Good/cheap shop vac

[BrianR]

I'm working in a garage, and I'd love to get a vac like that nice Fein turbo unit, but I'm wondering if there are any other models you all like. Also, where can I get one (even a used one) for a good price? Thanks all.

[BrianR]

I'm working in a garage, and I'd love to get a vac like that nice Fein turbo unit, but I'm wondering if there are any other models you all like. Also, where can I get one (even a used one) for a good price? Thanks all.

[BrianR]

I'm working in a garage, and I'd love to get a vac like that nice Fein turbo unit, but I'm wondering if there are any other models you all like. Also, where can I get one (even a used one) for a good price? Thanks all.

[Concordia..41]

Before you consider price, consider decibels. Your hearing is as important as your sight!

That (and the peer pressure exerted here) were our main factors in getting the Fein. Craftsman was advertising some a while back as being low noise. They also had mufflers available, but I couldn't tell much difference.

[ 10-27-2002, 06:03 AM: Message edited by: Concordia..41 ]

[Concordia..41]

Before you consider price, consider decibels. Your hearing is as important as your sight!

That (and the peer pressure exerted here) were our main factors in getting the Fein. Craftsman was advertising some a while back as being low noise. They also had mufflers available, but I couldn't tell much difference.

[ 10-27-2002, 06:03 AM: Message edited by: Concordia..41 ]

[Concordia..41]

Before you consider price, consider decibels. Your hearing is as important as your sight!

That (and the peer pressure exerted here) were our main factors in getting the Fein. Craftsman was advertising some a while back as being low noise. They also had mufflers available, but I couldn't tell much difference.

[ 10-27-2002, 06:03 AM: Message edited by: Concordia..41 ]

[Old Bingey]

Those el-cheapo, dedicated, bag-style sawdust machines run quiet and suck hard.

[Old Bingey]

Those el-cheapo, dedicated, bag-style sawdust machines run quiet and suck hard.

[Old Bingey]

Those el-cheapo, dedicated, bag-style sawdust machines run quiet and suck hard.

[Scott Rosen]

As far as I can tell, the main difference between the cheapos and the Fein is the noise level. If you don't mind the noise, then it won't much matter which vac you get.

[Scott Rosen]

As far as I can tell, the main difference between the cheapos and the Fein is the noise level. If you don't mind the noise, then it won't much matter which vac you get.

[Scott Rosen]

As far as I can tell, the main difference between the cheapos and the Fein is the noise level. If you don't mind the noise, then it won't much matter which vac you get.

[Wiley Baggins]

I have to join the chorus with respect to noise being an issue. I doubt that I would pay the premium for a quieter unit if I had it to do over. Good hearing protection takes care of that problem. If (when) the time comes that I have to replace my Sears' Craftsman unit, I would however opt for one that can be used as a blower as well as a vacuum.

[Wiley Baggins]

I have to join the chorus with respect to noise being an issue. I doubt that I would pay the premium for a quieter unit if I had it to do over. Good hearing protection takes care of that problem. If (when) the time comes that I have to replace my Sears' Craftsman unit, I would however opt for one that can be used as a blower as well as a vacuum.

[Wiley Baggins]

I have to join the chorus with respect to noise being an issue. I doubt that I would pay the premium for a quieter unit if I had it to do over. Good hearing protection takes care of that problem. If (when) the time comes that I have to replace my Sears' Craftsman unit, I would however opt for one that can be used as a blower as well as a vacuum.

[Alan Peck]

I have already offered this opinion on similar questions. But based on my experience, I was not satisfied with a lower horsepower 1.25 hp with a 1 1/2 inch hose. It just wasn't powerful enough and the 1 1/2 inch hose was easily clogged. Especially leaves would clog it up.

I finally replaced it with a 5 hp, Shop Vac with a 2" hose. It works infitely better and almost never gets clogged. Its noisy, but no more than the low powered unit was.

My 2 cents is to buy one with a 2" hose if at all possible.

[Alan Peck]

I have already offered this opinion on similar questions. But based on my experience, I was not satisfied with a lower horsepower 1.25 hp with a 1 1/2 inch hose. It just wasn't powerful enough and the 1 1/2 inch hose was easily clogged. Especially leaves would clog it up.

I finally replaced it with a 5 hp, Shop Vac with a 2" hose. It works infitely better and almost never gets clogged. Its noisy, but no more than the low powered unit was.

My 2 cents is to buy one with a 2" hose if at all possible.

