If you don't move the vac around a lot you could build a boom arm for over your bench. It would save some cash. I have the ct midi with built in bluetooth and I love that feature. I thought about the festool cyclone, but I found a seller on ebay who had boxes of bags for $25 so I stocked up. I went for the midi because it's my mobile vac; for the workshop I'll probably go for the ct 26 and cyclone separator.
I am debating between purchasing the boom arm from Festool versus building my own. I don't know what I will do as of yet. You got an excellent deal on your bags. Since purchasing the CT 48, I am considering a smaller version of the CT to have two setups, one for a stationary workspace and the other for mobile applications. Thanks for the feedback.
You should be good to go. The AC feature seems to be directed more at drywall work with the Planex dry wall sander. If that is not a future purchase you just saved a little extra cash. A guy on the Festool owners group forum called the AC extractor "dust extraction versatility" I like that definition. Thanks for taking the time to check out the video.
Man you just sold me on this unit. I was looking into different dust extraction systems but they are too bulky and don't have half the features of this Festool system. Great job on this video detailing all the features and options. My only question for you is, does the setup you have their come as a package or did you have to purchase the cyclone separately? I presume there is a split or 'Y' sort of connector if I want to hookup multiple tools to it simultaneously so I won't need to keep moving the house between tools.
You bought the big boy. For me my deal is mobile, a lot of occupied residential homes, so I find running a couple CT 26's is the sweet spot for mobility. I do run the 36 AC, but it is a dedicated drywall vac. I find the 36 to be a bit bulky and am happy I'm not lugging around the 48 as van real estate is always a premium. Your situation looks to be shop orientated. I'd make a boom arm for it. If you are running a fleece bag I'd turn the the AC off. It's unnecessary imo for anything but the drywall sander, and for that I run the open bag, so the AC is a benefit. The Festool hoses are awesome and I jokingly say that's why I keep buying Festool extractors, but the truth is the extractors run for a long time. A heads up, your separator box is on backwards. The click up rear and side tabs are for the older style systainers. If you spin it around and ignore the tabs, just center the separator tab with the green t-lock on the extractor and slide the separator back. The rear of the box will catch, and will secure in the front with the t-lock. It's tough to explain in text lol, but I've carried 3 sanders and the extractor in, by the handle of the top systainer locking them together this way. it's a sturdy connection and the separator will sit flush this way. If you are frugal I'd also look at Powertec replacement bags as they are over 50% cheaper than the Festool bags, and I've not noticed any significant difference. Of course with the separator you are probably not going through nearly as many bags. They is a off brand long life bag option as well. Still pricey but more like a 1/3 of the Festool long life bag.
Thanks for the tips. I will take a closer look at my separator setup. I will also look into those cheaper bag solutions. That is a helpful tip, I purchased the separator to cut down on bag purchases so further savings are welcome. I have been on the fence about building versus purchasing a boom for my vac. The issue I have run into is that even though I have a home based shop I have to do car maintenance in the same space so some degree of mobility is required, Now that I have picked up a few more Festools I am looking to get a smaller vac or two so that I can have tools connected to a dedicated vac via zones. I don't have it all planned out yet,. It is all a work in progress. Thanks for taking the time to offer constructive insight. I appreciate it. I picked up this interest later in life so I have a lot of catching up to do.
If anyone is wondering, the only difference with Festool Vacs is the size and Autocleaning, they all have the same CFM (suction power). Personally, I went with a CT-MIDI I with the Separator, it has built in Bluetooth (no extra module needed) and a Manual Filter Cleaning (I need my unit to be portable) and Keep in mind when using a the Separator a good majority of your dust/debris is going in there and not getting close to your filter.
@@JimTom. Power or CFM? The 48 has 137 and the Midi has 130 CFM, that is barely noticeable, just watch the Festool Live videos from HQ they go into all of this. All of their dust extractors are build to be used with all of their tools and to be within spec to provide proper dust extraction when using those tools. A Festool Dust Extractor is not a Shop Vac.
I do own the 48 ac but I want to mention for anyone looking the hose from festool will fit on a ridgid shop vac. I used the hose on the shop vac for a few years before i went with the 48.
Hello, On4Acres. To answer your question, yes, I do feel like it is too big from time to time. I only purchased this model because I had in mind to get rid of my Ridgid shop vac. After dropping all of that cash on the CT48, I could not see myself using it as a conventional shop vac. I have considered getting a smaller model to move about the shop and leaving the 48 in one location, but we will see. Regarding your second question, you would want to get the larger hose for the Kapex and larger tools. 36mm as opposed to 27mm.
I heard that there is a drop in performance from a CZcams video. Personally, I don't know because I have never used the CT 48 without the cyclone. I put purchased both items st the same time and connected them new out of the box.
Thank you for the video. Hard to find these videos
Thank you for taking the time to check out the video.
If you don't move the vac around a lot you could build a boom arm for over your bench. It would save some cash.
I have the ct midi with built in bluetooth and I love that feature. I thought about the festool cyclone, but I found a seller on ebay who had boxes of bags for $25 so I stocked up. I went for the midi because it's my mobile vac; for the workshop I'll probably go for the ct 26 and cyclone separator.
I am debating between purchasing the boom arm from Festool versus building my own. I don't know what I will do as of yet. You got an excellent deal on your bags. Since purchasing the CT 48, I am considering a smaller version of the CT to have two setups, one for a stationary workspace and the other for mobile applications. Thanks for the feedback.
