Question on the CT36

[monte]

I am currently working within the space of a remodel,
and I just recently added the CT36 to my family of Festool Vacs.

Firstly I have to say that I'm very happy with it.
It's a tad quieter than the older models and it sucks right to completion of a fill.
The removal of the hepa filter is more user friendly.
I like how the hose dumps the debris right into the bag rather then funnel it thru about an 8 inch tube.
(much better when doing renovation work - on the CT-33 that area sometimes clogged due to the size of the debris)
The new "slip close" works well when pulling out the bag.
As you could see in the photos below.

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My question lies one aspect with the hepa filter.
On the ct22 and ct33 series there is a flapping device with a green t handle that clears (somewhat) the dust from the filter.
hmm, I'm not seeing that on the ct36, are we suppose to remove the filter and whack it? (when an air compressor is not an option to clear it)
I'm a little confused with the lack of this option.

thanks.

 

[chrisrosenb]

If you always use dust bags, you should not need the feature.
I have been using 2 CT33s for about 3 years & never used the filter shaker.
I never noticed there was not one on my CT36.

 

[Brice Burrell]

If you always use dust bags, you should not need the feature.
I have been using 2 CT33s for about 3 years & never used the filter shaker.
I never noticed there was not one on my CT36.

Like Chris I never bothered with the shaker.  I always felt that it was an almost useless feature since it only dislodged the dust from the filter, dropping it inside the vac only to be sucked right back up into the filter the next time you use the vac.  Furthermore, I can't help be think aggressively raking the filters could degrade them over time.  If Festool removed the shaker it must have been for a good reason.

Remember, Festool suggests you not use high pressure if you're going to your compressor to clean the filter. 

 

[peter halle]

If you always use dust bags, you should not need the feature.
I have been using 2 CT33s for about 3 years & never used the filter shaker.
I never noticed there was not one on my CT36.

Like Chris I never bothered with the shaker.  I always felt that it was an almost useless feature since it only dislodged the dust from the filter, dropping it inside the vac only to be sucked right back up into the filter the next time you use the vac.  Furthermore, I can't help be think aggressively raking the filters could degrade them over time.  If Festool removed the shaker it must have been for a good reason.

Remember, Festool suggests you not use high pressure if you're going to your compressor to clean the filter. 

Brice is correct.  At one of the classes, when showing us the new dust extractors it was explained that the engineers did eliminate the some of the features that were not utilized by the majority of the users.  These included the blower port and the raker.

I use an electric leaf blower to clean my filters when I have an oops.  Quite a cloud the last time.  [big grin]

Peter

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I liked the blower port. [sad]

 

[monte]

Remember, Festool suggests you not use high pressure if you're going to your compressor to clean the filter.  

Thanks for the thoughts folks,,,,,,,

So Brice, Regarding the filter blow out - do u set your compressor to low and then blow out the filters?

Regarding the dust accumulating on the filters, I did notice that it seems so far that there is less accumulation (on the filter) on the CT36 then the CT33.
(I'm saying that in a positive manor - and as u see, I am using the filter bags)

ps. I like the blower port feature on the 22/33 series as well.

hmm, I'm curious,
On my ct.22 I use the long life bag, (more of a dedicated sanding & chop saw vac)
On my ct 33 I use the disposable bags. (general sanding & construction debris)
On my ct 36 I'm using the self-cleaning disposables (general sanding and router collector)

For anybody that has ordered the "long-life bag" for their ct-26 or 36 - has the technology  fabrication   weave of that bag remained the same?

.

 

[RONWEN]

It sort of sounds like they used the old trick of selling the candy bar for the same price but making it weigh less...  [unsure]

 

[Brice Burrell]

It sort of sounds like they used the old trick of selling the candy bar for the same price but making it weigh less...  [unsure]

I really don't think that's the case Ron.  I already posted why I didn't like the shaker and I can't help think the designers agreed with me there. [wink] Here are my two thoughts on why the blower port was eliminated.  First, I think there wasn't room for it in the new design. After all, you've got to get rid of something to put a more power motor in the vac and give it more capacity without making it any bigger.  Second, I don't think it was the most used feature on the Festool vacs so why not sacrifice it if most people never bother.   

So Brice, Regarding the filter blow out - do u set your compressor to low and then blow out the filters?....

I don't use a compressor, I just take them out and gently tap them to knock any dust loose.  Although it wouldn't be hard to lower the pressure on the compressor.  I'd error on the side of caution by setting the pressure very low then turning up as necessary.

....Regarding the dust accumulating on the filters, I did notice that it seems so far that there is less accumulation (on the filter) on the CT36 then the CT33.
(I'm saying that in a positive manor - and as u see, I am using the filter bags).....

