Opinions on CT SYS?

[deepcreek]

The CT SYS has been out for a while now and I wanted to get some feedback from owners before making a purchase.

Having transitioned from trim carpentry to furniture, most of my work is done in my shop where I control dust with a CT36, Fein Turbo II, Industrial Shop Vac, and a Jet DC-1100 collector (not to mention the JDS air scrubber mounted to the ceiling).

I do occasionally make "house calls" for onsite installations and have been considering the CT SYS for cleaning up afterwards.  I'm wondering if this is all it's good for or if it can be pressed into duty attached to a track saw or sander. 

I'm hoping CT SYS owners can tell me what they like or dislike about this unit.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Joe

 

[Poindexter]

I just picked one up on an impulse buy last week.  After using it as a lacquer sanding dust collector attached to both the 150/3 and RS2 I'm seriously considering taking it back.  If there was a way to tone-down the suction it would be perfect for this, but the suction is too powerful for this kind of application.

If it were just a tidying tool, I'd have no issues.

 

[semenza]

I have one, I have used it for a variety of tasks.

  Good for track saw.

  Routers yes, but small capacity will be an issue.

  OK, for sanding bare wood or removal with the Larger pad size sanders. The small pads restrict airflow too much.  Too much suction for most between coat finish sanding.

  Worked fine with drill DC attachment.

  It is nice to have for some jobs or an additional vac for a real install. But a Mini will give you the full performance range in a size that is only a little bit bigger.

Seth

 

[Poindexter]

It is nice to have for some jobs or an additional vac for a real install. But a Mini will give you the full performance range in a size that is only a little bit bigger.

Nice suggestion.  I might have to "upgrade."

 

[semenza]

Heights ........................

      CT- SYS 10 5/8"

      CT Mini  16 1/2"

      CT Midi  18 1/2"

Foot print of Mini / Midi about 2" large both ways.

    So CT-SYS is definitely smaller but if you need the full performance the others will do better.

Seth

 

[semenza]

I've had one since early last fall. Used with TS75, domino 500, Rotex 90, Pro5 in workshop and out and as a general on site vac. Sure the bag is small but it's worked great. The only annoying thing is the constant breathing pump sound it makes. As with any tool, it may not be the tool for everyone.

I get this when using the smaller pad size sanders but not much with the larger ones.

Seth

 

[ajcoholic]

bought one as soon as it came out.  we use it a lot, works great.  Still haul one of three CT26/48 out if need be, but Ive used the SYS for solid surface counter tops, 1400 router and 55 track saw enough to know its a great little vacuum.

 

[bkharman]

I use mine for a lot of tasks where I don't want to lug the 26 up and down steps.

I use it to clean up, with my ETS EC 125 for drywall touch up, with the drill attachment like Seth mentioned. I take the hose garage off a lot of the time as it gets in the way and without it, it might as well be a backpack it is so light.

If you get it, get the lifelong bag as it can fill up quick.

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Twoodman66]

+1 on the long life bag

 

[ErikSteven]

I have 2 of the Ct-sys to go along with 6 other festool vacs. It's the only vac that I personally take with me to every job. I keep my full install kit in my pickup w/ toneau cover so space is important for me. I use it for everything. Most annoying problem is the breathing like others have mentioned. Long life bag is a must for me. I will be buying more in the future to for my other installers.

 

[leakyroof]

I have 2 of the Ct-sys to go along with 6 other festool vacs. It's the only vac that I personally take with me to every job. I keep my full install kit in my pickup w/ toneau cover so space is important for me. I use it for everything. Most annoying problem is the breathing like others have mentioned. Long life bag is a must for me. I will be buying more in the future to for my other installers.

. I've been kicking around the idea of getting the CY-Sys, but I have to run one again to hear this 'breathing' sound.... [blink]
I think the lack of variable suction can be fixed with a rotating sleeve that has a series of holes drilled in it or an opening, sort of like the Festool Hand Sanders Pads with that valve at the end of the pad . But, we will see... [cool]

 

[deepcreek]

I've been kicking around the idea of getting the CY-Sys, but I have to run one again to hear this 'breathing' sound.... [blink]

Me, too!

Thanks for all the responses guys!  I'm still undecided and may just get a little canister vac like this Atrix.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EYBAMZ4/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_12?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

It would work fine for installs that only require a light cleanup afterwards. 

