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Post by thedude306 on Jan 5, 2015 12:44:38 GMT -5
Well my new vac showed up today (like five minutes ago) First two things I check (as I wasn't able to find an answer online) The auto filter clean does cut suction, but I don't think it's going to be an issue as it happens really fast The power outlet if not live all the time. That's a big downer if you want to use it without the vac. I'll do up a full review once I get it out in to the shop. It's pretty quite compared to my old shop vac, but not as quite as I thought it would be. I'll get out the DB meter later today. Jack thinks it's pretty cool.
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Post by jonathan on Jan 5, 2015 14:47:27 GMT -5
With my dust fetish I've been keeping an eye out for this vac. On paper it has some of the best specifications of any of the tool triggered vacuums. What dust class did you get? L or M? (M class should come with a blue anti-static hose, L-class with black non anti-static hose)
I'm interested in the M class but read that the auto filter cleaning is enabled by default in the factory. Since this vac doesn't have a dial switch to control the AutoClean but rather a push button, I'm wondering how one can keep the AutoClean disabled if youre using it with a bag?
Is the Auto clean enabled by default each time a tool is activated or does the unit have some kind of memory that knows you chose to disable AutoClean for as long as the vacuum is plugged in to a live outlet? So basically I'd like to know when you fire up, say your circular saw for a second cut, will the Auto-Clean be enabled again or will it sill be off?
In any case, I look forward to your findings over the course of your useage of this one.
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Post by thedude306 on Jan 5, 2015 14:57:24 GMT -5
Not sure what class it is is. It did not come with the anti-static hose but I did purchase one for it. I also purchased the HEPA filter for it. (both at additional cost) I believe it's the M-class from what I can tell on the Karcher website. The Bosch NA site does not list it as a class (as far as I could tell).
The AutoClean is turned on and off with a button. You can kind of make it out in the picture. It's the square red button on the front. I turns an LED on and off to tell you if auto clean is engaged. I was initially disappointed with the suction being interrupted (I simple placed my hand over the nozzle until it kicked in) but I just tried it on a pile of saw dust and I believe it's going to be a none issue. I will try filming the results. It gives you three quick pulses in succession but the vacuum continues between those pulses.
OK, saw your edit. Give me a minute and I will find out. I assume it stays on or off but I need to confirm
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Post by jonathan on Jan 5, 2015 15:14:21 GMT -5
thedude306 this is something many people don't know, but if you intend to use your vacuum without bags or an open liner bag you cannot or should I say should not run it with a HEPA filter.
The reason all these auto-clean vacuums come without HEPA filters pre-installed is because a HEPA filter is too dense. They completely clog up in no time reducing performance of you vacuum dramatically. The reversed air pulses of the auto-clean function on this generation of vacuums can't clear the dust from the HEPA filters once they've clogged and furthermore they will damage a HEPA filter and it's ability to maintain HEPA filtration quickly.
By the way, this doesn't just apply to this vacuum, but to all manufacturers. You can only run your vacuum with a HEPA if there's a pre-filter. Be that in the form of a real coarser pre-filter or a bag.
Auto-Clean vacs all come with a synthetic filter cartridge which in many cases has received some kind of special coating to make the dust stick less to facilitate cleaning of the filter.
So if you insist on having HEPA filtration, only use it with a closed bag, preferably fleece as paper bags have a tendency to tear with vacuums as powerful as this.
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Post by thedude306 on Jan 5, 2015 15:33:21 GMT -5
I'm interested in the M class but read that the auto filter cleaning is enabled by default in the factory. Since this vac doesn't have a dial switch to control the AutoClean but rather a push button, I'm wondering how one can keep the AutoClean disabled if youre using it with a bag? Is the Auto clean enabled by default each time a tool is activated or does the unit have some kind of memory that knows you chose to disable AutoClean for as long as the vacuum is plugged in to a live outlet? So basically I'd like to know when you fire up, say your circular saw for a second cut, will the Auto-Clean be enabled again or will it sill be off? Ok, I hope I am answering this right. By default, the AC is ON when you turn the vacuum dial to Power Tool Activation Mode OR OnYou can then turn the AC off for either mode by simple pressing the red button. The vac defaults back to the AC on if you turn the dial to OFF and then back ON again. The vac defaults back to the AC on if you turn the dial to OFF and then back to the Power Tool Activation ModeThe vac maintains your choice in the Power Tool Activation Mode if you do NOT turn the dial to off or on. So, if you have your circular saw plugged in, you turn the vac to Power Tool Activation Mode and turn OFF the AC, it will stay in that mode until you turn off the vacuum.
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Post by thedude306 on Jan 5, 2015 15:42:34 GMT -5
Good info on the HEPA and bags.
I have all sorts of bags coming for this unit. Fleece, paper and plastic. I found them all on for a really good deal over the holidays at amazon.ca and took advantage of the $25 off $100 purchase.
I did not purchase the "reusable" fleece bag. I assume it's just more robust then the others.
