AWS Tools

I noticed the release dates for the first wave of Automatic Wireless Start tools has been announced. I’m surprised the saws are arriving so late.

Makita XSL04ZU 18V X2 LXT 10″ Miter Saw with AWS – Winter 2018
Makita XPS02ZU 18V X2 LXT Plunge Cut Saw with AWS – Winter 2018
Makita XRH07PTU 18V X2 LXT 1-9/16″ AVT Rotary Hammer with AWS – January 2018
Makita XAG17ZU 18V LXT 5″ Paddle Switch Grinder with AWS – February 2018
Makita XAG17ZU 18V LXT 5″ Slide Switch Grinder with AWS – February 2018
Makita XCV08Z 18V X2 2.1 Gallon HEPA Dry Dust Extractor with AWS – January 2018

Very strange indeed. In the Netherlands the plunge saw with AWS has been available since a few days

I just purchased the XPS01 LXT X2 Plunge saw 2 weeks ago, can the AWS bluetooth be added to it? It would be ridiculous if they expected people to so quickly ditch the XPS01 and go buy a brand new saw just to add AWS.

Not for now no 🙂 I’m hoping on either a Bluetooth battery, a Bluetooth add-on that goes between the tool and battery or either a small button that you can stick on the hose/tool that activated the Bluetooth vac with a button push

kornomaniac wrote:

38 minutes ago, kornomaniac said:

Not for now no 🙂 I’m hoping on either a Bluetooth battery, a Bluetooth add-on that goes between the tool and battery or either a small button that you can stick on the hose/tool that activated the Bluetooth vac with a button push

 

Maybe something like a Makita version of a Tag or Tick could work?

Makita is here trying to rape us of our money. They had the Bluetooth technology out at shows before they even released the new tools without it. Such a scam.

There’s a chance they’re having to qualify with the Bluetooth SIG to sell Bluetooth products which might be causing a late release.

Like all things business in America, someone needs their palms greasing. 

They’re showing up as available on their website, so “Winter 2018” must have meant January/February 2018, not December 2018.

ToolBane wrote:

On 17/01/2018 at 5:34 PM, ToolBane said:

They’re showing up as available on their website, so “Winter 2018” must have meant January/February 2018, not December 2018.

It’s winter until the 20th March. 

SchenzhenSpecial wrote:

3 hours ago, SchenzhenSpecial said:

 

It’s winter until the 20th March. 

Towmaytow Tahmahtow

I’ll have some gazpacho

So now that these tools are out, has anyone been running them?  

As far as I can tell they only work with the Makita AWS vacuum, correct? There is no way to send the signal to other vacuums?  (Ie. my festool midi?)

Ive been holding off on picking up the cordless track saw, but now I think I might go with the non AWS version since Im not running the Makita vacuum.

Input anyone?

Only the AWS vacuum.

I’ve opened up aws tools too see if the Bluetooth thingy is a ‘ standalone ‘ thing that just needs power ( so you could hack it into other tools ) but alas it’s all podded in in the brainbox 🙂

I think this is a case where Makita s approach stinks and festool’s approach is much better. I will be installing the $80 attachment to my ct 26. Hello Makita I will NOT be buying was tools or vacuums. 

Does the Festool $80 attachment work with Makita’s AWS vacs or has anyone tried?

I just ended up ordering the aws vac. Fingers crossed that the $100 premium for AWS ends up being worth it for me. I’m gambling that it will be but with very low expectations. I need cordless dc for most of my projects and my dewalt 20v vac isn’t quite up for what I’m asking it to do. I’m hoping that mak will release an AWS adapter or that I can hack a Bluetooth adapter of my own for universal use with any of my tools. 

XTsallaD wrote:

29 minutes ago, XTsallaD said:

I just ended up ordering the aws vac. Fingers crossed that the $100 premium for AWS ends up being worth it for me. I’m gambling that it will be but with very low expectations. I need cordless dc for most of my projects and my dewalt 20v vac isn’t quite up for what I’m asking it to do. I’m hoping that mak will release an AWS adapter or that I can hack a Bluetooth adapter of my own for universal use with any of my tools. 

Of that hacking up of the adapter works then let us know please 😀

kornomaniac wrote:

2 hours ago, kornomaniac said:

Of that hacking up of the adapter works then let us know please 😀

Attach it to the Hilti 300 cfm monster?

I just saw this forum as I was searching for hacks for AWS. I found this on ebay

I Bought the XSL06 18V X2 Cordless chop saw about 6 weeks ago and was looking at buying the vacuum finally and just today realized this saw DOES NOT HAVE AWS, which I thought it did when I bought it. Has anybody opened up the handle to see if its easy enough to pop that makita bluetooth circuit in there???

I did yes. You cannot do that. Sorry.

Should have paid a little more attention when buying the saw to see if it has all options you wanted 😕

The new x2 brushless blade right saw is getting an AWS version.

Yeah most new tools that’ll come out will be getting a AWS and a non AWS version. Not that every country follows every model tho 🙂

Will be really neat to see what other applications for AWS will come up as they develop it

Most important is going to be the Bluetooth receiver you can pop into the socket of you’re existing corded vac. Most people don’t want to by a cordless vac purely for using AWS.

I think I agree with that sentiment as far as the overall market is concerned…even though I thoroughly plan on getting a dedicated AWS-compatible vac when I get around to picking up the plunge and miter saws

I like the idea of bluetooth tools but wheres the cross brand support?

I have the makita 36v track saw with no aws feature and my way around it is buying a remote controlled outlet. Just plug it into a wall outlet and plug your vacuum into it and then use the remote to turn on and off as needed. With some velcro tape you can attach the remote to whatever tools you’re using the vacuum with. I actually prefer to use it with corded tools too like a router so I can keep the vacuum running long after the router has stopped and clean up whatever dust is left. 

I have a Metabo vacuum with an outlet for tool activation but the outlet is always live even without tool activation turned on so I’ll also run that through the remote outlet in the wall and means I can’t start routing or sanding without dust collection unless I turn it on with the remote. Only cost me $20 and came with 3 outlets and one remote with 3 buttons on it 

I have the AWS plunge saw and vac coming this week, Once I’ve had a play, I’ll report back.

Well, I‘ve been using the saw and extractor for about a week solid now.

The saw cuts as well as I had read about, and now I’ve got to grips with it, I love it more every time I use it. I have been a long time Makita owner/user and own a lot of their cordless stuff, so this saw seemed the right choice. I nearly went for a corded Festool but I now know I made the right choice. Can’t think of any negatives, maybe the rear bevel lock clamp is a bit fiddly, especially if you have big hands? Not really a big issue though TBH.

The dust extractor: At first I thought it was going to be underpowered but, I was surprised and pleased to find that it’s not.

It copes fine with the plunge saw, very little dust escapes with each pass and the Bluetooth is solid.

I also used other tools with the extractor including some corded tools. It coped fine with a corded palm sander, and also the cordless finishing sander. It also coped with a corded biscuit joiner, and cordless multi tools.

The only tool I tried that allowed dust of any quantity to escape was my cordless 1/4” router. To be fair it may be the way I was using the router, as some scenarios were better than others.

I haven’t yet used the extractor with my miter saw, so I will report back when I’ve done so.

Even though I have other extractors, I will keep this one for convenience. The only improvement I can think of, would be to make this AWS version AC/DC.

generally, I love both the saw and extractor, and would recommend both.

Steve👍🏻