[Alan Peck]

I have already offered this opinion on similar questions. But based on my experience, I was not satisfied with a lower horsepower 1.25 hp with a 1 1/2 inch hose. It just wasn't powerful enough and the 1 1/2 inch hose was easily clogged. Especially leaves would clog it up.

I finally replaced it with a 5 hp, Shop Vac with a 2" hose. It works infitely better and almost never gets clogged. Its noisy, but no more than the low powered unit was.

My 2 cents is to buy one with a 2" hose if at all possible.

[DutchRub]

depends what you palan to do with it- suck up dust ya already made or as yoou make it-fein if the later-a big sears craftsman if the former.Oh yeah- if noise be an issue buy a pair of ear plugs-theyre cheaper than a expensive sucker.Ya ought ta be wearin em in the shop anyway-lots of loud noises in there-aint never hear a quiet sander or planer

[ 10-27-2002, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: Dutchrub ]

[DutchRub]

depends what you palan to do with it- suck up dust ya already made or as yoou make it-fein if the later-a big sears craftsman if the former.Oh yeah- if noise be an issue buy a pair of ear plugs-theyre cheaper than a expensive sucker.Ya ought ta be wearin em in the shop anyway-lots of loud noises in there-aint never hear a quiet sander or planer

[ 10-27-2002, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: Dutchrub ]

[DutchRub]

depends what you palan to do with it- suck up dust ya already made or as yoou make it-fein if the later-a big sears craftsman if the former.Oh yeah- if noise be an issue buy a pair of ear plugs-theyre cheaper than a expensive sucker.Ya ought ta be wearin em in the shop anyway-lots of loud noises in there-aint never hear a quiet sander or planer

[ 10-27-2002, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: Dutchrub ]

[Wayne Jeffers]

Noise is definitely something to consider. I wear earplugs with my old vac.

And the 2 1/2-inch hose, in addition to the 1 1/4-inch.

Something else worth considering is a model for which you can get a HEPA filter that is effective down to the sub-micron level. Even if you don't use that filter all the time, it's nice when you're going to be varnishing, etc., and want to be as dust-free as possible.

BTW, my vac is a 20-year old, $50 Genie Jet-Vac that still shows no signs of wearing out. I have both size hoses for it, HEPA filters, and ear plugs. I also put the business end of it in a 20-gallon steel drum on rollers instead of the 5-gallon can.

Wayne

[ 10-27-2002, 07:09 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Jeffers ]

[Wayne Jeffers]

Noise is definitely something to consider. I wear earplugs with my old vac.

And the 2 1/2-inch hose, in addition to the 1 1/4-inch.

Something else worth considering is a model for which you can get a HEPA filter that is effective down to the sub-micron level. Even if you don't use that filter all the time, it's nice when you're going to be varnishing, etc., and want to be as dust-free as possible.

BTW, my vac is a 20-year old, $50 Genie Jet-Vac that still shows no signs of wearing out. I have both size hoses for it, HEPA filters, and ear plugs. I also put the business end of it in a 20-gallon steel drum on rollers instead of the 5-gallon can.

Wayne

[ 10-27-2002, 07:09 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Jeffers ]

[Wayne Jeffers]

Noise is definitely something to consider. I wear earplugs with my old vac.

And the 2 1/2-inch hose, in addition to the 1 1/4-inch.

Something else worth considering is a model for which you can get a HEPA filter that is effective down to the sub-micron level. Even if you don't use that filter all the time, it's nice when you're going to be varnishing, etc., and want to be as dust-free as possible.

BTW, my vac is a 20-year old, $50 Genie Jet-Vac that still shows no signs of wearing out. I have both size hoses for it, HEPA filters, and ear plugs. I also put the business end of it in a 20-gallon steel drum on rollers instead of the 5-gallon can.

Wayne

[ 10-27-2002, 07:09 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Jeffers ]

[Alan Peck]

Just a follow up to my previous post. I mistated when I said 1 1/2" and 2" hose. It should have been 1 1/4" and 2 1/2" hose.

[Alan Peck]

Just a follow up to my previous post. I mistated when I said 1 1/2" and 2" hose. It should have been 1 1/4" and 2 1/2" hose.

[Alan Peck]

Just a follow up to my previous post. I mistated when I said 1 1/2" and 2" hose. It should have been 1 1/4" and 2 1/2" hose.

