Shop vac hose question

[RinOak]

Hi...I'm buying a new Ridgid shop vac, which comes with a 2.5" hose. I need to add a 10' extension hose, but it also needs to taper down to attach to my sanders. They have two options: A 1.25" hose, or a 1-7/8" hose.

My question is: Would the 1.25" hose put too much stress on the motor and/or reduce suction?

I'm kind of on autopilot as I've had my old Shop Vac with a super long 1.25" hose forever, and the benefit is that it's easy to manage while sanding since it's smaller. But just wondering if getting the 1-7/8" hose might be smarter and better for the vac.

Thanks so much

 

[TigerDude]

a 1.25" hose will definitely reduce suction. I'd use an adapter at the end.

 

[kbuhagiar]

a 1.25" hose will definitely reduce suction. I'd use an adapter at the end.

There's more to it than that...the smaller hose will reduce suction but increase air velocity.
Which is more important to you?

 

[mike93lx]

I've run my vac for long times with a 1.25" hose, seems to be working fine.

Taking a ~2" hose all the way to a handheld tool will make it a pain in the *** to work with

 

[BTL-A4]

You could get one of these: https://mullettools.com/collections/thirdhand-dust-collection-boom-arm

I have this attached to my shop vac and it works pretty good. I used it on a router and it sucked everything up. I just got a smaller diameter hose and some adapters for the dust collection outlets on the tools because I was using the big diameter one and found it cumbersome.

 

[neophyte]

Buy the “Pro” orange Ridgid vacuum hoses if possible, they don’t crush like the cheaper hoses.

https://www.amazon.com/RIDGID-6-Piece-Detailing-Accessory-Vacuums/dp/B001FS4TWQ?tag=atomicindus08-20

Home Depot used to carry this, but lists it as “unavailable” at the moment.
The Harbor Freight kit looks similar but I haven’t tried it.

https://www.harborfreight.com/premium-auto-detailing-accessory-kit-for-wetdry-vacuums-70645.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21901271210&campaignid=21901271210&utm_content=171677806502&adsetid=171677806502&product=70645&store=3282&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADAHb4d7HCexnGXcOGEJWq9YHUVbn&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqKKW0ra_jAMVRV9HAR133gVTEBwYAiABEgIIN_D_BwE

With sanders, the major issue you need to worry about is actually TOO MUCH suction.
If the suction from the vacuum is too high, the suction can cause the sanding medium to cling too tightly to what is being sanded, which can strain the sander motor, or cause burning or if sanding paint, melting, and could also cause sand paper yo quickly deteriorate.
The original Fein Turbo II Shop Vacs didn’t have suction adjustment, and smaller sanders like the Multimaster used yo have issues sanding when using a vacuum adapter.
Fein had to add a variable speed motor onto later models, and then for non-variable speed models, there is/was an adapter that allowed a gap to be opened to limit suction by allowing extra air into the hose.

RIDGID 2-1/2 in. Hose Grip Accessory Shop Vacuum Attachment with Bleeder Valve for RIDGID Wet Dry Vacs Hoses and Wands VT2505 - The Home Depot

The RIDGID Hose Grip Accessory is designed to connects between the hose and the extension wand, providing a proper angle and handle that assists in reducing hand fatigue. The hose grip also includes a

www.homedepot.com