Choosing Wet/Dry Vacuum Capacity?

[Jonmustang]

I've been happy with my Rigid 16-gallon wet/dry vac for the last few years. Happy with everything except the size. It has a big footprint and takes up a lot of floorspace in the shop. Also kinda tough to move it around when I bring it on jobs (up stairs, through doorways, etc.)

I've been thinking I could probably get away with something smaller as I mostly use the vacuum for sawdust, demolition debris, and cleaning up after projects; rarely use it for wet cleanup. That got me thinking, though, under what circumstances would you need a 16+ gallons? Before I consider downsizing, I'd like to know what I can't do with a smaller vac.

 

[kctyphoon]

umm.. **** up alot of water.. clean gutters, clean concrete floors, asphalt driveways, sidewalks..

also - for my bigger shop vac i buy and use the collection bags. makes emptying the container alot easier, keep the inside in better shape, and saves the filters from getting clogged.. bigger vacs can also double as a dust collection system for home, or a portable one for use with a miter saw on jobs.

there is nothing wrong with having both a big and small model.. nobody says you HAVE to compromise, and buying a smaller model isnt a big investment. even a small cordless is $100 or less if you already have a cordless tool line you can stay within.

 

[dutchgray]

I make do with 9 litres of dry capacity (about 2.5 gal) for portable saw dust collection and job site cleanup.

 

[kctyphoon]

heres the cordless milwaukee..

 

[Jonmustang]

umm.. **** up alot of water.. clean gutters, clean concrete floors, asphalt driveways, sidewalks..

also - for my bigger shop vac i buy and use the collection bags. makes emptying the container alot easier, keep the inside in better shape, and saves the filters from getting clogged.. bigger vacs can also double as a dust collection system for home, or a portable one for use with a miter saw on jobs.

there is nothing wrong with having both a big and small model.. nobody says you HAVE to compromise, and buying a smaller model isnt a big investment. even a small cordless is $100 or less if you already have a cordless tool line you can stay within.

I recently ordered a small, cordless Dewalt that uses the same kind of battery as my drill/driver... I'm assuming I'll like it. The problem with the 16-gallon Rigid is that I just moved to a smaller shop. An 18" wide Stihl vac that I was borrowing from a friend fits great in between the toolboxes and was easier to lug around. The Rigid, not as much Good point about using a bag inside too -- I'll try that!