Shop Vacuum

[MidWestBoost]

Hi guys

Tried searching, but a simple "vacuum" search seemed to return 99 irrelevant threads for every relevant one.

I am looking for a powerful vacuum for the shop. Wall mount would be ideal. Primarily for vacuuming vehicles etc, so not really a dust collection device. Is there an obvious choice for the best one? Want it to be able to **** the proverbial golf ball through the garden hose.

 

[JP Chestnut]

I have a wall mounted RIDGID vacuum. It's a little disappointing with the stock crappy hose and attachments, but the auto detailing kit is pretty legit. I did an interior detail on my wife's filthy SUV after a NY winter and it came out really nicely.

I think you could probably do better than RIDGID, but for ~$150 it's good enough for me.

 

[HFlashman]

I am curious as well. I have read good things about Fein. Myself, I am interested in something somewhat compact so it is easy to move around.

 

[MidWestBoost]

Yeah, saw the Rigid. Like the price, as I'm not trying to spend $500 if I don't have to. Kind of bugs me though that the wall mount options aren't higher spec units. Isn't that the point of wall mounting, to have a more powerful unit that is remote located to save space and from having to lug around the larger units? I also figure that running a longer hose produces vacuum loss, which I'd like to overcome by having a more powerful motor.

 

[zmotorsports]

I know the Ridgid's have a huge following but I love my Stihl SE122. Best shop vac that I have ever owned.

It doesn't mount on the wall like you requested but easily rolls around the shop where needed. I use mine for everything from vacuuming cars to chips on the mill and lathe.

 

[exmaxima1]

I have the Shop Vac wall mount system in my garage and it is terrible. Loud, and very little suction power.
I have a Fein that I use for sanding, and it has good suction, but not much cfm so it takes a long time to clean floors, etc. Very quiet.
I have a Ridgid 14 gallon shop vac that WILL **** up a golf ball, and with the Car Detail kit would be great for cleaning the car. Won't mount on the wall however.

 

[JP Chestnut]

Yeah, saw the Rigid. Like the price, as I'm not trying to spend $500 if I don't have to. Kind of bugs me though that the wall mount options aren't higher spec units. Isn't that the point of wall mounting, to have a more powerful unit that is remote located to save space and from having to lug around the larger units? I also figure that running a longer hose produces vacuum loss, which I'd like to overcome by having a more powerful motor.

I went with a wall mounted unit because I don't like stuff on the floor. It's sufficient for my use, but not amazing.

Big time detailer Larry Kosilla (AmmoNYC) uses a Festool: https://www.festoolproducts.com/power-tools/festool-dust-extractors.html

Here's a pretty decent review of all the commercial grade vacuums that people use for cars:

 

[driftpin]

I have the Shop Vac wall mount system in my garage and it is terrible. Loud, and very little suction power.
I have a Fein that I use for sanding, and it has good suction, but not much cfm so it takes a long time to clean floors, etc. Very quiet.
I have a Ridgid 14 gallon shop vac that WILL **** up a golf ball, and with the Car Detail kit would be great for cleaning the car. Won't mount on the wall however.

Why-not a shelf, w/eyelets, and a couple of everybody's favorite, Harbor Freight ratcheting cargo straps to secure the case to the shelf? Simple, cheap, straightforward, easy to do.

If you don't need it to be used elsewhere, go 'Rube Goldberg,' attach it to a platform suspended from your rafters, in the middle of the garage, maybe between the two car spaces, with a pulley system running to the closest-wall, and a sailing jam-cleat to secure that rope through pulleys, to-which a base is attached, holding your shop vac. Lower the platform to empty the shop vac, and with the hose hanging-down, it's easy to vacuum-out the vehicles! Again Harbor Freight to the rescue, secure the shop vac with those inexpensive ratchet straps, and 4 eyelets.

 

[MidWestBoost]

Why-not a shelf, w/eyelets, and a couple of everybody's favorite, Harbor Freight ratcheting cargo straps to secure the case to the shelf? Simple, cheap, straightforward, easy to do.

If you don't need it to be used elsewhere, go 'Rube Goldberg,' attach it to a platform suspended from your rafters, in the middle of the garage, maybe between the two car spaces, with a pulley system running to the closest-wall, and a sailing jam-cleat to secure that rope through pulleys, to-which a base is attached, holding your shop vac. Lower the platform to empty the shop vac, and with the hose hanging-down, it's easy to vacuum-out the vehicles! Again Harbor Freight to the rescue, secure the shop vac with those inexpensive ratchet straps, and 4 eyelets.

