What are the downsides of Autoclean?

[live4ever]

I'm looking at adding a CT36 HEPA AC to my vac lineup.  Currently, I have two Fein Turbo Is (older ones with the variable speed) that are awesome, but less than ideal for larger drywall projects. 

When the AC first came out (CT48 AC), I remember a major downside was it only had a 1 micron filter and also the size if you didn't want the largest tub, but now I see Festool has made HEPA models of the AC in 36 and 48 sizes.  Is there any downside to an AC vac or major difference compared to the other CTs that one should be aware of?

 

[AlexThePalex]

Yeah, unbearable noise.

 

[Chainring]

Eh, the noise isn't that bad. It's different, that's for sure. Besides, you don't have to have the AC function on if it's not needed.

 

[afish]

I dont see any negatives with AC.  I purchased a CT36AC about 6 months ago.  Mostly for when I do drywall projects since I have a dedicated shop vac hard plumbed in a separate building for the small shop tools.  I also use it for any mobile type work or if I do any work at my moms place since she has asthma.  I have no complaints other than the space it takes up when its not in use which is most of the time.  I dont find the AC clean noise offensive either and as others mentioned the AC function can be turned off and or the frequency of how often it cycles the AC function can be adjusted.  Better to have it and turn it off then need it and not have it.  If you plan on doing drywall work on the regular I would make sure it has AC. I went back and forth between the 48 and 36 and glad I got the 36 I wouldnt want to lug around anything bigger than a 36

 

[guybo]

hi, that's what we roll with.drywall,cement,trim and cabinets.we carry two bags plastic and cloth.were shamless we don't clean the tub if we switch between wood and drywall dust.autoclean doesn't mean never clean,about every 400sq.ft. for drywall. buy the handle.moves easy even stairs. we use the planex hose for everything,router saw planer sanders and use the reducing sleeve for 27mm ports.we run 2 36mm hooked together most of the time,next to a door so filter cleaning is outside. nice machine.guy

 

[Peter_C]

The CT36AC does everything the CT36 does and has the filter thumper built in. The thumper is LOUD but can be turned off when not needed. Most of the time I have some kind of noise cancelling things in or on my ears anyhow. I switch filters from the AC filter to a Hepa filter or the wet foam filter depending on what I am doing, along with the bags. My AC unit is older and didn't come with the newer Hepa AC filter available today.

A trick for making the thumper hit harder is to block off the inlet with your hand or some object (Festool does make a blast gate for this purpose) and hit the on/off all the way to the right causing the thumper to go off three times in a row. This will knock the filter harder than when it has full airflow.

The Bluetooth remote is a feature I rely on with the CT36's.

 

[demographic]

Yeah, as already pointed out, the autoclean can be switched off or the frequency at which it activates increased or lessened so I'm not seeing a downside.

Espacially compared to the Hilti one I used a while ago which just kept battering away loudly when we didn't need that function.

 

[live4ever]

Awesome, thanks guys.  I wanted to make sure there weren't any weird accessory incompatibilities or filter/bag caveats to keep in mind.  Sounds like best of all worlds since the feature can be switched off when not needed.

 

[semenza]

I think AC models still come with a different type of hose and tool connection for the Planex than the normal hose.

Seth

 

[Peter_C]

I think AC models still come with a different type of hose and tool connection for the Planex than the normal hose.

Seth

Should come with the Planex hose which is a D36 and very useful for many tools and cleanup accessories, and the end could be change should one not be using the Planex. The D27 hose is required for some other tools, sanders, Domino, router, etc.

 

[Chainring]

I think AC models still come with a different type of hose and tool connection for the Planex than the normal hose.

Seth

48 AC comes with a really nice tapered 36 mm braided hose and a couple of cleanup tools.

 

[Peter_C]

I think AC models still come with a different type of hose and tool connection for the Planex than the normal hose.

Seth

48 AC comes with a really nice tapered 36 mm braided hose and a couple of cleanup tools.

The OP stated he was looking at the CT36 AC which DOES come with the Planex hose. Lets not confuse him. If he is not using a Planex the star connector will still work with accessories, but replacing the end listed below might be more convenient.https://www.amazon.com/Festool-5006...F2RL/ref=dp_prsubs_1?pd_rd_i=B079S5F2RL&psc=1https://www.festoolusa.com/products...tractors/576760---ct-36-e-ac-hepa-us#Overview

 

[Chainring]

The OP stated he was looking at the CT36 AC which DOES come with the Planex hose. Lets not confuse him. If he is not using a Planex the star connector will still work with accessories, but replacing the end listed below might be more convenient.

I fail to see how specifying the following is confusing. If anything, it clarifies the options.

CT 36 AC: Comes with black Planex hose.
CT 48 AC: Comes with tapered 36 mm braided hose.

 

[afish]

Yes the 36ac comes with the planex hose.  If I had one gripe it would be they should include the standard hose and include the planex hose with the planex.  I had several cen-tec hose parts so I made up my own to keep in the 36 hose garage. I bought some PET cover and shrink wrap to cover it and very happy with it.  I use several brands of tolls and the cen-tec hose has interchangable ends that covers everything I use. It may sound strange to some but the hose garage was the main reason I bought the 36AC over other models such as the Makita.  Having a spot to neatly and securely store the hose when not in use or transporting is a big bonus to me. I hate having a hose flopping around

 

[Chainring]

Yes the 36ac comes with the planex hose.  If I had one gripe it would be they should include the standard hose and include the planex hose with the planex.

That's exactly why I went with the 48 AC. I wanted the AC function, though I won't use it right now AND I wanted the braided hose since that's of more value to me on regular tools. Bonus that the 48 comes with the larger hose.

 

[live4ever]

Interesting point about the hose…that’s exactly the kind of info I was looking for.  This will get used with the Planex far less often than it will with other tools, so I might have preferred the braided hose.  But don’t want the size of the 48.  Actually 26 is the size I’d be happiest with but obviously doesn’t come in an AC model.

 

[Chainring]

The 48 is a monster, no doubt about it. Heck, I'd entertain the idea of a 26 or 36 tub just to cut down on the height, but that's even more cash on top of the most expensive Festool DC. As it is, I'm good with it since I'm 6'4", which means I have to bend down less to pick it up. I know, weak...