I have an oneida dust deputy but I am not sure if I will run it in conjunction with this vac in the shop or not or leave it on the shop vac.
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Post by jonathan on Jan 5, 2015 15:52:59 GMT -5
Thanks for taking some time to check this all out. I think I understand and it answers my questions perfectly. The way I make sense of it is that as long as your vacuum is plugged into a live power socket and the rotary switch is set to tool activation it will remember your preference to have AutoClean off.
I'm saving up for an Erika right now, but I think there might be one of these new Bosch vacs in my future as well. That 13% higher airflow and 5% more underpressure rating than my Festool CT26 vacuums is teasing me way too much. Or a Starmix if they ever bring out a systainer module...
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Post by thedude306 on Jan 5, 2015 17:23:08 GMT -5
I looked at the Festool vacs and really wanted to like them but with me having the L-boxxes and the specs being pretty solid on the bosch, I decided to give it a try. I was hoping on a better price point with the Bosch unit but in the end with the filter and anti static hose it was a wash price wise. The Starmix (or any variant) just wasn't available locally for me. It fits right at home under my bench.
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Post by jonathan on Jan 5, 2015 17:30:01 GMT -5
I can't say for sure as I haven't used the new Bosch yet, but I own 2 of the Festool AutoClean units and in my opinion, the way people gush over the Festool vacs, they are overrated in terms of performance. What does make them very attractive is all the accessories you can add to them. Judging from the specs on paper, these Bosch vacs should be a better performer than the Festool vacs. This is after all a Karcher vacuum that's licensed to many other tool brands. I doubt so many would license this vacuum if it wasn't any good. So I'm optimistic you made a very solid choice here.
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Jan 5, 2015 20:10:07 GMT -5
That's a nice looking vac TheDude!! Particularly since you've consolidated to the L-Boxx system, it's great that you now have a vac that works with your system. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts as you gain experience with it!
Bosch makes two versions of each sized vacuum, a semi-auto and fully automatic version, is sounds like you got the version with fully automatic filter cleaning?
Jonathon, I too had a CT-36 AutoClean and was under impressed by it. For regular woodworking my CT-26 does just fine, but when it came to cementitious dust it underperformed, and I was not satisfied by the CT-36 AutoClean. The Starmix vacs are REALLY nice, I like that it is fully HEPA rated, can take paper, fleece or plastic bags, so I can tailor the bag to what kind of work I'm doing. And, as mentioned above, I LOVE that the outlet is always live, that's a huge bonus.
Something else I was unhappy about the CT-36 AutoClean was that, while the frequency of the filter cleaning was adjustable via a knob, it was still a "dumb" system, in that it simply pulsed the filter at set intervals, versus on an As-Needed basis, as is on the Starmix vacs. Does the Bosch pulse the filter at set intervals, or does it monitor the filter and pulse only when needed?
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Post by thedude306 on Jan 5, 2015 20:37:54 GMT -5
It does have the fully automatic cleaning system. And as stated has four bag options as well.
My understanding of the auto clean is that it is a "dumb" system as well. In that it pulses at a set interval.
Here's a video on the Karcher. The buttons are different but the functions are the same.
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Post by thedude306 on Jan 6, 2015 9:10:21 GMT -5
Well, this is my first "non rigid shop vac" and I have to say I am VERY impressed. It sucks.
I hope to get some bookshelves started for the kids rooms next week so I will put it and the MT55 through it's first real test.
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Post by 7 on Jan 6, 2015 21:37:15 GMT -5
I can relate to your assessment of first"non rigid shop vac". I went from several Rigid vacs to Festool CT vacs. Huge jump in performance and most of all it is nice to not have to go beat the filter against the side of the dumpster while holding my breath then running away from the cloud of fine dust. Those filters were always half clogged and ruining the suction.
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mattuk
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by mattuk on Jan 7, 2015 15:14:35 GMT -5
Well, this is my first "non rigid shop vac" and I have to say I am VERY impressed. It sucks. I hope to get some bookshelves started for the kids rooms next week so I will put it and the MT55 through it's first real test. I have just spent the day enjoying the MT55 in conjunction with the angle guide remodelling the bedroom. Mitre saw was left downstairs feeling lonely. MT55 in the room with a CT26 ( for now ) saved me many trips up and down stairs. I think you are going to like it. A lot.
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Post by thedude306 on Feb 9, 2015 19:37:09 GMT -5
My bosch vac died last night. Well it didn't die, but I couldn't turn off the AFC and it made funny noises when I shut it off. ARGH. Went to the service center today. Tech will look at it this week some time. My gut feeling is the circuit board for the auto filer clean was smoked. The LED light wouldn't come on, you couldn't switch it on and off and the funny noise on shut down only in the on/off mode (not in the tool activation mode) I did find out that the unit is made in italy. The bosch rep was genuinely shocked that it wasn't working. They transferred me to an engineer (I think) and asked a lot of questions. So I went and found this pre-owned unit: :-) IMG_2490 by thedude306, on Flickr
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