Silly Shop Vac Question

[Scott Brandstetter]

Built a shop vac station tonight with a mini cyclone attached to home depot buck. Works like a charm and well worth the time spent. The silly thing is that when I use the vacuum with the wide floor attachment the darn thing squeaks and sticks as I move it across the concrete floor. Anyone know what I'm talking about and have a simple solution? I'm thinking of gluing a penny to each end and letting the pennies slide across the ground and remove the suction to floor issue. Told you it was a silly question.

[Matt Day]

My solution is to tip the attachment slightly, but I hope someone chimes in with a better answer.

[Dan Friedrichs]

I like the pennies idea...

I know what you're talking about, and it bugs me, too. I think my brush didn't do it until I sufficiently wore down the bristles. Maybe a new brush? Then again, I bought a new brush with really long (~1") bristles, and it can't pick anything up

[Russ Ellis]

Not sure which floor attachment you're using. I gave up on the all plastic versions and use a Ridgid floor brush.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-2-...2514/100049833

[Scott Brandstetter]

Thanks for the ideas and comments. Russ, your picture reminds me of what I used to use and I think that's the answer. The attachment I'm using came with one of the vac's and now that I think about it, its probaby more for liquids than sawdust.

I got away from a shop vac years ago because I got tired of the filter clogging and the idea of cleaning it every time but the idea of a broom and dust pan, well, you know the story. I knew that a cyclone add on would solve the problem but never spent the three hours to make the setup. I am dedicating this long weekend to making a few shop upgrades and this was on the list. I want to become that guy that either starts the day in the shop with a clean darn floor or ends the day in the shop with a quick vac of the floor.

Still may try the "penny idea" though, what the heck.

[Wayne Cannon]

I have a floor sweep with a molded plastic skid on each end to keep the sweep about 1/16" to 1/8" off the floor -- essentially identical to your idea of epoxying pennies vertically on each end (like stationary wheels).

[Steve Peterson]

Why not put a couple of skateboard roller bearings on the ends to let it roll along the floor instead of wear out the pennies and be back where you are now.

Steve

[Charles Lent]

File a couple of 1/2 round holes in the leading edge of your floor tools using a rat tail file. Increase the size from about 3/8" dia, or add additional until you get the result you want. I just fixed one at work and it required 2 about 3/8" diameter.

Charley

[dan petroski]

I just wrapped a length of aluminum wire in the shape of an x around the head. Wire was 1/8 or so thick. Works great. dan

[Dan Bundy]

I screwed a fender washer to each end of mine. Forgot the size, but just big enough and high enough to keep the attachment from sucking to the floor.

[Michael Zerance]

Not sure which floor attachment you're using. I gave up on the all plastic versions and use a Ridgid floor brush.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-2-...2514/100049833

+1

...a side benefit is that you can go from the floor to more delicate surfaces without changing attachments.

[Jim Dwight]

I just let it make a little noise. I usually have the muffs on since the shop vac isn't quiet. If I put it flat on the floor, it doesn't vacuum anything so I use it at a bit of an angle to the floor. I also use a dust deputy on my shop vac and also an auto on switch. I just added a 20 foot 2.5 inch hose from Home Depot for $20. The shop vac is in the middle along one long wall so now I can reach all over the shop without moving the vac.

[Scott Brandstetter]

I guess this wasn't such a silly question after all. Seems a lot of us dislike this issue. Thanks for all the comments and will implement one of the solutions tomorrow.

[Bruce Wrenn]

The only silly questions are the ones NOT ASKED!

[glenn bradley]

I screwed little hardwood skis to mine so that there is always 1/4" gap.