Author Topic: Dust extraction L Class vs. M Class? (Read 52845 times)

GarryMartin · « **Reply #30 on:** May 09, 2019, 01:06 PM »

Quote from: Chinski on May 09, 2019, 09:50 AM

This is a 2015 thread that basically states Festool M and L are same machine with same filter but M has added suction drop-off detection alarm - while auto-clean is optional and not part of the M standard. Is this still correct?

Yes, still correct.

Quote from: Chinski on May 09, 2019, 09:50 AM

But I'm sure I also read somewhere that my 2019 manufactured CTL 26 e will bleat if the pressure drops - so isn't that basically giving what you'd pay extra for an M to supply?

Not that I'm aware of. In order to decide there is a blockage or bag full related to airflow, you'd need to be able to select the hose size as you can on an M class extractor, and that's not possible on the CTL 26 E.

demographic · « **Reply #31 on:** May 09, 2019, 01:36 PM »

Quote from: Chinski on May 09, 2019, 09:50 AM

Oh wow - so that's why there are so many M Class stickers being advertised on eBay!

This is a 2015 thread that basically states Festool M and L are same machine with same filter but M has added suction drop-off detection alarm - while auto-clean is optional and not part of the M standard. Is this still correct?

But I'm sure I also read somewhere that my 2019 manufactured CTL 26 e will bleat if the pressure drops - so isn't that basically giving what you'd pay extra for an M to supply?

Thanks,

Run the vac, block off the flow for a few seconds and if it beeps its got it, if not then it hasn't.
Pretty sure CTLs don't but knock yerself out, give it a bash and see.

Looking on the net it seems that its only very recent Midis that can be M class so the people after the stickers are trying to pull a fast one.

Too many of those wallys and eventually the whole standard gets changed to an even more stringent one.

If that looks like I'm being tough on them? Tough, thems the rules.

nifflerUK · « **Reply #32 on:** June 24, 2022, 06:58 AM »

Thanks so much for this thread! I'm a homeowner in the UK with a house where every wall and bit of woodwork needs skimming and/or sanding thanks to the terrible painting done by previous owners.

Both my wife and I have dust allergies and for that, health reasons and to keep the mess minimal while redecorating I've been looking at Festool as a good dust extractor to use when sanding. I am relieved to see for home use I can save a bit of money and use 'L' rather than 'M' class and get the same filtration.

Has anyone thoughts on the CT 15? It's cheaper and doesn't have a 'L' rating, but uses the same filter as the CTL/M Mini/Midi and the same bag. I can't work out if any other change means that in use it will filter below the 'L' class ones - or it's a matter of certification only?

woodbutcherbower · « **Reply #33 on:** June 24, 2022, 09:44 AM »

Quote from: nifflerUK on June 24, 2022, 06:58 AM

Thanks so much for this thread! I'm a homeowner in the UK with a house where every wall and bit of woodwork needs skimming and/or sanding thanks to the terrible painting done by previous owners.

Both my wife and I have dust allergies and for that, health reasons and to keep the mess minimal while redecorating I've been looking at Festool as a good dust extractor to use when sanding. I am relieved to see for home use I can save a bit of money and use 'L' rather than 'M' class and get the same filtration.

Has anyone thoughts on the CT 15? It's cheaper and doesn't have a 'L' rating, but uses the same filter as the CTL/M Mini/Midi and the same bag. I can't work out if any other change means that in use it will filter below the 'L' class ones - or it's a matter of certification only?

Welcome to the FOG from a fellow Brit. For the domestic application you describe, the CT15 will be just fine. Two important things to remember;

1 Festool extractors have a variable fan speed which you can adjust from the front panel. The reason for this is that a combination of fine sanding dust and hard suction power will blind/clog bags and filters quickly - so turn down the speed to minimum or low. This will still suck out the dust effectively, but transports it into the extractor more gently and at a much lower speed to prevent this from happening.

