Festool bluetooth socket outlet adaptor, for older non-bluetooth dust extractors

[Project box]

Isn't it possible for festool to make a bluetooth universal socket adapter. So that you can simply plug the mains plug straight into to it. It could turn it on automatically as a bluetooth tool is used.
There is a video of somebody that made one

 

[mrboult]

This is an awesome idea. Can you re-post the video link, its not showing for me. .

 

[squall_line]

This is an awesome idea. Can you re-post the video link, its not showing for me. .

I think the OP is the "somebody who made one", since the video owner/poster is also called "My Project Box".  It was recently posted into 3 or 4 other threads as well, I believe.

 

[mino]

This is an awesome idea. Can you re-post the video link, its not showing for me. .

If you try to quote the post you will see the borked youtube link there and can open manually.

 

[Paul_HKI]

Festool bluetooth adapter, good quality housing (an impact and appropriately IP rated type), socket, your time and accepting the risk of making a DIY circuit to interfere with mains voltages.  Not without costs of all types.

I get the appeal for some, but it's not really a viable option for most to make one themselves.  In my case and despite having the equipment and experience to assemble one, I simply sold my older Midi and bought a new Midi I with bluetooth, for less cost to change than it would have been to buy the parts for an ugly adapter (sorry, but it's true) which would be prone to damage or failure.

It's most likely that Festool don't make one because they don't want idiots triggering saws or other cutting tools using a bluetooth remote or battery using something with their name on it.  When it's a proprietary form factor, designed to interface neatly in a suitable CT or via built-in BT switching, it's pretty safe.  You can't fire up the tool with the sharp ends using the remote, only the CT itself, so it's a non-issue in that case.  But people do really, really stupid things.  Germans don't like that, generally speaking.

And as for supplying one to fire up other brands of extractor/vac, well, what sort of sense would that make to a company who produce and sell their own line?  Even getting over the risks of enabling idiots, it makes no sense at all from a commercial perspective.

 

[FestitaMakool]

I agree with Paul. Parts cost, labour and hunting for suitable parts makes it far more easy to sell the old vac and buy a new with Bluetooth. That is if your vac has a good resell value.
Makita makes one - to have any auto start vac go with Makita Bluetooth enabled tool.
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-WUT02U-Auto-Start-Wireless-Universal/dp/B07XPDW84H#productDetails

It is of a significant cost off course. Festool could easily do the same.
I just wish they didn’t make it proprietary... suddenly the open source Bluetooth became very proprietary..

 

[Bob D.]

"suddenly the open source Bluetooth became very proprietary.."

Yes, it would have been nice if any BT enabled tool could communicate with any brand BT capable dust extractor.

But they are just following in the footsteps of the smart phone manufacturers which allow limited connectivity between most BT devices but exclude a few in favor of their own competing products.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I just wish they didn’t make it proprietary... suddenly the open source Bluetooth became very proprietary..

We are getting more and more bluetooth devices around us, wouldn't be very good if you push one button and ten different things start to buzz.

 

[mino]

But they are just following in the footsteps of the smart phone manufacturers which allow limited connectivity between most BT devices but exclude a few in favor of their own competing products.

This is not the main reason. As Alex hinted, the main reason is BT is a buggy bloated piece of crap. Every PC adapter vendor has hundreds of workarounds in their driver for this and that thing causing issues.

The current approach of e.g. Festool - means that IT JUST WORKSTM is possible despite this. Once you open up, the interoperability headaches will ensue and a useful feature will turn into a headache.

Eventually, you would end up with where we are now - while multiple combinations will be "able to work" almost no one will use that as everyone will recommend to stick to one brand which will be cross-tested and work reliably. Except, it will not be same, it will be more expensive and more complicated, as the inter-operability will not be for free.

Much more useful will be for Festool to e.g. add a BT-initiated socket on the SYS-POWERHUB "R" so that you can use it to power a 3rd party vacuum or a CT15 without a need for custom pieces. But that would be regulatory-wise practical only at 230V I guess, so not sure is a go.

 

[mrboult]

Sure making something like this will take time & money. And for a busy carpenter in need of a Bluetooth vac quickly this might not be the right step. But I have a Bluetooth vac as my main/daily vac, but wouldn’t mind making one if these for an older vac WHEN I HAVE TIME. Which will happen at some point cos I don’t work like a lunatic 365.

I’m not understanding how one would trigger a cutting tool with this setup? Would the auxiliary socket in this unit also power up when the Bluetooth activates? Seems to me like it would just act like the socket on my MINI II. No?

As for the ‘Ugly’ comment. . I’m not trying to pick up chicks with my sexy vacuums as much as I used to. .

 

[bruegf]

While not a very elegant solution I bought a wireless remote control outlet and plug it into the vac and anything convenient (usually a light bulb) into the remote.  It allows me to trigger the vac remotely for under $20.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0798W2TZ1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s04?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fred

 

[Paul_HKI]

Sure making something like this will take time & money. And for a busy carpenter in need of a Bluetooth vac quickly this might not be the right step. But I have a Bluetooth vac as my main/daily vac, but wouldn’t mind making one if these for an older vac WHEN I HAVE TIME. Which will happen at some point cos I don’t work like a lunatic 365.

I’m not understanding how one would trigger a cutting tool with this setup? Would the auxiliary socket in this unit also power up when the Bluetooth activates? Seems to me like it would just act like the socket on my MINI II. No?

As for the ‘Ugly’ comment. . I’m not trying to pick up chicks with my sexy vacuums as much as I used to. .

The point is that the vac doesn't matter.  You could just as easily remotely activate anything else that's plugged into the BT switched socket, using the remote or a battery.  You can't do that when the module is installed in a vac.  You can indiscriminately power anything that's plugged in using the 'project box'.

 

[mrboult]

I think you’re missing what’s going here (or I am). The homemade device plugs into the vac and provides a live socket to plug a tool in for mains activated auto start. But also can Bluetooth the auto start.

I assume the extra socket will always be live. Just like the socket on my mini is always live. If I use a tool with Bluetooth battery with my mini I can still leave a tool plugged into the mini. In this case both tools will be able to auto start the vac.

So how is this home made box any different?

But I haven’t watched the video yet, I assume this is not a device designed to plug into the mains and then auto power/start any vac/tool through that power socket. . . If that’s what’s going here I understand the safety issue and also am way less interested in this device idea. I assumed it simply replicated the power socket and Bluetooth module of a CT vac but externally instead of internally.

 

[Michael Kellough]

This readymade device works. It’s not Bluetooth but you slip the little remote in your shirt pocket and tap the button whenever you want the vac to turn on, whether a power tool is working or not.

And its only $12 at Amazon.

 

[rst]

I use 15 amp button triggered remotes for many of my extractors and lights.  the one on my tablesaw has three button functions...lights, overarm and under table extractor.  My CT 26 has the internal plug in remote that one of the FOG members (can't remember name) made and sold. 

 

[Project box]

I will try to add the link for the video again.If you can't access it you can go to my channel on YouTube just search... My Project Box.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I will try to add the link for the video again.

Try to think out of the Project Box and you will succeed.