Trend T35A Vacuum Extractor

[J_Ashley]

Has anybody had experience with the Trend T35A vacuum, as there doesn't seem to be a lot out there in terms of hands on reviews.

On paper it seems a decent specification for the price; m-class filtration, power tool take off, filter cleaner, 4200 l/min airflow etc. This is pretty much comparable to both the Bosch GAS35M and the Dewalt DWV902M which are considerably more expensive. (I think the filter cleaners are auto as opposed to manual on these two, but that’s not a big deal).

However, the Trend only weights 7.5kg, whereas the Bosch (12kg) and Dewalt (15kg) are coming in considerably heavier.

I know the older T30 was fairly well thought of, but the newer T31 was seen as a step backwards by quite a few reviewers with build quality often criticised. Given the weight difference to its competitors, I was concerned that, despite its specs, the T35 might similarly fall short in this area.

 

[Doug71]

I burnt out 2 of the T30's quite quickly, I would never buy another Trend vac.

I am guessing the T35 will be similar as despite them saying it is for professional use (guess that is because it is class M) when you read the blurb like from FFX it only says suitable for light trade applications.

https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Tre ... jhEALw_wcB

 

[Sideways]

No experience of Trend vacuums at all, but it won't be made by them and they aren't specialists so I'm not sure what they could add to the market as a whole.

This is one of the more comprehensive reviews I've seen on the web.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3OTFdvp000

Of course this video is American, but it includes the Bosch GAS model that's well established and solid, the Hilti, Festool, etc. The Metabo is there (made for them by Starmix), a Milwaukee that is obviously made by Nilfisk (compare it with their Attix 33/44), etc. So you have a pretty decent representation of the leading manufacturers (ignoring the brands).

 

[Sleepy]

I haven't had experience of the Trend, but in that price range I would recommend the Fein Dustex 25 or 35 depending on what capacity you want. I have one of each of those Fein machines, and I think they're great!

 

[Duncan A]

I have a T30AF and it does the job well enough but when Trend stopped selling it, they also stopped selling the (expensive) dust bags without any warning. Dreadful approach to their customers and would prejudice me against buying the newer model.
There was a silver lining, bags of similar spec can be had for less money elsewhere, as long as they're big enough to sit on the floor of the canister and have the same (standard) opening for filling, they'll work.
Duncan

 

[Mamba]

Ok, bit late to the party here but hopefully my comments may help anyone browsing in the future!
I bought a T35 but had a lot of trouble with it. It would forever be cutting out and back in when used with various tools, mostly Makita. I contacted Trend and sent videos of it doing this and they eventually agreed to replace it. The new unit did exactly the same so I assume it just wasn't compatible with my tools? The only other thing it could be was clogging of the filter but I had tried replacing the bags and the filter and it may have helped for a short while but the problem soon returned. Trend eventually gave me a full refund to be fair to them.
There is another problem however, whilst I was researching the fault I got into the classification requirements for extractors and will say that the T35 is NOT A CLASS M EXTRACTOR. Sure it may have Class M filtration but part of the requirements is that it has an audible alarm if suction is compromised. It's no use having the correct filtration if the thing isn't sucking! The T35 merely has a small red light. If you look at the Fein range of extractors they have a similar situation with some of their range but they state that those models don't comply with the requirements for Class M. Fein do, however, sell full Class M machines, I now have one and, to be blunt, it makes the Trend look like a toy!
Now apart from the potentially lethal health implications of the shortcomings of the T35 there is also the point that if you were to take it onto a site and the H&S inspector simply held their hand over the nozzle, if no alarm sounds then you are not going to be allowed on site. You may think that this is of no consequence to you if you are just using it at home but consider the implications of, perhaps, sanding some mdf and the extractor is not doing its job. Somebody once told me, mdf is the new asbestos.
I raised my concerns with Trend and told them they shouldn't be marketing it as a Class M but they have chosen to ignore me. I also posted a review on their website but, what a surprise, it hasn't appeared, only positive reviews. What they are doing by ignoring this is, in my opinion, nothing short of criminal.
As I said, I now have a Fein Dustex 35 MX AC and, ok, it is a lot more expensive but it is worlds apart from the Trend and I don't regret buying it in the slightest. The cost is partially offset by not needing to buy the ridiculously expensive Trend bags.

 

[Mamba]

Further update, Trend have finally responded to my review and have pointed out that the indicator can actually be either visual or audible and quoted the standards for it. My apologies to them! I would say however that the little red light is woefully inadequate, whether it is to standards or not, after all, when you are working, the last place you are looking is at the extractor!