Roomba for the shop

[jaguar36]

Despite all the wonderful Festool dust collection, my floor always seems to end up being covered in sawdust and other detritus after a few days.  I was wondering if anyone has ever come across a robotic vacuum that would work in a shop environment.  Obviously the standard roomba would fill up instantly and choke in a shop, but it seems possible to design one that wouldn't.

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi,

I apologize in advance, I'm "one of those guys". I don't know how far AI/ programmable schedules i.e. are with those robots, but:

1) I wouldn't want another tripping hazard in my shop, because it moves behind/close to me when I wear hearing protection while working on something.

2) I wouldn't want it to run while I work, as it could suck in a spark, smoldering piece of wood/metal or water/ chemical agent ...

3) I don't like these robots.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[grobkuschelig]

Depending on the shop size, but I am quite happy with the Festool vacuum cleaner „hand-part-bit-like-a-normal-vacuum“. [emoji23]
Sorry. Missing the word for the vacuum wand stick you take in your hand to clean.
I have the metal version and it nicely sucks up almost everything when running on a 36mm hose.

Although I find the idea of the Roomba intriguing, but I think it would be tough to get something that does not fill up quickly, but is still low and small enough to get into corners and below workbenches and systainers....

 

[oldie]

I'm with Oliver: before you know it, it would invite it's robotic friends round - who would start to tell him how they could do a better job, and, how they would cook the meals etc etc.  Before you know it - they would have you cleaning up after them!  [unsure]

Richard (UK)

 

[grobkuschelig]

I'm with Oliver: before you know it, it would invite it's robotic friends round...

Is this how one would get a CNC?!

 

[DavidCBaker]

I used one of those things...once...and it filled up so fast it was a disgrace. Or maybe my shop is a disgrace, which is why it filled up so fast.

 

[vkumar]

Despite all the wonderful Festool dust collection, my floor always seems to end up being covered in sawdust and other detritus after a few days.  I was wondering if anyone has ever come across a robotic vacuum that would work in a shop environment.  Obviously the standard roomba would fill up instantly and choke in a shop, but it seems possible to design one that wouldn't.

I have an extra that I will be willing to pass along. Best for someone local to bay area California to avoid any shipping charges.

 

[bertv]

Some robot vacs have a feature in that they return to their basestation and dump the dust in a container. Also, they can be programmed to only work during hours you are not in the shop.
I think it won’t take long for a dedicated robot vac for shops will be launched. (And I won’t buy one. I like doing clean up myself.)

 

[nvalinski]

Makita makes one that is probably the only thing I would even consider for the task. But I'm not sure if it's better for more warehouse type spaces than workshop ones.

 

[Gregor]

You should also never forget to always be kind to it:

Apart from that... I don't see them having enough capacity to make sense for a shop.

 

[dltflt]

That was funny. I have a robot vacuum in my house and I like to it but I don’t see it working well in the garage. That may be because my garage is a disaster.

 

[jaguar36]

Makita makes one that is probably the only thing I would even consider for the task. But I'm not sure if it's better for more warehouse type spaces than workshop ones.

The makita one actually looks great, except it doesn't have a base that it returns to.  Seems to kinda defeat the purpose of a robotic vac, particularly one that costs that much.

 

[mattbyington]

I use one. Got a cheap Roomba for $100 from some guy on Craigslist.

I run it every night when I am not in the shop.

I do no care if/when it fills up, I just empty it the next day - I figure even if it collects half the stuff on the floor and then the bin is full, who cares? Less that I have to clean up

I've found if you run it every time you leave the shop, it is no danger and the dust doesn't build up since you're running it every day so the bin actually doesn't fill up.

Matt

 

[Birdhunter]

I’m a traditionalist. Broom and dustpan followed by a shop vac.