extractor auto on off switch

[hucks]

Can anyone tell me where / how I can get an auto on of switch  / plug for an extractor in the UK. Ie plug the extractor in & the tool via another plug, so that when you turn the tool on, the extractor turns on too. Just blown all my dough on a domino, so no funds for a new extractor too ! I've been to a couple of electrical wholesalers but they had no idea where to get one........Cheers all..............H

 

[RC]

Can anyone tell me where / how I can get an auto on of switch  / plug for an extractor in the UK. Ie plug the extractor in & the tool via another plug, so that when you turn the tool on, the extractor turns on too. Just blown all my dough on a domino, so no funds for a new extractor too ! I've been to a couple of electrical wholesalers but they had no idea where to get one........Cheers all..............H

You really need to have the control electronics built into the extractor to sense current draw from the tool port and trigger the vac motor based on the triggering event.

 

[wow]

Here you go:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-auto-extract-controller-unit

 

[shed9]

The problem you will have hucks is that using power tools, you will need something suitably rated.

Standalone auto power takes offs are generally not cheap. Axminster do a range;

http://www.axminster.co.uk/wood-working/dust-extraction-wood-waste/auto-extraction-controller-units

but these are more for table saws, bandsaws, etc.

The other end of the spectrum would be something like this;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/OneClick-DSK105-Intelliplug-Desktop-Version/dp/B000MPJSL0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333924008&sr=8-1

but I doubt this will handle the current on your hand held power tools (to be fair, that's not what its meant for but its REALLY cheap).

A possible compromise may be something like this;

http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Sealey%20Pc200Sdauto%205024209731775%20Vacuum%20Cleaner%20Industrial%2020Ltr%201400W%20230V%20Stainless%20Bin%20Auto%20Start

Not a Festool, but will achieve what you want for little outlay and actually cheaper than the Axminister controller unit itself. There are cheaper units with auto take off, but your not saving much and going via a good dealer is worth the little extra.

Hope this helps.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Can anyone tell me where / how I can get an auto on of switch  / plug for an extractor in the UK. Ie plug the extractor in & the tool via another plug, so that when you turn the tool on, the extractor turns on too. Just blown all my dough on a domino, so no funds for a new extractor too ! I've been to a couple of electrical wholesalers but they had no idea where to get one........Cheers all..............H

You really need to have the control electronics built into the extractor to sense current draw from the tool port and trigger the vac motor based on the triggering event.

No, you have these separate devices, you stick it into an outlet and it has two outlets of itself. Once one outlet starts drawing current, the other one activates too. These things have been mentioned here on the FOG a couple of times, I just forgot what it's called so I can't google it.

Downside is, they're not cheap. Probalby cheaper than an entire Festool vac, but still not cheap. As the OP is in the UK, I'd find me a Festool Mini vac, they're VERY reasonably priced over there.

 

[shed9]

You can build your own.

I strung a few together earlier this year with an Arduino board, some current sensor / transformers and relays. All in it cost about £20 and half a day. The beauty is when you build the initial unit, you can add as many sensors for the cost of a current TX and a relay.

Appreciate this may not be within the capabilities of most, but if you have friends who tinker with Arduino's or Raspberry Pi's this may be an option.

 

[Roseland]

I bought one of the cheapo ones a few years back, but it wasn't a success.  It turned the vac on a few seconds after the power tool started, and stopped the vac the instant the power tool turned off - the reverse of what you want.

I gave in and got a CTL26.

Andrew

 

[mrboult]

I bought one just like the link below that someone already posted. . .

http://www.amazon.co.uk/OneClick-DSK105-Intelliplug-Desktop-Version/dp/B000MPJSL0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333924008&sr=8-1

It works fine with my Ts 55 and my domestic hoover.

Sometimes I am headed to someones house and prefer to pop my small domestic vac into a sys 4, rather than take my shop vac.

The one issue with it is that there is a 5 second delay between the saw starting up and the vac starting up (because it is made for TV systems etc, where this is no problem).  Mostly I just start the saw and wait before plunging.

With my sander however I don't like doing it this way as the sander will always kick out a load of dust upon start up, unless the vac is already running.  So what I do with the sander is swap the vac & tool plugs over so that the sander will only start up when the hoover is already on.  This is less useful, but importantly it stops me forgetting to turn the vac on when I start sanding.

Over all, I have been very happy with mine, given that is cost next to nothing.

 

[Stephen B]

Here you go:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-auto-extract-controller-unit

[size=12pt]

£199.00 for the Axminster or £241 for this -

https://www.festool.co.uk/Products/Pages/Product-Detail.aspx?pid=768472&name=Mobile-dust-extractor-CLEANTEC-CT-17-E-GB

If these were the only choices, then the CT17 is a no brainer.  [smile]

 

[shed9]

[size=12pt]

£199.00 for the Axminster or £241 for this -

https://www.festool.co.uk/Products/Pages/Product-Detail.aspx?pid=768472&name=Mobile-dust-extractor-CLEANTEC-CT-17-E-GB

If these were the only choices, then the CT17 is a no brainer.  [smile]

I agree (well a little, I'd actually try to talk him up to the Midi) and the CT17 can even be had for less than the Axminster controller;

http://www.powertool-supplies.co.uk/festool-mobile-dust-extractor-ct-17-e-gb-cleantec.html

However, I'm not sure Hucks' current budget is in that bracket based on his original post.

 

[Saskataper]

www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=63013&cat=1,42401&ap=1

Not sure where in the uk you can get them but they exist

 

[hucks]

many thanks for all your help guys......... gonna go for the super cheap plug option for when on site, as I'll never have any more than one hand tool and the extractor  ( i just use a "Henry". He's bullet proof, effective & and cheap ! ) going at any given time.....

 

[hucks]

Just found this to all of you on the stars n stripes side of  the pond. Sadly no UK version
http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2005855/18215/isocket-autoswitch-shop-vacuum-control.aspx

 

[mattfc]

You can build your own.

I strung a few together earlier this year with an Arduino board, some current sensor / transformers and relays. All in it cost about £20 and half a day. The beauty is when you build the initial unit, you can add as many sensors for the cost of a current TX and a relay.

Appreciate this may not be within the capabilities of most, but if you have friends who tinker with Arduino's or Raspberry Pi's this may be an option.

Interested in your circuit for this, did you adapt a home energy meter circuit. I presume its based on current sensor and you put the live wire through, an sense the induced current (or voltage using a resistor)

Thanks
Matt