I’ve had the Shop Vac twice (filter plugs fast on dust), now the loud Daton died today, though it was never as much a vac as too big and too loud. I’m sure you guys have already told several time which vac is best, but I forgot. Thanks
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Good vacs mean big $$. Which is why there are so many Shop Vacs around, since most refuse to spend the money.
E.G. Wap has a great vac that is quiet and won't clog, but it costs over $600.
Fein produces three good vacs that are in between. I have the smallest version, which I use as an all-purpose, and for portable machines (biscuit joiners, sanders, etc.) because it has a tool acctivated switch. But it cost about $250.
Fien
Any one have a Loveless?
are they quieter?
Yeah I got to many tools on the wanna buy list to spend 3 bills on a Vac!!
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
I'm fond of my PC vac, but it's fairly small and I don't use it for wet pick up. But it's well built, tool triggered and reasonably quiet.
Have had the Loveless Drywall Vac for about 6 years....... Still going strong & noisy
On a hill by the harbour
I'm vac'd out!
Got the Fein with the auto on/off for fancy trim dust ...
one step down from the biggest sears craftsman for the big demo debris ...
and a smaller hand carry Ridgid for portability.
like them all for their intended purposes.
thought I have a vac problem before .. seeing as how 3 may be a bit many ... then I figured for a tool I use just about as much as my utility knife ... might as well have on hand what works.
plus ... clean up is the most important job .. and the one I'm usually trying to rush thru to either move on to the next project or just move on out the door.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Buck,
With all the finished house work you do, it sounds like you need an Oreck for the finish up, at the end of the job.
-zen
ya just ...
2 seconds ago I dragged an old upright vac out to the porch ...
the wife is trying to make some room in the basement ...
it was one I was going to "someday" see if I could fix.
then keep it in the van ...
looks like I'll be searching thru the sun ad's again for the cheapest upright I can find for my "van vac" ...
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Maybe you should start a cleaning business. You seem to have a vacuum fetish. lol
Actually you could have a cleaning lady with her own van, and hire her out like some contractors have handy services. Then you could buy yourself brand new vacs and give her your old ones.
-zen
it's my Dad's fault ...
growing up ... we worked with him on job sites ...
he had a phrase ... which we all hated ...
(grit my teeth here) "the remodeling fairies" ...
as in ... when the customers came back home ... he wanted his job sites to look like those damn "remodeling fairies" had done the work ... no dust ... no debris ...
just new stuff built. Like they left in the morning .... and some fairies came in ... and magically ... the new work just ... happened. Bam ... done!
U leave just one little piece of plaster dust ... you'd hear how them damn fairies wouldn't leave such a mess ...
I hate them damn fairies!
but ... man ... gotta tell ya ... customers love that!
everyone "expects" top notch work ... that's what they pay ya for ...
it's the clean job sites that'll get U the referal business.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Find yourself an old Sanitaire upright................ lots and lots of hotels, motels, and commercial properties use 'em. They're not throw away vacs and parts are readily available- rebuilds are easy and they clean better than any upright I've seen.
Here's a thread or 2 about shop vacs:
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=49229.1
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=40626.1
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=38847.1
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=25892.1
Hey Boss,Thanks and to all the others. I read all the threads you listed. It is all ecoing my experience. I'm going to go shopping (on the web) now and sort out $
I'm curious if anyone has tried one of these
View Image
Product Description
From the Manufacturer
Pulse-Clean„§ filter cleaning system shakes dust from the dual filter cartridges to maintain maximum suction. Pulse-Clean can be activated manually, or, when desired, automatically, when a connected power tool is switched off (a helpful remote control, such as when working on a scaffolding). Power-tool activation with 7-second run-on after tool switch-off to empty hose. Filters sit above max. dust and water level and capture 99.93% of particles 3.0 microns and larger in diameter. Powerful 6.5 (max.) HP / 11.1-Amp motor. Airflow - 130 CFM. Static water lift ¡V 100¡¨. Quiet - only 69 dB. Wet capacity - 11.4 gallons. Max. water level shut-off sensors. Drain valve. Easily-removed push handle, carry handle, softstart, bypass cooling, rust-free poly tank, flat top for resting tools, 26¡¦ cord and more. Includes two filter cartridges, dust bag, and 9.85¡¦ locking hose.
