Looking to replace my old stalwart Rigid Ship Vac with a quieter model

[paredown]

I'm not doing large projects as much, so I have a small Rigid for jobsite stuff--but I want to use a quieter shop vac with a dust deputy for woodshop work, and started to think quiet would be nice.

(The now dead big Rigid screamed like a banshee, probably from years of drywall dust--plus it was a little large.)

I was looking at this Dewalt DXV10P--which they claim is "quiet". Anyone with experience with this (or another brand) that has decent HP, fairly compact and quiet?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BYH6SWX/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mike Folks]

Got a Menards close by? They have quite a selection of vacuums,wonder if they will fire one up for you to test the noise levels?

 

[Jagmandave]

Good idea, but in a noisy environment like a big box store would you be able to tell the difference?

New air compressors have Db ratings on them, do these?

 

[Billy Jack]

Take a look at the Vacmaster Beast line. I have the 5 gal. model, but the same power unit is available in 12 gal. size. The most prominent sound is the rush or air. Not nearly the motor noise of my old CMan. HD sells 'em, but usually doesn't keep a stock. I compared specs (sealed pressure and CFM) and they were the best of the small & mid-sized units I was able to research. https://www.vacmaster.com/best-performing-wet-dry-vac

Bill

 

[tarbellb]

Look into european shop vacs aka dust collectors if you are truly concerned about lower decibels.

The Dewalt linked is the same formula as most common shop vacs, big motor, big suction, loud, durable, cumbersome. Not bad, ive paid for several Ridgids over the years, and recommend for general shop duty.

But dust collectors are more refined, and the price typically reflects that. Much lower decibels, unique features like tool activated plugs, hepa filtering, auto filter cleaning, and also better mobility, better accessories, easier filter changes, etc....

So you have to ask yourself if those features are worth the extra investment. Personally, I love mine, got a smoking deal.

Here is a link to see what some of the fuss is about.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435039&highlight=vacuum

Check out this article as well:
https://www.toolboxbuzz.com/head-to-head/best-dust-extractors-head-to-head/

Also look into these brands if shopping around:
Fein
Festool
Nilfisk (commonly rebranded)
Flex (commonly rebranded)
Starmix (commonly rebranded)
Bosch
Dewalt, Metabo, Hitachi, Milwaukee all have rebrands of one of the above.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Good idea, but in a noisy environment like a big box store would you be able to tell the difference?

New air compressors have Db ratings on them, do these?

Box stores are noisy? Since when?

 

[Vinny]

I currently use a Bosch VAC140AH, but before I had a similar type Dewalt one, in that both are the dual HEPA filter types. These types I find to be much louder than any other vacuum I've ever dealt with. I'm assuming it from pulling air through those dense HEPA filters.

 

[nh_yota]

I have the older version of this model and it's much quieter than the usual shop vac:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...-Filter-Hose-and-Accessories-HD1400/304795071

 

[FJ 432]

I bought this Rigid at Home Depot and its' much quieter:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...ssional-Hose-and-Accessories-WD7000/100638359

 

[TMcCay]

I have two Ridgid vacs and both of them are quiet. They stated on the box about the sound rating on them if I remember correctly. That was on of the reasons I bought them. Very happy with both of them.

 

[paredown]

Look into european shop vacs aka dust collectors if you are truly concerned about lower decibels.

The Dewalt linked is the same formula as most common shop vacs, big motor, big suction, loud, durable, cumbersome. Not bad, ive paid for several Ridgids over the years, and recommend for general shop duty.

But dust collectors are more refined, and the price typically reflects that. Much lower decibels, unique features like tool activated plugs, hepa filtering, auto filter cleaning, and also better mobility, better accessories, easier filter changes, etc....

So you have to ask yourself if those features are worth the extra investment. Personally, I love mine, got a smoking deal.

Here is a link to see what some of the fuss is about.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435039&highlight=vacuum

Check out this article as well:
https://www.toolboxbuzz.com/head-to-head/best-dust-extractors-head-to-head/

Also look into these brands if shopping around:
Fein
Festool
Nilfisk (commonly rebranded)
Flex (commonly rebranded)
Starmix (commonly rebranded)
Bosch
Dewalt, Metabo, Hitachi, Milwaukee all have rebrands of one of the above.

Thanks for the info--it looks like you can get a vacuum that will peak at around 60db--the Makita in that test looks good for a conventional shape.

I read the full thread on that Flex--wish I had spotted it at the time. (I have lusted after a Festool, but there is no way I can spend that kind of money.)

Thanks everyone for contributing!

 

[goblue1998]

I have the makita dust extractor and it is quieter than any other shop vac I have owned. However, it is only quiet or comfortable to be around when you turn down the suction a bit. I am able to do a lot with it turned down, so that does actually work.

The 60db rating made me expect it to be similar to my 59db rated California Air Tools compressor. The dust extractor does not feel as quiet. The compressor is pleasant to be around while it runs but the dust extractor is not. It may have to do with frequency (high for the vac, low for the compressor).

One more thing. The makita dust extractor does not come with a hepa filter for the $529 price. It has a filter and is ready to use out of the box, but you are out nearly a hundred more to add an actual hepa filter. Just FYI.

 

[tarbellb]

Thanks for the info--it looks like you can get a vacuum that will peak at around 60db--the Makita in that test looks good for a conventional shape.

I read the full thread on that Flex--wish I had spotted it at the time. (I have lusted after a Festool, but there is no way I can spend that kind of money.)

Thanks everyone for contributing!

I have found that the frequency that my Flex runs at is more tolerable than my Ridgids, while also being noticeably quieter.

60db is likely on the lowest power setting, I would expect closer to 80db on full power. Still, more quiet then a std shop-vac though.