Announcing: MAXSYS Wireless Remote for CT-vacs

[AlexThePalex]

This looks great. Just one question; does installation invalidate the Festool warranty on the extractor?

No. You're not modifying the vac in any way. Opening the module accessory bay is not a modification, as Festool already sells accessories for this bay.

Sorry, but this is not correct. This definitely counts as a modification when Festool does it themselves, let alone when it's done with a 3rd party module. If Festool suspects any failure is due to the use of this contraption, they can and will refuse a warranty claim.

Remember the original Dust Deputy that handled the static wrongly and fried some CT boards? Festool refused warranty. And you didn't even have to open the vac for that.

as Festool already sells accessories for this bay.

Just wondering, do they sell these accessories in the USA?

On European websites they state any module has to be installed by an authorised installer. One can deduct that not using an authorised installer will automatically void your warranty. After all, you're electrically modifying your vac.

Also wondering, is this product certified by Festool for use with the CT vacs, or any other organisation, like for instance UL? This might be of significance for those who use their tools professionally.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Sorry, but this is not correct.

I'm sorry Alex, but you're making blanket statements without even knowing anything about the product. Unfortunately I can't debate this with you publicly because it would involve confidential information regarding Festool that I am not at liberty to discuss.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Sorry, but this is not correct.

I'm sorry Alex, but you're making blanket statements without even knowing anything about the product. Unfortunately I can't debate this with you publicly because it would involve confidential information regarding Festool that I am not at liberty to discuss.

Rick, since this requires an electrical modification of the CT vac, you'd think a multinational company like Festool has some safeguards in place. Blanket statement? This is warranty class 101. Deny every warranty on materials or modifications not specifically certified by your own company. OR done by a qualified installer.

Second, not wanting to discuss this in public is a really poor show and does not show a lot of confidence on your side.

If for instance, Festool or UL would have certified your product, it most certainly would be public information. Furthermore, considering America's eagerness to sue for large sums of money when something goes wrong I'd urge you to take all these things into consideration for your own financial security.

 

[jdm5]

I've pre-ordered - have been toying with the idea of making something like this for exactly what Rick describes - using the router (with auto on/off functionality) and then needing to vacuum up the table/floor - really annoying to have to go back to the vac to switch it into 'on' mode.

Keep up the great ideas Rick!

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Rick, since this requires an electrical modification of the CT vac.....

Here is where you are going astray. There is no electrical modification to the vacuum. Not only am I an electrical engineer, but I am a Festool-trusted electrical engineer. My confidentiality agreement with Festool precludes me from explaining that further, but I have served as a consultant in that capacity. I'm not being shady. I'm contractually precluded from explaining.

The answer is pretty simple; if you're not comfortable, then don't buy the product. But if you do, then I will personally guarantee that it cannot, and will not, damage your CT vac. I can make that statement because I have gone to great extents to ensure that it can't happen.

 

[bobfog]

Rick, since this requires an electrical modification of the CT vac.....

Here is where you are going astray. There is no electrical modification to the vacuum. Not only am I an electrical engineer, but I am a Festool-trusted electrical engineer. My confidentiality agreement with Festool precludes me from explaining that further, but I have served as a consultant in that capacity. I'm not being shady. I'm contractually precluded from explaining.

The answer is pretty simple; if you're not comfortable, then don't buy the product. But if you do, then I will personally guarantee that it cannot, and will not, damage your CT vac. I can make that statement because I have gone to great extents to ensure that it can't happen.

Playing devil's advocate. Given Festool's love of expensive accessories and "system" approach, why have Festool not made one of these themselves if there's no down side to it?

 

[ajones]

There is no real possibility that this device could damage your vac, I would say near impossible. so a warrantee issue would not happen. If I had one fitted to my ct and the vacuum broke I would remove the remote module before it went for service. Im just surprised festool don't sell it themselves.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Playing devil's advocate. Given Festool's love of expensive accessories and "system" approach, why have Festool not made one of these themselves if there's no down side to it?

I can't answer that. I actually offered this concept to Festool over a year ago as a freebie idea to them. I had no intention to pursue it, until I realized that if I didn't, no one would. With all of the cordless tools coming out, I saw it as just too important of a feature for woodworkers to let the idea die. I sat on this idea for over 6 months before deciding to tackle it.

 

[thedude306]

absolutely brilliant idea!  Congrats.

next step... RF module that hooks into the cordless on/off to turn on the vac.  and voila no silly remote to lose!!