2 The quality of dust extraction isn’t just about a good extractor - it’s probably even more a function of how well-designed and effective the sander is. There are many machines (such as the Mirka Deros and various sanders in the Festool range) which have been designed from the ground up to be connected to an extractor for dust-free sanding. Many others haven’t. Given a certain (and perhaps finite) budget, I think it’s fair to say that you’ll achieve a better result using a high-quality sander hooked up to a cheap vacuum, rather than the other way round. It your budget stretches to good + good, then happy days.

Hope that helps.

Coen · « **Reply #34 on:** June 24, 2022, 01:26 PM »

Turning down the vac for sanding is about the sanding pad not 'sticking' to the work surface.

nifflerUK · « **Reply #35 on:** June 27, 2022, 02:37 PM »

Quote from: woodbutcherbower on June 24, 2022, 09:44 AM

Welcome to the FOG from a fellow Brit. For the domestic application you describe, the CT15 will be just fine.

Thanks, and that's great to hear. The variable speed/suction is something that's attracted me to Festool. I've seen sanders sticking or bouncing because the suction is too great and would rather pay more for a dust extractor that's got features beyond the on/off switch of other makes.

Quote

The quality of dust extraction isn’t just about a good extractor - it’s probably even more a function of how well-designed and effective the sander is. There are many machines (such as the Mirka Deros and various sanders in the Festool range) which have been designed from the ground up to be connected to an extractor for dust-free sanding. Many others haven’t. Given a certain (and perhaps finite) budget, I think it’s fair to say that you’ll achieve a better result using a high-quality sander hooked up to a cheap vacuum, rather than the other way round. It your budget stretches to good + good, then happy days.

This I wasn't aware of - or how expensive the good sanders were (I thought the dust extractor would be the expensive purchase!). After you've said this I've been loking at reviews of the cheaper ones (about half the price of the Deros) and yes, it's the dust capture that lets them down in most cases, especially for people who have owned higher quality ones before. At least the resale price of Mirka or Festool is good so I can tell myself I can buy it and recoup much of what I spend (though I suspect I won't want to part with it). The Mirka Deros looks like a good choice, or the ETS EC150/5 EQ-Plus (5mm is the right stroke for plaster?) but that costs more. And then something rectangular to get into corners and up to edges. Maybe the hand sanding blocks that take abranet for those.

woodbutcherbower · « **Reply #36 on:** June 27, 2022, 06:21 PM »

@nifflerUK You’re on the right track - especially your comment about resale value. This level of equipment holds its value incredibly well, and if you do decide to sell it once your project’s complete, you’ll get back a hefty chunk of its original cost, especially if you’ve kept it clean and nice. I bought a 5650CV 5mm Deros five years ago and I absolutely love it - it’s just superb in every way. The nozzle on the machine’s also a direct fit on the end of a 27mm Festool hose, it comes with both 125mm and 150mm pads, and the speed is fully variable.

Their Abranet idea was genius - the entire sanding pad is vacuumised with a large number of holes, and the dust is constantly sucked through the net across its entire surface area. I know that the initial cost is a choker, but for me, it was one of those purchases whose price was forgotten inside a week. For a house renovation, it’s also worth mentioning the fact that there’s a ‘savage’ HD version of Abranet available in 40-grit which is great at stripping paint from door frames, skirtings and so on - or at least removing all the high spots and surface imperfections quickly, before swapping over to something like regular 120-grit for final smoothing before paint. I can’t comment on the hand sanders because I don’t have one - all my corner sanding is done using a triangular pad on the end of a Fein multi-tool. There are plenty of in-depth reviews of the Mirka on YouTube.

There are many folks on here with a wide experience of the Festool sander range, so maybe someone more knowledgeable could chime in with advice on the best machine for your application as an alternative.

Author Topic: Dust extraction L Class vs. M Class? (Read 52845 times)

GarryMartin

Re: Dust extraction L Class vs. M Class?

demographic

Re: Dust extraction L Class vs. M Class?

nifflerUK

Re: Dust extraction L Class vs. M Class?

woodbutcherbower

Re: Dust extraction L Class vs. M Class?

Coen

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nifflerUK

Re: Dust extraction L Class vs. M Class?

woodbutcherbower

Re: Dust extraction L Class vs. M Class?