School me on Festool dust extraction and sanders

[cgrutt]

Got a project coming up on old house lots of painting refinishing floors some drywall repair kitchen/bath renovation. Assuming lead paint throughout. House is about 100 yrs old. Thinking about buying a Festool dust extractor and some Sanders. Dealer has offered a small discount and 90 days to pay.

Looking at ct36 comes either hepa certified or with auto clean. Auto clean comes with 1 micron filter. The auto clean can be turned off and can use HEPA filter which I'm assuming is basically same unit as the HEPA certified ex auto clean but apparently is not HEPA certified when configured this way. The HEPA unit is a bit cheaper but I'd like ability to use with drywall and/or cement down the road.

As far as Sanders I'm really confused. Looking at 4 and 6" Rotax units which provide both rotary and random orbit functionality. Thinking rotary will be better for some of the trim, soffits and facia that needs to be painted. There are other Sanders that could also work. There is a profile sander that looks nice too. I'm also thinking about a track saw in future.

Anybody have experience with these products? Any recommendations greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[slodat]

I bought the CT36 ac for the ability to sand drywall thinking I’d want that option. Haven’t used it for drywall and doubt I will now. I bought the hepa filter with it. I also have a previous generation CT33E with the boom arm. The 36 is shared between sanders, Domino and others on a MFT. The 33 is more mobile and used predominantly for the track saw in my shop to break down sheet goods.

I’m very happy with my Festools. I use them almost every day. They are worth the expense.





While almost all of my use is in my shop, I do load them in the truck for my own remodel projects when those come up.

 

[cgrutt]

Thanks @slodat what Sanders are you using? Also how do you like the container system I see you have a bunch of them. Would they hold up in back of truck moving to different sites?

 

[Jmonnty]

https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?261442-Reasons-for-Festool-vs-Fein-Dust-Extractor

I have a fein turbo ii hepa with no complaints, if you have any asbestos or lead, plan on disposing of the vacuum. Fein filters and bags are cheaper, I use a bag with the hepa all the time, or the filter gets clogged instantly. The fein ships with an adapter you can cut to fit the festool, festool also offers them.

Ets 125 is the most comfortable sander I own, and uses same pads as a ro 125, which is great powerful just not as comfortable for hours at a time. Honestly the filter bags are useless, the sander is designed for use with a dust collector all the time. I have no experience with the profile sander, yet.

I bought as ts55 and when I sent it in for repairs, bought a ts75. The 75 has a ripping blade on it all the time. Festool blades are decent and can be sharpened several times, but expensive. Dust collection is excellent, I've used it in finished office space with minimal cleanup.

 

[cgrutt]

Thanks good info.

 

[ca90ss]

Also how do you like the container system I see you have a bunch of them. Would they hold up in back of truck moving to different sites?

I keep most of my tools at work in systainers and they get loaded in/out of my van multiple times a day and occasionally used as a step stool or chair and they've held up well but I'm not one to just throw things around so they don't get as much abuse as they would from some people. If you do get some they're usually cheaper from amazon.de even after the extra shipping cost.

I have a ct36 and I've been happy with it. I don't do drywall anymore so I didn't get the ac version. Just stay away from the mini or midi, they have a 90 degree bend inside where the bag attaches that I had problems with clogging.

 

[cgrutt]

Thanks! I was just looking at the MIDI in catalog lol... good to know.

 

[tarbellb]

Its a good system, and the price reflects it.

May also want to check out the Bosch dust collector and similar rotary 6" sander, they will save you a couple hundred dollars and provide as good or better service.

If you are removing a lot of paint, definitely invest in a sander with rotary function. Its amazing how much more material they remove vs a ROS.

 

[slodat]

I have an ETS150 and Rotary 150 (don’t recall model). I use them both almost daily. Also have the smaller rectangular sander. The sanders are excellent. The whole system is.

 

[cgrutt]

Thanks guys. Still on the fence two Sanders a vac and accessories is looking like close to $3000 but your comments have me more comfortable. Much appreciated.

Is there a tool that punches standard 5 or 8 hole sandpaper to the Festool pattern? I have a ton of good 4 5 and 6 in sandpaper. That would cut the initial investment down considerably.

 

[slodat]

I’ve always used Festools abrasives. They are really good.

 

[cgrutt]

Have a decent supply of Mirka sandpaper but most of it is 5 hole pattern. Not cheap paper and it looks like $600 or so just to outfit a couple of Festools. I'm not opposed to buying the Festool paper just funds are tight at moment.

 

[03.]

I am no expert in this subject, but I was taught to use paint stripper where lead paint might be involved. I own festool vac and sanders, but contrary to what the sales people tell you, not all the dust and **** you create is caught by the vac. I personally don't like the idea of lead made into dust and in the air that I am going to breathe inANY amount.
Don't get me wrong, dust extraction has come ahead in leaps and bounds, but is still not 100% capable of catching every little bit of dust you make.

 

[jonshonda]

I agree with others that you should chemically strip where you can, and do as little sanding as possible. I know there are a few others in the dust collection game, Bosch being one of them. I haven't used Festool, but would be curious just how much better it is at dust collection vs the competition.