Festool Dust Extractors - "dedusting"

[cloudliftdesign]

Festool, I am trying to decide on my first Festool tool - a dust extractor. I have virtually researched them inside and out, having narrowed it down to the Midi versus the CT 26.

What seems to have stuck out is the fact that the Midi has the "dedusting" "lever/switch" BUT the CT26 does NOT have this? Am I missing something? Though it is labeled in the manual (1-16) there is otherwise NO mention of it, nor its use in the manual. I DID find a brief youtube video of its use from you, but what is more odd, there seems to be no mention (or ability?) to do similar "dedusting" in the CT 26. And for me at least, this would seem to be a VERY important, and great feature, currently pointing me to the Midi if the CT 26 does not have this feature.

I also searched the FOG forums for ANY mention of "dedusting" and NOTHING came up!!!

Can you enlighten me?

Thanks, Don Brubaker (cloudliftdesign)

 

[Euclid]

I cannot speak on behalf of Festool, but...

Is the feature you are looking for the one that 'shocks' clogged dust off of the filter (at least, that's what I think it does...)?  If so, I think it's referred to as 'Autoclean' - and thus the CTL26 AC might be the thing you want.
A search for that or the term 'Autoclean' might yield something that's helpful to you.

(If I've misunderstood, apologies - but I've not come across the term 'dedusting' before in a Festool context.)

 

[cloudliftdesign]

Euclid, and Festool,
  Thanks for your reply Euclid. No, I'm NOT talking about the "AC" (auto clean) version of the ct 36 and ct 48 (not sure available in the 26.

  I was at Rockler 2 days ago and saw the Midi with this "dedusting" lever.
  NONE of the CT 26, 36, or 48 have this ... ONLY the Midi, and I think the Mini. It is a manual way of cleaning the filter versus the automatic "AC" models.

  The Midi's manual specifically calls this merely "dedusting"; however, other than depicting this in the manual there is no reference to it, nor any "how to". I DID run across the Festool Youtube video: from 3 years ago. ... a short 30 second video.

  It seems very odd that there is no description of this in the manual. So, just trying to find out, hopefully from Festool, if there isn't a "dedusting" feature, manual, on the "higher end" models. The models with the "AC" definitely cost more for this AutoClean feature, and at least for me, this "manual" method is a GREAT way to do this without having to spend so much extra for mostly just more dust storage space.
    It indeed appears that mainly the higher prices models are only gaining in storage space; whereas, the Midi has this manual feature, as well as the built-in Bluetooth. As I don't necessarily need the Bluetooth capability, the manual "dedusting" IS desireable, so just hoping that somehow it IS on the CT 26, but not seeing it.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

This feature doesn’t exist on the CT machines simply because it’s not necessary - and TBH I have no idea why it’s been included on the small machines either. The only other machine I’ve ever encountered with this feature is the old Nilfisk 26/21 I used for years before upgrading to Festool extraction - and despite the fact that it was on there - I never needed to use it once.

What it does is to use exhaust air from the motor to reverse-blow and unclog a blocked/fully loaded filter ------------ whilst also putting the motor under massive stress because you have your hand over the end of the hose. The motor doesn’t max out and scream during this operation for no reason.

But (as any of the countless CT users on here will tell you) - the superb efficiency of Festool’s HEPA bags means that under normal woodworking conditions, the filter remains almost spotlessly clean because no dust is ever reaching it - the filter’s a ‘last chance saloon’ method of ensuring that sub-microscopic particles don’t get expelled to the outside. Constantly reverse-blowing it is a bit like taking your undriven, completely clean car out of the garage every day and washing it. Unless you plan on using your extractor exclusively for collecting mineral dust without a bag, you don’t need it. In that case - you need a machine with the AC function.

To put this into perspective - I’m a professional woodworker and I use my CT26 continuously from anywhere between 2 and 6 hours a day x 6 days a week, averaging around 20-25 hours I’d guess. My CT is just over 3 years old, and at close to 3000 hours of use, has its original filter on it. It's still as clean as a whistle.

Hope that sets your mind at rest.
Kevin

 

[mino]

This feature doesn’t exist on the CT machines simply because it’s not necessary - and TBH I have no idea why it’s been included on the small machines either. The only other machine I’ve ever encountered with this feature is the old Nilfisk 26/21 I used for years before upgrading to Festool extraction - and despite the fact that it was on there - I never needed to use it once.
...

To expand:

The manual clean level is the "Poor Man's AutoClean". You do not see it on more expensive/serious vacs as it is marginal and has zero purpose with the Festool Self-Clean bags as you rightly point out.