I'd agree, but the funny thing is I've noticed a lot more very fine dust clinging to inside of the vac and the outside of filter bags are way dirtier.

 

[Corwin]

The manual for the CT22 and CT33 states that, "you need to clean the filter element only if you use the vacuum cleaner without a filter bag."  So, I can understand how the designers felt that the filter rake was not needed in the new models. 

Funny that Festool has used the term "vacuum cleaner" in their manuals to identify their dust extractors.  [blink]

 

[RONWEN]

The manual for the CT22 and CT33 states that, "you need to clean the filter element only if you use the vacuum cleaner without a filter bag."  So, I can understand how the designers felt that the filter rake was not needed in the new models. 

Funny that Festool has used the term "vacuum cleaner" in their manuals to identify their dust extractors.   [blink]

Is there a technical difference?  [unsure]

 

[Corwin]

The manual for the CT22 and CT33 states that, "you need to clean the filter element only if you use the vacuum cleaner without a filter bag."  So, I can understand how the designers felt that the filter rake was not needed in the new models. 

Funny that Festool has used the term "vacuum cleaner" in their manuals to identify their dust extractors.   [blink]

Is there a technical difference?  [unsure]

I just hadn't seen Festool call one of their CTs a "vacuum cleaner" before...

 

[Kodi Crescent]

I must be misunderstanding what is meant by a "filter bag".  I used a CT-22 for drywall and had a bag installed.  When the job was finished those HEPA filters were thoroughly caked with drywall dust.  Using the raker only knocked the dust off so that it could fall into the bottom of the vac as Brice described.  Maybe I didn't have the "filter bag".

 

[monte]

The manual for the CT22 and CT33 states that, "you need to clean the filter element only if you use the vacuum cleaner without a filter bag."  So, I can understand how the designers felt that the filter rake was not needed in the new models. 

Funny that Festool has used the term "vacuum cleaner" in their manuals to identify their dust extractors.   [blink]

hmm,
Reading a Festool manual.
People do that?
[eek]

I only recall reading Rick Christopherson's beautifully illustrated manifestos, for bedtime reading.

 

[monte]

I'd agree, but the funny thing is I've noticed a lot more very fine dust clinging to inside of the vac and the outside of filter bags are way dirtier.

Now that you mention it, I'd agree - just take a look at my middle photo of the outside of the bag at the beginning of this thread.

Also, as a sidebar - When I was taking it out I seem to remember not being as worried that the bag would break as a full one out of the 33.

 

[Corwin]

The manual for the CT22 and CT33 states that, "you need to clean the filter element only if you use the vacuum cleaner without a filter bag."  So, I can understand how the designers felt that the filter rake was not needed in the new models. 

Funny that Festool has used the term "vacuum cleaner" in their manuals to identify their dust extractors.   [blink]

hmm,
Reading a Festool manual.
People do that?
[eek]

I only recall reading Rick Christopherson's beautifully illustrated manifestos, for bedtime reading.

Well, I have to admit that I only read the manual after reading this thread.  So, it is really your fault that I read the manual -- a ritual best left for when all else has failed...  [smile]

 

[RONWEN]

The manual for the CT22 and CT33 states that, "you need to clean the filter element only if you use the vacuum cleaner without a filter bag."  So, I can understand how the designers felt that the filter rake was not needed in the new models. 

Funny that Festool has used the term "vacuum cleaner" in their manuals to identify their dust extractors.   [blink]

hmm,
Reading a Festool manual.
People do that?
[eek]

I only recall reading Rick Christopherson's beautifully illustrated manifestos, for bedtime reading.

Well, I have to admit that I only read the manual after reading this thread.  So, it is really your fault that I read the manual -- a ritual best left for when all else has failed...   [smile]

Me too.  [unsure]

 

[fdengel]

hmm,
Reading a Festool manual.
People do that?
[eek]

No wonder so many of you actually manage to get stuff done, considering that you don't take the time to learn how to do it...

[huh]

 

[monte]

hmm,
Reading a Festool manual.
People do that?
[eek]

No wonder so many of you actually manage to get stuff done, considering that you don't take the time to learn how to do it...

[huh]

It's called intuit design.

.

 

[Kevin Stricker]

The best way I have found to clean the HEPA filters is with another vacuum with a brush attachment.

 

[ccarrolladams]

The best way I have found to clean the HEPA filters is with another vacuum with a brush attachment.

This is how I clean the HEPA filters on my CTs. When I only had my first CT22 I used my Miele household vac. I bought a cleaning set of the first CT22 years before I bough additional CT. I must say we all love the new CT36 although so far we have not needed to clean its HEPA filter.