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.

 

[Coen]

If compressed air in the crevices doesn't yield dust then I'd say it's that sort of talcum powder they might have used on the rubbers.

 

[GaryA]

My first thought was powder to stop sticking and as a release. I have seen this sort of thing many times on rubber extrusions and gaskets.

 

[Lion El’John-Saw]

My first thought was powder to stop sticking and as a release. I have seen this sort of thing many times on rubber extrusions and gaskets.

That seems to be the consensus. However, my dealer confirmed with Festool that this “residue” shouldn’t be there.

 

[SoonerFan]

That seems to be the consensus. However, my dealer confirmed with Festool that this “residue” shouldn’t be there.

Thanks for confirming that Festool said the residue should not be there. Glad it worked out for you. Metrry Christmas.

 

[mino]

That's exactly what it looked like to me.

I can confirm.

This is how my CTM 36 AC looked as well. It is not dust but some gypsum-based anti-stick powder the seal is covered in to not "glue" itself to the other plastic parts when all is new/fresh.

My ETA 3404 /the last ETA home vac still made in Europe/ came with same type of powdered main seal so I did not even think of it with the CTM.


I guess Festool comment does not conflict here - probably someone is was tasked with wiping any such "mess" for appearance purposes before the vac was packaged .. and did not do his job.