Reusing CT bags -- Anyone try this or have a better method?

[ChuckM]

Any suggested sources/links for the right trunking or U-channel?

I don't like the other methods found on YouTube such as stapling or vacuuming the content out. (I've used duct tape before, but want a tidier approach.)

 

[six-point socket II]

That looks like +- 15mm trunking, a very common and readily available size in my part of the world.

I've seen similar products at Lowe's, however if they have such a fairly small size, you would have to check.

Sadly I can't check HomeDepot from here, they block European traffic to their site since Europe went ahead with GDPR.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[rvieceli]

[member=57948]ChuckS[/member] Over here it seems to be called raceway Lowes carries a few choices.
https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=raceway

If you can't find it at a big box store up there YOu might check at electrical suppliers or security system supply houses.

Ron

 

[ChuckM]

Thanks both for the suggestions. Lowe's doesn't have the 15mm size (they sell something like that, but in a whole box only, not individually).

I found this at the HD site, and will go in to have a look:

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[guybo]

If all else fails one can make these work maybe?

 

[AlexThePalex]

I can't believe who much dirt people are willing to expose themselves too just to save a few bucks.

 

[six-point socket II]

Especially since you buy the Festool stuff to minimize exposure to dust, and the bags are designed to minimize/prevent dust even when disposing off them.

The pores clog also, every time you re-use you loose a little more suction capabilities.

And speaking of the re-usable bags, originally they were meant for shavings/chippings and not so much for dust.

Personally I never re-use the regular filter bags. Not worth it.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Chainring]

Performance and price aside, how is this different from the long life bags? I'd still be wearing a dust mask and some goggles for either.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I don't do this with my later CT's as I have a long life bag in my 36 and the smaller units the bags so small it's not worth it, but I've been doing it with my 38L SR5E for 40 years. Just two bits of wood clamped on the end, dump it every so often into a large bag, no dust mess. I'm only just on my 4th bag for it in 40 years now.

 

[ChuckM]

The answer to the two gentlemen's question is simple:

1) I like to try things out, and finding out if the bag can be easily reused like those zipper bags sold on eBay satisfies my curiosity. Money is actually not an issue here as I just opened a new box of bags, and replaced the filled one. A box of bags (5) can last 7 to 10 years because the CT15 is mostly for the DF500 & Pro 5. Even though I've been doing tons of projects, it took me almost two years to fill up the first bag that came with the CT15.
2) Clearing the CT bag of dust won't be as yucky as it seems because I can do that just like how I clean out my d.c. canvas bag all the time -- I simply put the CT bag (cut out in the bottom) in a yard waste bag, roll and fold the top/bottom edges of both bags, and shake. Viola! No dust escapes into the atmosphere.

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[ChuckM]

Performance and price aside, how is this different from the long life bags? I'd still be wearing a dust mask and some goggles for either.

I could be wrong, but I don't think there's a long life bag for the CT15.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Think I'd go for a cyclone before I would bother with this...well...in fact, I did. Put a small Dust Deputy on the Altos vac that's shared between my miter saw and the guard of my SawStop. I bought a reusable bag for my CT-22 years ago. It's never been used. The thought of emptying it always leads me to ordering another batch of expensive disposables. As long as I use the CT-22 for track saw, Domino and sanding, I don't think I'll bother with a cyclone for it. I go through 1 or 2 bags a year.

 

[Chainring]

I could be wrong, but I don't think there's a long life bag for the CT15.

There is one.
https://www.festoolusa.com/accessory/204309---ll-fis-ct-minimidi-2

 

[ChuckM]

Think I'd go for a cyclone before I would bother with this...well...in fact, I did. Put a small Dust Deputy on the Altos vac that's shared between my miter saw and the guard of my SawStop. I bought a reusable bag for my CT-22 years ago. It's never been used. The thought of emptying it always leads me to ordering another batch of expensive disposables. As long as I use the CT-22 for track saw, Domino and sanding, I don't think I'll bother with a cyclone for it. I go through 1 or 2 bags a year.

I'm a big fan of the DDs and do have two Dust Deputy set-ups in use (the new DD 2.5 has just arrived, too), but the CT15 is placed next to the workbench with no clearance for a dust separator.

 

[six-point socket II]

Performance and price aside, how is this different from the long life bags? I'd still be wearing a dust mask and some goggles for either.

For me, pretty simple:

Long life bag = wood shavings/chippings and a little wood dust. Dumping that is very different from actually dumping concrete/plaster/(...) dust.

Regular filter bag = (shavings/chippings and) dust from basically everything. I use my Festool extractors on all projects, not just wood working. When it's full, the lid gets closed and the bag tossed.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[ChuckM]

I could be wrong, but I don't think there's a long life bag for the CT15.

There is one.
https://www.festoolusa.com/accessory/204309---ll-fis-ct-minimidi-2

I stand corrected.

I have a box of this:https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho...-midi-and-ct-15-dust-extractors?item=ZA204308

But the lifelong bag I looked at doesn't include CT15 in its description:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho...t-mini-and-midi-dust-extractors?item=ZA204309

 

[jeffinsgf]

I'm a big fan of the DDs and do have two Dust Deputy set-ups in use (the new DD 2.5 has just arrived, too), but the CT15 is placed next to the workbench with no clearance for a dust separator.

That's my problem with my CT-22. I've got a cubby for it built into my main workbench with no room for a cyclone and I'm not willing to give up the convenience of it being up off the ground and tucked under the bench right where it's convenient for Domino and sanding work.

 

[ChuckM]

Why is emptying a CT bag more difficult or nastier than emptying a bucket of dust from the DD or the D.C. canvas bag? It seems to be me they're the same.

Since I have a bag of dust from the CT15, a bucket (half full?) from the DD and a d.c. bag (half full?), I'll go ahead -- after next week -- and dump them into a yard waste bag, and share how it goes.

 

[Packard]

I don’t have that vacuum system, but my approach would be different.

Slice off the seam.  Empty the bag.

Run a quick seam with two rows of stitches on your wife’s sewing machine. 

You should get 3 or more uses as the bag gets slightly smaller with each use.  You will lose about 1/2” each time. 

Sewing takes just seconds once the machine is out.  Of course you will have to clean your wife’s sewing machine afterwards…

I’ve done some light upholstery work, so I have an older machine that I could use. 

You can get a heavy duty Singer from Amazon.com for around $200.00.  No more difficult to use than a band saw (pretty much the same skill set).  The hardest part is learning how to load a bobbin with thread and thread the needle. 

A useful piece of equipment for furniture making.

 

[ChuckM]

I'm a big fan of the DDs and do have two Dust Deputy set-ups in use (the new DD 2.5 has just arrived, too), but the CT15 is placed next to the workbench with no clearance for a dust separator.

That's my problem with my CT-22. I've got a cubby for it built into my main workbench with no room for a cyclone and I'm not willing to give up the convenience of it being up off the ground and tucked under the bench right where it's convenient for Domino and sanding work.

Hear you.

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