rcleaver
Well-known member
I agree. Those vacs are a PITA to move around. Much better to have a wall mounted one with a LOOOOONG hose,
What Vacuum for garage?
- Thread starter Jason B
- Start date
I agree. Those vacs are a PITA to move around. Much better to have a wall mounted one with a LOOOOONG hose,
HOTFR8
Banned
I use a portable Ryobi. So much easier. Just hangs over your shoulder.
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baneonrt
Well-known member
Does anybody have any experience with the Bissell garage vac? My local Costco has it in stock but at $170 it's a bit more than the Vacmaster.
http://www.bissell.com/Products/c/canistervacuum/p/garagepro/product.aspx
Steve
http://www.bissell.com/Products/c/canistervacuum/p/garagepro/product.aspx
Steve
kwright
Well-known member
My wife gave me one of the Craftsman units for Christmas. I mounted it to the garage wall Christmas afternoon and though I haven't used it much yet, outside of testing it a bit, I think it will be just fine for everyday use.
Distinctive-Garages.com
Well-known member
Distinctive-Garages, can you give me a link to the full details of this? I cant seem to find anything about this on the web...not even electrolux home page.
http://theaccessoriesgroup.com/main/subcategories.php?main=78&Cat=279
It's the link to our distributor for many of our products...it's a fairly new product. Let me know if you have any further questions.
Thanks.
I also have the wall mount Shop-vac (blue/gray) and would not recommend. It does the job, but the suction is weak. I wish I would have spent a few more $$ for better quality!
Home Depot used to carry a Rigid Wall mount Vac (I think its called sto and go)...It is awsome, but they dont have it anymore...you may still find it online...it was $99 at HD...
The sears wall vac has the same amount of power for the same price...id give that a try if you cant get the rigid./.
The sears wall vac has the same amount of power for the same price...id give that a try if you cant get the rigid./.
I think the rock test is a good indication on power if you get a chance to try. Unfortunately, I can't find a vacmaster distributor here in canada.
67pete300
Well-known member
Finally came in the mail today, will have to wait til the weekend to install it 
I returned the Craftsman I got for Christmas. This one is much smaller.
I returned the Craftsman I got for Christmas. This one is much smaller.
Seeing as how my rigid shop vac has seen better days, I had been looking for a wall mount vac to use for general garage clean up and car clean up (2 young kids!). The rigid still works but it is typically used for home renovation projects so is covered in drywall dust and the accessories have a fair share of permanent funkiness that I don't want near cars or other things that I want "clean".
I had been eyeing the Hoover GUV wall mount until I saw this thread (thank to the OP for starting it and thanks to fourfeathers and Jason B for posting the links).
I got it just after Christmas from Costco and as kartracer mentioned, mounting was stupid easy. The remote is a very nice feature - that combined with the fact that it makes my rigid sound VERY loud makes it easier to get the cars and garage cleaned when the kids are around. You can actually carry on a conversation with the Vacmaster running but the remote switch lets you switch on and off while your crammed underneath a front seat or in a trunk. Also, the remote is wireless so don't necessarily have have the nozzle with the remote installed on the hose. However, it means you have to have that nozzle with you to to use it - its a little bulky to tote around in a pocket or spare hand but not too cumbersome.
Suction seams up to par with the rigid but at much reduced dB. With the rigid, hearing protection is required for anything other than a very short clean up job.
The Vacmaster is also quickly removable from the wall mount and has a generous extension cord to allow you to reach in nooks that the hose and hose extension won't reach.
I see a few items for improvement:
- I'd have liked a floor brush (but I can buy that separate)
- when detached from the wall mount, it a bit cumbersome to carry around. As annoying as wheeled shop vacs can be, sometimes you want the wheels.
- the extension hose is a bit ungainly on the built in hose holder. Putting both hoses on there is a bit precarious
Overall, I'm very happy with it and would definitely recommend it - especially given its price point.
