CT Extractors, WTF!!! Help!

[Ed Bray]

I ended up with a bit more available to spend on toolies than I expected. I now have £481 UK left.

I thought I might enter the world of CT Dust Extractors, even though I am pretty happy with my Karcher MV3P for my hand tools.

I went on the Powertool-supplies website (they are typically along with FFX the most competitive on Festool in the UK (for us unfortunate VAT payers).

Now, there are 26 different current CT Dust Extractors ranging in price from £190 up to a massive £1,696.32 (reduced from £2120.40 no less) for a freaking Hoover!!!  [eek] I would want it to do the vacuuming, clean the dishes, do the washing and empty the bins a couple of days a week for 3 months for that.

So, can someone educate me, what do all the different letters mean exactly? Why are there 9 different CT 48 models? Why are there 6 CT 26 models?

I think I've worked out that the numbers are the volume in litres, but it seems that most have the same power/suction so what is the differences please?

 

[chippy]

Hi,
CT stands for Cleantex
The number denotes the litres capacity:  CT 26 =26 litres (26 l capacity / 24 l filter bag capacity),
                                                          CT36 =36 l (36 l capacity/filter bag capacity).
                                                          Mini = 10/7.5 l ( without bag/ with), 
                                                          Midi =12.5 l -15 litres (filter bag /capacity)

Sizes to suit your needs and spaces you work in, plus capacity if using Router / planer as compared with sanding dust.

AC -stands for fully automatic filter cleaning

Dust Class; L,= Degree of filtration >99% hazardous dust with a max permitted concentration >1mg/m3
                M =                            >99.9%                                                                        >0.1mg/m3
                H =                            >99.995%                                                                    >0.1mg/m3

H covers ; asbestos,lead,.....

http://www.festool.com.au/WebRoot/Store/Shops/tooltechnic/MediaGallery/Brochures/dust-extractors/Brochure_Family_Dust_Extraction.pdf

Electrical specs may differ depending on your country regs.

I've just had a SR 151 E au dropped off for repair, it needs replacement brushes. I sold this to the guy in 1997 , he uses it everyday in his work.

cheers
hope this helps.

 

[Ed Bray]

Very many thanks, what an excellent reply. Genuinely helpful and I really appreciate the time taken to write it.

I've gone with the CTL26E with a Long life bag. As this will be mainly used with the Kapex I decided against the AC version after reading and watching a lot of reviews/experiences on the internet.

Looking forward to getting it tomorrow to see what all the fuss is about.

 

[Stone Message]

Excellent choice Ed - I would not swap mine even if I was offered a robot that vacuumed the house, did the bins and visited my aged aunt twice a week.

Peter

 

[Cheese]

Hi,
CT stands for Cleantex
The number denotes the litres capacity:  CT 26 =26 litres (26 l capacity / 24 l filter bag capacity),
                                                          CT36 =36 l (36 l capacity/filter bag capacity).
                                                          Mini = 10/7.5 l ( without bag/ with), 
                                                          Midi =12.5 l -15 litres (filter bag /capacity)

Sizes to suit your needs and spaces you work in, plus capacity if using Router / planer as compared with sanding dust.

AC -stands for fully automatic filter cleaning

Dust Class; L,= Degree of filtration >99% hazardous dust with a max permitted concentration >1mg/m3
                M =                            >99.9%                                                                        >0.1mg/m3
                H =                            >99.995%                                                                    >0.1mg/m3

H covers ; asbestos,lead,.....

http://www.festool.com.au/WebRoot/Store/Shops/tooltechnic/MediaGallery/Brochures/dust-extractors/Brochure_Family_Dust_Extraction.pdf

Electrical specs may differ depending on your country regs.

I've just had a SR 151 E au dropped off for repair, it needs replacement brushes. I sold this to the guy in 1997 , he uses it everyday in his work.

cheers
hope this helps.

Thanks for the brochure. Never knew they made that many models or offered that many options.

 

[Ed Bray]

My Kapex arrived today and after unboxing, reading the manual (well flicking through it) I put my Karcher on the dust extractor outlet and fired it up. I made a series of cuts on some 70mm Sq pine stock. The cuts were very nice, tiny bit of breakout but that was to be expected and was even reduced by cutting slower, the really good news is that the Karcher coped with the dust collection admirably and there was only a tiny (and I do mean tiny) amount of dust around the Kapex. Just as well as I was in the front room at the time.

As for squareness the cuts were a little off dead square, possibly a 1/4 of a mm (1/100") over the 70mm width. But certainly good enough for normal woodworking, and with thinner stock I could clean the face up on my shooting board.

I did also use the Karcher to try out the DTS400 and the suction was too great and caused the sander to jump about. Hopefully tomorrow when the CTL26E arrives I can dial the vacuum down and it will work better.

It now looks like that I may keep the Karcher strictly for the Kapex and use the CTL26E for my portable tools.