Which Dust Extractor

[JLMS2010]

Hi, I'm new here and going to be picking up a Festool Dust Extractor before the 15% off ends.  My question to you all is which one would you go with.  I will be picking up a track saw, sander and router in the near future as well.  I guess my question if more along the lines of do they fill up quickly while sanding?  I was looking at the Midi, but may go bigger.  Thank you!

 

[Dick Mahany]

One needs to consider the trade offs between portability and capacity.  I was going to get a midi, but after comparing the different models, I went with the CT36 as I wanted not to have to empty it as often as a smaller unit.  I am a hobbyist and don't have to move my extractor to job sites where weight and portability are an important factor.  I just filled my CT36 for the first time and it was quite heavy when full.  The filter bag must have weighed 20 lbs when I removed it, but was filled mainly with MDF dust.

I mainly use a tracksaw and router with mine along with sanding.  The CT 36 with the larger 36mm hose is the perfect ticket for my use, but if I needed portability, I would likely have chosen a midi.  In any event, these extractors are worth the price in my opinion and the 15% sale pushed me to act.

 

[JLMS2010]

One needs to consider the trade offs between portability and capacity.  I was going to get a midi, but after comparing the different models, I went with the CT36 as I wanted not to have to empty it as often as a smaller unit.  I am a hobbyist and don't have to move my extractor to job sites where weight and portability are an important factor.  I just filled my CT36 for the first time and it was quite heavy when full.  The filter bag must have weighed 20 lbs when I removed it, but was filled mainly with MDF dust.

I mainly use a tracksaw and router with mine along with sanding.  The CT 36 with the larger 36mm hose is the perfect ticket for my use, but if I needed portability, I would likely have chosen a midi.  In any event, these extractors are worth the price in my opinion and the 15% sale pushed me to act.

Thank you for the reply.  Yes, it will be mostly used in my house.  I will transport sometimes, but not often.  I do see the CT26/36/48 seem to be more powerful than the midi 99cfm compared to 137cfm.  I started leaning more towards the 26/36 myself.  Planning to go to WoodCraft tomorrow to see the physically and will probably make a decision there.  Does that 36mm hose make a substantial difference in comparison to the 27mm one?

 

[Kev]

I have a 36 and a mini. The 36 stays in the workshop and the mini gets out round the house for sanding mainly.

The 36mm hose is advised for plaining, routing and KAPEXing, etc, but the smaller diameter hoses are better for sanding and tend to feel less cumbersome.

 

[JLMS2010]

I have a 36 and a mini. The 36 stays in the workshop and the mini gets out round the house for sanding mainly.

The 36mm hose is advised for plaining, routing and KAPEXing, etc, but the smaller diameter hoses are better for sanding and tend to feel less cumbersome.

Thanks!  I'll probably end up having to get a 36mm hose at some point.  I am keeping my fingers crossed my wife agrees and lets me purchase several tools for all these projects we have.  I really like the KAPEX too!

 

[ear3]

CT 26 is sufficient for a home based hobbyist shop in my opinion. Light enough even when pretty full to carry around the house for the odd cleaning task.

 

[McNally Family]

One needs to consider the trade offs between portability and capacity.  I was going to get a midi, but after comparing the different models, I went with the CT36 as I wanted not to have to empty it as often as a smaller unit.  I am a hobbyist and don't have to move my extractor to job sites where weight and portability are an important factor.  I just filled my CT36 for the first time and it was quite heavy when full.  The filter bag must have weighed 20 lbs when I removed it, but was filled mainly with MDF dust.

I mainly use a tracksaw and router with mine along with sanding.  The CT 36 with the larger 36mm hose is the perfect ticket for my use, but if I needed portability, I would likely have chosen a midi.  In any event, these extractors are worth the price in my opinion and the 15% sale pushed me to act.

Thank you for the reply.  Yes, it will be mostly used in my house.  I will transport sometimes, but not often.  I do see the CT26/36/48 seem to be more powerful than the midi 99cfm compared to 137cfm.  I started leaning more towards the 26/36 myself.  Planning to go to WoodCraft tomorrow to see the physically and will probably make a decision there.  Does that 36mm hose make a substantial difference in comparison to the 27mm one?

Join the crowd, as your not alone in reviewing all things "dust extraction related", before the sale ends this month!  Welcome to the FOG by the way!

Myself, I chose the CT26 when I started my FESTOOL Journey, and as recently as this week, ordered the CT Boom Arm, to take advantage of the sale.  Originally,  I was planning on the CT36, but compromised for the CT26, and applied the savings to the Installer Cleaning set, that comes with the larger 36mm hose (YES, the larger hose improves suction).  That helps turn your dust extractor into a shop vac.  Then I ordered the blue foam filter, giving me the "Wet/Dry" capability as well.

Other items to consider while the sale is on include extra filter bags.  I also purchased the CT Wings and the 3.5m sleeved hose, all discounted 15%.  Moral to the story, now is the time to pick up all your CT (whichever one you decide on), accessories. 

 

[semenza]

Thank you for the reply.  Yes, it will be mostly used in my house.  I will transport sometimes, but not often.  I do see the CT26/36/48 seem to be more powerful than the midi 99cfm compared to 137cfm.  I started leaning more towards the 26/36 myself.  Planning to go to WoodCraft tomorrow to see the physically and will probably make a decision there.  Does that 36mm hose make a substantial difference in comparison to the 27mm one?

Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

The 99cfm number is for the older version of the Mini / Midi. The current one is 130cfm. For practical purposes nearly the same as the larger CTs.

I wouldn't use that as a deciding factor.

Seth

 

[leakyroof]

My thoughts echo others here on FOG. My 36 Auto has a Oneida Dust Deputy mounted to it and gets moved out of the shop rarely . My CT-26 fits neatly next to my Workbench and normally catches dust from my Miter Saw using a larger hose than the stock 27mm hose.
For job site or portability, my Midi works great. Never as heavy as my other 2 vacs and easily transports in a vehicle .
If I had to pare down to one of them tomorrow , it would be the CT-26 since it isn't that much bigger than the Midi.

 

[Dick Mahany]

CT 26 is sufficient for a home based hobbyist shop in my opinion. Light enough even when pretty full to carry around the house for the odd cleaning task.

I agree and seriously considered the 26.  However, my propensity to underestimate things, along with the current sale pricing drove to the next larger size.  Either models are excellent choices for most non-portable applications.

 

[Dick Mahany]

My thoughts echo others here on FOG. My 36 Auto has a Oneida Dust Deputy mounted to it and gets moved out of the shop rarely . My CT-26 fits neatly next to my Workbench and normally catches dust from my Miter Saw using a larger hose than the stock 27mm hose.
For job site or portability, my Midi works great. Never as heavy as my other 2 vacs and easily transports in a vehicle .
If I had to pare down to one of them tomorrow , it would be the CT-26 since it isn't that much bigger than the Midi.

I recently down sized from a full 3-car "shop" with a 3 HP Oneida Cyclone plumbed to each tool.  If I had the room, I'd do it again.  Now I'm seriously considering the effective, but ugly, dust deputy as I know how effective cyclones are to be inline with my CT.  Glad to know it works for you. Thanks.

 

[robertgreen94]

I just went with the CT26.  I was looking at the CT SYS, but the shop vac fell over for the last time and I decided to replace it.  Looked at the midi and the 36, went with the middle ground. Also picked up the RO90 and the CT 26 will handle this and the domino. 

 

[Dick Mahany]

One needs to consider the trade offs between portability and capacity.  I was going to get a midi, but after comparing the different models, I went with the CT36 as I wanted not to have to empty it as often as a smaller unit.  I am a hobbyist and don't have to move my extractor to job sites where weight and portability are an important factor.  I just filled my CT36 for the first time and it was quite heavy when full.  The filter bag must have weighed 20 lbs when I removed it, but was filled mainly with MDF dust.

I mainly use a tracksaw and router with mine along with sanding.  The CT 36 with the larger 36mm hose is the perfect ticket for my use, but if I needed portability, I would likely have chosen a midi.  In any event, these extractors are worth the price in my opinion and the 15% sale pushed me to act.

Thank you for the reply.  Yes, it will be mostly used in my house.  I will transport sometimes, but not often.  I do see the CT26/36/48 seem to be more powerful than the midi 99cfm compared to 137cfm.  I started leaning more towards the 26/36 myself.  Planning to go to WoodCraft tomorrow to see the physically and will probably make a decision there.  Does that 36mm hose make a substantial difference in comparison to the 27mm one?

My experience is that the 36 mm hose is Far Better with the Track Saw for volume collection.  The 27 mm hose works just fine with the Domino and my Porter Cable ROS.  My Bosch router also does fine with the 27 mm Hose.  I think it is conspiracy to get customers to buy both

 

[Shane Holland]

Welcome to the forum!

If portability is a big concern, or space, then I'd recommend the MIDI.

If those things are not important, then the CT 26 is a great choice.

If you have the 36mm on your list, consider a cleaning set that comes with a 36mm hose. They are, in my opinion, a good value versus buying the hose by itself.

Shane

 

[gsdvorak]

I have 3 extractors now, but my first purchase was the CT-22 (predecessor to the CT26).  If I had to do it again, I would purchase that size first.  It is light enough to carry (even with my bad back) yet has enough capacity for routing or running the track saw.  If you are mainly using it for sanding, it will take quite a while to fill up.  I now have a mini for the times I leave the shop, and also a CT36AC that I originally used with the planex, but now I've 'converted' it to collecting sawdust.  As mentioned earlier, if you have the funds, purchase a tool at the same time for additional savings.

As far as the 36mm hose, I only use that with my Kapex and for one hose on the CMS- really makes a difference in dust collection for those two uses.  But I prefer to use the 27mm for everything else- it just seems more comfortable to use with the other tools.

Good luck with your new purchase and Welcome to the FOG! 

Regards,
Gerald

 

[JLMS2010]

Thank you all for the input and the welcome.  I'll let you all know what I decide! 

 

[Paul G]

My first CT was a 36 and had no regrets. For me it has been a good tradeoff between capacity and portability. The sale inspired getting a mini as a home vac that can pull double duty on work projects as needed, along with a cleaning kit that had the larger hose as well.

 

[Holmz]

Bi have aCT26, and it is perfect.

If you are sucking up water, it is way to small, so 36 or 46 would result in longer time between emptying out the container.

 

[bdiemer]

I don't use a track saw, but I do use a ct26 for all my sanding , dominos and some hand held router work. Changing bags is not even part of my thought process. I sand every day and my last bag lasted more than a year. I should state also that I don't use my 26 for shop clean up. It stays under my bench connected to a sander.  I love the ct26