Thread: Ct26

Hi Mat,

I have never had a CT-HEPA extractor delivered without HEPA filters already fitted.

Regarding fine dust, according to the strict letter of Festool law the long life bag is not designed for fine dust... but you need to examine Festool's definition of fine dust and how relevant that is for your situation. Course dust from routing, sawing, planing etc is just fine, no-one will argue with that.

When it comes to fine dust, there is fine dust and there is fine dust, the former being woodworking dust from sanding, the later being dust from plasterboard, and cement materials and car bog. The later are not for the long lie filter bag, and are for disposable bags. The later fine dusts will clog up the LLF, and I have even had them clog up disposable paper bags once.

I have never had a bag clog up as yet, and never had the filters clog up, and I use LLF bags for all woodworking tasks.

Most users use the long life bags for all woodworking without problem. Both my personal and business dealings with LLF bags has proven LLF is a practical solution for all woodworking tasks, including sanding. But also get feedback from other woodworking Festool users with LLF bags.

I hope this helps.

My own method of choosing to use or not use a LLF comes down to, not how fine the wood dust is and if it affects the extractor/bag/filters, but how ugly will it be when emptying out the LLF. If it is ugly (toxic, irritating, dirty, etc) I may choose a disposable bag so I reduce the contact when emptying a LLF bag out. I tend to use my garden as an indicator, if I would be happy to dump it in the garden or compost, I use a LLF, if not - a disposable bag.

Anthony

Thanks for your useful and practical response.

Mat