Thought some might find this 'new' item at Rockler interesting to use in your workshop to help control shop-vac set up.

	i-socket 110m Tool and Vacuum Switch Average Rating:   (42 customer reviews) $36.99Each

 Intelligent plug-in switch automatically controls a vacuum or
dust collector through the power tool’s on/off switch!


Eliminates continual running of vacuum to preserve the vacuum motor life.


Ideal for miter saws, table saws, sanders, routers and planers.

Easy to install — just plug it in!

I've been thinking of getting one of these for some time now, great addition to any woodworking shop IMHO! Not really "new" but a somewhat decent price.

Great idea if the circuit will handle the load.  Most electricians want to use 15 amp circuits and my Shopsmith pull about 14.  So, if I up the circuit capability, this neat little contraption will be a great addition to any shop.  Thanks for making me aware of this little goodie.

Posted By swampgator on 05-09-2010 10:38 PM
Great idea if the circuit will handle the load.  Most electricians want to use 15 amp circuits and my Shopsmith pull about 14.  So, if I up the circuit capability, this neat little contraption will be a great addition to any shop.  Thanks for making me aware of this little goodie.

Gator, the unit is designed to start the dust collector after the saw is running, and it shuts down a few seconds after you turn off the tool, so the amount of power it pulls should be ok.

Glad I ran 10 gauge to my shop and around it.  It's a mere 10' X 15'...well just shy of 15' because I didn't want to pay the taxes on it (150 square feet and above needs a permit, which triggers the tax man, which makes my mortgage higher....).

For anyone reading this, if you use this device and your breakers trip - before replacing that 15 amp breaker with 20 amp breaker, make sure you have the proper sized conduit. 

Breakers are safety devices.  In this case, they're protecting the wire more than the equipment.

I put a designated line in for my ShopSmith, #10wire 20 amp breaker. I think it was either EZ or Zipper that suggested the remote controls used for outdoor lights to be used for shop vav's. I bought one and it has been working great.

I've been using an electrical bar that came off an old router table.

I plug in the tool and shopvac.  Then when I energize the circuit with one finger - they're both running.

Granted, I most of my tools don't have such a large current demand as a Shopsmith.  The largest start up/running amperage tool I have is my table saw and I have yet to trip a breaker (20amp) doing business the way I have been.

IMHO; that one may be rated for a throughput of 20 amps, but the relay or circuit for the vacuum may be the limiting factor of 15 amps.
I wish I could see the innards or a "good" diagram to determine that for sure.

It was a Skil router table that I picked up at Lowe's.  I might have the guide - I'll check tonight once the padre leaves the house.  The DL is either trying to exorcise my inner demons (and it ain't gonna work - it's all me, no room for riders) or trying her hand at spiritual healing.

I appreciate her concern.  She hasn't hit me for over a month now.  She didn't hit hard to begin with, but I'm not even getting the itty-bitty punches in the shoulder anymore.

She'll still cuss me out, though.  No change there!  And she really hates it when I just smile and nod at her when she shifts from English to Chinglish, to whatever it is she grew up speaking.

I stand corrected - it's not from a Skil router table.  I still have that table.

I looked at the marking on it, can't decern much of anything (knicks, rubs, paint drips, etc.).  Now I'm trying to remember where the heck I got that thing from or off of.

Pretty sure it's rated at 20 amp.  The return/neutral socket looks like a T on it's side.  Last I checked - those were 20 amp outlets.

Those shaped like that are definitely 20 amps, Craig,
but a few not shaped like that are 20 amps as well.

If you connect the Shopsmith and the dust collect on the same circuit for this to work correctly, then you would certainly need a dedicated circuit with 10 gauge wire or greater with a 20 amp circuit.  As stated earlier, the SS itself will pull about 14 for startup and will run around 13 according to the documentation.  My humble opinion is make any plug in circuit in a shop as a single circuit.  Lights are a very different story, but when you wish to put something heavy on a circuit, then you have the dedicated circuit to handle the load.  When the electrician did my house a few years ago, it is all 12 guage except for the A/C, dryer and range.  Every outlet in my kitchen is a separate circuit.  It is great to plug in and use several things at one time.  The way the wiring was done before, I might have two or more rooms on the same circuit with 20 amp fuses.  Not good.  Thankfully, we were spared as we are not much on using lots of electricity.  But, I like the idea that this contraption will halt before starting and stopping the dust collector.  Thanks for the info.

I really like this i-socket and will probably get one for my chop saw.  I have a small dedicated shop-vac attached - should work fine!

 

My table saw runs on 220 - I am wondering - is there anyway to make this work for my dust collection when table saw is turned on?

 

Well, I would imagine all you'd need to do is "possibly" install an outlet on the table saw (220 huh?) using just one of the hot and the return wires after the ON switch.
All you need is a single phase of that 220 to pick off the current for the outlet so it's 'hot' only when the saw is energized. 

The electrician guys can you give you a way to do it...so yes...there are ways.

This looks good, if you have only one piece of equipment using the vacuum.

If you have a central vacuum setup, I would still prefer the remote switch

Ed - ideally, yes.

But when you're using multiple tools with a dust collection system, (I myself, not speaking for others),  would prefer it to kick on anytime I light-off a power tool that generates saw dust or shavings, or any other debris to keep me from inhaling the stuff, let alone settling where ever in my workshop.

You see, my eventual plan is to route a bunch of clear PVC around my shop with a shop vac at the business end causeing the suction.  Each area where I perform cutting/sawing/lathe/sanding operations would be able to suck up the dust/debris once I turn that tool on.  I prefere clear so I can see that the debris is being collected and there are no clogs in the line, elbows, etc.

Since I split the subpanel in my workshop is split into four zones, it would sure be great to have my dust collection/shop vac wired so that all I need do is energize one tool and the vacuum automatically kicks on.

Craig,
  I bought 2-1/2" clear PVC, with all the connections  and gates from Woodcraft. I then put my shop vac in a vented muffler box and connected it to a remote control plug. See the plug connected to the receptacle and the remote is laying on the muffler box.

Eric - looking at the picture of your shop, looks like you used clear tubing as well as PVC.  It's sold by the foot or in rolls of 25', 50' lengths.

I have yet to buy another 5 or 6 gallon shopvac for that dedicated use.

How is your set up working for you?  Pretty sure I'll need a specialized filter for it.

Craig, this is the dust collection kit I bought http://www.woodcraft.com/Search/Sea...tion%20kit and my shop vac is a Craftsman 6gal. The system works great I really like it.

Craig,
 I forgot to mention that the filter in the craftsman shop vac has worked fine.

what happened to our edit buttons, I wanted to add this to yesterdays post but no edit button