I need a shop vac... recommendations?

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sylvestermcmonkey

sylvestermcmonkey

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Mar 7, 2008
80
The Land that Time Forgot
My old vac bit the dust, it was at least 20 years old so I can't complain.

What are people using these days? Ridgid, Shop-Vac, Sears, or...? What size / HP?

What diameter hose... I think the common 1 1/4 might be too small but is that OK? A crushproof hose would be a plus, I also need a long power cord, at least 10 feet.

Quiet is always good too, my last one needed hearing protection.

I liked this Shop-Vac model 5873411 because it's about the right size, Lowes sells them, but it doesn't have great reviews and the 1 1/2 in hose is not common. I don't like Sears since their filters cost too much and there's no other place to buy them but Sears.
 
Rigids are pretty good, I have one. But I find the after sale stuff, the attachments, the filters hoses etc. seem pretty pricey for molded plastic.

*edit* ... they switched the filter size only three years after bringing them out. The new ones no longer fit.
 
I own a detail business. We run our vacuums a minimum of 5 hours per day. We are currently and will continue to run ridgid. The reason we are running ridgid is about two years ago, we had a four year old vacuum give out. The motor finally just quit. We returned it to the retailer, just to see what they would say. They said "No problem, just go get one off the shelf". We were amazed, but did not argue. We are still running that machine, and havent had any problems. They were serious when the said "Lifetime Warranty". very suprising.
 
I serviced some equipment in a shop vac manufacturer several years ago.. This 1 company made about a dozen different name brands of vacs. The manager said "fix that equipment really good, we are moving to China "
 
Thanks - I noticed contractors always seem to be using Ridgid vacs. I'll probably go with one of them. It's a big decision you see!

I don't mind paying more if it's going to last a long time, I just don't want a piece of junk that I hate for 20 years.

What size hose? I'm guessing 2 1/2 will be too unwieldy for a stove?
 
I've had a Craftsman for the past 12 years and it's been a good vacum. That being said I'm really dissapointed in Sears lately with the diminished quality of their tools so I can't say if a new vacum would be as good.
 
Can't go wrong with an older Craftsman. I've had mine for many years and it can still just about suck the chrome off a bumper.
 
I have a 2 1/2 inch hose on my Craftsman and I have no trouble using it on the stove.
 
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