CT 36 Clogs up on Plane Shavings

[HarveyWildes]

So my pretty darn new CT 36 does a great job at dust extraction when connected to tools, but it clogs up too often when vacuuming up plane shavings and forstner bit chips - bigger stuff that I have on my floor regularly.

I have the compact cleaning kit, and it seems that most of the clogs happen at the joints between parts of the cleaning kit or between the hose and the cleaning kit parts.  No clogs after that - the hose itself does not seem to be a problem.

I've thought about getting a 36mm hose, but since the hose is not the problem, that wouldn't really fix it.

I've also thought about getting the Tradesman kit with the 36mm hose and metal tubes, hoping that the metal tubes would not catch stuff as badly as the plastic ones in the compact set.

In any case, I don't want to buy stuff just to find that it doesn't work - so... any good advice on what will work???

Also, it looks like the Tradesman kit is largely redundant with the compact kit.  I got the compact kit on May 6 (actually before I got the CT 36), so if the Tradesman kit is the right answer, am I right that it's too late to return the compact kit?

 

[tjbnwi]

The problem is the 27 mm hose, the 36 mm hose solves the problem. I have the Tradesman Set that I use my Planex hose with (I cut up the 36 that came with it for other stuff).

If you have a regular shop vac with a 2" hose and floor wand the hose will plug into the CT so you can use it and the wand.

Make a holder for the hose so you can vacuum up the shavings as the occur.

Thinking about the large hose from a shop vac--it's 2.5" not 2".

Tom

 

[Bob Marino]

Tom is correct, it's the 27mm hose. The 36mm hose is considerably better for regular shop cleanup and the larger tools. You can keep the compact cleaning set and simply get a 36mm hose.

Bob

 

[McNally Family]

So my pretty darn new CT 36 does a great job at dust extraction when connected to tools, but it clogs up too often when vacuuming up plane shavings and forstner bit chips - bigger stuff that I have on my floor regularly.

I have the compact cleaning kit, and it seems that most of the clogs happen at the joints between parts of the cleaning kit or between the hose and the cleaning kit parts.  No clogs after that - the hose itself does not seem to be a problem.

I've thought about getting a 36mm hose, but since the hose is not the problem, that wouldn't really fix it.

I've also thought about getting the Tradesman kit with the 36mm hose and metal tubes, hoping that the metal tubes would not catch stuff as badly as the plastic ones in the compact set.

In any case, I don't want to buy stuff just to find that it doesn't work - so... any good advice on what will work???

Also, it looks like the Tradesman kit is largely redundant with the compact kit.  I got the compact kit on May 6 (actually before I got the CT 36), so if the Tradesman kit is the right answer, am I right that it's too late to return the compact kit?

I don't think there is a 30 return policy on accessories, like there is on tools.  Just purchasing the 36mm X 3.5m hose would be cheaper than buying the Tradesman or Workshop Cleaning kit (on sale until the end of June for $140.25).  Of course, if you think the stainless steel tubes would  be helpful with your problem, it is not that much more right now for the set that also includes the larger hose (Festool 497700 Tradesman / Installer Cleaning Set).  They come in a Systainer 5, which comes in handy for storing other hose accessories. Either way, you won't regret having the larger hose, even if using it with your compact cleaning kit.  The suction is noticeably improved.

 

[rst]

http://www.coastaltool.com/  Fein 921120AG13 COST: $52.50  50mm hose... buy cheap nozzles and tubes from Sears or Rigid from Home Depot

 

[rvieceli]

The inlet on the CT36 is a standard shop vac size. so you can use a regular shop vac hose on it. The big shop vac hose and the accessories are 2.5 inches.

Here is a kit although the hose is short at 6 feet. Check out the big box stores as well
https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Vac-801..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=VP9AN2EY1A7EGJAF7YCF

 

[Roseland]

I have the Floor Cleaning Kit (497699) and with the standard 27mm hose the results were dreadful; I was constantly unblocking it.  But with the 36mm hose (I have the 5 metre one) it's entirely different.

Andrew

 

[ear3]

FYI there is also the Industrial cleaning set with the 50mm hose:
http://festoolusa.com/power-tool-ac.../cleaning-sets/industrial-cleaning-set-454770

As others have already said, the 36mm hose makes a significant difference.  But the compact cleaning kit it is still more limited than a normal shop vac because of the narrowness of the tube.

 

[HarveyWildes]

Well, with very reasonable accommodation from my local Festool dealer (thanks guys!), I was able to make the switch from the compact set to a Tradesperson set.  Thanks to all of you for the advice!  I'll fill you all in when I get the chance to try it out on my next set of plane shavings.

 

[Holmz]

Does it clog up with a dust deputy or other pre-filter ?

 

[SS Teach]

The 27mm hose is the problem. My CT 36 clogged whe I used my OF 1400 with the 27mm hose, got the 36 problem solved.

 

[HarveyWildes]

Does it clog up with a dust deputy or other pre-filter ?

