FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
Tools & Materials

Tool-Triggered Shop Vacs

A crew of carpenters reviews five machines that make cleanup easier by capturing dust before it hits the floor.

By Rob Wotzak Issue 188
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Synopsis: A shop vacuum is an invaluable tool that helps to keep work sites clear of sawdust, drywall dust, and other potentially hazardous airborne debris. A vac that turns on automatically when a dust-generating power tool is activated is an invaluable addition to any shop or work site. Carpenter Rob Wotzak and his crew tested five tool-triggered shop vacuums and reported on their performance. In this article, Wotzak describes the features that these tools have along with their strengths and weaknesses. In the end, the author’s favorite was the Festool Cleantec. The vacuum labeled best value was the Fein Turbo.

For most of my carpentry career, my routine has been to work all day with various power tools, make a large mess, and clean up just before heading home at night. My dust-control measures were limited to a standard shop vacuum, a broom, and a dust pan. Working with tool-triggered vacuums, which are actuated by the power switch on a portable tool, has changed my perspective on job-site cleanliness. These machines make cleanup easy by collecting dust as it’s made, extracting it through the dust port on my random-orbit sander, power planer, miter saw, and other power tools. More important, they reduce the amount of dust in the air, increasing the healthfulness of my workspace.

My crew and I recently tried out five of these vacuums during a carriage-house restoration project. Keeping the 2000-sq.-ft. space clean while processing hundreds of linear feet of boards with saws, sanders, and planers gave us plenty of time with each vacuum. I also brought the vacs back to my shop for even more cleanup work.

The vacuums in this review range in price from $270 to $500 and have a variety of features that surely will sway purchasing decisions based on the type of work you do.

Tool-triggered vacuums are really easy to use. Connect the vacuum hose to the exhaust port of the power tool in use, plug its cord into the receptacle on the vacuum, and press the switch or turn the dial that activates the automatic function. The vacuum starts operating when you turn on the power tool or pull the tool’s trigger. When the tool is shut off or the trigger is released, the vacuum continues to run for several seconds to extract any residual dust left in the hose.

Of course, you can use these vacuums in normal mode, sucking up dust, debris, and water through various wands and nozzles.

Power controls allow optimum performance and circuit protection

My old vacuum was grossly underpowered. Sure, it would suck up sawdust and fine drywall debris, but at the end of the day, I still found myself sweeping up larger shavings along with stray nails and drywall screws. All the vacuums in this review picked up this type of debris with ease. In fact, no one on my crew even clogged a machine during the time the vacuums were in our possession.

A few machines have power-management systems designed to maximize tool performance without overloading electrical circuits. The Festool and the Bosch vacs allow you to dial down the power demand of the vacuum motor, thus allocating more amps to the tool you’re using. The Festool can be modified to draw as few as 3 amps or as many as 10 amps. Aside from circuit protection, Festool suggests turning down the vacuum’s power when using sanders. At full power, the suction can hold a sander firmly to the wood’s surface, adversely affecting sanding quality.

For more photos and details, click the View PDF button below:

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Heat-Shrink Tubing

Wirefy's heat-shrink tubing is super reliable, high-quality, and great to have on hand.
Buy at Amazon

Cadex 18-Gauge Brad Nailer (CB18.50)

This tool operates smoothly and quietly, is relatively compact, and features a built-in air blower.
Buy at Amazon

Festool Cordless Track Saw (TSC 55 KeB-F)

The Festool Cordless Track Saw is a powerful, smooth tool with reliable, high-friction strips and a semi-transparent splinter guard.
Buy at Amazon

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
View PDF

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

FHB Podcast Segment: Efficient HVAC for a New Build

Self-installing an HVAC system requires a lot of thought and planning.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • FHB Podcast Segment: Efficient HVAC for a New Build
  • Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans
  • FHB Summit 2025 — Design, Build, Business
  • A Summer Retreat Preserved in the Catskill Mountains

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

Video

View All Videos
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Efficient HVAC for a New Build
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Repairing an Old Home While Maintaining Its Integrity
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Designing and Building an Efficient Slab-On-Grade Home
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Do You Need HVAC Ducts in Every Room?
View All

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data