Cleantec CTL SYS features review Australian model.

[Davesbuildtips]

This vac has no speed control. I thought that might be a problem but due to the reduced volume of air the unit moves, 3,000 litres per minute compared to the other Festool vacs 3,900 litres a minute, I am not noticing any swirly marks when sanding timber. Go figure?

Dave, I was looking at one at my dealers this morning. My favourite salesperson agrees with you re suction control, although also agreed that he suspected a hose control may be needed for the ETS125. What do you think?

Festool has an adapter (#496112) for ETS/RTS/DTS sanders to reduce the vacuum suction.
Together with the CTL-SYS it helps a little although the hose gets of quickly because of the smooth end.

Thanks for this info. Is it adjustable?

 

[neeleman]

No it only has a 4 holes which relieve the suction.
If you want more relieve just drill larger or more holes.

 

[Davesbuildtips]

I had reservations about this machine when I first got it due to its capacity but I have to say that the convenience of its size and integration with my other systainers...it was designed for a purpose that it fills 100%. I never second guess if I take it to a job. Here is a for instance. My mother has recently moved into a nursing home and she wanted some pictures on the walls in her room. I took the PDC, CTL SYS and the drilling dust removal nozzle and hey presto, quick, no masonary dust, plastic plugs in the wall, a few screws, pictures hung, happy mother, none of the residents heard anything and I was gone carrying 3 systainers back in the lift, throw in the boot of the car and home.  [smile]

 

[Jak147]

Haha nice work, thou I'm assuming either the other residents were all deaf or you didn't use the hammer mode on the PDC cause that thing can make your ears bleed!! [scared]

 

[Davesbuildtips]

That drill can be noisy but the walls have a fire rated compressed cement sheet behind the gyprock lining. The PDC went through it in a few seconds without having to really lean on it. My mother was amazed at how there was no dust and fascinated by the dust attachment how it just locked on like a Remora.

 

[Davesbuildtips]

I have been using the little vac for 8 months now and it is an absolute pleasure for the small jobs it is designed for. I recommend using the disposable bags due to the small surface area of the bag, it does not have a de-caking action, use the bag for a job and then bin it. Otherwise the bypass will kick in if there is too much resistance and the vac will not suck.
That said, the bags are cheap enough for it not to be an issue.

 

[geoffshep]

Thanks Dave, a timely re-read of this thread, and re-watch of your video (which encouraged me to get one in the first place).  One of the UK suppliers was doing a deal with the cleaning set so it was a good purchase.  And I got that hammer drill accessory which is fantastic.

I was beginning to wonder about its performance though, after my initial enthusiasm, but have just checked it and the bag is FULL.  No wonder it didn't seem to be sucking so well, but it just goes to show how much muck it really is picking up.  Also re-discovered the cleaning tools hidden in the bottom half in the process - what a prat!

When you says 'disposable bags', I guess you just mean the standard ones - 500438?

 

[Davesbuildtips]

Thanks Dave, a timely re-read of this thread, and re-watch of your video (which encouraged me to get one in the first place).  One of the UK suppliers was doing a deal with the cleaning set so it was a good purchase.  And I got that hammer drill accessory which is fantastic.

I was beginning to wonder about its performance though, after my initial enthusiasm, but have just checked it and the bag is FULL.  No wonder it didn't seem to be sucking so well, but it just goes to show how much muck it really is picking up.  Also re-discovered the cleaning tools hidden in the bottom half in the process - what a prat!

When you says 'disposable bags', I guess you just mean the standard ones - 500438?

Hahaha, did you think the dust was just going to magic away?  [eek] Yes, the code you show is the correct one. You will be amazed at the difference!

 

[geoffshep]

Haha, no, but I guess i was surprised by how full it was - although it isn't a huge bag.  As I say, it shows just how much it is sucking up, that would otherwise be all over the floor etc.

 

[Gregor]

I use a long-life bag in it and it works nicely, it isn't that messy to empty in case you have a deep can (and in case I had really find dust in it: I simply vacuum it with my shop vac after afterwards to get rid of the rest).
Saves a lot on bags, especially with the TS and when routing (and cleaning up afterwards), an OF will fill the small bag quite quickly.

Only downside of the CTL-SYS is that on manual mode the socket goes dead, so one has to decide to either use the vacuum stuff or using a machine attached to the socket. Sadly both in parallel isn't possible, so using the drilling dust nozzle with a corded drill leads to the drill needing another socket

 

[Davesbuildtips]

I use a long-life bag in it and it works nicely, it isn't that messy to empty in case you have a deep can (and in case I had really find dust in it: I simply vacuum it with my shop vac after afterwards to get rid of the rest).
Saves a lot on bags, especially with the TS and when routing (and cleaning up afterwards), an OF will fill the small bag quite quickly.

Only downside of the CTL-SYS is that on manual mode the socket goes dead, so one has to decide to either use the vacuum stuff or using a machine attached to the socket. Sadly both in parallel isn't possible, so using the drilling dust nozzle with a corded drill leads to the drill needing another socket

I get what you mean re the socket. Probably the first comment I have seen where someone prefers corded drills onsite to battery. The festool SDS battery model is great!

 

[Gregor]

I use a long-life bag in it and it works nicely, it isn't that messy to empty in case you have a deep can (and in case I had really find dust in it: I simply vacuum it with my shop vac after afterwards to get rid of the rest).
Saves a lot on bags, especially with the TS and when routing (and cleaning up afterwards), an OF will fill the small bag quite quickly.

Only downside of the CTL-SYS is that on manual mode the socket goes dead, so one has to decide to either use the vacuum stuff or using a machine attached to the socket. Sadly both in parallel isn't possible, so using the drilling dust nozzle with a corded drill leads to the drill needing another socket

I get what you mean re the socket. Probably the first comment I have seen where someone prefers corded drills onsite to battery. The festool SDS battery model is great!

To name just one of the Festools: there is the Syslite Duo, which could be used as a searchlight while vacuuming a construction site at night...

Anyway, everyone (owning other CT vacs) I spoke about this, and the folks I met at the road show im Hamburg I talked to about it, thought that this was a completely braindead limitation.

 

[Dundee99]

Does anyone know the shortest and longest lengths the strap can be adjusted to? And can you slot the ends of the strap into the side label holders on a standard t-loc? (I'm thinking about running two straps for a Sys 1-2; 1 strap from left front to left side and the same for the right side, hopefully making strap formation that can be used as backpack)

 

[Gregor]

Does anyone know the shortest and longest lengths the strap can be adjusted to? And can you slot the ends of the strap into the side label holders on a standard t-loc? (I'm thinking about running two straps for a Sys 1-2; 1 strap from left front to left side and the same for the right side, hopefully making strap formation that can be used as backpack)

The strap holders fit inside all card holders (except on the T-Loc 4 Sort/3 since these for some reason can't hold cards because of the missing slots at the sides), the strap is somewhat in the middle of them, shortest length is ~95cm, longest ~170cm. According to the label the strap is rated for 20kg.

But you could cut away the strap from the holders and replace it with something else, original strap is 38mm wide and ~1mm thick, so stuff double-sided velcro should fit.

 

[Dundee99]

I think this is a good idea, thank you for the info!

 

[Davesbuildtips]

After a years use my only problem with the sys vac is that it needs the bag emptied when 1/3rd full to stop the bypass valve killing the suction.