I want to be able to easily move the vacuum around with systainers on top, so I'm happy without the pre-filter.  Bags aren't an issue - a bag lasts me 6-8 months at the rate I work, so I don't mind paying for them.  If my work patterns changed, perhaps I'd consider it.  I do have one stationary vac with a pre-filter attached to my router fence, and that works great.

 

[HarveyWildes]

Didn't expect to be reposting so soon.

So I started putting the Tradesperson attachments together to just try them out, and found that with the pieces parts in the box, (a) there is no adaptor for the 36mm hose to tool dust ports, and (b) the fit of the end of the 36mm hose over the metal end of the stainless steel tubes is too loose, and the fit over the plastic end of the tubes is so very tight that I'm afraid I'm going to break or stretch something.

So - am I missing an adaptor for attaching to tools, or can you only attach to tools with the 27mm hose?

And - am I missing some piece that allows a better fit between the hose and the tubes?

I looked at the accessory list and nothing jumped out at me.

 

[tjbnwi]

There is no adapter include to adapt the 36 mm hose to the 27 mm tool ports.

Goes over the plastic ring on the tube. It will be very tight.

Tom

 

[rvieceli]

There's a reason the extractors ship with a 27mm hose. that hose will fit all the tools. On the smaller tools like the sanders the 27mm hose end fits over the dust port. On the larger 36mm ports the 27mm end fits inside the port.

On the saws and the routers the 36mm seems to do a better job of collecting the dust.

There is an adapter to go from a 36mm hose the 27mm tool end but Festool USA doesn't offer it. The piece is a rebranded Nilfisk/Alto part that can be gotten in the US.
http://www.industrialvacs.com/Tool_Socket_connects_suction_hose_to_power_tool_p/h302000535.htm

You may or may not like that solution however. Many folks find the smaller diameter hose to be a better choice for the sanders. Saying it is more flexible and less unwieldy.

I've got both the 36mm and the 27mm hose and just swap them out for the best match.

 

[McNally Family]

Didn't expect to be reposting so soon.

So I started putting the Tradesperson attachments together to just try them out, and found that with the pieces parts in the box, (a) there is no adaptor for the 36mm hose to tool dust ports, and (b) the fit of the end of the 36mm hose over the metal end of the stainless steel tubes is too loose, and the fit over the plastic end of the tubes is so very tight that I'm afraid I'm going to break or stretch something.

So - am I missing an adaptor for attaching to tools, or can you only attach to tools with the 27mm hose?

And - am I missing some piece that allows a better fit between the hose and the tubes?

I looked at the accessory list and nothing jumped out at me.

Is this small hose "whip" what you're looking for?

http://www.bobmarinosbesttools.com/hose-adapter-27mm-to-36mm/p/HOSEADAPTER/

It allows you to use a 36mm hose and then connect to a sander (as an example), with the smaller 27mm hose end (did I say that right)?  To confirm if this is what you need to accomplish what you are wanting to do, you should call Bob.  The number listed on his web site is his cell number, and he is very helpful.  Just tell him what you want to do, and he will tell you how to do it.

I don't use this adapter because for my sander, I use the sleeved hose from Festool.  I have the larger hose, but use it when cleaning. 

As for the fit from your new hose to the stainless steel tubing, it is best to handle the tubing from the tube itself, and not the hose.  I kept pulling the hose off the tubing when I would grab the hose in error (when using a push and pull movement while vacuuming). 

 

[BarnyardTim]

The 27mm hose is the problem. My CT 36 clogged whe I used my OF 1400 with the 27mm hose, got the 36 problem solved.

Same here, wish I could have returned the compact cleaning set I bought a few months ago and upgraded to the better one with 36mm hose. Too bad Festool doesn't allow returns of accessories. I understand why they don't but it sucks paying money for something and then having to pay more to get what you need.

 

[Birdhunter]

I guess I'm too old fashioned. I sweep up the curly place shavings with a broom & dust pan. The CT gets the small stuff & dust. I think it's far faster and I don't have to change bags so often.

Signed,

The Old Guy

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

The compact cleaning set is cheap and awful. I'm surprised it says Festool on the box.
If you're going to buy a 36mm hose get the Tradesman's cleaning set - it has a 3.5m x 36mm AS hose, stainless steel vac. tubes and high quality brushes and vac. tools that's all in a SYS-5. This set turns any Festool CT in to a very good vacuum cleaner. It will easily cope with planer or Forstner bit shavings too.

 

[BarnyardTim]

The compact cleaning set is cheap and awful. I'm surprised it says Festool on the box.
If you're going to buy a 36mm hose get the Tradesman's cleaning set - it has a 3.5m x 36mm AS hose, stainless steel vac. tubes and high quality brushes and vac. tools that's all in a SYS-5. This set turns any Festool CT in to a very good vacuum cleaner. It will easily cope with planer or Forstner bit shavings too.

I agree completely, I can't believe I paid $94 for that piece of junk.  Not only is the product junk but it's like a puzzle trying to get it to fit into the Sys 1.  I have to look at the picture on the lid every time I put it away.  Again, I wish I could have returned it and bought the tradesman.