Personally, I feel the wheel/castor system on the midi is more robust than the fein. Those little castirs dobt inspire the most confidence in me vs the larger wheels+castors the midi has. I don't have any experience directly with the fein; however, I enjoy the additional cohesiveness that festool provides with their tools. The stacking of the systainers was surprisingly useful. The bags are only 4 gal and more expensive, but I have no problems reusing them as long as what I sucked up isn't hazardous ie lead paint. My last bit of reasoning, which may seem a little frivolous to some, is that I like having my green tools with a green vacuum XD For me, $100 was worth the difference. (I actually scored mine off Craigslist for cheap, but I would be willing to front the extra 100.
Fein vs Festool Vac - Need some help guys!
Please forgive me in advance. I'm going to ramble a bit here at the beginning so that you get an understanding of what I'm asking for help on.
Looking at getting another vac for dust collection. Right now I'm using a Fast USA HEPA vac (which is now the new Oreck Compacto 9). I've been very happy with it, super quiet and the suction is excellent. It's definitely the best vac I've ever owned.
I've always been a neat freak geared towards keeping my job sites clean and leaving a job just as (or more often than not) cleaner than I found it. It's one thing that has helped set me apart.
Over the last number of months I've been working on reorganizing my setup, upgrading tools and buying organizers. I've always had things in toolboxes, bags, etc., but it was not compatible to stack.
I can sincerely appreciate the quality of Festool products. I've been hanging around BC's Festool thread and am being slowly sucked in!
I don't do a lot of high end carpentry or furniture work, so mostly what I could see me purchasing would be the Kapex. I currently have the Makita 10" 1016 slider and overall am very happy with the cuts. My one complaint (as seems to be everyone's) is the extremely poor dust collection. I've spent hours searching algore's web for solutions, but the design seems so poor that there doesn't seem to be a way to fabricate a better work around.
I looked at the systainers and they're definitely nice, but I just can't justify the cost in the quantity I need. I also bought a couple of the new Bosch L-boxx's and played with them awhile. I just wasn't convinced on the quality long term and so opted to go with Dewalt's T-stack line. So far have been reasonably happy!
(I say all that to say that I'm on another stacking platform so the need to stack systainers on a festool vac is not a requirement for me.)
I've been looking at the Festool MIDI and the Fein Turbo I or II as an additional vac. They both are rated very well for suction and low noise level. The one issue I seem to keep running across is the lack of (Fein's) onboard storage for attachments and hose. I don't consider that a deal breaker. Does anyone have a solution they've come up with for this?
There's a ~$100 difference in price. I'm not opposed to buying festool. I'm just not hooked into the platform, and that extra $ could go to more tools. (I am a faithful attendee at the TBA thread also. I'm the guy who hangs in the background, sees what everyone else confesses, but won't talk aboutd my own weaknesses!)
I guess what I'm asking is, have any of you guys (or gals!) had an opportunity to use both vacs? Could you offer me your opinions? As I mentioned in another thread, I'm kind of ahead of most other contractors in my area (track saw, dust collection, system organizers, etc.). No stores carry either of these Vacs in my area so I can't put my hands or eyeballs on anything in person. Whatever I get will have to be ordered online.
Thanks in advance!
Looking at getting another vac for dust collection. Right now I'm using a Fast USA HEPA vac (which is now the new Oreck Compacto 9). I've been very happy with it, super quiet and the suction is excellent. It's definitely the best vac I've ever owned.
I've always been a neat freak geared towards keeping my job sites clean and leaving a job just as (or more often than not) cleaner than I found it. It's one thing that has helped set me apart.
Over the last number of months I've been working on reorganizing my setup, upgrading tools and buying organizers. I've always had things in toolboxes, bags, etc., but it was not compatible to stack.
I can sincerely appreciate the quality of Festool products. I've been hanging around BC's Festool thread and am being slowly sucked in!
I don't do a lot of high end carpentry or furniture work, so mostly what I could see me purchasing would be the Kapex. I currently have the Makita 10" 1016 slider and overall am very happy with the cuts. My one complaint (as seems to be everyone's) is the extremely poor dust collection. I've spent hours searching algore's web for solutions, but the design seems so poor that there doesn't seem to be a way to fabricate a better work around.
I looked at the systainers and they're definitely nice, but I just can't justify the cost in the quantity I need. I also bought a couple of the new Bosch L-boxx's and played with them awhile. I just wasn't convinced on the quality long term and so opted to go with Dewalt's T-stack line. So far have been reasonably happy!
(I say all that to say that I'm on another stacking platform so the need to stack systainers on a festool vac is not a requirement for me.)
I've been looking at the Festool MIDI and the Fein Turbo I or II as an additional vac. They both are rated very well for suction and low noise level. The one issue I seem to keep running across is the lack of (Fein's) onboard storage for attachments and hose. I don't consider that a deal breaker. Does anyone have a solution they've come up with for this?