I had been eyeing the Hoover GUV wall mount until I saw this thread (thank to the OP for starting it and thanks to fourfeathers and Jason B for posting the links).
I got it just after Christmas from Costco and as kartracer mentioned, mounting was stupid easy. The remote is a very nice feature - that combined with the fact that it makes my rigid sound VERY loud makes it easier to get the cars and garage cleaned when the kids are around. You can actually carry on a conversation with the Vacmaster running but the remote switch lets you switch on and off while your crammed underneath a front seat or in a trunk. Also, the remote is wireless so don't necessarily have have the nozzle with the remote installed on the hose. However, it means you have to have that nozzle with you to to use it - its a little bulky to tote around in a pocket or spare hand but not too cumbersome.
Suction seams up to par with the rigid but at much reduced dB. With the rigid, hearing protection is required for anything other than a very short clean up job.
The Vacmaster is also quickly removable from the wall mount and has a generous extension cord to allow you to reach in nooks that the hose and hose extension won't reach.
I see a few items for improvement:
- I'd have liked a floor brush (but I can buy that separate)
- when detached from the wall mount, it a bit cumbersome to carry around. As annoying as wheeled shop vacs can be, sometimes you want the wheels.
- the extension hose is a bit ungainly on the built in hose holder. Putting both hoses on there is a bit precarious
Overall, I'm very happy with it and would definitely recommend it - especially given its price point.
kartracer23
Well-known member
gesoffen,
Did you attach the 'slinky' hose to the unit or the wand? For my purpose, it worked better attached to the unit and made the hose easier to corral since it's more flexible.
It was funny this weekend. I had to clean out the warehouse (2000 sq. ft.), and it hadn't been cleaned for probably at least 10 years. It's a 100 year old brick / wood building, 2nd floor, so it was just dirty as anything. I didn't want to use my 'good' shop vac - I took my old Craftsman up there to clean it.
Can't risk getting the VacMaster that dirty so early...
Did you attach the 'slinky' hose to the unit or the wand? For my purpose, it worked better attached to the unit and made the hose easier to corral since it's more flexible.
It was funny this weekend. I had to clean out the warehouse (2000 sq. ft.), and it hadn't been cleaned for probably at least 10 years. It's a 100 year old brick / wood building, 2nd floor, so it was just dirty as anything. I didn't want to use my 'good' shop vac - I took my old Craftsman up there to clean it.
Can't risk getting the VacMaster that dirty so early...Yup - the slinky hose is more manageble for routine tasks. However, the more rigid extention hose is a PITA to store on the vac mount. Mine is mounted next to the garage door so when it slips out, it usually gets in the path of the garage door. I'll probably put a separate hook in the wall to coral the hose - it'll also make the accessories more accessible.
Already lectured the wife on keeping the "good" vac clean!
kartracer23
Well-known member
Yup - the slinky hose is more manageble for routine tasks. However, the more rigid extention hose is a PITA to store on the vac mount. Mine is mounted next to the garage door so when it slips out, it usually gets in the path of the garage door. I'll probably put a separate hook in the wall to coral the hose - it'll also make the accessories more accessible.
Already lectured the wife on keeping the "good" vac clean!
Yeah, I don't understand why they make the hose come out right in the front - makes it a PITA to coil. Since it's basically just a hole in the canister, it shouldn't matter where it goes. That being said, compared to the Craftsman, the VacMaster is much better becasue you can use the slinky hose right off the machine. A swivel or something would help soooo much. The Craftsman hose is much stiffer and juts out about 18". It's impossible to coil without going 'inside out' on it (hard to explain, but you have to loop it through itself).
Yep...looks like I am going to have to pull the trigger on a Vacmaster. Or, maybe the Bissell...I like some of it's features too.
I really like my Ridgid "box" vac. Forced me to actually put it away as all the attachments fit inside. Of course, that also meant that I did not use it as often as I could have as I HAD to put it away.
