DIY Vac-Sys Remote Power Switch

[ADKMedic]

Hello FOG,

I was able to snag a Vac-sys from the recon site on their Black Friday sale.  I've been really liking it, and have been thinking about what kind of bracket to make for it.  The Festool one is too expensive (in my opinion) and there is no way to keep your work at the level of the MFT top.  In the meantime, I thought I'd fix one thing I wasn't fond of - bending all the way down to turn the Vac-sys pump on when I want to use it (mine sits on the floor...  for now). 

So I decided to wire up my own extension cord and switch - all 20A with 12-gauge wiring.  The power to the receptacles (GFCI) is always on.  The switch controls power to a female 'pigtail' that comes down from under the switch assembly, which is what the vac-sys pump is plugged into.  The conduit box is screwed to a piece of 3/4" plywood, which is screwed to a spare bracket for the side of the MFT. 

It is now super easy and convenient to switch the Vac-sys pump on from a standing position in front of one of my MFTs. 

Andy

 

[bigshaw929]

Great idea. I might have to use this when I make the mft cart if I can ever get time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Michael Kellough]

This is simple, cheap, and effective.

I use it for all kinds of tools but particularly nice with the dust extractor when cleaning the shop. Just keep the remote in my shirt pocket and the end of the hose in my hand

 

[GarryMartin]

Seehttps://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/sys-vac-question/msg456880/#msg456880 for discussion on an alternative, DIY bracket.

 

[simonh]

I know this is UK based but I bought a pack of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07NJ2XHZC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use one for my main dust extractor, one for the CTL-SYS vacuum and one for the VAC-SYS. They all come pre-paired to the one remote control that I just keep in my apron.

 

[Mario Turcot]

[member=297]Michael Kellough[/member] this is interesting Micheal. I see that they sell a 2 pack. Can you change the remote frequency to pair them separately or both would work simultaneously?

 

[TinyShop]

I want to extend a caution about these remotes. Be sure to check the max amperage allowed. I know that the Fastcap vac remote, which is expressly intended for vacuums, is accompanied by the following warning:

"THE RCV WILL NOT WORK WITH LARGE DUST COLLECTORS OR OTHER LARGE SHOP EQUIPMENT. EVEN DUST COLLECTORS THAT RUN AT 12 AMPS. THE MOTORS IN THESE COLLECTORS WILL PULL MORE AMPS WHEN TURNING ON OR UNDER STRAIN AND CAUSE THE RCV TO FAIL. THE RCV IS DESIGNED TO WORK WITH SHOP-VACS AND OTHER SMALL SHOP EQUIPMENT."

Vacuum pumps tend to pull tiny amp loads so this shouldn't be a problem but just beware when thinking about running dust extractors. I use my RCV with my CT SYS (which is fine) but also with my big Starmix extractor. When I use it in conjunction the latter I make sure to never set the rheostat above half way. A powerful extractor will fry a remote in short order if the max amp load restriction is exceeded.

 

[grbmds]

Hello FOG,

I was able to snag a Vac-sys from the recon site on their Black Friday sale.  I've been really liking it, and have been thinking about what kind of bracket to make for it.  The Festool one is too expensive (in my opinion) and there is no way to keep your work at the level of the MFT top.

I mounted mine to the MFT with a mounting board that is attached to the rails on the side of the MFT. When not in use the head can be folded down so that it is below the surface of the MFT. When needed, just bring the head back up and position it wherever you want. I can't remember where I got the drawing from though. I believe it was in a Supplemental user manual for the Conturo which detailed a possible way to mount that tool on the MFT. Maybe someone else will remember which manual it was in. I couldn't find it in the version of the Conturo manual online.

 

[Michael Kellough]

[member=297]Michael Kellough[/member] this is interesting Micheal. I see that they sell a 2 pack. Can you change the remote frequency to pair them separately or both would work simultaneously?

Don’t know [member=62097]Mario[/member]. Haven’t needed to operate more than one device at a time (whose switch was far away). I just leave the remote attached the the machine with Velcro and when I’m going to use the machine pull the remote off and put it in my shirt pocket. Just bump it with my hand (or wrist if I’m holding a tool) and get to work.

