Episode Seven: Inside Dust Extraction - Part 1

[@extremewoodworker]

I have 4 different Festool dust extractors vintages 2004 forward and all are still going strong. My biggest complaint is the hose garages. These are very weak plastic construction and prone to breakage when anything is dropped on them (not that that could ever happen in a shop or construction environment). Not a single hose garage is still intact on any of my units. Here is to hoping Festool has addressed this weakness. Steve

[@festoolusa]

Hey Steve - yes, we have addressed this concern and the newer hose garages are much more durable. Good news - they are also backwards compatible with the CT MINI/MIDI, CT 26, 36, and 48. You just need to remove 4 screws, remove the old hose garage, and then attach the new one. Here are the relevant part numbers: CT MINI/MIDI: 500118 CT 26/36/48/36AC: 204040 We haven't had many issues that I am aware of with the newest generation of CT MINI/MIDI, but in case someone needs the part number.... CT MINI/MIDI I (latest generation released ~2019): 204717 Also, if you ever need to look for spare parts, you can go to the Festool spare parts catalogue where you can find schematics and part numbers: www.festoolusa.com/service/repair-service/spare-parts Scroll down and click on "To the spare parts catalogue"

[@ryane6719]

@@festoolusa Thankfully Festool replaced my two broken hose garages under warranty which is why I’ve remained a festool owner and continue to buy new units every year.

[@Lowdown13blues]

Finally a good detailed review of the whole line ! Thank you !! Q: Can I use the cyclone device with the 26 or 36 ac ?

[@iainmatheson5190]

Yes, I have it on my CTL 26 E AC. It works very well.

[@elitesupremecleaning]

Nice! Getting mine next month!

[@madhungarian3024]

I actually bought my little CT SYS mainly for housecleaning inside my home, to replace my elderly Hoover shoulder-carried small-vac. The CTSYS works nicely for that (using a longer hose), and it also sometimes gets used for maintenance projects when its big brothers are just too inconvenient to roll around or lug up the stairs.

[@madhungarian3024]

I don't think folks are very happy about the corded CT-SYS being discontinued. The new CTC-SYS is just not a replacement for it, not even close, although it does have its own specialized uses. I'm real happy i bought my corded CT-SYS shortly before they were discontinued. But i also just ordered the new CTC-SYS too, because i do have some specialized use-cases that it fulfills also.

[@dahut3614]

The problem with the circularly wound quick-release cord is that it twists the cord. I usually try to wind my cords in a figure-8 which does not twist the cord. The cord-winding posts could be redesigned to be more open in the middle to make this easier. Of course, my Miele vacuum has a retractable cord that is approximately 24-feet long- about 7.5 meters for those of you who don't know how long your feet are!

[@mikhailarey1196]

I’m still using my CT22.

[@jason-hh6lu]

We filled up a 48 litre with concrete dust and couldn’t work out why it was so heavy until we checked the bag. 😂🤣😂

[@bowerscustomwoodworkingllc]

Nice rundown! Can the plastic bags you showed on the CT36AC be used in place of the felt bags on the standard CT36?

[@festoolusa]

Hello - theoretically, yes, they would fit. I would not recommend to do it, however, as the plastic bags are open which would leave your filter exposed with no way of cleaning the filter (hence the "autoclean" function of the CT 36AC). It won't damage anything, but your filter will clog relatively quickly which will shorten the life of the filter and cause a significant drop in suction performance. The reason we offer/recommend the plastic bags for the CT 36AC is that when you are working with fine mineral dusts (like drywall dust), these materials have a tendency to "cake" the inside of a felt bag, which causes the suction performance to drop. The open plastic bags give you a convenient way to empty the container and dispose of the dust, while the main filter in the dust extractor is cleaned with the autoclean function. Hope this makes sense and answers your question!

[@bowerscustomwoodworkingllc]

@@festoolusa perfectly answers it, thank you!

[@EricPotratzM]

Do all the CT dust extractors have the anti-static feature?

[@festoolusa]

Yes!

[@rabbyt]

did part 2 ever come out

[@madhungarian3024]

Eventually it did!

[@davidschneider3118]

I have a ct33 and it's going strong. If it fails, will the bags I have work in a ct36?

[@festoolusa]

Hello David - no, the CT33 bags do not work in the CT 36. The CT 26/36/48 were a completely new generation of dust extractors which have many differences, including the location where the dust enters the container.

[@dvntsmh]

It would be awesome to get and updated ct22 like a ct maxi!

[@festoolusa]

Hello Divante - you should check out the CT 26 - very similar to the 22 in terms of capacity but with a lot of improvements.