[Bruce Hooke]

I have a rather small Shop-Vac and I really like it. I can't vacuum up big chunks of wood with it (or leaves!?), but a broom (or a rake) will take care of that stuff just about as quickly and a lot more quietly. Meanwhile, my Shop-Vac is much easier to lift into a boat or move around my cramped shop than a bigger one would be. Since I use a broom for the big stuff it also takes me ages to fill up the vacuum so I see no reason to have a big 10 or 15 gallon vacuum. One thing I like about the Shop-Vacs too is that there are lots of accessories for them (including better filters) and I never need to worry about being able to find someplace that sells the accessories because they can be ordered directly from Shop-Vac. I agree, however, that the noise is such that hearing protection is a good idea.

[Bruce Hooke]

I have a rather small Shop-Vac and I really like it. I can't vacuum up big chunks of wood with it (or leaves!?), but a broom (or a rake) will take care of that stuff just about as quickly and a lot more quietly. Meanwhile, my Shop-Vac is much easier to lift into a boat or move around my cramped shop than a bigger one would be. Since I use a broom for the big stuff it also takes me ages to fill up the vacuum so I see no reason to have a big 10 or 15 gallon vacuum. One thing I like about the Shop-Vacs too is that there are lots of accessories for them (including better filters) and I never need to worry about being able to find someplace that sells the accessories because they can be ordered directly from Shop-Vac. I agree, however, that the noise is such that hearing protection is a good idea.

[Bruce Hooke]

I have a rather small Shop-Vac and I really like it. I can't vacuum up big chunks of wood with it (or leaves!?), but a broom (or a rake) will take care of that stuff just about as quickly and a lot more quietly. Meanwhile, my Shop-Vac is much easier to lift into a boat or move around my cramped shop than a bigger one would be. Since I use a broom for the big stuff it also takes me ages to fill up the vacuum so I see no reason to have a big 10 or 15 gallon vacuum. One thing I like about the Shop-Vacs too is that there are lots of accessories for them (including better filters) and I never need to worry about being able to find someplace that sells the accessories because they can be ordered directly from Shop-Vac. I agree, however, that the noise is such that hearing protection is a good idea.

[Bill Dodson]

I have a Shop-Vac QSP ... I forget the size- 12 gallons, maybe. I'm very happy with it. It's quiet enough to be easy to work around and powerful enough to do what I ask of it.

Bill

[Bill Dodson]

I have a Shop-Vac QSP ... I forget the size- 12 gallons, maybe. I'm very happy with it. It's quiet enough to be easy to work around and powerful enough to do what I ask of it.

Bill

[Bill Dodson]

I have a Shop-Vac QSP ... I forget the size- 12 gallons, maybe. I'm very happy with it. It's quiet enough to be easy to work around and powerful enough to do what I ask of it.

Bill

[TomRobb]

ShopVac noise is anoying, for sure I saw an outlet port muffler in one of the tool catalogues - looked like a sort of plastic glass-pack muffler. They claimed it tamed the racket. If you don't care about portability and have the space, one of the big dust collectors is both quieter and more effective.

[TomRobb]

ShopVac noise is anoying, for sure I saw an outlet port muffler in one of the tool catalogues - looked like a sort of plastic glass-pack muffler. They claimed it tamed the racket. If you don't care about portability and have the space, one of the big dust collectors is both quieter and more effective.

[TomRobb]

ShopVac noise is anoying, for sure I saw an outlet port muffler in one of the tool catalogues - looked like a sort of plastic glass-pack muffler. They claimed it tamed the racket. If you don't care about portability and have the space, one of the big dust collectors is both quieter and more effective.

[rodcross]

I was pleased and surprised to discover that a 2 1/2" hose fits the Fein that I have and the vacuums ability to gather up trash is increased, a lot. When I'm not using that vacuum on the boat or in the basement, it doubles as my upstairs domestic vacuum. Too bad about the filter bags, however. They're a pain and unbelievably expensive.

[rodcross]

I was pleased and surprised to discover that a 2 1/2" hose fits the Fein that I have and the vacuums ability to gather up trash is increased, a lot. When I'm not using that vacuum on the boat or in the basement, it doubles as my upstairs domestic vacuum. Too bad about the filter bags, however. They're a pain and unbelievably expensive.

[rodcross]

I was pleased and surprised to discover that a 2 1/2" hose fits the Fein that I have and the vacuums ability to gather up trash is increased, a lot. When I'm not using that vacuum on the boat or in the basement, it doubles as my upstairs domestic vacuum. Too bad about the filter bags, however. They're a pain and unbelievably expensive.

