Can I convert a CT36 that is 4 to 5 years old into a Class M Extractor?

Meaning of the term HEPA:

Originally the "A" stood for "Arrestance" so "High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance".

The A = Air was later adopted because most people didn't know the meaning of arrestance and the term "filter" was usually added on..

The filtration efficiency eg 99.9% is a meaningless term unless a particle size is specified. Usually this is 0.3 µm since this is usually the particle size that most easily pass through these filters. If a filter claiming to be a HEPA has no particle size attached to its efficiency then it may not even be a HEPA.

To be a HEPA filter it must meet a standard like the the EU Standard ( 99.95% ) or USE ASME standard 99.97% for 0.3 μm particles.

The efficiency is always greater for particle diameters larger than 0.3 µm and even sometimes for particles smaller than 0.3 μm. The later only applies for particles down to about 0.05µm and does not apply to gases (~0.3nm) as of course air has to be able to pass through the fllters.

Viruses are typically 0.1 µm and are able to be efficiently filtered out by high quality filters.
I posted something about this here https://www.woodworkforums.com/f200/.../3#post2188384

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BobL

Viruses are typically 100 µm and are able to be efficiently filtered out by high quality filters.

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I assume you mean 100 nm?
If they were 100 um we could see them with the naked eye

Quote:

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Originally Posted by barrysumpter

The one I'm after is CT36.
And does NOT have the AC designation.
Nor the AC switch on the front.

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with an extractor "4 to 5 years old" short of the 6 digit model number -- which you can't obtain without at least inspecting the unit in person -- the absence of an "AC switch on the front" or "AC designation" doesn't mean a lot.

5 years ago, the autoclean function may have been an unremarked addition.


as I posted in a reply above, at least 16 different CT36 models have been sold in Australia over the past 10 or so years.

I've asked the seller to send a pic of the label.

Any suggestions on the length of the 36mm hose?

I have a single car garage workshop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ian

as I posted in a reply above, at least 16 different CT36 models have been sold in Australia over the past 10 or so years.

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on further checking, there appears to be more than 40 different variants of the CT36 sold in Australia.

You had me at 16

My guess is the length of hose is 3 metres.

My Midi and CT26 at work have this. A good length when cleaning ceiling vents and cupboard tops.

The CT 36 has wheels so even in a single garage it can be moved around. In the middle the hose should be just able to reach all four corners or be just short.

Yeah, I think 3m is the standard length; long enough to give you a good working area, but not so long that you're always tripping over it.

Barry
which hose do you want ??

36 mm x 7 m Suction Hose D36mm x 7.0m

36 mm x 5 m Suction Hose D 36mm x 5.0m

50 mm x 4 m Anti Static Suction Hose D50mm x 4.0m

50 mm x 2.5 m Anti Static Suction Hose D50mm x 2.5m

27 mm x 3 m Anti Static Smooth Suction Hose D 27mm x 3.0 m

36 mm (with a 32 mm end fitting) x 3.5 m https://www.festool.com.au/antistati...5m_500682.html


and of course you can buy the 50 mm hose by the metre https://www.festool.com.au/50mm-suct...er_454158.html

and some hoses have RFID



and I think it was Derek who mentioned that Bosch vac hoses are a plug-and-play fit to Festool extractors.



But, is the CT36 being sold with or without the associated drywall sander ??

If it's without, then don't forget that the standard CT36 comes with a 3.5 m long 36 mm dia hose.
If there is no vac hose supplied (or the vac hose supplied needs replacing) factor the replacement hose into the price being asked.

Ideally, you will want to get a 50 mm hose (and associated tools -- not necessarily Festool branded) for cleaning the floor.

a 36 mm hose if you will be using a planner, chop saw, router

a 27 mm hose for attaching to the cordless sander you recently bought. Get this is you don't intend connecting the CT36 to a tool requiring a 36 mm hose.

the 21.5 mm hose is really only for connection to the hand sanding block

Thanks to all who have replied.

WOW Ian, your constant and in depth support is invaluable.
Much appreciated.

I've emailed you the tag.
Wasn't sure about posting it here.

The label shows 2010 so it's actually 10 years old and NOT 4 or 5 years old as previously stated.
Worst case scenario is that it has been used everyday for drywall sanding for the past 10 years.

Any thought anyone?

I don't think 10 years is an issue. Vacuums are pretty simple, the only big thing that can go wrong is the motor dying and you can swap that out easily enough. 30 year old Festo (before Festool was even a thing) vacuums are still running just fine.

With the Model CT36 E,

Does the E stand for Extractor?

Or does the E stand for something else?

No mention of it in the manual.
Or any that I can find on the web sites.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by barrysumpter

With the Model CT36 E,

Does the E stand for Extractor?

Or does the E stand for something else?

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I believe that
CT stands for CleanTec
E stands for Electronic --- Speed control for adjusting to the working material.


But I could easily be wrong.



Due to its age, the CT 36 E extractor you are looking to purchase doesn't come with an externally accessible tray for changing / cleaning the filter element.

However, the 6 digit model number you sent indicates the unit was supplied with a HEPA filter.
If you decide to go ahead and buy it you are getting a unit that, in terms of filtration, exceeds the requirements of a current M class unit.