Which dust extractor is the most convenient size??

[sessler2013]

Just wandering what dust extractor is the most convenient size to have CT26, 36, or 48?

does the CT48 fill up with too much doest and get too heavy to move from one job site to the other?

or is the Ct26 too small and fill up with dust too quickly?

which size do you get the most out of; convenience wise?

also what accessories should I get with it when I do order one?

I will be running it with mostly sanders and later on hopefully with a Kapex!!

 

[TOOLTOWN]

I asked our friend Daniel for some input on this.  Here is what he thinks:

Are you doing most of your work in a single shop, or moving from job to job?

In shop:
36 or 48 depending how big your shop is
- bags will take longer to fill reducing long term cost
- larger mass makes it more stable with the boom arm
- minimal cost difference up front for larger size

Accessories for in shop
- boom arm
- work center (if you need it)
- clean up kit (36mm hose is essential for the kapex)
- 3 piece cleaning set (492392)

Site work
26 or 36 are more easily moved
- take up less space on site
- weigh less and easier to move

Accessories for on site
- work center (again if you think you could get the most out of it)
- clean up kit (same deal with the hose)
- turbo suction brush (beater brush for use on carpet if you work in peoples houses)
- 3 piece cleaning set (492392)

He also says that a Mini or Midi makes a great second vacuum for on site for quick cleanups and small jobs.

Ken

If you want to browse, here are dust extractors, and accessories

 

[sessler2013]

Well the answer to your first question is yes two both. I work on projects in my 30' x 40' shop at home and bring things along onto job sites when installing custom built ins.

 

[Makkus]

I recommend to get the 26 with an Oneida dust deputy. With this setup your bag will never (O.K., lets say after a very, very long time) fill up.

There is also a thread here, showing how to mount the dust deputy to a Festool vac:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/did-you-get-a-mft3-or-a-dust-deputy-for-christmas/

Mark

 

[TOOLTOWN]

Then a 26 or 36 might be the best option for you, the 48 is a real beast of a machine and a bear to move around.

When you say built ins, I assume you are in peoples homes, a CT 26 would probably work best for that.  

The Work Center could organize all the little bits and pieces of tools and supplies while working in a room.  

I would suggest the Universal Cleaning Set set as it has the plastic extension nozzles that will not damage anything if dropped or if they accidentally come in contact with a wall.  And a Turbo Suction Brush to clean up after you are done.

Hope it helps,

Ken

- Edited to add links -

 

[tbellemare]

If you're running with sanders, you would be most happy with a CT 26, (or MINI/MIDI). You'd have to sand for a long time to need more capacity.

All of the current Festool dust extractors have essentially the same suction qualities so their differences (that matter) are volume of collection. All that means is that one has a bigger bag than the other. It's going to take a long time sanding or sawing to gain or lose from the fact that one is bigger.

The smaller ones, MINI/MIDI, are more mobile and have less capacity. The bigger ones, 26/36/48, are measured in liters of collection. If you think about how heavy 7 gallons of dust (CT 26) is relative to 13 gallons, you'll reconsider a CT 48 to go on sight.

I don't know if the weight is significant to you, personally. I know some monstrous people that can wield just about anything. I am not real small (5'-11", 180#) and a CT 26 is about as much as I want to move around much - especially if loaded.

The things to seriously consider are if you want to have the opportunity to adapt your Dust Extractor to be more than a Dust Extractor. It can be a center of tool storage, with the WCR 1000. It can also be a foundation for the Boom Arm.

The MINI/MIDI don't really lend themselves to those extensions but are more portable. It's a trade-off...

Tom

 

[Kev]

I went CT-Mini + CT36 ... for almost nothing more over the 26, the 36 give you that bit of extra capacity - the 48 does have more of a cost increment and noticeably more bulk (the 36 is just a little taller than the 26).

If I wanted "just one", I would have probably gone CT26.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

For many reasons, I'd recommend the CT26.  In my opinion it's the perfect balance of "big enough" and "small enough".

Even when full, it's still portable for hand carrying.  Yet small enough to tuck into your vehicle, under a table, etc.

I also have a Midi, and I love it (It was my first CT).  However, there are two distinct drawbacks, which you should consider if it's your only vac:
1) The hose connection is in the top. Therefore it's not as convenient, if you use the CT as a rolling workstation/Systainer stack.
2) The WCR will not connect

I don't mention capacity, because there are solutions for dealing with that (e.g. the Dust Deputy, or other separator).  I do very much value it's portability and compactness, even more so than the CT26.

So I leave the 26 in my shop, and the Midi is my take-along.  Note that I'm not a professional, but a serious hobbyist with too much family in the area (with their own homes... for me to work on... lol)

 

[CarolinaNomad]

Tom and Kev are spot on.  Your decision might boil down to what your object will be in the future.  Do you plan to purchase the Track Saw or a Router?  If so, how much will you use those items?  Because those two are the ones that generate the most dust in my shop.  If you plan to stick with the sander and kapex, the CT-Midi will work just fine and is easy to move around.

 

[Jalvis]

I use the CT 26 and Mini professionally everyday.  The most convenient is the Mini......absolutely the best for transportation and remember all the vacs have the same CFM and motor.

If my vac was staying in the shop the ct 26 is a better choice for the accessories.

 

[Runhard]

I am a hobbiest and I purchased the CT26 first and then added a Midi. I have the boom arm for my CT26 and it stays at my MFT/3. The Midi is hook up to my Kapex and I use it around the house. If I could do it over I would probably go for a CT36/Midi combo. If I could only have one it would be the CT26.

Daniel

 

[Bob Marino]

You've gotten excellent advice here, with various scenerios - on site and off site. For me, the 48 would be way too heavy and tall to carry up stairs or transport or fit under some cabinets. The MINI/MIDI are tops in portability, but can't store a systainer on top if you are using a 36 mm hose.
If I had to choose only one vac, I'd opt for the CT 26. It's more portable than the 36 and 48, yet more versatile than the MINI/MIDI.

Bob