Checking Inside CT Vacs

[James Biddle]

Happened to me a few months ago.  The bag had come off the inlet.  I took it outside and used the Fein vac to clean out the remaining debris after dumping the bag. Then I blew out the HEPA with the compressor and it was good to go.  Yeah, I had to change the Fein bag too.

 

[sancho57]

Good thing I found this thread. I noticed that my CT 26 has less suction than my CT22, a considerable amount less. So I happen to have a leaf blower Ill give it a try today and see if it helps.

 

[GoingMyWay]

Happened to me a few months ago.  The bag had come off the inlet.  I took it outside and used the Fein vac to clean out the remaining debris after dumping the bag. Then I blew out the HEPA with the compressor and it was good to go.  Yeah, I had to change the Fein bag too.

I guess it's not that uncommon for the bag to come off the inlet.  It's one of those things I figure you wouldn't know to be extra careful unless you've experienced a problem like this or heard about it happening to someone else.

Good thing I found this thread. I noticed that my CT 26 has less suction than my CT22, a considerable amount less. So I happen to have a leaf blower Ill give it a try today and see if it helps.

How'd the leaf blower work out for you?  I wonder if there is much of a difference between the output of a leaf blower vs the exhaust of a shop vac.

 

[peter halle]

The leaf blower definitely has more arm output.  I have successfully blown out my filters for years.  I seemed to go thru a period of time with my CT-22 where I had bag issues when they were the paper type and would open up the machine to see quite the mess.  Tapping and blowing was successful for me.

Peter

 

[GoingMyWay]

I suppose the ribs inside of the hose also adds resistance that slows down the air velocity.  Also the tip at the end would seemto make a difference.  The best I had to use was the crevice tool.  I think a proper tip could have also increased the velocity.

Using the shop vac as a blower was still definitely better than sucking alone.

 

[Cheese]

This happened to my CT 22 a few years ago, the HEPA was a brick and every filter rib was packed with debris and was almost solid. After a few bangs on the bench, I realized that it needed a bit more handwork to loosen the debris. I took a small screwdriver with a radiused end and inserted into every filter rib and that loosened the gunk up. Then a couple of more bangs on the bench and some judiciously applied compressed air and it was cleaned.  [big grin]

Ever since then, I check the 22, the MIDI, the Milwaukee & the Fein every 6 months or so.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

I have a very well used CT11 (2002) that uses brown paper filter bags that I use whilst out on site. The bags are almost impossible to get hold of now and i have managed to find a few for sale New, still in the box but 2nd hand.
Unfortunately, the last set of 5 I bought seem to have weakened somewhat due to their age and a few of them have ended up with holes or small tears in them causing the sawdust to escape into my filters.......!

I adopted the same process as Cheese did using an airline and a thin blunt screwdriver to clean the filters.

I will now have to start using CT22 bags if I can't find any more CT11 bags.

I also have a Midi and a CT26 in my workshops, but they both have cloth bags and seem far more durable than the paper filter bags.

 

[aloysius]

I have a very well used CT11 (2002) that uses brown paper filter bags that I use whilst out on site. The bags are almost impossible to get hold of now and i have managed to find a few for sale New, still in the box but 2nd hand.
Unfortunately, the last set of 5 I bought seem to have weakened somewhat due to their age and a few of them have ended up with holes or small tears in them causing the sawdust to escape into my filters.......!

I adopted the same process as Cheese did using an airline and a thin blunt screwdriver to clean the filters.

I will now have to start using CT22 bags if I can't find any more CT11 bags.

I also have a Midi and a CT26 in my workshops, but they both have cloth bags and seem far more durable than the paper filter bags.

Could you cut down, ever so carefully & slightly, a CT22 Longlife bag instead?  I've had an excellent run out of my own L/L bags (2 in the past 18 years) in my "22".  Or maybe it'd fit OK without mods.  They're a lot cheaper now than they once were, & can be rejuvenated yearly in a front loading washer with an old Dunlop Volley sandshoe or 2 to agitate it gently.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

That's a good idea Aloysius..!

I believe other people have fitted CT22 bags in a CT11 as was recommended by someone from Festool. But the long life bag may solve my problem. I think the standard 22 bags will fit in the space but only fill up 1/2 way before emptying. I assume the long life bags are a bit bulkier so a modification my be necessary.

Either way, I will look and see how much the long life bag is.

Thanks.

Tim.

 

[sancho57]

[member=66216]GoingMyWay[/member]

first I used m CT 26 and a small nylon brush to clean the caked dust out of the filter, then used my blower to blowe what dust was remaining in the filter out.

checked and I got about as much suction as my CT 26 does now. I gonna have to pick up a new filter eventually as Ive had this one since  bought the CT 26 Oh maybe 6 years or so ago.

I have to order a new plug/outlet for it anyway so Ill do both at once.

But its working like new now

 

[GoingMyWay]

Good deal.  I should probably also pick up another filter to have on hand just in case.