Product Description includes 3931 Vacuum Cleaner, 35mm, 9.85 Ft. Locking Vacuum Hose, (2) Filters -- VAC012, Dust Bag -- VAC013
If the Bosch had been available when I bought my Fein, I would have seriously considered it.
My Fein has been, ummmm...fine.
Quiet, with a cool hose and triggered by a tool, in this case my Bosch table saw.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
http://forums.taunton.com/n/find/findRedir.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&mg=C2D07http://acx.prospero.com/dir-app/icon.aspx?realmId=0&iconTypeId=5&iconName=fo
Tools for Home Building - tool review .. Ridgid ShopVac ...9F6-6595-4CBC-AA83-952D14FCF4F9
I've got a bunch of the sears and after reading the above thought I'd give it a try. With the smaller hose that comes with it it isn't quite as powerfull as you would think it should be. But if you use the larger size hose=2+1/4" it pulls as good as the bigger sears vacs. It's filter goes longer then you would expect and it is a lower less irritating pitch. So far for my use I have been quite happy with it. but if your looking for larger capacity your going to have to empty it offen. So far that's the only draw back. And like I said I've got all this 2+1/4 inch stuff so I have all kinds of hoses and fittings.
Fonzie,
Check out December 2004 JLC, there was a great article review of the big boys.
-zen
I've had good luck with Shop Vac and it's what I would buy again . I have two, a 20 gal and a 1x1 for stairs and tight spots. I think the secret to a Shop Vac is the filter/filter bag........ the right one makes all the difference. The stock filter on my 20 gal. does a very poor job with fine dust; add the right filter bag (http://www.shopvac.com/dev/catalog/dept.asp?id=22) for fine or drywall dust and you've got a real cleaning machine. The drywall bags don't plug up or have to be shook out; when they're full, toss 'em. The bags should increase the life of the motor too, the non bypass design of the vac allows any dust/dirt which escapes the filter to go through the motor- the right filter/ filter bag is critical to motor life. I've look at Fein, Wap, and the PC vacs; nice vacs but I have a hard time justifying paying 3, 4 or more times as much for something I'm not sure will work much if any better.
Edited 2/26/2005 9:39 am ET by jc
The main reason I have the Fein is so I can hook it up to a tool, and it will automatically turn on to control the dust. It will pick up about 80% of the dust my chop saw makes.
I work mostly in finished homes, so this was an important feature for me.
Its also a lot quieter than most other vacs. I usually wear hearing protection when running my Sears monster. I don't have to do that when running the Fein.
Shep, do you know many amps the Fein is rated for. Not the vac itself, but how many amps draw for a tool that is plugged into the vac.
I have an older Ridgid 4 gallon tool vac that works the same way. I notice that it doesn't continue to run for 7 seconds after the tool is shut off anymore. Look up a manual on it and it says it is only rated for tools that draw up to 6 amps. Also interesting to note, that in the manual it mentioned something about the vac limiting the power supply to a tool so that the total draw of vac and tool would only be like 12 amps - might be hard on the chop saw to have its power supply cut down.
Just wondered what the Fein is rated for - guess I can go look it up. Should also check how much my PC is rated for before I burn that up.
I don't remember how much the Fein is rated for- I think its 15 A.
I bought a Wap prior to buying the Fein, thiniking to use it hooked up to my chop saw.
I burned out the circuitry on the first cut. Then I read the directions and realized the amp limits on it.
The Fein handles my DW705 with no problems.
