Can the 3M Dust Extractor Compete with Festool?

[@731Woodworks]

▼EXPAND FOR LINKS TO THE TOOLS▼ 🎥 Watch Next - 3M Sander Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpvIiHR5raeXg5I 🛠Tools in this Video: Buy the 3M Dust Extractor - lddy.no/1f1fx 3M Sander - lddy.no/1f1g1 3M Fleece Bags (will be back in stock soon) lddy.no/1f1g3 Festool CT36 Dust Extractor - amzn.to/3KSkJDQ Festool ETS125 Sander - amzn.to/3y2P1fL All 3M Extractor Accessories lddy.no/1f1fy Festool Bluetooth Module - amzn.to/3Ye6Rqx Festool Vacuum Accessory Kit - amzn.to/3SDwlfO Festool CT36 Bags - amzn.to/3m3IY7O FYI Some 3M Extractor Accessories are sold out but will be restocked within 30 Days of this video publish date Other Tools/Equipment I'm Asked About Often: Table Saw - amzn.to/3IoKqsZ Table Saw Blade I'm Using - shrsl.com/3xv5i Miter Saw - amzn.to/41hbJy4 Tripod for Phone - amzn.to/3E3kWA9 Phone Holder for Tripod - amzn.to/3E1E6GG The shirt I'm Wearing - www.shieldsofstrength.com but appear to be sold out. Boots I'm Wear - amzn.to/3HkUl3y Toolbox in Background - homedepot.sjv.io/x9B2xy Tool Wall over Miter Station - amzn.to/3ZgWq7B Digital KZbin Sign - amzn.to/3GL2a2e Camera Gear I Use - kit.co/731Woodworks/camera-gear-i-use Computer Equipment I Use for Editing - kit.co/731Woodworks/731-woodworks-computer-equipment Other useful links: Daily Tool Deals on my website: www.731woodworks.com/tool-deals Subscribe the 731 Newsletter: mailchi.mp/7e44c16eefdc/731-woodworks-email-newsletter Check out our easy-to-follow woodworking plans: www.731woodworks.com/store Outlaw's Board Butter - www.731woodworks.com/store/boardbutter

[@StumpyNubs]

This was a fair comparison. Thumbs-up... I also own both. I don't think I could say that one is clearly better than the other. Each has features that I wish the other had. If the 3M had Festool's hose, bags and warranty, it would be the clear winner. On the other hand, if the Festool had 3M's lower cost, reduced noise, increased suction, dual filter auto-cleaning system, and pneumatic support, it would be the clear winner. I keep mine next to each other in the shop hoping they will have a baby together. It would be the ultimate dust extractor.

[@731Woodworks]

Thanks Stumpy! Oh if they combined the two with the best features of each, that would be an excellent dust extractor!

[@timblack33]

You can add the pneumatic support to a Festool. But I agree totally with your wish list

[@pmginy]

Where i think festool shines on this ,is the amount of add on you can add to an extractor. The warranty and quality can’t be beat. Like anything else. Cry once buy once. Festool is a hard company to beat. Once you have bought into there system. YOUR SCREWD. 🤣🤣🤣

[@Chwarg]

@@timblack33 Also there are models with auto clean (but only single filter). Question is - do you really need two filters? You can get the same features like the 3M but at a higher cost.

[@michaelwhitmore7160]

I have stop buying Festool has too much plastic which the plastic does breakdown over the time and still throw away

[@ianwebster8597]

I have had a Festool CT Mini for more years than I can remember. Still works as well as the day I got it. Absolutely love it, wouldn't consider anything else.

[@watermain48]

Great comparison Matt. Thanks for covering all the bases for us. I work at a Woodcraft store. We sell a lot of Festool dust extractors. Judging by the condition of some of them that we send back to Festool for warranty work I l can attest to the customer service from Festool. People sometimes bring in units that are just plain wore out and Festool makes them like new (sometimes actually new) again.

[@ibitaRaptor]

I got my CT midi off festool recon last year and glad I got it before the price hike. It was in excellent condition basically brand new. No regrets paying for the premium price.

[@slimpickins3047]

I've been running the ct36 auto and the midi, both in the shop for woodworking and in the field for finish carpentry and drywall work. I haven't found anything better and I've tried all kinds. I'll keep buying Festool for the rest of my career

[@barriowoodworks]

One feature I enjoy about the festool 36 is the availability to stack your systainers on top of it. Makes transporting tools easier on the job site.

