Fein somewhat recently updated their Turbo shop vacuums. There are still 2 sizes, the Fein Turbo I, and Fein Turbo II, with the difference being in tank capacity. The I has a 5.8 gallon tank, and the II has an 8.4 gallon tank.
Fein sent over a test sample a while back, but I could never make up my mind as to whether to recommend it or not. It’s always tough when this happens.
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I recently started using it again, and came up with some solidI love how quiet it is, and how easy it is to move around. I recently bought another Shop Vacuum, and the darned thing doesn’t have a carrying handle! Pull on the top, and the motor pulls out for a blower function. pros and cons to consider.
I have owned a Festool CT 26 dust extractor (currently $650 via Amazon), which I bought for $550 back in 2011 before it was HEPA certified.
At the time, I debated about whether a Festool dust extractor of Fein shop vacuum would be better for my needs. I needed something better than a traditional shop vacuum, and ultimately went with the Festool.
If you’re in the same boat, or simply looking at the Fein Turbo vacs and wondering if they’re suitable for your needs, consider these pros and cons.
Why You Should Buy a Fein Turbo Vac
1. It’s very well built
Yes, it’s made of plastic just like other shop vacuums, but it feels sturdier. And it should for how much it costs.
I yanked the hose a little to pull the vac around a corner and into a room. I thought it was was going to get stuck at the corner, or worse – topple over. Its curved front allowed it to effortlessly glide around the corner.
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Fein engineers cut no corners in determining how much to cut the corners. Little touches like this make a huge difference in simplifying work.
2. It works really well
Again, for how much you pay, it had better work well, and it does.
3. It’s very quiet – quieter than any other vacuum I own
I can’t use my household vacuum without hearing protection, and most of my portable work vacuums are also uncomfortably loud. I certainly can’t use a shop vacuum without hearing protection.
But somehow the Fein Turbo vacs are quiet. So quiet that I didn’t feel a need to wear earmuffs.
I’ve heard that these vacs were quiet, but actually hearing how quiet they are is quite surprising.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy a Fein Turbo Vac
1. It’s expensive
And so are the consumables. This is something you should be okay with before seriously thinking about the pros and cons.
2. No variable suction
There’s a vacuum release dial on the hose, for when something gets caught in a nozzle and you need to release it without reaching over to the power switch.
But other than that, there’s no variable suction.
3. Auto-start is limited to 6A tools
There’s a warning on the vac that says you shouldn’t use the Auto-start feature with tools that draw over 6A, or there’s risk of fire.
But consider this. You have a 15A outlet, right? The Turbo Vac has a 1100W motor, which roughly breaks down to ~ 9-10A max draw. Let’s say 9A.
If your vacuum is drawing 9A of power, and your power tool 6.1A of power, the total current will be over 15A, creating an overload situation.
That Auto-start feature is a convenience for smaller tools or heavier tools being lightly worked.
Is my Festool CT 26 any better in this regard?
There’s conflicting details about what my Festool CT 26 can handle. According to the user manual, the power consumption is 2.9 to 8.3A, and total connected load for the vacuum plus an attached tool is 12A.
The max rating of a connected power tool is 3.7A, but if the suction power is adjusted to the lowest setting, the maximum current draw for a connected power tool can be as high as 9.1A.
The reason for the 12A total connected power is because the vac’s max power consumption can reach 10A.
Summary
I’ve really enjoyed using a Fein Turbo II these past few days, for clearing up during packing and moving prep. It’s picked up dust, mysterious sandy-type material, wood chips, sawdust, metal chips, and Cheerios.
I love how quiet it is, and how easy it is to move around. I recently bought another Shop Vacuum, and the darned thing doesn’t have a carrying handle! Pull on the top, and the motor pulls out for a blower function.
I love that it comes with a really long power cord (18′) and hose (13′), and that I can use a bag and HEPA filter for really good 2-stage dust collection. The bags are a little pricey, but will help protect the far pricier HEPA filter from having to be cleaned too often or replaced prematurely.
It’s a great vac. There are some potential downsides, depending on what you’re looking for. I would say its quietness, suction power, and build quality are its greatest aspects.