When the guys ground the floor in my garage, they asked to use a shopvac and I didn't want to do it....but lent it to them. It got hammered picking up the cement dust. Maybe I'm a bit too retentive...but I'm thinking of regulating this one to "real" shopvac jobs and getting a nice wall mount for car use.
I really like my Ridgid "box" vac. Forced me to actually put it away as all the attachments fit inside. Of course, that also meant that I did not use it as often as I could have as I HAD to put it away.
When the guys ground the floor in my garage, they asked to use a shopvac and I didn't want to do it....but lent it to them. It got hammered picking up the cement dust. Maybe I'm a bit too retentive...but I'm thinking of regulating this one to "real" shopvac jobs and getting a nice wall mount for car use.
I just picked up the Bissell Garage Pro this past weekend from my local Costco. I absolutely love it. Here are the pros and cons as viewed by me:
Pros:
Quiet for such a powerful vac
32' of hose. Extremely important for a 3 car garage.
Tons of attachments for floors, car detailing, etc
Blower option(must remove hose from inlet to outlet)
Sturdy wall mount
Cons:
Hose comes straight out from the unit(could be a problem for some)
Rather large
No remote switch(good and bad...personal preference)
Hose diameter may be too small for some
PM me if you need more info or have any questions.
Severum
Pros:
Quiet for such a powerful vac
32' of hose. Extremely important for a 3 car garage.
Tons of attachments for floors, car detailing, etc
Blower option(must remove hose from inlet to outlet)
Sturdy wall mount
Cons:
Hose comes straight out from the unit(could be a problem for some)
Rather large
No remote switch(good and bad...personal preference)
Hose diameter may be too small for some
PM me if you need more info or have any questions.
Severum
E46M3
Well-known member
Another Bissel here,
Concure with Severum's assessments.
I like mine.
The vac can a struggle a litle with pea sized stones with the 32 foot hose, so you need to "go after them" sometimes, but all in all, pretty good for my application.
The long black tube hanging next to the attachments bag in the photo is handy for large floor areas with the floor brush tool. The floor brush tool has two settings, one for carpet and one for a smooth floor.
Cheers,
E46M3
Concure with Severum's assessments.
I like mine.
The vac can a struggle a litle with pea sized stones with the 32 foot hose, so you need to "go after them" sometimes, but all in all, pretty good for my application.
The long black tube hanging next to the attachments bag in the photo is handy for large floor areas with the floor brush tool. The floor brush tool has two settings, one for carpet and one for a smooth floor.
Cheers,
E46M3
ultgar
Well-known member
140" of lift?? I highly doubt it. You need to use a manometer and measure suction at the end of the working hose. See http://www.ultimategarage.com/shopvacs.html for some independent testing of shop vacuums.
I prefer portable vacuums for use in the garage. The wall hung units are ok if you're going to be working in one spot all the time but using excessively long hoses increases static pressure and ultimately decreases suction at the end of the working hose. In addition, storing long hoses can be difficult....they are often just hung on the wall. SD
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kartracer23
Well-known member
I wondered about that too. 140" is more than most extractors I've seen and would probably **** the carpet right out of the car.
My Vacmaster (rated at 88" of lift) will pick up a 3' x 5' entry mat with no problem using the floor nozzle.
Distinctive-Garages.com
Well-known member
Figure came right from the manufacturer who is highly respected world wide to say the least. Industry leader in whole-home central vacs that need to operate at full performance levels with long hoses 100% of the time. I will defer to their published data based on their history in the industry (since 1910) and extensivce R&D capabilities any day of the week and will stand behind their data.
A forum member has taken advantage of a special deal and purchased one for his garage. He will hopefully write a review and post on this thread.
If anyone else would like to take advantage of this deal, I will extend it for another 30 days for forum members....$275 with free shipping. (reg. price is $299 plus approx. $20 shipping)
ultgar
Well-known member
Most manufacturers publish claims that should be qualified. I would believe 140 cfm of air flow but not 140" of water lift....especially not from a machine costing $299.