[@shaynesabala]

Matt I am very impressed with this review. You basically left no questions unanswered. It seems to me it’s about application. For a shop, these are probably not what you want even if the shop is small. For a couple hundred more you can get a much better dust collector that can handle the heavy load of a planer. For someone that does work in clients homes theses a a must.

[@truthserum9157]

I have around 7 or 8 Festool sanders and the CT26, I totally love them, what I don’t like is their sand paper, I get 3M or other brands.

[@NWGR]

Great comparison, thanks. I went with a festool CT Midi I since I already had a festool tracksaw and recently added two festool sanders, and will be adding a festool router and jigsaw soon as well. The festool system works well for me, so I stick with it. Autoclean is not really necessary unless you're extracting drywall or concrete dust.

[@michiganracer1181]

My wife has the Festool sander and dust extraction. She does a lot of furniture refinishing it works amazingly well, I do send a few of my unfinished projects through her area to get them sanded with her Festool it just works.

[@dougmanter8002]

I drank the green cool-aid long ago. So, easy decision for me. Great unbiased review, as usual. Thanks!

[@ScottS360]

Great review! Thanks for the detailed comparison with the Festool vac! The Festool parts availability is no joke: I've had my Festool CT22E for almost 20 years and can still get bags, filters, and other accessories for it. Given the current prices, if I had to choose between the 3M and the Festool, I'd be tempted to buy the $499 Bosch VAC090AH dust extractor 😆9-gallon capacity, HEPA filter, auto-filter cleaning, 150cfm, fleece filter bag, wet/dry capability... it seems to check all the boxes. I think the biggest downsides to the Bosch are that the vacuum hose and power cord are a bit shorter than both 3M and Festool.

[@erickdanielsson6710]

Thanks Matt, I own the Festool 36, I do like how it works with my Festool and 3M sander. My only gripe is the Festool hose end works great on Festool tool, But.. You have to buy/find an adapter to use the Festool Extractor with any other tool. Taylor has an adapter for the 3M sander. I found an adapter on amazon which allows me to use the Festool on my Makita Track saw, DeWalt biscuit tool, and the old style Kreg pocket hole jig. Had I had the choice over again, I still would have gone with the Festool. The reason for the 3M would be the auto Hepa filter clean. But, the Festool bag precludes needing that feature on the Festool. Good review!

[@bmacaulay18]

Get the HEPA main filter for your festool extractor if you think you need it. Festool sells them for the 36.

[@ekill1395]

I just want to a say, I found your channel a few days ago looking for ideas for affordable table saws and miter saws that might be an upgrade from what I have now, but I’ve really enjoyed all of your content and I’ve watched quite a few videos on stuff that’s way out of my price range because you make it very informative and interesting. That’s not what has made the biggest impression on me, I had noticed your t-shirts being Christian related in a couple videos, but in this one, I went to the description to see a link to the 3M Dust Extractor to see how much it costs, and I saw your link to the greatest free gift you ever received. It is awesome to see someone like you, in a position where they have followers and a platform, use that to bring glory to God and to spread the Gospel. Keep up the good work!

[@egbluesuede1220]

I got the 3M sander last year as well as the dust extractor and no regrets. I also have a Rotex sander, and all three play nice together. I like how easy the 3M is to connect to all my tools, and the 15 foot hose reaches pretty far. I also like the optional attachments which are all very high quality. This was an essential purchase according to my wife and here's why. I got so sick of shop vacs.....they didn't fit most tools, and created more of a mess than anything trying to empty them. So I got lazy and didn't emphasize dust collection, which meant there was dust migrating outside of my shop. Wife says.....you need better dust collection.....and for once I didn't argue with her. ;-)

[@pmginy]

I’m locked into festool have 4 extractors and 2 rooms full of there tools. There quality can’t be beat. If you get a festool midi extracyor it works with Bluetooth on cordless tools.

[@sdfg88]

It looks like the OEM is Starmix. From the look of their vacs, it looks like they are OEMs for Metabo as well. Pneumatic ports look like a custom feature. Bluetooth remote starters that plug into the power port is also available from other 3rd party tool manufacters. This added would give an more similar comparison to the Festool which would mean the both come out to be around the same price

[@gillespirsoul5702]

Indeed, I'm using the Starmix one for 8 years, very nice model. It can swallow water, but you have to remove the HEPA filter to do so. And of course only use it without HEPA for water.

