Shop Vacs

joel · Post by **joel** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 7:34 pm

I've almost finished the mini cyclone that's been under construction for the better part of 4 months, and I've just got myself a drum sander to boot. Now I just need a decent shop vac to provide the suction and I'm good to go!

So, does anyone have any good recommendations regarding shop vacs?

Hesh1956 · Post by **Hesh1956** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:45 pm

Joel buddy unfortunately my recommendation is pretty pricey but nonetheless it is largely responsible for all the abuse that I take....

for having a clean shop.

I have the Festool CT-22 HEPA dust extractor. It pulls about 134 CFM, is pretty quiet, has nearly full power until the bag is near full, and is the core of the Festool system where their other tools plug into this baby for dust extraction.

I like mine so much I named it Monica....

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:30 am

I use one of Carbatecs dust extractors with the cloth bags. No cyclone, but I suppose there may be a way to set it up like that. The industrial dust extractor that they use at the Cairns Woodworkers Guild is the same type of unit I have on top of a cyclone. It's just a 10 hp. one and much larger.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:26 am

Over the weekend I borrowed one of those Festool things that Hesh is taliking about. In my opinion they are awesome.

And no, I'm not giving it back.

joel · Post by **joel** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:20 am

Hesh, I'd love one of those Festool vacuums. But at AUD$1021.90 its a little out of my price range

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:57 am

And theyre great for sucking up woodwork dust as well

Paul B wrote:Over the weekend I borrowed one of those Festool things that Hesh is taliking about. In my opinion they are awesome.

.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:04 am

kiwigeo wrote:And theyre great for sucking up woodwork dust as well

Paul B wrote:Over the weekend I borrowed one of those Festool things that Hesh is taliking about. In my opinion they are awesome.

.

Plaster dust too.

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:50 am

Paul, over the years that I've known Hesh, I've never known him to lead someone astray over tools or equipment.

And remember that extended borrowing can be misconstrued as keeping. That probably won't go over well.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:00 pm

Lillian, I was hoping that outright theft might be misconstrued as extended borrowing.

Actually, the bugger came and picked it up this morning after I'd left for work, damn it.

Great tools, too expensive for me though.

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:14 pm

I understand. I'll be able to buy a couple of Lie-Nelson's before I can afford the Festool dust collection. Who knows, one might show up on Craig's List and be affordable. Until then, this is just another reason for me to play the lottery.

Considering what you guys have to pay for it, I'm surprised he let it out of his sight. I'd have waited until you had left for work too so I could ask the Mrs. for it back without worry of a song and dance from you about how you managed to misplace it in your cavernous shop.

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:44 pm

I picked up a near new Festool CTM-22 HEPA dust extractor with a box of disposable bags, a reusable bag, a milk crate full of spare green anti-stat hoses and a combi box which clips on top of the vac full of other fittings like brushes and wands and other sucking stuff at a garage sale only 4 doors up from me.

The vac had belonged to a guy who had retired and decided to take up wood work. He used it a few times and then his wife had a near death experience due to some ongoing health issues and they both found god and started talking in tongues. They sold the house and contents using the money to buy a huge kick arse Winnebagoe so they could travel around and be self funded missionaries bringing the lord to remote aboriginal communities, good luck to em.

The fella who use to own the vac told me he had never even emptied the bag once, I have no reason to doubt the claim, the machine really is in excellent condition. He wanted $550 but took $320....I later found out that Festool charges $390 just for the 4 meter x 50mm anti-stat hose he threw in for nix.

Scroll down, it's the last hose on the list.

http://www.festool.com.au/mediandoweb/i ... N_KAPITEL=

Sometimes when I get a luck break like this I begin think'in that when I was born, I must have been kissed on the dick by a magic fairy....then something like the recent epoxy episode happens to me and I realise that I am just another schmuck waiting in line for the big sleep...Oh well.

Bottom line, this vac really is an outstanding machine, but I could not honestly justify paying any more than $500 with all the fruit. To replace what I have here would cost around 6 times that, so, if it had not been for divine intervention, I would never have considered owning the tool. THANK YOU JESUS.

Blessings and love to you all my brothers and sisters

Kim

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:13 pm

Kim wrote:
Blessings and love to you all my brothers and sisters

Kim

Get stuffed you bastard.

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:18 pm

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:37 pm

Gawd I love this place.

Just hanging out with you all can turn a crappy day around and make it bearable.

Thanks.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:12 pm

Yeah, it's kinda like being down the pub all day but without the hangover and the pissed-off missus.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 5:42 pm

Kim, can I tell ya where I'd like to shove that anti static hose. Get stuffed.

...good to see you're feeling a bit better.

Hesh1956 · Post by **Hesh1956** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:11 am

Quitting woodworking because they found Jesus?

Wasn't Jesus reported to had been a carpenter?

Great score Kim and I am glad that you like your Monica!

I opted out on the anti-static hose for two reasons: First it IS expensive and second if you keep your shop properly humidified static is rare, at least that was my hunch and it has proven correct for me.

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:56 am

Hesh1956 wrote:

The vac looks really swish...it even comes with a built-in poorta-loo on top.

Hippety Hop · Post by **Hippety Hop** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:42 am

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:47 am

Nice one Hippety Hop but it should really be in the glue thread.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:49 am

Hesh1956 wrote:
Wasn't Jesus reported to had been a carpenter?

Yeah, he gave up woodwork too. After he, er, got himself.

Hesh1956 · Post by **Hesh1956** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:34 am

Hippety Hop wrote:

Hippety Hop that is hysterical!

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:56 am

Mother inlaw came over yesterday to look after my daughter after school. Saw I'd left some plaster dust after sanding the last of the drywall, figures she'll help out by vacuuming that up for me. Killed the house vac that we only bought last year. $450 down the tube.

God save me from; People-That-Are-Just-Trying-To-Help.

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:50 am

Yep those house vacs just hate plaster dust. Usually the imminent death of the machine is preceeded by a loud high pitched whine. So far Ive killed two Mieles sucking up plaster dust.....so far the cheapo Panasonic is still alive.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:54 am

This was an Electrolux. Can't have lasted more than ten minutes sucking that crap up.

The Festool vac that I borrowed worked all day without missing a beat - and I borrowed it from our plasterer who's been using it for years - to suck up plaster dust.

You get what you pay for.

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