If there's anyone in North Jersey with one of these, I'd love to come over and do some perfomance testing. SD
67pete300
Well-known member
So I finally got my VacMaster installed. A few observations:
1. It is nice and quiet (except as noted below.)
2. Figuring out where to mount it made me painfully aware of my severe lack of outlets and circuits (everything in the garage is on one circuit and basically only one outlet on one wall.)
3. When using only the short, springy hose with the remote control head, it hits some resonant frequency at the opening and makes an earsplitting screech that is unbearable. Anybody else have this? It doesn't happen with just the long hose or the two hoses hooked together.
4. The "car" attachment (wide and flat) is male and doesn't appear to work with either hose or the remote control head in any configuration. All the other attachments are female. Am I being dumb here? I couldn't find anything that explained this in the manual.
5. Getting my old rolling noisemaker off the floor at my feet under the workbench is nice. With a small 20x20 anything I can get off the floor is a victory.
Anyone else with the VacMaster experience similar things?
1. It is nice and quiet (except as noted below.)
2. Figuring out where to mount it made me painfully aware of my severe lack of outlets and circuits (everything in the garage is on one circuit and basically only one outlet on one wall.)
3. When using only the short, springy hose with the remote control head, it hits some resonant frequency at the opening and makes an earsplitting screech that is unbearable. Anybody else have this? It doesn't happen with just the long hose or the two hoses hooked together.
4. The "car" attachment (wide and flat) is male and doesn't appear to work with either hose or the remote control head in any configuration. All the other attachments are female. Am I being dumb here? I couldn't find anything that explained this in the manual.
5. Getting my old rolling noisemaker off the floor at my feet under the workbench is nice. With a small 20x20 anything I can get off the floor is a victory.
Anyone else with the VacMaster experience similar things?
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kartracer23
Well-known member
Pete,
As far as the resonance, I tried it a bunch of different ways today and didn't get a thing. Kinda weird.
The wide flat nozzle, I'll assume, is for water extraction. Mine fits inside the slinky hose if you don't use the remote nozzle. I'm assuming (again) that they figure you want to keep the remote dry and shouldn't be using it for water extraction. I didn't try it in the other hose. The reason it goes inside the hose (vs. outside like the other attachments)is so that the water doesn't leak out like you get sometimes with a male attachment.
As far as the resonance, I tried it a bunch of different ways today and didn't get a thing. Kinda weird.
The wide flat nozzle, I'll assume, is for water extraction. Mine fits inside the slinky hose if you don't use the remote nozzle. I'm assuming (again) that they figure you want to keep the remote dry and shouldn't be using it for water extraction. I didn't try it in the other hose. The reason it goes inside the hose (vs. outside like the other attachments)is so that the water doesn't leak out like you get sometimes with a male attachment.
Dogberry01
Well-known member
Does the remote nozzle work on the long hose also?
67pete300
Well-known member
Yes. It is a wireless button that can be used on either hose.
krooser
Well-known member
The one that's on sale...
kartracer23
Well-known member
Push in a tab at the back and pull up. If it takes you over 3 seconds, you shouldn't be operating a shop-vac.
Has a nice big handle for carrying as well.
Dogberry01
Well-known member
Well I wanted to get a vacmaster but costco was just to far out of the way. I just picked up the craftsman wall mount (sears just one exit up). It works well for cleaning all of the snack crumbs and dirt from my son out of the truck and boat. The only draw back like mentioned before is no on/off switch at the end of the hose, but hey thats what kids are for.
T56 Impala
Well-known member
I posted this in another thread, but I'll do it again here. Mine was from Lowes. Not even sure of the brand. It works pretty good and was cheap. Under $150 as I refuse to spend too much money on stuff that I rarely use. It was blue, but of course, has been modified!
I will be using this as the hose reel once I find two Porsche rotors to use for the air hoses.
I will be using this as the hose reel once I find two Porsche rotors to use for the air hoses.
I guess I should clarify, is the base designed well enough to use in other parts of the house, or will it flop over like some of the other units that look to have a small footprint?