[@jronmanbuilds]

Great review as always. One thing to note is if you are willing to invest into the "system", Festool has many add ons that can expand the feature set quite a bit like a rear handle, boom arm, pneumatic module, second ac plug module, and more. The 2 modules come at the sacrifice of the bluetooth module. The extra plug seems to only have a European option and no plugs for UK or North America. I think the pneumatic module is discontinued and also needed a secondary module to regulate oiling of the tool. One thing to note about the bluetooth module is it works on the cordless Festool line. Most newer tools come with bluetooth batteries so having compatible batteries should be a non issue for most Festool users. For sanding the cfm difference to me is a non issue because most sanders apart from the Rotex and other geared sanders, you turn the suction down. You might notice the extra cfm when routing or grinding. If I was going based on the cfm spec I probably wouldn't be going with either option. I would probably get the Bosch GAS20-17AH or a dust extractor with similar specs.

[@LamentationStudio]

I use the Festool to clean my other dust extractors as well... I think everyone watching this either has Festool or is planning on getting some Festool in their shop, the air-hose hook-up might be extra useful for the folks working in automotive body shops.

[@AtomicWoodworks]

First off, thank you for the honest review. Secondly, I have Festool extractors that I use at work. Many of them actually, ranging from the mini to the 48. For my shop at home I use Fein turbo II's. I have nothing negative to say about the Festool other than the price of the tool and the price of the bags. The Feins I use at home are every bit the extractor as the Festool at less than half the price. They do not come with anti static hose, but one can be purchased from them if required (it isn't most times) or you can also use a Festool hose in one as well. The blue tooth connection can be done with a Makita blue tooth if you would like but using the outlet on the machine I rarely find it necessary. Just some food for thought. Not everything requires the money needed for either of these tools. Fein hits all the marks at a fraction of the money. Dan

[@shawnramsey882]

I've been looking at the Fein over a Festool, in fact the Fein has more cfm across the collection of models they make. You get a bit more for your money in that aspect with Fein

[@charlestemkin270]

Everything in your video is consistent with my experience with these two dust extractors. Some additional observations. (1) Although I didn't see any instructions regarding how to insert the 3M filter bags, it turns out that the filters in fact have a top and a bottom. That is, the filter works a whole lot better one way than it does if you flip it 180 degrees. Of course the first time I got it wrong and ended up, as you did, cleaning the 3M and filter with my Festool. (2) Maybe it is just my unit or something I have done to it, but the red light comes on unless I have the air flow turned most of or all the way up.

[@danielfrei3097]

Have a look at these videos, this is the instruction from the german producer of the vac, how to insert the bags. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2KXY2mwjZmXmpI kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnvNZKahhLGmgM0 The red light indicates that the air flow is not good, this happens with dirty filters, full bags, some part being stuck in the hose or an accessory at the end of the hose that does not let the air flow free enough.

[@jimmymcafee5197]

I love myFestool cyclone add-on. Bag changes are like....never and judging from the price, they are really proud of their bags. Don't know if 3M added that yet.

[@travisyarbrough4033]

I know it is cheesy but I love this channel and also that KZbin screen in the back. That is a really cool add on. I admit I HATE cleanup and this is just what I need for sure. Being new to all this I love the coverage of all the parts of woodworking included in your posts.

[@mwoody4560]

Thanks for the review. Per your ask, of these two DEs I think I’d go Festool. I haven’t bought into the Festool line yet. I know that they are fine tools, I’m just not convinced yet that they are the best buy yet. Since my woodworking is a hobby, I’m in no rush either. I do like tools that are accurate, high quality, and perform as expected. Inhave been looking at other brand DEs like Fein, Makita, Bosch, etc. It’s been difficult to try and monetize the various features and quality for comparison. If you are up to a DE showdown in the future, that would be awesome.

[@mrgunn2726]

Great review! 👊 While the 3Ms Autoclean is a nice feature and the comparable Festool CT36AC with a similar feature is much more expensive and the hose is not the nice fabric one, I don't see 3M offering enough value over the Festool CT36 at the price point, $750 vs $850; Festool is an established brand in this space and offers 3 year vs 1 year warranty and better accessories.

[@WJCTechyman]

The Festool's hose is neat. Brings me back to the days of vintage vacuums with a woven cloth covered hose like you would see on Electrolux up into the 80s and possibly 90s.

