I love my CT 15 but the floor nozzle and extension tubes are awful

[thisvacuumsucks]

Maybe it’s just me but the addition of the floor nozzle and extension tubes seemingly decreases the suction power by about 90%.

Is this problem an isolated, user error one or one that has come up in the past?

Any solutions?

 

[squall_line]

[welcome] to the FOG!

Although I hate to see someone's first post be a big problem post.

What results are you getting that lead you to the conclusion that it's a 90% drop in suction?

Which floor nozzle and extension tubes are you using?

Is the speed turned all the way up?

Are the pieces seated/mated together properly without any leaks?

If you have the curved plastic tube with the waste gate, is the gate fully closed?

 

[thisvacuumsucks]

Thanks for the quick reply! As far as I can tell they’re mated properly.

I’m using the Curved Hand Tube (203129), the 3-Piece Extension Tube Set (203137) and the Standard Floor Nozzle (452907).

If the waste gate is what I think it is (vents under green sliding cover), then, yes it’s closed HOWEVER I find the cover does not seem to firmly stay in place and find myself having to slide it closed more than once while cleaning.

 

[semenza]

If there is really that big a drop in suction with the tubes, I would be thinking there could be an obstruction in one of them.

Seth

 

[thisvacuumsucks]

If there is really that big a drop in suction with the tubes, I would be thinking there could be an obstruction in one of them.

Seth

i can say with 100% certainty that this is not the case. once the tubes and nozzle are removed the suction is back to normal; extremely powerful.

the tubes and nozzle are clean and free of debris. it's disappointing because now i'm forced to bend over to use the vacuum and have to use the included upholstery tool instead of the larger (more useful) floor nozzle.

 

[thisvacuumsucks]

bumping this thread with an update. i've identified the weak link; it's the floor nozzle itself. the extension tubes are just fine and the suction is quite powerful until i add the floor nozzle. i'm not sure what it is; it could be the bristles that break the seal between the hose and the floor but the suction just isn't there. like, even powered all the way up it doesn't even grab my finger unless i actually push it past the bristles and close to the tube opening.

this can't be right. i don't think it's a faulty unit either, i have a suspicion it's either an issue with the nozzle or the combination of this nozzle with this vac.

any additional thoughts appreciated. thanks.

 

[squall_line]

I finally had a chance to pull out the nozzle with the standard brush attachment from the "Compact Cleaning Set D 27/36 K-RS-Plus" and hooked it up to my OG CT Mini with a 27mm straight Antistatic hose.  Turned up to full bore and ran the nozzle across the garage floor.  It picked up most things that it came across.

If I came to a seam in the concrete, I had to get the nozzle parallel to the seam and rest it on the seam for a second to get it to really clean it out; running perpendicular to the seam didn't have nearly as much suction.

I held the nozzle up to my hand and couldn't feel much pull, but when I pressed it close to my forearm, I definitely felt it.  It wouldn't hold itself up or suck my skin into itself or anything like that, but I could definitely feel air movement and an attraction once it was close enough.

It may be that the nozzle itself just isn't up to snuff.  I looked it up on Festool's website and it looks very oddly shaped if the top of the head is truly that concave.  I would have expected it to be much more hollowed out like a traditional floor nozzle.

 

[yetihunter]

Just chiming in.  I had terrible luck with the plastic accessories years back.  Moved over to the metal ones and haven't had a problem since.  I use the 36mm hose. 

 

[mino]

bumping this thread with an update. i've identified the weak link; it's the floor nozzle itself.

I believe you are possibly using the floor nozzle for a purpose it is not /primarily/ designed for.

I do not have this specific nozzle but I do have nozzles like that for my other vacs and they have their uses.

There are nozzles for various purposes, including ones which are -designed- to "lose as much suction as possible to not damage the floor yet suck general debris" etc. etc.

If the default nozzle does not fit your usage, just look for a different type more suited to your use case. Be it from Festool or other maker.

 

[FestitaMakool]

Try taping off the ends so the ends correlate to the brushes, it might help suction if too much air is drawn from the sides.

The wider 300mm plastic nozzle with wheels are better. So are the metal ones. I’d guess the 300mm would be the best choice. These are made for hard floor, thus the wheels. They do perform well at carpets too, a very good all round choice.

 

[thisvacuumsucks]

Try taping off the ends so the ends correlate to the brushes, it might help suction if too much air is drawn from the sides.

The wider 300mm plastic nozzle with wheels are better. So are the metal ones. I’d guess the 300mm would be the best choice. These are made for hard floor, thus the wheels. They do perform well at carpets too, a very good all round choice.

this one?