MAKE: Blog: DIY auto vacuum system

DIY auto vacuum system

Ca6415661 A
This is clever, Bob's vacuum system turns on whenever he uses his wood working machines...

Woodworker Bob Neidorff bought a vacuum to collect the chips and sawdust from his shop equipment, and plumbed it to the vacuum ports on his power tools and to his homemade vacuum hose ports. But then, he had to turn it on and off every time he used a machine. That is, until he built this gadget. A torroidal power transformer and a handful of electronics detects the load current of the machines involved and controls the vacuum automatically. Now whenever the chips are flying, they're heading for the vac.

Case #98: Bob Solved His Chip Problem - 2/26/2007 - Design News - Link.

Related:

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: 2Short on February 26, 2007 at 3:17 PM

For just one dust-generating tool, you can do what I did: I wired two outlets to be controlled by the same switch, and plugged in the bandsaw and shop-vac. To use the shop-vac alone, I've got to switch to the hose that's not plumbed through the back of the workbench and turn off the bandsaw; but most of the time it's one switch to start sawing...

Posted by: KWillets on February 27, 2007 at 10:44 AM

Fein makes a vacuum with a similar switch.

Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now

Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out... Welcome to the Make Blog!

Features and more @ MAKE!

Stop by the Maker Shed store and check out THE place for open source hardware, Arduino & Arduino accessories, electronic kits, science kits, smart stuff for kids, back issues of MAKE & CRAFT, box sets, books, robots, kits from Japan and more.

Add MAKE to iGoogle - GoogleGoogle.
Add MAKE to your RSS reader - Real simple.
Add MAKE on Twitter.
Add MAKE on FriendFeed & the MAKE room.

Why advertise on MAKE?
Read what folks are saying about us!

Click here to advertise on MAKE!

Makezine authors!

Suggest a Site!

Phillip Torrone
Senior Editor
Tel: 707-827-7311
Twitter / AIM

Gareth Branwyn
Jonah Brucker-Cohen
Collin Cunningham
Marc de Vinck
Kip Kay
Luke Iseman
Patti Schiendelman
Becky Stern
Mike Dixon
Peter Horvath(intern)

Current Podcast

The Best of Maker Faire Austin 2008 Check out all the fun and excitement at this year's Maker Faire in Austin, Texas. People from all over the world came to experience this amazing event. Take a look at some of the highlights and make plans to... More...

Get the Make blog sent via email

Enter your email to receive the Make blog each day:

WOW! Thanks to everyone involved with Maker Faire Bay Area and Maker Faire Austin in 2008: attendees, makers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and crew...it was an AMAZING year! Over 1,000 Makers and 87,000+ attendees total! Be sure to check out the photos @ Flickr, and our Maker Faire posts for all the action! Check back for dates for 2009 soon!