[@kb6dxn]

I have a lot of the Festool tools and 2 dust extractors and they all work great, I do have the 3m disc sander as well. Great review, I think the festool is a lot better overall

[@dougcjohn]

Not a Festool User, although purchased a Makita Autoclean first, similar performance but didn't pack up nice and looked like normal shop vac... Purchased the Festool 48 Autoclean, great design. The performance is great, 1 filter, and packs up clean & condensed... Hose in top and Cord storage location. Plus the Festool offers the BlueTooth module that works with all Brands, which is absolutely Great... turn all brands on at hose end button or Auto On for Festool hardware. Advantage of 48, hose is larger diameter than smaller Festool units and largest dust capacity for similar size units. Price is a tad higher but design, storage, BT easily justifies the price difference.

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

Good information. I already am in the Festool system. I’ve thought about getting a second dust extractor that I could get left in the workbench I want to build.

[@davidewing1779]

I especially appreciated the last segment on using this over a shop vac with hepa filter. I currently use a shop vac, dust deputy separator, and hepa filter. Thanks for specifically explaining that key difference!

[@adammcbride6159]

Witworks does a comparison on a festool vs shop vac with HEPA filter bag. The shop vac was more efficient. You should check his video out. Interesting results.

[@bmacaulay18]

@@adammcbride6159 I wonder if that’s why Festool has a HEPA filter available now.

[@georgekourides1065]

I have both the Festool CT 36 AC and the CT 26. I added Bluetooth to both. Just today the Bluetooth came in very handy. I was up in the attic and need to vacuum up some debris. I ran the hose up the pull down stairs and was able to turn the vacuum on and off with the Bluetooth.

[@mcfarlandcustoms]

I’be been excited for this video to come out! We’ve been talking about which extractor to buy for a few weeks now. This helps mail that down. Thanks man!

[@adama163]

Thanks Matt for the info on the 3M sander and dust extractor. I am in the market for a sander/de system and was on the fence for 3M or festool. Your videos (including Stumpy's comments) helped make the decision for the 3M system as the best for me. Used your links to purchase this morning.

[@731Woodworks]

Thanks Adam!

[@dgoddard]

I've had a CT Midi that has been on almost every job my company has had for 7 years. I've never had an issue with it. Not even once. And we're using it on cabinet refinishing and painting so it sees a ton of fine dust. Same with Festool's sanders. I've got 3 different sanders and none of them have had issues except for us just wearing out the velcro pads and having to replace them. But I've only done that once for the one we use the most. Between my dust collector and three sanders I have around $1800 invested in 7 years. That works out to less than $260 per year or around $5 per job that it costs me. I'm not sure I'd spend big on one for the shop. But when I buy a new one for the business, the old one will retire to my shop because I know it will still be running just fine.

[@wallacegrommet9343]

HEPA vacuums are required in many specialty professions. Boatyards, lead cleanup, radioactive processing facilities, for example

[@maik_and_ike]

The 3M is made by STARMIX and those can also be used for wet. Are you sure this one is only for dry vacuuming?

[@uff.cr7655]

The 3M is a model same to the german brand starmix we have here over the ocean so it is just a new branded model. The one from the german brand I named above is on the market here since 2015 I got this and also worked with the festool and in my opinion the festool is better over all but the 3m/Starmix is also really solid but in germany it cost like 300-400€ loss in vomparison to the festool ✌️ From Germany

[@deviceone]

honestly at a loss as to why none of the Big Box brands have integrated a shop vac to a cyclone separator, stuck it on a cart and charged a couple hundo for it. So many DIY options for this its insane it hasnt been developed into a product

[@dryerthackston7088]

I own the 3M Xtract sander and dust extractor and have not regrets. I have never used the Festool or Mirka sanders, so I have nothing to compare it to other than my DeWalt ROS. The 3M allows me to work quicker, with less fatigue and much less dust. I've had it for three months and, like I said, no regrets.

[@FixItFrench]

I like the double filter feature of the 3M, but the Wet vac feature is a pretty huge feature. Both of these are out of my price range right now. Just using a separator for my shop

[@MikeStJohn-du5ue]

Nice review, thanks. I do not have a dust extractor but I would lean to the 3M for more tool options.

