Festool CT 48 AC plastic disposable bag extremely clogged the filter

[InnovexRenovations]

So I’ve owned our CT 36 and CT 48 AC vacuums for about a year now. We bought the auto clean vac specifically for drywall sanding. Up until today we used the cloth filter bags which did great. We could get full bags but definitely over half full. In conversation with the guys at the local supply house they suggested the open top bags. They didn’t have any so we ordered them and picked up a new filter.

Today we installed the plastic bag via the instructions etc. ran the vacuum with our floor prep machine which we have always done. However about 30min in the vacuum stopped sucking anything. With the AC all the way on we found that the filter is so packed with dust it can’t even work.

So my question here is how in the world is there a recommendation to use these bags for fine dust?? Of course I knew this could be the result but I had to try it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[squall_line]

Autoclean was enabled, and you heard it running, correct?

You mention that you were using this for floor prep, rather than drywall prep.  What type of floor prep was it, what grit paper were you using, and what particle size were you getting?

 

[AlexThePalex]

Are you sure your AutoClean function is working properly? It should shake all dust loose from the filter.

 

[Peter_C]

Welcome to the FOG Always good to put your country of origin in so the correct links and information apply.

Routinely I have to stop, disconnect the hose, put my hand over the dust collector opening and turn the start stop knob to the right to thump the filter. By closing off the suction, the filter is hit far harder. Festool even has a waste gate to do what my hand does.

"Provides a mechanism for easy, deep cleaning of the Festool CT AutoClean filter
Ensures maximum dust extraction by cleaning filter"https://www.amazon.com/Festool-497926-Dust-Extractor-Blast/dp/B004MD43N6

 

[jeffinsgf]

I could be wrong, but I don't think the open-top plastic bags are for anything other than refuse cleaning. Your filter is fully exposed to the intake isn't it?

 

[squall_line]

I could be wrong, but I don't think the open-top plastic bags are for anything other than refuse cleaning. Your filter is fully exposed to the intake isn't it?

Based on what Festool and others have said and demonstrated about the open-top bags, fine dust is actually their primary purpose, but they can only be used on the AC models that self-clean their filters.  If you were to use them on a non-AC model or with anything with larger debris, you'd risk ripping apart the filter.

There's likely a proper way to seal the bag around the rim, and the AutoClean functionality needs to be working properly, otherwise they don't last long and clog up quickly.  But they don't clog the way the fleece bag does, which is why they're used for fine particulate sanding.

 

[afish]

This is a good video that goes over the CT AC filter care, different bags and proper uses and installation.

 

[Chainring]

I think Festool Australia posted a video with the correct placement of the plastic liner.

 

[Frank-Jan]

I think Festool Australia posted a video with the correct placement of the plastic liner.

Sedge shows it around 17 minutes into the video.

 

[Chainring]

Sedge shows it around 17 minutes into the video.

No idea how I didn't remember that since I watched it at least a few times before purchasing my 48 AC.