Festool CT MINI Dust Extractor

Festool CT MINI Dust Extractor Review

Introduction

Festool CT Mini There seems to be a craze for things mini lately. Thanks to BMW, the Mini-Cooper has made big splash in the states. In the motorcycle world, mini-bikes have become quite a hit, and with any luck at all, mini-skirts can't be too far behind.

With that pleasant thought in mind, Festool recently introduced a "mini" version of their popular CT series of dust extractors and provided us with a unit to take for a spin. And though I would not necessarily recommend it as general purpose shop vac, it's small size, light weight, automatic power on/off feature, whisper quite operation (relatively-speaking) has made it a hit as a tag along dust extractor for our power tools. Let's take a closer look...

Manufacturer:	Festool USA Tooltechnic Systems, LLC 140 S. Los Carneros Way Goleta, CA 93117
Toll-Free Phone:	(888)337-8600 From Canada: (805)685-3757
Fax:	(805)685-5927
Web:	Festool USA
Email:	Festool Sales

Special thanks to Christian Oltzscher (President and CEO of Festool USA) and Bob Marino (Festool Sales Rep) of Festool USA for providing the Festool CT-Mini for our use and review.

Product Description and Construction

Though small in size (18" long, 14" wide, 17" high), the Festool CT MINI is built to the same standards as their larger dust extractors. It is a very sturdy unit. Like a puppy underfoot, the CT MINI gets kicked and pushed (dragged) around the shop a lot; we shove it under benches when not in-use, and roll it here and there as needed. After several months of abuse, its tough outer case looks perfectly new. A thick black plastic band circumvents the unit like a belt, protecting it like a bumper. The body latches, systainer latches, wheels, and other articulating and moving parts are well engineered and should not require replacement or repair for a very long time.

Its power cord is a generous 24 feet (8 meters) and considering its use of 12GA (three conductor) wire, it won't be found guilty of starving the unit for current--even with a tool drawing power from the onboard AC socket. Furthermore, the cord's thick insulation should take quite a beating.

Unlike the Festool CT-22, the CT MINI's top does not hinge to access the filter and bag. Rather, the top and bottom halves simply separate. A large, easily operated clamp on each side hold the two halves together. A thick rubber gasket circumvents the inside of the top half, sealing off the dust/debris chamber and providing a spring-like cushion when clamping the two halves together. A nice touch. The bag snaps into place with no effort and its inlet perfectly mates with a large inlet tube shaped for easy insertion--alignment of the bag and inlet tool is automatic. A filter (similar to an automobile air filter) is held into place with a large green latch/clamp, that allows you to unlatch and remove the filter in one easy motion. You can purchase a dry replacement filter for about $10. Wet filters are also available for the same price.

I assume the unit can be operated without the bag, but Festool strongly recommends that you use one. Festool is a leading advocate of dust extraction. If you collect the dust in the bag, disposal is a simple matter of tossing the bag. If you do not use a bag, you expose your lungs to the dust/debris during disposal. With that said, we only use the CT MINI as a dust extraction device with our power tools--I do not use it to clean the shop. The bag holds approximately 2 gallons of dust/debris. They run about $12 for a 5 pack.

front view The unit is outfitted with a 11-foot (Festool documentation states 9-foot) version of Festool's anti-static hose. It has a right-angle connector that attaches to the top of vacuum unit. Most vacs provide a hose opening at the front of the unit. The atypical location of the CT MINI's inlet allows the operator to store the hose in the top of the unit.

I figured the sharp right-angle connection would have an adverse affect on its suction. Perhaps it does, but I could not detect any difference running the standard hose versus a hose with a straight shot into the inlet port. The business end of the hose has a fixed, yet rotating connector that fits the dust extraction ports on Festool tools. Check with your Festool rep regarding adapters for other tools or applications.

front view The top is designed to hold the Festool Systainer tool containers, making it a breeze for cabinetmakers or installers to transport their vac and tools to a site. I prefer the sliding latches of the CT-22 to the latches of the CT Mini, but the MINI's latches work fine and lock onto a Systainer at four corners versus the CT-22, which clamps at two corners. The power cord and hose roll up nicely inside the top of the unit.

I have some minor difficulty winding the thick cord into the small remaining space left after the hose is neatly tucked in. An opening in the back of the storage area allows the cord a clear entry path into the storage area; an opening in the front provides a clear exit path for the hose. Consequently, you can use the CT MINI with a Systainer attached or neatly store both hose and cord under a mounted Systainer.

The unit rolls around easily. The wheels rollover objects without any trouble or risk of tipping. The CT-Mini is equipped with a simple brake/stop mechanism that slightly lifts the front wheels off the floor. The stop has a non-slip surface that does a good job of preventing the unit from rolling around. To engage it, simply lift up on the front of the vac and push down on the black brake lever. To disengage it, lightly tap the large green button with your toe.

The CT MINI is light (about 20 pounds) and provides a handle (see picture above) for lifting/carrying. The handle is inset into the top storage area providing a flat top and to allow the mounting of Festool Systainers. If a Systainer or two are mounted, you can pickup the unit using the top Systainer's handle. However, I do not know how much weight the Systainer handle and Systainer clips can support.

front view The front control panel is similar to the CT-22's panel. A three-prong AC outlet rated at 1200 watts allows you to run power tools from the unit. The three-position on/off switch controls whether AC is available at the power socket. Turning the switch to the MAN (manual) position starts the vac and cuts off power to the socket. Turning the switch to the AUTO (automatic) position sends power to the socket and the vac automatically turns on when you turn on a connected power tool. The "0" position cuts off power to the socket and vac. A speed control switch is provided, marked with a tortoise and rabbit. I use it in the rabbit position. However, if you can get by with less suction, turning it down quiets the unit by about a third. In regards to noise, Festool vacuums are quiet and do not have the high-pitched shrill of typical shop vacuums.

What I Like About the Festool CT MINI

Festool CT MINI Rear View Quality and Attention to Detail
The CT MINI is small but built like a mini-tank, It's small size and light weight makes it the perfect unit to tag along behind portable power tools. Lots of little quality details as described above (e.g., body gasket, auto-aligning bag, automobile-style filter, anti-static hose, temperature shut-off, water-level shut-off, etc.)

Onboard Storage
Love the onboard storage for the cord, hose, extra bag, users manual, and so forth.

Automatic Run Mode
We expect this now in a dust extracting vacuum, but still, not all vacs have it.

Easy to Live With
Easy to maintain. Bag and filter are easily accessible. It rolls around easily and is almost impossible to tip-over.

What I Don't Like About the Festool CT MINI

Knuckle Scraping
When removing the hose, sharp plastic edges just above the hose opening can scrape the skin off the back of your hand if you're not careful, or have mitts like mine.

Better Instructions
I would prefer to see better instructions in regards to using the unit without a bag and for picking up water.

Include an Adaptor for Standard Shop Vac Tools
I have no gripes with the anti-static hose and the soft-rubber rotating connector Festool fits to their hoses. However, since the unit does not come with cleaning tools (Festool offers accessory cleaning sets in the $50 - $150 range), it would be a nice touch to include a $5.00 adapter to fit the Festool connector to standard shop vac wands. The Fein Mini Turbo is probably the closest competition to the CT MINI and Fein includes a good accessory cleaning kit with that unit.

The Bottom Line

The Festool CT MINI does a great job as a dust extractor for portable tools like sanders, circular saws, and routers. Its suction is quite sufficient, the anti-static hose is light but tough, and its rotating connector works great with Festool tools. The bag and filter are easy to remove, clean, and replace. The unit is light and engineered to be very portable. Construction and attention to detail is what you would expect for a tool at this price range and is backed up by Festool's three year warranty. I only use the CT MINI as a dust extractor/collector, and as such I give it a FIVE. I realize some readers may be interested in the CT MINI as a shop vac. The CT MINI would not be my first choice as a shop vac. The bag, though adequately large for collecting dust from tools, would fill up quickly when used to vacuum up debris. Running the CT MINI without a bag is contrary to Festool's idea of how to use the tool. And even if you did, the inside capacity of the CT MINI is only slightly larger than the bag, approximately half that of the Fein Mini-Turbo. Secondly, Festool does not include an accessory floor-cleaning tool set with the CT MINI.

Rating:

out of 5!

CT-MINI vs Fein Mini Turbo

I have owned the Fein Mini Turbo for several years. I replaced it with a Fein Turbo II when the wife obsconded with the mini-turbo for the house and car. It is very quiet (quieter than the Festool), easy to use, has a very convenient handle, and so forth. It has twice the capacity of the CT MINI and perhaps slightly more suction. As a shop or cleaning vac, it is hard to beat if you're looking for a light weight (approximately 18 pounds) and quiet shop vacuum. However, the CT MINI beats the Fein Mini Turbo as a dust extractor/collection tool. The CT MINI includes the triggered-automatic on/off capability, the Fein does not. The CT MINI bag and filter are more convenient to replace/clean. The CT MINI has the anti-static hose and rotating connector. And if you plan to transport the unit, the CT MINI's on board storage of the cord, hose, extra bags, and Systainers are real benefits.

So which one is better? It all boils down to you and your requirements. Looking for just a shop vac? The Fein is probably the way to go. Looking for a dust extractor or a dust extractor/vac? The CT MINI is the way to go. Looking for a transportable vac? the CT MINI would get the nod. And if you already have Festool tools, again the CT MINI would be the better choice (Systainer integration, hose connection).

Where to Purchase Festool Products

Generally big-box home centers do not carry Festool products. So, where can you purchase Festool tools and accessories? A number of Woodworking Tool mail order and chain retail stores are starting to carry them. You can also order Festool products online, direct from the Festool-USA web site or from Bob Marino's Festool retail web site. I purchase my Festool accessories and parts from Bob Marino.....

Festool Online Sales - Bob Marino
Bob Marino is an Independent Sales Agent for Festool, an avid woodworker, a regular and familiar contributor to on-line woodworking forums and all-around good guy. Not bad for someone from NJ (just kidding of course). Bob has opened an on-line retail store to sell Festool products. Because of his service and accessibility, I purchase my Festool accessories through Bob. You can also contact Bob at Bob Marino's Email Account.

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