CTM 26

[Jiggy Joiner]

Hi all, I could do with some advice, we are UK based general builders but, I am a carpenter by trade and a lot of our work is on the carpentry and joinery side.
We cut a lot of timber, MDF, OSB, plywood and certain plastics, and the occasional applying and sanding of dry linning fillers, and easi fill etc. Also some brick or gypsum cutting, and also general sanding, and drilling, and often cutting and grinding, so a wide range of tool use as you’d expect with general building/construction.

We have CT extractors in midi and 26 size, they are L and M class. It looks like we are going to need a new one or possibly two?

So, I am thinking more of the M rated type would make the best sense, especially as rules and regs will get tougher, and mainly from a health point of view. So, what I’ve wrestled with for a while is, should I go AC (Auto Clean) version, or just with the standard M version?

I would be greatful for advice and opinions please.

Many thanks.
Steve

 

[Frank-Jan]

In your case I would get a dedicated AC version (or a similar vac from starmix or nilfisk) for the drywall sanding, and the brick and concrete grinding. For the other stuff it's best to use a filterbag.
(If you get an AC 26, and you need an extra vac on a job for cutting timber or boardmaterial, you can put in a bag which you already stock for the other vacs, (and maybe get a spare clean filter for use with a bag))

 

[GarryMartin]

Definitely AutoClean based on your description.

CTM 36 E AC HD would be superb for all your intended uses, but you would then be stocking two different bag sizes.

You may also want to look into the CT VA pre-separator with cyclone technology, especially for the construction and drywall/filler dust.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Thank you both very much. I understand I can switch off AC when not needed too?

From what I understand, I will need different filters or bags depending on the type of dust produced? The bulk of the extractor’s work will be timber and MDF dust. I just want to make sure I get the correct bags and filters for what I’m using.

I was also told this morning, there might be a new 26, 36 and 48 CT coming that has the same front panel as the new mini and midi?
So, not sure whether to hold off. We could wait forever though I suppose.

 

[Sanderxpander]

I heard someone mention that the AC versions don't have a HEPA filter, that may be worth checking out. I think the regular filters are pretty good, but still.

I'm not aware of special bags for each kind of dust, although when you're doing drywall and masonry the idea is to use the AC function and run "bag-less" as in no filter bag, meaning you could use regular plastic bags. They probably make them to size too.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I heard someone mention that the AC versions don't have a HEPA filter, that may be worth checking out. I think the regular filters are pretty good, but still.

I'm not aware of special bags for each kind of dust, although when you're doing drywall and masonry the idea is to use the AC function and run "bag-less" as in no filter bag, meaning you could use regular plastic bags. They probably make them to size too.

Many thanks.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Definitely AutoClean based on your description.

CTM 36 E AC HD would be superb for all your intended uses, but you would then be stocking two different bag sizes.

You may also want to look into the CT VA pre-separator with cyclone technology, especially for the construction and drywall/filler dust.

Thanks Garry, Am I right in thinking, if I bought a CTM with or without AC, if I fitted the pre separator, it would cope with all the types of dust I will encounter? Like drywall, brick, concrete, MDF and wood dust?

I’m now thinking of just buying a CTM and separator, and use it for everything or, buy a CTM AC version and separator, and when doing drywall sanding, remove the separator, and rely on the AC, or am I over complicating?

 

[Sanderxpander]

I don't think there would generally be a reason to remove the separator at all, it just won't be as effective on drywall. It will still catch some.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I don't think there would generally be a reason to remove the separator at all, it just won't be as effective on drywall. It will still catch some.

Many thanks, That’s sort of my thinking, so I was looking at the CTM AC, and using a separator for the bulk of it’s use with wood and MDF. Then if it’s needed for drywall sanding, I could take off the separator, and let the AC do it’s thing, where as if I didn’t go with the AC I’d need the separator all the time?

 

[AlexThePalex]

What's wrong with using the separator for drywall dust? It's heavy dust, falls down quickly.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

What's wrong with using the separator for drywall dust? It's heavy dust, falls down quickly.

Hi Alex, I’m just thinking, for dry wall sanding only, perhaps a CTM AC alone would deal with it better?
I really want one possibly two new M rated machines that will deal with anything, although wood and MDF dust will be the main duty. There will be jobs where we’re sanding dry wall, and cutting brick and concrete though.

Never had an AC version so just want to make sure I have the right bags/filters or separator in place for specific jobs.

 

[AlexThePalex]

What's wrong with using the separator for drywall dust? It's heavy dust, falls down quickly.

Hi Alex, I’m just thinking, for dry wall sanding only, perhaps a CTM AC alone would deal with it better?

The separator is just another container, it will take the brink of the dust and less dust will go into the vac itself, that's all. And the less dust goes in the vac, the longer your filters will take to clog.

 

[Sanderxpander]

I've never tried it, I just read on here that drywall dust is so fine it doesn't work as well.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

What's wrong with using the separator for drywall dust? It's heavy dust, falls down quickly.

Hi Alex, I’m just thinking, for dry wall sanding only, perhaps a CTM AC alone would deal with it better?

The separator is just another container, it will take the brink of the dust and less dust will go into the vac itself, that's all. And the less dust goes in the vac, the longer your filters will take to clog.

Thanks Alex, got it. Ok so just need clarification regarding filters. Say I have a CTM AC, and it’s being used for sanding drywall. When the sanding is done, then say I’m back to cutting wood and MDF, do I need to take out the filter, and replace it with one of my stock CTL or CTM filters? This is the part I’m confused over, as two suppliers have given me conflicting info.

Thanks.
Steve.

 

[GarryMartin]

According to Festool, for "fine mineral dust", the CT pre-separator is best used with extractors with the AUTOCLEAN function. For "course dust (chips from sawing, planing and routing)", it is ideal in combination with the CTL/CTM 26/36/48 extractors with or without AUTOCLEAN.

There are two filters that you can use in the CT 26/36/48 extractors. One is slightly cheaper than the other, but cannot be used with the AUTOCLEAN function (Order no. 496170). So if you do put that filter in an AC extractor, you must not use the AC function (i.e. it must be switched off). The slightly more expensive filter (Order No. 203759) has a PTFE coating and is optimised for cleaning with AC. You can leave this filter in all the time, regardless of whether you are using AC or not.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Garry, Thank you very much, that is the info that even the dealers don’t seem sure on, and is the all important factor for me.

Much appreciated.

Steve

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Just wanted to thank all of those that gave advice and opinions, especially Garry Martin.

We went for two CTM 26 e AC’s one in 240 volt and one in 110 volt.

One arrived today, the other is coming tomorrow:









Well pleased.
Thanks all.

 

[GarryMartin]

Strong choices. Glad I could help.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Thanks Garry, got remotes and some other bits coming tomorrow with the other extractor. Then I’m going to look into pre separators.
Been an expensive week though, our planer thicknesser and chip extractor, and another old machine in the workshop finally gave up on us recently, so I’ve been replacing some larger machinery too.

Have to start earning some serious money now to cover it all  [big grin] [wink]

 

[Doug S]

Thanks Garry, got remotes and some other bits coming tomorrow with the other extractor. Then I’m going to look into pre separators.
Been an expensive week though, our planer thicknesser and chip extractor, and another old machine in the workshop finally gave up on us recently, so I’ve been replacing some larger machinery too.

Have to start earning some serious money now to cover it all  [big grin] [wink]

The bluetooth remote that fixes to the hose works amazingly with my set up, for me it's one of the best things Festool have ever made.