[@brentfrench752]

Both machines are way out of my budget. I use a couple shop vacs, one connected to my miter saw and the other located in a rolling cabinet I made, which has the dust deputy and hepa filter. Both shop vacs are connected to a switch so they start automatically when I start the tool. The shop vac may not catch all the smaller dust particles, but that doesn’t concern me much as cancer from dust particles are extremely rare if you’re breathing in the stuff every day 8 hours a day, which I don’t. However, I guess allergies might be a different story. I also have an overhead hepa filter dust collector, so I feel safe enough as I breathe in far less dust particles than say someone in rough framing construction, cabinet making, saw mills, etc. You do what you can with the budget you have.

[@donalexey]

You don't just get it. Autocleaning is the way to go, it is not that important for wood dust, but with concrete or body shop it is a necessity. And yes, those filters are always dirty, but never clogged. BTW it is rebranded Starmix.

[@AB-nu5we]

I have the CT26. The Bluetooth feature is awesome, I use it all the time when using the CT26 and cleaning up afterwards. No constantly running back and forth to the collector base to turn on/off the dust collector. I also have the Oneida chip collector (Festool has one too) for the CT26. I regularly use my CT 26 and haven't changed the fleece bag in two years. The overwhelming bulk of wood waste gets caught in the chip collector at which point I either empty it somewhere in my backyard as ground cover, or compost.

[@ibarskiy]

Does that Oneida maintain anti-static loop? I am reading conflicting things, including using Oneida will void Festool warranty...

[@AB-nu5we]

@@ibarskiy My Oneida came with anti-static cables. They work fine. I don't see how the Oneida collector would void the warranty. It makes no modifications to the dust extractor at all. There are several tool makers that make actual components that actually replace Festool parts, but don't void the warranty. Maybe some Festool wingnuts are trolling everyone. You might try posting that question on the Festool Owners Group bulletin board. They have good moderators that are quite knowledgeable about what does and doesn't void Festool warranties.

[@coolabahwoodworking]

Thanks mate! I really appreciate your amazing work. You are giving so much value to your community!

[@beauchastain9720]

For those who don't know: "I like how it done" (0:57) is the best compliment we can give something here in Arkansas.

[@deannacorbettwhite1]

Great video once again! Have you ever used the Makita dust extractors? Curious to know where they fit in with these other top extractors.

[@michaelmazzen]

The ability to stack systainers on top of the festool and roll them around is reason enough I would never consider anything else. Then comes the ergonomics, remote control, the hoses. The hose garage is absolutely genius. A place to store the hose IN THE MACHINE when not in use and when hauling around and storing or in a van is so convinient. Its not even close. Only other options would be a Starmix (in one of their milion rebranded iterations or maybe Hilti) purely for durabililty. There pretty much indestructable. The festool is durable but not build for that kind of jobsite abuse. The hose garage seems to break quite easily if you drop something on it. You'll see a lot of old festool vacs with shattered hosegarages on jobsites... its easily replaceable though.

[@Keifsanderson]

I believe Starmix makes the 3M. Agreed on the hose storage. So simple, yet so great. The hose is the main thing I dislike about my shop-vac/Oneida cyclone setup.

[@adampoll4977]

The 3M is similar/same as a Metabo model. It IS a wet/dry vac, there are electrical probes that shut of the motor when the water level reaches them.

[@billboy7390]

Great review, Love the 3M sanders as I have a 5" & 6" but I think the Festool is the better tool and works with my Domino Machine plus the 3-year warranty, the hose is nicer & I have the Festool adapted on the sanders but I like the bag system and the thought of that plastic bag sticking out around the edge. Festool has been doing this linger and has everything figured out. There are other ones out there like Mirka, Fein, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, and many others.

[@piobenn]

I am seriously thinking about purchasing a Festool dust extractor and have been researching pros and cons as well as price. Currently the only Festool product I own is a track saw and have been somewhat disappointed with the sawdust collection using my ridged shop vac and would like to see side by side comparison of what is left behind using a preferably Festool track saw and the 2 different dust extractors/shop vacs. I recently discovered your videos and have really enjoyed them and will continue to watch. Thanks for any help you can offer. Stephen

[@AlexRicketson]

I went with the Makita dust extractor and I've been happy with it so far. Looks identical to the Mirka extractor but significantly cheaper. Cheaper than 3M and the large Festool vacs too.

[@richragan4810]

Alex is the noise level of the Makita less or about the same as a standard shop vac? Thanks for your reply.

