Makita Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Auto-Starter

prusaprinters

<p>This is an add-on for Makita Cordless Power Tools that can be used to automatically start your vacuum cleaner when the tool starts. &nbsp;It does this by monitoring the current being drawn from the battery and sending radio signals to an off-the-shelf remote-controlled power socket.</p><p>Here's a short video of it in action: the first run is with it turned off; the second run is with it turned on. &nbsp;The vacuum cleaner runs for a couple of seconds after the tool stops to allow it to catch any excess sawdust. &nbsp;Keep an eye on the light on the remote-controlled power socket in the background!</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC-OUN7h-fo&amp;feature=emb_imp_woyt"></oembed></figure><p>Unsurprisingly, there's more to this project than just 3D printing, but you can get all of the details of the design (including the required circuitry and the microcontroller firmware) from this website: <a href="https://www.cgtk.co.uk/woodwork/powertools/cordlessvacuumstart/">https://www.cgtk.co.uk/woodwork/powertools/cordlessvacuumstart/</a></p><h4>Background</h4><p>My vacuum cleaner has a power tool socket on the front. If you plug a mains-powered tool into the socket, the vacuum cleaner will start automatically when you start the power tool. I find that a really useful feature as it saves me from having to walk over to the vacuum cleaner to start it (and I can easily forget to do so and not realise that the vacuum cleaner isn't running as the vacuum cleaner sound is drowned out by the power tool, especially if wearing ear defenders).<br><br>I love my cordless track saw as it's so handy when you're cutting stuff up in the garden (I don't bother with a vacuum cleaner in that case). However, when I'm working in the garage I want to catch the dust with the vacuum cleaner. &nbsp;The problem with the power tool socket on the vacuum cleaner is that it's no use at all if you're using battery powered tools. &nbsp;This is my way of fixing that issue.</p><h4>Printing it</h4><p>All parts can be printed without supports; I used 0.2 mm layer height &amp; PETG as you can see in the included 3MF files.</p><h4>Credits</h4><p>I'd like to thank brandman for providing a STEP file for his <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4797077">Makita battery socket</a>. &nbsp;While this isn't really a remix, I used his STEP file to get the key dimensions for the battery socket. &nbsp;In the downloadable files, I've also included a STEP file for my own version of the generic battery socket. &nbsp;My one is printed in three parts (which clip together) so that you can guarantee good results without any supports.</p>