That amp capability was one of the items I researched when buying my Fein. IIRC, it was tops in that dept, tops in the quiet dept and close on the suction.
Keep in mind that it is impossible to compare the dB ratings as they test differently. (Like how faraway is the sensor to produce a 79dB rating?)
Still, I run my Bosch 400 tablesaw and ever tool I own on it with no problems and the noise is very manageble..not only reasonably quiet, but, actually kinda "sophisticated" sounding! (As opposed to the crude loud shreiking made by some of the cheap ones)Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Our vote is for Fein. It won't run our Makita mitre saw but we love the vac. The 16 foot hose (though the small diameter) is great and it really is quiet. they haven't got the smarts to make it fit American vacuum tools. They give you a little rubber adapter (like a radiator hose) to fit American accessories. The filter is great but filters out so much fine stuff that it won't pick up much drywall dust before you have to shake out the filter. But then that is better than having it blown out the exhaust!
Here is another option for people that want to have the tool they are using turn their vac on and off. Keeps you from having to go out and buy another vac if you are happy with the one you have. Just plug this in the wall, plug your vac in one outlet and up to two other tools in the other outlets.
View Image
Craftsman Auto Switch
View ImageSears item #00924031000 Mfr. model #24031
View ImageAutomatic Switch allows you to turn on your power tool and energize your accessories simultaneously! Only 110 volts so it's ideal for use with table or radial saws and dust collection systems. Learn more
I use my Shop Vac much the same way except I have to switch the vac on manually. Most of my equipment is PC and I use their hose and adapter to hook up to the 347 saw and 333 and 352 sanders; the 3812S tablesaw uses the standard Shop Vac hose- it really improves dust collection for all the tools. Still trying to figure a efficient setup for the Makita LS1220 miter saw. I've looked into switches like the Sears but I have real reservations about doing damage to some of the tools. The 347, 3812, and LS1220 are rated at 15 amps plus you have to add the 11 of the of Shop Vac- it seems to me like too much for a 15amp circuit. I'm no electrician but I'd think even with the Fein the 15 amp circuit is the limiting factor.
Good points about the amperage. but keep in mind that the peak draws occur at different times, so the worst case situation doesn't occur normally.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
I've been through my share of vacs over the years, shop vac, sears, doyle, dayton. About four years ago I bought a Fein turbo III. This one has the 2 1/2" hose and all your old shop vac tools will fit. You will have to buy a small hose for portable tools. It easily powers any of my portables and works better than any other vac I've had. It doesn't have an out blowing port like so many others so there isn't extra dust. I added a teflon bag that is available at most commercial vac shops, which helps with the sheetrock dust. The vac is very quiet but the orifice on some tools can whistle. The only time I clogged it was trying to suck up the boring chips that plumbers and electricians like to leave behind. Those should be swept anyway. The switches are waterproof and there is a cover on the outlet, rated at 15 amps. I can leave it out in the rain with no worry. Easy to clean, light weight, rolls good on a flat floor. If there was one thing I would add it would be a switch on the end of the hose. I guess I could buy a remote for when I'm working on stairs. I think it is the least expensive of the better vacs out there. $279 at tool crib. It's taken a few tumbles and seems to be indestructible.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Could this string segue into attachments? Swimming pool vac hose and duct tape is as sophisiticated as I've ever gotten and I'm kind of tierd of it. Who has some good ideas on universal connectors, couplings, longer hoses...?
I have had my ridgid vac for about 3 years and it is one of my favorite tools. it poweful enough in the shop that it will keep sucking saudust when the tank is full and filling the hose. attatch a smaller hose to it for sanders, biscuit joiners. and planers. for cleaning up drywall dust it does clog up pretty fast (15 min)but i think most filters will decrease in performance . it has a removable motor/blower so cleaning the filter is as easy removing it and hitting it with the blower (outside)to clean it. just like new in 2 minutes. 3 years old and i just replaced my filter. remove the filter and it sucks up 16 gallons of water in about 45 seconds. we recently dug up a garden to replace a broken watermain on a cold rainy day. the guy i hired said we couldnt have done it very well without it. no mater how much water drained into the hole we dug the shop vac could suck it DRY. it also doubles for digging post holes. sucks out the loose dirt at the bottom when a shovel wont lift it.
