Ct midi filter

[jimmy986]

I just bought a reconditioned midi. This is my first festoolusa purchase so sorry if I should know this. It looks like it doesn't come with a filter and I can only use it with the bag right now. I looked at the accessories available for purchase and I don't see the filter with the handle like it shows in the manual. Am I just confused? When I take the top off and flip it over, from the manual it looks like the filter with flip handle should go there.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Yes, it should have the filter and filter holder the way that you described it. I would contact Festool to get it taken care of.

I wouldn't recommend using the vac without the collection bag, as you alluded to (unless of course it is for wet collection). You can if you wish, but it will just foul the main filter (once you get one) much faster and reduce the vacuum power of the vac.

 

[anthonyz]

I bought a new CT midi and it comes with the filter and I would imagine the Reconditioned one's should come with it too.

 

[Nick2cd]

I just bought a reconditioned midi. This is my first festoolusa purchase so sorry if I should know this. It looks like it doesn't come with a filter and I can only use it with the bag right now. I looked at the accessories available for purchase and I don't see the filter with the handle like it shows in the manual. Am I just confused? When I take the top off and flip it over, from the manual it looks like the filter with flip handle should go there.

i bought a recon midi as well and mine came with the filter that snaps in place with the green handle.  it didn't come with a bag though.  did yours come with a disposable filter bag?

 

[jimmy986]

Mine came with a bag.

I emailed festool to figure this out. When I'm using the vac for regular use like hooking it up to a sander or simply picking up sawdust, I wouldn't need the bag, correct? The filter would be enough?

 

[mouppe]

Mine came with a bag.

I emailed festool to figure this out. When I'm using the vac for regular use like hooking it up to a sander or simply picking up sawdust, I wouldn't need the bag, correct? The filter would be enough?

You really should use the bag. You could get by in a pinch- if for example you are out of bags- but the CT vacs are designed to be used with a bag when creating dust. You can go bagless if you are vacuuming up water, but then you need to use different filters designed for wet use (or no filters?)

 

[jimmy986]

So does that mean I need to replace the bag every time I fill it up.
With the bag, am I able to use the vac until I get the filter figured out or should I wait until I get that so I don't ruin anything?

 

[tbellemare]

You should always run these CTs with a bag and a filter unless as a wet vac' and then use no bag and the wet filter.

The "Filter Bags" are just that, a 5 micron filter that gets almost everything. The filter is your second line of protection for the impeller and air chutes - it will get the smaller stuff.

Tom

 

[Rick Christopherson]

When I'm using the vac for regular use like hooking it up to a sander or simply picking up sawdust, I wouldn't need the bag, correct? The filter would be enough?

Technically you can do that, but I wouldn't recommend it. The collection bag (or filter bag) acts as a first-stage filter for the vac. It keeps the bulk of the material away from the main filter. The main filter has 5.4 ft2 of filtering surface area, which is larger than the surface area of the bag. So it will handle the task, but you are then left cleaning the main filter instead of just tossing out the used filter bag.

The newer filter bags are what Festool calls "self cleaning". Instead of the older paper-based bag, they are a tyvek-like woven fiber referred to as "fleece". The way they work is each time the vac is turned off, the bag is flexible enough that it deflates, which breaks up the dust caked to the interior surface of the bag. This allows more airflow through the bag, which keeps the suction high.

Two postings have come in while I was typing. To answer your followup question, yes, you could continue to use the vac with just the bag until you get this ironed out. I wouldn't make a habit of it though, because over time you could end up with fine dust caking to the impeller of the motor. (The vacuumed air doesn't pass through the motor, but it does pass through the impeller below the motor.) The bag will catch most of the dust for now, but understand that the bag is not HEPA and will permit finer dust to pass through its walls.

 

[Worm Drive]

I wouldn't recommend using without the filter in place. I sometimes dump out and reuse the bags for my 36 AC.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Filter: DO NOT use it without the filter. Never.

Bag: you can use it without bag just fine. The vac is made to handle that. It is not recommended though, more fine particles will slip through which get back in the air, and your filter will now clog much quicker and you will have to replace that sooner. Filters also cost money.

 

[blakjak220]

My recon MIDI came with a filter and a bag (seems like they should since you need both to use the thing)... Mine was also broken but that literally took 3 mins on the phone and waiting 2 days and Festool had a replacement part to me. Best customer service ever... I'm sure a quick phone call will have you what you need on it's way.

 

[semenza]

Use the bag and the filter. Give Festool a call.

Seth