Great review!
Thanks, Nicolas Rudzwick. I appreciate the view and the comment.
I wanted that AC feature but went with the CT 26 and cyclone separator instead, and I'm hoping not to regret it.
Love my Festool stuff!
You should be good to go. The AC feature seems to be directed more at drywall work with the Planex dry wall sander. If that is not a future purchase you just saved a little extra cash. A guy on the Festool owners group forum called the AC extractor "dust extraction versatility" I like that definition.
Thanks for taking the time to check out the video.
Man you just sold me on this unit. I was looking into different dust extraction systems but they are too bulky and don't have half the features of this Festool system. Great job on this video detailing all the features and options. My only question for you is, does the setup you have their come as a package or did you have to purchase the cyclone separately? I presume there is a split or 'Y' sort of connector if I want to hookup multiple tools to it simultaneously so I won't need to keep moving the house between tools.
It was not a set. I purchased them at the same time and there was no discount.
Thanks for checking out the video.
Great review. Looking at that exact setup. Considering the height i will probably go with a smaller vac to reduce overall height.
Thanks. The height is a bit much.
You bought the big boy. For me my deal is mobile, a lot of occupied residential homes, so I find running a couple CT 26's is the sweet spot for mobility. I do run the 36 AC, but it is a dedicated drywall vac. I find the 36 to be a bit bulky and am happy I'm not lugging around the 48 as van real estate is always a premium.
Your situation looks to be shop orientated. I'd make a boom arm for it.
If you are running a fleece bag I'd turn the the AC off. It's unnecessary imo for anything but the drywall sander, and for that I run the open bag, so the AC is a benefit.
The Festool hoses are awesome and I jokingly say that's why I keep buying Festool extractors, but the truth is the extractors run for a long time.
A heads up, your separator box is on backwards. The click up rear and side tabs are for the older style systainers. If you spin it around and ignore the tabs, just center the separator tab with the green t-lock on the extractor and slide the separator back.
The rear of the box will catch, and will secure in the front with the t-lock. It's tough to explain in text lol, but I've carried 3 sanders and the extractor in, by the handle of the top systainer locking them together this way. it's a sturdy connection and the separator will sit flush this way.
If you are frugal I'd also look at Powertec replacement bags as they are over 50% cheaper than the Festool bags, and I've not noticed any significant difference. Of course with the separator you are probably not going through nearly as many bags. They is a off brand long life bag option as well. Still pricey but more like a 1/3 of the Festool long life bag.
Thanks for the tips. I will take a closer look at my separator setup. I will also look into those cheaper bag solutions. That is a helpful tip, I purchased the separator to cut down on bag purchases so further savings are welcome.
I have been on the fence about building versus purchasing a boom for my vac. The issue I have run into is that even though I have a home based shop I have to do car maintenance in the same space so some degree of mobility is required,
Now that I have picked up a few more Festools I am looking to get a smaller vac or two so that I can have tools connected to a dedicated vac via zones. I don't have it all planned out yet,. It is all a work in progress. Thanks for taking the time to offer constructive insight. I appreciate it.
I picked up this interest later in life so I have a lot of catching up to do.
If anyone is wondering, the only difference with Festool Vacs is the size and Autocleaning, they all have the same CFM (suction power). Personally, I went with a CT-MIDI I with the Separator, it has built in Bluetooth (no extra module needed) and a Manual Filter Cleaning (I need my unit to be portable) and Keep in mind when using a the Separator a good majority of your dust/debris is going in there and not getting close to your filter.
Thanks for the information. I agree with you regarding the cyclone.
The Midi and ct 15 have noticeably less power Than the ct 26 - 48, its not much but it is noticeable
@@JimTom. Power or CFM? The 48 has 137 and the Midi has 130 CFM, that is barely noticeable, just watch the Festool Live videos from HQ they go into all of this. All of their dust extractors are build to be used with all of their tools and to be within spec to provide proper dust extraction when using those tools. A Festool Dust Extractor is not a Shop Vac.
@@Billy_bSLAYER It doesnt matter what the specs are, ive owned both the CT26 and now have the new Midi, the 26 has noticeably more suction
@@JimTom. Suction,
performing what tasks? Date night? Make a video sucking stuff up, demonstrate it.
I do own the 48 ac but I want to mention for anyone looking the hose from festool will fit on a ridgid shop vac. I used the hose on the shop vac for a few years before i went with the 48.
Thanks for the information, James. I was not aware of that. That can save a person a pretty penny.
Do you ever find this to be too big? I’m trying to decide on this or the 36. Also can you plug a bigger tool, such as a miter saw, into the vac?
Hello, On4Acres. To answer your question, yes, I do feel like it is too big from time to time. I only purchased this model because I had in mind to get rid of my Ridgid shop vac. After dropping all of that cash on the CT48, I could not see myself using it as a conventional shop vac.
I have considered getting a smaller model to move about the shop and leaving the 48 in one location, but we will see.
Regarding your second question, you would want to get the larger hose for the Kapex and larger tools. 36mm as opposed to 27mm.
Are you seeing any performance decrease using the festool cyclone?
I heard that there is a drop in performance from a CZcams video. Personally, I don't know because I have never used the CT 48 without the cyclone. I put purchased both items st the same time and connected them new out of the box.