Festool is coming out with a new dust collector pre-separator accessory package, called CT Cyclone, part no. 204083.
There are various types of 3rd party pre-separators that can be used, such as the Dust Deputy which can be used independent of the vacuum type, and there’s a special Ultimate Dust Deputy that was designed specifically for Festool dust extractors ($270-299 via Amazon).
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Cyclones and dust separators work by collecting larger dust and debris before they can reach your dust extractor’s collection container or filter. Usually, this helps to keep suction power constant, and it helps lengthen the lifetime of filters and filtered collection bags.
When used with their HEPA-certified CT dust extractors, the new Festool CT Cyclone is compliant with OSHA’s Table 1 rule for silica dust.
The CY Cyclone is said to have a unique flat cyclone design, for minimizing necessary space, and is fitted within a Systainer-compatible housing.
The CT Cyclone comes with a single removable collection container, and you can buy more. They’re easily stacked.
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Product specs say that the dust collection containers measure 15-5/8″ long x 11-1/2″ wide x 14″ tall, with max capacity of 5.3 gallons.
Clear disposable dust liners are available, with a 10-pack priced at $20.
The base unit and top cyclone component can be docked together for storage. You can also use the CT Cyclone in this manner, if you needed a shorter form factor.
Here’s everything you get – the cyclone top module, with inlet and outlet, the bottom base unit, a single collection container, a single disposal bag, and a short anti-static connection hose, for attaching the unit to your CT dust extractor.
Compatibility
The CT Cyclone is NOT compatible with the CY SYS, CT MINI, or CT MIDI models. In other words, it’s only compatible with the CT 26, 36, and 48 vacuums.
Pricing and Availability
Price: $375
ETA: Oct 1st, 2018
Buy Now(via Festool Products)
Disposable liners are $20 for 10, and collection bins are $70 each or $180 for 3. (Most users probably won’t ever need more than just the one collection bin that comes in the set, but it’s good to have the option for more.)
Compared to Oneida Ultimate Dust Deputy
Compared to the Oneida Ultimate Dist Deputy, the CT Cyclone is said to offer a couple of advantages. According to a chart on Festool Products (a recommended dealer and affiliate partner):
- Clear container for checking remaining capacity
- Anti-static from end-to-end
- Fully modular with Festool classic or T-Loc systainers and CT docks
- Containers have lids and can be swapped out easily
- Can be used with or without a container or liner
- Compact form factor with container removed, and with the container it’s still shorter than the Ultimate Dust Deputy
- Compatible with CT accessories (such as the CT handle, boom arm, and WCR workcenter)
- No assembly required
- Will not void Festool warranty
On that note, I should mention that I do like the Ultimate Dust Deputy – a lot – but it is a pain to get it set up and working. You have to apply a PSA foam gaskets, and if you damage it, it’s not an easy time sourcing a replacement. I obtained a replacement anti-static cyclone component, but have not yet swapped the included hoses and their anti-static accoutrements for a Festool anti-static hose. I had to modify part of the container for it to properly latch to my vac’s Festool Systainer base.
The Ultimate Dust Deputy is a great product. But if this new Festool CT Cyclone provides comparable performance, it might be superior. We’ll have to see.
Price-wise, the CT Cyclone is more expensive than the Ultimate Dust Deputy. But the Oneida solution has risen in price over the years. It also has more parts, or at least mine does, with metal sleeves, copper tape, and an equalization tubing.
The Oneida Ultimate Dust Deputy is compatible with the smaller CT vacs, but not the CT SYS.
Until now, it was the only cyclonic dust separate product designed to work with Festool CT vacs. Despite my minor frustrations with it at times, it is a fantastic product, and one that many people have had great experiences with. I’d definitely buy mine again.
It will definitely be interesting to see how the CT Cyclone compares to the Ultimate Dust Deputy, and perhaps against other non-Systainer-compatible 3rd party solutions.
With Oneida commanding this niche market for so long, it will be interesting to see if they will update their product in response. Or, maybe we’ll see a price reduction?
Compare(Ultimate Dust Deputy via Festool Products)
Additional First Thoughts
I wonder how many users will actually require multiple collection containers. I do like the idea, but couldn’t someone pull out a disposal bag, place it in a trash bag, and then load up a new disposal bag to continue working? Multiple collection containers might make more sense for when working with different materials.
If one container collects wood chips, perhaps another could be used for drywall dust? Metal chips? Can the CT Cyclone even work with metal chips?
The CT Cyclone is pricey, especially when you consider that a compatible CT dust extractor now starts at $730 (CT 26, 2018 edition). Filters are $42 for 5. In other words, it’ll take a lot before the CT Cyclone saves you its money’s worth in replacement filters.
I really want to see what the cyclonic component looks like!
Overall, I’m quite interested in the new CT Cyclone, and am strongly leaning towards ordering one. This will let me keep my Ultimate-Dust Deputy-equipped CT 26 in the basement for the work I like to do there, and I can equip my (Festool-provided) CT 26 in the garage with one of these. Maybe. I barely go through enough bags to make my Ultimate Dust Deputy a worthy investment.
fred
They show it in use with their drywall sander. Is that a real good match? I always thought that the idea of the pre-cyclone was to better catch the larger particles. We had the Porter Cable variant (precursor) of the Festool drywall sander and I don’t think it made anything but fine dust – even when fitted with the 80 grit sanding pads.
The yeti
The part that got me.
2 dollars for a plastic bag .. yikes.
Stuart
They say it’s the “ideal shape” for the collection containers.
