Need a good shop vac recommendation

[gainera2582]

Would like to get a bigger capacity one that has plenty of power for vacuuming cars, and occasionally cleaning up fine dust in the shop.

What should I look for and what brand would you recommend?

Thanks.

 

[Bull]

My Ridgid (can't recall size or HP) has sucked up lots of construction debris, drywall dust, water etc. Still performs as new. I'd suggest one of them.

 

[whelenfan]

I'm looking at the Rigid too.

 

[Shocker]

+1 on the Rigid. Mine is a 4.5hp and it seems to be bulletproof.

 

[chrislehr]

Rigid.

Lifetime warr through HD. Cman had 1 year max when I looked.

 

[Danglerb]

Smallest, easiest to store wet/dry is what I bought.

Rigid I think sells an adapter and extension hose with car attachments, 20 ft of flex hose, carpet claw, etc.

Rocklers had the best price when I bought mine.

 

[back2class]

I have been through 2 "shop vac" brand ones. WOnt buy another. Have hwed good stuff about the ridgid line AT hd

 

[HandyManny]

You siad you were looking to get a shop vac, so why not just get a Shop-Vac?

I have a Craftsman, forget the capacity, but it's big. Works very well.

 

[Major Ramifications]

There have been threads on this subject before, and many people like the Shop Vac brand contractor series that Lowes sells. I love mine. No matter which one you get, the best thing you can do is get a Clean Stream filter for it by W.L. Gore (the Goretex people). It grabs micro particles, and it is easy to wash out and reuse.

Also, the last time I checked, the Ridgid and Craftsman models were both made by Emerson.

 

[W_KY]

I got this one (or something real similar) from Lowe's about 1.5 years ago

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=215727-20097-9300611&lpage=none

My observations:
1. It has plenty of vacuum power for what I need to do which consist of the vacuuming of two cars, the occasional saw dust, and just about anytime I do some construction in the house. I once removed some tile out of my entryway and had some busted up mortar I couldn't really sweep up (was under the base board) The shop vac took it right up.
2. I wish it had some thinner attachments to go on it to get to those hard to reach places in a car (beside the seat and the door) but I imagine I could prob buy something additional
3. The top comes off WAY TOO easy. The snaps on the side aren't worth a ****. I had to tape them shut but since I don't open that often I can live with it.
4. In my opinion the way it store accessories isn't great either. They seem to always be in the way/kind of awkward.

Whenever I decide to replace it, I will prob go with Rigid based off what I read on here but Home Depot is an hour away and Lowe's is 5 minutes.

 

[mcgyverit]

danglerb - how do you like the car accessory?

Reason I ask is I worked on the initial design of that accessory kit.

Ridgid or Craftsman - best bang for the buck.

 

[redsky49]

When the motor on my previous (out of warranty) Shop Vac went up in smoke last year, I contacted the manufacturer regarding a replacement motor. The cost, IIRC, was about $75-$80 plus shipping. So instead I bought a new Craftsman for less from the local Sears.

Craftsman worked well for about a year, then shorted out. I think that all the consumer vacs must be just junk.

I am currently looking at Fein but their prices are just silly. Rigid prices are up there too.

Should shop vacs just be considered a disposable item? Harbor Freight??

 

[Bolster]

Ridgid ... mine just won't stop. Left it out in the rain, neglected it, abused it, it just keeps going.

 

[Pointbock]

I vote against the black & yellow Shop Vac 5 gallon or the other tall & skinny one from Lowes. They have an odd hose diameter and fewer filter options. Mine works OK but I'll probably look at a Rigid for my next one.

Anyone know if the little DeWalt one is any good?

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

At work, we have the Ridgid. Now they make them with SNR (something noise reduction) so they are quieter.
At home, I have a Lowe's Shop vac, that I bought with a gift card. It replaced a dumpster dived vac, that had the hose going through the head into a metal bucket (don't remember brand). Since I have heard several people on my various forums, calling Shop vac, and getting a new powerhead sent to them (free after warranty expired), I wouldn't have a problem with them, I just prefer the quieter Ridgid.
Now my shop vac has been relegated more to wet duties (rare) since I bought my Fein. I bought it because it is a bypass style vac, and much quieter.

 

[redsky49]

By the way:

My failed Craftsman 5hp, 12 gal. vac looks very similar to the Ridgid WD1250, which has a "Lifetime" warranty.

Also, on sale this week at the Home Depot, is a Ridgid 3hp, 9 gal. vac. -
http://www.ridgid.com/Download/9GallonSale.pdf
$19.95

 

[boiler7904]

Another vote for Ridgid. I've had the 5 hp 14 gallon WD1450 for about 4 years with zero problems. With their SNR technology, these vacs are pretty quiet for the amount of air they are moving. As mentioned above, The Clean Stream filter is a good upgrade over a standard Ridgid filter that pays for itself quickly since you can clean and reuse it multiple times instead of tossing the paper Ridgid units. I also use Ridgid's filter bags whenever possible.

 

[vartz04]

we have 2 craftsman vacs at home, I remember vacuuming with the one that stays in the garage while my parents were building their last house in 1996, its still working, no issues. Im not sure if they are both that old or not.

 

[plinker]

Ridgid WD1950 (I belive) 6.5hp 16gal. stainless tank. Works fpretty good as a dust collector. It was replaced under warranty once (day after it quit working we got the filter bypass notice). Warranty return wasnt bad.

FWIW; the "lifetime warranty" is only for the lifetime of the vac, which is 300 hours If I recall correctly.

It's been a great vac, I'd buy another.



A clean stream filter is a good upgrade also.

 

[gainera2582]

Wow, thanks for the responses. I really was looking at the Rigid wd1450 model since it gets high remarks from most reviewers. I know the price is 115 new, but what would be a good price to buy this vac at(I can get a coupon from somewhere for 10% off)?


Also, I will look into that cleanstream filter. Reusable is a big plus especially for cleaning!!!