Woodshop vacuum cleaner advice sought.

[Scott T Smith]

I would like to find an upright vacuum cleaner suitable for use in my wood production shop. The typical, canister type shop vacuums are somewhat slow and cumbersome, and using a push broom to sweep 20' or so to the various floor pickups in the shop is time consuming; plus I have to have the big dust collection system running (I have two systems in my shop).

A few years back I recall seeing one of the woodshop books a shop featured where an older woodworker used a large upright vacuum, but I have not been able to locate my copy (or find the vac on the internet). As I recall it looked like a standard, Royal type upright vacuum, except that it was about 20+ inches wide and suitable for picking up both shavings AND sawdust.

I've found some wide throat, indoor-outdoor type models, but they are not recommended for fine sawdust, and the house type vacuums that work on sawdust get clogged up by planer shavings. I'd prefer something that has a bag that can be emptied instead of requiring me to constantly replace paper bags.

Since I'm doing production manufacturing work (S2S, resawing, wide belt sanding, etc), I'd like something that will be fast and effective.

Anybody have any knowledge of something like this?

Thx.

Scott

[Greg R Bradley]

We were pretty happy using this one in a shop.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DAYTON-IndoorOutdoor-Vacuum-6H003?Pid=search

[Alan Schaffter]

How about a Billy Goat?:D


http://www.beavervalleysupply.com/sectionb/billygoat/vqvac.jpg

[Henry Keller]

Look at shopvac website ,I found mine there after reading same article in fine woodworking shop issue.

[Scott T Smith]

We were pretty happy using this one in a shop.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DAYTON-IndoorOutdoor-Vacuum-6H003?Pid=search


Greg, thanks for the info. How well does the Dayton model work picking up fine dust?

[Scott T Smith]

Look at shopvac website ,I found mine there after reading same article in fine woodworking shop issue.


Thanks Henry. Do you have the Shop Sweep model? If so, how do you like it?

[Scott T Smith]

How about a Billy Goat?:D


http://www.beavervalleysupply.com/sectionb/billygoat/vqvac.jpg

Alan, that's a serious vacuum! Too bad it's not electric....

[Alan Schaffter]

Alan, that's a serious vacuum! Too bad it's not electric....

Not yet!! :D Think about it- at max hp a typical B&S motor turns around 3600 RPM. Find a Billy Goat with a dead engine, pull that sucker off, and install a 3450, 5 Hp induction motor- and a long cord!!!

[Chris Parks]

Run a flexible line from a blast gate on the DC?

Edit: I meant to add ....as a floor sweep.

[Larry Edgerton]

I use an old Kirby with a zipper bag. Its not efficient, but I just want to pick up the chips quick. Works good, is quiet, and cost me $10.

[Scott T Smith]

Thanks all for the feedback. I just ordered the Shop Sweep by Shop Vac from Amazon. It was about 15 bucks less than Graingers, and appeared to be the exact same machine (plus it included free shipping).

[Neil Brooks]

I'd be grateful to hear your thoughts about it, once you've used it for a bit, Scott.

I get by pretty well with my 6.5HP ShopVac -- with the HEPA filter, and pantyhose protecting IT -- and a 20' "pos-i-lok" hose, pushing the bristled "floor sweep" nozzle.

But it would be good to understand my options.

[Scott T Smith]

I'd be grateful to hear your thoughts about it, once you've used it for a bit, Scott.

I get by pretty well with my 6.5HP ShopVac -- with the HEPA filter, and pantyhose protecting IT -- and a 20' "pos-i-lok" hose, pushing the bristled "floor sweep" nozzle.

But it would be good to understand my options.


Neil, I'll be glad to post an update. I have a craftsman 6.5 hp canister vac; in this instance I'm trying to figure out if there is a quicker, more effective option available.

[Russell Sansom]

The biggest Freud "shop vac" is hard to beat. In a different league from any shop vac I've seen. 30 / 5 / 2 micron filters readily available ( but costly ). It does everything right except for switch placement. Put on a 4" hose with a floor wand and there you go. I think even George Wilson recommend one once.

[Alan Schaffter]

The biggest Freud "shop vac" is hard to beat. In a different league from any shop vac I've seen. 30 / 5 / 2 micron filters readily available ( but costly ). It does everything right except for switch placement. Put on a 4" hose with a floor wand and there you go. I think even George Wilson recommend one once.

Doesn't hole a candle to a Binford with Taylor mods!

[John Sanford]

Doesn't hole a candle to a Binford with Taylor mods!

True, just make sure that it has the "Inspected by AB" sticker, or that you have good medical insurance. :D

I'm just sayin'....

[Scott T Smith]

UPDATE: My new Shopvac Industrial ShopSweep arrived from Amazon today, and it has been given it's first workshop test. Overall I would rate it as "meets expectations", but not "exceeds expectations".

What I like about it is that it does not require bags, and it is very quick to use as opposed to a canister vac. It also has very good suction.

My dislikes are the noise level (fairly loud, even though this was advertised as being "quiet", the stand is somewhat cumbersome to use, the handle does not pivot (makes it critical that the angle be kept consistent so that the pickup stays close to the floor), and the pickup is not as wide as I'd like.

Overall, it's ok and a good value. Much, much better than a broom and it works more quickly than a canister vac.