TS55 + Second Extractor?

Bran077

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Jun 6, 2020
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I recently fell down the Festool rabbit hole.  At first, I bought a CT Mini with a ETSC 125 sander.  Then I got crazy and decided I liked the TS55 way better than my Dewalt track saw and well. 

I’m afraid I’m going to burn through pricey bags on the mini.  As a hobbyist, I break down a fair amount of plywood.  I’m within 30 days, do you folks with experience think I should trade up to a midi or ct 26 or buy a second?

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I use my CT 26 for router, jigsaw, sander and general cleanup chores. I don't yet own a track saw so I can't speak to this. For my current level of use I keep the same bag for several years. My budget won't allow for 2 dust extractors. Remember: if the dust extractor is too big it will take longer to fill the bag. If it's too small you'll be, as you stated, burning through bags.
 
I love my CT36 for my shop use (it’s way too heavy to take anywhere) but have you considered a Festool or Oneida cyclone for your Mini? I don’t have one but there are so many people here who hate buying bags that have invested in one of those and been very pleased.
 
If you plan on using the extractor when working out and about the Midi isn't  a bad size but if you have a decent sized workshop and its going to be stationary you can either get a Oneida cyclone kit so you don't  really have to use up loads of bags or get a CT with bigger bags, which you can still use with a cyclone if you want.

I'm not even sure the Midi has any more suction anyway so if you're using a cyclone it works out the same but costs less.
 
A fair number have bought a second one, but that is a pricey way to go.  In my case, one stays connected to the Kapex with a short 36mm hose and the larger one sits under my MFT for use with most of the other tools.  Without two vacs, I was disconnecting hoses and moving the vac between the Kapex and MFT, which got old quick. 

If the capacity is the only issue you’re trying to solve, I agree with the recommendation to get a separator to pre-filter the dust.  I would at least swap for the larger midi.  Same foot print, only a few inches taller, but I think twice the capacity?  And it has Bluetooth built in, which the larger extractors don’t have standard (it’s an optional add on).  Just buy the hose end remote to pair with it and you will quickly appreciate how useful it is.
 
If you imagine one day getting a Festool router or domino, then definitely trade up for the 26.  I would probably do it anyway given the amount of dust created by the track saw.  Seriously, you won't regret it.

 
I’m afraid I’m going to burn through pricey bags on the mini. 

You're not keeping your eye on the ball here.  This sentiment is sorta like buying a more expensive car because it gets a bit better gas mileage or uses regular gas instead of premium.  At some point the gas savings will pay for themselves, but how long will it take and at what cost of not being able to use that money for something else now ? ? ?

Buying into Festool has a high hurdle.  Worrying about what consumables costs is counter productive and a waste of energy. 

The one constant throughout the lineup is the cost per liter of bag capacity goes down the larger the vac.  So if your overriding focus is lowest cost per liter of dust made, then the CT48 is the clear winner.  With the most capacity and lowest bag cost; your labor savings not emptying the bags as often with cheaper cost is enticing if you are generating a lot of dust.  Like maybe a floor sanding operation.  A hobbyist sanding a few projects and cutting a few sheet of ply every weekend    is unlikely to fill up a bag in a year.  And a box of bags might last a decade.  At that rate,  it's going to take a long time to recoup the xtra $250 the CT48 costs over the MINI.  It's going to take on the order of 17+ bags on the MINI before you start to see a payback for the upfront costs.  Doesn't sound like a lot, 3 boxes, but really think about how often you change a bag.  We use MINIS for installing kitchens.  About 1-2 a month, and it gets used for sizing end and backpanels with a TS55.  A hand planer is hooked up to it too.  Sometimes a Domino or Biscuit joiner, and for general cleanup of drill swarf and other debris.  Occasionally a router is used to make a dado for a light strip. We use roughly a box of bags per vac, per year.

A MINI or MIDI makes sense if you need the vac to reside under a small workstations or you're going form jobsite to jobsite everyday.  Carrying a laden CT26 up is cumbersome and heavy. A CT48 would border on a two man job for some oldtimers.  Some guys like to buy a separator to save on bag cost.  Either Oneida's or now Festool's offering will keep your bags from filling , but again ...... at what cost ?  $300-$400 buys a LOT of bags.  If you're planing lots of linear feet this might make financial sense.  Otherwise it's penny wise and pound foolish. 

For a fixed base shop with generous room, the CT26 or 36 probably makes the most sense.

 
Trade that Mini for a Midi.  Like someone already mentioned, only a couple inches taller, but twice the capacity.
The helpful salesman at Woodcraft made that point when I was going to pick up the Mini.

The bags do fill up quicker, but that's a lot of bags to equal the cost of another CT. 
The Midi is great if you only have one vacuum because it's also very portable.  The CT26 is definitely heavier and bulkier to try carting around.

And the Midi has bluetooth already - you would have to buy the module to add that to a CT26.

If you aren't working with a specific budget having 2 vacuums is nice.  I have a CT26 under my MFT's for track saw, routers, etc and a Mini parked by my Kapex.  The mini gets hauled around frequently for work outside the shop.  And if I'm working in the shop it's nice to have one dedicated to the Kapex so I'm not wheeling around all the time between stations.

Short answer - there are multiple 'right' answers.  It really depends on your needs and how much convenience you're willing to pay for.

p.s. the sanders and track saw don't fill up bags super fast, but routers do.  And also consider getting a 36mm hose - definitely helps with dust extraction on the TS and routers.
 
Want to thank all of you for the insight.

The plan is to trade the mini for a midi.  The packaging got recycled, but Festool didn’t seem to care when I called them.  We’ll see how Woodcraft reacts.

Worse case scenario, I’ll dedicate the little guy to sanding and another vac will miraculously appear next to the track saw and miter saw.  At least that is what I’ll tell my wife.

Again, thanks for taking the time to express some experienced opinions.

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