Price: $299 to $599
A Turbo I is $299, a Turbo II HEPA with accessory set is $599, and there are other models in between.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Travis
Great review. I would say that the review is spot on. I just purchased the 8.4 gallon Turbo II a month ago after much deliberation between the Bosch, Festool, and the Fein. I ultimately went with the Fein as I got a deal on a new in box unit off of Ebay. Found it while randomly searching.
I will say I have been impressed by how smooth and quiet it is! This thing just works really well. I am thorough pleased with my purchase.
Nathan
I have to ask what is your household vacuum? just curious as maybe you need a replacement if you have to use ears to run that. wow.
Stuart
Dyson. Haven’t used it in a while. I think it was a combination of the noise level and pitch that bothers me.
fred
I’ll put a vote for the Miele upright for general household vacuuming. We have a S7999 – which I think has been superseded by the Auto-Eco – but it cleans very well (it should for something that cost over $700) and IMO is really quiet. The bags are quite expensive (like $5 each – $20 for a 4-pk) – but the filtration is excellent.
But it's me!
I’ll second the Miele recommendation. The wife was partial to her old Dyson, but I was never impressed with it. Thing constantly clogged and the hoses never lasted more than a year. We did have teenagers using it, however…
Anyway, we have one of the 7000 models too, and while it has its share of clogs (more likely operator error) and an annoying plastic clip for the hose that broke within a few days, it is quiet and has good suction. The filters are pricey, especially the HEPA upgrades. Nice German engineering!
Drew M
FWIW, the newer Mieles’ are definitely made cheaper than the older ones. I’ve been meaning to ‘test drive’ a Sebo but there isn’t a dealer near by so we haven’t done it yet. Either way, Miele and Sebo are all performance and very little marketing nonsense.
fred
Yeah that hose clip!! – I thought it was only me. The filters don’t get me as much as the bags – even at Amazon or at BB&B with one of their 20% off coupons – their still obscenely expensive. But otherwise our Miele has lasted – much better than our old Hoover Windtunnel (back then a Consumer Reports Top Pick) where we had 2 of them suffer the same failure (carpet brush drive) – both in little over a year of use – and then told by a local authorized service place that they were not worth fixing (cost almost as much to fix as to buy new).
Jim Felt
fred. I agree about the highest CR rated Hoovers. So we just buy the $4.95 Amazon 2 yr. extended warranty. They they replacement is free. No repair issues.
Pete
We had a dyson for 2 years (2011-13) and wore it out. Lost suction. Replaced it with a shark rotator from walmart for half price and it works even better.
Benjamen
I just measured my first gen Dyson Animal. I used the max feature of my meter and the loudest it got was 78.8 dBA. 85dB is the threshold for hearing damage and you need to be exposed for 8 hours. This isn’t really that loud for a household vacuum. I’m sure there are quieter though.
I’ve had mine for over 10 years and I’ve broken a few pieces that have had to be replaced, never had a problem with the hoses or suction? You do realize there is a filter that need to be washed? I also blow out the canister with compressed air every few months, but I don’t think it’s strictly necessary.
Hmmm, I don’t know what to say about the clogs, the only time I’ve ever clogged it was picking up clumps of long Christmas tree needles and then it’s so easy to unclog because everything in the suction path comes apart without tools.
A bagged vacuum would be expensive for me. With my German Shepard, I have to empty the canister at least once every time I vacuum.
Diplomatic Immunity
A lot of reviewers on Amazon are saying the Fein has a faulty switch for the auto-start. Seems like it’s a common problem.
Anyhow, the one no one ever mentions that I’m leaning towards is the Nilfisk Aero. Apparently Makita’s expensive wet/dry vac is a rebranded Nilfisk.
http://www.sylvane.com/nilfisk-alto-aero-26-21.html
Diplomatic Immunity
No love for Nilfisk eh? Even though it has a tool auto start, is self cleaning, quiet, and you can get it with a HEPA filter all for $300.
fred
Based on good experience on the job, I bought 2 Fein Vacuum/Dust extractors for my shop and house. One is the old Dalek-shaped 15 gallon (nominal) Turbo-III machine and the other the smallish (6 gal.) 9-11-20 – still going strong for 15 years – both very quiet. I think back then they were made in Italy. If I ever have to replace the bigger one I probably would be doing what Travis did – comparing Bosch, Fein and Festool
Matt
A better way to look at it: Any reason to get the Bosch or Festool options when Fein is $200+ cheaper?
