Festool has launched a new air purifier, model SYS-AIR M, which they say will capture a lot of the damaging fine particle dust that vacuums and dust extractors tend to miss.
As expected, the new Festool air purifier is packed into a Systainer form factor, making it connectable with their dust extractor vacuums and tool boxes.
Festool says the air cleaner delivers greater than 99.9% filtration in dust class M.
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According to a reference chart on Festool’s website, Dust Class M refers to hazardous dust with limit values) > 0.1 mg/m3, and is generated from wood dust and also repair compound, filler and clear coats, plaster, cement, concrete, tile cement and paints such as latex and oil-based paints or quartziferous materials such as sand and pebbles.
An H-class air filter will also be available, model SYS-AIR H. It looks to be identical except with a different main filter for greater than 99.995% Dust Class H/HEPA filtration.
The air cleaner weighs 9.90 kg (~22 lbs), and can be hand-carried to jobsites and work areas.
It can also be stacked on top of Festool’s dust extractor vacuums.
Or, attach it to a workshop ceiling with the optional bracket (DH-SYS-AIR), which will be sold separately.
The air purifier has a 2-stage filter, with a pre-filter designed to capture most of the dust and a large inner filter with triple-V configuration.
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Festool says that the prefilter can be replaced quickly, and that the main filter was designed for long service life.
A warning light will tell you when the filter needs to be changed. Festool adds that there is a flow sensor to monitor the minimum air speed.
Multiple filters can be daisy-chained together.
Festool says that you can connect up to 6 air purifiers in series. That’s for their European model; their recommendations might change for a USA model.
They show off multiple air purifiers connected together in a workshop space, in areas wherever dust is being generated.
Alternatively, Festool says you can connect a dust extractor or power tools to the purifier’s electrical outlet.
The top compartment opens up, providing a convenient storage place for the power cord.
Additionally, it can be ducted to a sealed-off work area, with an optional air supply hose, model LS-SYS-AIR.
The optional air duct and host kit can be used for other tasks as well.
If you look carefully, this sander is attached to a dust extractor hose, with the air purifier hose helping to pick up fine particles close to where the work is being performed.
The air purifier is being used with the dust extractor, and not as a replacement.
The show additional examples of the air cleaner being used with the ducting kit for close-to-tool capture.
Clean air is dispersed in 3 directions, which Festool says means less swirling up of dust and fewer disruptive air currents.
The user control panel has an on/off button, performance selection switch, power outlet, and status indicator light.
There are 2 speeds, a lower power setting for “eco mode,” and a high power mode for maximum air circulation.
Key Specs
- Air circulation rates
- 680 m³/hour (~400 CFM) – M class model
- 440 m³/hour (~259 CFM) – H class model
- 2 speed/performance settings
- Optional 200mm (8″) ducted air supply hose
- 7.5m (~24.6′) power cord
The Systainer form factor means the air filter can be connected to Festool’s other tool boxes and mobility accessories, such as their 4-wheel dolly. It also has a top handle.
Questions and Answers
Here are some questions asked and answered on Festool’s social media announcement:
If hanging from the ceiling, is there a remote or do you plug in each time you want to use it?
As with all projects, we always develop our products together with our end customers. In surveys and practical tests, a remote control did not play a major role for our customers, which is why we decided not to develop one.
You can switch the SYS-AIR on and off by plugging the plug in and out. Or you can install a switched socket.
Can this be used as a room air cleaner?
With the M filter, the air purifier can also help to filter pollen from the air, as this has a size of 10-90 micrometers. However, our SYS-AIR is not approved and recommended as a medical product. It is therefore designed for professional use on the construction site/workshop and not for use in the home.
Can this be used as a replacement for a [dust extractor] vacuum?
No, the air purifier is not a replacement for a dust extractor, but rather a supplement. Around 90% of the dust is absorbed by the dust extractor, but not the very fine airborne dust. And it is precisely the fine airborne dust that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause damage. This is where the air purifier comes in, filtering the airborne dust out of the air.
USA Pricing and Availability
USA details are not yet available; the new air purifier has only been announced for European markets.
The purifier is launching in Europe in October 2024. EU pricing details have not yet been announced.
Discussion
Portable air cleaners tend to be a pain to use. Maybe this one will be different.
Its specs are unimpressive, to be frank, but ANY added filtration is better than nothing.
It’s also worth keeping in mind the relatively compact form factor. There are better performing air cleaners and filters in the market, but are they this portable and adaptable?
Replacement pre-filters ship in a 5-pack. Festool doesn’t mention expected life of the main filter, which is understandable as usage environments could vary wildly, but users won’t have to replace it as often.
My biggest peeve with air filters and cleaners is how hard it can be to find replacement filters.
I have a Shop Fox fine air filter that I can no longer find filters for. Finding filters for my smaller Jet air cleaner was always a challenge.
Jet seems to have cancelled the Axiom Stratus air cleaner and launched their own self-branded one. It’s unclear whether they two share a common filter size. Powermatic’s air cleaner looks enormous.
