Which Shopvac?

[5toes]

Well my Dad's got the filter destoryed, sort of my fault I guess. It is a 5 gallon and even though I empty it after every use from my detailing... it just is not up to the task. I also want to avoid future arguments, so might as well buy my own for my small business.

My friend just got hired at Sears, and we are looking at this Craftsman - http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...MrbGlbex33HyamkrQ&sig2=yPvD6Wl4PHUnRn6xadE9ZA

The ShopVac website lists many with better warranties, but they are spendy... about $140 for a 14/16 gallon.

http://shopvac.com/wet-dry-vacs/default.aspx?hp=Any&ts=Any#Hardware Store Wet/Dry Vac
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200459425_200459425

I am just confused. This Ridgid looks like goodstuff... consumer reports listed it as best (but they are dumb IMO). It has a lifetime warranty, but Ridgid is likely hard to work with. Shopvac has been very kind to us

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...hA8GkAL36b_scBJSw&sig2=u07lzYdIbIi8cWvjfXcuLQ

What ya'll think?

 

[shampoop]

For something like this, I would just look on craigslist for a good deal on something large and powerful regardless of brand.

 

[Danglerb]

For something like this, I would just look on craigslist for a good deal on something large and powerful regardless of brand.

+1 Don't look for places to spend money you don't need to, people sell used shopvacs with little wear all the time. Whatever you get, I recommend this Mr Nozzle (sold under other brands like Rigid too) hose kit. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5951&filter=nozzle

 

[W650Mike]

I have that C-man 6hp/16gal you linked to - but I got it on sale for $79 or so.

Great vac. It replaced a 3hp/16gal that was about 14 years old. The old one is on a friend's bead cabinet and is still working well.

 

[bczygan]

My wife got us this (After extensive research):

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=vacmaster&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=15108687771973455454&sa=X&ei=JauyTq2YN6Ho0QHN77HXBA&ved=0CLgBEPICMAY

It really ***** (In a good way)!

 

[Sterff]

I have two Ridgid shopvacs I purchased at home depot a few years ago. They are both wet/dry vacs and are around 6 gallons. I just recently used one when my Grandfather's basement had flooded. I used the vac to **** up about 1" of water out of the whole basement. I had to fill it up over 100 times and it worked great. I was very impressed.

 

[IndyGarage]

Well you can go with the expensive ones like Bosch and Fein, and they are definitely better.

You can go with the cheap ones from Shop Vac and Craftsmen and they are definitely worse.

I have a couple craftsman ones I hate because they are so noisy. I have a Shop Vac "quiet" one with a stainless tank that is much quieter, but the suction isn't all that great unless you keep the filter really clean.

 

[scw1991]

My 12 gallon Shop-Vac purchased from Lowes took a dump here recently. The motor would start slowing down and would give off a burnt smell. I took it apart and the brushes were arcing something terrible. I cleaned up the brushes and also the stator. It made no difference. This vac probably didn't even have 20 hours on it and I always kept the filter clean.

I've done gobs of research and decided to go with a 16 gallon Rigid vac from Home Depot for $100. A little bigger than what I need but I thought I'd try out the model with the quieter motor. Every review I've come across on any of the various models points to the Rigid being a very dependable vacuum compared to the Shop Vac.

Steve

 

[bczygan]

My 12 gallon Shop-Vac purchased from Lowes took a dump here recently. The motor would start slowing down and would give off a burnt smell. I took it apart and the brushes were arcing something terrible. I cleaned up the brushes and also the stator. It made no difference. This vac probably didn't even have 20 hours on it and I always kept the filter clean.

I've done gobs of research and decided to go with a 16 gallon Rigid vac from Home Depot for $100. A little bigger than what I need but I thought I'd try out the model with the quieter motor. Every review I've come across on any of the various models points to the Rigid being a very dependable vacuum compared to the Shop Vac.

