[JoshK]

Anyone have the Festool plungesaw?  Santa is likely to bring me one for xmas.  I am wondering if the dust extractor is worth the extra for a "kit price".   I have a 1HP dust collector with remote and a big shop vac.  What is special about this one?

[TomS]

They are made for each other.  Very quiet compared to anything you've ever heard.  Automagically turns on and off with the tool.  TS-55 and CT-22 are da bomb for sure. 

[JoshK]

If that is it for the dust collector, I think I'll pass.  That seems too high a price to pay for that convenience when it is a weekend warrior tool.  My remote for $55 shall suffice. 

[Christof]

Josh

Any vac will work, just buy a step down reducer to fit the outlet on the saw.  I have a Fein vac and the larger Festool vac and both work equally well.  Bags are too expensive if you plan to use it as a general shop vac.  As for hooking your DC to the saw..you might find that stepping down to 3/4" limits the air flow of your DC such that it barely works....DC's need lots of unrestricted air flow and will not work with the plunge saw as well as a vacuum.  My recommendation...Fein Vac...works great, a bit cheaper and bags cost less but your Systainer will not fit nicely on top

c.

[JoshK]

The Fein sounds like a better deal to me.   I read this on Amazon reviews.

Fein will sell you a cartridge filter for 1 micron particles or a HEPA cartridge filter that gets down to 0.3 microns. You can buy a Gore Clearstream HEPA filter - the "Ridgid-Sears Red" version -- at Amazon or at a home center for less than a third what Fein charges for theirs. Gore does not list the Fein as one of the vacuums its filters will fit. But it does. Just buy a 2-1/2" x 3/8 fully threaded carriage bolt, a 3/8" wing nut and a 3/8" nylon washer and screw the filter down snugly. You don't need a bag if you use a cartridge filter unless ou're vacuuming hazardous materials.

That right there makes it more worth it.  Nothing worse than an expensive tool you can't use without expensive accessories.

[JayB]

I use mine with the Fein as well. When I bought mine, about 5 years ago, the only advantage the the Festool vac had was the anti static hose. Probably a good feature, but more expensive.