Is this normal on a new CT 36 EI?

[Lion El’John-Saw]

I just took delivery of a new Festool CT 36 EI HEPA dust extractor, purchased through an authorized dealer. The dealer included a free T-shirt, which they placed inside the original packaging at their warehouse, so I didn’t think much of it at first.

However, when I opened the unit to attach the dust collection bag, I noticed a very fine layer of dust inside the top of the extractor—primarily around the rubber gasket. After doing some online research, it appears this is not typical for a brand-new unit.

I contacted my Festool dealer and shared the photos below and am currently waiting to hear back on next steps. I’ve requested a replacement unit.

In the meantime, I’m curious if anyone here has experienced something similar or knows someone who has. Is this a known or common issue? This is my first Festool dust extractor, so I’m trying to understand whether this points to a handling, packaging, or quality-control concern.


Please see the attached pictures. Appreciate any insight from those with more Festool experience.

 

[onocoffee]

First off, that is not how the CTs come and is not acceptable when paying MSRP. However, if you got a sweet deal on it, then the discretion is up to you.

One thing to check is the manufacturers plate (where the T and S numbers are printed), this will tell you the date of manufacture, which I presume should be in 2025 since it is the EI model.

If everything else is in good order - meaning no actual damage to any component, then wait and see what your dealer has to say about it. Instead of taking it back, maybe they'll offer you a discount. If they offer you 20% back to save the hassle, maybe that's worth going for (if the CT is in excellent condition otherwise) - because you'll have a mostly new but complete CT with the full three year warranty and have it at a discount.

 

[Lion El’John-Saw]

Well, after some silly suggestions from the retailer, such as "maybe is dust from the packaging", they agreed to exchange the unit. I wish I had thought about asking for a 20% discount instead.

 

[peter halle]

Glad to see you have gotten this sorted out. Looking at those images, and not caring at all if I am right or wrong, I wonder if the white dust was something applied to the rubber seals to keep them from sticking during storage.

It would be highly unusual for a dealer to try and sell a used machine. Mistakes happen, but the dealers that I know give away t-shirts and the likes with purchases deal in a volume that nobody has the time to intentionally do something like this.

Peter

 

[luvmytoolz]

I wonder if the white dust was something applied to the rubber seals to keep them from sticking during storage.

That's exactly what it looked like to me.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I'm glad to see you got it worked out. While the T-shirt/ hat thing is pretty common, I've never seen one delivered inside the packaging. Most of the time it's a way to show appreciation, since there is no discounting.
I suppose it's possible that someone took it back in, as a return, then another employee sold it unknowingly. I would doubt it was intentional, since they know you can bring it back too. There is no advantage to doing that.

 

[Lion El’John-Saw]

Glad to see you have gotten this sorted out. Looking at those images, and not caring at all if I am right or wrong, I wonder if the white dust was something applied to the rubber seals to keep them from sticking during storage.

It would be highly unusual for a dealer to try and sell a used machine. Mistakes happen, but the dealers that I know give away t-shirts and the likes with purchases deal in a volume that nobody has the time to intentionally do something like this.

Peter

I agree. I believe this was a screw up by Festool.