| Review by ChunkyC | posted 849 days ago | 1736 views | 0 times favorited | 17 comments | ![]() |
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- DGC i-socket 110m Tool and Vacuum Switch
- Brand: DGC | Category: Other

I purchsed the I-Socket from Rockler for $29.99 + Free shipping.
The instructions and web site say that it’s for a vacuums and dust collectors. I personally wouldn’t use it on my 2 HP Dust Collector. It just doesn’t look like it’s made well enough to handle that much inrush current.
I purchased the I-Socket for one thing, using with my compound sliding miter saw. It works just as advertised. When you squeeze the trigger on the miter saw, the vac starts right off. After the cut, the vacuum then runs for about 10 seconds longer. I also used it with my Dewalt Biscuit Jointer. Again, it works just as advertised. I’m not sure what the current threshold is on the detecting circuitry but I’m guessing it work with about whatever you plug into it.
I’m giving it 4 stars. I’m knocking a star off because I couldn’t recommend that anyone use this on their 2 HP + dust collector / system.
From Rockler’s web site
Control two tools at the same time! Now you don’t have to remember to power the vacuum on and off during every cut — the i-socket does it for you. Automatically turns on the wet/dry vacuum or dust collector when the tool is powered on, and continues running for an additional 7 seconds to clean out the inlet pipe after the tool is powered off.
- On-board micro-controller controls the in-rush of current and delay off.
- Designed for medium-duty work loads in the home workshop and on the job site.
- Can be used with any standard 15 amp/125 volt wet/dry vacuum or dust collector system (max 1.0 HP) or power feed unit.
- For indoor use only.
-- Chunk's Workshop pictures: http://spadfest.rcspads.com/thumbnails.php?album=135




















17 comments so far
ChunkyC
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849 posts in 1452 days
#1 posted 849 days ago
DoH! It even says Max of 1 HP. So there you have it.
-- Chunk's Workshop pictures: http://spadfest.rcspads.com/thumbnails.php?album=135
devann
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1711 posts in 890 days
#2 posted 849 days ago
Cool post, been wondering about one of these. I emailed Black & Decker years ago about putting something like this on my mitersaw base. One plug for the vacum, one plug for the light. You know kinda like what you find on the back of your stereo.
-- Darrell, making more sawdust than I know what to do with
ChunkyC
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849 posts in 1452 days
#3 posted 849 days ago
I never considered using for a light. I like the way you think Darrell!
-- Chunk's Workshop pictures: http://spadfest.rcspads.com/thumbnails.php?album=135
gko
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72 posts in 1442 days
#4 posted 849 days ago
Just bought one from WC last week and love it. Hooked it up to my table saw, sander, miter saw and I wonder how I’ve worked without it. No need to remember to turn on the vacuum every time you turn on the device you’re working on.
-- Wood Menehune, Honolulu
bigike
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4021 posts in 1486 days
#5 posted 849 days ago
I have one of these and it’s great I got it hooked to router and shop vac but i was also looking at one of these
http://www.hartvilletool.com/sphider/search.php?query=ivac+pro&results=10&search=1&action=GO&postUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartvilletool.com%2Fsphider%2Finclude%2Fjs_suggest%2Fsuggest.php&phpself=%2Findex.php
http://www.hartvilletool.com/sphider/search.php?query=89833&results=10&search=1&action=GO&postUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartvilletool.com%2Fsphider%2Finclude%2Fjs_suggest%2Fsuggest.php&phpself=%2Fsphider%2Fsearch.php
-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop, http://www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com
Adam
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43 posts in 1351 days
#6 posted 849 days ago
The ground prong on mine pushed into the housing after a couple of uses. Sears has one that is more solidly built and has 2 switched outlets. Don’t remember for sure but I think it was cheaper also.
Adam
Steven Davis
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99 posts in 1112 days
#7 posted 849 days ago
Great idea. This one looks interesting as well:
iVac Automated Vacuum Switch
-- Steven Davis - see me at http://www.playnoevil.com/ and http://www.stelgames.com/
pshie
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5 posts in 890 days
#8 posted 849 days ago
Mine broke with a few uses… I was pulling the plug out from the switch and it pulled out the cover and shorted the whole thing… before it broke, it was pretty cool.
Brad_Nailor
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2450 posts in 2155 days
#9 posted 848 days ago
I have owned one of these for about 5 years and it works flawlessly and is still in one piece. Use it on my ROS, pocket screw jig, biscuit joiner, chop saw. Great review..
-- http://www.facebook.com/pages/DSO-Designs/297237806954248
skreck
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6 posts in 1058 days
#10 posted 848 days ago
Hey bigike, does that first system take one box for your dust collection and one for ever tool you want to work with it?
Cory
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705 posts in 1617 days
#11 posted 848 days ago
FYI: Sears sells a similar unit for about $20. I’ve had two for a couple of years and they work very well.
-- The secret to getting ahead is getting started.
Sanity
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143 posts in 888 days
#12 posted 848 days ago
I bought one of these a week ago. I see nothing on the instructions related to a max of 1 HP. The output is rated 15A, 120Vac, 60Hz, 1875W max.
I first tested it with my lathe when I was doing some sanding, I had the speed very low and clearly it was not pulling enough juice to trigger the vacuum to start. Once I increased the speed of the lathe it worked fine.
I am happy with it but I wish there was a manual overide so that I could continue to clean-up without having to change the outlet (or having to leave the lathe or whatever running).
-- Stuart
ChunkyC
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849 posts in 1452 days
#13 posted 848 days ago
According the NEC Table 430.248, 1 HP is 16 A ipso facto it is rated for 1 hp it’s just not specifically call out on the unit.
-- Chunk's Workshop pictures: http://spadfest.rcspads.com/thumbnails.php?album=135
NBeener
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4805 posts in 1371 days
#14 posted 847 days ago
I think Eric_S uses one, and also seems to like it !
-- -- Neil
Sanity
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143 posts in 888 days
#15 posted 847 days ago
You are correct – my assumption was anything that runs on a typical household circuit. My Jet 22-44 drum sander is rated as 1 3/4 HP and it pulls 15.5 amps on 120V circuit. However from DGC products website:
Product Use
The i-Socket Autoswitch is not intended for commercial use. It was designed to be used in the home workshop on a standard 120v/15amp house outlet. If used on a 20amp breaker the i-Socket Autoswitch will function properly but all tool and vacuum standards must still comply with the 120v/15amp ratings.
Tool Port:
Max. motor rating should not exceed 120v, 15amps, 60 Hz, 1875 Watts.
Table saws from portable to contractor type.
Miter Saws both 10” and 12”.
Any hand sander palm, DA, belt sander.
Routers.
Portable joiners or planers.
Vacuum Port:
Any standard shop type vacuum will run on the i-Socket.
Vacuum motor HP should not exceed 1875 Watts.
Dust collector motor should be rated at 120v/15amps and HP should not exceed 1875 Watts.
Power feeders can also be controlled from the vacuum port.
Example of the most common configurations:
Tool Port: 12” Compound Miter Saw rated at 120v/13.2 amps.
Vacuum Port: Shop type wet/dry vacuum at 6.5 hp “Peak” rated at 120v/11 amps.
OR
Tool Port: Contractors table saw rated at 120v/13.4 amps.
Vacuum Port: Dust collector rated at 120v/15 amps.
-- Stuart
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