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Vacuum – Porter Cable or Fein?

vbjohnc | Posted in Tools for Home Building on February 21, 2003 06:36am

Anyone have an opinion on which of these two models is the best value in terms of function and money spent? I plan on using it first with a PC drywall sander (#7800) and then as a good dust collector for the shop. Both are in the high $200 range.

Fein Turbo III or II vs. Porter Cable 7812

 

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  1. calvin | Feb 21, 2003 06:59am | #1

    I have the turbo II.  I like it.  Use it on the table saw, orbital sander, maybe the belt sander if I don't sand the hose, porta plane and on occasion, the scms.  However, I would have been tempted to get the pc if using the drywall sander, check into adapting to the other things.  The fein is quieter by a bunch.  That may be a deciding factor.

    __________________________________________

    Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

    http://www.quittintime.com/

    1. User avater
      james | Feb 21, 2003 11:53pm | #2

      a little over your price range but this is what i use for dust collection, it is quiet uses filters and bags and is very mobile, you mite want to check it out

      james

      Image

      Name and description

      Order No.

      Price

       

      View Image

      View Image Mobile dust extractor CT 22 E 120Vcontainer/filter bag capacity 22/20 l1 fitted filter bagsuction hose Ø 27 x 3,5 m-ASIn a box

      583332

      375.00 USDhttp://www.festool-usa.com/portando/index.cfm

  2. Flathumb | Feb 22, 2003 02:23am | #3

    I've got the Fein Turbo 3.  Love it.  well worth the $$$. However, while I use it for dust collection for sanders and other stuff that doesn't put out too much crap, I wouldn't use it for my tablesaw, chop saw, planer, etc.  Too much output.  I have a Jet double bag dust collector hooked into a cyclonic separator for use on the big machines.

    I bought a 5-gallon bucket kit at Home Repot for drywall dust collection and use it with the Fein.  Basic problem: the suction on the sander head is so strong that it makes the sanding screen REALLY dig in.  I'm still working on the learning curve to use a light touch.  There are doubtless better sanding products out there if you're willing to spend the money.  I do little drywalling, so the $35 or so for this kit fit my purse.

  3. RW | Feb 22, 2003 04:19am | #4

    Asked the same thing a few months ago. Got told what james said. Got to borrow the PC and voted that out pretty quick. It didn't break, my sixth sense just said watch out when I used it. I can't put it in tangibles. It just didn't strike me as a good buy. Buddy got the Fein and it's a dandy. Quiet, good filters, but he gripes about costs of replacements and accessories. I haven't bought either of them. I'm really trying to hold out for the chance to put paws on the festool. If it's again as much improvement over the Fein as the Fein is over the PC, I'll spend the $ for it.

    " To the noble mind / Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind" - Wm Shakespeare, Hamlet, III,i,100

    1. vbjohnc | Feb 22, 2003 04:59am | #5

      Wow, the Festool looks like an awesome machine. Some concern over the availability of the bags/filters and the price though. Thanks for the info. Time to surf some more.

      I'm with you, if it's worth the extra money, I'll pay for it.

      John

      1. User avater
        james | Feb 22, 2003 06:57am | #6

        i have the festool ct33 and have no problem getting bags or filters, festool works by mail order with a warehouse on the east coast and west coast. if i call dave before 2pm it the bags will ship asap, i can expect them in about 2 days. this dose require you to be disciplined about stock on hand ( down to the second to last bag, better call dave).

        festool also makes a reusable bag and guess what, it is pricey.

        1. User avater
          JeffBuck | Feb 22, 2003 09:52am | #7

          Hey Cal....I just hung those doors yesterday..and unpacked my new Fein tonight!

          Someone was bitching about the cost of filters a coupla weeks ago..but I see the good HEPA is somewhere around $75. Not that bad at all....comparing to the one I I put on my Craftsman vac a few years ago...that cost about $40.....and has been used daily..and shows no signs of wear. I've never even washed the thing...just bang it off the sides of dumpsters ever time I dump the thing.

          I'm guessing the Fein HEPA will last just about as long...which looks like forever..so what's a quick $75 for something that's gonna be a one time buy?

