Consolidated Q&A for Planex and CT AutoClean

[rickets]

OK, here's my impression of the planex after using it on a high end level 5 smooth finish job.

On the walls- Stock pad, using Brilliant 150 paper.  Vac at max along with the ac interval at max.  Motor speed was at 2 1/2- 3.  Suctioning number 3-4 and inside pad extraction.  Flew through the walls and made them slicky smooth.  Really.  Four rooms in 30 mins. 

Ceilings was a completely different story.  The wall configuration made some deep swirls and was somewhat hard to control.  So, I switched it up to this:  Used the soft pad backer with the sponge insert.  Used 180 Brilliant and left the vaccum as is.  The settings on the planex was motor 2, suctioning was 4, and inside pad extraction.  Still left some swirl marks, but was taken care of in the final touch up. 

Really worked the shoulders though.  Almost like running a bazooka for the day.  But again, flew through the ceilings, approx. 1250 sq ft in 30 mins.  Just things to watch for is when bringing the planex away from the work, make sure you still have the head on the work.  If you bring it off too soon, you'll just be flouring the room with the uncollected dust.  Noise wasn't bad at all.  Also, you have to time it where the auto clean function fires off, don't be sanding.  The suctioning stops and the head slightly lifts off, putting a cant on the pad and digging in.  As I use it more, I'll fine tune it to where I can start saving my shoulders. [tongue]

 

[jallen03]

So after a week or two of flipping back and forth, I decided to go with the CT 36 AC instead of the HEPA version.  I plan to use this with a combo of woodworking and some drywall, but got this b/c i was extremely interested in trying out the collector with a router table or shop cleanup and not use a bag for those activities.  I was surprised to find a self cleaning bag with the vacuum as well as the advertised AC bag liner!  I prefer the 36mm hose to the 27mm hose, and with the addition of the hose adapter from Bob Marino, it makes it a serious cost contender for someone that wants a 36mm hose but doesn't care about HEPA certification...even if you don't use the autoclean function. 

I've only had the CT 36 for a day (just bought my first Festools a month ago), and am deeply in love  [smile]

 

[MrMac]

this is quite exciting, as my wife and I want to remove all the popcorn off of our ceilings. There is a lot! and I've been dreading doing the water/drywall knife method that will take me all summer.

I already have a CT26, so that's 1/2 the battle. Next to convince my dear wife that this is the only solution bwahahahahahaha

 

[peter halle]

Shane,

Has anyone tried the Planex on floors?  Just thinking that with the larger pad and the variety of grits, it might be an interesting use.

Peter

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Has anyone tried the Planex on floors?  Just thinking that with the larger pad and the variety of grits, it might be an interesting use.

Has anyone tried it? I'm not sure. But, that's not it's intended purpose. So I would probably recommend against using it for that.

 

[vwdave]

Peter, that was my first thought too with the planex, sanding a floor. I was thinking the planex would be good for light sanding between coats, or sanding a porch floor. I might have to try it out and see.

Dave

 

[rickets]

Here's a technique to save your shoulders when sanding ceilings.  Instead of having the whole planex parallel to your body, try having it perpendicular to your chest.  The Planex head would be over your head, but I tell you, my shoulders could take that much more than sanding across my chest.  Sure your head is going to be on full tilt, but I could hold it all day and not tire out.  Course, when you get into corners and edges, you'll have to do the best you can, but man that saved my shoulders a ton!

 

[Budu]

Hi everyone, new to this board and owner of a ct36 ac.  Just wanted some help as to using the hose that came with this vac.  In order to use the sanders, will I have to purchase a 27mm hose or is there an adapter?  If so, could you tell me what the part number is?

Thanks for the help.

 

[jallen03]

Hey Budu,

I bought a 27mm connector hose from Bob Marino...its a 27mm AS hose (about 1.5 ft long) with a 27mm connector on each end.  Works great.