 

[Alan m]

this is great news rick.
given your close relationship with festool.I wonder could you get an approved by manufacturer status.

will this work on all vacs , even those out side of the usa

 

[teocaf]

what a great product idea. 
this of course begs to be packaged into one of those micro systainers that i saw at woodcraft one time.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

absolutely brilliant idea!  Congrats.

next step... RF module that hooks into the cordless on/off to turn on the vac.  and voila no silly remote to lose!!

I didn't mention it earlier because I was already too wordy, but I do want to give a special thanks to Ryan Wenner of Seneca Woodworking (home of the DomiPlate) for graciously providing me with the rapid-prototype components to make sure everything fit in the module bay. Ryan and Ron are truly good friends and I am indebted to them both.

I mention that because Ryan made the same comment to me a couple weeks ago. While it is a great idea, I am reluctant to consider it because it would either require modifying a Festool product (which I will not do) or opens up needless liability for attaching something non-permanently to a power tool.

I can defend that Maxsys does not interfere with a Festool product, but I could not make the same claim with any sort of remote sensor. Sorry.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

will this work on all vacs , even those out side of the usa

Yes. All research so far indicates that Maxsys will be totally universal to all countries, regardless what their power system involves. I have a friend in Australia that has done some special research for me, and in exchange, I will be giving him the very first Maxsys produced so that he can confirm all of our data that this is entirely universal for all countries.

I already know Maxsys is universal. The only thing I need to verify is that it is universal without any modifications from country-to-country. So far, everything is pointing to it being 100% universal for all countries.

 

[jimbo51]

Since it has been many years since the introduction of the CT 26 and CT 36, I would assume that all CT 22 and CT 33 models are out of warranty. Therefore developing a DIY version for the 22 and 33 would not be a warranty issue, only some very small possibility of a liability issue perhaps.

I think you have a very clever device here, but I am not yet ready to sell my Mini and 33 to buy a newer model just to use your remote.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Since it has been many years since the introduction of the CT 26 and CT 36, I would assume that all CT 22 and CT 33 models are out of warranty. Therefore developing a DIY version for the 22 and 33 would not be a warranty issue, only some very small possibility of a liability issue perhaps.

I think you have a very clever device here, but I am not yet ready to sell my Mini and 33 to buy a newer model just to use your remote.

This idea first hit me over a decade ago because I use my CT-mini for cleaning the house, and I have a 25-foot hose on it. I hate having to drag the hose all the way up the stairs, and then having to trudge all the way back down the stairs to turn the vac on. But I opened up the control board on the CT-Mini, and it just does not support the function. I wish it did, because I really, really want this function on my CT-mini more than any other vac I own.

I cannot advertise Maxsys for the CT22/33 because using it would require opening up the vac in a way that Festool cannot condone. That doesn't mean it can't be done, but I cannot market a product with that intent. I can't even say I would privately offer it, except the previous poster obviously knew enough about his CT22 to know how it might connect. He may be an exception, but certainly not the rule.

 

[Scott B.]

Congrats on an innovative and convenient idea, Rick. There will be naysayers but I hope it goes well for you.

 

[unityroad]

Congrats on an innovative and convenient idea, Rick. There will be naysayers but I hope it goes well for you.

I find stepping over to the vac turning it off/on simple and reliable. I too love innovation, However this my be a case of a solution looking for a problem.

 

[GhostFist]

I love this idea and am going to plug in an order. There's loads of applications I could find this handy with. Aerofix being number 1 in my mind.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

So far in just the first 24 hours, the interest has been very strong, and even a few people have ordered multiple modules. So I've put in an inquiry with my supplier to ask if 4-button remotes are available. I won't know until after the weekend, though.

If they're available, and I'm pretty sure they are, I'll test them out to make sure they can pair to 2 receivers, and then offer those buyers the option of which type of remote they wish to have.

I hadn't considered that option before, so I'm glad I made this early announcement to get the feedback.  [thumbs up]

 

[bkharman]

So far in just the first 24 hours, the interest has been very strong, and even a few people have ordered multiple modules. So I've put in an inquiry with my supplier to ask if 4-button remotes are available. I won't know until after the weekend, though.

If they're available, and I'm pretty sure they are, I'll test them out to make sure they can pair to 2 receivers, and then offer those buyers the option of which type of remote they wish to have.

I hadn't considered that option before, so I'm glad I made this early announcement to get the feedback.  [thumbs up]

Glad to be part of this Rick. Let me know if your friend would be interested in coming up with a remote holder for the hose end. Would love to hear about it.

Cheers. Bryan.