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Thread: My Shop Vac Blew Up!

  1. #1
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    My Shop Vac Blew Up!

    Happy Easter all,

    Yesterday my dependable old Shop Vac started making funny noises. Then the smoke billowed out and that was it. Rats. It only lasted 17 years!!!

    I'm going to need to replace this soon and with the plethora of options out there I thought I'd ask this group for recommendations. I'm a contractor and have a wood shop too. I use it for attaching to hand held sanders and my miter saw, general site cleanup including drywall dust and wet clean up from the floor work I do.

    The features I'd like to find are:

    Wet/dry
    Optional pump for removing water
    Good fine dust collection
    Quiet operation
    Powerful suction
    Good capacity
    Auto on/off tool option (I have a separate unit for this so not necessary but would be nice to have built in)

    I've been looking at Ridgid, Shop Vac and Dustless Technologies products online. The Dustless Technologies products sound pretty good but a higher price. I'd love to here from any of you with either the HEPA or DUSTLESS version and see what you think of them.

    Thanks for any and all thoughts on this matter.

    Neil
    Last edited by Neil Bosdet; 04-24-2011 at 1:58 PM. Reason: forgotten word

    "What do you mean my birth certificate's expired?!"

  2. #2
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    You're right, there's a ton of options available today. I have a Fein TIII and don't regret for a second spending the money on it.
    You'll find a plethora of threads on the subject using the search function.
    Please help support the Creek.


    "It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bruce Page View Post
    You'll find a plethora of threads on the subject using the search function.
    Zero hits on a search of SMC for Dustless Technologies. Hoping someone here has used one and can provide some feedback.

    "What do you mean my birth certificate's expired?!"

  4. #4
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    I've got a 16 gallon Rigid thats probably about 15 years old. It's used mainly for my shop and also to detail our cars.

    Still starts and runs like it was brand new. It was less than $100 as I recall.

    When it goes I'm sure I'll go with a Fein or one of the other more quiet vacumes though. I think I'd really like a much more quiet vac both for our benefit and our neighbors, as we use a shop vac a lot.

    PHM

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neil Bosdet View Post
    Zero hits on a search of SMC for Dustless Technologies. Hoping someone here has used one and can provide some feedback.
    Yeah, I don't recall that brand ever being discussed here.
    FWIW, there are several reviews on it over on Amazon that range from excellent to so-so.
    Please help support the Creek.


    "It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
    Andy Rooney



  6. #6
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    I recently bought one of these Rigid vacs http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CHcQ8wIwBA#

    My reasons:

    1) relatively quiet
    2)ability to use both a paper bag and HEPA filter at the same time
    3)reasonable price
    4)easy availability of parts and accessories
    5)lifetime warranty
    6)excellent suction

    I've been using it for about a year. I'm very happy with it. The bag/filter combo means that the pleated filter is never clogged and doesn't seem to impede performance.

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Neil Bosdet View Post
    It only lasted 17 years!!!
    Did you call the manufacturer and complain. I for one would demand a replacement
    Last edited by Bruce Page; 04-24-2011 at 9:17 PM. Reason: Removed profanity

  8. Quote Originally Posted by Neil Bosdet View Post
    ......................... I'm a contractor and have a wood shop too. I use it for attaching to hand held sanders and my miter saw, general site cleanup including drywall dust and wet clean up from the floor work I do..............................
    FWIW, I have a Ridgid. I added the HEPA filter, and I really like it.

    But since you're a contractor, you might consider getting a vac that is HEPA 'certified', as is required for those crazy lead-abatement rules. Those rules make it clear that you can't just have a HEPA filter -- the entire machine needs to meet the certification. Unfortunately, the lowest price I've seen on any that meet the requirements is over $400.

  9. #9
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    I use a Ridgid (2 actually) with the good filters and sound suppressors. Not ultra quiet, but I wear ear protection most of the time anyway.
    Bill
    On the other hand, I still have five fingers.