Stuart
Festool offers variable suction, larger wheels, designed primarily for tool use. Fein seems more for cleanup.
Lots of little things.
Festool bags are also supposed to clog less, I think.
Maybe in the Spring I’ll do a comparison.
fred
Too bad Fein eliminated the variable speed – and my old one has 6 casters not 4 – but they are smallish – and not really meant for really rough or uneven surfaces. Works fine (pun intended) in my garage attached to my portable table saw and miter saw. I don’t seem to blow breakers – but my garage was wired with 12/3 (20A) for most outlets , 10/3 (30A) for 3 outlets (there had been a big old commercial refrigerator/freezer and an air conditioner) – and 1 – 6/3 line for a prior owner’s stick welder.
RKA
I think in practice, yes, depending on what you’re going to do with it. For vacuuming the floor it doesn’t matter. For sanding, variable suction is essential, but you could bleed off suction as described with the Fein. You’re not getting Hepa filtration with the $399 Fein. But most importantly, the Festool works with nearly all their tools without tripping 15A breakers. That includes the Kapex, TS75, OF1400 router. How? I don’t know, but I know I’m not resetting breakers. I would be very concerned about the Fein if used with any of these higher wattage tools and you don’t have the option to turn down the vac to make room for the tools power requirements.
Sergey
Many reasons to get a Festool instead.
Festool has a HEPA filter. Add that to the Fein vac and it will be more expensive than Festool! Most people don’t realize this, but if you compare dust extractors with HEPA being a requirement, Festool CT Midi will come out as the least expensive vacuum. CT Mini will be even cheaper, but it is not practical.
What sold me on Festool is that you can pack the power cord and the hose on top of the vacuum to get a clean, compact and square (super convenient when going up or down the stairs) package that can go anywhere. No other vac has a sensible hose storage solution.
Also, variable speed is great when sanding or working late at night.
fred
BTW – if you plan to buy a Festool anything – you probably already know that a price increase is going into effect on April 1
tim
Hmmmmmm,
Cleverly timed article about a tool I’m debating buying soon.
Very good sir.
Hey does the turbo II used some weirdly small or non standard hose?
But it's me!
I have the previous version of the Turbo II and cannot say enough good things about it. It has variable speed and I am really surprised Fein removed the feature (and did not lower the price!). I love it for sanding, with the built in switched outlet impressing me, as I originally thought it a gimmick.
Quiet, quiet, quiet too! I love not having to wear hearing protection, unlike the beastly Ridgid I still use for the rougher cleanup and wet stuff. The suction on the Fein is greater than the Ridgid, although I suspect part if that is the reduced hose diameter.
I added the Goretex ShopVac filter to it for my cheaper version of HEPA. Combined with the paper Fein bags it works wonders.
Are the Fein’s no longer made in Italy? For what they cost?
Stuart
My sample was made in Romania.
Jim Felt
Eastern Europe is the equivalent of the Southeastern US regards labor and land costs. And tax “incentives”.
Ron
You should look up german starmix vacuums, some are rebranded as metabo and
you can get them in usa. probably the most durable vacuums. look for video on you tube can you break it – funny .
Tom
I’ve wanted to get an aftermarket auto start switch for my current cheap-o shop vac for use with tools. Any suggestions?
Robb
Craftsman made one. Great for routers or chop saws
Robb
http://toolmonger.com/2007/04/16/20-auto-switch-50-shop-vacuum-400-festool-dust-collection-vac/
ktash
I had one that I used a long time but it broke. I was sad that Craftsman discontinued it, a couple of years ago now. The ones that are sold for $50 or so through Rockler and Woodcraft are just too expensive. I went to a surge protector that has a master outlet. It works ok. Here’s an example, though this one is discontinued.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=APC+P7GT+7+Outlet+120V+Power-Saving+Essential+SurgeArrest
Jim Felt
I’ve used the larger roundish Fein for nearly 15 years. Never once any issues in my home shop and model railroad use. Just the occasional hepa filter change.
But for heavier and water removal use I bought a long discontinused 4 while Dewalt. Big fat hose. Two oversize rear wheels and a big chrome push pull handle. And it’s nearly as quiet as the smaller (Italian made) Fein.
Dewalt simply couldn’t sell a decent wet dry shop vac for $550-600. Sad.