Steve

I think that 16 gallon Rigid vac goes for like $30 on Black Friday. Gotta get in line though, they go quick!

 

[fr0mastaj]

I'm a Ridgid shop vac fan myself. I have the 12 gallon version and it is a beast. Also used it to **** up a few inches of water in a flooded basement without any issue.

 

[Outlawmws]

I've had 5 or 6 different makes of shop vacs over the years, and I can honestly say the current 12 gal. (older) Ridgid is head and shoulders above Shop-Vac, Sears, and other 5 gallon sized Vacs I've had, including my old original metal can one that died as they all have.

I do like the small 1 gallon Shop Vac for small household jobs (Mostly spills and such), and running my home built record cleaning machine, but for shop or yard use, this Rigid is easily the best by a far margin.

 

[boiler7904]

14 gallon Ridgid with a Cleanstream filter here. Use it for cleaning interiors of our vehicles and as dust collection for power tools like sanders, jigsaw, power planer, biscuit jointer, track saw, etc with no complaints.

 

[2manytoyz]

I burned up my first Craftsman shopvac after many years of use. I have another at work, and other than being VERY noisy, it does work well. I use a Ridgid vac at home. Works very well, and is significantly quieter. If I was looking to buy another, Ridgid brand would be my first consideration based on performance & price. You can buy better, but for more $$

 

[BHH]

I hate these styles of Vacuum but they are a necessary evil. I hate that the cords are so damn short and useless so make sure you have a good extension cord. Also make sure to buy the powerful ones with the larger hoses.

My advice would be to get the best filter possible and use the bags. These both cut down on the suction power a bit but they really pay off with cleanup and health measures.

 

[c_mccann]

I got a new Cman one last winter, and my Cman vac that is 23 years old finally gave up the ghost last month. Kinda sad really- that thing really gave me good service. I don't expect the new one to last as long as the old one, but there is no reason it can't.. The new one is marketedly quiter than the old one. They are a great value

 

[Major Ramifications]

Last time I checked, the Ridgid and Craftsman were both made by Emerson, but that may have changed.
The Ridgid "Lifetime Warranty" is totally worthless in my neck of the woods. Home Depot is not interested in servicing what they sell.

I like the Shop Vac line at Lowes.

Whatever one you end up with, do yourself a favor and get a Cleanstream filter or two, by W.L. Gore company (the Goretex people).

 

[machine_punk]

I have the Ridgid from Home Depot too (I don't remember which size)...and have been pleased with it. It has great suction and the pleated air filter is easy enough to shake out frequently. Whether or not you buy the vacuum from HD, though, they have a pretty good selection of individual tubes, hoses, adapters, and accessories in their shop vac section.

 

[TireTracks]

And If your going to use it to **** up wood/metal chunks, mabey look at one of those 5 gal bucket cyclones, should keep the filter cleaner longer.

 

[Kamikaze Sy]

I've had a Craftsman 6 HP unit that the motor detaches and becomes a blower. It is a 16 gallon I believe. When I originally bought it, I didn't consider the physical size and having to deal with moving it or rolling it around. It works well and has the suction to work almost every situation.

To be honest, I can't believe it has lasted as long as it has with the abuse it gets! I've used it attached to shop tools to pick -up dust, grinding metall dusts, and a bead blaster cabinet. Just cleaning it out and carefully cleaning the filter has kept it going for over 15 years!

I recall seeing a Rigid vac that was similar a few years ago and found it comparable to the Craftsman but actually a little cheaper. But whenever I needed accessories, it was more convenient to go to Home Depot than Sears.

I used to think Shop Vac was a cheap product and not very long lasting. The ones we had at work were typical of what could be purchased at any home stores. Even after cleaning out the fliters and being careful with what we used them for, they would always lose suction power.

