Anything New in the Shop Vacuum World?

[Pat Germain]

My 20 year old "ShopVac" vacuum gave up the ghost this past weekend. While it lasted awhile, that thing was way loud and lackluster in the suction department. Based on previous threads, I gather the Home Depot shop vacuums are good and quiet machines. I was going to check them out next weekend.

Is there anything new in the world of shop vacuums I missed? I think the Festool system would be way beyond my budget, but I'd like something decent.

I have a dust collector for my stationary power tools. I use my shop vacuum for handheld power tools and general cleaning up.

Thanks.

[Rod Sheridan]

If you're not willing to go the Fein route, how about a central vacuum connected to your shop?

I have one and really like it, it is in the garage, with the exhaust going outside through a silencer.

Aside from the Fein or Nilfisk, every vacuum I've tried seemed louder than can be believed, and seems to spew half the fine dust back into the shop.

A friend of mine nick named his shop vac "Krakatoa".

Regards, Rod.

[Lee Schierer]

I've thought of a new one a few times and if I get one it will have the built in pump for draining water for those occassions when I have to clean up lots of water. But until the present one dies, it is hard to justify a new one since teh dust collector does most of the work in the shop now.

[Matt Meiser]

I have one of the Ridgid Wall Vacs in my garage which I really like because of its portability and compact size. My only complaint is that you can only get the filter at Home Depot and last time I needed one the closest 5 stores were out of them. The did sell me the one out of the display though. When they were back in stock I bought an extra.

I'd look at Fein and Festool in person before you write them off. They are pricey but the quality and quietness is a big deal to me.

[Gary Curtis]

If you plan to use the shop vac in conjunction with hand-held power tools, make sure to buy a model which has an auto-start feature. It will start sucking when you switch on the power tool. Eliminates running around to turn on two switches.

I have a Fein and it comes with that feature.

Gary Curtis

[Mike Heidrick]

Fein is releasing a variable speed model to compete with Festool.

[James Ashburn]

I have a Ridgid 16 gallon and really like it. It does not spew dust back out because I use the .3 micron filter. Works really well for the Ridgid 5" ROS I have. I only wish it had the auto-start capability.

[Pat Germain]

Thanks for the tips. I was leaning toward the general shop vacuum because I also tend to use them for cleaning jobs around the house. However, you guys made some good points about such machines being lackluster when it comes to filtering sawdust. And that auto-start feature does sound nice!

I wasn't even aware Fein made a portable vac. I would indeed like to look at one. Where are they sold? I've never seen them at Woodcraft or Rockler. I might be able to put off the purchase for a higher end machine.

[Larry Browning]

Woodcraft carries Fein Shop vacs.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5804

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=2040

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5252

Also Check them out at Amazon (they have free shipping)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=fein+turbo&x=0&y=0


If my Ridgid ever gives up the ghost I want a Fein

[Chris Rosenberger]

Porter Cable has a nice vacuum.

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7812-Gallon-Horsepower-Tool-Start/dp/B00004TRAS/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1222209391&sr=8-1

[Jason Perrott]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005RDZS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

This shop vac works great, I got two of these for the less than the price of one of those expensive vacs. Its all about cfm, and this thing sucks. I use the high efficiency bags so the hepa filter never gets dirty. You can sand inside with zero dust. I even use it for a drum sander dust collection. You can purchase an auto switch to use with the vacuum and hand tool for $30.

My math says you can purchase the vacuum for $118, auto switch for $30, bags for $15/ 2 bags = $163.00

good luck!
Jason

[Scott Rollins]

I second the Ridgid 16 gallon vac. They are relativiely quiet and they will suck the cover off a golf ball. I added a clearvue cyclone as shown in the pic. It rides on a shelf I added to the bottom. No more cleaning filters. It looks the same as the day I put it in. BTW the vac is on sale at HD for $99 right now on clearance.
I almost bought another.

[Chris Friesen]

The ridgid ones with SNR or "scroll noise reduction" are supposed to be noticeably quieter than the regular ones, but I haven't done the comparison myself.

I've got a regular one with the Cleanstream washable HEPA filter. Almost no dust gets through that filter...love it.

The noise isn't a huge issue, since when using the vac for dust collection normally I'd be wearing hearing protection anyways because of whatever tool it's connected to. It would be nice if it were quieter for general cleanup use though.

Auto-switch would be nice...I think Porter-Cable has one with that. I keep thinking about rigging one up myself, but haven't yet gotten around to it.

[Scott Rollins]

I use the auto start switch here for mine:
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5855
$34 and works perfectly.
I did a noise sample test with the Ridgid with SNR and the shop vac 16 Gal equivalent. The Shopvac was quieter (according to my wife and friend), but the suction was much greater from the ridgid. As others have said, I use hearing protection in the shop when using a tool so noise is only an issue at clean-up.

[Jason White]

Get something that is "tool triggered," meaning a vac with an outlet that will turn the machine on when you turn the tool on. I have the Festool CT22 and love it (especially the disposable bags). It's great for the smaller tools like sanders, but I've also used it for my router table and tablesaw. If you want cheaper, I think Porter Cable still makes a tool-triggered vac. Bosch has a new one, too. For the money, however, I'd go with the Festool or a Fein.

Jason


My 20 year old "ShopVac" vacuum gave up the ghost this past weekend. While it lasted awhile, that thing was way loud and lackluster in the suction department. Based on previous threads, I gather the Home Depot shop vacuums are good and quiet machines. I was going to check them out next weekend.

Is there anything new in the world of shop vacuums I missed? I think the Festool system would be way beyond my budget, but I'd like something decent.

I have a dust collector for my stationary power tools. I use my shop vacuum for handheld power tools and general cleaning up.

Thanks.

[Greg Narozniak]

A budget is a budget and while the Fein and Festool is the "cream of the crop" It would be out of my price range as well.

I would go with any of the larger Rigid or Shop Vac with a Clean Steam filter installed. If your using it for tools then I would add a Oneida Dust deputy (DIY setup) or the mini Clear Vue. They have gotten great press here so I would not hesitate to purchase one. Add one of the Switches that have been mentioned (I think Sears has one also) and your all set.

The newer Vacs are no were near as loud as the old ones were.

[Wade Lippman]

I use a Black & Decker designed for pet hair. It has a little "cyclone" in it and a filter cleaner. Very powerful, reasonably priced, and the filter never clogs.

Very small capacity, but I have a Dust Deputy before it and the DD catches over 99% of the dust without costing much power.

If I had it to do from scratch I would consider Oneida's all in in machine, but mine works pretty good. (except for the noise, but you can't have everything.)

[Bill White]

I have a Ridgid 16 gallon and really like it. It does not spew dust back out because I use the .3 micron filter. Works really well for the Ridgid 5" ROS I have. I only wish it had the auto-start capability.


I also added the optional "muffler" to mine. Really helped.
The blower attachment often comes in handy.
Bill

[Pat Germain]

I took a look at the Fein vacuums online. Mrs. Pat gave me the "NFW!". (No Forseeable Way). So, I think I'm limited to Ridgid territory. I'm thinking if I get the big Ridgid vacuum with the steel can, a muffler, HEPA filter and an auto-start switch, I'd be fine. And I'd still be well below the Fein price. I noticed it's an extra $100 just for Fein vacuum acessories.

I also took a look at the Porter Cable vac. It does have a built in auto start switch. Some of the reviews complained of whistling hoses, but others didn't. I'm wondering if that's a real issue. Considering what's going on with PC tools of late, I'm a little leary to go with PC.

I agree the Fein and Festool vacs are great. But the budget just won't budge that far this go 'round. I do hope to get one in the future. Then the Ridgid vac could be used for general cleanup and wet-duty.

Many thanks for all the suggestions.

[Peter Quadarella]

The Ridgid is a great machine. If I were doing it over, I would consider this new offering combined with one, by Clearvue: http://www.clearvuecyclones.com/Ridgid_Conversion.htm

[Pat Germain]

I went to check out the Ridgid vacs at Home Depot today. I didn't see any with the stainless steel tank. I guess they don't make those varieties any longer. Bummer.

I saw two, all plastic wet/dry vacs and they're both $99:

- The WD1450 model is 14 gallons, 6 HP, has the scroll noise reduction and comes with the "level 3" filter.

- The WD1650 "blower vac" model is 16 gallons, 6.5 HP, apparently does not have the scroll noise reduction and comes with the "level 1" filter. The motor assembly on this vac can be used as a blower, which I don't care about.

Do you guys think I should go for the scroll noise reduction, or the bigger vac without it? That clearview gadget Peter mentioned apparently fits the larger blower vac. Perhaps it would be nice to have that option as a future purchase. Also, I can always buy "level 3" replacement filters.

[Joe Jensen]

I went to check out the Ridgid vacs at Home Depot today. I didn't see any with the stainless steel tank. I guess they don't make those varieties any longer. Bummer.

I saw two, all plastic wet/dry vacs and they're both $99:

- The WD1450 model is 14 gallons, 6 HP, has the scroll noise reduction and comes with the "level 3" filter.

- The WD1650 "blower vac" model is 16 gallons, 6.5 HP, apparently does not have the scroll noise reduction and comes with the "level 1" filter. The motor assembly on this vac can be used as a blower, which I don't care about.

Do you guys think I should go for the scroll noise reduction, or the bigger vac without it? That clearview gadget Peter mentioned apparently fits the larger blower vac. Perhaps it would be nice to have that option as a future purchase. Also, I can always buy "level 3" replacement filters.

I have a Rigid 1850. Much quieter than the Sear vac it replaced. Good suction, pretty much better in every way than the 1980s Sears vac it replaced. Should be in most Home Depots. The hose sucks, Sears sells a grey hose that's a HUGE upgrade. Here is a link
http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/16-Gallon-WD-Vac/EN/index.htm

and a pic
http://www.ridgid.com/ASSETS/9444CC97EB564EAF8C5C23A2CD237134/WD1850_16_Gallon_Pro_Vac_web.jpg

[James White]

Here is another option from Bosch. 2-1/2" hose, auto power option, and 130 cfm. For $379 it beats the PorterCable and is not $500 like the others in its class.

http://www.mytoolplace.com/Bosch-13-Gallon-WetDry-Vacuum-Cleaner-with-Power-Broker---3931A-P2119C1658.aspx

James

[Anthony Watson]

I went to check out the Ridgid vacs at Home Depot today. - The WD1450 model is 14 gallons, 6 HP, has the scroll noise reduction and comes with the "level 3" filter.

I have the WD1450 and have been fairly happy with it. I bought it to replace a five year old "quiet" Shop Vac brand. The Shop Vac was very quiet when I bought it, but as the bearings wore out over the years it got louder and louder. Only time will tell if the WD1450 does the same thing, but it's rather quiet for now.

The WD1450 is larger (in size) than my old 12-gallon shop vac. Not a big deal around the shop, but when I have to stick it in the trunk to take to a job with me, it's a little harder to fit.

I liked the tool bin on the back of the Shop Vac better than the accessory bag on the back of the WD1450. I find the hose extensions have a tendency to fall off the little posts on the bottom of the WD1450. The big plastic wheels on the Shop Vac made it easier to pull over extension cords and whatnot, but the wheels on the WD1450 make it easier to move around on smooth surfaces. Still, these are minor issues.

Noise levels. About the same when new, though a new WD1450 put my worn out Shop Vac to shame. :)

Suction. About the same. I didn't notice any real difference.

Capacity. The WD1450 holds 14 gallons compared to 12 on my old Shop Vac. Though personally, I empty the tank long before it ever gets anywhere near the full capacity. If I could have found a smaller 5-10 gallon vac with the noise level of the WD1450 (at the same price range) I would have preferred that.

Filtering. Regardless of which vac you choose, pick up the fine filtering bags that fit inside the tank. Without it, you'll clog up the main filter within 30 minutes of vacuuming dust. You can knock it off, but that's messy, and the filters are expensive to replace. With the fine filter bags I routinely connect my sander to the vac and can run for hours with no decrease in suction. The bags are also a must if you are vacuuming up drywall dust. I even use the vac to clean the remaining COLD ashes out of our woodstove, after I've scooped out the majority and cleaned our chimney. Again, I liked the way the bags for the ShopVac brand fit better than the ones for the WD1450, but it's a very minor difference. They both work equally well.

Anthony

[Frank Dominski]

I just went through the same thing, my old 5hp Shop Vac died after I hooked it up to my Dust Deputy. I did as much research as I could stand and if I had $400 to spend on a vac I would have purchased the Bosch. I was never happy with my Shop Vac so I bought the Ridgid 6hp WD1450 and for the money its a nice unit. It is much quieter then my Shop Vac even without the muffler, which you can buy as an accessory. I was going to buy the 6.5hp WD 1650 but really did not need the bigger tank, larger handle, and I hated the big rear wheels on my Shop vac. So for me the extra .5hp was not worth $50.00 more. Plus it has a life time warranty for what that is worth.:D

[Pat Germain]

I ended up getting the Ridgid 1650. As I mentioned, it was the same price as the 1450. The suction is outstanding with the factory hose. When I put a reducer on it for connecting to handheld power tools, not so much. I can understand why.

It's pretty quiet, especially compared to my old Shop-Vac. I'm able to pull it around my shop pretty easily without it tipping over. This was almost impossible with my old vac.

Thanks for the help, everyone.