I need some information regarding CT Dust Extractors

Steve-Rice

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Feb 22, 2014
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I'm impatiently waiting for October 1st so I can order a new ETS EC 150/3 finishing sander and I've decided I'd like to take advantage of the 10% discount and purchase a CT dust extractor as well.  Having no prior experience with Festool's dust extractors, I have a few questions I'd like to pose to my fellow Festoolians.

I notice all the CT's (with the sole exception of the 36 AC) come with a 27mm hose, but the dust ports on my existing Festool tools (Domino DF500, TS 55 REQ and Carvex PS 420) are all different sizes.  Does the CT come with adapters for the different size dust ports or do I have to purchase them separately?

My household vacuum has a light that comes on when it's time to replace the filter bag.  Does the CT have any indicator as to when to change the filter bag or do you just check the bag every now and then to determine when the bag needs replacing?

Since the CT 48 filter bag has almost double the capacity of the CT 26 filter bag, it appears that the CT 48 is actually the more economical choice over the long run when considering the additional cost of replacement filter bags.  Anyone disagree with this logic? if so, why?

Are there differences with accessory options among the CT models that I need to be aware of?

Any other additional advice as to which CT to purchase would be greatly appreciated.  I work exclusively in my shop, so portability is not a factor.

Thanks.
 
Steve-Rice said:
I notice all the CT's (with the sole exception of the 36 AC) come with a 27mm hose, but the dust ports on my existing Festool tools (Domino DF500, TS 55 REQ and Carvex PS 420) are all different sizes.  Does the CT come with adapters for the different size dust ports or do I have to purchase them separately?

The hose end of the 27mm hose will either fit inside or onto the tools you describe. Nothing extra required Steve.
 
The 27 mm hose will fit all the tools you listed, some internally, some externally.

No indicator for the bag.

Shop only the 48 will be fine. It's foot print is the same as the 26 and 36, just taller.

The boom arm will not fit the Mini or Midi.

Tom
 
When you can no longer lift the CT-26 the bag is full.
For the larger ones the bag is 2/3 or 1/2 full.
 
Steve,

You have gotten your answer regarding the dust ports and CT vacs; inside or over the ports the hose adapter fits.
Regarding the economy of less frequent filter bag changes with the 48; unless you are considering the MINI or MIDI, I think you'd have to do quite a bit of sanding/routing before you broke even with the higher cost of the CT 48 and their filter bags. Perhaps, more critical is the height of CT 48 - will it fit under all your cabinets?

Bob
 
I have the ct26 and when it suddenly stops sucking it means the bag is full and when I say the bag is full I mean it is FULL!

Doug
 
Doug S said:
I have the ct26 and when it suddenly stops sucking it means the bag is full and when I say the bag is full I mean it is FULL!

Doug

Holmz said:
When you can no longer lift the CT-26 the bag is full.
For the larger ones the bag is 2/3 or 1/2 full.

These two comments are SO true they made me chuckle. Maybe the big two should come with a sit on option like a lawn mower?
 
I have a CT48 and two CT26's. I had a CT Midi also but sold it. I only work in my shop so portability is not a concern. If I could only have one it would be the CT48. I would also recommend getting the tradesmen cleaning set that comes with an anti-static 36mm hose. I have a boom arm, which I love, but you can make a homemade one as well and there are many examples on the FOG for that.
 
Can the ct36a be operated as a hepa vac when not using the auto clean function?
 
Something else to consider is the Oneida Ultimate Dust Deputy.  It converts a Festool vacuum into a true cyclonic 2 stage system.  Earlier UDD's had issues with static but Oneida has stood behind their product and solved those issues.  With a UDD you pretty much never have to replace a filter bag as all the dust is trapped before it reaches the vacuum.
 
Tyler Ernsberger said:
...

What happens if you're strong?

For me the Wife suggests one if us is an ahole for leaving the bag full.
If you change wife to partner it is more incusive and still 100% accurate.
 
I also second the Oneida Ultimate Dust Deputy.  I have a UDD connected to my CT Mini.

CT Mini + UDD = $720 (11 gallons capacity); CT48 = $775 (12.2 gallons capacity). 

There are many pro's about using a two-stagedust collector.  Considering the additional filtering stage provided by the cyclone, the combo would perform better over the course of the bag.  Consumables are cheaper.  The height of the UDD makes it similar to boom-arm height increases for better ergonomics.  Plus, you can easily remove the UDD if you need extra portability.
 
I have a dust deputy on my HEPA filtered shop vac and a super dust deputy on my 2 HP 1 micron canister dust collector, so I'm well aware of how well they work - just not too happy about adding an additional $250 to the price of an already very expensive CT.  Maybe down the road...

So do I understand correctly that Oneida has resolved all the static electricity problems related to using their Ultimate Dust Deputy on the CT?

If I did get the UDD, then the CT26 makes the most sense (between the CT26, CT36 & CT48) since the bag will never get filled.

Even without the UDD, according to Bob Marino's comment, it looks like I'm better off with the CT26 (over the CT48) as I'd save myself $100 and just have to replace a few more bags...

 
The black Dust Deputy cyclone that comes with products since last year provides the static conductivity that the original units did not.

I attached a picture of a 27mm hose connected to a CT Mini and UDD c. May '14.  The UDD fits fine on the Mini with no modifications.  The CT26 is the smallest extractor that can accept the boom arm accessories.
 

Attachments

  • CT Mini and UDD with 27mm Hose.jpg
    CT Mini and UDD with 27mm Hose.jpg
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If I had it to do over again I would buy the CT26 and the UDD instead of my purchase of the Mini with the UDD.  I thought that purchase made the most sense at the time since the UDD overcame the smaller capacity of the mini.  What I didn't realize was that I would want a boom arm down the road and it doesn't fit the mini.  I've made myself some home made work arounds to the boom arm issue but I don't think they are as good as the Festool version.

The UDD is also a great spot for accessorizing your vacuum.

1) I added a hook for holding the coiled up hose when it isn't in use.

2) On the other side of the UDD I've added a hook for holding the coiled up power chord so it isn't spilling out all over the floor all the time.

3) I took a small metal tray, drilled it to match the hole patter on the bottom of the UDD cyclone and mounted it between the cyclone and the dust box on the UDD.  This gives me a nice place to drop tools, etc. when I'm working; like the Festool Work Center.
 
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