What's the practical difference between CTL 36 AC and the PLANEX version?

[RC]

As far as I can decipher the Festool catalogues and websites the differences seem to boil down to:

a. 36mm x 3.5m hose as standard not the 27mm one

b. There's a weird valve thing (VS-CT AC) that's supposed to make the self cleaning somehow more efficient ???
Didn't quite grasp if this has any effect on suction power - spec sheet looks identical to normal CTL 36 E, but brochure claims this to be a higher powered model compared to something undefined.  [blink]

c. There is a tool holder on top for the Planex-tool

I'm wondering about a couple of things:

1. Can the Planex toolholder be detached and the VAC used as a normal 36 AC with the boom arm & Systainers attached on top instead?

2. Is the thicker hose alone worth the extra 45€ that is the price difference between the CTL 36 AC plain and the Planex variety? (Look like it if the included hose is 452881 which alone costs 130€ here)

3. Is the included hose of the antistatic variety since its black in the pictures vs. the normal green hose?

4. What are the limitations for the autoclean models use of the long life bags that is indicated in the brochure with an empty circle in the compatibility matrix?

BR

Ray

 

[Mr Jones]

The Planex used to be the only hoover which had the self cleaning (or AC now) feature. I have the CTL 36 AC, basically it caused a massive bang in the machine which shakes the dust from the pores of the bag making sure that you retain suction of fine dust like dry wall plaster. If you don't use the planex you don't need the special hose which has a different end piece for connecting to the sander or the tool holder, and you might not need the AC feature but it comes in handy.

It does momentarily affect the suction and the noise sounds like you have dropped a tool, although the strength of the vibration can be adjusted on the 36 AC. The planex version may also have a flow rate alarm, certainly the old planex hoover does.

 

[Kev]

I've heard the self cleaning capability in the 36 variant isn't too good and it's being reengineered. (From a Festool dealer)

I went for the 36 without self cleaning ... bags are less mess anyway and the new non paper types of bags give really good suction pressure until they'll bulging full.

Kev.

 

[Mr Jones]

I have the old Planex hoover and the 36 AC and I've not noticed much difference in the capability of the 36, will be interesting to see if they bring a new one to market so quickly. If you're sucking plaster dust all day (which I'm not) then I would think the 36 AC would have some advantage over the standard 36.