Recommend me a central vac for the garage?

[Gamble]

I've never owned one so not sure what's good and what is ****, but basically I need a central vac for the garage that I plan on putting a few drops in so I don't have to lug the shop vac around with me.
Would prefer a wet/dry and something that isn't super noisy. mostly for picking up metal dust, and shavings around the drill press.
Any recommendations?

I also ordered one of these so I don't have to carry a hose around. I want it to be as simple as possible. It's auto retractable.
Also any other options other than PVC? Hoping to do a quick install without all the cutting, glueing etc

 

[tarmy]

Go on amazon...buy whatever works/***** the most. Get a steel collector bin to avoid fire if you **** up something hot or that can catch dust on fire. Get a long hose and a cheapo remote on off switch for the plug...you are set.

 

[kaiser715]

^^^ I liked the allegro specs and reviews...that's what I picked for my new house....not installed yet. Thinking about one for the shop, too, mostly for vac'ing out cars, RV, etc

 

[ard]

The great thing about central vacs is that if you exhaust to the exterior you dont really care about 'efficiency'. You want CFMs and suction. Heck if it all just blew outside I wouldnt care!

 

[Gamble]

Go on amazon...buy whatever works/***** the most. Get a steel collector bin to avoid fire if you **** up something hot or that can catch dust on fire. Get a long hose and a cheapo remote on off switch for the plug...you are set.

Wow those are expensive.Anything I need to look for in specific aside from a steel collector in?
Do most of these just have 1 inlet and you run a T for multiple hook ups?

What about this one?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000289920/?tag=atomicindus08-20


this one is wet/dry but not a steel collector
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003R3JFJO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ard]

Wow those are expensive.Anything I need to look for in specific aside from a steel collector in?
Do most of these just have 1 inlet and you run a T for multiple hook ups?

What about this one?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000289920/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thats a cheap vacuum that hangs on the wall. It is NOT a 'central vac'...IMO

They dont publish a single specification on it's performance. Amps and volts, thats it.

Spend some time here, it will educate you on performance if nothing else...

https://www.thinkvacuums.com/central-vacuums/systems/compact-units.html

 

[tarmy]

Wow those are expensive.Anything I need to look for in specific aside from a steel collector in?
Do most of these just have 1 inlet and you run a T for multiple hook ups?

What about this one?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000289920/?tag=atomicindus08-20


this one is wet/dry but not a steel collector
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003R3JFJO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You need to figure out what works for you. Pay once and get something that is of good quality...or buy cheaper and use it till it craps out and replace. I am a more buy nice stuff kinda guy.

The unit I got had enough suckage to use on a long reach out to my driveways for cleaning cars and boats. Also, I can reach all of my 32 x56 foot shop and garage.

Buy what you can afford...don't overspend on something you only use occasionally.

 

[Gamble]

You need to figure out what works for you. Pay once and get something that is of good quality...or buy cheaper and use it till it craps out and replace. I am a more buy nice stuff kinda guy.

The unit I got had enough suckage to use on a long reach out to my driveways for cleaning cars and boats. Also, I can reach all of my 32 x56 foot shop and garage.

Buy what you can afford...don't overspend on something you only use occasionally.

That's kind of it. I don't think I'll use a a ton. Just for a little dust here and there. I doubt it would see more than 20 minutes of use a week at most. So trying not to spend a **** ton.

 

[ard]

The unit I got had enough suckage.

But how do you know it is 'enough' if the company selling it publishes no specs?

(Not to belabor the point...)

One thought...if you dont have a central vac in the house, doing a retrofit might be a way to justify the expense. Kinda depends on the house layout and access. Two drops in the garage, 4 in the house. YMMV

 

[mustang68408]

I have had a GUV from Hoover and it’s a great unit, lots of power. No wet option, but it’s kind of a b*tch to get the bottom collector reattached after emptying.

I like the bissell wet/dry option and the clear collector is great, my current shop vac is wet and dry, but no indicator that it’s full and a neighbor might have burned it up last time they borrowed it.

 

[Dragfluid]

When I built the house 21 years ago, I put in an Electrolux. Still going strong. I did replace the motor once, about 7 years ago. Electrolux has been around longer than many of the members here. Mine has a metal collection bin, btw.

OP, yes, it uses thin PVC. It's not a big deal to run it out to where you want the drops. You'll never be sorry.