When buying a dust extractor, what should I base my decision on?

[maxpower10]

When buying a dust extractor, what should I base my decision on?  There are basically two dust extractors with different capacities so what else should I consider? :-\

 

[lordinteriors]

price isnt always important it is value for money, i also think integration is important how will it add and improve your current system

lee

 

[justinmcf]

hi, when buying a dust extractor.
you should be basing your decision on color!
i prefer festool green myself!

 

[tvogel400]

Gentlemen

I have  a midi and I love it-it's small and light, every thing stows on board, and so quiet. I am a cabinetmaker and will be on several job sites a week so the

portability is the feature  I like most. In fact I have thought about this a lot- I do a lot of high end  work and having very expensive looking professional tools

is nothing but a positive for me. The midi fits the bill perfectly not that I wouldn't want a 22 or 33 I just move a lot of tools a week and several lbs x many

trips equals less work.

As for filtration I thing the HEPA is overblown- say you are on a jobsite, well the HEPA filtered exhaust is stirring up all kinds of stuff from the floor. It is a

great  feature but overkill in a woodworking environment, please don't get me wrong more filtration is always better I'm just not going to let good

filtration vs great filtration be a deal breaker.

T-bone

 

[rwdawson]

Mobility, which to me is another way to say integration, should be a key issue.  I have a CT-22, which moves between house and shop every now and then.  Not a problem.

If I thought DC would stay in the shop and not go anywhere, I'd consider a CT-33.  If I worked the way T-bone does, I would get the mini. I don't, so I won't.

Size matters, in this case bigger is not necessarily better.  What works best for you is what is best.

 

[Daviddubya]

When buying a dust extractor, what should I base my decision on?  There are basically two dust extractors with different capacities so what else should I consider? :-\

There are four dust extractors in the Festool product line.  IMO, the first consideration should be your needs or applications.  Please tell us about your needs, and we will try to help you choose the right one for you.  Thanks.

 

[Tom Ryan]

What matters to me:
1.  Quiet -- this rules out a RedDevil and a Sears Craftsman that I have had.  Festool and Fein vacuums are fine in this regard.
2.  Adequate suction -- again Festool and Fein are good.
3.  Filtration.  I prefer Hepa filters, but you can't get them on, for example, the Midi or Mini.
4.  Convenience -- here I think the Festool wins.
5.  Initial price -- oh well...  (That's why I'm still using my old (pre-Hepa) Fein.)
6.  Continuing costs (bags and filters) -- consider using the little Oneida separator in front of your vacuum.

Tom in SE Pennsylvania

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I travel with my Ct-22 and would not think twice about buying another 22 to travel with as well.
The only time that thing gets heavy is when the bag is nearly full.

I like the bigger capacity of the 22 versus the midi or mini.

 

[thudchkr]

The filtration issue should not be an issue.  Though the HEPA filtration is standard on only the CT22 and CT33, you can add it as an option to the CT Mini or the CT Midi.  You may pay a little more but if you're after a smaller and more portable unit, you don't have to skip getting HEPA filtration.  Another difference between the CT22/CT33 and the Mini/Midi is that the smaller units also don't move as much air.  For most situations, they should still provide adequate dust extraction though.  I like the idea of using the Oneida separator in front of the Dust Extractor as well.  Increases the capacity that you're able to pick up and collects in the pre-separator where it doesn't use/clog up your bags.

 

[Brice Burrell]

The filtration issue should not be an issue.  Though the HEPA filtration is standard on only the CT22 and CT33, you can add it as an option to the CT Mini or the CT Midi.  You may pay a little more but if you're after a smaller and more portable unit, you don't have to skip getting HEPA filtration.........

I'm not aware of a HEPA option for the mini or midi, are the filters a Festool product?

 

[tbellemare]

The HEPA filter for the CT MINI or CT MIDI is 496752.

Tom

 

[Bob Marino]

Applications is the key word. Will you be routing, planing where you need (or at least is preferred) more airflow or basicaly sawing and sanding, where the flow demands are not so great?
Also, the 22 and 33 accept the larger 36 mm hose - way better for the heavier applications first listed , as well as better for shop clean-up.

Bob

 

[paul_david_thomas]

The MIDI also accepts the 36mm hose, thus nice air flow from Kapex & OF1400....