CT36 Extractor - Filter Bag or Disposal Bag?

[GreenGoose]

I am new to all festool products.  just purchased the Rotex 90 Sander and CT36 Extractor.  I'm attempting to set everything up to start experimenting and the first thing I notice is a "disposal" bag and a "filter" bag for the extractor.  I do not understand which to use and why.  Any help is appreciated?

 

[Brice Burrell]

Welcome to the FOG!

With the CT36 vac you have your choice of the disposable self-cleaning filter bags part #496187, or the reusable, long life filter bag part #496121.  The self-cleaning bags come in a box of 5 and are made of type of light fabric.  These are meant to be one time use bags, once full you toss them out.  The long life bag is a heavy polyester material and can be filled and emptied over and over again. 

There is also the CT36 AC (Auto Clean) vac (different from the regular CT36 vac).  With the AC vac you also have the plastic disposable liner bags part #496215 for sanding drywall and other super fine dust.  The other CT36 bags work with the AC unit.   

 

[chrisrosenb]

If I am understanding your question correctly. You are confused about havine filters & a disposable dust bag.

You need to use the vac with the filters installed at all times.

It is your choice to use the disposable bag or not. I strongly recommend you use the disposable bags. The point of using the vacuum with power tools is to cut down on the amount of dust in the work area. Not using the disposable bags defeats that point because you will stir up large amounts of dust when emptying the dust from the vacuum bin & cleaning the filters.

When a disposable bag is used, all of the dust is contained within the bag. Just unhook the bag from the vac bin, close the opening on the bag & dispose of it. The filters & inside of the vac remain clean. 

The bags do cost money, but the filters also cost money. So the choice is to use disposable bags & keep the inside the the vac & filters clean or not use the disposable bags & have to deal with all of the dust after you have vacummed it all up.

 

[tbellemare]

I'm concerned that there is confusing information here...

The normal Festool CT dust extractors all require a "filter bag" to work properly unless the task is water pick up. The only exception in North America is the CT 36 AC, which as Brice pointed out, is meant, primarily, for drywall work. It uses an open-top bag and a filter that can be back flushed by the "auto-clean" mechanism.

All of the rest of the group require that you use either the disposable bags or a reusable bag. They are both 5 micron pre-filters. These CT dust extractors also come with HEPA filters from the factory and are HEPA rated for RRP work by the EPA.

It really is not an option to run a Festool dust extractor without a "filter bag" except for the CT 36 AC (auto-clean) unless picking up water. When using one for water extraction, the filter needs to be changed to the foam wet filter.

Tom

 

[GreenGoose]

Tom,
Thanks for the reply.  I am still a bit confused so here is some more information that will maybe help you help me.

I have Model CT 36 E AC
I understand all models must have the Main filter in the upper housing.

What I am trying to determine is the difference in the two bags that go into the bottom of the unit. 
It came with a white "Cloth Like" filter bag and a Clear Plastic Bag (zip tie attached to the clear bag).  These are the ones I'm not sure how to use.  I currently will be using a Rotex sander and a Domino 500.
I do not sand drywall.

Additionally, I discovered today - the hose that came with the extractor is way to big to fit the sander or domino dust ports.  I am afraid I have missed something important here.

Any help is much appreciated.
Regards
Dan

 

[chrisrosenb]

Sorry for the confusion. In you 1st post you stated you had a CT36.

On the CT36 E AC, the clear plastic bag is normally used for jobs that have very fine dust that will quickly clog the cloth bag such as drywall & plaster. That bag is open on top so the filter auto clean can work.

The cloth bag is used for jobs such as woodworking.

 

[GreenGoose]

JD Many thanks for the clarification!

 

[Brice Burrell]

........Additionally, I discovered today - the hose that came with the extractor is way to big to fit the sander or domino dust ports.  I am afraid I have missed something important here.

Any help is much appreciated.
Regards
Dan

Dan, the hose that the CT36 AC comes with is the D36 sized hose/tool end, primarily meant to fit the Planex drywall sander.  The D36 size tool end will fit other tools like the TS saws, Kapex and other larger tools.  As you have figured out is doesn't fit the Domino, jigsaws or the sanders. 

I think some people believe the CT36 AC is somehow better because it costs more that the regular CT36.  For general woodworking the AC version is not needed.  In fact I'd say it is a waste of money since it is for regular sanding of drywall or other fine dust like that of masonry cutting.  If you are a woodworker and don't, or only occasionally sand drywall, then a regular CT vac is what you want. 

 

[tbellemare]

Dan:

I think you've gotten very good advice so far. If you are within the 30-day window, you might consider trading in your 36 AC for a more cost-effective product. For sanding and Domino mortising, you have way too much dust extractor. A CT MINI will take care of those needs...

The CT 36 AC is not only the most expensive Festool vacuum sold in North America but it is specifically designed to be used with the Planex, 225mm diameter drywall sander. Even the hose it comes with is a specialty 36mm diameter hose with an undulating flange that the Planex grabs and gets in the way with other tools. As has already been noted, that hose doesn't even work with the sanders or Domino. All of the other dust extractors come with a 27mm diameter x 3.5m antistatic hose, which is perfect for the applications you describe.

The CT 36 AC comes with a fleece bag, which is a 5 micron filter bag just like the other dust extractors use as a pre-filter. Those filter bags collect almost everything. Then there is a secondary filter right before the input at the top of the chamber leading to the impeller. The CT 36 AC comes with a filter that can handle back-flushing bursts of air and not sustain damage. All of the others come with HEPA filters. The HEPA filters are not to be used in conjunction with the "auto-clean" (AC) or back-flushing burst function. They are OK to use if the AC feature is turned off.

If the AC feature is used, an open-top bag should be used with the CT 36 AC and it is supplied with one. It can hold a LOT of fine dust. They get WAY HEAVY long before they get anywhere near full...

Tom

 

[avrs22]

Looking at lee valley site, "Longlife Filter Bags" $271.00 - $323.00 for 1 bag?....plus tax and shipping?
There is no way that can be the correct price for 1 vacuum bag.

 

[bkharman]

Looking at lee valley site, "Longlife Filter Bags" $271.00 - $323.00 for 1 bag?....plus tax and shipping?
There is no way that can be the correct price for 1 vacuum bag.

It is correct.

I personally use the disposable ones in my CT 26. I buy them 2 at a time. I never had an issue with the cost after the first time I opened my ct to throw it away. Something very satisfying getting the wood dust and chip "brick" out of the unit.

I am a firm believer in skipping the lifelong bag.

My .02.

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[avrs22]

I use the mirka fleece vacuum bags in my mirka dust extractor.
There $40 for 5 bags and after close to 3 years of heavy use I'm still on the same 5 pack.
I just empty them, and reuse them and there is never a speck of dust in the tub.
So for $40 and close to 3 years I can call them long life and I saved almost $300
$271.00 - $323.00 for 1 vacuum bag lol....come on