The ITW BuildClean was discontinued a few years ago, and it’s unclear how long replacement filters will still be available.
Festool consumables tend to be easily available at various online suppliers.
The lack of a remote control option is annoying, but as they mention one can always improvise with a 3rd party accessory.
There’s no mention of the noise level.
For me, the Festool’s appeal will come down to its price, and that’s IF it will be launched in the USA.
I’m interested, but also skeptical. Will this really work better or be more convenient than other portable air filters and cleaners?
Goodie
Great post! I think it’s a strong, on brand, play for Festool . So much of their reputation is based on on clean air. I think it can fill some unique niches, which is generally where Festool does its best work. The ability to work in and out of a shop is pretty cool.
I, too have some skepticism for the following reasons.
1. Hard to see why they wouldn’t put bluetooth in it when already have a great bluetooth setup in their dust extractors.
2. If this comes to the US, I don’t think we’ll be able to daisy five chain dust extractors together. Europe uses 220v power, and devices pull half as many amps as devices on US 110v.
I will consider this when I have some direct feedback from early adopters who aren’t influencers.
Goodie
correction on bullet #2 – *daisy chain five air filters together*
Stuart
The spec sheet says power consumption is 200W.
In theory, 6 of these purifiers would be a 1200W load, which would fall under 80% max power for a 15A circuit.
I mentioned that the 6-per-circuit limit is for the EU and might be different for the USA, but that’s something we’ll have to wait to hear official word on.
Goodie
Ahh. yes. Thanks!
Karlen
I am also very supprised they did not include Bluetooth as they already have all the components to do it as they use for the dust extractors.
I will be curious to see how they price it in the US, how loud it is, how well it actually works in a typical shop space, how long those filters last, and how much they will end up costing.
kompahko
I’m very excited for this product because I absolutely love our Hilti Air cleaner and I imagine this unit will give a similar experience.
For a lot of trades, being fast to deploy and pickup at the end of the project can make the difference between someone bothering to setup or just go old school and deal with the dust.
Clients love how the dust doesn’t escape the work area and we all benefit from the cleaner air. I’m all for more user friendly options and to see air cleaners proliferate on jobsites
CA
Festool is German made and solid products. This is specialized by I still like to see good companies putting out quality products no matter the cost. I wonder how they do it and US can’t. Same goes for Knipex and the other German hand tools.
ITCD
We do, they just aren’t marketed through normal channels sometimes, and when it comes to portable power tools specifically we had the capability and watered it down over time and shut it down, both with the need to make shareholders happy and the need to compete against a plethora of cheaper options from elsewhere.
Now we’re at the crossroads where it’s still very possible. I mean what’s stopping us? Except there is no American high-end specialty power tool brand now, and while one could be founded it is starting from nothing and having to build a name. Festool has been at it a long time now, those in the know already recognize the name easily and already can dredge up plenty of data and reviews on them across decades. A new brand is going to have an uphill battle to establish its name, carve out a big enough market share to be solvent, resist the urge to sell out, and compete against a dominant name in a pretty niche category.
But we do have high quality things that are just “you gotta pay to play.” Snap-on Dual 80 ratchets, Baldor electric motors, Swanstrom plastic nippers, Dynabrade air tools, etc etc. We also have a penchant for making stuff that may not be the most fancy, but is very very rugged. We can do industrial tools very well and still do.
CA
Pay to play I agree. I wanted to get a Baldor bench grinder until I saw the price. But still it comforts me knowing they are going strong here in the USA.
Peter
Never understand why they put air filters etc up high.
That way it pulls the dust from the working area up which normally is lower than the workers head so all the dust passes them making it easy to breath it in.
So imho it should be low or am I missing something?
Stuart
In addition to ceiling or wall-mounted air cleaners and their cords being up and out of the way, one school of thought is that air cleaners should be positioned close to mouth level to better filter breathable air.
Many try to position filters to promote circular air current to help better clean the air in a room with fewer dead spots.
Festool’s need to be positioned differently, and might work best close to where dust is being generated. These won’t literally circulate the air in a room, at least not highly effectively due to their limited size and fan power, but the proximity to dust generation could aid their performance.
Fine dust is going to float into the air anyway, a ceiling mounted air cleaner isn’t really going to make that worse, I don’t think.
There are also fewer obstructions higher up, with less turbulence.
If it’s a question of ceiling or floor mounting, ceiling seems better.
Ideally, I think a breathing-level filter, with the dust-generating work being between the user and the filter, is a good way to go.
Otherwise, you might want to stand near the clean air output of a filter.
Peter
Okay, makes sense thank you.
eddiesky
If you’ve ever sanded or used a powertool on wood or other materials, in a basement, and bright sunlight coming in from windows, you will see suspension of fine particles in the air, long after work is done.
Heck, I found fine dust on our washer and dryer, a week after doing some work in the house.
I will get a dust extractor, but I think a Jet or other brand that is not high cost item since all I need is a timer, or app-controlled outlet, and HEPA/MIRV grade filters with a blower.