If I need to do sawing, sanding, or routing, I'd bring a bigger vac instead.

Joe

 

[kaseri]

Here is my solution for the lack of variable suction on the CT SYS.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/ctl-sys-review/msg463617/#msg463617

One could also invest in a Festool blast gate along with the Y adapter but the above solution is considerably cheaper.

 

[Poindexter]

But a Mini will give you the full performance range in a size that is only a little bit bigger.

Thanks again for the suggestion Seth.  I took my CT SYS back today and switched to the Mini.  I now think the Mini is absolutely the way to go if $$$ ain't an issue.  It isn't that *much* bigger, has variable speed, wheels, and isn't much heavier.

 

[eightball]

Need a small vac (already have a couple of CT's).

The CT Sys might be overkill for me (mostly cleanup, etc).

Other than the canister vac suggested above, any other recommendations for small vac's if I decide to not splurge on yet another festool product?

Thanks for any tips.

 

[ear3]

[member=6237]deepcreek[/member] I got the Festool bypass adapter for when I want to sand with my CT-Sys hooked into the RTS (it works fine on the ETS 150 and Rotex 150):http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/dts400-problems/msg459396/#msg459396

It's NAINA, but I'm sure there are ways to get it.

I've had a funny relatrionship with the CT-Sys.  I got it fairly soon after it came out, but then returned it within the 30 day window.  Partly for the lack of suction variability (this was before I got the adapter), and partly because it didn't seem worth it for me as someone who was primarily shop based.  But I was on a site job over the winter doing a staircase, and realized that it would be a good fit, so I purchased it again.

Since then I've really seen it's value for site work.  I was doing a job in recent weeks where I had to roll my gear a couple of city blocks -- up and down the curb and across uneven asphalt -- then down the stairs through the apartment building service entrance, then up to the 11th floor.  Because I had the CT-Sys I could do most of these runs in one trip with everything stacked on the Sys-roll or Sys-cart. 

On site it is more than sufficient for cleanup, handles sanding just fine, and some light tracksaw work.  I even used it on my Kapex one day, though it did not capture nearly as much dust as the CT26.

It is also now my main house cleaning Vac.

The vac would not be worth it to me, however, if I didn't do site jobs on occasion.

 

[deepcreek]

Thanks, Edward.

I ended up with the Atrix canister vac from Amazon.  No regrets.  Great value.  Also, good for light housekeeping.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EYBAMZ4/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_12?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

It's been perfect for small clean ups on the rare occasions when I do an onsite install.  That's usually just dust from drilling a few holes to attach something pre-built.

If I needed one or more of my Festools, I'd just bring my trusty Fein Turbo II.  The CT36 has the workcenter attached and stays in the shop.

 

[leakyroof]

Since my post in February, I've purchased the clever, compact CT-Vac and really like it for what it is.... A compact Vac that stacks right in with the rest of my Systainers and is easy to move.
As noted in other posts, I tamed the lack of Variable Suction with an aftermarket hose that has an adjustable suction gate/nozzle on it. Problem solved.
Sure, the bag capacity is smaller than my MIDI Vac, but for the right jobs, it's perfect... [tongue]

 

[Michael Kellough]

Bought a CT Sys many months ago but only started using a a couple weeks ago. Didn’t think I’d fed it much but the bypass valve was staying open and suction was very poor. Finally opened it up for the first time (hey there’s a couple tools in here) and discovered I’d bricked the bag. As one of the guys above said, a fully loaded bag (at the point where it’s not productive to keep it running) is only about 75% full.

Managed to wriggle the bag out and took it to a vac with with Cyclone to empty it. (If I bought replacement bags I’ve misplaced them.) Was surprised how much stuff came out of the bag and pleased that it is poly fleece instead of paper because it has to keep working until the replacements arrive.

 

[nclemmons]

I have one and really like it.  I purchased the reusable bag which empties easily.  Would be nice to have variable speed, but suction and portability are really good for that size vac.  I agree on the small sanders it does limit their ability to deliver a nice finish.

But the fact that it goes in a stack really makes moving it to the site easy.  I have a  Midi and CT26, but frequently grab the CT Sys unless I need variable speed.