 

[GarryMartin]

I believe it was in a Supplemental user manual for the Conturo which detailed a possible way to mount that tool on the MFT. Maybe someone else will remember which manual it was in. I couldn't find it in the version of the Conturo manual online.

See the link in my message above.

 

[Mario Turcot]

From the unit you have, is there a set of microswitch?

 

[Cheese]

I mounted mine to the MFT with a mounting board that is attached to the rails on the side of the MFT. When not in use the head can be folded down so that it is below the surface of the MFT. When needed, just bring the head back up and position it wherever you want. I can't remember where I got the drawing from though. I believe it was in a Supplemental user manual for the Conturo which detailed a possible way to mount that tool on the MFT. Maybe someone else will remember which manual it was in. I couldn't find it in the version of the Conturo manual online.

Page 72 in the 2014 Conturo User Manual.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Michael Kellough]

From the unit you have, is there a set of microswitch?

If you’re asking me, I don’t know that either. I should add that the things I linked are very low cost and  therefore not high quality. One of the first couple didn’t work. I called the company (since they provided a customer support number) and they replaced it but it would have been faster to buy another from Amazon and return the bad one.

 

[ADKMedic]

Seehttps://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/sys-vac-question/msg456880/#msg456880 for discussion on an alternative, DIY bracket.

Hi Garry - I saw that and even have that page of the Conturo manual printed out...  That’s what I’m leaning towards, but there are things I don’t like about that bracket, so I may end up modifying it...  I also like the one that Bent’s Woodworking has in his video on vac-sys on YouTube.

This bracket, though, still depends on you going to wherever you have the pump to turn it on - that’s why I made the switch, so I can stay standing instead of reaching under the MFT to turn the pump on.

Andy

 

[ADKMedic]

Hello FOG,

I was able to snag a Vac-sys from the recon site on their Black Friday sale.  I've been really liking it, and have been thinking about what kind of bracket to make for it.  The Festool one is too expensive (in my opinion) and there is no way to keep your work at the level of the MFT top.

I mounted mine to the MFT with a mounting board that is attached to the rails on the side of the MFT. When not in use the head can be folded down so that it is below the surface of the MFT. When needed, just bring the head back up and position it wherever you want. I can't remember where I got the drawing from though. I believe it was in a Supplemental user manual for the Conturo which detailed a possible way to mount that tool on the MFT. Maybe someone else will remember which manual it was in. I couldn't find it in the version of the Conturo manual online.

Hello - so did you make a remote switch for it, or do you manually turn the pump on where ever you have it mounted?

Andy

 

[ADKMedic]

From the unit you have, is there a set of microswitch?

If you’re asking me, I don’t know that either. I should add that the things I linked are very low cost and  therefore not high quality. One of the first couple didn’t work. I called the company (since they provided a customer support number) and they replaced it but it would have been faster to buy another from Amazon and return the bad one.

Hi Michael - I have seen those on Amazon in the past.  My issue is, like you said, I question the quality because they are brand names I’ve never heard of.  I have a hard time plugging in a high-quality expensive tool into a questionable-quality switch.  I used all 20Amp, 12-gauge wiring in my switch and have it plugged into a 20Amp circuit.

Andy

 

[tjbnwi]

[member=9489]ADKMedic[/member]

How I have my Vac-Sys set up. To turn it on, I used a simple RF remote control.
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...cements/vac-sys-on-mft-3/msg504481/#msg504481

Tom

 

[ADKMedic]

[member=4105]tjbnwi[/member]

I just wanted to say thank you for that link.  I didn't see that thread when I first searched the FOG about the Vac-sys.  I am not a fan of the key-fob remotes for the reasons stated above, but I really like the DIY bracket that is being used in that thread!

Thanks!

Andy

 

[tjbnwi]

[member=9489]ADKMedic[/member],

IVac May have a remote you’ll be happy with.

I run the Vac-Sys and a sprayer off of those remotes, years without issue

Tom