One Vacuum to Rule Them All.....

[teton176]

Howdy folks:

My first post and it's going to go in a few different directions so please be patient  [wink] [embarassed] The question relates to which Festool vacuum I should buy. Here are parameters:

-I am going to be sanding and repainting my kitchen cabinets. This morning, an RTS 400 and multiple pads were purchased. Woo hoo!
-My current shop vac is a "Frigid" and I hate it. While it does clean up general car/garage/construction dirt, it is useless as a dust collector. It's so loud that hearing protection is needed to use it.
-The goal is to purchase a Festool Vacuum that will serve as a dust collector for the RTS 400 and then serve as a general shop vacuum afterwards. Is this feasible/reasonable?

While money is not endless, I'd rather pay more for a unit that will fit the bill. Features such as Bluetooth tool/vacuum activation are not nearly as important as dust collection, low noise, portability and and longevity. The CT 15 seems like it would do, however, suggestions are welcome. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Jim_in_PA]

My personal method is to use the Festool extractor for just that and for big cleanup tasks, I prefer the "Fridgid" and just use hearing protection. Why? The Festool excels at the extraction task and by sticking with that I'm not using expensive consumables and not gunking it up with things. The cost of a larger hose for the Festool (if you buy Festool brand) is more than the cost of a modest "Fridgid" shop vac that includes the larger hose and cleanup tools, too.

I have two CTs in my shop; an old CT 22 that's now dedicated to my KS120 and a new CT Midi which takes care of all the hand-held electric tool extraction needs. A small "Fridgid" 4-ish gallon vac hangs out for when it's needed. (I have an identical one that was my dad's up in the garage for cleanup there and in vehicles)

 

[teton176]

My personal method is to use the Festool extractor for just that and for big cleanup tasks, I prefer the "Fridgid" and just use hearing protection. Why? The Festool excels at the extraction task and by sticking with that I'm not using expensive consumables and not gunking it up with things. The cost of a larger hose for the Festool (if you buy Festool brand) is more than the cost of a modest "Fridgid" shop vac that includes the larger hose and cleanup tools, too.

I have two CTs in my shop; an old CT 22 that's now dedicated to my KS120 and a new CT Midi which takes care of all the hand-held electric tool extraction needs. A small "Fridgid" 4-ish gallon vac hangs out for when it's needed. (I have an identical one that was my dad's up in the garage for cleanup there and in vehicles)

Thanks Jim, makes sense. We're planning on selling the house in 2-4 years and a flap ton of repainting work will be needed. I have a "When" drywall sander so dust collection will be of high value on the painting job. In your opinion, is the CT 15 a sound choice for cabinet and wall sanding? "Arbor Eight" has a dust collector that costs less than the CT 15 but there's an old saying, "The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten". Please holler back regarding the CT 15. Thanks!

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I'll recommend the CT Midi as a better choice than the CT 15, but the CT 15 is certainly capable. It's just a more "utility" device than the CT Midi and above. Of course, there's a cost involved here, too, but I respect that as part of your decision.

 

[Cheese]

Jim pretty much nailed it.  [smile]

The Rigid for general cleaning chores and a CT 15 or CT MIDI for dust collection. These 2 vacs have the same capacity and weigh the same. The CT 15 lacks a hose garage and lacks Bluetooth. Unfortunately the CT 15 also can't be retrofitted with either of these later on so you need think about that before you make a decision.

Personally, I prefer Bluetooth and wouldn't purchase another vac without it.

 

[mino]

A "single vac to-rule-them-all" for a home user, you want the CT Midi. You really do. The value of the Bluetooth remote on the hose in saved time is hard to quantify. Plus the braided hose and the hose garage are both things you want in a "rule-them-all" vac.

If you needed to add a dedicated one in future, go with the CT 25 to add to it.

In the first purchase, if at all possible, get the CT MIDI + Cleaning set (#577258) + Bluetooth remote (#202098) + tubes set (#203137) + a pack of CT 15 bags. Then let your SO play around with it before you start using it in anger ... including showing how the hoses connect to each other for 7m hose reach, how light and easy to reach high places the multiple tubes are etc.

Later add a CT 25 to split one motor unit for home use one for shop use or any other way aplicable.

---
If you are hard-limited on budget, get the CT25 for the big tub as the first purchase. Then add the cleaning set with the D36 hose. Once settled up, look for a CT MIDI unit complement it..

My 2c.

---
Do add your country in your profile - this forum is global and different offerings are available in different markets. For now I presumed you are US based.