 

[tbellemare]

36 mm to 27 mm whip end

Tom

 

[ericbuggeln]

Are you guys using Brilliant 150 for final sandings? I exclusively use Brilliant 220 with my RO150. Thanks Eric

 

[semenza]

Are you guys using Brilliant 150 for final sandings? I exclusively use Brilliant 220 with my RO150. Thanks Eric

On wood?  Drywall? Planex? Autoclean?  Huh?  [scratch chin]

Seth

 

[Johncarlo]

Are you guys using Brilliant 150 for final sandings? I exclusively use Brilliant 220 with my RO150. Thanks Eric

Hey Eric,

I use 150 to 180 for my rough sand and 220 for my final sand on drywall. It will give you a smooth finish.

Awsome tool! Enjoy [big grin]

Johncarlo

 

[ericbuggeln]

Thanks John, so you always do two passes?

Seth, Auto Clean on finished drywall only, Eric

 

[ericbuggeln]

I just did the math. 51 sheets of drywall. How many 150s and 220s would i go through? Festool Products takes 29 hours to ship stuff to me and I dont want any down time. Thanks Eric

 

[Johncarlo]

Hey Eric,

One to two of each, maybe more if the electrical boxes aren't flush. One box of each is more then enough and will last you a few jobs. Two coats of mud and then the rough sand gives me a level field to skim. It also fills in any air pockets. 220 on the skim and your left with a smooth finish  [cool]. Enjoy the lack of dust!

Johncarlo

 

[MrMac]

I am wondering how does one know when to stop sanding? my purpose will be to remove the popcorn from the ceiling of our home, and if that works I will add it to the services that I provide, (crown, baseboard etc)
would it be easy to sand through the drywall paper? and how do you know that you've sanded enough, so that you don't have to get up on a ladder with a light to examine every square foot to see if all the popcorn etc is gone?
We have heard from friends that they are getting estimates anywhere from 4 to 7k to have a crew come in to remove the popcorn ceilings. This involves the water/scraper method and it's associated mess.
How big is that sanding pad? it looks like it's about 9" or so?
How do you avoid damaging adjascent walls/crown when you remove the guard? I wouldn't want to have to go back and touch up paint due to damage from the sander.
I've looked at the utube videos, they seem nice, but I would like to see a video by someone that is an end user, sort of "real life" conditions.

Thanks!

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Stop sanding when you see daylight.  [scared] I think it just takes some practice but there's a quick learning curve. Remember, we have a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can get it and try it out risk free.

Using a higher grit will lessen the likelihood of scuffing or damaging the drywall paper. You'll quickly learn how fast you need to move across the wall or ceiling surface to achieve optimal results so that you don't have to inspect every square foot.

The abrasives are 8.85", 225mm, and the pad is slightly smaller than that, 215mm.

Well, the brush/guard is there to prevent damage to adjacent surfaces but even with it removed there shouldn't be contact as the pad housing acts as an offset for the paper.

Here are some videos I found from end users, mostly in other countries, doing a quick Youtube search. I thought someone here on the forum had posted about using it for popcorn ceilings but I can't remember if there was a video. I'll have to search for the thread. Edit: OK, I found the thread and video.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/planex-225-used-for-ceiling-texture-removal/

Festool Planex 225 sanding textured ceiling

Festool Planex LHS 225

Festool Planex+szelki.AVI

Airless painting drywall ceiling

lixando reboco em obra de itajai com Festool Planex

Festool Planex LHS 225

Another thread with photos of popcorn removal:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/planex-first-try/

 

[JLB builders LLC]

So does the support strap harness come with the Planex?

Adding another $150 for the Planex hose and CT36 AC, then the extras like the caddy that holds the planex $40 dollar pad etc. Whew. Why don't they just do a complete package Planex/CT36AC and all the extra accessories ???? [crying]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

So does the support strap harness come with the Planex?

The harness is sold separately and comes in its own Systainer Maxi, #496911.

http://www.sanderfordrywall.com/accessories/