Nilfisk Alto attix 50

[Al Bundy]

I need a dust extractor (vacuumn) to use with my power tools. Have narrowed the choice down to the new festool cleantec or the nilfisk attix 50 /21xc. The price is the main detraction with the festool being around £530 with no discount available. The nilfisk lists about the same price but can be had for about £350 ,the only thing its lacking is adjustable sucktion control. Does this lack of sucktion control cause any problems when using a sander? :?

 

[Woodmagnet]

I have'nt a clue about the extractor's Al ,
but welcome to the club marra. :wink:

 

[Boz62]

Hi Al, Welcome!

I use a non-variable Camvac with a third-sheet mains sander and no problems with that. I also use it with an Abranet hand sanding block. That has a "variable leak" at the connection - it works better with a small amount of bypass, as it's then easier to move the block!

Boz

 

[Al Bundy]

Cheers Kevin, nice to hear from a fellow north eastener. Boz that was my concern ,that the sucktion might be excessive with some tasks, incidently both of these machines are very quiet which is a major plus.

 

[trousers]

The price is the main detraction with the festool being around £530 with no discount available

Which model do you need?
I bought the CTL 26 E @ £375 plus vat.
Well big enough for power tools imo. Variable suction, auto/manual etc. Great machine.

www.powertoolworld.co.uk

They are up your way.

 

[Boz62]

I suspect that anything that needs a lower flow, will include a bypass. like the Abranet block does. If not, it's very easy to make a simple leaky fitting to go between hoses. I would also say that not having a variable suck function, means there is one less thing to go wrong .

Boz

 

[jimturn]

Hi Al, just want to echo Kevin's message and bid you welcome from another North Eastener. I am originally from Wallsend but married a Sunderland lass and have now lived in Sunderland for 30 years. I still have to get my passport stamped to get through the tunnel though!
Hiya also to Kevin.
Warm regards, Jim.

 

[jimturn]

Hi Al, just want to echo Kevin's message and bid you welcome from another North Eastener. I am originally from Wallsend but married a Sunderland lass and have now lived in Sunderland for 30 years. I still have to get my passport stamped to get through the tunnel though!
Hiya also to Kevin.
Warm regards, Jim.

 

[chippy1970]

I need a dust extractor (vacuumn) to use with my power tools. Have narrowed the choice down to the new festool cleantec or the nilfisk attix 50 /21xc. The price is the main detraction with the festool being around £530 with no discount available. The nilfisk lists about the same price but can be had for about £350 ,the only thing its lacking is adjustable sucktion control. Does this lack of sucktion control cause any problems when using a sander? :?

Do you really need a big extractor I use the Festool Midi vac with routers , planers, sanders, ts55 etc etc and never had any problems, It was about £260 inc vat maybe gone up now but it has variable suction, auto on/off and very good filtration.

 

[petermillard]

I've got the Midi and a CTL22 and while on paper the CTL looks better (more airflow, optional HEPA filters, long-life bag) in practice there's not much to choose between them. With the Cleantex being relatively new, I'd guess there are a few ex-demo CTL22s (or 33s) around - might be worth asking at your local dealers if you do need the capacity?

Having said all that, I hardly ever use variable suction, and have never experienced the 'skipping' or 'bouncing' some folks have complained about when using a sander at full 'suck'.

HTH, Pete

 

[FatFreddysCat]

As an alternative have you looked at the Makita 440? Quite a reasonable spec at a much sharper price (street price £180 to £200). Also available in 110 volts:

1000 watts
3500 l/min
30 litres capacity

I've used one of these on corian with a Rotex and it's well able to cope.

 

[Tim Nott]

I recently bought a Nilfist Attix Alto 30-21 PC (I think)

It was around 230 from D&M tools, (beware - the floor cleaning kit is another 60 quid)

I love it to bits. It's quiet, works well with the hand-held 9" Makita circular saw (though I had to cooble up and adaptor), routers, and again with a bit of cobbling a biscuit jointer. You can plug the tool into it so it starts when you start the tool (and over-runs for a few seconds when you stop).
You don't need bags, and you clean the filter by blocking the nozzle and pressing a button a few times. It's fairly heavy - I have to carry it upstairs when Mrs Tim Nott wants to use it, so I imagine the 50 series is heavier.
The tool hose is generously long - (hint use cable ties to keep it and the tool's power cable togehter)
My one gripe is that the floor kit dosn't have the tube diameter to cope with big shavings (eg hand plane) or splinters. It seems you can get a 50mm hose, but according to D&M it costs the earth

 

[Al Bundy]

Well after much deliberation I concluded in for a penny in for a pound and settled on the festool cleantex 26E. Purchased the long life filter bag and the 36mm hose , which together with the cost of the machine could have cleared a third world countrys debts :shock: Should arrive sometime next week, so watch this space for my review