 

[teton176]

Jim pretty much nailed it.  [smile]

The Rigid for general cleaning chores and a CT 15 or CT MIDI for dust collection. These 2 vacs have the same capacity and weigh the same. The CT 15 lacks a hose garage and lacks Bluetooth. Unfortunately the CT 15 also can't be retrofitted with either of these later on so you need think about that before you make a decision.

Personally, I prefer Bluetooth and wouldn't purchase another vac without it.

Thanks Cheese. I'll look at both and make a decision. Sometimes product features like Bluetooth seem extraneous until you use them and and "How did I get by without this?" becomes apparent. 

 

[teton176]

A "single vac to-rule-them-all" for a home user, you want the CT Midi. You really do. The value of the Bluetooth remote on the hose in saved time is hard to quantify. Plus the braided hose and the hose garage are both things you want in a "rule-them-all" vac.

If you needed to add a dedicated one in future, go with the CT 25 to add to it.

In the first purchase, if at all possible, get the CT MIDI + Cleaning set (#577258) + Bluetooth remote (#202098) + tubes set (#203137) + a pack of CT 15 bags. Then let your SO play around with it before you start using it in anger ... including showing how the hoses connect to each other for 7m hose reach, how light and easy to reach high places the multiple tubes are etc.

Later add a CT 25 to split one motor unit for home use one for shop use or any other way aplicable.

---
If you are hard-limited on budget, get the CT25 for the big tub as the first purchase. Then add the cleaning set with the D36 hose. Once settled up, look for a CT MIDI unit complement it..

My 2c.

---
Do add your country in your profile - this forum is global and different offerings are available in different markets. For now I presumed you are US based.

Thanks Mino and I'll look into your suggestions.

 

[cpw]

I use a CT26 as my main vac for sanding, routing, and general cleanup while remodeling.

I have a RIDGID vac, but I only use it for water cleanup.  I have the CT26 foam breaker; but it has less capacity and is harder to drain than the RIDGID vac with a pump.

The Festool system is just much more pleasant and organized with a hose and the remainder of the cleaning kit in a systainer 2.

You could get the CT15, but I would strongly suggest you get Bluetooth.  For general cleanup, having the trigger at your hand rather than 10' away is a big deal.  Especially if you are cleaning up after a tool, it is nice to just disconnect, hit the remote, and go rather than disconnect, walk back to the vacuum, then walk back to the mess.

 

[squall_line]

You could get the CT15, but I would strongly suggest you get Bluetooth.  For general cleanup, having the trigger at your hand rather than 10' away is a big deal.  Especially if you are cleaning up after a tool, it is nice to just disconnect, hit the remote, and go rather than disconnect, walk back to the vacuum, then walk back to the mess.

The remote button comes in handy for preventing messes of accumulated debris when disconnecting the bayonet-style fittings on tools, too.

 

[onocoffee]

Almost six months ago, I was kind of in your position - thinking about which CT to buy. My dealer recommended the MIDI but at then $679, I was like: "That's kind of a lot when the CT15 is considerably cheaper." He told me much of what you're hearing now: it's got Bluetooth, hose garage, nicer hose, etc.

But it's $679.

With a bit of hesitation, I decided to get the MIDI. The day before I was going to pick it up, Harbor Freight dropped their Hercules Dust Extractor and it looked like a doozy. $300 for similar features with variable suction speed and more accessories. Maybe I should get that and buy the ETS 125 as well - and still have spent less than the MIDI.

I decided to go with what I had already decided: the MIDI and man, I am glad I did. Better form factor, better integration with the rest of the Festool system. I've now got the CT-VA 20 separator sitting on top. And that Bluetooth...

Yeah, you think: "Bluetooth? On a vac??? That's dumb." And a dumb idea it is. Until you start using it. And now it's Brilliant! I don't want to live without it. No more walking back to the vac to start. It seems superfluous but once you use it, it's Genius.

Like Jim, I also have a Ridgid 14ga shop vac with Dustopper separator on a vertical cart. I use that for general shop cleaning because its suction speed and capacity is greater than the MIDI. Shop cleaning, jointing, band saw, belt and oscillating sanders - I use the Ridgid for all these. The MIDI is for the sanders, Domino, jigsaw, track saws - the handheld stuff.

And that Bluetooth? I've come to love the Bluetooth remote so much that I put a wireless remote on the Ridgid - not to mention upgrading the bag and filter to HEPA rated so it's much cleaner.

But why the MIDI and not the larger ones? Cost and capacity. I've come to find out that I don't really need the capacity of the 26+ and the suction of 137cfm vs the MIDI 130cfm is minor. The MIDI really is an excellent choice.

