Question on the CT-SYS

[Reese T.]

Very new:  Thinking about pulling the trigger and purchasing a CT-SYS.  Large purchase for me.  I do a lot of mirror & picture hanging, making 1/2" holes in drywall is creating a lot of dust, I need to "up my game".

Are there any specials in terms of a time of year? For example, VETO offers a really great deal in the spring.

In the Handyman Journey group on Facebook, I go by Reese Tee (in case there is any overlap).---
Reese

 

[semenza]

Welcome to the forum!

    In the USA Festool does not have any regular sales, actually almost no sales at all. Occassionally, a special on a particular item but nothing to count on.

    Sounds like you will want this accessoryhttps://www.festoolusa.com/accessory/500483---d-27-bsd

Seth

 

[nvalinski]

Just as a consideration - there is a new cordless variant on the horizon (no confirmed date for the US market) if you need greater mobility and bluetooth connectivity. Alternatively, there are other cordless vacuums that might fit the bill as well.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Welcome, Reese.

The CT-SYS is a great little vac, ideal for the task you describe. Although I have a much larger extraction setup because I'm a professional woodworker, I also bought a CT-SYS as it's just so handy for small jobs where hauling in the big fella is too cumbersome and impractical. Just bear in mind that it only has 5 litres of capacity, and definitely isn't designed for all-day-every-day use.

It also comes with a couple of tools which are housed inside it. The flat upholstery nozzle is especially useful - you can hold it under the hole as you drill, capturing all of the dust at source.

As Seth says above, Festool's pricing is pretty rigid globally, although you might get lucky if you shop around and find one at the right time. Don't ever expect a huge discount from anywhere, though.

Best wishes from the UK.
Kevin

 

[neeleman]

When doing a lot of drilling holes in walls this is the best accessory for a vacuum: Festool D27-BSD (#500483).
It's a vaccum dust catcher which sticks to the wall and does suck up the dust.
It's capable for drills up to Ø14 mm.
It's also available from other European manufactures such as Metabo and Starmix.

 

[Michael Kellough]

When doing a lot of drilling holes in walls this is the best accessory for a vacuum: Festool D27-BSD (#500483).
It's a vaccum dust catcher which sticks to the wall and does suck up the dust.
It's capable for drills up to Ø14 mm.
It's also available from other European manufactures such as Metabo and Starmix.

I wouldn’t recommend the CT-SYS for sucking up drywall dust or using the attachment pictured above.

The form of the CT-SYS is perfect for the task but there are a few of shortcomings that make it much less suitable than the larger vacs.

1. The dust bag is very small so the surfaces will quickly clog with drywall dust so even though the bag will seem empty the performance of the vac will degrade quickly.

2. This vac doesn’t have a bypass fan. A bypass fan keeps air flowing through the motor when the hose is clogged to keep it from overheating. Instead there is a relief valve that slaps open when flow is reduced. Not only is that valve disconcertingly noisy it drastically reduces suction when it opens.

3. The hole drilling attachment alone will likely reduce air flow enough to cause the bypass valve to open.

The Mini or Midi are the vac’s I’d recommend. The CT 15 is cheaper but you can’t put Systainers on top. I think you really like having your whole kit as one rolling stack.

If you really want the CT-SYS and don’t mind replacing bags frequently then go for it.

Also, are drilling attachments with larger openings that probably won’t activate the bypass valve but should still capture any floating drywall dust. You’d just need to give the wall a wipe with a brush attachment afterwards which you’ll should do anyway. My favorite brushes for finer cleaning have hair bristles like the Miele brushes.

 

[Coen]

When doing a lot of drilling holes in walls this is the best accessory for a vacuum: Festool D27-BSD (#500483).
It's a vaccum dust catcher which sticks to the wall and does suck up the dust.
It's capable for drills up to Ø14 mm.
It's also available from other European manufactures such as Metabo and Starmix.

Have you ever used the Bosch GDE 16?

 

[squall_line]

When doing a lot of drilling holes in walls this is the best accessory for a vacuum: Festool D27-BSD (#500483).
It's a vaccum dust catcher which sticks to the wall and does suck up the dust.
It's capable for drills up to Ø14 mm.
It's also available from other European manufactures such as Metabo and Starmix.

I love this accessory, although my wife didn't seem to understand why I thought it was such a big deal when I was hanging a shelf in the nursery.

Only things I would change on it:

The swivel port falls out too easily when it's in the "fall out" location in its rotation.

I would love variable-size insert sleeves to turn it into a drill guide besides just sucking up dust.

 

[Holzhacker]

I have the CT-SYS and the pictured accessory. I used to do a lot of installations. TV's, mirrors, pictures, hangers, shelving, whatever. For the most part I used my CT-22 because it had multiple systainers stacked on top of it with all my various tools.
However, there were lots of times for smaller quick jobs when I used the CT-SYS and this accessory. For drilling drywall holes for anchors, etc. the CT-SYS worked very well. I wouldn't have an issue recommending it. The pictured accessory also worked very well for drywall and tile holes. I didn't have any issues with clogs unless stuff was wet.
However, this accessory doesn't do so well with masonry holes from my experience. The opening is small and will close up quickly with masonry dust. If you are going to do masonry drilling or larger holes look into the Bosch version of this accessory. It is much larger diameter and works well.
Unless I know I have to do hardcore drilling or cleaning the 22 stays home. The SYS handles small work very well for me. The SYS mostly lives on a Sys cart stack with other tools for going in and out of job sites.

 

[Coen]

I have the CT-SYS and the pictured accessory. I used to do a lot of installations. TV's, mirrors, pictures, hangers, shelving, whatever. For the most part I used my CT-22 because it had multiple systainers stacked on top of it with all my various tools.
However, there were lots of times for smaller quick jobs when I used the CT-SYS and this accessory. For drilling drywall holes for anchors, etc. the CT-SYS worked very well. I wouldn't have an issue recommending it. The pictured accessory also worked very well for drywall and tile holes. I didn't have any issues with clogs unless stuff was wet.
However, this accessory doesn't do so well with masonry holes from my experience. The opening is small and will close up quickly with masonry dust. If you are going to do masonry drilling or larger holes look into the Bosch version of this accessory. It is much larger diameter and works well.
Unless I know I have to do hardcore drilling or cleaning the 22 stays home. The SYS handles small work very well for me. The SYS mostly lives on a Sys cart stack with other tools for going in and out of job sites.

You mean the Bosch GDE 68 and GDE 162?

You can leave out the swiveling part on the Festool and put the hose directly into the main part.

 

[Reese T.]

hi all:  appreciate the input:  Just called my dealer to see if he had one in stock (it's a 3-location, family owned chain, authorized FESTOOL dealer)...about a 45 min drive.
They set one aside for me, might be the last one.
According to the store owner, this model will be discontinued, and replaced with a cordless.
I guess, ...if you love this, or have been thinking about it..... like Arnold says from the first predator movie "DO IT..DO IT NOW"