Buying a new dust containment. 36-48

[PA floor guy]

So I have a mini and a ct 22.  The mini stays in my sprinter forever, gets used on every job I do. But it's limited, so I want a new vac that I can use 2 different sanders off of.  What are the main differences between the ct36 and ct48. I know the 48 is cheaper, but it seems bigger.  Please advise.  As far as the 22, it stays hooked up to my mitre saw.

 

[tbellemare]

The CT's MINI, MIDI, 26, 36, and 48 all have the same suction characteristics. They are also all full unit HEPA certified.

The CT 36 AC is a self-cleaning version of the CT 36 and is designed for use with the Planex on drywall. It is not HEPA rated though one can put a HEPA filter in it and turn off the auto-clean functoin. It is the most expensive at $775.

The MINI & MIDI are the same configuration except the MIDI is taller. The same is true, though differently of the 26, 36, 48. The CT 36 is $50 less than the 48.

Tom

 

[Kev]

The 48 is BIG

I was tempted, but the 36 is plenty for me (the 36 is a taller 26, but the 48 is bigger all round).

 

[fastbike]

The regular CT 36 is also cheaper than the CT48.

 

[Jaybolishes]

Tom you mentioned the ac36 is not rated a hepa, but is that just because it comes with the drywall filter.  Once it has the hepa filter in it, would it be just as good as the ct36 hepa filtration.  I'm assuming this is so, or hope this is so.  Because this has been a confusing question which I talked about with my dealer.  He said the ac36 was not hepa rated, but if it is hepa rated when the hepa filter is installed, I think many people may be dragged away from buying the ac36 because of this confusion.

 

[tbellemare]

The CT 36 AC has not had the independent testing that the other units have and therefore, it will not be certified as full unit HEPA rated, even if it has the proper HEPA filter installed. To my knowledge, Festool doesn't have any plans to put it through those paces.

That is not to say that it won't perform identically, it just means that it won't be certified as full unit HEPA rated. So, if it is used on a job where that is needed, it isn't a good idea.

Tom

 

[Jaybolishes]

No kidding, I wonder if it wouldn't pass.  Seems like a no brainier to want the hepa rating on it.

 

[Bikeboy80]

I think the problem is the possibility of having the AC on with the HEPA filter. My understanding is that the AC function could blow holes in the finer HEPA filter, thus no longer having a HEPA rating. [scared]

I use my 36ac for everything, wood, paint, drywall with the standard filter. (Just not Lead paint work) It works great!