CTL36 For occasional stone dust extraction - bag choice?

[msc]

Hi

I have a ctl 36 extractor in 110v. I also have the long life bag for it. I need to use it with a concrete surface planner, which creates allot of stone based dust. I cannot justify getting a dedicated concrete dust extractor as it will only be used occasionally i.e. 10 mins use a couple of times a year. My question is should i use it with a bag or not, and if used with a bag should i use my long life bag or buy some disposables. Thanks

 

[bobfog]

Definitely use a bag, else your filter will clog in no time flat.

I hate the longlife bag idea because IMO it's the ultimate expression of hypocrisy having HEPA filters and marketing the oh so important benefits of dust extraction then producing a product that forces you to open the bag and create plumes of dust from the very material you've collected using your very expensive extractor. This problem is bad enough with general wood dust, let alone concrete dust so I'd definitely get a disposable bag for this use.

You might get away with a paper bag, but depending on exactly what grade of concrete you're grinding could effectively sand-blast the bag away, so maybe a disposable self clean filter bag would be the best bet.

 

[tjbnwi]

The long life bag is marketed for chip producing tools such as the planers. It's the end user who is using them in the wrong way.

Tom

 

[bobfog]

The long life bag is marketed for chip producing tools such as the planers. It's the end user who is using them in the wrong way.

Tom

I'd say it's being marketed wrongly by sellers if that is the case:

Festool Longlife filter bag Longlife-FIS-CTL MINI
Festool part number: 499703

Main areas of use
Multiple filter bag for disposal of dust
Suitable for non-hazardous dust
Adapted for
for CTL MINI
used only for extraction of dust types which are not hazardous to health
from high strength, 3-layer polyester fleece with a long service life

 

[tjbnwi]

The long life bag is marketed for chip producing tools such as the planers. It's the end user who is using them in the wrong way.

Tom

I'd say it's being marketed wrongly by sellers if that is the case:

Festool Longlife filter bag Longlife-FIS-CTL MINI
Festool part number: 499703

Main areas of use
Multiple filter bag for disposal of dust
Suitable for non-hazardous dust
Adapted for
for CTL MINI
used only for extraction of dust types which are not hazardous to health
from high strength, 3-layer polyester fleece with a long service life

I did not realize they changed the wording.
https://www.festoolusa.com/power-to...gs/ct-22-longlife-filter-bag-re-usable-456737

Tom

 

[peter halle]

Well,  I imagine that stone and concrete dust is considered hazardous (silicosis) in more places than just California so that would would eliminate the long life bag by either description.

Use the disposable bags or a combo of the disposable bags and an aftermarket cyclone in combo.

Peter

 

[msc]

Thanks for replies, my thoughts of using without a bag was based on my assumption that the new auto clean m class model can be used without a bag and the systems shakes the filter. My concern with bags it that the pores would get blocked with fine dust  very quickly and may not then extract properly. I use my longlife bag for planer shavings and plunge saw, and yes it can be dusty when emptying but i place the bag inside a refuse sack and then empty. The concrete planer i intend using mainly for when installing windows / door if there some lumps in the way or straightening up so hence won't be used often

 

[tjbnwi]

I've removed mortar with a Abrortech AS 170 connected to the CT 36 AC. Removed enough mortar to fill the CT twice on one job. Liner, no bag, the filter clean mode did not work as well with the bag installed.

An FYI---the CT gets real-real heavy if you fill it with mortar dust. Ended up transferring about half the volume just to move the CT. Should have just used the tub without a liner.

Tom

 

[DB10]

  Have you checked out hiring for a day a Self cleaning dust extractor which is specifically designed for concrete like a Hilti, they might not be as expensive as you think.

 

[Jbmccombe]

I have that new m class auto clean extractor. When using it for concrete grinding I put a disposable plastic liner in it and put it on autoclean.  I wouldn't use the long life bag since the cost of the liner is nothing compared to ruining a long life bag.  (You can wash a long life bag if you do see it is plugging up with fine dust)

John

 

[Jbmccombe]

I should have asked. Is your extractor autoclean?  If it is a normal CT36 with no autoclean, don't use it without the bag for concrete as it will trash the filter rather quickly just use one of the disposable cloth bags

John

 

[msc]

My extractor is not the auto clean model, its one of the very first ctl36 in 110v (dont think its available anymore)

Can't justify hiring in terms of inconvenience and cost and similarly can't justify buying and carrying one around. 

My main use for a concrete (125mm /5 inch) planner is to remove lumps and straighten up reveals when fitting windows and doors. If the door / window is timber this can be planed easily if metal i.e. aluminium or steel then it cannot be reduced in size. The window or door could be made to the smallest dimension however, the gaps around could be quite big and hence difficult  to seal up properly and neatly, also dont look good and professional. Hence i try to measure windows and doors to give the smallest gap possible. This may mean knowing off a few lumps with a bolster and chisel, but I've needed to use a angle grinder more often and dust just gets everywhere, depends on what the reveals are made from i.e. york stone, common brick etc.as to how precise and neat i have to be and sometimes they are re-rendered or pebble dashed etc. Dont do this type of work often.

 

[peter halle]

Based on what you wrote, use the disposable bags and include the cost for one on every job.  You might be able to get a couple of jobs out of one and then you might have a job that uses a couple.  It will average out.

Peter

 

[Holmz]

Standard use would require the standard bag.

 

[WastedP]

Based on what you wrote, use the disposable bags and include the cost for one on every job.  You might be able to get a couple of jobs out of one and then you might have a job that uses a couple.  It will average out.

Peter

I am very much with [member=1674]Peter Halle[/member]  on this one.  I deal with rock dust occasionally, and strictly from a dust control standpoint (which is the main point, imo) the disposable bag is going to be worth it.  From an estimating standpoint, even if you burned a whole bag per job, you'd be looking at less than $10.  I personally would consider that part of my cleanup, which I charge for on almost every job, so I probably wouldn't price in the bag.

To be honest, I just replaced the bag on my CT 26 for the first time since I bought it, over a year ago.  I use it for personal projects and sporadic jobs, so it's not daily use.  But I do use it 100% of the time with my TS 55 and RO 125.  I also deal with dust from stone, solid surface, and MDF.  When I tossed that bag out last week, it must've weighed about 40 pounds, no hyperbole.  If you're grinding concrete ten minutes at a time a few times per year AND you've got a 36, I'm thinking that one disposable bag will hold all of your stone dust for a year, and the dust from a few more month's worth of projects.