Shop Vacuum Hose Size

[Stephenw]

I've used 2 1/2" hoses on many brands of shop vacuums. The air velocity is slow and they seem to have trouble picking up heavier debris.

I like 1 1/4" hoses and accessories. The air velocity is high and they can pick up heavier things like small rocks. The smaller attachments are easier to use. A disadvantage is the smaller size is more likely to clog.

Today I picked up a Shop-Vac® contractor 1 1/2" hose at Lowes. They didn't have any 1 1/2" attachments. I purchased some Ridgid® 1 7/8" attachments at the Home Depot that fit the hose perfectly. I think this intermediate size may be a good compromise.

What hose size do you like?

 

[Highlux]

My hose is huge. LOL.

I use a few vacs. My craftsman bigboy with a 2 1/2 hose I have 2 linked together...its like 16 ft? Reach anywhere with it. Very strong. I abused the **** out of vacs in my line of work (Tile/Hardwood) Rigid died. Shop vac brand died.

Dang craftsman is a trooper. Its prolly 7 years old or better. Held up exceptionally well.

To run the big hose you gotta have power.

 

[Danglerb]

I think its 1.25, I bought an extension hose kit by "Mr Nozzle" branded and sold many places its the orange/black hose about 15' long with a car wash style wide flat nozzle. Its great for working around inside the car, but lots of times I am too lazy and just use the fat stiff factory hose that came with the Sears Shopvac.

I don't like the big hose, and have had issues getting a good fit with any adapter that didn't come with it.

 

[Outlawmws]

I have both sizes and an adapter for the smaller hose to fit the inlet. For yard work the bigger hose is generally better, for in shop sue the smaller is generally better. For best vacuum lift/holding power, the larger is better (assuming a tight fit.).

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

picked up a new free pool hose had some adaptors and works great can have vacuum outside and have the 25 foot hose clean the ashes from fireplace, also have DUST DEPUTY and that I use with the whole house vacuum prevent all the trash to go into the central vac.