Side by Side CT 36 / CT 33

[chrisrosenb]

Today I received CT 36 as a belated birthday gift from my

 

[nclemmons]

Nice photos and summary.  Thanks Chris!

The difference in those bags is very telling.

One question - do you notice any difference in manuverability given the center-hose design?

neil

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

One thing I did not think I would like in the CT 36 that I liked on the CT 33 was a place to store spare bags. The CT 33 has a space in the lower front to store spare bags, the CT 36 does not have this space.
I decided to wrap a couple of spare bags in a trash bag & place them in the bottom of the tub under the dust bag.

Very good tip, Chris. There is definitely plenty of room to store an extra bag or two in the container under the currently used bag.

@Neil, if you have a tendency to pull the CT by the hose, it definitely helps having the hose connected to the center of the CT versus one side. Pretty sure that feedback from customers was the reason for that change in the new CTs. Same with the power cord location on them.

 

[Brice Burrell]

@Neil, if you have a tendency to pull the CT by the hose, it definitely helps having the hose connected to the center of the CT versus one side. Pretty sure that feedback from customers was the reason for that change in the new CTs. Same with the power cord location on them.

Absolutely, another change that helps is the power cord comes out of the back of the back of the vac, that helps it track straighter as you pull it along.  Also, notice the larger cord wrap prong, no problem fitting the cord on the prongs now. [thumbs up]

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Nice overview Chris, and lots of great photos.

You show the rear hose tool rack.  Is that an additional accessory?  Is it required in order to mount the handle?  (it sure looks like its a necessity, since the tubes are in it).  Is it included with the handle purchased?

Sidebar question:  Is that an aircraft carrier sighting in your first picture? 

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Cool jointer Chris.  I read your whole SMC thread.  What a beast that machine is!  I think the tambour guard is brilliant.

Sorry for the further questions... but a CT26/36 is very likely in my future.  Maybe this is best directed at dealers & Shane.

- The rear mount vacuum accessory holder *by itself* is 496373  ($12)
- The CT handle 'set' (#495802?) comes with a rear-mount vac accessory holder, but it appears different than the stand-alone accessory holder, in photos I've found.  True?

- Does the Boom Arm Set (for the CT26/36) come with the rear mount tool holder, in either form?
As I've found on retailers, the $350 boom arm set comes with:  Boom Arm (492753), Handle (495802), Support (496780), Tool Holder (493558)

The support is the cross bracket, and the Tool Holder is the "V" for sanders, etc.  Correct?
Does the Boom Arm Set also include the rear vacuum accessory holder??  It seems like it would have to, to hold the CT handle.

If not, would the stand-alone rear vacuum accessory holder still be able to be used with all the Boom Arm stuff in place?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

- The rear mount vacuum accessory holder *by itself* is 496373  ($12)
- The CT handle 'set' (#495802?) comes with a rear-mount vac accessory holder, but it appears different than the stand-alone accessory holder, in photos I've found.  True?

The handle has integrated accessory holder slots. They are just molded in the bottom of the handle bracket. The handle has four slots, the accessory holder (496373) has five slots. You can not use both the handle and the accessory holder. They use the same mounting holes.

- Does the Boom Arm Set (for the CT26/36) come with the rear mount tool holder, in either form?
As I've found on retailers, the $350 boom arm set comes with:  Boom Arm (492753), Handle (495802), Support (496780), Tool Holder (493558)

Again, the handle has the accessory slots integrated, so the set would include the handle with the slots.  Tool holder 493558 is a tool holder that mounts to the boom arm pole and can hold the sanders or Domino. See below.

The support is the cross bracket, and the Tool Holder is the "V" for sanders, etc.  Correct?
Does the Boom Arm Set also include the rear vacuum accessory holder??  It seems like it would have to, to hold the CT handle.

If not, would the stand-alone rear vacuum accessory holder still be able to be used with all the Boom Arm stuff in place?

Hopefully, this has been answered above.  The mounting bracket for the handle has an integrated accessory holder. I'll take a photo and post momentarily to clarify.

Edit: The support bracket that's listed (496 780) is a mounting bracket required for the boom arm on the CT 26/36.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Here's a close up of the new CT handle. This handle is only compatible with the 26/36. It will not work with the 22/33. It mounts different that the handle on previous models. The molded plastic includes four slots for accessories and is an integral part of the handle. There is a metal bracket that extends to the bottom of the CT.  Sorry for the mediocre edit job on the image but this was just a quick photo to answer the question.

