Which Dust Collector? mini or 26...or other?

[greenMonster]

seeing as you have both I had a question about being able to attach systainers then carrying the entire assembly, say up stairs via the handle on the systainer.

Would you feel comfortable doing that with multiple systainers...with a full vac? etc? or is it not really designed with that in mind?

(thanks again)

Here's a video I did showing that the Systainers are very well attached to the vac.

Sys vac test

Despite some flexing in the Systainer lid you can see in the video the Systainer isn't going to come off while carrying.

Oh, perfect! I was hoping so, as it seemed to defeat the entire purpose of the system if I had to dissasemble the thing everytime I had to go up some stairs (or even to load/unload out of truck)

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'm thinking the 2011 mini is the way to go, I just don't foresee needing the capacity of the production type guys. and am liking the portability, then again I'm thinking I should just get the 26 and be on the safe side (especially since it's the most popular!)

I have a 2011 magazine, can I differentiate the 2011 model by the "Item#"? ie the mini is Item# 583 360
Or is there something more obvious?

As Shane (Festool employee) recently posted there is no difference in the item numbers between the new and old vacs.  I strongly recommend you communicate very clearly with your dealer and I'd even take Shane up on his offer to help.  He may be able to let you know if Festool has shipped the newest version Mini/Midi to your dealer. 

BTW, the question of pricing was raised earlier, the price for all Festool products are the same for every dealer despite some misleading advertising by some dealers.   

 

[Ken Nagrod]

As for carrying a CT with a mounted systainer, you will have to come to that conclusion on your own, because height of the total package and weight will be the determining factors and each person being a different stature and able to lift different amounts and bulkiness are the reasons that none of us can really answer your question.

I have the CT 36 and have the vac accessories mounted in a SYS 5 on top of it.  Carrying it definitely is a task, mostly due to the overall height.  I've also noticed that the hinge pins on the SYS 5 slowly work out a little ways after I've lifted the whole thing up or down stairs.  They've never come out far enough to have me concerned, but that probably shows that the stress of that much weight is getting to it and that's even with an empty CT.

If you're dead set on getting a midi or mini and can wait for the new units to be available for the same price, why not?  You're getting more for your money.  Get the CT 26 if you need a vac right now and are seriously thinking about getting it in the future anyway.  Get it with a tool for a package discount and save even more.  Use this phrase when ordering and save an additional 92% -- BRICE TOLD ME TO GET THE DAMN THING

Good luck with your choice(s)!

 

[AlexThePalex]

seeing as you have both I had a question about being able to attach systainers then carrying the entire assembly, say up stairs via the handle on the systainer.

Would you feel comfortable doing that with multiple systainers...with a full vac? etc? or is it not really designed with that in mind?

(thanks again)

When it comes to carrying the weight, the systainers and vac can carry more weight than you yourself can lift, unless you're some sort of He-Man.

But it's certainly not comfortable to do, and defintely not up some stairs. A vac plus some systainers can become heavy quite fast. The possibility to attach systainers to a vac is mostly usefull when you leave the vac standing on the ground, and let it act like a sort of cart.

As Shane (Festool employee) recently posted there is no difference in the item numbers between the new and old vacs. 

This parts diagram from the Festool USA site states there's a USA Mini with the number 456784. Which strikes me as being rather different than 583360. So to put an end to all speculation, and as a help to American members, could some American members please look at their actual Mini's and posts their numbers so we could definitely confirm wether there's a difference or not?

 

[greenMonster]

So now I'm confused, I had the impression that the 2011 WERE being sold in the states, but that the issue is that the older models are also being sold in the mix?

But now I'm getting the impression that it hasn't arrived in the US yet? (WTH, it's almost 2012! lol)

If you're dead set on getting a midi or mini and can wait for the new units to be available for the same price, why not?  You're getting more for your money.  Get the CT 26 if you need a vac right now and are seriously thinking about getting it in the future anyway.  Get it with a tool for a package discount and save even more.  Use this phrase when ordering and save an additional 92% -- BRICE TOLD ME TO GET THE DAMN THING

Good luck with your choice(s)!

 

[greenMonster]

Thanks for the stack and carry question, I'm sure it can be quite heavy. I was wondering more along the lines of whether or not its design was up for the task. Which it sounds like it is  [thumbs up]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

As Shane (Festool employee) recently posted there is no difference in the item numbers between the new and old vacs. 

This parts diagram from the Festool USA site states there's a USA Mini with the number 456784. Which strikes me as being rather different than 583360. So to put an end to all speculation, and as a help to American members, could some American members please look at their actual Mini's and posts their numbers so we could definitely confirm wether there's a difference or not?

Alex, that's an internal engineering number, like a schematic number. It's not, to my knowledge, anywhere on the tools. If you look, none of the EKAT numbers match the order/catalog numbers. Members can check, but I can tell you there is nothing on the box or the outside of the CT to identify whether it has the new features or not. You would need to open it up and check the filter and bag. But, from what I've been told, any CT that a dealer has ordered in the past couple of months has been the new version.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Alex, that's an internal engineering number, like a schematic number. It's not, to my knowledge, anywhere on the tools. If you look, none of the EKAT numbers match the order/catalog numbers.