[Scott Rosen]

Shop-Vac filter bags, or any generic, will fit the Fein just fine.

[Scott Rosen]

Shop-Vac filter bags, or any generic, will fit the Fein just fine.

[Scott Rosen]

Shop-Vac filter bags, or any generic, will fit the Fein just fine.

[Old Bingey]

I think I might not have made myself clear about what I was talking about with the "el-cheapo sawdust machine". I mean one of those woodshop machines which sucks sawdust or shavings out of stationary machines like planers, sanders or table saws. It has a big, induction run motor driving a steel impeller which drives the dust into a cloth bag. Though it runs very quietly, the bag leaks a little more than the filter on a vacuum cleaner and is harder to empty. I am talking about the basic model here. You can spend a lot of money and get a big deal thing but mine is 1 hp and cost (I think) about $135. Though it runs a 4" hose, it can easily be adapted to fit the discharge port on any little sander. Another advantage to these machines is that you can run them without the bag and just blow the shavings out into the yard... depending on where your yard is.

[Old Bingey]

I think I might not have made myself clear about what I was talking about with the "el-cheapo sawdust machine". I mean one of those woodshop machines which sucks sawdust or shavings out of stationary machines like planers, sanders or table saws. It has a big, induction run motor driving a steel impeller which drives the dust into a cloth bag. Though it runs very quietly, the bag leaks a little more than the filter on a vacuum cleaner and is harder to empty. I am talking about the basic model here. You can spend a lot of money and get a big deal thing but mine is 1 hp and cost (I think) about $135. Though it runs a 4" hose, it can easily be adapted to fit the discharge port on any little sander. Another advantage to these machines is that you can run them without the bag and just blow the shavings out into the yard... depending on where your yard is.

[Old Bingey]

I think I might not have made myself clear about what I was talking about with the "el-cheapo sawdust machine". I mean one of those woodshop machines which sucks sawdust or shavings out of stationary machines like planers, sanders or table saws. It has a big, induction run motor driving a steel impeller which drives the dust into a cloth bag. Though it runs very quietly, the bag leaks a little more than the filter on a vacuum cleaner and is harder to empty. I am talking about the basic model here. You can spend a lot of money and get a big deal thing but mine is 1 hp and cost (I think) about $135. Though it runs a 4" hose, it can easily be adapted to fit the discharge port on any little sander. Another advantage to these machines is that you can run them without the bag and just blow the shavings out into the yard... depending on where your yard is.

[Figment]

I too have the Big Orange Brand from the Big Orange Store, but I splurged on the little muffler attachment. yeah, it actually cuts the sound dramatically, particularly if you have presence of mind to point the outlet AWAY from you.

I may not be thoroughly up to date on what shopvac technology is out there these days, but this Big Orange unit was worth the $$ the second I fired it up... it's light years beyond the 15yr old craftsman behemoth it replaced.

[Figment]

I too have the Big Orange Brand from the Big Orange Store, but I splurged on the little muffler attachment. yeah, it actually cuts the sound dramatically, particularly if you have presence of mind to point the outlet AWAY from you.

I may not be thoroughly up to date on what shopvac technology is out there these days, but this Big Orange unit was worth the $$ the second I fired it up... it's light years beyond the 15yr old craftsman behemoth it replaced.

[Figment]

I too have the Big Orange Brand from the Big Orange Store, but I splurged on the little muffler attachment. yeah, it actually cuts the sound dramatically, particularly if you have presence of mind to point the outlet AWAY from you.

I may not be thoroughly up to date on what shopvac technology is out there these days, but this Big Orange unit was worth the $$ the second I fired it up... it's light years beyond the 15yr old craftsman behemoth it replaced.

[Ed Harrow]

RC, thanks for the tip! That would, of course, be a Fein 2.5" hose. As Scott says, there are other, cheaper sources for the required bits. I have a bag over the filter that helps preserve the filter. This filter bag is for a "Shop Vac" or some such. I've not tried another bag however. I use bags only when vacuuming nasty stuff, like bottom paint.

Egads, a real hose... My one complaint about it. Thank you!

[Ed Harrow]

RC, thanks for the tip! That would, of course, be a Fein 2.5" hose. As Scott says, there are other, cheaper sources for the required bits. I have a bag over the filter that helps preserve the filter. This filter bag is for a "Shop Vac" or some such. I've not tried another bag however. I use bags only when vacuuming nasty stuff, like bottom paint.

Egads, a real hose... My one complaint about it. Thank you!