Festool Dust Extractor Sizes

[friedchicken]

Looking at the various dust extractors from Festool, the CT26, CT36, and CT48, I'm trying decipher what will fit under my workbench.

I just measured: 28.5" Wide, 31.5" Tall, 22" Deep, although on the depth and the width the geometry is flexible in a way.

Obviously I looked at the specs, but I have reason to not think they're accurate?

https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/festool-vacuum-comparison.aspx

The dimension I'm most concerned about is the height. Can I squeeze a CT48 in there or is it too tall? Does someone have any "real-world" dimensions for theirs?

 

[luvmytoolz]

The CT36 is the largest I have and from memory it looks around 600mm high at most, which according to the chart you linked looks about right. Looking at the comparison pic I attached the CT48 looks at most 150-200mm higher again, which would put it at around 800mm high. When I was deciding on the CT36 I don't recall seeing any extractor over a metre tall or even close to it, but hopefully someone who has one can measure it and report back..

 

[Coen]

When I was deciding on the CT36 I don't recall seeing any extractor over a metre tall or even close to it, but hopefully someone who has one can measure it and report back..

CT 48 is measured with the handle, not as pictured. That also explains the increased depth. The other's depth is probably already including the cord holder on the back.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I just looked at this video from Sedge, at 9:19 it shows a good shot of the CT48 next to the CT36:



Not much difference in height.

 

[luvmytoolz]

CT 48 is measured with the handle, not as pictured. That also explains the increased depth. The other's depth is probably already including the cord holder on the back.

Hi Coen, I'm not quite clear what you mean on the height reference based on the handle, on the older CT's the handle is on the body and you reach through the garage to pick it up, so it's below the top height.

On the newer CT's I thought it was built into and flush with the top of the hose garage?

So in both cases the handle height doesn't exceed the total height?

 

[Coen]

Hi Coen, I'm not quite clear what you mean on the height reference based on the handle

The push bar. Not included with 26 and 36 but is included into the height and depth of the 48 because it comes standard with the 48, but not with the 26 and 36.

I'm talking about the sizes as listed here:

https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/festool-vacuum-comparison.aspx

and linked in the topic start.

 

[luvmytoolz]

The push bar. Not included with 26 and 36 but is included into the height and depth of the 48 because it comes standard with the 48, but not with the 26 and 36.

Ok, I just googled images for the push bar. Height problem solved, just take the sucker off!

 

[Chainring]

Push bar with a 48? I know there's pictures of it, but here in the US I don't believe it comes with the push bar. I know my CT 48 AC did not. It seems the new EI model has the same pictures as my rotary knob model where it'll show no bar and some pictures with the bar. Notice in the scope of delivery there's no bar listed, yet it's down below in the accessories.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Push bar with a 48? I know there's pictures of it, but here in the US I don't believe it comes with the push bar. I know my CT 48 AC did not. It seems the new EI model has the same pictures as my rotary knob model where it'll show no bar and some pictures with the bar. Notice in the scope of delivery there's no bar listed, yet it's down below in the accessories.

When I googled it, it showed up as an optional accessory. I've not seen them fitted here in Oz.

 

[friedchicken]

Someone with a CT48 should provide measurements.


I now ended up with a CT26 I found for sale.
Can it be adapted for use with liquid applications? Also, are there cheap HEPA filters available? They look like they were scooped up from some automotive application and I can probably buy one on fcpeuro.com. Finally, if I'm making a LOT of chips and don't want to waste a $10 bag, are there any tricks?
I've seen people make them re-useable using a piece of 1/2" PVC with a cut through it lengthwise. I know festool sells a very expensive re-usable bag. What if I run it without a bag?

 

[Coen]

Push bar with a 48?

Yeah comes standard with all 48's in NL, DE, etc.

Someone with a CT48 should provide measurements.

If we go from the Highlandwoodworking table we can see 26 > 36 increases 56mm for 10L gain. 36 > 48 is 12L gain, so I would expect it to be 56x1.2 = 67 mm higher than the 36 or a total of 663mm

Can it be adapted for use with liquid applications?

Yes. There are the blue filters (496169) that prevent foam from entering the motor. Do not tilt the CTL during wet use. But most people just get a $100 generic one to do wet work.

Also, are there cheap HEPA filters available? They look like they were scooped up from some automotive application and I can probably buy one on fcpeuro.com. Finally, if I'm making a LOT of chips and don't want to waste a $10 bag, are there any tricks?
I've seen people make them re-useable using a piece of 1/2" PVC with a cut through it lengthwise. I know festool sells a very expensive re-usable bag. What if I run it without a bag?

You should re-evaluate your own valuation of clean air.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Someone with a CT48 should provide measurements.


I now ended up with a CT26 I found for sale.
Can it be adapted for use with liquid applications? Also, are there cheap HEPA filters available? They look like they were scooped up from some automotive application and I can probably buy one on fcpeuro.com. Finally, if I'm making a LOT of chips and don't want to waste a $10 bag, are there any tricks?
I've seen people make them re-useable using a piece of 1/2" PVC with a cut through it lengthwise. I know festool sells a very expensive re-usable bag. What if I run it without a bag?

