New to Festool - need some advice

[denrusso]

Greetings all.  I am very new to the Festool brand, having only recently learned about it.  I've been astounded by what I have seen and read.  I'm a new homeowner and becoming an avid DIYer.  I've been buying many power tools as projects have come up and most have been DeWALT.  I've been extremely happy with all my purchases.

I'm thinking about purchasing a dust extractor and am currently considering the CT26 or the DeWALT DWV012.  It seems that the DWV012 might be replaced shortly by a newer model (guessing here as it's sold out at homedepot.com).  I do have the DeWALT DWS780 mitre saw and assume the two will work nicely together.  How difficult will it be to use the CT26 with the DWS780?  Can anyone comment on using the CT26 outside of the festool family?

I'd like to think that in the future I would expand on a collection of festool products, but at this point, I'm just not certain I'll be able to justify the costs.  I guess my question is if the CT26 were the only festool product that I own, will I be disappointed when trying to use it with other tools?

Any input / advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
dr

 

[RKA]

Welcome to the FOG!

The CT26 will connect right to the dust port on the back of the 780.  It's a snug fit, but it fits.  You will want to get a 36mm hose.  It works better with the saws. 

As to how it functions with other tools, worst case you need an adapter to connect it to another tool.  What you might be less impressed with is the other brands' tool design and how much thought went into dust extraction.

 

[semenza]

Hi dr,

Welcome to the forum  [smile]

What  he  ^  said .
               

Seth

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Agree w/ previous members.  Check the CFM ratings. I think the CT 26 is higher. Also, the CT has an interface with the tool that plugs into it, whereby the tool turns the vac on when you depress the tool's switch. (A similar interface can be purchased at amazon) I use a small power conditioner between the tool and vac...this way, I can have multiple tools plugged in at the same time.  If you get the CT, then get an Oneida Cyclone to save on vac bags. Hope this helps.

 

[K119Phil]

Yo [welcome] to the FOG!

x4 to all the guys above

In terms of CFM, the DWV012 and CT26 are pretty close, BUT, the CT26 does win out with lower decibel rating for noise, a real plus if you're working at home. 

Also, if you're intending on leaning into the Festool lineup, the Systems (all tools working together) approach does mean you will gain an increasing margin of return with each additional Festool acquired.

As advised previously, pickup a 36mm hose to utilize additional air velocity for dust/chip extraction.  The hose is most commonly acquired as part of a cleaning set (497700) for better purchase value.

Here, have another drink of the green kool-aid ;D

 

[sancho57]

Im so addicted to the green kool aid, i just buy green and blue and dont sweat the rest.

 

[RC]

Since you're in the US you might want to look at the packages offered with the vacuum there - I think there is a package deal on the vacuum and the track saw or was it with the sanders? You'll save $'s in the long run.

The Festool vacuum is a treat to use and for DIY use I wouldn't sweat over the bags... I'm on my first one (emptied it multiple times) for the third year and the 5-pack isn't that expensive. Unless you're working every day you'll be just fine with the normal bags. 26 litres of sawdust is suprisingly much! (Got a CTL26 E AC myself, you won't need the AC function unless you're sanding lots of drywall btw.)

P.S. As a public service I'll issue the compulsory warning of drinking the coolaid - its a slippery slope to Festoy nirvana once you get the first taste  [tongue]

 

[semenza]

There are packages offered for most vac with tool combinations in the USA.  Price works like this ---  buy the tool get 10% off the vac.  Order #s  for the package combinations are different from the regular item numbers.

Seth

 

[RKA]

Also, the CT has an interface with the tool that plugs into it, whereby the tool turns the vac on when you depress the tool's switch. (A similar interface can be purchased at amazon)

That gets into a slightly different but related issue.  I suspect the CT will run just fine with the Dewalt saw connected (based on previous discussions about the limits of the AC outlet on the CT's), but your breaker might not be too happy if it's a 15A circuit.  Other outboard solutions allow you to connect to two different circuits, which might be necessary with the dewalt + CT.

I just realized I've only run the Dewalt with my rigid shop vac, never run it with the CT since I got it last May (other than dry fitting the hose to the dust port).  I could test it if you want, but it would have to wait until at least the weekend. 

 

[JPatrickWinstead]

In general I like DeWalt tools. They're definitely my #2 brand after Festool.

I have a CT26 and a DW703 miter saw. They work fine together. With the 27mm hose dust collection is OK; not as good as I'd like but much better than nothing. I'm sure a 36mm hose would improve things.

Occasionally I have to rig up some sort of adapter to use the CT with non-Festool tools.  But keep in mind that a standard 2.5" shopvac hose will pop right into a CT, so that makes you easily compatible with a lot of what's out there. I use that setup with my little job site TS (DW745) and the DC is really great.

I've used the miter saw and the TS plugged into the CT outlet and never had a problem tripping breakers.

The CT wasn't my first Festool, but knowing what I know now if I could only have one it'd be the vacuum.

 

[fin]

i picked up a ctl midi and then a ts55 fairly recently. until now ive just had to let the saw dust go on the floor and sweep up later. my tools are a variety of makes. makita, dewalt, fein, hitachi and bosch amongst others. i was a tad annoyed that i had to go and make little adapters out of waste pipe to get the hose to fit. the dust extraction for my makita router is particularly poor. though it does seem to get all the very fine stuff. i have a dewalt dw701 mitre saw and the dust extraction on that is a waste of time considering it was designed for use with an extractor.

my bosch planer was the only one that worked straight away with the extractor. my makita jig saw extraction attachment needs tape to make it slightly larger so the extractor hose fits it. and the multi master i own has no chance of connecting up.

one other tool that works out the box with the extractor is my random orbit sander and thats just a cheapo £30 tool that ive had for a fair few years.

the manufacturers should try and standardise all this so it works properly and saves everyones health

think ill have to get me a cleaning set so i can have the 36mm hose like.

 

[denrusso]

Thanks for all the input!  Purchased the CT 26 and OF 1400 - also went with the 497700 cleaning set and edge guide for the router.  I'm thinking about taking it further with an MFT and TS 55 REQ and some additional accessories.  At this point I would be set and only be lusting for a CMS.

With the MFT and TS 55, how difficult is it to rip down some 1x4 to specific off-set widths?  I'm in the process of remodeling my home and need to install some window returns (if that's what they're called - maybe it's the jamb?).  The depth from the wall to the window is approx 3" at the stool and slightly less at the top of the window.  The cut will be straight, but the result is a piece that is tapered?  Is this even making sense?  If it does, and you follow it, can you tell me if it's possible?

Thanks again!
dr

 

[TVan]

Easy - I do it all the time.

Just draw or scribe the cut line on the board
lay the track on the part you are keeping (for a 1x4, put some long scrap under the track to keep it from tipping)
align the track's plastic edge with the cut line (saw will cut outside that line)
Use the TS 55 to make the cut.

If you have multiple identical cuts, you can clamp down some scrap so you don't have to measure each time. You will want some clamps to use your MFT to full advantage.

Note - if you scribe the line and it is not straight, you can't use the track (by design it only cuts dead on straight) - good excuse to buy a Carvex

Note - Cut on a sheet of 1" pink/blue/green foam board so you don't carve up your table top