CT-26E Possible problem, I'd like your opinion

[sroxberg]

I have a CT-26E with a new bag and clean filters. It has the original hose and the three wands from the compact cleaning kit. I purchased this unit used several years ago and have never been impressed with it's suction. Folks often mention having to dial down the suction with the 150/5 sanders and I've not experienced that need.

The test today was my attempt to suck up a AAA battery off the floor. With the Compact cleaning wands attached and in the vertical position the battery was not sucked up, and in fact it was never more than about an inch or two into the tube.

I'm assuming this is not normal and I should just box and ship the unit back to Festool for repair.

Can someone with the Compact kit, and the CT-26E confirm this?

 

[Stone Message]

I have the CTL 26E and I use it through a Dust Deputy. Despite the DD the suction is brilliant. I have not tried to suck up batteries but I have lost the odd pencil during cleanups - one got caught in the hose near the DD and the small one went into the drop box.

I use a short 36mm hose to connect the DD to the Kapex, a 5m 36mm hose for the saws and routers and a 27mm hose for the sanders and Domino. When I do cleanups I usually use the 36mm hose with Festool tools or an old floor attachment from a Dyson vacuum.

I would speak to your dealer - from what I have gathered, here on the FOG, the US dealers are excellent.

Peter

 

[ccarrolladams]

I have a CT-26E with a new bag and clean filters. It has the original hose and the three wands from the compact cleaning kit. I purchased this unit used several years ago and have never been impressed with it's suction. Folks often mention having to dial down the suction with the 150/5 sanders and I've not experienced that need.

The test today was my attempt to suck up a AAA battery off the floor. With the Compact cleaning wands attached and in the vertical position the battery was not sucked up, and in fact it was never more than about an inch or two into the tube.

I'm assuming this is not normal and I should just box and ship the unit back to Festool for repair.

Can someone with the Compact kit, and the CT-26E confirm this?

Perhaps you should be discussing this in the Festool Problems thread.

Just how many years ago did you purchase your CT26? They did not become available in the USA until the summer of 2010, so you should still be within the 3 year warranty.

 

[Rob Z]

We use our ct26's for everything, and it does sound to me like there is a problem with your ct.    I can try the battery test for you, but I am certain that our ct's will pull the battery through the hose will no problem.  Two days ago, we were cleaning up the mess with the ct 26 on one of our work tables .  There was a Fein blade under the mess, and the ct sucked it up and we only knew about it when we heard a " clunk" inside the tube when it got stuck.

Perhaps the most ringing endorsement of the ct is to tell you that we use ours with a concrete saw, and we can cut concrete indoors with almost total DC.    If it can do that, it should handle any sander with ease.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Maybe you're trying to suck up the battery in a reverse polarity direction.  Try it the other way.  [big grin]

 

[andy5405]

I haven't tried the battery test but don't expect amazing things from the CT26 in terms of suction. That's not what sets it apart from other dust extractors. Others can elaborate on that.

 

[Rob Z]

Update:  I just tried the ct 26 and a AAA battery.....it pulled the battery some distance up the cleaning set extension tubes and then it stayed in position ( I could feel it rattling around in the tube).

But still I would say your ct has an issue if you aren't having to dial it down while sanding.

 

[sgryd]

I bought a CTL26 a couple of weeks ago. I still favored my old CT22 because it had better suction. A week ago the CTL26 died on me. After getting it back from service (only took two days) it had much better suction. The problem was faulty electronics. The service man told me that he changed the controller card (I don't know exactly what it´s called).

I think the electronics was bad from the start. Good for me that it died on me so the problem could be resolved. Now I love my CTL26. It really sucks!

//Michael

 

[sancho57]

I have a 26 (bought new) & 22 (bought used and its beat up but works great for the kapex)and have not had a problem with either of them.

Could be your hose is clogged or your hepa filter is full of dust, check those out and if they are clogged try it again.