Lol, you're right, those numbers aren't in the Ekat. Ok, I'll shut up and let you Americans sort it out for yourself. At least when I see one, I know where to look to see the difference.

 

[greenMonster]

Can you be a bit more explicit as to what I'd be looking for as far as the filter and the bags? (appearance wise)
I'm assuming the filter is going to say "HEPA" somewhere on it...

And the new self cleaning bags are made of fleece rather than paper?

*edit

Old Bags ---> New Bags (amazon links)

Old Filter? ---> New Filter

As Shane (Festool employee) recently posted there is no difference in the item numbers between the new and old vacs.  

This parts diagram from the Festool USA site states there's a USA Mini with the number 456784. Which strikes me as being rather different than 583360. So to put an end to all speculation, and as a help to American members, could some American members please look at their actual Mini's and posts their numbers so we could definitely confirm wether there's a difference or not?

Alex, that's an internal engineering number, like a schematic number. It's not, to my knowledge, anywhere on the tools. If you look, none of the EKAT numbers match the order/catalog numbers. Members can check, but I can tell you there is nothing on the box or the outside of the CT to identify whether it has the new features or not. You would need to open it up and check the filter and bag. But, from what I've been told, any CT that a dealer has ordered in the past couple of months has been the new version.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Yeah your links are correct, the self cleaning filter bags are white, almost fabric like material and the old bags are a light brown paper material.  If you see the new self cleaning filter bag you'll know it also has the HEPA main filter. 

 

[fdengel]

In the past, some of the tools, such as the planers, strongly recommended the use of the larger vacs (22/33/26/36) over the mini/midi.  If you plan on expanding into the use of some of the other tools, you might want to check recommendations on the tools you expect to buy later.

 

[greenMonster]

Thanks for the help everyone!

Mini now (and most likely the 26 down the road).

So, now just to decide who to give my hard earned cash to. What should I consider as to who I go to?
Is the dealer at all involved in servicing, warranting etc? Or do I have to deal directly with Festool for everything?

(seeing as the pricing is all the same, if I have to deal with Festool...I guess it wouldn't really matter eh?)

I went to a local and close by woodcraft to initially check everything out...
(or Rockler, who appears to be cheaper?)

*PM me if discussin specific dealers is frowned upon

 

[Brice Burrell]

It's perfectly fine to discuss dealers here.  Some dealers will assist you with warranty service but Festool services all of the tools so you can contact them directly for the fastest service. 

We have several good Festool dealers that participate here on the FOG that I and many other members have had good service from.  In no particular order.
Bob Marino's Best tools, Tom at Tool Home and Sean at Festool products.

 

[greenMonster]

Thanks, I've been trying to figure out why one festool dealer would be better than any other one.
Other than help answering questions (sales)...

I'm inclined to just shop locally so I don't have to deal with shipping. I feel like I must be missing something obvious  [blink] as some dealers seem to be very recommended.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I'm inclined to just shop locally so I don't have to deal with shipping. I feel like I must be missing something obvious  [blink] as some dealers seem to be very recommended.

Lots of people in the States don't have Festool dealers close by. Others prefer to order out of state to save on taxes. Of course the dealers here are very recommended, they're part of the community and they give you great service. Since they're so involved with Festool and it's community you'll probably get better service from them than, lets say,  the average HD.

I prefer to shop locally too. For me it's not a big deal, there's like 50 dealers in a 50 km radius around me. I've found out by now which dealers really care for their customers and which don't. But I haven't found any dealer in my country with the knowledge and dedication you find with the dealers on this forum.

 

[greenMonster]

good points, thanks.
Clarifies what I was thinking

I also have a few Q's about the MFT and TS55, is it preferred to keep it all in one thread or to start a new thread for each topic?

 

[Brice Burrell]

good points, thanks.
Clarifies what I was thinking

I also have a few Q's about the MFT and TS55, is it preferred to keep it all in one thread or to start a new thread for each topic?

I believe all three dealers have I linked to above offer free shipping.

You can start a new thread if you'd like or just ask here.

 

[greenMonster]

good points, thanks.
Clarifies what I was thinking

I also have a few Q's about the MFT and TS55, is it preferred to keep it all in one thread or to start a new thread for each topic?

I believe all three dealers have I linked to above offer free shipping.

You can start a new thread if you'd like or just ask here.

hmmm, just revisted and more importantly no tax (except nj and ohio).

 

[greenMonster]

So from what I understand, the manuals supplied from Festool...are a bit "lacking".

I found this supplemental for the MFT
http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/getting_the_most_from_the_mft_multifunction_table.pdf
(Too bad it's for the previous styles  [unsure])

Are there supplementals for the CTs or the TS55?

Also, any words of advice before I rip open my boxes when I get them....burn through my zero clearance haphazardly, cut through the rubber strip and make mayhem kerfs all over the mft?
Anything I MUST do, or must NOT do?

 

[AlexThePalex]

Are there supplementals for the CTs or the TS55?

There is one for the TS55, done by Rick Christopherson. Link.

I don't think there are any supplemental manuals for the CT vacs, but I don't think you'll need one either because the vacs are fairly simple machines. The standard manual should suffice.

You can find all manuals on the Festool website.