Which CT should I Get For The Money?

[David2T370]

  After looking at all of the choices for CT's, from the Mini to the 48, from a money standpoint, would it not be better buy to get the 48?  I bought an ETS 125 sander a few weeks ago, and am about to buy a Kapex with a CT combo.  After that my next purchase will be a TS 55.  There is not allot of difference in price as you go up in size on the CT's - so, does it not make sense to get the largest one from a monetary standpoint?  Is that not the best bang for the buck?

 

[nclemmons]

All depends on portability and what tools you will be using.  I have a CT-26 stationery in my shop and a CT-midi that is portable.  The 26 has a boom arm on it.  The 48 you are considering uses the same motor as the 26 and 36, only the base changes.  Suction on all the vacs is identical.  You won't typically generate a lot of dust with a sander or saw.  Far more dust with a router or planer, so that might be a consideration on how frequently you change the bag.

On a cost per gallon collected, the 48 will be the most economical, assuming you collect a lot of dust, but it will be very limited in portability and a full bag will be heavy to get out of the unit and into trash.  But certainly an option.

neil

 

[RKA]

Sure.  It gets discussed a lot.  The reasons for getting a smaller one is practicality for your situation.  A 48 with a 3/4 full bag can get quite heavy.  Some people transport these in their cars/vans or keep them in smaller shops where space is an issue.  Sometimes they need to haul it up and down steps at a client site.  If not of that is a concern for you, get the largest one.  You'll spend less money on bags as well.

 

[peter halle]

David,

Personally I think that Festool has made it easier decision wise when they went to basically a one motor setup.  The decision comes down to physical size - the suction performance is for all intensive purposes identical.  If you have the room for the 48 and don't need to move that beast from job to job then you will be changing bags out less frequently.  If you don't have that room available or want to have your CT under your MFT then a smaller size would be better without sacrificing performance.  Yes you will have to change the bags out more often, but if you don't have the size then you don't have the size.

Sorry I didn't answer your question.

Peter

 

[erock]

If you notice, the 2014 catalog has the CT's at the beginning of the catalog.  Because it's the center of the Festool system.

Think about the Ct bags you'll have to buy.  The bigger the CT, the more expensive the bags.  BUT, the bigger the CT, the more capacity you'll have.    Just like the guys who ask the same question...."which sander should I buy" 

It's up to you and YOUR needs and YOUR budget.   

I'm a hobbyist.    I have 2 CT's.  A Midi that is for my Kapex.  And a CT26 for the rest of the system.

It takes a lot of dust to fill a CT26.    The CT26 will accept the Boom arm and any other accessory if you feel the need to add something down the road.  If I was to push you towards a CT it would be a CT26.    [tongue]

Good luck trying to pick just one!  LOL     

Eric

 

[Holzhacker]

Illogical question; can't be answered within reason.
Its not about the money, its about what works for your work situation. For me the 22 and 26 work great overall in terms of portability. A 48 to lug around, no way. A 48 to stay in the shop, sure. I like the idea of a Midi but create too much dust to make it worthwhile for me.

 

[duburban]

Midi if you have to pack your tools into a vehicle, ct48 if your tools all have happy homes in a garage/shop etc… ct36ac next for me. 

 

[rvieceli]

The mini and midi have same foot print. The 26 and the 36 have the same foot print. The larger one in each group is two inches taller. The 48 reminds me of a small boxcar.  [eek]

For me the 26 is a good compromise in size and capacity. When the bag is getting full it gets heavy. If you used it on a jobsite the midi would be my choice.

 

[Walk On Wood]

I have 3 minis for jobsite use (portability is most important for that), a midi dedicated to my Kapex (fits perfectly under UG, mostly shop and occasional jobsite) and a 48 that lives at my shop.  I'm not a compromise guy, so I don't care for the 26 or 36

 

[David2T370]

Hmmm...you guys are not really helping me -  ;D - LOL - but then again I know there would be several opinions and I would, by asking the question, get some more education to help me in making my choice.  You all have good points but, I hate making this decision because I do not want to regret my final purchase.  I am not a contractor so therefore do not have the need to lug my tools all around like some folks have too.  My usage is going to be in the shop environment with other stationary equipment.  So - now I am kinda leaning towards the 36 as others have said here that the 48 bag is heavy to empty.  Considering that I only use one Festool at a time, the 36 should handle all of my needs, i.e. TS 55, Kapex, smaller domino and the finishing sander.  Maybe I should not look at it in terms of the cost factor and getting the best bang for the buck, but in the actual needs of my shop and tools, etc.

Thank you for your time and education - it has helped me make my final decision...CT36.

EDIT> fixed smiley URL

 

[FinishingCanuck]

The ct 26 was the first festool I purchased and it's great. It has an UDD attached most of the time but even when it's not it's still pretty bulky to move around. I'm going to pick up a midi to use as a portable vac/kapex vac and add a boom arm to the 26 so it can stay in one place (at my bench) when on site.

I think the 48 is way too big but your needs may be different. Good luck with your decision

 

[WastedP]

I wasn't sure what size to get, but I was positive the Midi and Mini would be too small for me.  I bought the 36, and the size is good for my garage/shop (a garage is for cars, it's been years since a car has been in that building).  The first time I took it on install I wished I had bought a Midi.  If there's ever another recon sale, I'm getting a smaller vac.

 

[Mavrik]

The decision is only difficult because there are many right answers. I don't move mine. I have a CT22 and I'm very happy.  Any of the bigger ones is just another right answer for different reasons.

 

[itasor]

I got the CT 26 because I didn't like the way the MINI and MIDI have the hose coming out of the top. I found the CT 26 is still "short" enough to fit in most truck beds with tonneau cover, and it's easy to carry with the handle.

 

[wow]

Because the CT26 and Ct 36 have the same footprint, I chose the CT36. Actually i decided to go with the CT36AC because I was eyeing the Planex. If you have even a HINT of a thought of getting the Planex I highly recommend getting the CT36AC.

I don't think you'll be sorry whatever you decide, but remember you still have 30 days to change your mind even AFTER you buy one.

 

[sancho57]

It depends. What are you going to be using it for, site work or shop?

 

[waho6o9]

Get the biggest CT possible!

I like using mine with a dust deputy.

 

[SoonerFan]

Like several others, I have two CTs.  Choosing between capacity and mobility was too tough for me.  I went with a 36 and a Midi.

 

[land_kel]

36 for fixed in shop use, and mini for mobile use.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Best bang for your buck might be to get a used CT-22 or CT-33.

Of course, the choice is influenced by how you plan on using the vac. Are you using it for sanding or heavy planing? Is is living in a shop or in and out of a truck everyday? Are you extracting just wood dust, or is it a bit of everything (drywall, cementitious dust, etc....?). Does the vac need to be RRP certified? All of the above variables should inform your decision.

For myself, I have a MIDI, 26, and a 26 liter vac from Starmix. While the MIDI is great for my small tools like sanders and Domino, ultimately if I could only have one vac it would be in the 26 liter range. I've owned a CT-36, it would have been nice for shop use but I found it too heavy for my "gypsy carpenter" work. Good luck!