Shop vacuum recommendation

[branimal]

I'm doing a bathroom Reno and have some more renovations on the todo list.

I bought a 5 gallon shop vac (1 1/4" hose) off Amazon based on good reviews and it has been an absolute piece of garbage. It chokes on the smallest fragments of broken wallboard. I'm constantly pulling the hose off and unclogging it. This is going on Craigslist asap.

Can you guys recommend a better vac that's not too big? I live in an apartment. I do realize I need at least a 2" hose. Someone recommended a ridgid. Pics of the both are listed below:









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[matt_i]

I have both of those vacs, more or less, or their precedessors.

I much prefer the shop vac because its smaller and sooo much quieter.

That said, I had to get a new hose once because I clogged it with so much greasy debris ffrom cleaning out a machining center, but that was nobody's fault but mine.

The Ridgid does have more suction though. Generally I try to hand-pick, shovel or sweep up whatever I can and then just use the vacuum for the fines, so the shop vac seems to work well for me.

 

[branimal]

I have both of those vacs, more or less, or their precedessors.

I much prefer the shop vac because its smaller and sooo much quieter.

That said, I had to get a new hose once because I clogged it with so much greasy debris ffrom cleaning out a machining center, but that was nobody's fault but mine.

The Ridgid does have more suction though. Generally I try to hand-pick, shovel or sweep up whatever I can and then just use the vacuum for the fines, so the shop vac seems to work well for me.

Hmm good point on the noise. Looks like shop vacs 14 gallon 6.5 hp vac is also $100. Wonder if it's any quieter than the ridgid?




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[pescados666]

If you just want it for these renovations and not for long term off and on use, you might be best buying a used one on craigslist or checking your local surplus auctions and reselling it once you're done.

I got a dayton and a craftsman from a university here for only $5.

 

[Adam.C]

The problem with these shop vacs for renovations is their emissions. If you have to vacuum plaster dust or dry wall, they emit quite a bit of it. What you really need is a German vacuum. The Germans have safety regulations about dust emissions that are stricter than ours. My recommendation is to buy a Fein. I know it's expensive, but it will be the last shop vac you buy. It is so quiet and strong and emits so little, you could easily use it as a household vac. Only regret is the non standard hose diameter and cost of accessories.

 

[branimal]

The problem with these shop vacs for renovations is their emissions. If you have to vacuum plaster dust or dry wall, they emit quite a bit of it. What you really need is a German vacuum. The Germans have safety regulations about dust emissions that are stricter than ours. My recommendation is to buy a Fein. I know it's expensive, but it will be the last shop vac you buy. It is so quiet and strong and emits so little, you could easily use it as a household vac. Only regret is the non standard hose diameter and cost of accessories.

Even if I use a fine dust filter AND fine dust bag?

The ridgid bags can be had for $10 for 2 bags




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[bmwpowere36m3]

I'm pleased with the Ridgid WD1450 I purchased to replace my older 6hp stainless Shop-Vac. I didn't realize how loud the Shop-Vac was till I got the Ridgid.

Drywall, plaster, stone, etc... dust is so fine, even with those high-efficiency bags/filters some dust will go out the exhaust. They [bags/filters] clog pretty quickly as well. I try to sweep the big stuff and vacuum the rest.

 

[LB-1911]

Ridgid WD1450 14 gallon purchased at Home Depot for $89 (regular price is $99)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100081216?storeId=10051#.Up662uJVNNI
COO: Mexico
Approximate decibels: 85-87
Warranty: Ridgid claims this has a “lifetime” warranty against manufacturing defects.
Pros:
-It produces the quietest, least grating sound.
-Second largest tank after the cheap Ridgid.
-Decent selection of attachments and a decent filter.
-Power switch and head-to-tank connection seemed fine.

Cons:
-Seven foot hose is shorter than I’d like, but it’s not nearly as stiff and difficult to use as the cheap Ridgid.
-Most expensive.
-Single jet exhaust port. A diffuser is available.

 

[cgrutt]

I have several shop vacs and they seem to do a good job. Definitely use a drywall bag if you're working with drywall or other fine dust.

 

[AntonLargiader]

All you need is a bigger hose for the Shop-Vac that you have. The reducer for that 1.25" hose has a step on the inside that catches debris. I have a similar SV, maybe next size up, and the standard hose is maddeningly useless for picking up debris, but with a 2.5" hose the thing is a freakin' beast. There's a hose size between 1.25 and 2.5 that I think would work even better. The 2.5" hose has a big accordion effect when you close the end.

Sheetrock dust will quickly clog the pleated paper filter. I would vacuum sheetrock dust with a bag in there (the small hose is fine for that) and then just use the regular filter for everything else. You need to tap the dust out of it from time to time but it's not a big deal.

 

[SMKS]

I'm very surprised to hear someone claim a Shop-vac brand would be quieter than a comparable Ridgid. In the past, the Ridgid has been considerably quieter than comparable Shop-Vac brands vacs.

Here's a video showing the guts of the Ridgid that was posted on Youtube recently.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ekx0-TJzOaw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[nh_yota]

I've had the Ridgid WD1450 for years and I love it - and so do my father, brother and neighbor who have the same model. As far as dust filtering goes - I use the disposable drywall bags along with the green Ridgid filter and I never have a problem.

 

[branimal]

Picked up the 1450 at Home Depot. Of course my local HD didn't have any bags. NYC for ya.

What bag are you guys using for fine dust particles?


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[EOC_Jason]

Shop-vac has 2 types of filters... A plain white one (that is ****), and a yellow double-lined one that is great. Looks like Ridgid only has one kid, I'm assuming theirs is double-lined though...

I always keep the bag in mine as it keeps the main filter & tub clean. You never loose suction until the bag is just about full (supposedly, still nowhere near filling mine up)... I've sucked up a lot of drywall dust, sawdust, dirt, sand, etc, etc... Main filter always stays remarkably clean. I think what little stuff ends up settling down afterwards is what got kicked up by the exhaust.

Anyhow, my point being... Definitely go the bag route. You can remove them when sucking up wet stuff, and re-install afterwards. Your filter on the motor stays clean and you won't loose suction. Likewise it traps all the fine particles.