I would recommend that you refer to our CT micro site for a good overview of all of the accessories and components available for the 26/36.

http://hepa.festoolusa.com/hepa-vacuums/models/accessories

 

[Wood_Junkie]

A ha!  Awesome clear answers.  Thanks Shane!

I forgot about the micro site.  That definitely answers all my questions and has great photos of everything.  [big grin]

FYI, the CT26/36 product pages, Accessories tab, come up blank as does the Dust Extractors > Accessories link

 

[Neill]

Chris,

Awesome write-up and pics.  Also from what I can see, great looking shop.

I am sure that we all appreciate the comparative review as opposed to a review of the CT 36 alone.

Neill

 

[bonesbr549]

Did they improve on the plug in for the attachment.  Mine (and I've heard a lot of others complain) has a sloppy plug.  You plug in the attachment and is is loose.  Not a super big deal, but I would think it should be crisp and tight.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Did they improve on the plug in for the attachment.  Mine (and I've heard a lot of others complain) has a sloppy plug.  You plug in the attachment and is is loose.   Not a super big deal, but I would think it should be crisp and tight.

As far as I know, the design of the power plug was not changed. Should you have issues, it would be covered under the standard 3-year warranty.

 

[voodoochile]

Nice how the carry handle extends up through the garage on this unit.

 

[Coen]

That depends... if you pick it up now, the bulk is placed lower. Also, you can't park a TS in there on a flat surface, as one could with the CT 22/33 SG

 

[Cableaddict]

I thought I'd revive this thread to add my thoughts on the handle.

While I agree with all the other positive comments here, I found the design of the CT36 handle to be terrible.  I had previously owned (briefly) the Bosch AirSweep, which comes standard with a handle.  I loved that design so much that I ordered a handle for my new Festool, but immediately returned it.

My thoughts:

1: The Bosch handle is aluminum & so very light.  The Festool's is heavy steel.  Every pound matters when your bag is full of sheetrock dust & you have to carry the vac around, esp up stairs.

2:  The Bosch angles back in a very ergonomic way. It's hard to explain, but the Festool's just doesn't feel right when you push it.

3:  Bosch also offers an optional wire basket, that hooks onto their handle. This is the greatest thing since duct tape. It can hold tools, or the hose, or the power cord.... Much easier to drop the power cord into a basket than to wrap it up, for quick relocating of the vacuum, and you can still lay a tool on top of it.    No such option from Festool. 

4:  The Festool handle includes an integrated floor-tool holder - but it only fits 27mm tools!  If using a CT for general cleanup, as I do, the 27mm hose adds too much back pressure.  You will surely want a wider hose (I use a 2.25" I.D., smooth-bore hose)  and so your tools will not fit in the Festool handle's cut-out. Therefore, they are in the way and simply add even more weight.

I LOVE my CT36, but I sure hope Festool designs a better handle someday, and offers a wire basket.

In the meantime, I find the height of the CT36 perfectly adequate for pushing around, esp with a systainer on top, so no problem for me. - But I sure do miss that wire basket.

 

[BJM9818]

I just ordered the CT 36 and can't wait to get it. 

One thing I noticed was they closed in the top of the handle on the 36. I have a MIDI and curse Festool every time I try and pick it up in a hurry and a fingertip gets stuck and twisted on one of the two channels on the top of the handle.  Ouch! 

 

[meindesign.co.uk]

Chris, or anyone else,
I was wondering if you find it a bit fiddely to wrap the cord onto the cord wrap prongs of the ctl36,
As the handle makes the space between the body and prong quite narrow.
Best,
Philipp.

 

[peter halle]

I admit that I don't have the CT36, but we on this side of the pond might not be the best to ask about cord wrapping thoughts.  Our cords are thicker than those on your side of the pond I believe.

Peter

 

[meindesign.co.uk]

Wow! How thick are they?
because on our side of the pond the cable of a ct33 is 9,7 mm thick and I find that quite chunky already.
Philipp.

 

[peter halle]

If someone else doesn't get that info for you I will try to remember tomorrow when I go to the shop.

Peter