The CT26-our experiences with what have proven to be durable machines

[Rob Z]

Hi Tim, thanks....if you get one, I'm sure you'll like it. 

This past week, we finally did manage to bog down one of the CT26's.  The guys had been cutting tons of cement board with a grinder, attached to the CT26.  Eventually, we lost suction and the guys opened the vac to check the filter. The bag was about half-full, and weighed about 20 pounds (or more). It was filled with sand and cement from cutting all the cement board.  I took a picture of the bag, and if I can figure out how to post the photo, I'll post it here.

Rob:
Brilliant review! I had it on my list but it's good to have my concerns addressed in a "real life" test.
Thanks.
Tim

 

[AlexThePalex]

Hi Alex, I told Christian that I couldn't give an accurate comparison of the noise of the 22  versus the 26 because our 22 has gotten so much use.  It seems to me that the CT26 is smoother, but it might be just that my CT22 is plenty worn-out.  I don't know about this.....

Hi Rob, the sound of the 26 sure is a lot smoother than of the 22. Now if we're going to measure the actual sound level in decibels, I don't think there's much difference but the way it's perceived is different. The sound of the 26 is higher pitched than that of the 22 which has a deeper hum, so there's no so much 'body' to the sound of the 26 but it sounds 'thinner', and as you said, smoother. If we use the words rough and smooth for sound as we use rough and smooth for sandpaper you could say the 22's sound has sort of a 40 grit texture while the 26 has more of a 240 grit texture.

But with the 22 I could clearly hear the plastic shell resonate with the vibration of the motor, and that's gone now with the 26. Makes a lot of difference.

I had to do a quick emergency clean up the other day at 11 pm and I used the 26 for it. Because it was so silent now at this late hour, I could hear it's sound very well, and the odd thing I noticed was that when I was right next to it, it was very audible but as soon as I stepped away for 2 or 3 meters the sound level dropped very quickly to a more agreeable noise. Must have something to do with the high pitch not having as much penetration power as lower frequencies.

 

 

[ccmviking]

I did like the built-in hose garage on the CT26, except now that the one unit got sent down the stairs and the corner broke off----there's no good way to repair it.

Rob,

Just call Tom and have him order the replacement part.  It's just held on with 4 screws and would take like 2 minutes to change out.

Chris...

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Chris-doh! (Homer Simpson!), this shows where my mind is lately ...too tired from too much work...I didn't even think about a replacement part being available.

Hey Tom???

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Alex, your explanation makes a lot of sense.  And the 22 does rattle...I didn't immediately notice it, but in the last year or so I have, and I figured it was just getting "well-used".

Hi Alex, I told Christian that I couldn't give an accurate comparison of the noise of the 22  versus the 26 because our 22 has gotten so much use.  It seems to me that the CT26 is smoother, but it might be just that my CT22 is plenty worn-out.  I don't know about this.....

Hi Rob, the sound of the 26 sure is a lot smoother than of the 22. Now if we're going to measure the actual sound level in decibels, I don't think there's much difference but the way it's perceived is different. The sound of the 26 is higher pitched than that of the 22 which has a deeper hum, so there's no so much 'body' to the sound of the 26 but it sounds 'thinner', and as you said, smoother. If we use the words rough and smooth for sound as we use rough and smooth for sandpaper you could say the 22's sound has sort of a 40 grit texture while the 26 has more of a 240 grit texture.

But with the 22 I could clearly hear the plastic shell resonate with the vibration of the motor, and that's gone now with the 26. Makes a lot of difference.

I had to do a quick emergency clean up the other day at 11 pm and I used the 26 for it. Because it was so silent now at this late hour, I could hear it's sound very well, and the odd thing I noticed was that when I was right next to it, it was very audible but as soon as I stepped away for 2 or 3 meters the sound level dropped very quickly to a more agreeable noise. Must have something to do with the high pitch not having as much penetration power as lower frequencies.

 

 

[tbellemare]

I don't know when the new bags are going to be available other than as prototypes. I hope it's soon, they appear to be a lot more resilient.

As far as the hose garage, Rob, I've had to deal with that before. Just let me know when you want it.

I really like my CT 26, as does Veronica. I still dig my 22 though...

Tom

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

not only the engine but even the outside of the vac take a beating!

Mine recently TUMBLED down my 15 flight of stairs  [eek] Im talking corner wheel to corner garage flipping sown the stairs.

Result- small crack not even all the way through the part where the hose can be fed through the hose garage.

You do get what you pay for sometimes. Thanks again Festool!

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Chris, sorry for the delay, and it might be too late anyway....Warner already mentioned this, but to add a comment...my guys tell me they use Brilliant 180 and 220 on drywall and plaster.  They said they've used 120 on plaster and EZ Sand and Durabond when we've inherited work that others have done and left "kinda rough".

For some of our pricier jobs , they've gone over the entire surface of the walls, after priming and point up, with the RTS 400 and really fine paper. It makes the surface look like glass and is smooth as can be. 

Have you dried any drywall work yet with the sander? If so, how did it work for you?

Nice review Rob.

What grit sandpaper are you using for drywall?I just taped the drywall in a large room I am remodeling & want to use the RTS 400 when I get ready to sand.

 

[Rob Z]

I found a picture of a bag we removed from the CT26...this bag was used with grinders which were cutting stone and cement board. I didn't weigh this bag, but it was at least as heavy as a bag of sanded grout (25 lbs). 

I'm not sure the paper bags in my CT22 would have held up to this loading!

 

[Rob Z]

CT 26 update:  more than a year of hard service

An update for those who are curious about the durability of the CT26:

We have been using this CT26 for about 14 months now, and the pictures will show that the vac itself has held up well.  The inner components have stayed remarkably clean even after many, many hours of runtime.  The inside of this machine has never been cleaned, so what you see there is all that has accumulated after 14 months. 

We have had no problems with the outlet (we did on earlier models of Festool dust extractors we own) and there are no problems with the wheels (unlike nearly ALL of my cheaper shop vacs).  Space and storage is at a premium on many of our jobsites,  and I'm certain we have tested the limits of how much weight the wheels of the CT26 are designed to carry with Systainers and other stuff piled on top.

The filter shown in the pictures is the same one which has been used in the vac during the past several months, mostly with hard-use activities such as connected to a concrete saw, grinders, demo hammers (cutting and doing demolition  indoors), and while mixing materials such as concrete, mortar, grout and thinset.  It has also handled the comparatively easy stuff such as cutting, planing and sanding with our Festool saws, planer, and sanders.

 

[BTDT]

Thanks for the update Rob! Amazing to see how much you have thrown at it. Makes me feel like I have been babying mine! I won't be pushing it down a flight of stairs anytime soon or working with concrete or grinders.

Brad

PS - You do realize that you could save cash and skip the bags... according to Asa bags are an expense.  [tongue]

 

[tiralie]

Thanks for the update Rob!

Yes, thanks Rob. Great update.
Tim

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Brad,  Hi Tim,

The temporary worker  that sent it down the stairs is back with his regular employer, and is definitely his  problem now!  Re: the cost of the bags---don't tell the Germans, but I think the bags are a bargain for what they do.