Shop Woodworker, which Vac should I get / ideal shop setup?
- Thread starter DuluthWoodshop
- Start date
I have a small shop. I also have two vacuums a Festool and a Fein. They are both adequate for what I do. However I prefer the Fein mainly because of its smaller foot print, I also believe it is quieter and not to forget I can get bags at any big box store.
waho6o9 said:
^ Agreed.
The other nice feature of having a cyclone on your Festool vac is that you will not hesitate to use this vac for miscellaneous cleaning chores. Before I went the cyclone route, I would use my Festool vac for tools and then a shop vac for miscellaneous messes on the bench (or floor). Too many hoses, but I put up with this because it conserved Festool bags. Now I use the Festool vac for everything.
I am a DIYer. I have the CT36E. My old Shopvac, I would refuse to turn it on without first putting on hearing protection. The Festool vac, far quieter. No hearing protection, and I don't even bother turning it off while adjusting a set-up on my tools. Sanding, sawing, and cleanup, the bag will last forever. Routing (or planing) can make a lot of chips and fill the bag more quickly. When I bought mine, all the Festool vacs used the same blower, just the package/bag sizes were different. Only thing is that the CT36 is a little big and heavy to take up the stairs from basement shop to garage --- one size smaller would be more convenient if you will need to carry it.
I am a home woodworker who builds furniture, some cabinets, shop fixtures, etc. Several years ago I bought the CT48 and then equipped it with the boom arm attachment a couple of years after.
My reasoning was that, since I would never take the vac out of the shop and the CT48 really doesn't take up much more floor space than the smaller CT's, the largest capacity CT would work the best; less emptying. I have never been sorry.
Whether you go with the long life bag or single use bags inside the vac is up to you. It would likely depend on what tools you are using it on and how often you work in the shop. If you are going to use it just for your Festools, like the track saw, routers, sanders, or Domino, I don't think the long life bag or a dust deputy are worth it. The single use bags aren't that expensive unless you're going to replace them frequently. They last a long time and the dust gets packed tightly inside.
If you're looking long-term and have larger power machines like a jointer, planer, bandsaw, or table saw, then it makes sense to consider a cyclone for the future. The CT's (or any vac) just aren't effective for those larger machines. On the other hand, I don't believe a cyclone is effective for the smaller tools like your Festool collection.
My reasoning was that, since I would never take the vac out of the shop and the CT48 really doesn't take up much more floor space than the smaller CT's, the largest capacity CT would work the best; less emptying. I have never been sorry.
Whether you go with the long life bag or single use bags inside the vac is up to you. It would likely depend on what tools you are using it on and how often you work in the shop. If you are going to use it just for your Festools, like the track saw, routers, sanders, or Domino, I don't think the long life bag or a dust deputy are worth it. The single use bags aren't that expensive unless you're going to replace them frequently. They last a long time and the dust gets packed tightly inside.
If you're looking long-term and have larger power machines like a jointer, planer, bandsaw, or table saw, then it makes sense to consider a cyclone for the future. The CT's (or any vac) just aren't effective for those larger machines. On the other hand, I don't believe a cyclone is effective for the smaller tools like your Festool collection.
I know I'm late to the party but had a couple simple suggestions for you.
Since you already have a DC with cyclone I wouldn't worry about that setup for the Festool CT.
As far as which vac - either the CT26 or the MIDI to start. I started with the 26 and it's been great. Long time between bag changes - even when running the OF1400 in a table and making a bunch of door stick/cope pieces.
The bluetooth remote is an awesome add on - don't have to bend down or stick my head under a table to turn it on manual mode.
I just picked up a MIDI for projects not in the shop - it's way easier to haul around than the 26. And if it's in my shop I can leave it setup for sanders and the 26 hooked to the router or Kapex. The new MIDI has some more features built in, like bluetooth, which make it even more attractive.
Whichever CT you get I would suggest purchasing a cleaning kit with the bigger (36mm) hose. The tradesman or workshop would do the trick.
The hose alone is more than half the cost of the sets. And I sold the systainer that came with the set which lowered the overall cost even more.
The reason I say get the bigger hose is for use with anything but a sander. The OF1400 would choke up the 27mm hose pretty easily. I also noticed better collection from the tracksaws and Kapex after changing to the 36mm hose.
You already get the benefit of the newer hoses that are 'snag-free' which I think removes the need for some of the other Festool Vac accessories people use to buy.
So here's my suggested list:
Either MIDI or CT26(and add BT remote)
Tradesman or Workshop cleaning kit
And start having fun.
Since you already have a DC with cyclone I wouldn't worry about that setup for the Festool CT.
As far as which vac - either the CT26 or the MIDI to start. I started with the 26 and it's been great. Long time between bag changes - even when running the OF1400 in a table and making a bunch of door stick/cope pieces.
The bluetooth remote is an awesome add on - don't have to bend down or stick my head under a table to turn it on manual mode.
I just picked up a MIDI for projects not in the shop - it's way easier to haul around than the 26. And if it's in my shop I can leave it setup for sanders and the 26 hooked to the router or Kapex. The new MIDI has some more features built in, like bluetooth, which make it even more attractive.
