Replies

1. 
   spike999250 | Dec 27, 2008 04:50am | #1

   Craftsman.  I have seen more Shop-Vac brand vacs killed than you would believe, i personally have killed three on job sites and they were new when i got them.

1. 
   BrianDerr | Dec 29, 2008 09:17am | #11

   The thing I don't like about Craftsman vacs is that the supplies can only be obtained at one store . . . the supplies for Shop Vacs seem to be everywhere.Brian

2. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 27, 2008 05:14am | #2

   I have had three shop-vacs over the years with good performance.  Just bought another one for where I work and it seems to be doing fine.  Might consider Rigid vs Shop-Vac and see which one has the best warranty.

   Alan - planesaw

3. 
   forestgirl | Dec 27, 2008 06:06am | #3

   Look for one that easily pulls around the shop without tipping over, or having the hose unhook as you pull.  I have a 30-year-old Craftsman that flat refuses to give up the ghost, like a large, squat Eveready Bunny.  Noisy as all get-out though.  The new ones may or may not last as long, hopefully they're quieter.   You should be able to find some user-reviews of these vacs.  IIRC, the Ridgid vacs from Home Depot get pretty good comments.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
4. 
   oatman | Dec 27, 2008 03:53pm | #4

   My wife bought me a new Craftsmen because the old one sounded like it was giving birth to triplets. The old one was 2.25 HP, LOUD, and sucked like a champ. The new one is 6 HP much quieter, and doesn't have near the suction of the old one. I think the muffler might have something to do with it.

   Dennis

1. 
   DonNH | Dec 28, 2008 06:38am | #7

   I always have to laugh when I see those ridiculous hp claims on vacuums.  Given that a 15 amp 120V circuit is maxed out at 1800 watts (=2.4 hp), anything over that is BS.  In reality, you don't generally see anything over 1.5 hp wired for 120V.

   Don

1. 
   Shoemaker1 | Dec 28, 2008 04:55pm | #8

   get a Craftsman have had two over many years first one died when it got crushed.
   Get the washable filter and avoid anything that needs a bag.
   I don't know if they still sell an extended warrenty but worth the few bucks.

2. 
   oatman | Dec 28, 2008 05:30pm | #9

   I'm shocked, SHOCKED, to think Craftsman would stoop to such marketing gimmicks.

   Dennis

5. 
   Dave45 | Dec 27, 2008 06:26pm | #5

   These are old pictures and my DC system has grown over the last couple of years, but I seldom use my shop vac for cleanup any more.

   The DC port in the pictures has a 4" gate connected to a 4" x 2.5" reducer. I use this port (or its twin at the opposite corner of the bench) for many of my tools - and as a central vac for cleanups.

   My shaper and OSS get connected with a 2.5" shop vac hose. I use the 1.25" vac hose to connect my sanders, biscuit joiner, Kreg pocket screw jig, belt sander, and power planer.

   I'm able to collect most of the mess as I work and - at cleanup time - use a 2.5" shop vac hose and attachments to clean up whatever gets away from me.

   
1. 
   user-165082 | Dec 27, 2008 06:39pm | #6

   Hi Dave,

   The problem that I'm having is when I put a longer hose on the portable dust collector it does not want to suck up anything my shop is small to wheel the dc around . I have the dc in the corner and the hose I use for the joiner and planer that is why I need a portable shop vac if you or anyone have any suggestions please forward them.

   thanks

   Steve

6. 
   xmike | Dec 28, 2008 06:38pm | #10

   I have a Craftsman and a Ridgid - I keep the craftsman in the garage as it makes so much noise, but it does do a good job out there.

   I have the Ridgid in my shop - quieter, has good suction, and I've found that if I use the optional dust bag for sanding dust, it works far better than when using the drum filter - lasts much longer for one thing between filter changes/cleanups.

   One thing that I did to improve both is to screw an old wire basket dish drainer to the top to hold all the little tools. That's very handy. Also, I ordered the Fein wand holder and screwed that to the side of the tank for keeping the darn, ALWAYS fall over and get in my way! all the time! #@!! wand with floor attachment! clamped handily to the side of the tank and out of the way when not in use.

   Mike D

   
   

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   Edited 12/28/2008 10:39 am ET by Mike_D

7. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 29, 2008 07:29pm | #12

   I have 2.  1 is probably in your price range, but I haven't shopped in a while.  I have the Festool CT-33 for attaching to my Festool stuff, but that is over $450.00.  I also have a 15 year old Shop-Vac which I use for cleanup in the shop, which is exactly what you seem to want it for.  It is outstanding for that.  I recommend the upgraded filter housing.  I use the pleated paper cannister which slips over the housing from underneath.  I have two.  When the machine isn't sucking properly, just take it off, wack it against something to knock off debris and dust (outside!!), and then I blow it off with a compressor.  Good to go.

   If you have a little extra $$, get a better hose than the one that comes with.  It's too big, kinks easy, and frequently falls off.  I hardly ever use it, as I purchased a better one.

   Jeff

1. 
   xmike | Dec 29, 2008 07:40pm | #13

   Jeff,
   What did you use as a "better one" re the hose.I don't like what I have on either machine, either, but when I bought the 12' hose avail at WoodCraft, I discovered that practically nothing in the way of attachments fits it. Plus it restricts airflow a bunch.Mike D

1. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 29, 2008 07:50pm | #14

   I use the Porter Cable attachment hose.  I don't know if it's still available, but when I got it, it works great for attaching to routers, RO sanders, etc....It's also great for vacuuming up dust around stationary tools, as well. 

   In my shop, at the end of the day, I sweep up, broom most debris into a pan, and dump.  The rest gets vacuumed up.  For me, it's quick and easy, and has become routine.

   Jeff

8. 
   rshelly | Dec 30, 2008 04:16am | #15

   Consumer Reports rated one of the Ridgid models as the best. I purchased one and it works just fine. If you want the exact model number I can get it for you.

   Randy.

1. 
   jimbell | Dec 30, 2008 08:14am | #16

   I have thre vacs going in the shop. I'll say this: The newest one, the mid-size Shop-Vac is the worst. It lasted just past the warrantee and then started howling like a banshee every time I turned it off.

    

9. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 31, 2008 07:50pm | #17

   Just for information only.

   I use two 14 gallon? Ridgid brand. Medium sized. Both have two hoses connected together for length and the suction does not seem to be a factor using one or two hoses.

   Reasonably quiet? Both have been used for water/plaster/drywall dust/wood. ?

   I normally use the paper bags in addition to the middle priced filter (blue?) I forget at the moment.

   All I can say is they work for me. I also have a Delta (small unit) with cloth bags. I hardly ever use it. My vacuums work better. I also had a Jet similar to the Delta. Gave it to the local school. The Delta will be another gift for them.

   A friend of mine is a woodworker and he uses a Shop Vac.. He had borrowed my Ridgid several times.

   I will say that my Ridgid vacuums will NOT keep up with the air output from my DeWalt DW735 Thickness Planer.  The air blast from the DeWalt trys to blow the top off of my vacuums. Dust, ALOT OF DUST, blows out of the seam between the top and bottom of the vacuum.

   
   

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   Edited 12/31/2008 11:56 am by WillGeorge