Shopvac - Toy or Tool?

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I have a 16 gal. Sears/Craftsman and if I could change a some things on it, here's what they would be.

First, it would be quieter. The reasons are obvious.

Second, it would be smaller. I can empty it more often in exchange for it being more manueverable, lighter and less bulky.

Third, I would have it operate independently of the bucket as a pump (drawing liquid in one hose and expelling it through another) and as a leaf blower.

I've seen all of these things on different machines since I bought mine (of course). /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I have 2.. An older big 16 gal that sounds like and Allison Aircraft Turbine and a smaller 8 gal that I use most of the time....

One neat attachment I bought last year when we were doing some drywalling in the basement was a hose that dumps into a 5 gal bucket with some water in it.... Called dustless sanding. It can be a pain to use sometimes but there is no dust when sanding....

 

[fishman]

Have a 6+ hp model from Home Depot (Rigid) and have used it pretty heavy for the past year. Very very very useful. The one I have also converts to a hand-held blower which is powerful enough to sweep out the shop, sidewalks, etc. I used a 3 hp model before, and it was not nearly as powerful yet just as loud. I almost never get out a broom anymore.

A must-have tool if $100 is burning a hole in your pocket /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[kbarrett]

Thank you for all your responses. Interestingly enough, my employer just purchased a "contractor grade" - SHOP-VAC (brand) VAC with 6.5 HP and some nice attachments. It's stainless steel and fairly "quiet".

The suction was equal to, if not better than a well running coin operated car vac. Seemed to be plenty powerful and fairly small.

Price was $129.

It has a pleated cartridge style filter. I'll have to check out the other brands that were mentioned by you all.

Sears
RIGID
FEIN
etc.

Thank you much!