Review of Planex and CT 36 AC

[Bikeboy80]

So I am currently working on a home that is being rehabbed to sell. The owners wanted to have the popcorn ceiling removed in two rooms. I figured this was a great testing ground to give the Planex and Ct 36 a try. What makes it even better is we are doing the work time plus material and the house is largely empty. I figured there was nothing to lose!

So along with the sander and vac I ordered the harness, blast gate, extra plastic collection bags and some various sandpaper.

Everything arrived today and I arrived at the job around 1:30, and got the vac and sander unpacked and setup by 1:50. Not bad at all [big grin]. I then gave it a try on the ceiling and quickly decided to setup the harness. It seemed to be a bit less self explanatory and I spent the next hour sanding a bit and adjusting the length. So by about 2:30 I had everything where I thought it felt reasonable and really got down to business.

Took me about an hour to finish off the 12x14' kitchen ceiling using 80grit. I still have to go around with a smaller sander to get a few spots that the Planex had issues with. Above the fridge there was not enough room for the head to fit and around a few can lights that I just didn't want to get too close.

A few learning experiences:

Use the blast gate and Manual clean much more often, I noticed in the beginning that I had dust falling out of the holes around the edge. I brought the sander down and flipped it over and a mound of dust fell out all over the floor.

When using the blast gate don't forget to open the gate again before starting to sand again, I did this only once and in the few seconds the head was on the ceiling it instantly filled the room with dust. [scared] Thank god the house is vacant!

Overall I am pleased with the results so far, tomorrow I have the 14x30 living room to do and then I have a good number of tape joints to fix that will have to be sanded. I'm hoping that I got through most of the learning curve today.

One question though... Back to the harness. I am still not 100% sure that I am using it correctly. Does anyone have any tips? I have it adjusted so it rests on my left leg and I found the most comfortable way to use it was sorta sideways with the sander bar and harness bar the same distance from my body and with the sander head almost vertical. I was then controlling the sander with both hands next to each other, one on the sander and one on the harness bar. I hope that makes sense. [tongue]

Thanks!

[ Edited to correct spelling of "Planex" - Shane ]

 

[Lbob131]

No Planex  users on the forum?
Could this  tool be used to sand  a wooden  floor?

 

[Jaybolishes]

Simple answer, nope.

 

[Bikeboy80]

No Planex  users on the forum?
Could this  tool be used to sand  a wooden  floor?

I in fact did use it to sand about 70sf of red oak and it does work, just not as fast as traditional floor sanding equipment. I followed it up with my ets125 to remove any swirl marks. Turned out beautiful and I would use it again, but only on small areas.

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[Lbob131]

Thanks Bikeboy.

 

[NERemodeling]

I don't have any experience with the Planex but I would think it would be great for screening/light sanding between coats

 

[Jaybolishes]

I've used my planex a lot, not on wood or floors but only on drywall.  I'd be really careful not to over work the motor or drive the gears too hard.  Putting lots of weight on the machine may not be good.  I can see using it to sand in between coats, but for heavy sanding of a wooden floor, it just seems to me the planex is powered perfectly for easily sandable drywall spackle, maybe not wood.  I think you're right bikeboy, don't sand your whole house with it. [smile]

 

[Bikeboy80]

I've used my planex a lot, not on wood or floors but only on drywall.  I'd be really careful not to over work the motor or drive the gears too hard.  Putting lots of weight on the machine may not be good.  I can see using it to sand in between coats, but for heavy sanding of a wooden floor, it just seems to me the planex is powered perfectly for easily sandable drywall spackle, maybe not wood.  I think you're right bikeboy, don't sand your whole house with it. [smile]

I did most of the sanding with two extensions attached, with the handle resting on my shoulder and my hands about midway down on the pole putting slight pressure and guiding the head. I let the machine do the work. There were a few stubborn areas that I took the extensions off and while crouching down I put one hand down near the head to put additional pressure on it. During this entire time I never had the "warning light" blink, if I had seen it I would have definitely eased up. [wink]

I am surely impressed with the versatility of the Planex!