[@AlexRicketson]

@@richragan4810 it's significantly quieter than a regular shop vac. Although I should mention the (optional) automatic filter cleaning setting. When you set the vacuum to clean the filter while it's running it makes a "bang" noise every 15 seconds. Probably not loud enough to hurt your hearing, but loud enough to be obnoxious. Luckily, you can run it without the filter cleaning turned on to avoid that annoyance. From what I've read the filter cleaning is really only needed for heavy drywall sanding.

[@richragan4810]

@@AlexRicketson Hey Alex thanks so much. I just got that new 3M Extract Sander so I think the Makita is the way I'll go. I have a Makita 12 inch Lunch Box planer that I got 14 years ago and it is a great tool. I do 98% hardwoods and I've only changed the blades twice. I have an Etsy shop and do over 100 hardwood keepsake boxes a year all out of rough cut premium hardwoods. Thanks again for your time.

[@AlexRicketson]

@@richragan4810 no problem!

[@mananddog9884]

Which Makita extractor do you have? Thanks

[@amberalvarez9431]

Oh so pumped about this video! Been waiting for it. Thanks Matt

[@bryanknitter8858]

I don't think I'll EVER be able to justify almost $1000 for a fancy vacuum, regardless of the features. These prices just insane. I have a HEPA filter in my shop vac and it pulls 160cfm. 🤷‍♂️

[@beerbottlebaby]

My thoughts exactly.

[@Jeremy_810]

Upgraded my shop vac with a 16 ft Cen-tec hose kit and a $9 remote control outlet. Saved me a bunch of $$$

[@reggiejenkins6458]

I have a remodeling business and I’m a hobby woodworker. The Festool vacs are worth every penny to me, I have 3 of them. One for my truck, one for my guys truck, and one for my shop.

[@nonplayablecharacter4815]

I have a shop vac and a mask 🤷🏻‍♂️ Nobody else comes in the garage when I’m working and if they do I’ll buy them a mask

[@XxIcedecknightxX]

I just bought a stealth dewalt vacuum and put a HEPA filter on it for lathe work and omg it's amazing. Can use it without any ear protection as it's around 68dba.

[@GiovanniGiorgo]

Save $300 and get the Flex or Milwaukee extractor. Almost the same tool minus the pneumatic feature, and the accys are priced way better.

[@cbwandering]

I’d be interested to see how the Fein Turbo 2 HEPA or the the Makita XCV13Z compare to the Festool!

[@andy2253]

Festool for sure. 3m has a great sander and great sanding disks but Festool is so well thought out.

[@denniskeane5862]

Try a cyclone on top of the vacuums, I have found it works great significantly reducing bag replacement with my Festool system

[@uprightcr2744]

I sold my Festool and picked up the makita 11gallon dust extractor. I’m utterly thrilled with it. More power than the festool. More capacity than the festool. Rolls better than the festool. And it’s cheaper than the festool… by quite a bit. Makita’s new 40v tools have aws Bluetooth on them, so mine will fire up the vac when the tools are activated. I run the aws adaptor for the corded vac, and I have been thrilled. Other than the domino, Festool offers me nothing I can’t get other places cheaper.

[@behindtheseeyesiseewhatyou8953]

Man! I love 3m Products. They have amazing pneumatic sanders. Finishing auto body and carbon fiber they are essential!

[@timvangool291]

I really like my Starmix aka 3M. Sucks good with my Festool tools and makitas! The sucking noise in the router makes alot of noise lol but catches 99.9% of the dust!

[@biomorphic]

The 3M product is most likely made by Starmix, a German company. I have an older model with the vibration automatic filter cleaning system. The point is that you shouldn't use a bag if the appliance has a filter cleaning system. Without the bag you have more suction power. Once the filter is dirty you simply turn on the vibration, and the filter is cleaning automatically. I literally have used mine for heavy duty work in construction, when I was renovating my home, and the cleaning system is simply great. It is not intended to be used with a bag, and the vibration is what keeps your filter clean enough to keep working, and have enough suction.

[@cavalli821]

This was a great video- thank you for this! I'm just refinishing my own kitchen cabinets and have to do some (not all) sanding inside my apartment. I just ordered a shopvac and a separate hepa filter kit (comes with filter and bag). I have a regular Bosch 1/4 sheet sander. Im totally conflicted on whether I should return the Ridgid shopvac and HEPA filter and just get a dust extractor. Once im done with this project, either of those items will go to the storage room and not be used for years. Curious to hear your advice since you have so much experience with these items. My main concern is health given that this is inside our apartment...

