A dedicated dust extractor, not a shop vac, is the right pick for wood dust — match its CFM, filtration, hose port, and capacity to the tools you run.
Sanding oak with a household vacuum fills the shop with the finest, worst dust — the particles that stay airborne longest. The fix is a dust extractor built for wood, sized to the tools it serves. The wrong pairing costs you airflow at the tool, a clogged filter within an hour, or a unit that shuts off when you start the sander. Here is what decides the outcome.
Filtration Is the First Filter, Not a Marketing Badge
Fine wood dust needs high-efficiency filtration, and “HEPA” on a box means little until you know what it covers. Check whether the rating applies to the main filter, the exhaust, or the whole system. If you sand indoors, treat HEPA as the floor, not the upgrade — then confirm replacement filters and bags are easy to buy, because a great extractor with unobtainable consumables is a paperweight.
Airflow, Static Lift, and the Hose That Connects Them
Airflow moves chips and dust through the hose; static water lift overcomes the resistance of hoses, fittings, and tool ports. Compare both, and remember published maximums differ from airflow at the tool. Hose diameter matters just as much — a reducer lets a big hose fit a small port, but an undersized or poorly sealed one strangles airflow. Festool’s CT 48 EI AC HEPA ships with a D36/32 x 3.5 m hose and a D36-to-D27 reducer, covering 36-mm and 27-mm tool connections. Match the hose to your port before you fall in love with the CFM rating.
Tool-triggered starting spins up the extractor when the connected tool runs. Confirm the outlet’s rating and voltage first — these units run on US 120 VAC, and a tool that draws more than the outlet allows is a fire risk, not a convenience.
How Much Capacity Do You Actually Need?
Small extractors suit portable work; big containers cut emptying frequency on stationary machines and high-volume chip production. The gap is wide:
| Model | Container / Bag Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| CT SYS | 1.2 gal container, 0.9 gal bag | Portable sanding and drilling; dry only |
| CT 15 HEPA | 3.96 gal container, 3.30 gal bag | General shop work; wet or dry with LevelStop |
| CT MIDI I HEPA | 25.26 lb, 130 CFM, 96 in static lift | Mobile work; wet and dry with special wet filter |
| CT 48 EI AC HEPA | 12.7 gal container, 12.2 gal bag | Stationary tools, high volume, AutoClean |
| CT 26 EI HEPA | Listed from $899 | Mid-size shop, single or dual tools |
| CT 36 EI AC HEPA | Listed from $1,099 | Larger stationary setups, AutoClean |
| CT MIDI I | Listed from $719 | Mobile extractor for portable tools |
Figures come from Festool’s spec pages; prices are manufacturer-listed starting points, not guaranteed retail.
Wet Pickup, Weight, and the Mistakes That Cost You
Do not run a dry-only extractor on liquids. The CT SYS is specified for dry extraction only. The CT MIDI I HEPA handles wet and dry but needs Festool’s special wet filter for wet pickup, and the CT 15 HEPA uses LevelStop to shut off the motor when water reaches the limit.
Mobility matters if you carry the unit between benches.
The common failures repeat: buying on peak horsepower instead of airflow and lift, choking a big hose down to a tiny port, running a full bag or clogged filter, and connecting a tool without checking voltage or auto-start compatibility. HEPA filtration does not replace source capture, ventilation, and a respirator — it works with them. Ground conductive collection components where codes require it.
Once you have your shortlist narrowed, compare real-world feedback on tested wood vacuum cleaner picks for workshop use before you commit. For the full lineup of models and specs, see Festool’s mobile dust extractors.
Common Questions
Can a regular shop vac handle fine sanding dust?
A standard shop vac moves chips well but usually lacks the certified fine-dust filtration of a dedicated extractor. Its pleated cartridge may not deliver 99.97% at 0.3 microns, so fine sanding dust can pass back into the air. If you sand indoors, use an extractor rated for fine dust and keep the filter and bag maintained.
Do I need a reducer to connect my sander?
Only if your tool port is smaller than the hose. A reducer lets a larger hose fit a smaller port, but an undersized or poorly sealed adapter restricts airflow. Measure the port, then pick a hose that fits directly or a reducer matched to both ends and sealed tight.
What does tool-triggered starting mean?
Tool-triggered operation starts the extractor automatically when the connected power tool runs, then shuts it down when the tool stops. It saves you reaching for a separate switch and keeps extraction in step with cutting or sanding. Confirm the extractor’s outlet rating and voltage before plugging in a tool.
Sources
- Festool USA. “Mobile Dust Extractors.” Specs for CT SYS, CT MIDI I HEPA, CT 15 HEPA, and CT 48 EI AC HEPA, including filtration and capacity.
- Festool USA. “Dust Extractors.” Model lineup and manufacturer-listed starting prices.
- Festool USA. “2020 Fall Product Brochure.” AutoClean and extractor system details.