First Use of Dust Extractor, Noticing A Lot of Dust

[DickyCox]

I brought home a CT 36 HEPA today - my first Festool dust extractor.  Upon my first use this evening, where I was using a TS 55 to cut down some 3/4" MDF sheets, I was surprised by how much dust was not being collected by the CT 36.  I had the vac on full suction power.  Does this sound "normal"?  Having never used a Festool dust extractor before, I assumed that I would see virtually no dust (hence, my justification for spending the money this unit).  Perhaps I saw so much dust because it was MDF as opposed to plywood or solid stock?

Your insight is appreciated. 

Thanks,

Dicky

 

[chewy]

I bought the CT36AC and was also surprised by its average performance. Because I use it for only fine sanding dust I was informed to get the best performance to use it bagless and use the autoclean function so the filter stays clean.
Here's a pic of the filter

As you can see there's more lodged in the filter then actually being collected in the bin- if that's the autoclean filter working I dread to think what it'd be like without the ac turned on.
The only major benefit from my old vac is at least I get an audible tone to tell me the filters clogged. I expected better from festool but sounds like you've also seen reality. Hope you learn to accept it as I have [emoji6]

 

[RockstarRemodel]

I have a CT36AC and it works amazing for my TS55 and Planex, but I only ever use it with a bag. I can't think of a reason I wouldn't use a bag. Keep that filter clean!

 

[andy5405]

I have a standard CT26 and have cut shed loads of MDF inside occupied houses with my TS55. The dust collection is excellent. I can't see the point in using in bagless, it surely would seriously slow down the air flow as the filter would block fairly quickly? 

 

[DickyCox]

It sounds like I may have an issue, since the amount of dust I saw would not be acceptable were I working  in an occupied house.

 

[McNally Family]

I bought the CT36AC and was also surprised by its average performance. Because I use it for only fine sanding dust I was informed to get the best performance to use it bagless and use the autoclean function so the filter stays clean.

That photo of the inside of the CT reminds me what our Miele vacuum looked like when one of my daughters used it without having a bag installed.

 

[copcarcollector]

Are you sure there is nothing blocking the hose. Are you using the splinterguard on the saw? And, no offense, are you 100% sure the hose is connected completely to the saw and vac, and the suction is indeed at full?

Also, some people put a piece of tape over the opening on the saw housing on the right hand side, this seems to help dust collection too.

(Different saw and application, but same idea)

[attachimg=1]

 

[AlexThePalex]

I bought the CT36AC and was also surprised by its average performance. Because I use it for only fine sanding dust I was informed to get the best performance to use it bagless and use the autoclean function so the filter stays clean.

That's about the worst advice  you can get. I mostly sand with my vacs and I always use a bag and the filters stay spotless. Suction is so good I can sand inside people's houses without needing to cover anything.

 

[semenza]

Just a note that two different vac models are being discussed ... the CT36 and the CT36AC.

For the OP with the CT36 .... MDF does seem to create more uncollected dust than other materials in my experience. Also are you cutting on a solid surface or on something with space beneath? 

On the CT36AC for sanding ....... I think someone gave you some not so great advice .... granted that sanding and drywall both create fine dust but the non-AC vacs do a great job for sanding wood. The AC is really not needed and may not perform as well for that. The AC is also designed to be used with and open top bag for easy removal of the dust. The non AC vacs have the closed filter bag that filters before the dust gets to the main filters.

Seth

 

[chewy]

I give up trying to figure out the riddle which is the best vac to use for fine sanding dust. It's literally one piece of advice one day then a differing one the next. I wanna love festool stuff but for          sake can everyone start singing from the same hymn sheet !

 

[chewy]

The reason for my original concern was when using the bag the audible alarm was sounding with hardly any dust in the bag. The bag was clogged right up.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I brought home a CT 36 HEPA today - my first Festool dust extractor.  Upon my first use this evening, where I was using a TS 55 to cut down some 3/4" MDF sheets, I was surprised by how much dust was not being collected by the CT 36......

Dicky, when I see someone with a new Festool vac mention this issue the first thing that comes to mind is cutting the edge off a sheet.  When cutting the edge of a sheet, with no off cut to help capture the blade to funnel the dust up into the saw housing, the dust collection is not very good.  All the dust just shoots off the side of the blade leaving the saw/vac with no way to capture the dust.  Even cutting in the middle of a sheet as you get right to the end of a cut, as the blade exits the material, you'll get a puff of dust escape.  Again, because the blade is no longer captured in the material to collect the dust. 

A couple of questions.  First, is your problem mostly with cutting the edge of the MDF?  Second, is the dust collection much better with cutting in the middle of a sheet?

If you really want to get a good idea how dust your vac is collecting, try disconnecting the the vac and see just how much dust you end up with.     

 

[AlexThePalex]

What also helps with a circular saw is to have the blade extend as less as possible.