Jim Felt
Sorry about the iPhone typos.
Matt
Just a FYI… While your breakers might say 15A and 20A or whatever they’re only rated for 80% of that for continuous operation. This means that a 15A breaker is really only good for 12A of sustained load and a 20A is good for 16A. These numbers translate to 1440W and 1920W respectively. That’s not to say that a higher load won’t work – they can and will for short periods of time – but they can also cause problems. This is why in in heating applications you will sometimes see a 25A breaker being used as it’s actual capacity is really only 20A which is what 12 Guage wire is good for. In that case you can have 2400W per line – 4800W on a 2 pole breaker.
Stuart
Good to know, thanks!
fred
Thanks Matt – and Stuart – this site comes through again with another learning opportunity.
It is good information.
I knew that most breakers had a bit of a delay – while the bi-metallic strip or solenoid or whatever it is that trips it heated up from the excess current – but I did not know the continuous operation rating – which I guess makes sense. I was told that there is a thing called a hot-wire (sounds like how crooks would steal your old car) breaker that is almost as fast acting as a fuse – but their used mostly for protecting sensitive electronics.
I’m glad there are electrical engineers out there to figure this all out. When we bought an old shop years ago – we thought that we were OK as far as the 3-phase wiring – but learned quickly that the new equipment we were installing had quite different characteristics – some less demanding on the wiring and switchgear and some more. It was more involved than just looking at the motor nameplates. As an example we knew that the old unused freight elevator needed refurbishment, inspection etc. What we should have known – was that it had a DC motor. Working with our electrician, the utility and our banker – we sorted it all out.
Ken
For that amount of money it should have gold in it.
MikeHammer
Take it from a pro, Festool has the best dust extractor period. Metabo is a close second without the onboard storage. If you’re looking for general cleanup go get a Rigid shop vac and with all the cash you save get a nice pair of radio headphones to protect your ears.
BEAU WITKA
I wanted to warn folks about my experience owning a Fein Turbo 1 for just six months. I used to be a big fan of Fein, and used my Turbo II vacuum for many years without any issues (a family member borrowed it and it’s still going strong), however their newer vacs don’t seem to be built as well as in the past.
My Turbo 1 formed a crack in the outer plastic shell after very little use (and gentle use at that). After hours of time spent calling and emailing Fein in an attempt to get the vac repaired, I opted to patch the crack myself with super glue and duck tape.
If the outer plastic shell broke so easily, I have to question the quality of every part on the vac. Now I am just praying that something more serious doesn’t give out. After such an unpleasant experience with the people at Fein, I have decided that the Turbo 1 will be my last Fein purchase.
Proceed with caution.
Geo
I’ve always been very happy with the quality of Fein products, however, the lack of replacement parts for the Turbo Vacs is very disappointing. I’ll be buying Festool products next time. For what I’ve spent on this vacuum (Turbo III), including replacing a motor and now yet another after very light use with no replacement available, I’ve lost confidence in Fein.
Fein service tells me there are no OEM replacement motors and no aftermarket that are suitable.
Mark Pfeiffer
I bought a new Fein Turbo II a number of years ago. It’s a model 9.20.25, 9 gal tank, and the tank is “round”, not square with rounded corners. It languished in my garage until a few days ago when I had occasion to use it. When I unpacked it I discovered that the flange (P/N Tii3002) and the attaching screw (P/N Tii3001), which hold the filter cartridge to the float cage, were missing. I was successful in locating the screw from a lumber tool company in Grass Valley, CA (Flat Hills Lumber Co), but no luck with the flange. Somewhere there must be an old, discontinued Fein vacuum graveyard where the flange could be cannibalized. Any suggestions? I’ve tried eReplacements.com.
Stuart
Have you contacted Fein USA yet? They might be able to special order the part for you.
Richard Ganz
I am fortunate to have an older Fein Turbo with variable speed attached to an Oneida Dust Deputy Deluxe, which works well, as well as 2 Miele Canisters, one retrieved from my office when I retired, both of which are going strong after many years. One feature of the Miele bags is that you can fill them up very full without affecting suction. I recently got some generic Miele bags–no verdict yet. Was not aware of amperage limitations on fein autostart, but have used the fein with the larger festool track saw without problems on a 15 amp circuit, but now will use it on a 20 amp circuit. Very interesting thread.