Why does dust extraction matter?

    How to collect workshop sawdust and increase profits when working on-site.
    HEPA dust extractors

    Because you'd rather spend your time making sawdust instead of cleaning it up.

    Dust control shouldn't be an afterthought when it can save you time, increase your efficiency, improve your work, and even create happy and loyal customers. Whether you're working in the shop or on a jobsite, a good dust extraction system should start removing dust at the source, where it is being created. Clean air and fast cleanup are two things that you and your customers can appreciate. One thing is clear, regulations are moving in the direction of requiring contractors use a HEPA dust containment system.

    Products engineered to work collectively as a system to remove airborne dust, reduce user fatigue, and maximize the quality of your work. Good dust extraction extends the life of your tools by reducing dust-induced tool fatigue. It improves your accuracy by giving you a clearer view of your cutlines, and improves your finishing results by helping to reduce swirl marks that occur during sanding operations. Festool continues to raise the bar as the leader of dust extraction technology with innovations like self-cleaning filter bags, tool-triggered operation, variable suction control, and the best available storage and transportation capabilities.

    Buy with confidence.

    Buy with the confidence of knowing that if you are not completely satisfied with your Festool purchase, you can return it to your place of purchase for a full, no-questions-asked refund within 30 days. Festool power tools are covered by a comprehensive three-year limited warranty. Festool manufactures its power tools at its facilities in Germany to ensure the highest level of quality.

    Your only regret may be that you didn't buy one sooner.

    video dust extraction

    The Cost of Dust: Why the dust extraction system saves your health, time and money

    Download Full Unit HEPA Certificates

    RRP Full Unit Certified HEPA Vacuums

    Only a Full Unit Certified HEPA dust extractor meets the EPA RRP regulation guidelines, protecting you from expensive fines! All current Festool CT Dust Extractor models have been independently tested and certified to be FULL UNIT HEPA Dust Extractors. When you purchase a new Festool CT Dust Extractor, regardless of model, you will find a printed certificate in the box as well as labeling on the dust extractor documenting its Full Unit HEPA certification. If your current vacuum only has a HEPA filter and is not Full Unit HEPA Certified, then you are at risk of being cited for noncompliance with EPA RRP regulations. Simply put, there's absolutely no substitute for Full Unit HEPA Certification when using your vacuum for RRP.

    A HEPA filter is only as good as its seal with the vacuum.

    rrp complliance

    What is the best HEPA vacuum for RRP?

    Tell me more about the EPA RRP guidelines and how Festool fully complies with them.

    In April 2008 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted a rule regarding Lead paint know as Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP), 40 CFR Part 745. This rule covers the practices of renovation such as sanding, cutting, and demolition that may disturb surfaces containing lead-based paint, which has been found to be harmful to adults and children. Any firm performing renovation, repair, or painting projects that disturbs lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities, and schools must be trained and certified by EPA-approved training providers.

    The EPA RRP guidelines outline many practices related to the above activities. Some of those practices require the use of HEPA exhaust control and HEPA vacuums. The specific guidance of the RRP defines a HEPA vacuum with this verbiage:

    "HEPA vacuum means a vacuum cleaner which has been designed with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter as the last filtration stage. A HEPA filter is a filter that is capable of capturing particles of 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency. The vacuum cleaner must be designed so that all the air drawn into the machine is expelled through the HEPA filter with none of the air leaking past it."

    Festool has exhaustively tested its CT Dust Extractors to the strictest standards (IES RP-CC-002, IES-RP-CC-0034.1) to ensure that our units not only filter particles to 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency, but also that the seal between the filter and the vacuum does not allow for bypass leakage. We feel that this measure was important, not only to follow the letter of the definition but also to ensure the highest level of protection for the user. Effective October 2011, all Festool CT Dust Extractors (CT MINI, CT MIDI, CT 26, CT 36, & CT 48) will be shipped as Certified Full Unit HEPA Dust Extractors, in accordance with these standards.

    To maintain Full Unit Certification on any Festool CT Dust Extractor (CT SYS, CT MINI, CT MIDI, CT 26, CT 36, & CT 48), the customer must use a Festool-branded HEPA filter, following manufacturer guidelines on service and replacement.

    Model Comparison

    CT SYS CT MINI CT MIDI CT 26 E CT 36 E CT 48 E
    Product Number 584174 574786 574787 583492 583493 584084
    Filter Type HEPA HEPA HEPA HEPA HEPA HEPA
    Container Capacity 1.2 gal. 2.6 gal. 3.96 gal. 6.9 gal. 9.5 gal. 12.7 gal.
    Filter Bag Capacity 0.9 gal. 2.0 gal. 3.3 gal. 6.3 gal. 8.9 gal. 12.2 gal.
    Weight 15.2 lbs. 21.0 lbs. 21.4 lbs. 28.7 lbs. 29.8 lbs. 35.9 lbs.
    Noise Level, Low Suction 67 db(A) 62 db(A) 62 db(A) 62 db(A) 62 db(A) 62 db(A)
    Noise Level, High Suction - 72 db(A) 72 db(A) 71 db(A) 71 db(A) 71 db(A)
    Static Water Lift 80" 96" 96" 96" 96" 96"
    Max Suction Force 137 CFM 130 CFM 130 CFM 137 CFM 137 CFM 137 CFM
    Dimensions (L x W x H) 15.6"
    11.6"
    10.6"    		 17.5"
    13.5"
    16.5 "    		 17.5"
    13.5"
    18.5 "    		 24.8"
    14.4"
    21.3"    		 24.8"
    14.4"
    23.4"    		 28.1"
    15.4"
    27.0"
    Power Usage @ 120V AC 8.3 amps 3.3-10 amps 3.3-10 amps 2.9-10 amps 2.9- 10 amps 2.9- 10 amps