new member

[franklin pug]

Hello all

Im new here, and am just starting to get a few festool products - I build a lot of custom furniture in my hobby shop.  I recently bought a domino 500, with the tenon assortment, and I love it.  I am thinking about a festool vac, and that is what led me to this forum.

I am interested in, I think, a CT26.  I went onto the festool website and read the specs/comparisons, and most of the vacs share the same CFM rating.  I was wondering if any of you folks could help me choose an extractor.  I plan on getting a tracksaw (smaller model) in the near future as well.

ADMIN - If introductions are to be posted in a specific area, please feel free to transfer this thread over the correct location.

 

[leakyroof]

Ct-26 is a nice size. Holds a lot of saw dust or chips, but is not so large like a Ct-36 or 48 model when going somewhere with your tools.  Will handle the output from a track saw easily.
If you were more mobile or at job sites often, then the Midi usually gets the nod for its smaller footprint and less weight.
If you only plan on staying in the shop, then the CT-36 or 48 muight be a better bet based on your collection needs with less time devoted to bag changes since they're larger than the 26.

 

[Kev]

[welcome]

I've gone for the CT36 as it's just a tiny bit taller and a tiny bit more expensive, but with far more capacity. If it's workshop bound and won't face any stairs to empty, I think the CT36 is a cost effective choice. I also have a CT-Mini fo the more mobile stuff.

A lot of people have gone for a CT26 and introduced a Dust Deputy into the equation, but I'm not a fan of that option as I think it makes the setup clumsy and seems to have noted damaging static buildup issues.

Enjoy the Festool journey [wink]

 

[dpetrzelka]

The Domino is a great introduction to Festool - an incredibly useful tool, and of all the Festool offerings it is one that will truly change the way you approach projects.

After all of my research the CT26 is what I settled on as well. Its a good balance between size / weight and capacity. As i understand the specs all of the current extractors options have the same CFM rating. So it really comes down to size considerations. The CT26 is light enough to haul up and down stairs as needed (though it no light-weight) but not too much of a compromise on chip capacity. With the Domino and your future TS55/75, you'll be making some chips.

Enjoy, and welcome to the forum.

 

[shed9]

Hi franklin pug

As others have already said, the CT26, 36 and 48 are indeed effectively the same unit with differing capacities in the lower bin part of the extractor.

Try to look ahead with the requirement of your vac purchase. Your already talking about your next Festool, factor in your intended purchases (and times that by ten) when you size the vac.

I agree with Kev, a 36 is a good all rounder, having said that I suspect you will be happy with any of them.

 

[franklin pug]

Thanks for the speedy replies! 

Is there a "like" button here?  or a "thanks" button perhaps?

 

[franklin pug]

Its seems as though I should have provided more information, perhaps.

I have a decent collection of stationary machinery, and I use a dedicated DC for the larger machines.  I rarely leave the shop to work, so mobilty is less of a concern that performance.  The vac will probably live 99% of its life in a small, one car garage shop.

I would like to connect it to the domino, a future track saw, and perhaps a future sander.  Of course, only one tool at a time will be connected for dust extraction.

The price difference isnt that large between the 26 and the 36, about 75 dollars CDN.  So if Im going to spend festool money, another 75 isnt a deal breaker.

 

[Theshipstore]

[welcome] to FOG.
I have the CT26 and the midi...the 26 has the boom are and I use it in the shop always. the midi is my jobsite dc and I use it often. The midi is also setup to be used on my Kapex.
I have great success with them both, they are the perfect companion for my Festool world for sure.
You will need to consider where you next purchase will take you and chose accordingly.
The 26 is great for all around, the midi is smaller and more portable to carry around.
Good Luck on your choice and again Welcome

 

[stphnlwlsh]

[welcome]

I've gone for the CT36 as it's just a tiny bit taller and a tiny bit more expensive, but with far more capacity. If it's workshop bound and won't face any stairs to empty, I think the CT36 is a cost effective choice. I also have a CT-Mini fo the more mobile stuff.

A lot of people have gone for a CT26 and introduced a Dust Deputy into the equation, but I'm not a fan of that option as I think it makes the setup clumsy and seems to have noted damaging static buildup issues.

Enjoy the Festool journey [wink]

+1

[welcome]

 

[jacko9]

I purchased the mid sized extractor CT22 with my Domino several years back, I think the CT26 is slightly larger and it sounds like it will be just right for a furniture builder.  If your thinking about getting the Kapex chop saw later, then you might want one of the larger extractors.