Yeah, I suppose it doesn't need to be made for wall mounting for me to wall mount it...Good point. As if anyone needs an excuse for another project...

 

[MidWestBoost]

I went with a wall mounted unit because I don't like stuff on the floor. It's sufficient for my use, but not amazing.

Big time detailer Larry Kosilla (AmmoNYC) uses a Festool: https://www.festoolproducts.com/power-tools/festool-dust-extractors.html

Here's a pretty decent review of all the commercial grade vacuums that people use for cars:

Great info for sure. Despite my main use being for the car, my contention with most reviews for that purpose is that they all focus so heavily on the vacuum being compact. I simply don't understand how that's a consideration that is unique to car vacuuming. I mean, it's not like most people are storing the vacuum IN the vehicle. Also, the vacuum typically stays OUTSIDE the vehicle while in use. The video had some good info, but because it focused so heavily on compact vacuum's, I feel like it lacked a sufficient number of full size vacuum's to compare. Funny, considering they admit in the video that the full-size units dominated the tests. Thank you for the info though!

Like that Festool, though I'd really like to spend less. May end up going with a wheeled model and figuring out a way to mount it in the rafters.

 

[James-W]

I may be out of line here, if so then I apologize. But is seems to me from reading the posts in this thread, you will be using the vacuum a lot cleaning vehicles. Sounds like a business type situation. If that is the case, then I would think cost is not a consideration. I would go for the vacuum with the greatest suction power regardless of cost. In a business type scenario time is money so the quicker you get the vehicle cleaned the more money you can make each day.

 

[MileHighRover]

Look no further. I'm saving my pennies for one of these. Galvanized steel body, vacuum bag for easy emptying, 50 foot hose, very strong suction, wall mount, multiple colors... What's not to love?

VacuMaid Garage Vac Pro

 

[Barnabas]

For cleaning vehicles I use a 30-year old Eureka Mighty Mite vacuum cleaner. Mine is red, the new ones are blue and yellow.

It is really designed to be a lightweight home vacuum, but the light weight and attachments make it a perfect auto cleaner. I have several shop vacs, but never use them to clean a vehicle. The Mighty Mite has more power.

Here is one that looks similar to mine, just 30 years newer.
https://www.amazon.com/EUREKA-3670G-Canister-Cleaner-3670g-yellow/dp/B00002N8CX

 

[dscheidt]

Look no further. I'm saving my pennies for one of these. Galvanized steel body, vacuum bag for easy emptying, 50 foot hose, very strong suction, wall mount, multiple colors... What's not to love?

VacuMaid Garage Vac Pro

A little underpowered.
The vacuum for the carwash at the garage I used to run had three 2 HP motors (real horsepower, it was on a dedicated 30A 240 breaker). It had suction even with a 20' hose, even when the bins were full.

 

[MidWestBoost]

I may be out of line here, if so then I apologize. But is seems to me from reading the posts in this thread, you will be using the vacuum a lot cleaning vehicles. Sounds like a business type situation. If that is the case, then I would think cost is not a consideration. I would go for the vacuum with the greatest suction power regardless of cost. In a business type scenario time is money so the quicker you get the vehicle cleaned the more money you can make each day.

Not out of line, but not for a business. Just wanted a powerful vac for the garage that didn't take up floor space. I'll use for misc other things, but on a regular basis vacuuming out the truck. Truck also seems to be the most difficult task for vacuum's to do well, in my experience.

 

[M635_Guy]

I recently replaced a very-old Craftsman with a 14-gal RIGID with the car-cleaning kit (HD had a specially-priced bundy). I've been pretty happy. I got the muffler and while the vac is still a bit loud, the noise is down a bit and it less harsh. It was $99.

Look no further. I'm saving my pennies for one of these. Galvanized steel body, vacuum bag for easy emptying, 50 foot hose, very strong suction, wall mount, multiple colors... What's not to love?

VacuMaid Garage Vac Pro

For me, the price and the inability to deal with liquids kills that. I don't use my garage vac for liquids often, but when I've needed to it was a giant help. I have no desire to have a second vac to deal with that kind of stuff, especially at that price point.