Festool has long sold a "Long Life" reusable bag, specifically intended for applications where you're primarily producing chips: https://www.festoolusa.com/accessor...-bags/filter-bags/496120---longlife-fis-ct-26

In terms of the HEPA filter, I guess I'd ask why bother purchasing a Festool vac if you're just going to buy aftermarket filters? That's something akin to purchasing a high performance sports car but then installing discount tires to save money. So long as you're always using a collection bag, the stock HEPA filter should last for years in a hobby environment. If you're using the vacuum intensively in a professional environment, then maybe you're replacing the filter once a year, but then that should be part of your business overhead, and amortizing the cost of filters and bags over your projects for the year, same as saw blades, router bits, and other consumables....

 

[Chainring]

Yes to the liquid applications. You remove the bag, the HEPA filter and install the blue foam (foam breaker, 496169) filter insert.

I haven't seen aftermarket HEPA filters, but there are aftermarket bags, both the self-clean and reusable ones.

 

[Cheese]

You should re-evaluate your own valuation of clean air.

 

[Cheese]

Can it be adapted for use with liquid applications?

As others have noted, pretty simple, remove the bag and replace the HEPA with the blue foam option.

Here are some concrete blocks being vacuumed out before I fill the block cores with expanding foam.
Be aware though that when using it for liquid pickup, you like to keep the vac as stationary as possible, otherwise as you move the vac around, the water contents will splash around on the inside and may wet the sensor pins which then gives you the dreaded red light.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Like Coen said, most people who expect to need a wet vac buy a cheap vac built for that purpose, which should include a drain valve so you don’t necessarily have to remove the top and tip the barrel over.

 

[friedchicken]

You should re-evaluate your own valuation of clean air.

While I appreciate your continued concern, appreciate also that I can come to my own conclusions on what I consider acceptable.

If we go from the Highlandwoodworking table we can see 26 > 36 increases 56mm for 10L gain. 36 > 48 is 12L gain, so I would expect it to be 56x1.2 = 67 mm higher than the 36 or a total of 663mm

Please do not feel obligated to answer every question I ask

Festool has long sold a "Long Life" reusable bag, specifically intended for applications where you're primarily producing chips: https://www.festoolusa.com/accessor...-bags/filter-bags/496120---longlife-fis-ct-26

Yeah I saw this, but what they're asking is frankly ridiculous, even for festool standards.

In terms of the HEPA filter, I guess I'd ask why bother purchasing a Festool vac if you're just going to buy aftermarket filters? That's something akin to purchasing a high performance sports car but then installing discount tires to save money. So long as you're always using a collection bag, the stock HEPA filter should last for years in a hobby environment. If you're using the vacuum intensively in a professional environment, then maybe you're replacing the filter once a year, but then that should be part of your business overhead, and amortizing the cost of filters and bags over your projects for the year, same as saw blades, router bits, and other consumables....

The filter festool uses looks like it has a production cost of maybe $5 and adapted over from an automotive supplier. HEPA filtration is not a difficult to attain standard. The one in my Dewalt is $26 on amazon has a surface area than the festool equivalent.

I'll look at the blue water foam filter. I'd rather not have around a separate shop vacfor the once in a blue moon I need water suction... usually to drain a hole when a sprinkler breaks.

 

[Cheese]

Like Coen said, most people who expect to need a wet vac buy a cheap vac built for that purpose, which should include a drain valve so you don’t necessarily have to remove the top and tip the barrel over.

For any serious amount of wet vac use, this is my preferred tool, a Milwaukee 8925. However, without that drain valve on the front, wrestling this thing to the ground to empty it when it's full, is just asking for trouble.

 

[friedchicken]

Looks like eBay has come through; someone is attaching zippers to the bags and selling them:

Festool 496187 dust extractor REUSABLE filter bag with ZBLong ZIP CT 26 CTL | eBay

Festool 496187 REUSABLE Filter Bag With ZBLong Zip. These are full length Zip (ZBLong), for full opening. to put in his Festool dust extractor knowing that the more work. The result is a reusable bag that any craftsman would be proud.

www.ebay.com

 

[onocoffee]

Bag tricks? Yeah, here's what I've done:

Before I got a separator, when the bag from my CT MIDI filled up, I took it out, kept the door open, busted out my Ridgid 16ga shop vac and suctioned everything out of the CT MIDI bag into the Ridgid's Dustopper separator, then took that outside and dumped it in my shavings pile. I then replaced the bag in the MIDI and kept on going.

In the ten months since I got the CT-VA-20 separator, I have yet to fill the bag in the CT MIDI. I have dumped the contents of the CT-VA-20 many times over.

And for that matter, over a year ago, I upgraded the Ridgid with a HEPA filter and bag, and along with that vacs Dustopper, I haven't filled that bag either - and that one does a lot more general shop cleanup, as well as collecting from my table saw, bandsaws, and jointer.

When the Ridgid bag fills, I plan to the use the CT MIDI to suck that bag clean too.