Ct36ac package question

[chewy]

This is the dust I make using my orbital and belt sander. I assume the festool sander makes dust just as small ? I'd say it's probably as fine as drywall dust ?

 

[Brice Burrell]

This is the dust I make using my orbital and belt sander. I assume the festool sander makes dust just as small ? I'd say it's probably as fine as drywall dust ?

On the whole, drywall, stone and cementitious dust are more fine than wood dust.  For woodworking I feel the regular CT vacs are a better value than the auto clean vac. 

 

[TylerC]

Now reading this post. I ordered this package and it didn't come with the 27mm hose. Called CPO a week ago about the missing hose and they're saying that it has to be approved and sent from Festool. Called Festool and they're saying that they don't sell such a package and I have to call CPO. These are my first Festool units and this doesn't bode well.  Seems like I'm getting the runaround after making the purchase so I have a sander and a vac that can't be used together. [mad]

See if [member=57769]TylerC[/member] can be of any help here

Sorry that I'm slow on this one. The CT 36 AC should come with a 36mm hose -- not 27mm. CPO has mistated it on their website. I'll reach out to them about it.

Did you receive a 36mm hose with your package?

 

[Holmz]

Why ? I thought using the ac function only instead of a self clean bag gives superior suction and ensures the fine dust doesnt clog the bag thus shortening the life of the machine?

I know this isn't directly related but here goes.  Seems people assume because the Auto Clean vac costs more that it is somehow better for general (woodworking) use.  The auto clean vac is intended for the Planex or other tasks that produce very fine dust like cutting/grinding stone or cementitious products.  If you don't regularly use the Planex and/or cut/grind stone or cementitious products, you don't need the auto clean vac.  I say skip the AC vac and use the savings to buy something you really need.

Like bags.  [wink]

 

[TylerC]

An update on this: CPO is going to fix the error on their page, and they're sending a 27 mm hose to [member=60396]gtjumbee[/member]. The CPO folks are great, and it was a simple error on their end. Nothing insidious at play.

 

[gtjumbee]

Thanks Tyler for getting this resolved. 

 

[chewy]

Why ? I thought using the ac function only instead of a self clean bag gives superior suction and ensures the fine dust doesnt clog the bag thus shortening the life of the machine?

I know this isn't directly related but here goes.  Seems people assume because the Auto Clean vac costs more that it is somehow better for general (woodworking) use.  The auto clean vac is intended for the Planex or other tasks that produce very fine dust like cutting/grinding stone or cementitious products.  If you don't regularly use the Planex and/or cut/grind stone or cementitious products, you don't need the auto clean vac.  I say skip the AC vac and use the savings to buy something you really need.

Like bags.  [wink]

Unless I'm missing something that's kinda my point. AC doesn't need bags that will clog and make the extractor work harder and the filter self cleans every 15 seconds

 

[AlexThePalex]

Unless I'm missing something that's kinda my point. AC doesn't need bags that will clog and make the extractor work harder and the filter self cleans every 15 seconds

The bags normally don't clog with wood dust, only drywall dust makes it clog very fast. The suction of a standard vac with a bag is perfectly fine for any tool and the AC version won't make any improvement. Except when you work with drywall for which this vac is specifically designed.

Also, the vibration and noise of the filter cleaning mechanism is quite loud and irritating. A vac by itself is already a noisy bugger, let alone an AC model. So as for me personally, I can really do without that. YMMV.

Festool does sell vac & tool packages, but they are smart enough to know you don't combine the CT36AC with a Rotex 125. Apparently this dealer does not know this.

Why ? I thought using the ac function only instead of a self clean bag gives superior suction and ensures the fine dust doesnt clog the bag thus shortening the life of the machine?

I am more pointing at the fact that the hose of the CT36AC does not fit the Rotex 125. If Festool puts a combi together, they at least make it work without needing any extras.

- Glad OP gets his 27mm hose.

 

[Holmz]

yes... A system should work together.

 

[copcarcollector]

If Festool puts a combi together, they at least make it work without needing any extras.

I would wager that the dealer(s), not Festool per-se, have put packages like this together. ANY vac, ANY tool can be made into a combo package (in N America anyhow), - for example, online  I am able to order a Planex and add on a Mini or Midi vac...

If they are designed to work 100% together or not may not be the determining factor. Perhaps dealers need to make a little more effort to make sure that the parts all work together when a combo purchase is made.

 

[chewy]

Unless I'm missing something that's kinda my point. AC doesn't need bags that will clog and make the extractor work harder and the filter self cleans every 15 seconds

The bags normally don't clog with wood dust, only drywall dust makes it clog very fast. The suction of a standard vac with a bag is perfectly fine for any tool and the AC version won't make any improvement. Except when you work with drywall for which this vac is specifically designed.

Also, the vibration and noise of the filter cleaning mechanism is quite loud and irritating. A vac by itself is already a noisy bugger, let alone an AC model. So as for me personally, I can really do without that. YMMV.

Festool does sell vac & tool packages, but they are smart enough to know you don't combine the CT36AC with a Rotex 125. Apparently this dealer does not know this.

Why ? I thought using the ac function only instead of a self clean bag gives superior suction and ensures the fine dust doesnt clog the bag thus shortening the life of the machine?

I am more pointing at the fact that the hose of the CT36AC does not fit the Rotex 125. If Festool puts a combi together, they at least make it work without needing any extras.

- Glad OP gets his 27mm hose.

I bought the 36 ac vac to use exclusively with sanders. At the start the extractor was amazing. After a while even though the bag was nearly empty the suction seemed dramatically reduced. After speaking to Phil via pm he informed that for the best possible suction use it bagless (or with the plastic liner) and use the AC function.
I might try and research the size difference between drywall dust and 120 grit orbital sander hardwood dust. - using the vac bagless has certainly improved the suction!

 

[Flatsawn]

Thanks Tyler for getting this resolved. 

Yes! [big grin]