Is the Festool ct26, and ct cyclone. Worth it or not?

Do you really need to spend almost $2k on a dust extractor? In short, not really but what type of work are you doing? Are you a pro or hobbyist? Here are some tool links-
Festool ct26 dust extractor-
amzn.to/436xlNE
Festool 36mm hose-
amzn.to/3BUBN6N
Ivac switch for shop vacs-
amzn.to/3ItnWI5
Check out my TSO products affiliate site-
tsoproducts.com/?ref=Scolaro

[@tonyc7352]

21:03 I think it's great to make note on ear protection, Thank you. I'm a homeowner/DIYer and and never used ear protection, I'm "not young" and have almost chronic ringing in my ears. I am not a safety nut type, but I wish I could back in time and slap myself and wear them, so important. I do wear them now.

[@KAFilmswpg]

Great job Anthony. I’ve watched about a dozen reviews of Festool vacs and this was the best one I’ve seen yet by far

[@WelshRabbit]

Anthony, a fine comparison and excellent explanation. By the way, since "debris" comes from the French, and they don't usually like to pronounce the last letter of most words. Most folks I know say "debris" without pronouncing the "s" so it comes out sounding more like "de-BREE." Also, the brand "Fein" is from the German, and most folks use the traditional pronunciation rule-of-thumb for the "ei" and "ie" dipthongs where the 1st letter is ignored and the 2d letter is voiced -- so "Fein" comes out more like "fine." I think "Fein" is fine, but Festool is finer. 🤩 [But tread lightly if you''re around a Mafell fanatic.]

[@tonyc7352]

About the excess suction causing sanding problems; one model of Rigid vac I had came with an "adjustable airflow valve" built in the handle like on the Rockler "Dust Right Shop Vacuum Handle". You could also Macgyver some adapter somewhere on the hose and put a hole in it. It's also useful when I'm trying to vacuum a work area floor that is covered in protection paper and there is too much suction so it pulls the paper up.

[@Danko88]

thanks been looking at these since I bought a couple Festool sanders. currently use rigid and dust depty and it works but being able to lower the suction would be much better for the finish.

[@glenncallahan9037]

good job brother, thanks for the details!

[@henrysara7716]

Thank you Anthony.

[@gregorymacneil2836]

I went with the dust deputy 2.0 and have had excellent results. I used a 10 gallon metal drum instead of the 5 gallon plastic bucket so the thing will not tip over - tipping over is a major issue that no one talks about with the 5 gallon buckets. With the dust deputy I changed the vac bag once over a two year period. I am restoring a house room by room so mobility is not an issue otherwise I would consider the Festool. As for adjusting the vacuum pressure for my ETS EC 150 I really have not noticed it to be an issue and I spray all my work - but - it might be an issue with a more powerful vacuum. Great video

[@NWGR]

Great comparison Anthony, thanks for posting. Both have their place in the shop; I use my midi for collection at the tools, my dewalt shop vac for general cleanup. It's worth installing HEPA bags and filters even on basic shop vacs. edit to add: A dust separator is a must have IMHO. The festool cyclone is nice if you need that systainer compatibility, otherwise the dust deputy 2.5 is a lot more efficient in collecting dust with much less suction loss.

[@metronyc2855]

Thanks Anthony for the review and tips on using filters. I've been holding off but I just decided to bite the bullet and pick up the Festool Midi and Clyclone. Definetly pricey but goes well with my Sharper Origen around and sanders . And btw, it looks real f-in cool in my shop😀

[@AnthonyScolaro1]

Glad I could help!

[@murphyrp01]

Nice comparison. I have an older Kirby vacuum which has excellent suction and have it combined with a cyclone on a bin to catch most of the dust. Very loud though. That Festool vac system will be close to $2000 here in Australia. Like the Paulk smart bench template on the wall.

[@williamborges3914]

Great video, Anthony. Yup, if you're a non-dentist/lawyer hobbyist, go cheap with a shop-vac, a Dust Deputy, and a DIY cart. BTW, don't buy a big-body shop vac. Instead, get a powerful small-bodied one so the cart holding it and the dust-cyclone can be kept small. 😃

[@tonyc7352]

5:05 One thing I've learned is even with cyclonic dust collector containing practically all the dust/debris, you should still replace the bag after lots of use since it wears even though it's empty. (I use Ridgid vac, Ridgid bad and dust deputy). I got caught once and it started to blow through a spot on the bag that wore down. I at least check for this now. I also didn't know about the bags for years but now use then all the time.

[@tonyc7352]

16:30 That automatic switch can be a good solution for a not heavy duty tool like a a sander but it can be a problem with high-current tools like a big chop saw/table saw. All the power come from one circuit so it may trip the breaker As apposed to the IVAC "SWITCH BOX SB-NA" that feeds from two circuits.

[@AnthonyScolaro1]

At 16:30 that is an ivac switch that I’m showing.

[@tonyc7352]

@@AnthonyScolaro1 Yes I see the one you show is IVAC as is the one in the link in the description (but that linked one is different model then the one in your video). Maybe I wasn't clear about my point on this... IVAC has a different model (the one i referenced "SB-NA") that uses two separate circuits (provided by two separate plugs) for the vacuum and the tool. This is to avoid the problem of the typical vac switch, such as the one on the Festool or either of the IVAC models you reference pulling too much current and tripping the breaker at the panel.

[@AnthonyScolaro1]

@@tonyc7352 the plug switch on the festool dust extractor is made specifically to handle all of the tools in the festool lineup, including the miter saw, track saw, high powered routers etc… I have used it for a year straight and never tripped a breaker or stopped the dust extractor.

[@tonyc7352]

@@AnthonyScolaro1 My initial point was about the down side of using a vacuums' on-board auto switch compared to an auto switch that is designed with two separate input circuits. I appreciate that you haven't had this problem. I'm not sure you see the one point I've tried to make. The plug switch on the Festool vac, however heavy-duty, can't compensate for not enough current. Festool's own maximum rating of the connected tool is 3.7A to 9.1A, depending on the power adjuster setting. The 9.1A rating is available only when the vac is at lowest suction power (set by the dial you pointed out). These ratings are below many high power tools. Also, even when both the on-vac breaker and the panel breaker don't trip, there is often still the problem of under voltage at the connected tool. This is the same problem as when a high-power tool is run with through an extension cord that is too small a wire gauge and/or too long. The tool will run but at a lower voltage resulting in less torque and speed, this is not good for the tool's motor. Festool themselves point out this problem and that you sometimes need to not connect a high power tool through the auto receptacle on the vac.

[@Benmeglei1]

Fun fact: Makita Systainers also stack on top of Festool’s Dust extractors and Festool systainers can be stacked on top of a Makita systainer.

[@AnthonyScolaro1]

Yes, you are correct

[@hobbes3]

As for a sound meter, you can simply use your phone. There are plenty of (free) apps to do this.

[@dahut3614]

Hey, I paid $1200 for a Miele vacuum cleaner, so that doesn't sound too bad!

[@AnthonyScolaro1]

If it’s worth it, then I say good for you! I always say if it’s making you money and your happy with the performance of the product, you’re ahead of the game. My dust collection has never been better, quieter or more efficient. My clients even compliment me on how clean the work area is in their house. These high priced tools aren’t for everyone but as a professional, and having really high end work, you really can’t try and take the cheap way out. I haven’t had any experience with Miele, so you like it? I’m sure there are others on here who would like an opinion about it. Thanks.

[@dahut3614]

@@AnthonyScolaro1 The Miele has been a great vacuum so far and it's very quiet. We have also had one of their washing machines for fifteen years, which is why we bought the vacuum. I have an ETS 125 sander, which came with a little dust bag that actually worked very well, but my new Rotex does not provide its own airflow nor does it have a dirt bag! I like nice stuff, but I don't expect to make any money from it! I definitely know what you mean about the shocking shop vac hoses.

[@dahut3614]

You linked a 5-meter long Festool 36mm hose. Is that what you are holding at 6:08 (because they also make a 3.5 -meter hose)?

[@AnthonyScolaro1]

Yes, the 5 meter. That’s what I have. For me it’s the perfect length. If your dedicated it to one spot such as only on a miter saw, I’d go with a smaller length.

[@kevinohara1908]

I think there's a home made festool cyclone brewing lol

[@kubilayylmaz1716]

Hi Anthony, I have ctl26 festool sometime not enough capacity. Is it possible replace bottom thank reservoir with 48 liter model than less cost than cyclone and more effective no? Many thanks.

[@AnthonyScolaro1]

If you need more capacity, you need the next model up, which is the 36 and with tax, it’s over $1,000. The cyclone doesn’t give you more capacity in the dust extractor, it stops the extractors bag from filling up and makes it last longer. This way you don’t have to keep buying bags and throwing them out when they’re full. I’ve had this bag in the ct26 for 9 months and it’s still empty because everything goes in the cyclone bin and I just dump it out when it’s full.

[@kubilayylmaz1716]

@AnthonyScolaro1 thanks for answer but if I wanna just change bottom of the ctl26 container more capacity 48 liter one is it possible same size just more hight no? I just wanna under part replace with 48 liter.

[@AnthonyScolaro1]

@kubilayylmaz1716 I’m sure they would not match up, the footprint is totally different. If there was any way to do that, Festool would sell just the bottom unit. But I’ve never heard of, or seen anything like that ever done.

[@walkingconifer]

At lease you can save some money building the cyclone for festool

[@AnthonyScolaro1]

Yes, there are cheaper versions out there that you can use instead of Festool’s cyclone. I’m pretty sure they work well also. You have to shop around for different options, I know dust deputy makes one that fits.

[@ltandrepants]

least

[@Zamboni-0805]

Why do you talk so fast?

[@AnthonyScolaro1]

I have to squeeze in a lot of information and if I didn’t, the video would have been over an hour long.

[@tonyc7352]

I really don't think he talks too fast, actually pretty clear. Maybe you hear too slow.

[@WelshRabbit]

Anthony sounds fine at .75 speed, too. I enjoy him at 1.25 speed, but it does require focus and paying close attention.