I mentioned in another recent post that I visited KWS (Klingspor Woodworking Shop) and I spoke with Eric Horton. (a self-labeled Festool addict)
I have a TS55 and an ETS-125 when Festool did the $99 deal. Since then, I have though I wanted a Festool vac / dust collector, but simply haven't made it a priority due the cost of entry.
So I was fortunate to have not only a well-informed sales person at a business I trust, but someone who knows even more specifics about a product because he believes in them.
Last year Festool released the CT15.
This is a 15 liter vacuum / dust collector and is priced at $349, so an interesting entry product since the other vacuum products are double to even higher cost.
It was interesting, as Eric and I discussed it, why this isn't such a good deal as it looks like on the surface...
1. The CT15 does not have hose storage.
2. The included hose is not the new version. (anti static, braised etc.) (you can buy it for $170 - $250 dependent upon length)
3.The CT15 does not have cord storage. (you can buy it for $49)
4. The CT15 does not have a "tow-kick" wheel-lock / unlock.
5. The CT 15 does not have bluetooth.
6. The design does not allow for systainer attachment
The next step up is the CT Mini - for $590.
This model does have all the newest bells and whistles included, but the capacity is quite small at 2.6 Gallons (9.8 liters)
BUT for $50 more ($640) you can purchase the CT MIDI
You likely already guessed it - I did NOT drop $640 for a vacuum yesterday... especially since I thought I could buy one for ~$350 and was not mentally prepared to spend nearly double that.
The real point of my post is that research was the key to choosing a product that I will end-up purchasing and that research was easier because I was able to speak with a knowledgeable person who is a woodworker and who is working at a company that I trust.
I have a TS55 and an ETS-125 when Festool did the $99 deal. Since then, I have though I wanted a Festool vac / dust collector, but simply haven't made it a priority due the cost of entry.
So I was fortunate to have not only a well-informed sales person at a business I trust, but someone who knows even more specifics about a product because he believes in them.
Last year Festool released the CT15.
This is a 15 liter vacuum / dust collector and is priced at $349, so an interesting entry product since the other vacuum products are double to even higher cost.
It was interesting, as Eric and I discussed it, why this isn't such a good deal as it looks like on the surface...
1. The CT15 does not have hose storage.
2. The included hose is not the new version. (anti static, braised etc.) (you can buy it for $170 - $250 dependent upon length)
3.The CT15 does not have cord storage. (you can buy it for $49)
4. The CT15 does not have a "tow-kick" wheel-lock / unlock.
5. The CT 15 does not have bluetooth.
6. The design does not allow for systainer attachment
The next step up is the CT Mini - for $590.
This model does have all the newest bells and whistles included, but the capacity is quite small at 2.6 Gallons (9.8 liters)
BUT for $50 more ($640) you can purchase the CT MIDI
You likely already guessed it - I did NOT drop $640 for a vacuum yesterday... especially since I thought I could buy one for ~$350 and was not mentally prepared to spend nearly double that.
The real point of my post is that research was the key to choosing a product that I will end-up purchasing and that research was easier because I was able to speak with a knowledgeable person who is a woodworker and who is working at a company that I trust.