Let’s say you have a cordless power tool. A miter saw? Rotary hammer? Circular saw? Jig saw? Table saw?
And you have a dust extractor or shop vacuum. Maybe it offers an automatic start mode – but that’ll only work when a corded tool is plugged in.
So how do you start a dust extractor or vacuum with a cordless tool?
There are some specialty vacs that attach to the tool, but as far as I’ve seen, that only applies to on-tool rotary hammer extraction vacs.
Not all corded tools can turn on automatic dust extractors either, because of power draw considerations. That’s one reason a lot of users have welcomed the emergence of near corded-performing cordless power tools, because it takes some issues or potential issues out of the equation when working on certain projects or at certain work locations.
There are some remote control systems that allow for remote vacuum activation.
I believe it was Fred who introduced me to the MaxSys wireless remote, but that’s a module that will only work with Festool dust extractors.
There’s a PSI woodworking dust collector switch. I learned about this when searching for an automatic switch for my new (but not yet opened) Fuji HVLP sprayer. But that still requires manual automation.
What we need is a reliable way to turn a dust extractor on whenever a specific cordless tool is in use.
Several people mentioned this in response to yesterday’s post about Dewalt’s Bluetooth tool and tracker tag expansion.
I completely agree.
Perhaps in a few years we’ll see cordless saws or other tools that can remotely trigger a vac or dust extractor.
But in the meantime, let’s brainstorm about how this could be done. Maybe someone will run with the idea and make it for us.
A setup would need:
- Some type of tool activation sensor
- Where is it placed?
- How’s it powered – coin cell battery?
- Vibration sensor? Sound? Manual?
- Does it require modification of a tool?
- Remote Receiver
- Does it plug into a vac’s “auto” outlet?
- Can there be a model that goes between a plug and a wall outlet for non-auto vacs?
- Size?
- Power source?
- For vacs with auto sensors, how to simulate an AC load?
I think that last part might be the most difficult challenge – how to simulate an AC load in a compact and portable device?
Thoughts?
Chime in if you want to see brands come out with a device that allows cordless tool-activated dust extractor or vacuum. Do you know if such a device already exists?