I am considering the purchase of TS and extractor. Have no intentions of moving the tools to off site locations, but also thinking of adding to my future collection of tools and don't want to buy more than one extractor. Leaning towards a CT 36 AC as it apparently would handle any future purchase. My question to the FOG group is what do you have and why did you purchase the unit you have? For more years than I choose to remember, I have had yellow and black tools. They have served me well and built a house, garage, shed, large deck, several workbenches, and contributed to other projects including a church. I learn something each time. I try to also learn from others as well. My grandfather was a master carpenter, it is not an inherited profession. Love seeing the grain of wood and don't like painted trim in a house. If I offend anyone who has painted trim, that is not my intention.
Which extractor and why?
- Thread starter T.Tom
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Kev
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Hi there,
My "shop bound" DC is a CT36 - I didn't bother with auto clean as it's a saw dust "only" creature. Many will probably suggest a CT26 and a cyclone ... I'm not a fan of the additional rigmarole.
I chose the 36 capacity as it's probably the most cost effective in the Festool range in terms of cost/capacity - they all have the same power though you've probably noticed the 26, 36, 48 are less fiddly when it comes to using a 36mm hose.
Kev
My "shop bound" DC is a CT36 - I didn't bother with auto clean as it's a saw dust "only" creature. Many will probably suggest a CT26 and a cyclone ... I'm not a fan of the additional rigmarole.
I chose the 36 capacity as it's probably the most cost effective in the Festool range in terms of cost/capacity - they all have the same power though you've probably noticed the 26, 36, 48 are less fiddly when it comes to using a 36mm hose.
Kev
ccarrolladams
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[welcome] to The FOG, T. Tom,
Every Festool CT dust extractor has a purpose. You did not mention sanding plaster or finishing dry wall as a task you expect to perform. The CT36 AC is not intended to collect wood shavings and saw dust. It is designed to collect plaster dust.
Since you mention combining a TS track saw with the CT, I highly recommend using a 36mm AS hose with your TS. Yet I would also keep the 27mm AS hose which comes with the CT since you will need that when sanding and using the smaller routers, Domino and jigsaws. You might well want a cleaning set, which can be an economic way to buy the 36mm AS hose. Some of the cleaning sets include that hose.
Wood sanding and sawing does not generate heavy amounts of dust and virtually no chips, so the capacity of the CT is less a consideration that the space it occupies. Many DIY owners find the bag in a CT26 will not be filled in a year, so all things considered the cost of bags is not a big deal. You seem to be thinking of a CT36. Those do support the Boom Arm very well, and also the Work Center.
You will find that the 36mm hose is stiffer than the 27mm hose, which many of us find to be a real advantage using the track saws. They only run in a straight line down the track, so unlike sanding a super flexible hose is no advantage. The larger hose is less prone to hanging up on the guide rail. Also, it collects dust from the saw more effectively than the smaller hose.
Every Festool CT dust extractor has a purpose. You did not mention sanding plaster or finishing dry wall as a task you expect to perform. The CT36 AC is not intended to collect wood shavings and saw dust. It is designed to collect plaster dust.
Since you mention combining a TS track saw with the CT, I highly recommend using a 36mm AS hose with your TS. Yet I would also keep the 27mm AS hose which comes with the CT since you will need that when sanding and using the smaller routers, Domino and jigsaws. You might well want a cleaning set, which can be an economic way to buy the 36mm AS hose. Some of the cleaning sets include that hose.
Wood sanding and sawing does not generate heavy amounts of dust and virtually no chips, so the capacity of the CT is less a consideration that the space it occupies. Many DIY owners find the bag in a CT26 will not be filled in a year, so all things considered the cost of bags is not a big deal. You seem to be thinking of a CT36. Those do support the Boom Arm very well, and also the Work Center.
You will find that the 36mm hose is stiffer than the 27mm hose, which many of us find to be a real advantage using the track saws. They only run in a straight line down the track, so unlike sanding a super flexible hose is no advantage. The larger hose is less prone to hanging up on the guide rail. Also, it collects dust from the saw more effectively than the smaller hose.
Brice Burrell
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I think the CT26 or regular CT36, not the AC, is a good fit. I'd suggest going with the CT36 if you do woodworking regularly. If you only occasionally get shop time then as Carrol said the CT26 may have more than enough capacity. I don't think the larger D36 hose is a worthwhile investment for you at this time. There is only a marginal improvement in dust collection with the larger hose and it is a big investment. Don't get me wrong, I think the D36 hose is a must have for the larger routers, planers and clean ups. If, or maybe when, you are ready for the D36 hose I'd suggest you get a cleaning set that comes with one.
For pure shop duty I chose the CT36 as the most bank for the buck / best size.
