CT36 vs CT36-AC HEPA filters

Letsonbandr

Letsonbandr

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2015
Messages
14
Hey guys,
Tried doing a search for the topic but didn't see anything.  I'm in the market for a new filter for my CT36.  A main filter is about $30 and a HEPA filter is about $100.  I only have the CT36, I do not have an auto clean.

I saw that a CT36-AC HEPA filter is only approx. $60.  The obvious answer is that this filter isn't design for this Vac and it wont work but figured I would ask anyway, have any of you tried using the CT36 AC HEPA filter in a regular CT36?  If the dimensions are the same and it fits, I think ill save myself $40 and buy that instead. 

I always use a bag with my 36 as I find its cheaper to throw bags out than it is to buy a new filter periodically. 

I have no problem spending the extra money but if they are interchangeable I figured it would be worth it to ask.  I'm imagining the answer is a simple as no it wont fit, as why would they engineer something like that, but figured I would ask here.

Thanks!
 
I am guessing that this is the one he is referring to:  Festool 496172 High Performance Filter Element For CT 36 AC Auto Clean.

Peter
 
Peter Halle said:
I am guessing that this is the one he is referring to:  Festool 496172 High Performance Filter Element For CT 36 AC Auto Clean.

Peter
Click to expand...

Oh, if that's the case then the answer is pretty simple, it's not a HEPA filter.  If you are okay with a non-HEPA filter get the 496170 at $40.
 
Yes, it will fit the CT 26/36/48/36AC and is a 1 micron filter. Compared to 0.3 micron for HEPA.
 
I would say that you should depend it on where you use the tool and how much you like your existance.

In case you're using it in your shop (where natural air movement won't get rid of the floating fine particles) I suggest to do some quick math on what's cheaper: a bunch of HEPA filters (over the years, at the rate you go through them) or needing a new set of lungs/replacement body?

HEPA was created to address the problem that the particles that escape through conventional filters are exactly the fraction with the highest probability to impact your health, able to float for prolongued amounts of time and small enough to be inhaled really deep.
 
A little confusion here as I saw it on a big name website advertised as a HEPA filter so I thought the regular HEPA and the Auto Clean hi performance filter were the same in terms of micron rating.  It has since been taken down off that website.  As an aside, my thought process was this, if they both filter to the same micron rating and both fit, and one is $40 cheaper than why not use the cheaper one.  I have invested in festools because I recognize the value in keeping myself, my employees and subs, and my clients safe.  But if a product performs the same as another and it is almost half the cost I can't ignore that.  Thanks to all who commented!
 
Wow I had no idea the HEPA filter for the CT vacs was so pricey! What version do the vacs come with?
 
You're telling me!  I'm still kind of in sticker shock after I clogged the filter in my CT26 and now probably need to buy a new one.

I believe they all come with HEPA filters.
 
All of the vacs in the U.S. come with the HEPA filter with the exception of the CT 36 AutoClean which comes with the high performance filter.
 
GoingMyWay said:
You're telling me!  I'm still kind of in sticker shock after I clogged the filter in my CT26 and now probably need to buy a new one.

I believe they all come with HEPA filters.
Click to expand...
Yea thats pretty crazy. $100 for a vacuum filter is a bit much. How did you clog your filter? Is there no way to clean them?
 
I evidently didn't fully insert the bottom tab last time I changed the filter bag.  I made a post about it recently:http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/checking-inside-ct-vacs/.

I tried banging it out and trying to suck out the debris with a shop vac, but there is still a lot of crap trapped in the pleats.  I don't want to "suffocate" my CT26 with a clogged filter.  Not sure if that does any permanent damage to the motor itself or if it just means poor suction, but I'd rather not take any chances.
 
It's recommended to clean your filter by fanning the filter with your finger or tapping it on a surface.

Compressed air is not recommended because it can compromise the integrity of the filter. If you absolutely must use an air compressor, use a very low CFM.

Festool does not give guidelines on filter replacement. But, visual inspection is a good method to see if the filter appears to need replacement. Remember that the filter bags are the first level of filtration in the Festool vacs and capture the majority of the dust. So, if you're using bags, little dust even makes it to the filter.
 
Yup I wanted to be extra careful to not damage the filter media itself.  I had seen Sedge's Instagram post warning people not to use compressed air:https://www.instagram.com/p/BdakCoKnJWQ/.

Shane Holland said:
Remember that the filter bags are the first level of filtration in the Festool vacs and capture the majority of the dust. So, if you're using bags, little dust even makes it to the filter.
Click to expand...

That's assuming you install the bag correctly  [crying].  At least I know to be extra careful in the future.  I guess we often learn things through our mistakes.
 
I've used compressed air to clean my filters for 40 years.  As long as you blow on an angle and do not put the gun right up against the filter, it's fine.  I've literally cleaned at least a thousand filters and never blown a hole in one.  I do the beating thing that Sedge shows and then use another vac first before blowing the filters.  This is standard procedure for industrial filters.  Go to Oneida's "Hazards of Wood Dust" page and you will see their recommendation on cleaning filters at the bottom of the page.  This page also has a toxicity chart for various woods.
 
I noticed that the rubber portion of the filter was cracking pretty heavily last time I was cleaning it out.  There were no rips or tears in the filter and I always use a bag with my vac, as I'm concerned that not using a bag would cause issues in the long run, that I can prevent with bags.  It seems as though this was a bit of an exercise in futility as the 36 AC filter is NOT a HEPA filter.  Figured my work around would be too good to be true.  I should know better than to think I can beat the design / engineering dept at Festool.  I personally wouldn't take compressed air to my filter, as 1) I don't think it needs it and 2) id never know if I damaged the filter where I couldn't see and eliminated the HEPA protection.  Best to suck it up and pony up.  Thanks to all who have commented though, truly a wealth of knowledge here.
 
Effectively the filters used on the festool vacs come out of the same factory that also produces (same sized)
 
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