Shop Vac: Craftsman XSP 6.5hp 16 gallon Wet/Dry Vac

[Beowulf]

Ok, I was quite set on the Rigid shop vacs.

See this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193242

Now I see that Craftsman has a new XSP line. I like the on board storage and price. Looking at model 12007. Anyone have any experience with these?

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/dap_10155_12602_DAP_Wet-Dry-Vacs

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...et/p-00912007000P?vName=&cName=&sName=&mv=cmp

Review:
http://ericjacobi.com/index.php/blog/48-craftsman-xsp-shop-vacuum

Comparison Review:
http://toolguyd.com/quick-comparison-craftsman-xsp-shop-vacuum-vs-shop-vac/

 

[Beowulf]

Someone has to have used one of these by now????

 

[sselander]

Can't help you with that model, but .. I know the Craftsman Shop Vacs are made by Emerson Electric - same company that makes Ridgid shop vacs.

 

[Beowulf]

I had heard that as well. I wondered if that had changed since this was such a different version than before. Time will tell if a Rigid comes out that looks very similar. I really don't think I could go wrong with either one. I am not a power user by any means. This thing will have a pampered life. I wish I could spend more time in the shop, but life gets in the way.

 

[Outlawmws]

Is the 3 digit Prefix to the model No. still 113 for Emerson? (and on that vac?)

 

[sselander]

Looks like the prefix for that vac is 125 (a chinese manufacturer?)
So to translate, Craftsman XSP 16 Gallon #12007 is Model No. 125.12007 in the user manual.

Her is the page for the 12007 model:
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...et/p-00912007000P?vName=&cName=&sName=&mv=cmp

scroll down and you will find a link to the manual, like this:
http://c.shld.net/assets/docs/spin_prod_861788712.pdf

I cannot find that model in the Sears partsdirect website and even tried a few of the parts and nothing comes up. Hopefully parts availability won't be a problem.

 

[Beowulf]

Does Emerson Electronics do all their manufacturing for Rigid and Craftsman in the US?

 

[Burgerkong]

Does Emerson Electronics do all their manufacturing for Rigid and Craftsman in the US?

AFAIK, not one Ridgid vac is manufactured in the USA, all are made in Mexico. Accessories are another story however.

 

[SMKS]

Hmmm, I wonder what the COO is of the new vac?

From looking at the pics I was wondering if it had a new OEM since it looks way different than the Emerson vacs.

 

[Beowulf]

What's a COO? I'm guessing not a Chief Operations Officer

 

[sselander]

I will make a good case that the Sears Craftsman shop vacs with a prefix of 125 are Chinese made and are made by Vacmaster. (Chinese made)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The older Craftsman shop vacs with a 113 prefix indicates it was made by Emerson electric.

These new Shop vacs have a prefix of 125. (Can't find info on this)
-----------------------------------------
I did some digging. The part numbers in the Craftsman 12007 have weird numbers like so: VJ51PF.10.04.W2.00 Filter Cage 1

This weird part number is similar to the ones in the Chinese made VacMaster shop vacs.
Example of a VacMaster part number:
VJ01PF.13.00 float & filter cage

Comparing the manuals between the Craftsman 12007 and the VacMAster reveals the same writing and illustrations in both. This implies the manufacturers are the same. (If you compare a Craftsman manual for a product with a similar product from the original manufacturer, you can tell they are made by the same company - same language, illustrations, etc.)

http://www.vacmaster.com/vacs
===================
References:

VacMaster manual: (could not find one for the 16 gallon)
http://www.vacmaster.com/manuals/VJ1211PVJ1412Pmanual.pdf

Sears 125.12007 manual
http://c.shld.net/assets/docs/spin_prod_861788712.pdf

VacMaster shop vacs are carried by Sams club:
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/16g-wet-dry-vac-vacmaster/prod6780238.ip

 

[SMKS]

I actually was going to suggest it could be Vacmaster. There are really only three common vac brands here (Vacmaster, Shop-vac and Emerson).

For a minute I thought perhaps they were souring them from one of the quality Euro vac makers, but then I decided that would be too good to be true.

 

[Gavin S.]

What's a COO? I'm guessing not a Chief Operations Officer

Country of Origin

 

[Beowulf]

What is the general experience/opinion of the VacMaster units?

 

[Stuey]

I have a smaller XSP vac currently in testing.

COO: China

It performs fantastically.

I tested a VacMaster-made Channellock vac (http://toolguyd.com/channellock-wall-mount-vacuum-review/), and was pretty impressed with its build quality. It was a specialty model, but still...

Honestly, I would buy a (non-special-buy) Shop Vac, (non-special-buy) Ridgid shop vac, or Craftsman shop vac without hesitation.

Right now I'm really liking the Craftsman XSP. Any questions, just ask.

 

[Burgerkong]

I was going to buy this one, but it was $50 more than the Ridgid equivalent and I couldn't test it out in store.

http://www.vacmaster.com/model/vf408b

 

[Beowulf]

Well, I got pretty lazy and never bought a vac...yes, going on two years. Back to looking at both the Craftsman and Rigid. Are the filters interchangeable?

I'm leaning towards the Rigid only for convenience. There are no full sears near me, but there are Home Depots everywhere. I'm thinking the CM is more powerful, but being able to get replacement filters and parts easily is a plus.

 

[Outlawmws]

Considering Sears is on the edge of closing everywhere, that should be your deciding factor...

 

[Beowulf]

You bring up a very good point. I doubt Home Depot is going anywhere in the next 50 years. By then I won't care about shop vacs.

 

[cheechi]

LSA warranty for the Ridgid makes it a no brainer.

I have one of each, 16 gals both Ridgid & XSP. The XSP was only purchased because I don't have a way to go from the basement to garage without going outside or through the house. Otherwise I wouldn't have bothered. When we moved in here, I decided I needed something down there just in case wet pickup was needed. This was the least expensive at the time that has a drain plug in the bucket.

It works well, but if it wasn't just buying a second one I think I would have skipped on it to get a Ridgid instead. And yes I'm pretty sure both use the same filters. The thing that disappointed me is the hoses use different locking systems.

 

[dodge610]

Well, I got pretty lazy and never bought a vac...yes, going on two years. Back to looking at both the Craftsman and Rigid. Are the filters interchangeable?

I'm leaning towards the Rigid only for convenience. There are no full sears near me, but there are Home Depots everywhere. I'm thinking the CM is more powerful, but being able to get replacement filters and parts easily is a plus.

Replacement parts on the craftsman order on line delivered right to your door. And if you stock up or are a sears max customer no shipping. They are pretty quick getting it to you also I order on friday most of the time UPS is delivering on monday. And factor in syw points you can get stuff dirt cheap.

 

[honcho]

I have a 12 gallon Craftsman purchased in 1988 and a 16 gallon Ridgid purchased in 2002. Both made by Emerson. They are loud, clumsy and **** just fine. I haven't been able to kill them with either drywall dust nor sucking up water though I've tried hard. I haven't seen the newer craftsman vacuums but I'd stick with an Emerson built product as they are tried and true.

 

[CNGsaves]

Looking to buy the next smaller XSP model (12 gallon 5.5 HP) and curious if anyone has opinion whether it's any good ??

With SYW points and discounts, I can get it for around $50.