In Europe pretty much every cheaper vac which *can be* operated bag-less but lacks auto-clean or Self-Clean bags has this. The competition of the Mini/Midi has it, so Festool had to include it.

@ OP
If you have the budget, get the CT(CTL) 26 (non-AC). Later on, if the amount of dust justifies it, couple it with CT-VA or some other cyclone. The manual clean is actually undesirable for a woodshop vac with SelfClean filters. The shaking only damages the filters and has no actual benefit except the placebo effect.

If you want AC (aka want to be able to do serious drywall/concrete/masonry grinding), then get the CT 36 AC.
The CT 26 bin is prettty shallow for bagless use. Its usable capacity (used bagless) is like 10 liters while the CT 36 adds 10l on top, for 20l usable or so.

Coming from the owner of a CTM 36 AC .. who started with the same thought.

 

[guybo]

Hi, just a thought the inclusion of the manual cleaner ,for small fine dust jobs.I have a ct33 with same feature and for small fine dust jobs it works great.However my 36ac works better [big grin]

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Hi, just a thought the inclusion of the manual cleaner ,for small fine dust jobs.I have a ct33 with same feature and for small fine dust jobs it works great.However my 36ac works better [big grin]

Fair point - but my 3000 hours referred to above probably includes at least 750 hours worth of sanding. No issues whatsoever. IMHO it’s a solution to a non-existent problem.

Kevin

 

[squall_line]

Though it is labeled in the manual (1-16) there is otherwise NO mention of it, nor its use in the manual.

The description of how to use the lever is on page 14 of the manual, in section 9.4

 

[Lincoln]

Pretty sure all of their vacs had this feature, before the SC bags became the standard. (ie paper bags were used)

 

[Crazyraceguy]

My experience with the CT26 is the same as woodbutcherbower said. Mine is just over 3 years old, used daily, often sanding solid surface material (Corian) and the main filter looks brand new.
The thing I am a bit curious about is how the CT15 works out for me. I recently bought one the use on the other end of the shop.

 

[luvmytoolz]

The CT15 is what I ended up getting for the missus as she would destroy vacuums usually one month after the warranty expires. It's literally the only vacuum she hasn't been able to destroy in the 10 or so years we've had it. I actually sprung for the long life bag years back as it was such a great little unit, aside from the common wiring issue at the gland requiring rewiring the cable every 5 or so years.

 

[Vondawg]

My experience with the CT26 is the same as woodbutcherbower said. Mine is just over 3 years old, used daily, often sanding solid surface material (Corian) and the main filter looks brand new.
The thing I am a bit curious about is how the CT15 works out for me. I recently bought one the use on the other end of the shop.

And my experience has been the same with about the same time frame.

 

[squall_line]

The CT15 is what I ended up getting for the missus as she would destroy vacuums usually one month after the warranty expires. It's literally the only vacuum she hasn't been able to destroy in the 10 or so years we've had it. I actually sprung for the long life bag years back as it was such a great little unit, aside from the common wiring issue at the gland requiring rewiring the cable every 5 or so years.

I thought the CT15 came out in the spring of 2020?

 

[cloudliftdesign]

Thanks everyone for all the great responses to my "mysterious dedusting"!!!! I guess it is becaused my cheapo shop vacs always get clogged that this "dedusting" feature sounded great, but those are NOT a Festool! I liked the Midi because of this, but also more so because it included the Bluetooth. However, seems like it would be better to opt for the CT26 at the very least due to bigger capacity, and the non-angled hose input. Weight was a consideration, but after visiting Rockler and handling the Midi, the CT 26 isn't that much more. Haven't ordered yet, but probably leaning toward the CT26 now versus the Midi.

Thanks for the help in making my first leap into the "green machines" ..... donations welcome!!!!!!! Ehhh, I'll just rob our kids piggy banks I guess!

 

[luvmytoolz]

The CT15 is what I ended up getting for the missus as she would destroy vacuums usually one month after the warranty expires. It's literally the only vacuum she hasn't been able to destroy in the 10 or so years we've had it. I actually sprung for the long life bag years back as it was such a great little unit, aside from the common wiring issue at the gland requiring rewiring the cable every 5 or so years.

I thought the CT15 came out in the spring of 2020?

Hmmm...I thought it was the CT15, but i see the long life bag I bought was for a CT Midi, I know it was around 2009-2010 we got it, after she killed the last in a long line of expensive vacuums, in this case a really nice Miele. The CT15 might be the small one I bought for the shed a while back, but I;'m sure it was before 2020.