 

[BigDan]

I use a old well loved CT26 for everything festool... However, I did run into a Dewalt Vacuum (DEWALT 9 Gallon STEALTHSONIC Ultra Quiet Poly Shop Vacuum Wet/Dry, DXV09P-QTA Noise Reduction Vac for Shop, Heavy Duty Shop Vacuum for Jobsite/Workshop, Reduce Motor Noise, Yellow)

This thing can collapse my cheesy CNC hose so I had to buy a different one.  It is so quiet, I cannot hear it above the CNC and have to put my hand on it to ensure it is running.  Amazon has them for 156.00 which is more than most "Off The Shelf vacuums at HD or Lowes" however, the silence is golden.  It has more "vacuum pressure" than my CT 26 but does not have an automatic "on" like the Festool does.  All in all, between the Dewalt DXV09P-QTA (make sure you get the QTA which is the stealthsonic version), CT26 and the Harvey G700 for the 4" stuff, it all works well together. 

Hope this helps.

Thanks
D

 

[ChuckM]

snip. The CT 15 seems like it would do, however, suggestions are welcome. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Some posters who came here for advice ended up buying the higher models even though they had the CT15 in mind to start with. I had a CT26 (plus a dust deputy) but sold it after a few years, and later when the CT15 came out, I snatched one without any second thought and use it with a DD as well. For me, there're no practical differences between the two to justify the additional cost.

If you do end up sticking with the CT15, you can ask further about how to add a Bluetooth feature to it with a simple shop hack (for about $30 Cdn).

Unlike the hose I got, the CT15 now comes with an anti-static hose.

 

[SoonerFan]

[member=83007]teton176[/member] I concur with the suggestion from [member=61254]mino[/member] that a MIDI, cleaning set and a CT with a larger tub equate to a great long term solution. I have MIDI which is normally under my Kapex but gets moved for any mobile work. The cleaning set is very handy. I use mine all the time. For a larger tub, I went with the CT36 and the long life/reusable bag. I do my general cleanup with the CT36. To start I would get a MIDI if you will be working in different locations given the mobility.

Good luck and welcome to FOG!

 

[onocoffee]

[member=57948]ChuckS[/member] Don't hold back now! What is this magic hack for Bluetooth on the CT15!

 

[mino]

Festool eKat part #204759 "Screen"; $177

[smile]

 

[Crazyraceguy]

One vac to rule them all, and practical/cost based are not really the same thing. "One" is not necessarily the best way to go anyway. So, it depends on how you use an extractor. If you are going to be moving it around, especially up/down stairs, the smaller ones are better. (A CT-26 with a nearly full bag is quite a beast to carry.)
Like many of the others, I have 2 extractors. The first was a CT-26, before the BT module was even available. When they came out, I thought it was silly...oh boy, was I wrong. It really is great.
When I needed a second one, I got a CT-15, mostly because the CT-25 didn't exist yet. I think I would have one with that? but, that may have been a mistake. Having a very capable smaller/lightweight unit can be very helpful too. BlueTooth would be nice though.

At this point, if I was restricted to one, it would be a Midi. Changing a bag a little more often is a small price to pay, for portability, but that BlueTooth remote is worth the difference.

Totally agreed on the cleaning set too. That is still the best way to get a 36mm hose, plus the brushes.

 

[leakyroof]

Don't rule out a Used Vac. They're out there, in various sizes/models. Agree with the Bluetooth, wait till you're on a ladder, sanding, and you've got that feature.... [cool] [cool] [cool]
I went a different route for an all around Vac to complement my Festool Vacs.  Fein Vac, Turbo 1 model.  Super Quiet, fairly inexpensive bags, rolls well, has a nice long hose, Great Suction, and most of the Festool and Fein Vacuum tools are switchable between the two models since the hose end size is roughly the same.

 

[ChuckM]

[member=57948]ChuckS[/member] Don't hold back now! What is this magic hack for Bluetooth on the CT15!

Sorry, not my intention to hold anything back, but I didn't want to hijack the discussion if the OP wasn't interested in the CT15 in the end.

Here's the hack:https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...-25-vs-ct-midi-and-ct-26/msg703351/#msg703351

My implementation, still based on SDT's approach, using a small light instead of a fan is given in reply #7, The hack has worked like a charm for over a year now.

 

[teton176]

Don't rule out a Used Vac. They're out there, in various sizes/models.

Thanks. I've been looking but haven't come across anything compelling yet. Some tax refunds should be coming in soon and I might just adopt a "Buy once, cry once" purchasing attitude.