Shopsmith Forums

Have we talked about this before?

I hook up the vacuum to the shopsmith get set up and start cutting and go whoooo where is all this dust coming from only to answer myself, dummy you didn't turn on the vacuum. I use to be pretty good about it but well now it is happening way to may times.

Anyway I have 15A box that lets you plug in say a router and when it starts it also turns on the shop vacuum. Not so much when you have other more current hungry things plugged in and it also has the shut down at the same time you power off the tool rather then a time delay to clear the hose.

I've played with a plug in that you hook the vacuum up to and then push a remote control button and it comes on. Not so happy with that so I've given up with that method.


Now I'm thinking that there must be a few cooler ways of doing this that can handle the current. One that will have a delayed shut off to clear the hose and other cool features.

I spotted the iVac thing but after reading reviews, 37% rated it a 1 and the fact is says 20A but is really just 9A was disappointing.

So how are others doing this?

Ed

The remote control works for me, probably because I keep the button in a drawer within reach of the Mark 5. Sometimes I put the button in my pocket.

There's always the foot pedal method. I tried that, but couldn't deal with the extra power cord.

best wishes on finding a solution that works for you!

reible wrote: I've played with a plug in that you hook the vacuum up to and then push a remote control button and it comes on. Not so happy with that so I've given up with that method.
Ed

Sorry this didn't work for you. I bought the one sold by SS but it failed after a year so I bought a cheap replacement from Amazon figuring I would need to replace it once a season, but the cheap one has lasted. I have the remote attached to the headstock using self adhesive velcro near the power switch. The DC is on the same breaker as the overhead lights (all LED) so I figure I'm safe not to blow that breaker.
The times I do misplace the remote is when I have the DC hooked up to the miter saw or planer.
One of the guys I used to work with made his own iVac from something he saw on YouTube. I never did watch the video but his system works well for him.

Good Luck! My guess is that you will find something Festool"ish" like at 1/4 the price and then we can all be converted!!

Be well,
Ben

I had two issues with the remote versions I tried.


One was that it would sometimes turn on when I was no where near the remote. Not always good to be surprised when working in the shop. Because of that I had to make sure I had it turned off or un-plugged when I left the shop. Didn't like that because I didn't always remember.

Second was loosing the remote. As fast as I loose things if I set it down it was gone when I was ready to use it again. I guess attaching it to the shopsmith is fine but I'd also like to use it with other tools as well so then I have to have one at every tool that attaches or move it from tool to tool.........

Well I'm not making much progress on this. The shopvac is rated at 12A and even the remotes are often rated at only 10A or less. That would have been fine for the old shopvac but I hate to use that all the time after paying for the newer more powerful one.

I'm wondering if this is a lost cause after about an hour more of searching this morning.

Ed

reible wrote:So how are others doing this? Ed

Here's how I do it Ed. The SS plugs into the Festool. The Festool plugs into the wall. Turn on the SS and the vac comes on. And that vac really sucks. They're on sale at Woodcraft now too.

Hi Guys
My shop is a golf car garage that has been expanded to 25' deep and 14' wide. There is also a two car garage that is attached that can be used when needed. My dust collector stays put because I have about 30' of hose for it.
I have the PSI Long Ranger remote system and it is very handy to have. I keep the remote in my shirt pocket and start the system any where in the garage..
I will look up the current handling capability of the PSI system and check back in later.
By the way starting two machines will probably strain even a 20 amp breaker.
Bill V
According to PSI the auto switch is rated for 19 amps on a 120 volt circuit

Let's see; Festool vs Shopsmith....$750 vs $550.

That would not be an easy decision. The difference in total functionality, the ease of relocation and the quality of engineering would all be factors.

Reible
Could it be that some RF interference is causing your false turn on? I have not had any problems with mine.
Bill V

wa2crk wrote:Reible
Could it be that some RF interference is causing your false turn on? I have not had any problems with mine.
Bill V

That is what I would suspect. I have never had a false turn on in over ten years with the one I use.This is the remote that I use from Woodcraft.

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/145475 ... witch.aspx

I used it for years with a JDS 1 1/2 HP DC in my my garage. I don't know what frequency they work on but my garage door opener never caused a problem. I now use the same one with my 5 HP Clearview cyclone in the dedicated shop. The remote hangs from my shop apron so I always have it.

The problem I'm sure was having to do with it thinking it was receiving a signal but I never found out what was happening. There was no setting options so if someone else in remote range had one too or something else used the same sort of remote I just don't know. I live in a subdivision packed with houses on small lots. It didn't happen often but it happened enough that I didn't trust it. I don't remember the brand but it has been a lot of years ago now. Maybe around 1986 or so????

I don't wear an apron except sometimes when I'm turning so that wouldn't help me.

They do sell a unit with two power cords, one can plug into one circuit and the other into another circuit but according to reports the current limit is very limited.

Ed