 

[MileHighRover]

A little underpowered.
The vacuum for the carwash at the garage I used to run had three 2 HP motors (real horsepower, it was on a dedicated 30A 240 breaker). It had suction even with a 20' hose, even when the bins were full.

Not sure if you're trying to be funny, but the OP didn't ask for a several thousand dollar commercial car wash vac. It would surprise literally no one that yours has more suction that a home vac.

The VacuMaid has more lift than most it's category. Has better materials and a longer warranty (5 years).

And since it seems to be ultra important to so many people on GJ, it is made in USA, Ponca City, OK to be exact.

 

[MileHighRover]

...For me, the price and the inability to deal with liquids kills that. I don't use my garage vac for liquids often, but when I've needed to it was a giant help. I have no desire to have a second vac to deal with that kind of stuff, especially at that price point.

OP didn't specify liquids. If someone is wanting something for wet and dry use, then a wet/dry vac is exactly what they need. Shop Vac hoses are rarely long enough for car detailing. Dragging a vac around, even on wheels, is a pain. You also have to deal with extension cords. The larger diameter hoses on many shop vacs isn't conducive to detailing, either.

 

[mn700vforce]

I got a vacmaster VWM510 a few months ago and have been happy with it so far. It is quiet and powerful. Also comes with lots of useful attachments.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vacmast...t-Dry-Vac-with-2-Stage-Motor-VWM510/203052621

 

[RKA]

How about installing a central vac motor in the garage? Look at the airlift ratings. The better ones will be 2 stage and in the 140"+ range. You'll probably spend $500+ on it (unless you can find a refurb, S&D, etc.), but it will out **** your typical shop vac if you're dead set on that. You will need a 20A circuit to run it as well.

 

[tarbellb]

The little 4gallon/ 5hp Ridgid is a excellent little vac for the price.

Get clever and figure out how to wall mount one of those. (wheels pop off pretty easy...).

 

[tarmy]

This really *****

 

[MileHighRover]

tarmy, is your PVC grounded? Do you have issues with static buildup?

 

[tarmy]

tarmy, is your PVC grounded? Do you have issues with static buildup?

Not grounded...no issues.

 

[MileHighRover]

Not grounded...no issues.

Thanks. Love the remote switch you rigged up.

 

[M635_Guy]

OP didn't specify liquids. If someone is wanting something for wet and dry use, then a wet/dry vac is exactly what they need. Shop Vac hoses are rarely long enough for car detailing. Dragging a vac around, even on wheels, is a pain. You also have to deal with extension cords. The larger diameter hoses on many shop vacs isn't conducive to detailing, either.

In the case of my RIGID 14 Gal., the bonus/bundle was with their car-detailing kit that inlcudes a longer, more-flexible small-diameter hose and various attachments.

(the bundle is still available, but is now $119)

You're correct he didn't specify wet/dry, but I think it's fair to say most homeowners are expecting that unless they're doing something pretty dedicated (sawdust, car detailing, whatever). As I said above, I don't think most folks need liquid-capability very often at all, but holy-hell is it useful when you need it (when you need it, you tend to REALLY need it... )

 

[MileHighRover]

I have a wall mounted Craftsman wet/dry vac with a 26 foot hose that I bought 15 years ago. I've used it for everything and it's been good. What I like most about it is it's always ready to go. It's like pulling up to the car wash vacs. Just turn it on, unwrap the hose and start vacuuming. Wrap the hose, turn it off, and walk away. Very convenient.

There are some things that I don't like about it, though, which is why I'd like to upgrade to the VacuMaid. I want/need a longer hose and I really want one with bags like a normal vacuum. The wet/dry vac is such a PITA to clean out, knock the filter out (it amazes me how much **** the filter holds onto) which turns into a dust cloud as your beating it against a tree, blasting it with compressed air, or whacking it with something. I even bought a GoreTex filter that can be rinsed off and reused. Even that is a pain because it makes a mess and you have to let the filter air dry before putting everything back together. Pulling a bag out, tossing it, and putting in a new one sounds amazing to me. The 50 foot hose would be awesome, too.

 

[soloz2]

I have a Ridgid 12gal motor on the bottom that is really nice. I got the auto detailing kit to go with and it is a must have regardless what you get.