Jack

 

[MattrYYC]

Welcome to the FOG, since you're in Canada - we only have the CT26 and above as options (long story), I picked up the CT26 a few months ago and I've been very happy with it. I have yet to change a bag, and won't need to for a while yet. How often do you empty your current vac and what size is it? That is probably a good way to judge the best size for you.

 

[jacko9]

Welcome to the FOG, since you're in Canada - we only have the CT26 and above as options (long story), I picked up the CT26 a few months ago and I've been very happy with it. I have yet to change a bag, and won't need to for a while yet. How often do you empty your current vac and what size is it? That is probably a good way to judge the best size for you.

Also, the bag prevents the HEPA filter from getting clogged and allows you to use the full capacity of your dust extractor whereas my big box store shop vac filter would clog up before the container was 1/10 full.  My CT22 is a bit smaller and I added a Oneida Ultimate Dust Deputy to my CT22 and I think that they have fully resolved the "static electrical discharge" issue with a good grounding scheme in their latest design.  The Oneida Dust Deputy allows me to add an additional 34L capacity in the system and I have emptied it several times and my Festool bag is still clean.

Jack

 

[SoonerFan]

[welcome]

I've gone for the CT36 as it's just a tiny bit taller and a tiny bit more expensive, but with far more capacity. If it's workshop bound and won't face any stairs to empty, I think the CT36 is a cost effective choice. I also have a CT-Mini fo the more mobile stuff.

A lot of people have gone for a CT26 and introduced a Dust Deputy into the equation, but I'm not a fan of that option as I think it makes the setup clumsy and seems to have noted damaging static buildup issues.

Enjoy the Festool journey [wink]

+1

[welcome]

+1

I went with a CT36 for my hobby shop.  Since I work at home most all the time the extra capacity for a little more money was worth it to me.  I combined my CT purchase with a track saw to get the discount you get with a CT & tool combo.

 

[franklin pug]

Welcome to the FOG, since you're in Canada - we only have the CT26 and above as options (long story), I picked up the CT26 a few months ago and I've been very happy with it. I have yet to change a bag, and won't need to for a while yet. How often do you empty your current vac and what size is it? That is probably a good way to judge the best size for you.

I currently use a large ridgid vac, connectd to a dust deputy, for my power hand tools (domino, sanders, jigsaw, etc).  It has a HEPA filter, so with the DD connected, I haven't emptied the shop vac in over a year.  I dump out the DD 5 gallon pail every couple of weeks.

It also appears that I will need to use disposable bags with the festool DE.  I didn't realize this, but it seems a crucial part of the design and filtration.

 

[shed9]

It also appears that I will need to use disposable bags with the festool DE.  I didn't realize this, but it seems a crucial part of the design and filtration.

This put me off originally as well, but the bags last a long time and the trade off against the better performance is worth it - you could always invest in a (stupidly priced) long life bag later on.

Soonerfan makes a vey good point re: combo purchase of vac and tracksaw. If you intend to get a TS then buying it at the same time as the vac will be a big saving.

 

[franklin pug]

It also appears that I will need to use disposable bags with the festool DE.  I didn't realize this, but it seems a crucial part of the design and filtration.

This put me off originally as well, but the bags last a long time and the trade off against the better performance is worth it - you could always invest in a (stupidly priced) long life bag later on.

Soonerfan makes a vey good point re: combo purchase of vac and tracksaw. If you intend to get a TS then buying it at the same time as the vac will be a big saving.

Yes, I will certainly combine the DE with another tool.  Either a track saw or sander.  I have another thread going about choosing a sander.  It seems I am down to the ETS 150/3 or ETS125.

 

[JoeAA52]

Hi Frank and welcome,

I have all of the vacums that festool makes and I love them all!  Basically all the vacums perform the same for the CT models so really it comes down to capacity and space usage.  I keep the CT48 hooked up with the boom arm rolling around my shop, the CT 36 has the work station on it and I use that one for all my sanders.  The T 26 i have hooked up to the Chopsaw which does fine for that. I also keep a CT 36 hooked up to the router table because with the design of Festools fence and vacum system it does a great job with the dust collection so I don't have to empty it frequently. 
Hope this helped.

 

[franklin pug]

Well I went with CT26 a while ago, and paired it with a sander, and then a Kapex.  Very happy with all my festool gear!