Official Luthiers Forum!

I have been about ready to toss my festool sander in the dumpster - It grabs and leaves bad scratches and swirl marks. Well, in another post someone suggested too much suction from the dust collector could be a problem with this sander. So I am wondering if I could use a router speed controller to cut back the suction from my shop vac (I am using a big Ridgid vac through a Dust Deputy). Is this OK, or will I kill my shop vac?

Thanks, Paul

I've used a fan speed control or a dimmer maybe in the past on a small craftsman vacuum The trick is getting one that's rated for the wattage of your vacuum. But I would check to see that it doesn't get hot.

You could put a tee fitting on the hose to sander junction with one branch open to the atmosphere Gradually cover it till you get just enough suction thru the sander.

Our home vacuum is an upright with the hose that pulls out and has a wand attachment. The wand has a hole covered with a sleeve tht rotates around the wand to open or close the hole. Thus increasing or decreasing the suction. It should be pretty easy to make something in PVC to do this. A lot cheaper than a controler and maybe better for the vacuum.

Steve

Thanks for the suggestions. I already have a speed controller that I use with my heating blanket, so cost is not an issue, but it sounds like it might be safer to rig something up to bleed off some of the suction from the vac.

Thanks, Paull