Battery Only Full Size Shop Vac Thoughts/Advice Needed

[kngelv]

I've posted a similar thread in the tool forum and have had very little response. I built a second garage and need a full size shop vac. I'm looking very hard at the Milwaukee M18 12 gallon model that uses dual Forge batteries. I can't find many reviews on it other than YouTube influencers and I don't trust most of those. Primary use is general shop cleaning. I'd also like to use it as a wet vac on occasion but also use it to run a dust collector when cutting wood. I have a lift and my son and I do a lot of mechanical work on vehicles plus some detailing. I don't want cords on the floor so it's either cordless or I get something wall mounted like the GarageVac Pro by Vacumaid which has a very long hose. The Milwaukee would be more versatile but I want decent performance too. Has anyone used one of these and how does it compare to something like a Rigid or one of the nicer Bosch or Festool vacuums. Thank you.

James

 

[manwithtools]

I've posted a similar thread in the tool forum and have had very little response. I built a second garage and need a full size shop vac. I'm looking very hard at the Milwaukee M18 12 gallon model that uses dual Forge batteries. I can't find many reviews on it other than YouTube influencers and I don't trust most of those. Primary use is general shop cleaning. I'd also like to use it as a wet vac on occasion but also use it to run a dust collector when cutting wood. I have a lift and my son and I do a lot of mechanical work on vehicles plus some detailing. I don't want cords on the floor so it's either cordless or I get something wall mounted like the GarageVac Pro by Vacumaid which has a very long hose. The Milwaukee would be more versatile but I want decent performance too. Has anyone used one of these and how does it compare to something like a Rigid or one of the nicer Bosch or Festool vacuums. Thank you.

James

No experience with the dual battery 12 Gallon unit, but I have the Packout M18 2.5 gallon vacuum and the Packout Compact Debris/Dust Separator. It works very well for the wood working (Track saw, sanders, etc.). It also is good for car carpet and upholstery vacuuming tasks. I have not tried it as a wet vac, suspect it would do okay.

The unit works best with the Forge batteries, others don't last very long. I'll bet the dual Forge batteries in the 12 gallon would work well. I also have two Festool Dust Extractors and for very fine dust, nothing compares in my experience.

 

[LXCam]

I’ve got one set up with dual 12’s. It does great but it’ll **** those batteries dry at high speed in under 40 minutes. For you that might not be the best solution. If you go this route absolutely buy the super charger with the package. That was a major game changer in charging the higher amperage batteries.

 

[manwithtools]

If you go this route absolutely buy the super charger with the package. That was a major a game changer in charging the higher amperage batteries.

Agreed, I bought 6 Forge 8.0 batteries and the Packout 6 position Rapid Charger. It makes having a couple of fully charged batteries available all the time even when using multiple tools or something like the dual battery M18 mower. I'm majorly impressed with the Forge batterries perfomance.

 

[kngelv]

I have the supercharger, two Forge 12.0's and six Forge 8.0's already. The 12 gallon purchase would give me two additional Forge 12.0's. I guess I could just buy it from HD and return it if I don't like it but it would be nice to get some real user thoughts. It appears that not many on here have picked one up yet. I'm just tired of cords and not sure I want 30' - 50' of hose coiled up with one of the wall mount ones.


James

 

[LXCam]

I have the supercharger, two Forge 12.0's and six Forge 8.0's already. The 12 gallon purchase would give me two additional Forge 12.0's. I guess I could just buy it from HD and return it if I don't like it but it would be nice to get some real user thoughts. It appears that not many on here have picked one up yet. I'm just tired of cords and not sure I want 30' - 50' of hose coiled up with one of the wall mount ones.


James

There’s a thread dedicated to these. But finding it is another story.

 

[kngelv]

There’s a thread dedicated to these. But finding it is another story.

I've been able to find the Vacumaid threads but it's crickets on the large Milwaukee stuff. The problem with the Vacumaid is you either have to get a $300.00 reel or just leave the hose hanging on that mount they have plus it takes up a lot of wall space and you need a separate thing for wet pickup. I do like that they are made here though and that you can get parts pretty easily.

James

 

[BillK]

I am actually trying to stay away from batteries as much as possible. It seems to me that something like a shop vac would kill batteries pretty quickly and the price of batteries has gotten crazy. I bet that what I just paid for a single 20V max battery for my drill I could probably run every plug in power tool I own for a few years. The only battery powered tools I own are a 20V max drill and a small Dremel tool.

I like the portability for the drill but everything else can get plugged in and used just as easy. My 25 year old plug in 14" chainsaw finally died last year and for a slight moment I thought about going battery but then decided against it. I actually found a NOS identical one on E-bay and that should last me the rest of my life And my lot is not that big. A 100 ft extension cord can reach anywhere.

 

[LXCam]

I've been able to find the Vacumaid threads but it's crickets on the large Milwaukee stuff. The problem with the Vacumaid is you either have to get a $300.00 reel or just leave the hose hanging on that mount they have plus it takes up a lot of wall space and you need a separate thing for wet pickup. I do like that they are made here though and that you can get parts pretty easily.

James

Pretty good chance I’m remembering it wrong. It could have been an extended conversation within another thread too. And if that’s the case it might be the Milwaukee tools thread.

 

[Tchicken]

I would love a truly portable shop vac, but lugging a high amperage battery around is generally contrary to portable. Depends on usage of course, but generally battery power is weaker than corded, unless you add a battery too large to be handy.

 

[kngelv]

I would love a truly portable shop vac, but lugging a high amperage battery around is generally contrary to portable. Depends on usage of course, but generally battery power is weaker than corded, unless you add a battery too large

I’m specifically looking at large vacs as shown below. It’s on a wheeled stand for the most part. You don’t carry it around in normal use.

James

 

[Tchicken]

Got it - I didn't realize that there were wheeled ones that large

 

[mepstein]

I have one with two 12 amp batteries and two 8’s if I need it. It’s great for car and shop cleanup but I can’t imagine it would work for dust collection unless it was just quick cuts vs sanding.
I love the fact that when you drag it around the car or shop, you don’t pull it over a cord and tip it. Also, it’s more likely to get used when you don’t have to pug it in and then coil up a cord. The cordless vac rocks for the same reason cordless tools have taken over.

I also have 2 of the 2.5 gal m18 ones that look like a toolbox. They are great.