Also along the vac front here is a picture of 35' hose that works fine, it was a pool hose 1-1/2" couple of adapters make all the stuff match up. and the green thing on the chair is a remote control/clicker and reciever for the vac, plug it in and click it's on or off. Range ? never been to far away yet- like 80' or so.
open the smaller of the 2 files I attached.
I bought a Fein last summer - smallest model w/o the auto-start feature but w/ a wand kit. Verrrry pleased. Be advised that a brush is not included - I just ordered 2.
Vacuum is relatively quiet and ergonomic. I recently replaced the std. cartridge - several options available - after vacuuming floor dust from Waterlox application.
The std. pre-filter bags from ACE hardware fit OK. We have several Bosch tools, but the Bosch vac model was new and $$$.
good luck,
daveininh
The Fein came today. It looks well made and runs quiet - no shortage of vacuum, and I'm impressed with the design - filter design and fit, low profile, wheel design, long hose, hose "click in" to unit. I was surprised it has 0 - zilch fittings. (Guess I should have read closer) I made an adaptor from a small strip of flashing and electrical tape for a crevice tool until I can look into the Fein metric collection.I'm not in the mood right now, but what is the experienced recommendation on optional filter upgrade - the crossover bags from Ace, or is there something great for Drywall dust, etc from Fein? (and does it plug up with drywall dust fast?) Is this "as shipped" setup going to work with drywall dust?
Typical shop vac fittings are 1 1/4", and the Fein hose will take 1 1/2" -- which can be had from any store that sells regular vacuum cleaners. My Fein came equipped with a felt bag (as opposed to regular cloth), and I really haven't had any problems with the filter bag clogging up and reducing the sucking power. However, I have never used it for drywall dust. But I have a friend who uses it for that purpose, and he buys the disposable paper bags, and tells me they work great.
My FEIN came with the felt bag too and it seems to work well. Thanks for the tip on the fittings. I thought I read somewhere they were an odd size.I tried the auto - on feature and we think it's going to be a lot handier than we thought.
Just be careful with what machine you use with the automatic switch. It works fine with any hand tools (biscuit joiner, sander), but I tried it with my small bandsaw, and it blew the switch out (which I needed to replace).
mine spends most days connected to either my DeWalt 12" CMS or my 10" DeWalt table saw. No problems as of yet. Have a buddy that hooks his up to his bid DeWalt slider and his ridgid table saw .. again ... no problems.
How much was the switch repair?
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Happened within days after I bought the vac. Took it back (to Woodcraft), had to do a little bit of table pounding, but they gave me a whole new vac.Do you know what the amp rating on the switch is? I think the bandsaw that blew mine out was only about 9-10 amps.
When I researched my purchase, the Fein had a 15 mpo auto switch circuit. I have run many tools with it, mostly ny Bosch 400 tablesaw, and zero problems so far.
if a bigger Fein will work its filter is larger, which is better. It is very effective.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
What's mpo?
A good question! ...sadly, a wild typo, I guess. I think I meant "AMP"....Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Naaaa Mobil Power OUtput
got to use my buddy's battery powered DeWalt portable vac yesterday ...
it was a choice between that one and the portable Ridgid I went with ...
glad I chose the Ridgid.
sure the DeWalt was cordless ... and quiet ... but ...
it was quiet ... because there realy wasn't any air flow!
he got it for cab installs .... and even at that ... it under-performed.
very little suction.
he's in love with the fact "it's so easy to move around a kitchen" ...
I'da taken it back after the first attempted use.
I'd say it "sucked" ...
but it didn't!
barely moved saw dust ...
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA