Author Topic: Festool CT VA 20 Cyclone - Video (Read 14145 times)

Peter Parfitt · « **on:** September 12, 2018, 12:04 PM »

Hi Everyone

I have had the CT VA 20 on loan from Festool UK for about 10 days now and have just completed the video. I do want to check it out with the CT Sys and also do a demo using it with the HL 850 in due course.

Here is the video:

It performed far better than I expected given that the cyclone is quite stubby.

Peter

GoingMyWay · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2018, 12:08 PM »

Brilliant! As always, an extremely thorough and well thought out review!

six-point socket II · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2018, 06:04 PM »

Fantastic video as usual Peter! Thank you very much!

Kind regards,
Oliver

live4ever · « **Reply #3 on:** September 12, 2018, 06:12 PM »

Great video, thanks! I look forward to your experiences using it with the CT-SYS - that's going to be the make-or-break it for me.

HowardH · « **Reply #4 on:** September 12, 2018, 09:03 PM »

as always, excellent review Peter! I had already made my mind up to get one Oct 1, when they are officially released here in the Colonies, but your review really cemented my decision. i works great and fits right in.

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #5 on:** September 16, 2018, 06:18 AM »

Hi Everyone,

I have had quite a few people asking me about the CT Sys and so I am making a video about using this cyclone with that baby extractor.

I can tell you now that it works very well indeed but the actual figures will be in the video.

Peter

Roachmill · « **Reply #6 on:** September 16, 2018, 06:47 AM »

Thanks Peter. I have a SYS permanently housed in the shed and a CT VA on the way, so I'm a tad relieved to hear you've had good results so far! Hoovering out the wee SYS bags is a royal PITA!

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #7 on:** September 16, 2018, 07:40 AM »

Quote from: Roachmill on September 16, 2018, 06:47 AM

Thanks Peter. I have a SYS permanently housed in the shed and a CT VA on the way, so I'm a tad relieved to hear you've had good results so far! Hoovering out the wee SYS bags is a royal PITA!

I used to "Dyson" out my CT 26 bags in my early days as I had very little left over after buying all the kit.

Cyclones are the answer and I suspect that it will not be long before Festool produce a bigger drop box.

Peter

Roachmill · « **Reply #8 on:** September 16, 2018, 09:05 AM »

Thanks for the video Peter. I am now looking forward to emptying the SYS 98% less

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #9 on:** September 16, 2018, 09:46 AM »

Here is the CT Sys with the cyclone

Peter

Dick Mahany · « **Reply #10 on:** September 16, 2018, 10:03 AM »

Quote from: Peter Parfitt on September 16, 2018, 09:46 AM

Here is the CT Sys with the cyclone

Peter

Thank you Peter. I was surprised that the results were so good. I had expected a possible decrease in efficiency given the smaller motor and lower flow of the CT-Sys. I have to wonder why Festool claim that it isn't suitable for use with the CT-Sys?

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #11 on:** September 16, 2018, 10:35 AM »

Hi Dick

I was surprised that the CT Sys did so well but my tests were quite crude and so the CT 26 may well yet have the edge.

Even so, the CTL Sys has done really well and I too do not know why Festool make that comment - I have not heard from Festool and so have no clue - perhaps I have missed something.

Peter

jobsworth · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2018, 11:19 AM »

I dunno Peter you used a expired container. It expired on Sept 2015 if I read that right. Look at the video at 4:24

hehehehehe

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #13 on:** September 16, 2018, 12:49 PM »

Quote from: jobsworth on September 16, 2018, 11:19 AM

I dunno Peter you used a expired container. It expired on Sept 2015 if I read that right. Look at the video at 4:24

hehehehehe

Hi Ron,

That is a good point - I must try and remember not to eat any ice cream left in the bottom !

On a more serious note, someone has written to me and cautioned that there may be a super duper reason why this should not be used with the CTL Sys and that the poor little extractor could burn out or otherwise shuffle off this mortal coil.

Everyone should therefore understand that there may be risks involved.

It really would be great to get a Festool opinion as I cannot see anything wrong with the setup and it is particularly sweet as the CTL Sys has such a small bag.

Peter

Createdincloverdale · « **Reply #14 on:** October 04, 2018, 09:13 PM »

While using the CT-VA-20 that I just picked up on Oct. 1st, I had the end of the hose get covered for a few seconds and it completely sucked all the debris out of the cyclone bag and started sucking the bag into the cyclone. It seems there is nothing to equalize the pressure. All of the debris that the cyclone had worked so hard to separate ended up in my CT26. Not sure if you'd be willing to do a test on this to see if you can replicate the issue. Basically fill a bag with dust/debris, then put your hand over the vac hose and watch what happens! Not overly impressed with that. It does work well with just the container and no bag, but that defeats the purpose of being dust free.

Mario Turcot · « **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2018, 08:46 AM »

@Peter Parfitt it's now official, I HATE you

I need to get a CT-SYS & a Cyclone. By the way, thank you for showing that they can be side by side. That will fit nicely under the Kapex stand

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #16 on:** October 05, 2018, 12:48 PM »

Quote from: Mario Turcot on October 05, 2018, 08:46 AM

@Peter Parfitt it's now official, I HATE you

I need to get a CT-SYS & a Cyclone. By the way, thank you for showing that they can be side by side. That will fit nicely under the Kapex stand

What can I do to make it up to you?

I could sing !

Peter

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #17 on:** October 05, 2018, 12:58 PM »

Quote from: Createdincloverdale on October 04, 2018, 09:13 PM

While using the CT-VA-20 that I just picked up on Oct. 1st, I had the end of the hose get covered for a few seconds and it completely sucked all the debris out of the cyclone bag and started sucking the bag into the cyclone. It seems there is nothing to equalize the pressure. All of the debris that the cyclone had worked so hard to separate ended up in my CT26. Not sure if you'd be willing to do a test on this to see if you can replicate the issue. Basically fill a bag with dust/debris, then put your hand over the vac hose and watch what happens! Not overly impressed with that. It does work well with just the container and no bag, but that defeats the purpose of being dust free.

That’s a bummer! Is this something that can happen with the Ultimate Dust Deputy?

RKA · « **Reply #18 on:** October 05, 2018, 01:44 PM »

It shouldn't (but I don't use an Oneida DD). They include a tube that attaches to the fitting near the vacuum port and runs behind the bag on the dust collection box to maintain a vacuum between the bag and the dust box.

@6:45 in the video below, Peter shows this tube.

Mario Turcot · « **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2018, 04:23 PM »

Quote from: Peter Parfitt on October 05, 2018, 12:48 PM

What can I do to make it up to you?

I could sing !

Peter

Surely NOT, perhaps a video about the VAC-SYS?

jobsworth · « **Reply #20 on:** October 05, 2018, 06:32 PM »

Quote from: Peter Parfitt on October 05, 2018, 12:48 PM

Quote from: Mario Turcot on October 05, 2018, 08:46 AM
@Peter Parfitt it's now official, I HATE you

I need to get a CT-SYS & a Cyclone. By the way, thank you for showing that they can be side by side. That will fit nicely under the Kapex stand

What can I do to make it up to you?

I could sing !

Peter

OG please dont Peter.... Nooooooooooooooooooooooo

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #21 on:** October 06, 2018, 01:57 AM »

Quote from: jobsworth on October 05, 2018, 06:32 PM

Quote from: Peter Parfitt on October 05, 2018, 12:48 PM
Quote from: Mario Turcot on October 05, 2018, 08:46 AM
@Peter Parfitt it's now official, I HATE you

I need to get a CT-SYS & a Cyclone. By the way, thank you for showing that they can be side by side. That will fit nicely under the Kapex stand

What can I do to make it up to you?

I could sing !

Peter

OG please dont Peter.... Nooooooooooooooooooooooo

We are on a campsite in The Netherlands and so I am practicing in the showers !

Nobody has complained yet but I do tend to get up early.

Peter

jobsworth · « **Reply #22 on:** October 07, 2018, 11:42 AM »

Have fun camping Peter.

Paul is arriving here today.

Camping at Zion National park is on our agenda.

Havent been there in ages. it will be fun and relaxing.

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #23 on:** October 08, 2018, 10:33 AM »

Quote from: jobsworth on October 07, 2018, 11:42 AM

Have fun camping Peter.

Paul is arriving here today.

Camping at Zion National park is on our agenda.

Havent been there in ages. it will be fun and relaxing.

Hi Ron

We have just got back and after the unpacking and clean-up we will need another break. I have had some good days shooting video of e-bikes whilst away.

Have a good time with Paul - he won't be at the D&M show this coming Saturday then !

Peter

jobsworth · « **Reply #24 on:** October 08, 2018, 11:08 AM »

Uh no be we will make a festool road show and go to festool connect.

I always liked the D&M show. I always looked fwd to it.

DeformedTree · « **Reply #25 on:** December 10, 2018, 10:01 PM »

Peter,

Thanks for the video on the CT SYS use. I haven't done a lot of debris with my CT-VA yet, but one thing about the design that is very annoying is how the base doesn't connect to the top, it's just a bucket for the bin. This makes moving it around (if you have to go up/down stairs and such) a pain. I like the idea of the CT SYS, thus thinking of having one with the cyclone. It would seam the correct way would be to have the CT SYS on top of the CT VA, then you could walk around with it, and when you need to dump the bin, you lift the whole assembly off the bin. Have you tried this way? Does the hose fit nicely? If you have done it to give a nice hand carry vacuum option can you report on how it feels to carry?

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #26 on:** December 11, 2018, 04:53 AM »

I have not tried that and I agree that having no positive attachment method between the main unit and the base is a pity.

Peter

mrB · « **Reply #27 on:** December 11, 2018, 05:42 AM »

LOL - was interested in this until I saw the cost was nearly as much as the cheaper CT vacuums.

Mr Speaker · « **Reply #28 on:** December 03, 2019, 03:23 PM »

Hi there, as a FOG newbie, i have bought the CT VA 20 and the CTL SYS, I also have a Bosch GAS50M on my CNC router with a ‘ahem’ homemade cyclone separator. The CTVA20 works wel with the CTL SYS, and all needed atachments come with it. I did sell my CTL SYS though and bought a CTL MINI because: I used the CTL SYS on a trolley 90% of the time anyway, there is no electronic sucktion control on the SYS, and most importantly, the CTL SYS would go in a sort of hose blocked mode very often with the cyclone in between. The CTL MIDI solved that all. It’s not that much bigger if you compare it with the SYS on a trolley. Now as for efficiency (separation effectiveness divided by cost), the home made cyclone actually separates better. It is a lot bigger and not mobile at all. In it’s corner on top of the huge Bosch it performs outstandingly. Why then pay so much more for the Festool? It still separates very well, it is portable, everything fits perfectly together, it’s way smaller and it is 10 times more professional when you are at a customer. The system approach and portability make it worth the money for me already. And once you have used the separator, it is hard to understand why not everybody uses them. I never, ever buy new bag. Once a year I clean the filters. The stationary setup dumps the exhaust outside through a heat exchanger the mobile Festool is occasionally with a disposable bag on site without the separator.

usernumber1 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 03, 2019, 04:42 PM »

Quote from: Mr Speaker on December 03, 2019, 03:23 PM

... Now as for efficiency (separation effectiveness divided by cost), the home made cyclone actually separates better. It is a lot bigger and not mobile at all. In it’s corner on top of the huge Bosch it performs outstandingly. ...

can you share any pictures of your cyclone?