Whichever CT you get I would suggest purchasing a cleaning kit with the bigger (36mm) hose. The tradesman or workshop would do the trick.
The hose alone is more than half the cost of the sets. And I sold the systainer that came with the set which lowered the overall cost even more.
The reason I say get the bigger hose is for use with anything but a sander. The OF1400 would choke up the 27mm hose pretty easily. I also noticed better collection from the tracksaws and Kapex after changing to the 36mm hose.
You already get the benefit of the newer hoses that are 'snag-free' which I think removes the need for some of the other Festool Vac accessories people use to buy.
So here's my suggested list:
Either MIDI or CT26(and add BT remote)
Tradesman or Workshop cleaning kit
And start having fun.
Knight Woodworks
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- Jul 24, 2012
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chris s said:
chris s,
What bags do you use with your Fein?
Thanks,
John
DuluthWoodshop
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- Aug 19, 2019
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Thanks Everyone for the feedback, I think I'm going to go with the new MIDI. You all have put me at ease about filling bags too quickly and I think the smaller lighter footprint could really be handy. Thanks again!
DuluthWoodshop
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- Aug 19, 2019
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- 5
jarbroen said:I know I'm late to the party but had a couple simple suggestions for you.
Since you already have a DC with cyclone I wouldn't worry about that setup for the Festool CT.
As far as which vac - either the CT26 or the MIDI to start. I started with the 26 and it's been great. Long time between bag changes - even when running the OF1400 in a table and making a bunch of door stick/cope pieces.
The bluetooth remote is an awesome add on - don't have to bend down or stick my head under a table to turn it on manual mode.
I just picked up a MIDI for projects not in the shop - it's way easier to haul around than the 26. And if it's in my shop I can leave it setup for sanders and the 26 hooked to the router or Kapex. The new MIDI has some more features built in, like bluetooth, which make it even more attractive.
Whichever CT you get I would suggest purchasing a cleaning kit with the bigger (36mm) hose. The tradesman or workshop would do the trick.
The hose alone is more than half the cost of the sets. And I sold the systainer that came with the set which lowered the overall cost even more.
The reason I say get the bigger hose is for use with anything but a sander. The OF1400 would choke up the 27mm hose pretty easily. I also noticed better collection from the tracksaws and Kapex after changing to the 36mm hose.
You already get the benefit of the newer hoses that are 'snag-free' which I think removes the need for some of the other Festool Vac accessories people use to buy.
So here's my suggested list:
Either MIDI or CT26(and add BT remote)
Tradesman or Workshop cleaning kit
And start having fun.
Thank you for the tip, good to know about the larger hose, will definitely add. are the connections to the tool and vac the same or will I need an adapter?
Sanderxpander
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- Sep 19, 2017
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Many tools will fit both connectors; the 27mm goes into the tool dust port and the 36mm goes around it. Notable exceptions are the sanders (always 27mm, modern ones use a "bayonet" style that should come with your midi 27mm hose) and the OF1010 router (also only 27mm, squeeze fit).
Haha! OK, that makes sense. I don’t have a Kapex or a CMS but I do have a TS55. I just don’t use it very often and I have not really noticed if the dust collection was underperforming. I am so used to circular saws spitting dust all over the place that I probably wouldn’t even notice if my Festool dust collection was less than optimal
. Thank you!
. Thank you!It's odd that the Domino XL won't take the larger Festool hose. I use a Rigid shop vac with my XL and the Bosch 5 meter hose - which I think is the size of the larger Festool hose. The small end of the Bosch hose fits over the connection of the XL well. Tight friction fit like they were made for each other.
One thing to remember about the CTs is that they just differ in one part, the bins.
Which are available as a spare parts (prices from EKAT w/o VAT, for CT 26 / 36 / 48):
Just the bin (need to move wheels etc.): 53.25€ / 57.77 € / 100.00 €
For the lazy (complete, just attach the motor top): 103,90 € / 117,10 € / 121.75 €
Hint: when in need of a big one it's cheaper to get a small one and a big spare bin, at least here in europe...
Which are available as a spare parts (prices from EKAT w/o VAT, for CT 26 / 36 / 48):
Just the bin (need to move wheels etc.): 53.25€ / 57.77 € / 100.00 €
For the lazy (complete, just attach the motor top): 103,90 € / 117,10 € / 121.75 €
Hint: when in need of a big one it's cheaper to get a small one and a big spare bin, at least here in europe...
Sanderxpander
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- Sep 19, 2017
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People often comment that the TS55 benefits from a larger hose but the 27mm fits just fine and does a pretty good job. If that would be your only tool to use a 36mm hose I would save my money and storage space.
If you want to use it for general cleanup, I consider the D36 hose a requirement. And now that I have bluetooth on my CT26, I am disappointed that my Midi doesn't have it. If you are just going to use this for the tools, then the D27 hose is adequate for everything, only the router is likely to give you trouble.
I would purchase some kind of wand for the vacuum, even if just using a track saw you want to be able to vacuum up dust that is not captured and the rubber hose end can leave marks on your workpiece.
I would purchase some kind of wand for the vacuum, even if just using a track saw you want to be able to vacuum up dust that is not captured and the rubber hose end can leave marks on your workpiece.
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