          JeffBuck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

           Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

  4. sdr25 | Feb 22, 2003 04:37pm | #8

    VB, I have the same dilemma. I need to replace a vac and there is no way I'm going back to one of those ear-piercing machines from craftsman.

    I've used the PC with the sander as a rental. Love the set up.

    My local tool store actually sells all three vacs. Mentioned, Fein, PC and the Festool. I had the salesperson plug and run the PC and Fein and the Fein was much quieter. Then of course he has to show me the cats meow of vacs. the Festool. That one blew away the other two but so did the price.

    A vac that I purchase will least likely be used as a dust collector. I have a problem using such a nice tool (Festool) for cleaning up all sorts of remodeling debris.

    Scott R.
    1. vbjohnc | Feb 25, 2003 12:53am | #9

      Hi all,

      I am becoming more convinced that the Festool is the way to go. I'm hearing from everyone that it's much quieter than the Fein. I like the flat top so that I can lay my tools on it. The systainers are pretty cool too.

      I need something to help me with the basement remodeling dust. Haven't even started the drywall and the boss (wife) is complaining that it's getting all over the house.

      Anyone seen a better price than $375 for the CT22. ?

      1. User avater
        james | Feb 25, 2003 07:06am | #10

        i think the prices for festool stuff are pretty static, i buy direct from the company but on occasion i go to japan woodwooker in alemeda for small things, they sell for the same price as in the catalog ( festool ).

        if you find someone who sells under the msrp let me know, cuz im always buying their stuff, them and hilti.

  5. migraine | Feb 26, 2003 02:46am | #11

    Go with the Fein.  I t is really quiet and there is a switch setting where it will turn on automatically when you turn on the sander.  There is no problem with the filter.  Just avoid using it with moisture and the filter will last almost forever.  Have used mine on sanding wood corian and alot of other things for many years.  Works great and not too expensive, although their sanders aren't cheep.  Hope this helps

    1. user-426476 | Mar 06, 2003 11:07pm | #12

      As far as the Festool price, the only "discount" comes with the package deal with the saw system ($675 total).  THere may be other combo's you can get where the combined price is cheaper than the two individual items.  Festool, however, only sells direct, and the prices are not subject to competition.  McFeeley's website has Festool products, but tells you they just forward your order to Festool directly.  Since Festool's ste is acting up, try McFeeley's to see the products.

      1. User avater
        james | Mar 07, 2003 08:17am | #13

        you are better off calling the rep, it will ship sooner. the 800# is on the site

        james

  6. User avater
    alecs | Mar 07, 2003 05:19pm | #14

    I have the Fein 9.11.20 as my shop vac, which is a smaller version without the automatic start feature that the other ones have.

    I love it.  It's quiet, powerful, and has sucked up anything from drywall dust to nails to sawdust to dirty water.  My only complaint is that the paper bags for it are expensive, about $7 a piece.  I know this is not the exact tool you are looking at, but based on my experience, I would definitely recommend Fein. 

    1. mitch | Mar 07, 2003 10:22pm | #15

      it doesn't matter which of those high-end vacs you get, if you're going to be sanding drywall get one of those water filtration bucket and sander combos from HD or Amazon.  nothing is worse than mud dust and these things handle it incredibly well.  otherwise, even with a super vac, the filter just clogs too damm (sanitized spelling)fast.  instead of a huge cloud of dust from cleaning the vac, you just swirl it around and dump the bucket in the toilet- or anywhere safe and convenient.  maybe the best $60 or so i ever spent.  (as someone mentioned above, they will suck themselves right to the wall- you need to adjust the air bleed gate to regulate the suction to an effective, but comfortable level)

      m

    2. calvin | Mar 08, 2003 12:39am | #16

      Someone else here mentioned having the smaller Fein.  I think I would step up one level and then you don't need the bags, all the crap goes in the bottom, lift out the filter bag, tap on a tree and dump the bucket.  Ah, the beauty of living in the woods.__________________________________________

      Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

      http://www.quittintime.com/

      1. User avater
        alecs | Mar 08, 2003 12:51am | #17

        Mine has a filter, but I found that the filter clogged up when I didn't use the bags with joint compound dust.  The bags made for a lot less mess, despite the high cost.

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