Automated Vacuum Switch
Sometimes, that cannot-live-without tool is something that you come never to notice and take for granted, after using it for some time. Today, while preparing to cut biscuit slots in the panels of my current project, the Asian Cabinet, I noticed the unnoticed: my automated vacuum switch.
So what exactly is an "automated vacuum switch". Well I am glad you asked. What you do with this handy device is plug the hand tool, like a biscuit jointer saw or router, into the "tool power" outlet, and plug the vacuum into the "vacuum power" outlet. The automated switch will then detect when you turn on the power tool, and will then automatically turn on the vacuum. Likewise, when you turn off the power tool, the automated switch will turn off power to the vacuum, but with a few seconds of delay to ensure that all the chips and dust has cleared.
When I first started using power tools, I quickly learned the virtue of dust extraction. Some hand tools come with dust bags, but these are grossly inadequate, and other tools, like routers, have no attempt at dust control and can make quite a mess. For a long time, I resisted buying an automated switch, because of the price tag, and resorted to turning on the vacuum manually. But this quickly became tedious for large projects, and so often, I simply forgot to turn on the vacuum. As well, I found that having to turn the vacuum on and off manually could distract me from the task, leading to mistakes. Finally, I coughed up the doe and bought one.
It is not that the price will break the bank, but $40 for something that may at first may seemingly have little value added makes it hard to justify the purchase. Seemingly, that is, until I tasted the convenience. Now, once I setup the tool and the vacuum, and connect the vacuum hose to the tool, I no longer have to think about dust extraction as steps in my task.
In fact, I now have two of these in my shop: the one in the photos at my workbench, and another on my miter saw. I find that the on/off pattern of a miter saw makes it difficult to use regular dust collection, so I have a spare vacuum (one that had a broken power switch that I hardwired to the "on" position) connected to the miter saw that turns on when the saw turns on.
So, if you use a lot of handheld power tools that can be outfitted for dust extraction, or even if use one such tool frequently, you may want to consider coughing up the doe for one of theses fancy doodads. The one I have on my miter saw is a little simpler, and, as such, a little less expensive. The one at my workbench, the one in the photos, can be used in more than one configuration, including the ability to run the tool and the vacuum from separate outlets (and, as such, from separate circuit breakers).
Here are some links to the automated vacuum switch that I have on my workbench:
And here are some links to the automated vacuum switch that I have on my miter saw:
