Shop vac recommendation

[Lloyd McKinlay]

Already have a couple of "debris gobblers" that handle the big stuff but don't seal well and blow a bunch of dust into the air. Selection criteria, in order of importance are dust collection (1 micron), noise, portability, and overall cost including bags, filters, etc. Tool activation is a must. Primary use will be controlling dust from prime coats, sealers, sheetrock and cutting mdf but will get the occasional pile of scrap from demo because I don't want to haul 2 vacs to a jobsite. 5-6 gallon is preferred size.

I've looked at the Fein 9-55-13 and just noticed the slightly smaller, noisier, and less expensive 9-11-55. The Festool gets good reviews and the tool and hose storage looks excellent, unlike the Fein. Of course it's also almost double the money.

No good tool store in my area, so I must rely on the internet. Thoughts or suggestions?

[Jim Becker]

The Fein and the Festool are usually the ones to go for in this class of machine...

[Christian Aufreiter]

Another brand that recently caught my attention is Nilfisk Alto (http://www.alto.as/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ALTOFrontpage?storeId=10051&langId=-106&newLangId=-106) (formerly Wap Alto). The Attix line seems to be well-made and really quiet.

As for online stores, if you decide to go with a Festool vac you might want to contact "Uncle Bob" (http://festool.safeshopper.com/) as the SMC community calls Bob Marino.

Hope this helps,

Christian

[Curt Harms]

I saw an idea on some web site or other. Bought a wire basket about the size of the fein vac. Cut a few wire segments out so the basket went over the handle and sat on the black flat top. 4 bolts thru the top with fender washers secure the basket. The basket works well for hose storage, on-site tool storage or whatever. I was skeptical about the small diameter fein hose, but the length and flexibility are great when hooked to sanders, routers and such. The size of the fein hose is metric, but there are stepped rubber adapters available which I leave permanently on tools. I'm happy with the setup.

Curt

ps the vac will accept 2 1/2" Shop Vac or Craftsman hoses. They just won't lock into the vac like the fein hose does.

[lou sansone]

Np personal experience with festool, but love my fein.. would highly recommend it. turbo III I believe

lou

[Dennis Petrillo]

I have both the Fein Turbo III and the Festool CT22. You can't go wrong with either one. Both have the capability for HEPA filters. Both are quiet with the Fein at less than 60dB and the Festool at around 72dB. I went with the Fein initially because of the HEPA and Low noise level. Both are expensive and the accessories are as well. The Festool is probably more portable.

Good Luck!

[Rob Russell]

I bought a Gore-Tex replacement filter for my Rigid wet/dry vac and it doesn't blow fine dust out. The HD website doesn't show that fitler anymore (maybe jsut a store item), but they do show a Hepa-level filter which should be 1 micron filtering. These filters just filters just fit on regular chunk suckers.

[tod evans]

lloyd, i cheaped out and went with the porter cable to take on installs. it`s tool triggered...02 tod

[Byron Trantham]

I have the Festool, replacing a Sears screamer, and it has been a great investment. Through a series of adapters I made for my tools, it does a great job of dust collection; the ROS and biscuit cutter being the most notable. I think the best thing I like about the Festool is its ability to "follow me around" the shop.

[Dennis Peacock]

Fein or Festool. I have a Festool and wouldn't trade it for any other vac. Very quiet and works VERY well.

[aaron allen]

I bought the baby Fein and a control module from Sears (20.00)that allows me to make it automatically turn on and stay on 10 seconds or so after turned of. I didn't opt for the HEPA filter though, I use the bags they sell for the fine dust then just remove the bag and you have a 1 1/4 hose gobbler. Are you going to take two filters to the job site? I wouldn't want to spend the money for a HEPA if there was some chance in exposing it to job site debris. more than my .02- sorry

[Dennis Sneed]

I too have a Festool vac and it is great. Also works well on cleaning the cars. I'd be curious on the adapters that Byron made for his other tools as Festool is all metric and does not sell adapters for US tools.

[Asha Goyal]

Another brand that recently caught my attention is Nilfisk Alto (formerly Wap Alto). The Attix line seems to be well-made and really quiet.

As for online stores, if you decide to go with a Festool vac you might want to contact "Uncle Bob" as the SMC community calls Bob Marino.

Hope this helps,

Christian

Even im also using this brand, It liked it

[mark mcfarlane]

... Primary use will be controlling dust from prime coats, sealers, sheetrock and cutting mdf ...

Lloyd, sanded drywall compound dust is very fine and will likely clog bags/filters quickly. Festool makes a self cleaning drywall vacuum: Festool 574933 CT 36 AC Dust Extractor With Autoclean that is even pricier than their others, along with a drywall sander.

FWIW, I use a dust pan first on sanded drywall compound dust, then a wet rag if I think I can get it all, or a vacuum if there is no other choice.

Edit: For smaller repairs I don't sand the drywall compound, I just use a wet rag. This is particularly effective for filling nail holes, you can remove all of the compound from existing texture and with a little priming the repair becomes invisible.

[lowell holmes]

I go to Lowes or Home Depot and pick one up. I am on my second one in 25 years. The old one old one went under water during the Hurricane Harvey flood.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Guys...the OP started this thread in 2005. I suspect he's made his purchase.

[Rick Potter]

Asha,

Many of us have reopened an old thread accidentally. No problem, and welcome to the Creek.

[Allan Speers]

If the OP is anything like me, he's still on the fence.

:o