I head unit might be a good way to upgrade the size of an existing MINI-I or MIDI-I for someone who likes the pad-style panel and integrated Bluetooth but doesn't want to spend CT-26 money to get the higher capacity.

It'll be interesting to see how this new larger unit without many bells and whistles segments the market, if at all.

 

[Lincoln]

Interesting that it's only 'L' Class.

 

[ChuckM]

CT25 is CT15 enlarged in its capacity. Skip the first 2 mins:

 

[Mr Speaker]

Hilarious that the omission of the brake is presented as a feature that prevents 'accidental braking', yeah that was always the problem with my MIDI I. For my stationary CNC vac, i just ordered the CT 25 tub. The CT 15E and MIDI I use the same bags, so my gamble is that the tubs are interchangeable. the 25 liter bag is more expensive, but less than 25/15 more expensive. I am upgrading my MINI I to MIDI and one of my MIDI to 25 liter. BTW, I would never buy the budget CT series for lack of systainer stacking and Bluetooth.

 

[ghhsolutions]

I have a Midi I and the new CT-25. I can't believe I didn't think of the option of swapping the tubs! I'm off to the workshop . . .

 

[ghhsolutions]

Yep, I've just made a CTL Maxi. Result!

I have a Midi I and the new CT-25. I can't believe I didn't think of the option of swapping the tubs! I'm off to the workshop . . .

 

[mino]

It gets better ... you can purchase the CT25 tub as a spare part and upgrade your Mini to have two tubs.

I like the idea of having a CT25 tub in the shop while taking the "top" of a Mini, attaching it to an (empty/light) "mini" tub and there one goes for mobile work.

This is even more practical with the CT26/36/48 series where the CT48 tub assembly (with wheels etc.) is quite affordable and may even pay itself with cheaper bags in shop use.

 

[ChuckM]

Hilarious that the omission of the brake is presented as a feature that prevents 'accidental braking', Snip.

Who knows. Maybe Festool would one day release a CT that its brake can be controlled via Bluetooth, too! [tongue]

 

[Coen]

It gets better ... you can purchase the CT25 tub as a spare part and upgrade your Mini to have two tubs.

I like the idea of having a CT25 tub in the shop while taking the "top" of a Mini, attaching it to an (empty/light) "mini" tub and there one goes for mobile work.

This is even more practical with the CT26/36/48 series where the CT48 tub assembly (with wheels etc.) is quite affordable and may even pay itself with cheaper bags in shop use.

How many people even do that? It's akward to store; might just as well get the extra motor head and hose (= complete machine).
The CT 48 tub assembly is €154 as well. Not that cheap.

 

[mino]

It gets better ... you can purchase the CT25 tub as a spare part and upgrade your Mini to have two tubs.

I like the idea of having a CT25 tub in the shop while taking the "top" of a Mini, attaching it to an (empty/light) "mini" tub and there one goes for mobile work.

This is even more practical with the CT26/36/48 series where the CT48 tub assembly (with wheels etc.) is quite affordable and may even pay itself with cheaper bags in shop use.

How many people even do that? It's akward to store; might just as well get the extra motor head and hose (= complete machine).
The CT 48 tub assembly is €154 as well. Not that cheap.

TLDR:
The flexibility does really matter when it fits ones use case. Though I agree it is mainly useful for a low-volume/hobby user.

That said, grabbing just the vac top instead of the full vac with 20+kg (50+ kg in case of a CT48 tub) of dust for mobile work is just a PITA. But not enough PITA for having a second vac standing around doing nothing most of the time - I need my CT "mobile" generally 5-6 times a year, not more really.

------------
Well, a new CT25 tub for a Mini is €100-ish.
A new CT25 is €400-ish.

IMO this makes sense more for hobby users than pros. I have a CTM 36 AC and it is a PITA when I need to use it in AC mode ... would be very much more practical to have a tub dedicated for bagless AC use so one does not need to clean it every time.

Eventually, I expect to "solve" my setup by getting a CTL 26 and going for a setup like below:
CTM 36 AC + CT26 tub + bags + CT-VA => primary shop vac for mittre saw + cutting station

CTL 26 top + CT48 tub + bags + arm => secondary "mobile" shop vac for sanding and complex stuff as well as general cleanup

option:
a mobile setup with CTM 36 AC + CT 26 tub + bags, sans CT-VA
a mobile mineral stuff CTM 36 AC + CT36 tub + dedicated main filter for bagless use

The thing is, as a hobby user, i need the AC function rarely, but when I do, removing a 20+kg semi-full bag from the tub for bagless use is a real PITA.
Just grabbing a "bagless use" CT36 tub is far more convenient. Plus no need to clean it completely..

 

[Mr Speaker]

I use a Cyclone, and a CT-20VAC separator on my vacs. Because of that I bought a MINI and not a MIDI. But, they use the same bag. Sometimes I use them on site without a separator and the one at my CNC could use a larger bag. So I bought a CT26E tub and upgrade all three vac I own, moving them up a step in capacity. All mobile ones are MIDI I and the stationary is 26 liter. Yes it cost me about 100 and I sold the MINI tub for 50. It all fits well. And now I don't accidentally set the brake on my CNC vac which caused a lot of problems in the past. Glad they solved that. I use the brake only during transport btw.