It won’t be long until someone finds a recommendable 3rd party solution.
Looking at McMaster, there’s nothing quite perfectly suitable. They have very thin liners that might work, or a thicker 7 gallon liner that’s $3.16 each.
fred
The bags that I buy for our Miele upright household vacuum cleanerscost $4.74 each
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NFZDNA/
They work well – but its like throwing a $5 bill out with the trash
RKA
Depends on how effective it is. The fine stuff will be harder to filter. I’ve heard good things about the Oneida with respect to this. But I’m suspicious of what they are calling a “flat cyclone”.
Reflector
It is most likely a Thien Baffle.
NoDeuces
I just paid a hundo for my new ct26 filter. It is the hepa one. I’m ready to get a cyclone.
Julian
I’ve never used any of my Festool vacs without a bag. Never had to buy a new filter as a result… for my current MIDI, the festool bags actually empty very easily, can get one emptied out in about a minute and then back to work.
The Festool bags are not too bad price-wise compared to the other German makes at $5-7 a bag.
Addison
I did a Dust Deputy ($50) and created my own system. I have a Nilfisk HEPA. To me Festool is a lot of things: Late to the game, over-engineered, proprietary, under powered, and WAYYYYYYYY overpriced! https://youtu.be/oezp-_DcUgg
Addison
Nilfisk: https://www.amazon.com/NILFISK-HEPA-Canister-Vacuum/dp/B000E841NU/
Jerem
74 CFM vs 137. Smaller capacity, no remote on off for tools built in, no variable suction for reduced flow on sanding that I could see. Nice for DIY I’m sure but as part of a system you can hand to an employee and it works, it’s still gonna be Festool for me. I might get one of those nilfisks for my mum though, she’s always irritated by her vacuums.
Addison
Dust collection 137 CFM, good one. I’m thinking you are a Festool fan boy. This is a shop vac. If you want better, get better, like: https://www.oneida-air.com/inventoryD.asp?item_no=XXPM010100H&CatId={B75F8739-54DE-47CA-A8FE-4FE9AEFDCC1C}
Marketing wank is worth about 1/2 as much as horse apples. This is why I like this site, cutting thru a lot of this nonsense.
Stuart
I’m actually considering the Mini Gorilla, if I can meet its electrical requirements. I was told that it requires a 20A receptacle, while the Mini Cobra requires a 20A breaker but can work with a standard 15A receptacle.
I do have a single 220V outlet, but have been half-seriously thinking about a SawStop cabinet saw.
Marketing claims can be informational, and as much as I try to cut through them, I also like that readers’ insights can take things the rest of the way.
I don’t have a lot of experience with Nilfisk yet, but they have a good reputation. Makita and Milwaukee seem to have OEM relationships with them, and with strong user reviews so far.
I like Festool, although not everything they make. If someone is looking for a business solution, their CT series of vacs are very capable and very well regarded. You pay the price, and it stops stinging after a while. Are they the best? I don’t know. But I’ve been very happy with my Festool vac, which works best as part of a tool-extractor system.
This CT Cyclone has a lot of appeal, as a turn-key solution to a common need. Pre-separators are very convenient for many users, and this one looks to offer additional conveniences for Festool CT users. If it performs as well as it looks, I’ll be sold on it.
Frank D
Why not a nilfisk alto, which looks like a shop vac?
Versus that regular floor vacuum?
Any washable / reusable filters?
Addison
All of my tools tend toward smaller size, about 1/2 the size of the Alto. I have friends that use them and suggested it. I haven’t had to replace filter (about $100), and bags (about $3 each). This vacuum is powerful and well designed.
RKA
At only 74cfm, I would only use this for sanders. Routers, saws and other dust producing handheld power tools will benefit from the increased suction in the alto (and it comes with a usable hose as opposed to a shorty).
Nathan
I was going to ask if anyone ever used the oneida device for shop vacs as that came up in a search the other day. Looked like a good idea – wouldn’t think it’d be necessary for a purpose built dust collector.
RPS
I built a steel cyclone that works with a shop vac and a 5 gallon bucket. When it’s designed right,the fine stuff will drop. With that said, my system will pick up hundreds of lbs of dust (switching/dumping the bucket as needed) on one shop vac filter.
Made another system out of a larger vac for a 55 gal drum and that one is HEPA rated.
William Butler
Why wont this work with the smaller Festool vacs? Don’t they all accept systainers on top of them? Is it just the hose size that makes them incompatible?
Stuart
Maybe it has to do with suction power? I don’t know. It’s something I have been wondering myself, and I’ll ask once it’s officially announced.
I asked a question about the cyclone design, and was told that more details and images should be available in September, closer to the launch.
Julian
All the current Festool vacs have identical motor and cfm specs.
All of them have the same size hose outlet as well.
Henrik
Maybe a stupid question — but has anyone tried — or has any thought – on how well this would work in combination with e.g. a bandsaw or thickness planer? I just bought a portable thicknesser but haven’t hooked it up to any dust extraction yet.
BTW thanks for the good input I got on the Makita XCR last time I had a question. Now the happy user of one and it has been a huge benefit on framing and rebuilding jobs (Not a pro, I just work part-time for a local framing company).
Stuart
Generally, from what I read when looking into the same, the CT simply doesn’t have enough suction power to adequately collect from a thickness planer or band saw. Sometimes it might work okay, but generally more airflow is needed – the kind that much larger collectors with 4″ ports can provide.
Evan
What do you think the odds are that either the CT Cyclone or the Ultimate Dust Deputy would work with the Flex Dust Vac.