Milwaukee 8936-20 Vacuum
Has a powerful rear exhaust, but it forces the air in two directions rather than one
Price: $285
Capacity: 7.5 gal.
Weight: 21 lb.
Noise level: 75 db.
EPA compliant: No
HEPA filter included: No
Filter cleaning: No
Features This little machine has some guts. It didn’t slow down while vacuuming up the concrete mix, it still had decent suction after vacuuming up a whole bag of drywall mix, and it’s the only model I tested that sucked up all the 12d framing nails. While the shorter hose made it awkward to use this as a tool-activated vacuum, the Milwaukee did an admirable job of keeping most dust out of the air, and adding a filter bag increased that efficiency slightly. I appreciated this vac’s small body every time I went up and down stairs or through doorways, and when I needed to empty the canister.
Flaws Like the Ridgid, the Milwaukee has a powerful rear exhaust, but it forces the air in two directions rather than one, making it even harder to keep dust and debris from blowing around. I received a few static shocks when vacuuming up large quantities of debris that were strong enough to cause me to hold the hose with my sleeve instead of my bare hand. The tapered body of the vacuum made removing filter bags difficult, at least without tearing them. Its small wheels and narrow body mean that the Milwaukee is the tippiest of the contenders; I resorted to carrying it rather than rolling it.
Bottom line Although its size, shape, and hose length will limit its use in high-demand situations, this is a competent little vac for its cost and size.
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