Which dust extractor is best for me?

[Joberwocky]

New to the group and a proud owner of a new OF 1400.  Having used some tired porter cable and Bosch routers, this new toy's a thing of beauty.  Next on my list is a dust extractor since I do most of my furniture work in a small space not equipped with a full dust collector system.  What size is best for primarily routing tasks without limiting myself in future tool purchases?  Inevitably I'll be using the extractor with a sander, but that shouldn't be any more a hassle than the router.  Really, ramblings aside, i'd be the only one using it; what model dust extractor is the best fit for me?  Thanks a bunch for whatever information you can lend.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

[welcome]

Since you're keeping the dust extractor in one area, I'd recommend the CT 36 if you can afford it, since it's only a little bit taller than the CT 26, yet it holds more for less frequent bag changes.  If the prices of the CT 26 and 36 are higher than what you want to spend, wait just a little for the new CT midi to come out.

Forgot to mention that the CT 26, CT 36 and new to be released CT 48 have interchangeable "tubs" so if at some point down the road you decide you need to upsize or downsize the vac, just purchase the lower tub part and drop the upper motor assembly into your new configuration just as easily as lifting it out to change bags.  Then of course you'll need the new size bags.  A lot cheaper than having to buy a new CT, unless of course you sell it on here and buy a new one. --- Options.

 

[ccarrolladams]

[welcome]

Long ago I bought a CT22, because I needed to take it with me from site to site and also when I was renting space in various shops. The price of the CT33 was not much more. My reasoning was that if I filled the bag of a CT33 with saw dust it might be so heavy I would need help removing it. Over the years I bought many additional CT22. Last year the newer CT26 and CT36 reached North America. I did buy a CT36, which has 14 Liter more capacity, but that was after I opened my new shop with 6 cabinet makers helping me.

What you will find is that when your work produces a lot of chips, even a full CT36 bag is lighter than a full CT22 bag collecting sanding dust.

All Festool dust extractors come with a standard 27mm x 3.5m AS hose. Those will fit all Festools with dust collection ports.

Festool cleaning kits come with 36mm hoses. Personally I use 36mm AS hoses on my TS saws, OF1400 and OF2200 routers, Kapex and the planers. Such a large hose is not necessary for the jig saws, Domino or sanders. None of those have dust ports designed for the 36mm hose, so it works out.

None of us can say which form of dust extraction is best for anyone else. Nor can we say if a cyclone separator would be a wise investment. They are not very portable, but when a shop does both sanding and routing the cyclone will keep the chips out of the disposable bag.

Of course my shop also has a sophisticated built-in dust collection system. Currently 2 of my Kapex are connected to the plant dust collection instead of to dedicated CT22. I should add that behind both of those Kapex we have installed typical chop-saw dust shrouds also connected to the DC system. Those catch any dust missed by the Kapex internal dust extraction system.

What I can share is my personal experience. Everyone will find conditions vary.

 

[Joberwocky]

I didn't realize that about the "tubs", thats an interesting point.  Ccarrolladams, are you saying you upscale the hose from your dust extractor to a 36mm hose for use with your routers? If I'm reading your post correctly, you're saying the dust extractor comes with a much smaller hose, 3.5mm.  Is this not suitable, or maybe I should say ideal, for use with an OF 1400?

 

[sancho57]

It really depends. I got the CT 26 and it does all I need. I wanted a DC that is moble to take on site with me. But for shop bound use, I would look hard and the new one coming out the CT 46. That big momma should do all you could possible want a DC to do.

You know what they say what seperates the men from the boys  [big grin]

 

[ccarrolladams]

I didn't realize that about the "tubs", thats an interesting point.  Ccarrolladams, are you saying you upscale the hose from your dust extractor to a 36mm hose for use with your routers? If I'm reading your post correctly, you're saying the dust extractor comes with a much smaller hose, 3.5mm.  Is this not suitable, or maybe I should say ideal, for use with an OF 1400?

With the recent up-grade of the Festool Mini and Midi dust extractors, all have similar suction capacity. The difference among the CT26, CT 36 and the CT48 (due in North America in October 2011) is the capacity of the bags in liters. These all are priced including a 27mm AS hose 3.5m long. Many dealers will swap a 36mm hose for the difference in price. You can also buy cleaning sets, which include a 36mm x 3.5m hose. Again, many dealers will substitute an AS hose for the price difference. Extracting dust and chips from tools using the AS hose is strongly recommended.

It is possible to use the 27mm AS hose on all the Festools, but with those making a lot of dust and especially chips the larger 36mm hose is recommended. Some Festools, including all the sanders, the jig saws, the MFK 700 and OF1010 routers and the Domino cannot directly connect to a 36mm hose. There are adapters, but the larger hose is not needed and no advantage.

Personally I prefer the 36mm hose on my TS saws because they are used in a straight line on a rail. My experience is the slightly stiffer 36mm hose kinks and catches less on the rail than does the smaller hose. Because of the chips created by the OF2200 and OF1400 routers the 36mm hose clogs less. Same is true of the planers. I find the dust extraction of the TS saws is improved with the 36mm hose and to me dust extraction is the reason for Festools.

With sanders, the suction setting is an important consideration for proper sanding performance. Even with the longer 5m 27mm hose when sanding it is rare to want the suction turned up as much as half way. What is to be avoided is too much suction dragging the pad into the work. You want the pad and abrasive to sort of float for best control. Many of us start with the suction control at minimum and while sanding a scrap turn up the suction until the "floating" feels right.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

Welcome to the FOG !  [smile]

If it is going to be used mostly in your shop or at least not transported very often. I would get the biggest one that your budget allows. Currently the CT36 but in October the CT48.  Fewer bag changes, at some point the additional cost of the vac is made up for by the additional capacity.  EX - the bags hold 33% more but only cost 12% more. Those are not exact numbers but you get the idea.  Even if you add a cyclone seperator you still have the large capacity option if you end up not wanting it on the vac for some reason. 

If you go the tub swapping route, I would get the CT26 now and add the 48 tub later. That way you could switch back and forth between portability and capacity.

For the routers and planers and Kapex the D36mm hoses are a better option for maximum collection. And as has been pointed out they come with some of the cleaning sets ,  which work out to a better deal than just buying the extra hose.

Seth

 

[Joberwocky]

Thanks for all the help.  The collector will mostly be staying in one place so I think I will o with the biggest.