Festool CTM 36AC or CTM 26??

[AGB]

Hi,

I'm looking for a dust extractor for my workshop - mainly for sanding pine and using with my festool track saw. I'm based in the UK (and Spain) and I'm thinking of buying the CTM 26 rather than the CTM 36 AC as I read somewhere that the auto clean feature means you have to use an inferior filter (rather than a HEPA) and makes some noise. Does anyone know if this is true? Also, would a festool be better than say a makita or bosch m-class extractor? Or even a CTL - as I understand the only difference is that it tells you when you lose suction?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[McNally Family]

Hi,

I'm looking for a dust extractor for my workshop - mainly for sanding pine and using with my festool track saw. I'm based in the UK (and Spain) and I'm thinking of buying the CTM 26 rather than the CTM 36 AC as I read somewhere that the auto clean feature means you have to use an inferior filter (rather than a HEPA) and makes some noise. Does anyone know if this is true? Also, would a festool be better than say a makita or bosch m-class extractor? Or even a CTL - as I understand the only difference is that it tells you when you lose suction?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks!

My understanding is that the 36AC is designed to be used when working with drywall.  i also think you use a plastic bag rather than a disposable or permanent bag, and I suspect the noise you are talking about is from the system self-cleaning to eliminate the fine dust.

I'm sure someone here that works with drywall can explain the advantages to the 36AC model.  For me, it was not worth the extra money or capability, since I don't do much drywall work in my shop.

I remember selecting the 26 version when I was researching for my own shop and it has worked perfectly.

 

[semenza]

Basically if you are not doing drywall or something similar you will not want the AC over the regular. For woodworking , including sanding wood, the regular CTs are a better choice.

Seth