Converting ct26 to 36

[Doug S]

I originally bought a ct26 extractor to do everything but have since bought a midi that stays in the van and the 26 stays in the shop. I seem to be filling up the 26 too quickly lately and wondered if it is worth buying the bigger body etc needed to convert it to a 36 or even 48 (think this is possible?). Guess another option is to get a dust deputy type thing? The ct26 moves round within the workshop but rarely goes out, I have a Fein extractor when I need 2 on site.

Thanks in advance,

Doug

 

[chrisrosenb]

I went the Dust Deputy rout for the shop. I have the Dust Deputy connected to a MIDI. I am sure that would be the lower cost option.
This is the Dust Deputy kit I am using. Dust Deputy Kit

 

[scgwhite]

Doug, I've added a cyclone to a plywood box that attaches to the top of my 26. It saves changing the bag but it does make the thing quite tall, plus you lose the ability to attach a Systainer to the top of the vacuum - in hindsight I'd have made the cyclone dust housing smaller.

I dread to think about how much a lower casing would cost - that money will buy you everything you need for a cyclone conversion, plus a load of bags.

 

[McNally Family]

I originally bought a ct26 extractor to do everything but have since bought a midi that stays in the van and the 26 stays in the shop. I seem to be filling up the 26 too quickly lately and wondered if it is worth buying the bigger body etc needed to convert it to a 36 or even 48 (think this is possible?). Guess another option is to get a dust deputy type thing? The ct26 moves round within the workshop but rarely goes out, I have a Fein extractor when I need 2 on site.

Thanks in advance,

Doug

Found this conversation regarding changing out the tubs:

Reiska:
Hmm... [scratch chin] Took a tour of ekat for the first time and I'm really positively surprised that one can get actual blow-out diagrams of a tool to look for spare parts  [jawdrop]

By comparing CT 26 E AC, CT 36 E AC and CT 48 E AC for the lower assembly part numbers it looks like you need only to buy a few parts to upgrade a VAC if you are prepared to dismantle the original bottom and rebuild it with the larger container.

If I read this correctly the following should be enough for a container size upgrade (but obviously doesn't leave you with a snap-on choice of VAC size like in Tom's calculations above):

CT 26 -> 36 upgrade would require the acquisition of parts 496267 (larger hose screen $17.83) and 496232 (the tub/container $92.58) and similarly = $110.41
CT 26 -> 48 upgrade would require the acquisition of parts 496267 (larger hose screen $17.83), 479841 (front wheel support $3), 498634 (Container $102.60) and 479809 (rear axle pipe $9.54) = $132.97
CT 36 -> 48 upgrade would require the acquisition of parts 479841 (front wheel support $3), 498634 (Container $102.60) and 479809 (rear axle pipe $9.54) = $115.14

Now I don't know if EKAT prices are with or without VAT or can anyone order spare parts for the quoted prices or how easy the reassembly would be, but theoretically it looks like it could be possible to invest in a small CTL 26 VAC first and then upgrade with a reasonable extra $$$ to the right size VAC if a 26 feels too small.

I also don't know if these are USD prices.  It appears however that limited parts are switched out, with some (a lot) assembly required.

 

[leakyroof]

While the thread on converting is very informative , going the Dust Deputy is easier and you can always put a Sortainer between the DD or UDD and the Vac/CT to gain storage that doesn't need to be moved.

 

[semenza]

The CT48 has a larger size (length and width not just height) lower tub than the CT26 or 36.

Seth

 

[AlexThePalex]

The CT48 has a larger size (length and width not just height) lower tub than the CT26 or 36.

Seth

Are you sure? Ekat gives the same part numbers for the tops of the 26 and 48.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

Get the Ultimate Dust Deputy for your CT-26 and your dust bags (bin bags) will cost 6p each rather than £6 for a Festool dust bag. I have a CT-36 with the UDD in my workshop and it's brilliant. I've been using it for about 18 months and I reckon it has easily paid for itself over this time in the money I've saved in not constantly replacing dust bags.

Buying a 36 or 48 base will be expensive, you'll be left with a redundant 26 base and you'll frequently be buying Festool dust bags at £6 a go...

 

[demographic]

I originally bought a ct26 extractor to do everything but have since bought a midi that stays in the van and the 26 stays in the shop. I seem to be filling up the 26 too quickly lately and wondered if it is worth buying the bigger body etc needed to convert it to a 36 or even 48 (think this is possible?). Guess another option is to get a dust deputy type thing? The ct26 moves round within the workshop but rarely goes out, I have a Fein extractor when I need 2 on site.

Thanks in advance,

Doug

I'm actually a subcontractor working on sites so genuinely just use the bags but thats cos I need it all to be very mobile but if i worked in a workshop a lot...

As Festool has been a little iffy about warranties for their CT's when connected to a Dust Deputy I think I wouldn't buy an Ultimate Dust Deputy from Oneida, then I wouldn't connect it to my CT extractor and I wouldn't then enjoy my new found very cheap running costs.
If something went wrong it would have never been connected up so couldn't have been a problem.  If you get my drift.