[@inkandbarrel]

Have you tried the Makita system? The 11 gallon even works with all the systainer family containers.

[@keithmulhall4900]

Festool usually covers theft under the warranty once registered.Just an FYI

[@willemkossen]

My starmix extractor looks suspiciously similar to your 3m one.

[@1steelcobra]

One thing you missed is that Festool has a cyclonic separator unit that can lock onto the top of its CT 26/36/48 model extractors, which is an extra cost but an upgrade path to consider.

[@jimrosson6702]

Great video Matt I have the 3M sander and it’s amazing just using a shop vac right now but would love to get the 3M dust extractor someday thanks for all the useful information and tips. Love your channel and live streams. Wish I could use my iPad to vote on the Festool domino, track saw, or bottle of glue but it won’t let me on any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

[@ggrimm79]

Excellent review and comparison.

[@technewsfortechnoobs]

Of all this information in the video and in the description....I want to know more about that swivel-arm you have your cell phone mounted to! That is something I would ABSOLUTELY use when starting to make my videos for my channel!

[@731Woodworks]

lol Got it on Amazon

[@S1rAdam]

How to use 3M dust extractor: Step 1: Use it Step 2: Buy a Festool extractor to clean the 3M extractor Step 3: Repeat

[@danielfrei3097]

😀 that's the point that was not ok in this video. The 3M was operated without a fleece bag and compared to the Festool with a fleece bag. Now there are already comments that they prefer the Festool cause of the bags 🤦‍♂

[@GCheung55]

Nice comparison! I’m leaning towards 3M since I don’t have any Festool tools and already have a wet/dry shop vac (by Rigid). Thoughts on comparing the two dust extractors with a shop vac + dustopper, like how you compared three planers at different price points?

[@lmallard3788]

The standard hose for festool is 27mm, but the optional 36mm moves more air of course,. Are the hoses for each dust extractor the same diameter?

[@shannonmcafee4169]

I don’t have the festool. But I just bought the Jienuo 501 off Amazon. I’ll see how it goes

[@egorglushkov9024]

AFAIK Festools 10 year spare parts availability guarantee is not from the purchase date but from the date they stop production of that tool. Also what i like about Festool dust extractors is that the filter does not stick into the dust compartment.

[@ggrimm79]

Thank you, 3M for actually making a useful hose connector! I'm so sick of all these proprietary sizes and "adapters" that don't do a damn bit of good! Bitter much?… yes. 😁

[@robk1310]

Yo be fair, you should include the SurfPrep dust extractor also. I feel it is the best for the money.

[@tbl911b8]

I have both the CT36 and CT36-AC. Yes, they’re expensive, but I have a lot of Festool tools and they work well together. I purchased the regular CT first and wished I’d purchased the AC instead, because I decided to purchase the drywall sander that is recommended to be used with the AC. As for bags, the AC comes with a plastic liner, for drywall dust, just like the 3M. And just like the 3M, the Festool vac is a mess on the inside when using the liner. I ditched the liner and only use bags in both vac regardless of what I’m doing. That said, I started using bags made by PowerTec, because they are half the price of Festool bags on Amazon. So far I’ve had no issues what so ever with the PowerTec bags. I’ve used the CT/AC for everything from general cleaning to a Metabo concrete grinder and drywall sander with no problems. I’ve had my CT36 without AC for about 7 years and have yet to have to replace the HEPA filer with regular routine maintenance. I had always scoffed at the Bluetooth add on for the vacs, until I purchased and added it to one…game changer for me. Now both vacs are Bluetooth equipped and I wouldn’t have it any other way. No more running back and forth to the vac to turn it off and on. I also added the Festool Cyclone that cut my bag usage by close to 75%.

[@jeremiasandrade5123]

Festool used to sell a module that you can buy which will add the ability to have the auto start with air sanders. Not sure if they still carry it tho. It plugs into the same spot where you would put the Bluetooth module.

[@Devin82m]

Thanks for sharing. How would that compare to the Bosch Dust Extractor that many KZbin woodworkers suggestion? I guess the same question for the Fein brand too.

[@AsianAttack]

I love how you used the Festool to clean the 3M filter

[@LukePighetti]

I think the 3M's CFM rating will reduce quickly after that HEPA filter starts to get caked with dust. That's the magic of the Festool for me. The bag captures, gosh, probably 99.9% of it, and the filter stays forever. The flow never drops until the bag is basically a brick molded to the inside of the Festool. Then you swap it out and it's like brand new.

