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

Originally Posted by barrysumpter

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

I believe that installing a HEPA filter in your vac will give you all of the benefits of a Class M extractor without the annoying (to some) filter cleaning cycle.

An M Class extractor is one that is designed for (M)edium hazard dust such as wood dust. This simply means that it is fitted with an M class final filter.

For some time now Festool AU have been fitting all CTs with a HEPA filter which is a level above M Class.

You need to check which filter is in your CT for if it is a L type you just need to replace it with a HEPA filter (don't use an M Class filter as it is not as good).

A confusion that has come into the market is that M is used to designate an extractor that is fitted with a suction warning device (an EU OHaS requirement) and these are also available.

So when you say M Class you need to specify your exact requirement.

(H) HEPA
(L) Low
(M) Medium
(H) High
(CT ) Clean Tech

CT36 - 4 to 5 years old

Interested in the MIDI $950

HOW do I convert the CT36 to an M Class extractor?
I just need to confirm the M class is higher grade protection class than the H class.

My contact at Festool Australia, who has been an excellent resource in the past, replied they could do it for $500AU.
Not sure how or why.

Originally Posted by barrysumpter

I just need to confirm the M class is higher grade protection class than the H class.

It's not.

OK thanks.

Reset tomorrow morning and start my search yet again.

Devastated with my lack of understanding.

OK, from Festool's info material the ONLY difference I can see between a L class vac WITH a HEPA filter and an M class vac is the M has a flow sensor and alarm.

So, L + HEPA + flow sensor = M. If you don't need the flow sensor, just stick a HEPA filter in what you've already got and you're good to go. Also, don't use a long life bag, their disposable selfclean ones will give better filtration.

H class is for hazardous dust like asbestos

Source: Explained: From Dust Classes to Extractors

Apologies for my previous post demonstrating my frustration in misunderstanding these topics.


My sincerest apologies for distracting any and all who have attempted to assist.


The support here has been exemplary.

Originally Posted by barrysumpter

(H) Hempa
(L) Low
(M) Medium
(H) High
(CT ) Clean Tech

CT36 - 4 to 5 years old

Interested in the MIDI $950

HOW do I convert the CT36 to an M Class extractor?
I just need to confirm the M class is higher grade protection class than the H class.

My contact at Festool Australia, who has been an excellent resource in the past, replied they could do it for $500AU.
Not sure how or why.

Barry
current Festool vacs come in 3 basic "flavours"

L = low hazard -- e.g. general workshop dust -- filter rated at 99%
M = Medium hazard -- e.g. dust from sanding wood or MDF. Filter rated at 99.9%. These vacs are now fitted with flow sensors and other "advanced" features.
H = High hazard -- e.g. silica or asbestos dust -- Filter rated at 99.995% efficiency. (You are not seriously thinking of sanding manufactured stone or broken-up asbestos are you ?? )


HEPA = a filter type -- it stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. Typically they are rated for 99.99% Less than that required for H class dust, but better than that mandated for M class dust.

a suitable HEPA filter should be a drop in replacement for the filter already in your CT36.
The filter already in your CT36, could even be a HEPA one, so apart from the flow sensor of the lower filter rated M class CT36, you would be good to go already.

CT = Clean Tech = a marketing term.


Tell us the 6 digit model number of your vac -- it should be on the product label. Festool's German web site suggests that 16 different CT36 models were sold in Australia.

I just looked ...

It appears that spare parts for the Festo SR-201 dust extractor I bought back in 1991 and sold 20 years later are still available.

wow !!

Many thanks again for the support and understanding.

Those percentage number are so close together it makes one wonder.

The CT36 that I am looking at has been used with a drywall extractor for the 4 or 5 years of its age.
Could that shorten the extractor life?
Could the extractor have been damaged if the filters used were NOT meant for this purpose?
What should I look for?

I was looking at the "New" MIDI M Class at $950 that I thought had all the latest n greatest bells and whistles and highest in breed.

My intent was to purchase this for hobby woodworking as the last dust extractor I will ever purchase.

Even though the MIDI is super small compared to the CT36 the Festool tech video discussing the power of the extractors mentioned they couldn't tell the difference in suction power.

Thanks again to each and all.

Originally Posted by barrysumpter

Those percentage number are so close together it makes one wonder.

looked at the other way, those numbers mean there's a 2 hundred fold difference in filter efficiency.
99.995% means that 1 in 20,000 particles pass through the filter.
99.9% means that 20 in 20,000 particles pass through the filter
99% means that 200 in 20,000 particles pass through the filter

percentages are a real bitch like that.

Originally Posted by barrysumpter

The CT36 that I am looking at has been used with a drywall extractor for the 4 or 5 years of its age.
Could that shorten the extractor life?
Could the extractor have been damaged if the filters used were NOT meant for this purpose?
What should I look for?

assumption time.
Remember that I've been living outside Australia for more than 5 years, but that said

the autoclean CT36 was invariably sold as a package deal with Festool's Planex drywall sander -- it would be pretty rare to purchase an autoclean CT36 before buying the Planex drywall sander. And I can't really see a valid reason to buy the Planex before purchasing the autoclean CT36.

I have a vague recollection that the autoclean CT36 was introduced in conjunction with the Planex sander.

I have not really followed Festool's Australian marketing promotions, but it's possible the used CT36 you are interested in was fitted with a HEPA filter from new. Order a replacement HEPA filter cartridge and you will be good to go.

Your risk buying used is largely centered around damage to the motor from dust passing through clogged filters. But given that vacs typically just chew dust particles into smaller pieces before spitting them out, motor damage should be insignificant.
Personally, I'd accept the risk if the asking price reflects the condition of the unit when you open it up and look inside.


What should you look for?
caked on dust won't really tell you much.
the Festool original filters come with built in seals so if the seal surface is still intact the caked-on dust is just cosmetic.
Because you don't yet have the model number I can't help with the cost of a replacement filter.
But factor into your offer the cost of new filters.

Originally Posted by barrysumpter

Even though the MIDI is super small compared to the CT36 the Festool tech video discussing the power of the extractors mentioned they couldn't tell the difference in suction power.

Makes sense. They're both 1200W and generate the same 24000 Pa vacuum.

What you're paying for in bigger models is capacity; obviously the 36 has over double the space, but also nearly double the filter area. The MIDI is also limited to a 27mm hose (unless something has changed in the last 5 years that I'm not aware of) which is fine for smaller tools, but if you're making big chips like with a router or planer you'll really need the 36mm hose to avoid clogging.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

...but if you're making big chips like with a router or planer you'll really need the 36mm hose to avoid clogging.

Having just obtained and popped a 36mm hose onto even just my Kapex and witnessing the huge difference it made, I strongly support this, and would recommend making use that any extractor you get is capable of using this size hose for future possibilities.

Thanks again to all.

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