Which vac?

[Matt D]

Surely this has been asked man times but I didn’t find much recently in a search.

I’m trying to decide on which Festool vac to buy. I’ll use it for “small” dust collection. Mainly sanders, but some track saw, and very rarely router table.

I’d rather not spend the $600+ for the MIDI, so I think the CT15 is up my alley.  I don’t see myself stacking systainers on top, don’t think I need Bluetooth either.

One question about it is can I plug non-plugit cords into it?  For instance my track saw is not a Festool.

Thanks

 

[CeeJay]

You can plug anything into it. I use my Mafell jigsaw and Bosch 91/2” circular saw with my MIDI all the time. The CT15 has the exact same electronics.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Matt D]

Good to hear. Seems like the CT15 is a no brainer for me. What would make me spend an extra $300 for the MIDI?

 

[DynaGlide]

The better hose and bluetooth are reasons enough for me to get the more expensive offerings. I can't tell you how many times I use the bluetooth remote on the hose end.

 

[Matt D]

Can Bluetooth be added to the CT15?

And why would I need Bluetooth if my tool turns it on with the auto-on?

 

[Stone Message]

I have just put up a video about 3 of the Festool extractors:


As far as I know the CT Mini will not have a Bluetooth option but the CT Midi does. I am happy to be corrected on this.

Peter

 

[mrboult]

Can Bluetooth be added to the CT15?

And why would I need Bluetooth if my tool turns it on with the auto-on?

Auto On works because the power cord is plugged into the vac. So the vac knows when you turn in the tool.
Bluetooth vac connects to battery of battery operated tool to know when the tool turns on. Requires festool vac and battery that both have Bluetooth.

There is a video around here somewhere of how someone added the festool Bluetooth module to a ct-sys successfully. But it wasn’t easy peesy and would obvs void any warranty.

And to the OP:
I think the CT15 is the best value vac around and a great choice.

If I weren’t doing it for a living + had an arsenal of battery tools + constantly moving Systainers around (CT15 won’t attach them in top) I’d go for the CT15

 

[DynaGlide]

And why would I need Bluetooth if my tool turns it on with the auto-on?

When I'm working I'm constantly turning the vac on/off without a tool connected to clean up. The cleantec fittings come to mind. .they lodge dust in the grooves which spills out when you disconnect your tool. It isn't something you think you'd need/want until you have it.

 

[Matt D]

Thanks for all the replies. I do not have any battery powered Festool and honestly don’t plan to get any, so I don’t need the Bluetooth it sounds. I’m also thinking about the Fastcap Remote as a possible add on, but the auto on will work for the time being.

 

[Stone Message]

[member=71904]Matt D[/member]

I have Bluetooth on one of my extractors and it is worth every penny. As several people have said, workshop cleanups and also use with cordless tools when you do not have a Bluetooth battery make it invaluable.

For anyone considering retro fitting a Bluetooth module I do show how easy it is to do in my video above.

Peter

 

[Cheese]

When you're sanding, do you ever vacuum the boards when you change grits?

Will you ever use the vacuum for simple clean-up chores?

I have an older MIDI that will not accept Bluetooth and I will be replacing it with a newer MIDI that does accept Bluetooth.

I will not purchase another vacuum if it doesn't have Bluetooth or is not convertible.

Once you have a vac with Bluetooth, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.

 

[alexl]

I went with the CT15 a few weeks ago when i finally drank the green kool-aid. So far paired with my domino and a sander. I am a furniture maker, so ability to stack systainers on the vac is not a big issue for me. If it became an issue, the hose garage from the ct-midi can be added for $50. I also have the vac right beside me, bending over to manually turn on if necessary is not a big interruption to my particular work flow. I see no point in a cordless tool for my workshop/workflow if i am just going to plug a dust collection hose in anyway (though i am sure this is over-simplified and other folks love their cordless stuff).

 

[kevinculle]

The Bluetooth feature is essential in my experience.

 

[Matt D]

@ Alexl - I’m a furniture maker too, thanks for those thoughts. I’ve gotten by with a 15 year old craftsman shop vac under my bench, and turning it in and off might add a step but no big deal. I have the 5 seconds to spare.

I don’t vac after each grit, usually a burst of compressed air or a rag.

General shop cleanup is usually with a broom, call me old fashioned.

Seems like the Fastcap Remote would basically add the functionality of Bluetooth with a press of a button. So that might be an option too.

CT15 is looking up my alley. Thanks all.

 

[mrboult]

I have just put up a video about 3 of the Festool extractors:


As far as I know the CT Mini will not have a Bluetooth option but the CT Midi does. I am happy to be corrected on this.

Peter

The CTL Mini II has Bluetooth. I have it.

 

[pettyconstruction]

I have Bluetooth on a CT-26 and it really helps.
The amount I turn it on and off is amazing .
In the past, I would leave the vac on.
Plus,if you get a longer hose,it makes a difference .
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[DeformedTree]

The calendars should be reset to have year 0 based on  Before Blue Tooth CTs and After Blue Tooth CTs.  BBT and ABT.

As I think everyone who has it has stated, there just is no world without it once you have it. It sounds silly, but it's just freaking brilliant when you are working.  From cleanup, to mid jobs (such as sanding as mentioned), it's just far to handy.  Bending down, reaching under a bench doesn't sound like much, till you don't have to do it, then bending/reaching down just becomes crazy.

 

[AlexThePalex]

As far as I know the CT Mini will not have a Bluetooth option but the CT Midi does. I am happy to be corrected on this.

Mini and Midi from the same generation are always identical except bag size.

 

[FestitaMakool]

A small correction to Alex’ answer: The new CT Mini/Midi shares the same bag, made to max out on the Midi, but tub size differs.

 

[Matt D]

I’m sure it’s nice to have, but it’s not worth $300. Especially when I could spend $30 on the Fastcap Remote and have basically the same thing.