Starmix vacs

Kool aide is banned here, Ooooooh yeeeah! Welcome to the forum! Would love to see some of your work as well, sounds really interesting.

Same deal with me really. It's why there's no real pics of my work up.

Ok, Metabo ASR 35 ACP update time!! 

Thus far, I've been using fleece filter bags from my Festool CT-26, and they seem like a great match for the Starmix/Metabo vac. My local retailer was able to get some paper bags in stock, I hope to pick them up in the next few days. Based on what I've read in the Starmix manual, it is my intention to use Fleece bags for most of my general clean up since I have ready access to the Festool bags and because I can get them wet. When I plan on producing a LOT of very fine dust from cutting concrete and/or sanding drywall, I'll switch over to paper bags (as suggested in the Starmix manual). 

The vacuum itself is wonderful!!! Every bit as well built as my CT-26. All of the handles are nicely profiled, and the control knobs have a pleasant, sturdy feel to them. The 4-position function knob has become very intuitive to me. Access to anti-static hoses from Metabo or Starmix are next to impossible, but I already have a nice selection of AS hoses from Festool that are fully compatible with the unit, so that's not really an issue for me. 

I've made a few modifications to the vac to more closely match my working habits. I'm fully invested in the Tanos/Festool Systainer system, and really appreciate being able to utilize my vacuums as another Systainer cart. Since there doesn't seem to be a Systainer docking station coming from Starmix (at least in the near future), I've adapted a Festool Systainer Cart (495020) into a Systainer docking station for the vac. In a nutshell, I removed the casters, routed a hole in the middle (using my OF1400 and MFS routing template) so I can reach the carry handle of the vac, and filled in some spaces underneath the plate with UHMW blocks to drive screws into. I removed the top-most cover of the vacuum (requires removing a total of 14 screws), drove 6 screws up into the systainer plate, then reassembled the vac. I also bought an extra CT cord wrap for a CT-26 and attached it to the rear of the vac. Both aftermarket parts I spray painted with a black, aerosol truck bedliner product. Finally, I drilled two holes into the cart so I could mount a "CT Mounted Tool Holder" (496122) like on my CT-26. 

An unexpected bonus is now the Systainer Cart serves as a sort of roll cage for the control panel, protecting the knobs from damage. WIN!! 

Overall, I'm VERY happy with the results! Yes, this is a lot of extra work, and if all I did was cut and sand wood I wouldn't hesitate to load up on more CT-26 and MIDI units. Alas, I also find myself cutting and grinding lots of concrete, stucco and plaster, sanding drywall, and generally dealing with lots of cementitious dust, tasks that the standard CT vacs simply seem to struggle with. Even more important, I REALLY appreciate that the power outlet is ALWAYS live, suction is always constant, and the filters only agitate when needed. 

I contemplated getting the CT Hose Garage for the older CT-22/33 (494388), but for now am opting to store my hoses in a Systainer. The advantage here is this allows me to carry the correct hose (27mm or 36mm) for the task I plan on performing. 

Based on this method, it occurs to me that, depending on what style of standardized tool boxes you have bought into, you could perform the same modification with a rolling cart for the DeWalt cases, or the Bosch Sortimo boxes. 

Here are a few photos showing what I've come up with. Someday I hope to put together a step-by-step "How-To", but for now I hope the finished photos will do. 

I hope this helps to inspire you guys, I'll keep you posted on future mods! 

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the welcome, and for an excellent review and modification on the Metabo ASR 35!

The Metabo would have been in my clutch by now except there had been no independent validation of this Starmix variant regarding its construction quality and performance, like you just so ably did. I might still buy it for higher flow duty like sawing so again, thank you for a thorough dissertation.

Steve

A few more pics, this time showing the Metabo ASR 35 ACP in relation to the Festool CT-26 and CT-36 AC. I apologize that the photos didn't turn out great, but you get the idea. For reference, the capacity of the ASR 35 is ~26liters, putting it in the same class as the CT-26. However, you'll notice that the ASR 35 is closer to the CT-36 in terms of height, but is somewhat less long than the Festool vacs. The Metabo is still plenty stable. Also, note that the height of the Festool vacs includes the "Hose Garage" for storing cord and dust hose, whereas you will add some height to the Metabo if you attach a Hose Garage or Systainer. 

The diameter of the front and rear casters on the Metabo and Festool vacs are nearly identical. 

That's the only major downside of the Metabo or other Starmix vacs here in the USA: The knowledge base is nearly non-existent, particularly compared to the support Festool provides for their CT vacs. I REALLY wish Starmix had a 1-800 # we in North America could call, or had some direct distribution for parts and accessories to North America. 

The few retailers who do carry the vac generally don't have the bags in their computer system, and it can take weeks for them to set up the SKU. As mentioned earlier, fortunately the ASR 35 accepts the self-cleaning Fleece filter bags from the CT-26 for general clean up, and my local Acme Tool and Supply has set up the paper bags in their system for when I need to extract extremely fine dust. 

For pricing, generally the best price I've found for the ASR 35 ACP (HEPA) is ~$714. I will occasionally see units going for $600, but those are the "L" standard (versus the "M" class HEPA units). While the vacuum itself is anti-static, it ships with a "standard" dust hose, but it accepts Festool anti-static hoses so that's an easy fix. 

I'll eventually post a separate thread about my experiences with the Metabo. In a nutshell though, it's a GREAT vac, with some specific advantages over the Festool vacs for certain applications, but it is definitely not a low-cost option, and if you are accustomed to some of the features of the Festool vacs (Systainer dock, for instance) you'll need to make some modifications.