 

[fvoelling]

We own a condo that was built in the 70s and still has popcorn ceiling on the 2nd floor. We had the first floor ceiling covered with 1/4" drywall as the drywall contractor advised that it would be cheaper and less messy. The decisive factor seems to be whether the popcorn has been painted over or not - unpainted popcorn can be wetted down and removed much more easily and with much less damage and dust than painted popcorn.

Has anybody here tried to sand down painted popcorn ceilings with the Planex and stayed sane enough to share their experience?

The other issue is cost for a one-time use. We may finish our basement one day and could use it again then, but what is the approximate resale value of a Planex system (CT-36 AC, harness, extension, blast gate, etc) after a one/two time use?

Frank

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Welcome to the forum. If you use the search link at the top of the page, you can find some other discussions about the Planex being used on a popcorn ceiling, even painted. Here are some links and videos to get you pointed in the right direction.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/demonstration-of-plantex-to-remove-textured-ceiling/

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/planex-review-information-usage/msg243075/#msg243075

http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/tray-ceiling-24894/

 

[Bikeboy80]

We own a condo that was built in the 70s and still has popcorn ceiling on the 2nd floor. We had the first floor ceiling covered with 1/4" drywall as the drywall contractor advised that it would be cheaper and less messy. The decisive factor seems to be whether the popcorn has been painted over or not - unpainted popcorn can be wetted down and removed much more easily and with much less damage and dust than painted popcorn.

Has anybody here tried to sand down painted popcorn ceilings with the Planex and stayed sane enough to share their experience?

The other issue is cost for a one-time use. We may finish our basement one day and could use it again then, but what is the approximate resale value of a Planex system (CT-36 AC, harness, extension, blast gate, etc) after a one/two time use?

Frank

Using 36grit on a lower speed works very well for "painted popcorn"

 

[Saskataper]

We own a condo that was built in the 70s and still has popcorn ceiling on the 2nd floor. We had the first floor ceiling covered with 1/4" drywall as the drywall contractor advised that it would be cheaper and less messy. The decisive factor seems to be whether the popcorn has been painted over or not - unpainted popcorn can be wetted down and removed much more easily and with much less damage and dust than painted popcorn.

Has anybody here tried to sand down painted popcorn ceilings with the Planex and stayed sane enough to share their experience?

The other issue is cost for a one-time use. We may finish our basement one day and could use it again then, but what is the approximate resale value of a Planex system (CT-36 AC, harness, extension, blast gate, etc) after a one/two time use?

Frank

You have to get the popcorn tested for asbestos. There is a good chance if its built in the 70s it does contain asbestos.

 

[fvoelling]

We own a condo that was built in the 70s and still has popcorn ceiling on the 2nd floor. We had the first floor ceiling covered with 1/4" drywall as the drywall contractor advised that it would be cheaper and less messy. The decisive factor seems to be whether the popcorn has been painted over or not - unpainted popcorn can be wetted down and removed much more easily and with much less damage and dust than painted popcorn.

Has anybody here tried to sand down painted popcorn ceilings with the Planex and stayed sane enough to share their experience?

The other issue is cost for a one-time use. We may finish our basement one day and could use it again then, but what is the approximate resale value of a Planex system (CT-36 AC, harness, extension, blast gate, etc) after a one/two time use?

Frank

You have to get the popcorn tested for asbestos. There is a good chance if its built in the 70s it does contain asbestos.

Excellent point, thx for the tip!

 

[Woodsgood]

Looks like Planex and 36 AC are in my near future. Landed a project which includes 20,000 sf of wall sanding. Hoping it's up to the task.

 

[Bikeboy80]

Looks like Planex and 36 AC are in my near future. Landed a project which includes 20,000 sf of wall sanding. Hoping it's up to the task.

That's a lot of drywall [eek]

Just stock up on some paper and the Planex should eat it up, no problem.

Good Luck!