There's a ~$100 difference in price. I'm not opposed to buying festool. I'm just not hooked into the platform, and that extra $ could go to more tools. (I am a faithful attendee at the TBA thread also. I'm the guy who hangs in the background, sees what everyone else confesses, but won't talk aboutd my own weaknesses!)
I guess what I'm asking is, have any of you guys (or gals!) had an opportunity to use both vacs? Could you offer me your opinions? As I mentioned in another thread, I'm kind of ahead of most other contractors in my area (track saw, dust collection, system organizers, etc.). No stores carry either of these Vacs in my area so I can't put my hands or eyeballs on anything in person. Whatever I get will have to be ordered online.
Thanks in advance!
1 - 20 of 41 Posts
I love the midi for its compact size and it still has great suction. Bags are relatively cheap as well.
I got the Fein for the shop. It is a quieter vac than the Festools. Has the same suction and I disagree about the caster wheels, they work great.
But, if you are going to be using this in the field then the onboard storage along with the fact you can put another systainer on top of the vacuum makes it an ideal field vac.
I leave my Fein in the shop. When I go installing it's the Festool that rides along.
But, if you are going to be using this in the field then the onboard storage along with the fact you can put another systainer on top of the vacuum makes it an ideal field vac.
I leave my Fein in the shop. When I go installing it's the Festool that rides along.
The only problem is I don't have any systainers to go on it! :sad:
Leo, is the Fein a no go for jobsite work in your opinion? That IS what I'd basically be using it for.
Leo, is the Fein a no go for jobsite work in your opinion? That IS what I'd basically be using it for.
I'd use it on the jobsite. I don't see any problems with it.
If you did get the Festool, you'd likely get the kit for the vacuum too. (green koolaid strikes again) Then you'd have a systainer to hold your handles, wands and other vac related stuff used for cleaning up after a days work.
But absolutely no problem with the Fein in the field.
If you did get the Festool, you'd likely get the kit for the vacuum too. (green koolaid strikes again) Then you'd have a systainer to hold your handles, wands and other vac related stuff used for cleaning up after a days work.
But absolutely no problem with the Fein in the field.
I have both a Festool CT-22 and a Fein Mini-Turbo. Both are great vacs. The Fein is less noisy. At least the sound it does make is less annoying, but it's not a huge difference. The Festool isn't bad either. I like the Fein hose a little better. The rubber tip on my Festool keeps slipping off the end of my Installers kit. I don't find the casters on the Fein to be a problem either.
I have had my Fein for about 20 years, and it keeps on running smoothly. I usually use it with bags, but haven't always. It doesn't get babied. It has ridden in the back of many pickups. I loaned it to my brother for a while when he started his auto detailing business, and it ran almost non-stop for months. I have sucked dirty water, drywall, cement dust, and all kinds of other nasty stuff with it. Keeps on going! Plus, it's easy to empty.
The Festool is an awesome vac as well. I do baby it a bit more. For some reason, it feels more fragile to me. This may be totally unwarranted, but there are just more parts making up the vac. It's more complex. I put a hose garage on mine, which comes standard on the Midi, and it really is handy for accessories and transporting the hose. I also usually keep a Systainer on top that I can use to put things in that I'm working with at the moment, and the top works as a great place to put things down on. Basically a little work surface. I always us a bag with the Festool. I think it would be a pain to empty otherwise.
Overall, I don't think you could go wrong with either. The Fein is a bit more "toss-able", while the Festool is more versatile, which is why the Festool is the one that sees more action.
By the way, I'm considering adding a Midi to my collection, as the CT-22 is a bit large for most of my needs. The Midi seems to be the perfect size for most jobs.
I have had my Fein for about 20 years, and it keeps on running smoothly. I usually use it with bags, but haven't always. It doesn't get babied. It has ridden in the back of many pickups. I loaned it to my brother for a while when he started his auto detailing business, and it ran almost non-stop for months. I have sucked dirty water, drywall, cement dust, and all kinds of other nasty stuff with it. Keeps on going! Plus, it's easy to empty.
The Festool is an awesome vac as well. I do baby it a bit more. For some reason, it feels more fragile to me. This may be totally unwarranted, but there are just more parts making up the vac. It's more complex. I put a hose garage on mine, which comes standard on the Midi, and it really is handy for accessories and transporting the hose. I also usually keep a Systainer on top that I can use to put things in that I'm working with at the moment, and the top works as a great place to put things down on. Basically a little work surface. I always us a bag with the Festool. I think it would be a pain to empty otherwise.
Overall, I don't think you could go wrong with either. The Fein is a bit more "toss-able", while the Festool is more versatile, which is why the Festool is the one that sees more action.