Is it worth getting a Costco membership to purchase it?
Kapn
kartracer23
Well-known member
Yes, it will flop over if you pull on the hose. But with a 21 foot reach, you can probably do about any room in your house without moving it. I've actually thought about getting a 5-gallon bucket with casters on it to set it in for when I do need to move it around (like cleaning the warehouse).
Costco is worth it even if you're not going to buy the vac.
Wardster
Well-known member
I am the guy who bought the unit and the specs are listed below:
Air Watts - 550
Rec. Max Sq. Ft. - 3,500
Motor Size - 5.7
Suction Power (water lift) - 138”
Airflow (cfm) - 122
Maximum Amps - 14.3
Voltage - 120
Dirt Receptacle Capacity - 4 gal
Venting Option - Yes
Built-In Utility Inlet - Yes
I am not in New Jersey, but if you ever make it to central Ohio bring your testing gear
One thing to keep in mind is that this system is not a wet vac. It is nothing more than a central vac system that is packaged with accessories used in a garage for cleaning the floor and detailing the car. Since it is a central vac, it can be plumbed with 2" PVC and wall plates throughout different areas of my home/garage. I am undecided at this point whether that will ever happen, but I like having that as an option.
I went with this unit because my "garage" space is 1650sf + an additional 480sf in the loft. I want to be able to effectively clean the entire space with one centrally located unit that can be plumbed in. This unit has the ability to service a 3,500sf home, so I should not have any problems.
I intend to do a write-up on this unit once it is up and running, so keep an eye out for that thread once it's started.
-Wardster
Amen. I hate mine. It is always in the way as well as the complaints that you list. I don't need one with capacity that large anyway. I need a vacuum for my sand blaster as well. I was thinking of wall mounting something that I can use for both (until I can afford something better for the sand blaster).
Rebecca
Anyone end up getting this? Costco also seems to have another one in the store, not this one, but an all black one, not sure the brand?
jeepkj02
Well-known member
kartracer23
Well-known member
A heads up on the VacMaster:
I had always just left the switch in the 'remote on' position. Came into work this morning and hear this hum. Open the door to my shop and the vac is running! Not sure how long it was on, but I left at 5pm and this was at 8 am.
Either (a) I have ghosts or (b) something else (radio, garage door opener, etc.) turned it on. Guess I never thought about it, but from now on I'll leave the on / off / remote switch in the off position when I'm not going to be using it.
I had always just left the switch in the 'remote on' position. Came into work this morning and hear this hum. Open the door to my shop and the vac is running! Not sure how long it was on, but I left at 5pm and this was at 8 am.
Either (a) I have ghosts or (b) something else (radio, garage door opener, etc.) turned it on. Guess I never thought about it, but from now on I'll leave the on / off / remote switch in the off position when I'm not going to be using it.
I picked up the VacMaster at the recommendation of the people on this thread. Thanks kartracer23 for your review, I purchased the sears wall vac and then read your review and returned it. I have to say that I am very pleased with the VacMaster so far.
The two things that convinced me to pull the trigger was the foot print size and noise. For me these were the two most important factors and this vacuum delivers on that. I haven't come across the noise issues that 67pete300 came across.
Vacuum strength is good enough for a garage. Blower function works well too. The wireless shut off on me yesterday for no reason. First time it happened probably RF interference of some sort.
The two things that convinced me to pull the trigger was the foot print size and noise. For me these were the two most important factors and this vacuum delivers on that. I haven't come across the noise issues that 67pete300 came across.
Vacuum strength is good enough for a garage. Blower function works well too. The wireless shut off on me yesterday for no reason. First time it happened probably RF interference of some sort.
What is the diameter of the hose for the vacmaster? Someone was complaining the bissell is only 1 1/4" but the vacmaster didn't look much bigger. Also the Bissell has a 32 foot hose! That is pretty long so maybe that is why it is smaller diameter?
Neil
Neil
TheShrine
Well-known member
My wall mounted BEAM w/2 1/4" hose......