But now that has changed for me, I recently picked up a small "hang-up" Shop Vac, (about $30.00), for use on the workbench and around the drill press. I was really impressed with the power of this little unit and the convenient size to carry and use. Even though it has a small 1-1/2" dia hose, it really has become my first choice to grab for most average to small clean ups.

I think the difference in the newer Shop Vacs is that they have a pre-filter media that wraps around and saves the main filter element and the canister feels like it sealing better than older models.

If I could get an ultimate shop vac, it would be one that Dyson would invent!

 

[Zrexxer]

I've got this one. It's been fine, got enough power to **** the chrome off a trailer ball. About the only thing I'm not real happy with is the way the swivel casters mount to the stainless can. They clamp to the flange at the bottom to keep from having fasteners penetrate so it will be watertight, and they're kind of easy to knock off if you're not careful. I'll eventually rig something up to fix it right.

 

[Toolfool]

I've been using my current Craftsman vac daily (finish carpenter) for 22 years without a problem. My brother still has my previous one.

 

[5toes]

Well that SS Ridgid one there is one BNIB on the local CL for $65.. however it is $25 worth of travel away.

Vacmaster, I am looking into. I am attracted to this because it is at Costco... home of the worlds BEST return policy.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...11&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[Shipfittin]

I have a Ridgid that I use quite often, never have had a problem with it. I got it on sale a couple Christmas' ago when they were dirt cheap.

 

[djjsr]

I abuse shop vacs. I have several and usually burn them up on a regular basis. Lowes had this one on sale a couple of years ago and I bought it because it was a good deal and I figured I would need it anyway.

I didn't like the idea of the bag but now after not having to clean the filter, I'll never buy another one without a bag. It's great. I abuse it as always and it just keeps sucking.

 

[5toes]

My pops was the Lowes style one.

IMO they are ****, and ugly.

Been looking at Nikro.. wish my budget was about $550! http://www.nikro.com/hepa-filtered-vacuums/pw10088.aspx

So nice...

 

[garagegeek]

I have a Craftsman & Fein. Very different price points, but much prefer the Fein. It is way quieter with the same or more power. The casters make moving it significantly easier. The Fein has a built in outlet with switch which makes it really handy if you want to use it with a sander for dust collection. Lastly, its exhaust does not blow everything around like the Craftsman.

Fine Woodworking's latest issue has a review on a bunch of higher priced ones. The Bosch ended up as the overall favorite because it had a filter cleaning mechanism that allowed it to provide strong suction longer reducing the need for frequent filter cleanings.

 

[5toes]

Damn wish I could read the article! I am not a member though.

If you are, could you link me to the pdf online?

 

[5toes]

Been looking at Henry Vacuum cleaners... think I am going to get one!

 

[brett09]

I have 2 shop vacs, one huge one and a smaller one (probably 24" diameter, and 12"). I hardly ever use the larger one because its a pain to dig out and use, and especially to store. My only advice is to get a smaller one, unless you need lots of trash space and power.

 

[5toes]

These Henry's are really looking great. The janitor at my high school uses one.. I am going to ask if I can see how it works.

 

[Danglerb]

I just bought a commercial backpack vacuum, but haven't had a chance to test it out. On paper they look pretty good, and widely used in pro cleaning. Very simple design, very big motor.

 

[5toes]

^ link?

 

[sjdon67]

I've got this one. It's been fine, got enough power to **** the chrome off a trailer ball. About the only thing I'm not real happy with is the way the swivel casters mount to the stainless can. They clamp to the flange at the bottom to keep from having fasteners penetrate so it will be watertight, and they're kind of easy to knock off if you're not careful. I'll eventually rig something up to fix it right.

I have been thinking of getting a Ridgid.

 

[garagegeek]

Damn wish I could read the article! I am not a member though.

If you are, could you link me to the pdf online?

Sorry, don't have a link. I get a catalog in the mail. Next time you are at a home improvement or book store you can take a look in one. The other thing I forgot to mention is a cyclone attachment really helps keep the filter clean.