Maybe a comparison is needed of what is out there…
Jronman
Festool also announced two lighting products. We still have yet to see what North America will be getting for the fall Festool releases. Possibly some of the recent Systainers Europe got or maybe even the long awaited 8ah. So far there isn’t a lot releasing for fall in Europe.
Michael F
If I had a dedicated shop (or a remodel business) I would be all in on this. I’m the guy who always makes sure I’m running the HEPA bags and filters in my rigid shop vac and I’m pretty retentive about dust and air quality. I also already use Systainers so I’m probably the target audience. Seems like a great solution.
kent_skinner
I think this would make sense for a cabinet installer, or anybody working in a finished house who is already ion the Festool system.
I’m sure it’ll be priced higher than a comparable unit that’s designed to be attached to the ceiling. But clipped to a Festool vac and rolled into the client’s house is a good move.
Not for me, but I can certainly understand why it would be a good option for some.
WastedP
My first thought when I saw it was that everyone that uses a floor sander will want one. I would. It would be great for solid surface installations with field seams, too.
Saulac
I like the T Loc Systainer form factor. After using a few different modular tool storage systems. I have an increasing appreciation for the simple and clever design of the Systainers, especially with the current T Loc. I wonder if there is any low cost option in the US.
fred
The optional flexible air duct looks interesting – but I wonder how effective it is at only 400cfm.
Many moons ago, when I was designing my dust collection for my home shop – I started with an 8-inch line from my baghouse – dropping down to 6-, 5-, 4- and 3-inch lines for different machines and collection points. For wood dust – I was told that as a minimum 4000 ft/m in the main line was what was needed – and a minimum velocity of 4500 ft/m at the machine collection point was needed. For the 8-inch duct that translated to about 1400cfm as a minimum. 400 cfm would seem to be more impactful if the duct was something like 4-inch diameter
Goodie
As always, great post. Dust collectors need that high flow to pull chips and dust into the flow. Dust filtration systems are largely about removing fine particles that made it past the collector/extractor and into the air. Most of the things I’ve read (and I am no expert) is that a planning guideline for them is to pull the volume of air for your shop through the system in less than 10 minutes. The primary goal is decrease the amount of time those small particles are suspended in the air. Good for health, and also for cleanliness of space from settled dust.
These units, as Stuart mentioned, don’t move a lot of air (400 CFM), but they can be daisy chained to increase capacity. It also stands to reason that having them in multiple locations around the room might help filter the air more effectively than a similar aggregate capacity filter in a central location. If they have high quality filters (which is something Festool does pretty well at), they will probably be better at removing those small particles per “air change” than many of the other competitors.
Article from Wood Magazine for reference:
https://www.woodmagazine.com/tool-reviews/dust-collection/air-filtration-systems
Goodie
There was a big event at a local woodworking store today. I was there with my woodworking club, working a table to recruit new members. I got to talk to a Festool rep at the event, which was unexpected and certainly interesting.
I asked specifically about SYS-AIR. He told me SYS-AIR is getting a lot of interest here in the US. So much that Germany had to put info packets together for the US team to answer questions. He told me the company plans to release SYS-AIR here, but didn’t have a timeline.
The new Systainer3 are now being bundled with tools, and I got to see quite a few of them (with new style latches and the lid tool compartments) up close. They are very nice. The lid compartment is great for holding bits or small blades (think jigsaw blades). I could certainly see putting pencils, marking knives, and maybe a small tape measure in them.
A few other questions came to mind, after reading Stuart’s editorial on the brand and this article’s comments:
1. Festool engineers do not recommend putting 150mm pads on 125mm sanders, as the counterweights are a little different to dampen vibration. I looked inside two sanders and confirmed this. He said lots of people do put on the larger pad and don’t really seem to care.
2. I asked questions on cordless. I personally don’t have any Festool cordless, and haven’t considered it. However, I was curious about what case he would make for their line. All batteries have a three year warranty. Cost for 5ah is $135 and 4ah is currently $125. Those costs are fairly in line with other vendors for equivalent capacity. There are only two suppliers who provide cells for Festool batteries, due to quality concerns. He told me the principle concern in the cordless batteries is consistent voltage and current delivery across cells in the pack for longevity and performance. Primary focus on the tools is ergonomics, smooth operation, dust collection (where applicable), runtime, and reliability across the line.
Side note:
I saw the KAPEX stand, MFT and CSC-SYS table saw individually, but there was a great demo setup highlighting the system concept. All of these systems, when setup are at a height where the work surface is the same (Kapex bed, table saw table, MFT height). This means an MFT can act as in-feed or out-feed support on the table saw, or lateral support for workpieces on the KAPEX. It made a pretty compelling case for the “mobile finish work” reputation for FESTOOL. Certainly expensive, but cool.
Also, the rep did a fantastic job speaking to benefits of his products without putting anyone else down. He had previously worked in flooring and was knowledgeable of other brands and tools. He threw some props out to Milwaukee and DeWalt for some great efforts when asked about their products by other attendess, which is a professional response and something I respect and appreciate.
Plain+grainy
Box fan with furnace filter & pre filter! I wonder how they compare?