I know there have been discussions on this topic before, but I haven’t guite found an answer to my question. I started out with a cheap little 5 gallon 1 1/2″ hose Craftsman that didn’t work worth a darn, as you can imagine. I upgraded to a 16 gallon, 6.5 hp monster (and added a Clean Stream filter) that has tons of suck but is big and difficult to carry around. Also, I’ve noticed that I never fill it even close to full with debris before I empty it and knock the filter clean, so the 16 gallon tank seems rediculous. Now I’m thinking that maybe the perfect general purpose vac would be something with a smaller tank, powerful motor and large hose, and designed to be truly mobile, like up and down stairs, into the back of the truck, etc. I found one on the Sears website that is a 10 gallon stainless steel tank with the dolly setup, still a 6.5 hp motor and built in tool and cord storage for $149. Does this sound like the perfect vac if I added a good filter? What are your experiences?
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Look in to the Milwaukee #8912 or #8925. A little less vac with model #8950 or 55.
http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/html/index.html
Edited 6/30/2003 10:21:09 AM ET by IMERC
Anyone out there using the smaller tank Craftsman that I mentioned? I looked at the Milwaukee's in the previous post, but I don't like the small diameter hose. Is there any reason I would regret having a smaller tank? So far I've never come close to filling mine, but I don't use it for water. The low profile 16 gallon tank on mine makes it difficult to move around much, but at least it doesn't tip over. I was thinking maybe the same power and hose diameter with a smaller tank that was designed to be hauled around would be perfect. What do you guys think? Is this a stupid question, or just one that has been beaten to death already?
Is the one you saw at Sears roughly like this one?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000223XE/qid=1057241817/sr=1-23/ref=sr_1_23/002-7497759-6412818?v=glance&s=hi
I've had one of these for several years and really like it. The handle and dolly wheels make it awfully nice to roll around. Even handles stairs fairly well.
I couldn't tell you the exact hose size, but it's bigger than the cheap vac hoses.
An erection doesn't count as personal growth.
Yep, that's kind of what I was thinking about. Plenty of suck, large diameter hose, smaller tank, easy to move around. The Sears one I have now is the 16 gallon low profile variety and it is hard to move around. You have to pick it up with both hands and then it's so wide that it's hard to move around with it.
Thanks for responding. I might have to take a closer look at that Craftsman.
Ya know - Craftsman is a 4 letter word around here.................(-:If two men agree on everything, you can be sure only one of them is doing the thinking.
Yeah, I've noticed that. :) I shoulda said crapsman, eh? I won't buy power tools from there for the most part, but hand tools and shop vacs have been good so far.
I'm not sure there's an ideal size. I looked at the Fein's but the prices scared me away. I've been using two Shop Vacs. The big one is a 20 gallon model that does a good job with chips/shavings and with the addition of a filter bag, handles drywall/plaster dust pretty well. I also use a 1x1 model (1 gal. tank)- great on stairs and tight spots.
I had a small crapsman for a while , a older model probably about 8 years old. It was doing a good job but it kept falling over and a pain to roll around. But after It went through the uprights, not a bad punt if I dont say so myself, :>) (I got pissed and kicked the heck out of it one day when it fell and spilled the dirts all over) I got a Ridgid for Xmas from slim shady and it does a pretty good job and hasnt tipped over yet...
Darkworks: No Guns No Butter squilla and the bling bling.
Well...I've been using the 6.5 hp 16-gallon ShopVac QSP with the CleanStream and pre-filter bags for about six years.
Also have about 10 6' hose sections that I use in different combinations so I can leave the cannister near a door or in a different room. I've also used the setup in the attic, leaving the cannister below on the main floor.
Plenty of suction even with all the hose sections.
This rig has been a great setup for me for countless occasions and the motor doesn't scream as much as the smaller diameter hose units. More like a loud hum, which is tolerable.
The only thing it lacks is bypass cooling for the motor, which is a more costly feature common in German vaccuums.
FYI, I also have the Festo 22 vac, which is excellent but I find myself using the ShopVac for messy cleanups such as drywall dust, plaster chunks, etc.
It's a great vac for the money and dispite it's R2D2 sized bulk, it is surprisingly light. It is also a very inexpensive but powerful.
I've been using the ShopVac today and getting ready to go back for more work gouging out plaster cracks and patching.
The cannister exhaust is facing the front door screen door and about five sections of hose leading into the kitchen where the work is.
After using the Festo a couple of times for cleanup, it is being reserved for using with the tools for dust extraction only.
I have the one linked to in the previous post and don't have many complaints. But I have to say that the Crapsman my friend has does seem to have more suction. And I have noticed that from other Cr--p-----an.
One upgrade I feel has been very worthwhile is a muffler. One day I picked up the Rigid Muffler in HD and it seemed the right size. It fit and really does a good job of bringing the decibls down without to much harm to the suction.