Bit like a while ago Paslode was getting snotty about people using other brand nails in their guns. Doubt many people sent back a Paslode nailer with a strip of another manufacturers of nails or gas the in it but Paslode sure lost out on a LOT of nails sales all the same...

 

[GarryMartin]

Is it the cost of the bags or the frequency of changing them that is the issue? (Or both?)

If the former, have you considered the long-life bag?

If the latter, then 26 => 36 is only going to realistically mean every 4 bag changes drops to every 3 (ish), and 26 => 48 every 4 bag changes drops to every 2 (ish) so as others have said, you might want to consider a cyclone and larger collector.

The 26 => 36 or 26 => 48 will obviously make the whole unit taller, but is nothing compared with having something like the Ultimate Dust Deputy sitting atop, so that's another thing to consider.

I've been quite happy with my long-life bag in the CTL 26 so far, but am considering a more permanent cyclone solution with ducting rather than something that would sit on top of the 26.

 

[jamanjeval]

I have a dust deputy and I mostly like it but there are some issues:

1) It restricts airflow. The 50mm hose fits over the dust deputy inlet. In other words, the inlet to the dust deputy is smaller than the 50mm hose. I've also experienced some clogging near the inlet and just inside the cyclone due to this. The 36/26mm hose should not be a problem.

2) The DD definitely catches all the large bits in addition to surprisingly fine dust while even finer dust goes into the bag. Although you save on bags by filling the DD, you'll have to open up the Festool and "fluff" the bag because the bag material becomes clogged and restricts airflow. Turning the dust collector off and on and allowing the bag to collapse is not sufficient to clear it. You'll notice a significant drop in dust collection when this happens.

Overall, I'm happy with the DD. It's well made and does what it says and it definitely saves on bags.

 

[Stone Message]

I am in favour of the Ultimate Dust Deputy solution.

I had an original ($35) DD for a couple of years with my home made drop box. It worked fine but the UDD, kindly supplied by Martin at Toolovation, is brilliant. Okay, it might technically breach the Festool warranty but the chances of it being responsible for any problems is pretty small.

As so many of the guys above have said, it is a good solution and saves money. I no longer sell my woodwork and so cash flow is tight. Bags are not cheap and for a static workshop the UDD makes sense.

If you are a road warrior then forget the DD and UDD and stick with the Festool bags as you can certainly factor the cost into your quotes. The bottom line is that my CT26 is the "unsung hero" of my Festool kit and well worth every penny.

Peter

 

[semenza]

The CT48 has a larger size (length and width not just height) lower tub than the CT26 or 36.

Seth

Are you sure? Ekat gives the same part numbers for the tops of the 26 and 48.

Aah, yes, I see that. I was going by the product dimensions. Which the length and width are the same for the 26 and 36 but larger for the 48. Must be some additional protrusion depths on the tub for the 48. The upper part numbers are shown as being the same.

Seth

 

[Doug S]

Thanks for all the ideas and advice, very helpful.

Like the idea of the ultimate dust deputy but thinking about it the ct26 spends a lot of time under one of my benches so that won't really work for me.

Decided to give one of the long life bags a try. Was looking for other options because I have never seen the point of collecting all the dust in a bag then emptying it out again, also think they are overpriced but looks like it will be the best option for me, and save money in the long run.

Thanks again for all the help,

Doug

 

[McNally Family]

Thanks for all the ideas and advice, very helpful.

Like the idea of the ultimate dust deputy but thinking about it the ct26 spends a lot of time under one of my benches so that won't really work for me.

Decided to give one of the long life bags a try. Was looking for other options because I have never seen the point of collecting all the dust in a bag then emptying it out again, also think they are overpriced but looks like it will be the best option for me, and save money in the long run.

Thanks again for all the help,

Doug

Just be careful when you empty the long-life bag.  You don't want to compromise the HEPA concept you paid so much to acquire.  Nothing worse than a face-full of sawdust if the wind in bad!

 

[ART at WORK]

I keep my ct 36 under my bench and use a small Clear View cyclone which stands next to the bench. As all have said, it is a good solution.
My more mobile version is a Midi and behind it is the wheeled base from the clear view with a dust commander on a steel drum.
I think dust commander is the same as dust deputy. The version I have is small and primative in comparison to the Clear View.
I can pull and push this around the shop. And if i need to go somewhere I just disconnect the strap around the vac and the drum and remove the pipe.
I use long life bags in both machines and they work well. Though I find them costly.
If im sucking up nasty materials, then I use a throw away bag.
So good luck with your long life solution.

All the best
Pip

 

[chrisrosenb]

My MIDI & Dust Deputy set under my bench.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Mkholdings]

I have two of the ct26.  And my friend has the ct36. But we trade the bottom part and works.  We also have the dust Deputy and works good too.  So that's your call