Can I use a CT 36 AC with a TS 75 track saw?

[Joe Hollis]

Hello,

This is my first post. I purchased the above track saw a month ago, and the dust extractor last week. I was clearly not attentive enough during my research, and should have bought the CT 36 instead, and am unable to exchange. My understanding is that the 36 mm hose supplied with the CT 36 AC is specifically intended for use with the Planex drywall sanding unit - which I am unlikely to every buy. Is there a proper adapter fitting I can buy that fits on the tool end of the supplied 36 mm hose to properly connect to the track saw and/or other Festool tools that are intended for use with a 27 mm hose? I buy Festool tools mostly from Lee Valley Tools, but I am unsure looking at the list of fittings on their website if the one I need is listed there. New hoses are not cheap, and I would much rather not have to buy a brand new 27 mm hose if an adapter is available. 

Thanks for your help.

Joe Hollis                     

 

[Svar]

36 mm hose is better for TS75 than 27 mm hose as it provides better airflow. 36 mm hose you have should fit over the dust shroud fitting on your saw. This is how it was intended to be.

 

[antss]

Yes you can use it , but why would you get an AC model if you don't intend on using it for drywall or masonry operations ?  It's just added expense and complexity.

An adapter from 36mm to 27mm is available and Uncle Bob has a short hose length model too.

I'd have a long think about what else I was going to use my vac for before keeping that AC.  I think you'll find using a 36mm hose with a sander or a small router a real nuisance, so even if you keep it - a 27mm hose is probably in your future.

 

[Harvey]

Joe, you have a thirty day window to return your current vac to Lee Valley. Even if you can't get back to a store Lee Valley covers ground shipping on exchanges/returns.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/home/HelpShippingReturns.aspx?pb=1#ReturnExchangeForm

 

[Naildrivingman]

Can this machine be utilized to extract sawdust and debris without a bag just as it does drywall dust?  If so, the initial expense difference between the AC and standard will soon be recouped by not buying disposable bags.

 

[tjbnwi]

Hello,

This is my first post. I purchased the above track saw a month ago, and the dust extractor last week. I was clearly not attentive enough during my research, and should have bought the CT 36 instead, and am unable to exchange. My understanding is that the 36 mm hose supplied with the CT 36 AC is specifically intended for use with the Planex drywall sanding unit - which I am unlikely to every buy. Is there a proper adapter fitting I can buy that fits on the tool end of the supplied 36 mm hose to properly connect to the track saw and/or other Festool tools that are intended for use with a 27 mm hose? I buy Festool tools mostly from Lee Valley Tools, but I am unsure looking at the list of fittings on their website if the one I need is listed there. New hoses are not cheap, and I would much rather not have to buy a brand new 27 mm hose if an adapter is available. 

Thanks for your help.

Joe Hollis                   

The hose that comes with the 36AC will work just fine. You don't need to change the end and the hose is more flexible and I prefer it to the regular AS hose. There are a tools (sanders are the obvious) the hose will not work on, get a 27mm for them.

Turn the auto clean to 0.

Use a bag and change the filter to the HEPA. When I use the AC with the Planex I remove the bag, use the liner and switch the filter to the non-HEPA.

Tom

 

[tjbnwi]

Can this machine be utilized to extract sawdust and debris without a bag just as it does drywall dust?  If so, the initial expense difference between the AC and standard will soon be recouped by not buying disposable bags.

Any of the CT's can be used without a bag. The downside is the HEPA filter clogs sooner.

If you're going to use the AC without a bag for wood, at least put the HEPA filter in it.

Tom

 

[Shane Holland]

Regarding using a CT without a bag... I don't recommend it.

Wood chips and other debris can very easily damage and compromise the filter, especially a HEPA filter. Yielding it worthless and spewing dust out the exhaust.

The bags are designed to act as a pre-filter to protect the main filter from this sort of damage.

The CT 36 AutoClean is only necessary when using the Planex. For any other application, it's overkill. Drywall dust is very fine and thus unlikely to damage a filter.

Shane

 

[semenza]

Yes you can use it , but why would you get an AC model if you don't intend on using it for drywall or masonry operations ?   It's just added expense and complexity.

An adapter from 36mm to 27mm is available and Uncle Bob has a short hose length model too.

I'd have a long think about what else I was going to use my vac for before keeping that AC.  I think you'll find using a 36mm hose with a sander or a small router a real nuisance, so even if you keep it - a 27mm hose is probably in your future.

Joe, indicated that when doing research he missed that fact.

Seth

 

[semenza]

Hi Joe,

  Welcome to the forum  [smile]

      If I were you I would return the vac. And get the regular 36.

Seth

 

[Naildrivingman]

Regarding using a CT without a bag... I don't recommend it.

Wood chips and other debris can very easily damage and compromise the filter, especially a HEPA filter. Yielding it worthless and spewing dust out the exhaust.

The bags are designed to act as a pre-filter to protect the main filter from this sort of damage.

The CT 36 AutoClean is only necessary when using the Planex. For any other application, it's overkill. Drywall dust is very fine and thus unlikely to damage a filter.

Shane

Interesting...my tiny carpenter brain deduced that if small particles don't hurt the the AC filter, large particles certainly wouldn't.  I absolutely wouldn't have suggested this technique for any other than the AC machine.

Thanks for the info Shane

 

[Shane Holland]

The CT 36 AC comes with the performance filter, not the HEPA filter.

It is more durable than the HEPA filter, but still an unnecessary risk in my opinion.

Just my [2cents].  [wink]

 

[Big G]

AC vacuums don't require a bag for woodworking and are generally less prone to suction loss as they fill, if you intend to use it for builders rubble then yes you could cause damage to the filter as Festool vacs are steered towards the DIY man in his garage rather that the redneck builder out there in the real world. All the  professional range of AC vacs have steel protection cylinders around the filter to prevent direct damage from sharp obstacles entering the chamber at high speed.

 

[Kevin D.]

I've used my CT36AC plenty with my TS75 with the hose that comes with the CT36AC.  I have replaced the standard filter with the HEPA and set to 0 autoclean and I always use a bag in this configuration as Shane mentions.  I place a strip of blue painters tape over the autoclean dial so I don't turn it on by mistake in this configuration as the autoclean function is not to be used on the HEPA filters per Festool support.

I do not have the Planex, but I have used my CT36AC with it's stock non-Hepa filter along with the plastic bag liner as you would use it with a Planex for concrete grinding with my Bosch concrete surface grinders and their proper grinder shrouds.  They are a great combo in that regard.  Captures close to 100% of the dust.  The only thing that really escapes is rubble like pieces that get ejected beyond the brushed edge of the grinder shroud which is really minimal in itself.

While I haven't done it yet, one of the other uses I wanted the CT36AC for was for drywall, but in my case I would just be using it with my Mirka Deros and Abranet screens in doing so rather than getting the Planex.  But now with the new more economical Planex wand model coming out, that may change somewhat as well.