CTL SYS - Review.

[kaseri]

Here is my variable suction solution. I use PVC end caps which fit inside the Festool Y adapter. I have three caps each with a different sized hole. The larger the hole in the cap, the lower the suction is at the tool. Here are a couple of photos from a drywall repair/paint job. The hand sanding block works perfectly with a 1 3/8" sized hole in the cap. There is just enough suction to remove the sanding dust but not so much suction that the block sticks to the wall.

 

[semenza]

Here is my variable suction solution. I use PVC end caps which fit inside the Festool Y adapter. I have three caps each with a different sized hole. The larger the hole in the cap, the lower the suction is at the tool. Here are a couple of photos from a drywall repair/paint job. The hand sanding block works perfectly with a 1 3/8" sized hole in the cap. There is just enough suction to remove the sanding dust but not so much suction that the block sticks to the wall.

Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

There's one solution.

Seth

 

[kaseri]

Thanks for the welcome. Basically a lurker but felt compelled to join and show my solution for the lack of variable suction. It would be nice if Festool had a proper adjustable adapter but for now this works perfectly well for my needs. The caps were a couple of dollars in total and I had the Y adapter so it was an inexpensive fix for me.

 

[SHJ NH]

In the meanwhile, the CTL-SYS felt me so good I purchased another Festool extractor.
The little compact CTL-SYS is nice to have always in your car or van. I take it to all small jobs like to drill holes in a wall, sanding small things, holding things with CT wings etc etc. Personally I've no problem with not having the variable suction, the suction is low enough for sanding.

But for bigger and longer then one day jobs I've bought a CTL 26. Five reasons: better suction with woodwork, due two electric points two machines on one extractor, as extrator for mitre saw or table saw,  I already had a very small extractor so didn't need a semi compact one and bags are per litre cheaper.

 

[SHJ NH]

In the meanwhile, the CTL-SYS felt me so good I purchased another Festool extractor.
The little compact CTL-SYS is nice to have always in your car or van. I take it to all small jobs like to drill holes in a wall, sanding small things, holding things with CT wings etc etc. Personally I've no problem with not having the variable suction, the suction is low enough for sanding.

But for bigger and longer then one day jobs I've bought a CTL 26. Six reasons: better suction with woodwork, due two electric points two machines on one extractor, as extrator for mitre saw or table saw,  I already had a very small extractor so didn't need a semi compact one, bigger wheels as the Mini/Midi and bags are per litre cheaper.

 

[leakyroof]

Here is my variable suction solution. I use PVC end caps which fit inside the Festool Y adapter. I have three caps each with a different sized hole. The larger the hole in the cap, the lower the suction is at the tool. Here are a couple of photos from a drywall repair/paint job. The hand sanding block works perfectly with a 1 3/8" sized hole in the cap. There is just enough suction to remove the sanding dust but not so much suction that the block sticks to the wall.

  But you already have the adjustable valve at the end of your sanding block. Was that not enough or did you not want the noise of escaping suction right next to you with the port open on the sanding block?

 

[kaseri]

Wasn't quite enough for the hand sanding block. It was sticking a bit even with the valve fully open.

 

[leakyroof]

Wasn't quite enough for the hand sanding block. It was sticking a bit even with the valve fully open.

. That makes sense...

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Here is my variable suction solution. I use PVC end caps which fit inside the Festool Y adapter. I have three caps each with a different sized hole. The larger the hole in the cap, the lower the suction is at the tool. Here are a couple of photos from a drywall repair/paint job. The hand sanding block works perfectly with a 1 3/8" sized hole in the cap. There is just enough suction to remove the sanding dust but not so much suction that the block sticks to the wall.

Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

There's one solution.

Seth

Looking at the CTL SYS with the wheel board and the contrapment I can't help but think a CT MINI would be a better option for a lot of reasons. With the wheel board you are approaching same overall dimensions, price - not sure about weight and the MINI is for sure more capable. I was an early adopter of the CTL SYS but didn't keep it in the end. I did get a MIDI and then purchased the bottom tub for the MINI as a spare part so I now rock both a MINI/MIDI.

 

[papasteve]

I just bought a CT sys and a couple of sanders.  I noticed right away that the orbital palm sander was jittery from too much suction.  I found a quick, inexpensive fix which I haven't seen elsewhere in my searches.

Ridgid makes a "2 1/2 inch hose grip accessory with bleeder valve" for its wet-dry vacuums.  It only costs $10.97.  The vacuum end of the 27 mm hose perfectly fits the "attachment" end of the Ridgid grip, and the other end of the grip fits the CT SYS perfectly -- and stably.  No additional fiddling required.  Sanding control MUCH better.  I also like that the fix is at the vacuum end and not the tool end, so the ergonomics of the sander is not compromised. 

The only drawback I can see is that the Ridgid grip (I presume) is not antistatic.  Maybe that can be addressed as well? 

 

[Bob D.]

Central vacuum systems have a relief valve so that if the vac is dead-headed it will open and relieve the suction. These are normally set to some value (which I don't know off hand) but they can be adjusted to open sooner (at lower vacuum pressure).

Here is an example of one. Just using this as an example, I know nothing about this particular item or the seller.
https://builtinvacuum.com/product/air-relief-valve-for-central-vacuum-systems/

Also available from Amazon and many other sources for less than $20.

I have one on our central vac system, it works great. I also use the central vac as my vacuum source in my basement shop, with an Ultimate Dust Deputy in line to capture all the debris. This combo works great and there is no noise in the shop as the vac is outside in the garage. I have checked multiple times and nothing gets past the UDD and into the central vac dust bin.

 

[semenza]

I just bought a CT sys and a couple of sanders.  I noticed right away that the orbital palm sander was jittery from too much suction.  I found a quick, inexpensive fix which I haven't seen elsewhere in my searches.

Ridgid makes a "2 1/2 inch hose grip accessory with bleeder valve" for its wet-dry vacuums.  It only costs $10.97.  The vacuum end of the 27 mm hose perfectly fits the "attachment" end of the Ridgid grip, and the other end of the grip fits the CT SYS perfectly -- and stably.  No additional fiddling required.  Sanding control MUCH better.  I also like that the fix is at the vacuum end and not the tool end, so the ergonomics of the sander is not compromised. 

The only drawback I can see is that the Ridgid grip (I presume) is not antistatic.  Maybe that can be addressed as well?

      A simple solution for the AS is to run a jumper wire between the connections. I have done this for part of my shop set up. Been using it for many years. It doesn't even really need to be  attached . Fan out the end of a piece of stranded wire and it will fit in with the fitting. Just push it in with the vac fitting. It could be taped on or twisted through a small hole for as well.

        [attachimg=1]        [attachimg=2]          [attachimg=3]

Seth

 

[Bob D.]

For a short run you could use a foil tape like alarm tape or copper tape used for leaded glass construction which you can probably find at hobby or craft shops or online.

Lowes has a roll of 1" x 66 feet copper foil tape for less than $15. You can find smaller amounts on Amazon and other places for as little as $5.