By the way, I'm considering adding a Midi to my collection, as the CT-22 is a bit large for most of my needs. The Midi seems to be the perfect size for most jobs.
midi is sweet. i like that its footprint is more square than circular for storage. both are great vacs though.
Thanks guys. I appreciate your insights. Keep things coming if you can. This is helpful to me!
Rust bucket, you gave me some food for thought with the systainer idea on top for taking in whatever your working with. I'm going to give that some more thought.
Appreciate the info that the fein is a bit quieter and that the hose seems a little sturdier.
Just a question for you guys with the festool. Is the end connector on the hose (that attaches to the vac side) removeable so that if the hose gets damaged, the hose can be replaced? I have a source locally where I can get nice hose by the foot that I really like.
Rust bucket, you gave me some food for thought with the systainer idea on top for taking in whatever your working with. I'm going to give that some more thought.
Appreciate the info that the fein is a bit quieter and that the hose seems a little sturdier.
Just a question for you guys with the festool. Is the end connector on the hose (that attaches to the vac side) removeable so that if the hose gets damaged, the hose can be replaced? I have a source locally where I can get nice hose by the foot that I really like.
Yes, the hose is easy to replace. You can also use other hoses that are less costly, but you lose the anti-static. I don't think the Festool hose is less sturdy; it's that the Fein is more flexible.svronthmve said:Thanks guys. I appreciate your insights. Keep things coming if you can. This is helpful to me!
Rust bucket, you gave me some food for thought with the systainer idea on top for taking in whatever your working with. I'm going to give that some more thought.
Appreciate the info that the fein is a bit quieter and that the hose seems a little sturdier.
Just a question for you guys with the festool. Is the end connector on the hose (that attaches to the vac side) removeable so that if the hose gets damaged, the hose can be replaced? I have a source locally where I can get nice hose by the foot that I really like.
Check the size of your L-Boxes, I believe they are the same footprint as a Systainer. Besides the CT's being very good dust extractors, I like that I can stack Systainers on them and use it as a cart. I have the Mini and have had sys's stacked 6' tall on it.
Tom
Tom
I have the Fein and like it. The onboard storage is the biggest drawback.
I have the dewalt t-staks, not systainers and I doubt the footprint is compatible. Decisions, decisions!Check the size of your L-Boxes, I believe they are the same footprint as a Systainer. Besides the CT's being very good dust extractors, I like that I can stack Systainers on them and use it as a cart. I have the Mini and have had sys's stacked 6' tall on it.
Tom
Do you have something you use to carry the stuff in, or is it just kind of wherever?I have the Fein and like it. The onboard storage is the biggest drawback.
I have the accessory tray, its a joke.Do you have something you use to carry the stuff in, or is it just kind of wherever?
Get the midi...
Then an accessory kit and you'll realize how nice it is to have it easily accessible and attached....
Then buy a cxs since they're a decent price and everyone can use another drill (especially a good one)...
After you come to see that the overpriced silly plastic systainers are awesome and totally worth it- drop the dewalt tstacks and thank me
Then an accessory kit and you'll realize how nice it is to have it easily accessible and attached....
Then buy a cxs since they're a decent price and everyone can use another drill (especially a good one)...
After you come to see that the overpriced silly plastic systainers are awesome and totally worth it- drop the dewalt tstacks and thank me
But will my wallet? :laughing:Get the midi...
Then an accessory kit and you'll realize how nice it is to have it easily accessible and attached....
Then buy a cxs since they're a decent price and everyone can use another drill (especially a good one)...
After you come to see that the overpriced silly plastic systainers are awesome and totally worth it- drop the dewalt tstacks and thank me
The fein can handle being rained on.
The festool has a gfci in the front right that needs to be dried out before the vac will run. If youre using a heat gun it takes about half an hour. In a cold garage a week.
The fein isnt flat on top, it just makes the whole day easier if you have that dedicated raised surface that things wont fall off of.
The fein rolls better, no question. Also less likely to scuff the floor.
I think the festool has better suction over all with duel stage filtration; especially with the larger diamter hose and the pro stainless steel vac wand.
The festool has a gfci in the front right that needs to be dried out before the vac will run. If youre using a heat gun it takes about half an hour. In a cold garage a week.
The fein isnt flat on top, it just makes the whole day easier if you have that dedicated raised surface that things wont fall off of.
The fein rolls better, no question. Also less likely to scuff the floor.
I think the festool has better suction over all with duel stage filtration; especially with the larger diamter hose and the pro stainless steel vac wand.
Has that been your experience? That kind of surprises me since (not sure of the exact specs right now) they both claim to move ~130+ cfm in air and the water lift rating on both of them is pretty similar and well above average. I think the vac I have now (Fast USA) only moves ~105 cfm and that has pretty great suction IMHO.I think the festool has better suction over all with duel stage filtration; especially with the larger diamter hose and the pro stainless steel vac wand.
1 - 20 of 41 Posts
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