Need a new shop vac

[gandyj]

I have a craftsman 9 gallon shop vac that died on me some time ago. I've looked at the reviews of the ones sold by H/D, Lowes and Sears. They all seem to get the same ratings. Is either one of them really any better or worse than the others and are there any other brands I should look at?

 

[mmack66]

I have 2 Ridgid vacuums, one small and one large, and have never had any problems with either one.

 

[Falcon67]

I have a Craftsman, 12 G I think. Bought it after buying a Lowes sourced ShopVac that lasted not even a month. It's been in use - heavy use - for 4 years now, no problems. I had a bitty ShopVac before, like a 5 gallon that lasted for years. It died with a spectacular green and yellow flame out. It's first replacement just sucked and died.

 

[neophyte]

I have an old USA made Shop-Vac, http://www.shopvac.com/ I've abused that's still going strong. It was reasonably priced and has lasted well. The quiet series vacuums aren't the quietest vacuums I've ever used but they're not bad when compared to regular shop vacs as far as noise. I would recommend a model you can get a Cleanstream filter for. http://www.cleanstream.com/

 

[Automatic Slim]

Trust me on this one, Fein Turbo Vacuum is da' bomb.

(they usually have wheels on bottom, but picture upload does not show the wheelbase).

Been threw a bunch of craftsman, rigid, shopvac - all garbage.


This dude is ultra quiet and will **** a pencil down w/ no problem and can double as a ***** enlargement tool. Sucka has power. Although not a wet/dry vac (just dry) picks up the fines and bar none one of the best purchases I have ever made. Bought used off ebay for a benji w/ a few tools and xtra set of bags about 5 years ago & this puppy still works like a champ and handles it ALL!

As far as I'm concerned, this conversation is over, Fein turbo is THE vacuum cleaner for the shop, car, and what not. Simply the best!!

 

[gandyj]

Just looking at the price of a Fein Turbo that is way more vacuum than I need.

 

[Automatic Slim]

it is sooooooooo quiet, won't wake the baby. I bought my last craftsman and ended up throwing in the dumpster even though I could have exchanged or bitched and got my money back, as I was sick and tired of running over the same spot and having to wear ear protection. I researched 110v shop vacs w/ mad intent - this little jewel was at the head of the pack and not even caparable. I to said WTF and why would I pay up to 3 bills for a shop vac? My name is not Bill Gates, but just so happened I was in disgust from 2 previous POS' (shopvac, craftsman) that were pathetic at best. Simple truth is, I didn't know how bad those vacuums sucked till I plugged this baby up. Research showed little difference between like models and just more or less a paper sticker seperated most of the box store buys - more marketing hype than anything substanial. I searched for a couple of months and found one slightly used w/ some other stuff for a bill. Some models are discontinued and better discounts abound but they are rarely resold once bought - and first use after using the "other" brands for my lifetime, I instantly understood why.

I could not even find a local dealer to just check out, so went on blind faith and expert reviews and could not be more pleased. Just the noise reduction alone is worth the asking price imo, but lives up to task as well. I'm no longer irritated when it comes to vacuum tasks and do alot of woodwork w/ fine dust and chips - this little puppy takes care of bidness. I rarely endorse a product in such high esteem, and like you, hard to justify cost, but in this case I stand correct and literally probably one of the best shop purchases I have made.

Good luck w/ the search..............

 

[djjsr]

For less than $100 you can get a 14 gallon Shop Vac (brand) from Lowes. Look at the models that can use a bag. I think I have 5 or 6 shop vacs but only 2 of them have bags. Those are always the ones I use. Never have to screw around trying to clean a filter.

I'm not too crazy about their hoses and attachments.

 

[dubber]

I picked up this bad boy not too long ago and i love it.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-5-Gallon-Stainless-Steel-Wet-Dry-Vacuum/15650975

 

[iajonesy]

PM sent your way.

Mike

 

[bdamico]

been some really good threads here on shop vacs recently

 

[mrodgers]

With my experiences at work, I will only buy a Rigid when looking at Sears, HD, Lowes, ShopVac, basically the most common consumer names.

I extrude and expand polypropylene and polyethylene. We use carbon, a lot of powders, and the process itself creates a lot of dust. We have shop vacs connected up to extruder lines sucking up the off grade that runs many times for hours. I am constantly using my shop vac, cycling it at least every hour and also use it for hours at a time to clean out our storage bags from the expanded foams.

I use a shopvac so much at work, they call me the shopvac guy, LOL. I am always cleaning with my Rigid vac while my equipment cycle runs.

We've had every common brand. The only ones that last are the Rigid. The Lowes and Craftsman last mere weeks doing the same thing the Rigid lasts years.

Two things are bad about the Rigid for long continuous use. The plug and the switch both get very hot. We melt pretty much both the plug and switch within a few days. We get the electricians to replace them with every new vac we get and then they last for years.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've had decent luck with my CMan along with a pair of smaller ones. One which resides in the house garage for home use and another one to **** the dust out of the blast cabinet. If one of them dies, it'll get replaced with a similar model.

I can't justify paying over a hundred dollars for a shop vacuum.

 

[7echo]

They are expensive, but the previously mentioned Fein, as well as the Festool, are really nice. Work great and so much more quiet than the usual ones you find at Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, etc.

 

[dbabicky]

So Fein must be Iron-Indium and Festool must be Iron-****. Just making a funny!! (periodic Table)


I know Fein makes exceptional equipment, don't know about Festool.

 

[cbracer]

The Lowes and Craftsman last mere weeks doing the same thing the Rigid lasts years.

Most craftsman models are made by Rigid.

 

[Davefr]

I've had most brands and never had one go bad.

My advice is to buy any of the major brands based on price. (make sure it's 2-1/2" hose, 16 gallon and has a washable cartridge style filter)

 

[Jackfre]

I use my Fein and have been very happy with it for the 10 yrs or so I've had it. I also have a Craftsman I use for water and particularly gross material. I kinda look at it as disposable. The Fein is excellent and it is spendie, but you get what you pay for. I know when my daughter borrows a vac she always takes the Fein. The Festool is a part of their "system". I only use it for carpentry and woodworking projects with the saw.

The permits should clear next week or so and they will all get a work-out as I'm tearing off the back of the house for a new kitchen and bathroom(s) addition.

 

[ddawg16]

Just make sure you get the 2.5" hose.....you will get a lot less clogs.....

Having had the CM....and now own the Rigid....I prefer rigid....I use the dog **** out of mine.

 

[kaffine]

So Fein must be Iron-Indium and Festool must be Iron-****. Just making a funny!! (periodic Table)


I know Fein makes exceptional equipment, don't know about Festool.

I hope you only make jokes like every once in a while you know Periodically