10 more liters than the CT26 for ~$50 US. Just a couple inches taller. The 48 is much larger overall.
As far as hoses, I have been using a Bosch 36mm non-antistatic hose and would recommend it.
I do note that Dewalt has a new HEPA DC that might be worth a look if you like their tools.
10 more liters than the CT26 for ~$50 US. Just a couple inches taller. The 48 is much larger overall.
As far as hoses, I have been using a Bosch 36mm non-antistatic hose and would recommend it.
I do note that Dewalt has a new HEPA DC that might be worth a look if you like their tools.
I recently went with the 36 as well, seemed like a good balance between capacity and portability. Figured it would serve for everything as well, but now am waiting for delivery of a CT 36 AC arriving with the new Planex. So now I'll have two 36's and since drywall is not frequent for me if the AC can take a bag I'll have two of the same size and only one size bag to stock.
And if you opt for one of the Longlife Filter bags (available for 26, 36 and 48) you can cut down on bag replacement cost -- I use one in my older CT22 and it is great. I also have a CT26, but just use the fleece bags for it. The cost of bags is something to consider and how often you might be needing to replace. They are awesome vacs all around with lots and lots of accessories.
Scot
Scot
electricald
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Hi T Tom,
I am fairly new to this, to Festool as well and not as experienced as a lot of the guys here. I purchased the CT 26 and then got the complete boom arm assembly as well as the ultimate dust deputy. I am like you, in the respect of keeping all the gear in one area, and am soon finishing my workshop. Contrary to Kev's opinion, I think the cyclone is fantastic. And if you are going to dole out the money for one of these long life filter bags then why not buy the UDD. Most of the dust is separated there and that then leaves less for the dust extractor to take in. I can tell you, I used the TS 55 as well as the PS 300 jigsaw and sheeted in a 22 x 26 garage, two floors and there is hardly any dust in the filter bag. Unless you are going with the WCR1000 work center to put on top of the dust extractor, I would certainly go the route of the boom arm and UDD. The boom arm assembly is absolutely fantastic and the UDD just augments the effectiveness of an already great dust extraction system by Festool. Let's face it, your lungs will thank you for it. I have a picture of my set up if you want to see it.
Regards,
Dan
I am fairly new to this, to Festool as well and not as experienced as a lot of the guys here. I purchased the CT 26 and then got the complete boom arm assembly as well as the ultimate dust deputy. I am like you, in the respect of keeping all the gear in one area, and am soon finishing my workshop. Contrary to Kev's opinion, I think the cyclone is fantastic. And if you are going to dole out the money for one of these long life filter bags then why not buy the UDD. Most of the dust is separated there and that then leaves less for the dust extractor to take in. I can tell you, I used the TS 55 as well as the PS 300 jigsaw and sheeted in a 22 x 26 garage, two floors and there is hardly any dust in the filter bag. Unless you are going with the WCR1000 work center to put on top of the dust extractor, I would certainly go the route of the boom arm and UDD. The boom arm assembly is absolutely fantastic and the UDD just augments the effectiveness of an already great dust extraction system by Festool. Let's face it, your lungs will thank you for it. I have a picture of my set up if you want to see it.
Regards,
Dan
Dane
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I took the opposite approach to what seems to be the prevailing view- I had a CT22 and I downsized. I work both in the shop and onsite- for the shop, the 22 was fine, but good god it gets heavy and unwieldy when it is full and you have to lug it up and down stairs all day. I scaled back to the mini and a cyclone. The cyclone stays in the shop as that is where i produce the most dust and the mini travels around with me- there is really no downside from my point of view. If I happen to be working a job onsite that involves a lot of router work, I just bring the cyclone with me. It, plus the mini are no bigger than one of the bigger extractors and I can just set the cyclone where I am doing stationary work and haul the mini around for cleanup tasks.
If you're thinking about the Dust Deputy, this might be a good thread to read through http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/warranty-issues-using-dd-non-festool-vac/
I appreciate all the comments and may just consider the CT 36 for the moment (No AC). The AC and sander would have been handy this past year when I was hanging and mudding drywall. Don't even want to go there anymore for a while. I looked like "Casper the Ghost". With the 36, I would also like to try a domino 500 in the future from what I've observed and listening to Eric in Cleveland. I've used pockethole joints on cabinets and let a friend borrow my jig when he was building a bar in his restaurant. Thanks to everyone for comments and the food for thought. It is much appreciated!
Cableaddict
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CT36 here, and I love it.
It's tall enough so that you can easily push it around, but still light enough to carry up/down stairs. (unless full of drywall dust.)
It's tall enough so that you can easily push it around, but still light enough to carry up/down stairs. (unless full of drywall dust.)