  10. #10
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    I have a Fein T-II and I love it. It is quiet enough to have a conversation with someone while you are standing right next to it. It is variable speed, hence variable suction. Comes with a plug for auto on/off for use with a sander or other dust producing tool. It wheels around the shop easily and has a long hose. There is no pump for removing water, but there is a ball vavle to drain the tank. It has HEPA type filtering.
    Lee Schierer
    USNA '71
    Go Navy!

    My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Please Contribute

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lee Schierer View Post
    I have a Fein T-II and I love it. It is quiet enough to have a conversation with someone while you are standing right next to it. It is variable speed, hence variable suction. Comes with a plug for auto on/off for use with a sander or other dust producing tool. It wheels around the shop easily and has a long hose. There is no pump for removing water, but there is a ball vavle to drain the tank. It has HEPA type filtering.
    Lee, I've been looking at this one on Amazon. It's over $400 with the HEPA filter installed. Is this a similar price to what you paid? How good is the hose it comes with? Do you actually use the variable speed? If so, how? I can't imagine using that feature (having never had it before). Where do you buy filter bags etc?

    "What do you mean my birth certificate's expired?!"

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neil Bosdet View Post
    Lee, I've been looking at this one on Amazon. It's over $400 with the HEPA filter installed. Is this a similar price to what you paid? How good is the hose it comes with? Do you actually use the variable speed? If so, how? I can't imagine using that feature (having never had it before). Where do you buy filter bags etc?
    I bought mine at a home show in Pittsburgh 2 years ago for $350. I've used the variable speed a few times for various reasons. You wouldn't need 90+ inches of suction for a sander but it is handy for sucking up water. I dropped some brass screws on the floor that had shavings and sawdust on it at the time. I lowerd the suction to pickup the sawdust leaving the screws behind. I have the hepa system and bag filters. I shop the internet looking for the best prices for replacemetns. The hose is 10-12 feet long and seems sturdy enough.
    Lee Schierer
    USNA '71
    Go Navy!

    My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Please Contribute

  13. #13
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    Anybody else using a Fein, Festool for contractor work?

    "What do you mean my birth certificate's expired?!"

  14. #14
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    I use a Craftsman 6.5amp for on site construction cleanup and drywall dust extraction...cost just under $100. This is my second Craftsman; the first one lasted 10+ years. The Fein may be quieter but to me that's not worth the extra cost. Just personal preference I guess.

    Something else to consider: it looks like the Fein Turbo 3 is the only model that comes with a 2.25" diameter hose vs 1.25" dia on the other models. Your going to want the big diameter hose for construction cleanup. The Turbo 3 retails somewhere north of $500.
    Last edited by scott vroom; 04-26-2011 at 11:37 AM. Reason: spell-o
    Scott Vroom

    I started with absolutely nothing. Now, thanks to years of hard work, careful planning, and perseverance, I find I still have most of it left.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by David Thompson 27577 View Post

    But since you're a contractor, you might consider getting a vac that is HEPA 'certified', as is required for those crazy lead-abatement rules. Those rules make it clear that you can't just have a HEPA filter -- the entire machine needs to meet the certification. Unfortunately, the lowest price I've seen on any that meet the requirements is over $400.
    +1 on this sentiment. Unfortunately, from what I have seen of the "certified" shop vacs, they aren't anything special--they mainly have just a slightly better clamp system on the exterior (3 clamps instead of the usual 2 on a shop vac), but there is an extra section that comes off (also with 3 clamps) to allow servicing an additional paper filter that fits over the usual plaited filter. Also, for contractors who use "Lead-Safe Work Practices", you have to use a disposable bag inside that costs $15-20 each--its "feature" is that it comes with an adhesive flap that you use to cover the opening for disposal when the bag is full--a $10 piece of tape in my opinion.
    Jason

    "Don't get stuck on stupid." --Lt. Gen. Russel Honore


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