[@danielfrei3097]

How good the cleaning function of the 3M works is strongly dependent on what kind of dust you are sucking. Fine dust from wood sanding is working mediocre, house dust and hairs are even worse but dust from concrete hammering and dust not as super fine as from sanding is working quite well. Btw you can also insert a bag into the 3M, they have about the same price as Festools.

[@LukePighetti]

@@danielfrei3097 glad to hear that you can buy cleaning bags for the 3M, that would change the math for sure!

[@WillLeingang]

I had that extractor and used it for concrete dust but the Festool vacs let you stack systainers on top and that is the #1 reason I switched.

[@danielfrei3097]

In Germany there is an adaptor plate available called Starmix Unifix which allows to stack systainers on top.

[@Damon_Barber]

Ok. Your final thoughts have convinced me I need one of these. Now I have to decide which one to save up for.😂😂

[@JuanCarlosBernalMorales170490]

Nice review! What do you think about the Milwaukee? Would it be better than these?

[@sicr7373]

I own a Festool midi extractor with Bluetooth, and the Bluetooth is so handy, that along with the excellent warranty means I won't be moving away from Festool anytime soon.

[@acmelvin6360]

Nice comparison video.... where did you get the wooden base for the Massca M2 PRO Aluminum Pocket Hole Jig System?

[@corythomas909]

Nice tool. 3M’s whole design aesthetics looks like it’s made in the 90s

[@peterconnolly2724]

Thanks for this review. My decision was made as soon as you opened up the extractors; theres's no way I'm going to put up with the mess that is in the 3M. The Festool looks almost unused! OK - more money (with autoclean), but compared to health insurance co-pays once your lungs are shot, it's nothing.

[@wykonczeni]

This 3M is OLD Starmix 1635. Check out new one, which has mounts for systainers on top

[@rosecityremodel2015]

The 3M dust extractor is pretty expensive for a new unproven tool. I’m still aiming for the Festool.

[@lendevonuk5479]

Festool has to be the winner here! Much better appearance and indeed you benefit from their confidence in backing it up with a three year all parts, labour and wear and tear warranty. Here in the UK we also get 3-years ‘theft’ insurance! In my opinion not even in the same ball park. Len (Devon 🇬🇧)

[@H0kieJoe]

BTW, Ryobi and Ridgid power tools are owned by the same company (TTI) that owns the Milwaukee power tool brand.

[@Gabri-991]

Thanks for the video! I think you have missed the gratest difference between the two.. that is: festool autoclean is based on opposite airflow so sometimes if you are doing a very dust intensive work during the autoclean it stops vacuuming and in worse cases it can spit out a bit of dust.. the 3m, and all the starmix alike dust extractors (yes, the 3m, as the metabo asr, and many others are all clone of the starmix ipulse) are different, as: 1. they have 2 filters, two sided, so 4 times the filtering surface.. 2. when one of the two filter is in autocleaning mode, the other one keeps working.. 3. the autoclean is based on an extremely fast scrolling (as we all do sometimes to clean our filters outdoor) and not opposite air flow.. so no backward dust and no interruptions in vacuuming the dust.. that said also festtol make extremely good dust extractor and provide a very good post selling guarantee and service.. for the same price starmix is better than festool in my opinion

[@chrisbresh8817]

Thanks for the fantastic video. Can you connect the festool to a larger diameter hose so I can connect it to my table saw? Thank you

[@731Woodworks]

I think you can buy an adapter to go from the saw to the hose. But this would fill up really fast connected to a table saw.

[@Arational]

I might consider the 3M if it was half the price of the Festool.

[@robk1310]

You should look at SurfPrep. Just as good as festool at half the price, and made in USA. SurfPrep extractors ship with 5 filter bags. They have lockable stacking storage bins as well.

[@davidzimmerman7770]

My Bosch 9 gallon came with one so that's all I'm using

[@smausy]

This looks like the same extractor as the metabo / hitachi that I own. It’s a very good dust extractor does its job well, but cord and hose management is a nightmare. Another hundred bucks for the hose garage is well worth it, and I wish they would build these things with retractable power cords like I vacuum cleaner.

[@stephenkramme7063]

Unless I missed it I think it would be very helpful to list the price of the filters and the filter bag.