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Rigid Pro Pack Vac

EricPaulson | Posted in Tools for Home Building on May 15, 2006 01:15am

Anyone using this? You know, the one that is shaped like a tool box.

I have an old Craftsman vacuum that will suck the balls of a bull, and make the animal deaf at the same time. This thing just won’t die.

I need the suck, but not the size. It’s too damn big to haul around and I don’t need it’s capacity.

Eric

[email protected]

 

 

It’s Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been

 

 

 

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Replies

  1. User avater
    BillHartmann | May 15, 2006 02:02am | #1

    That is the 3rd iteration of that vac. Same basic specs and size. Just different packaging.

    Started out as basic vac. They they made it a gargage vac with wall basket, and additional 20ft hose and more accesories.

    Now they made it into the self contained version.

    It has a fine filter (DW dust), but no HEPA filter.

    I have the garage vac version and really like it. And they have gotten good reviews here in the past.

    Most vacs of that size have weak motors. This one really SUCKS.

    1. User avater
      EricPaulson | May 15, 2006 02:27am | #3

      Thanks.

      Google bought up a link to a Popular Mechanics review; but it was a totally different looking vac than on the Rigid site.[email protected]

       

       

      It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been

       

       

       

  2. rasconc | May 15, 2006 02:05am | #2

    DW got it for me for Christmas.  I like it.  It does not quite compare to one of the real big ones but it is as much as I have needed for most cases.  It has a short hose that stores in one end so you won't do a room with it without moving it a lot.  You can use the other hoses.  I like the big switch, you can do it with a foot.  I have a reducer and hose that came with one of my other Ridgid vacs. 

    I bought one of the Sears accessory switches and use it with my PC325 on the EZ rails.  I hooked it up to my Bosch RO sander and it is fine.  Someone asked about using it for a stepstool a while back and I noticed it is labeled not not stand on.  I have gently stood on it with no problem but would not make it a standard practice.  I weigh about 190 without tool belt. 

    It is not overly loud and is limited in capacity but will hold most of a 5 gal bucket.  It comes with a good filter.  I think it is a keeper.

    1. User avater
      EricPaulson | May 15, 2006 02:29am | #4

      Thanks Ras,

      I need to make more room in my truck and that vacuum looks like it will fit the bill.

      I'll just have to do a little more pick up during demo as the hose is a bit smaller than the big suck I am using.

      Eric[email protected]

       

       

      It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been

       

       

       

      1. rasconc | May 15, 2006 03:08am | #5

        The standard hose that comes with all the Craftsman and Ridgid vacs fit it perfectly.  You must have some other brand.  I thought even Shop-vac has the same size.

        Bob

         

        1. gordsco | May 15, 2006 06:34am | #6

          DeWalt circular saw has a hose attachment?

          Or did you invent that one yourself? 

          1. rasconc | May 15, 2006 07:09am | #8

            Trash picker that I am I picked up an upright household vac at the dump and ended up taking some parts off it to fix my mother-in-law's unit.  It had a hose that went from the bottom to top fill the bag.  I took the guard stop off the DW 364 and attached it to the stationary part of the guard.  I bent a corner bracket to hold it in the right place.  With a little duct tape and a piece of plastic I closed in the front to make it more effective. 

            It worked pretty darn well.  That stack of ply pieces is what's left of 20 or so sheets of 5x5 3/4 ply.  It sucked up at least three gal of sawdust.  Not as easy as the PC325 that replaced it though.

            I took the hose off and use it for the Bosch sander now.  It would not be hard to modify an attachment from an old vac and glue/tape it to the outlet.

            Kind of Redneck meets Sanford and Son and McGyver.

            Bob

  3. User avater
    JeffBuck | May 15, 2006 06:40am | #7

    here's the one I have.

    if it's the same guts in a smaller box ... I vote yes.

     

    I'm plenty happy with the one Santa bought me 2 or 3 years ago. I also have an old Craftsman Vac ... and a Fein. I like the small Ridgid for kitchen and bath installs. Sucks up most ... really long cord ... decent length hose. Easy to store and carry.

    the big one only comes out after a big demo. The Fein comes out when I set up shop.

    I use the ridgid 80% of the time.

     

    View Image

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

  4. tmaxxx | May 15, 2006 08:09am | #9

    i have 2 ridgid vacs.  1 big one, had it for 3 ish years, oneof my favorite purchases.  when full of sawdust will keep sucking till unit is so full the sawdust is about 6 inches into the hose before it bogs down.

    and i have the portable unit.  it sucks.....no really it sucks great and its not too loud either.  i also have a dewalt portable unit that can work off the 18v bat.  now thats a piece of schitt. cant suck more that 3-4 cups (literaly)nd its clogged and i have to wear ear protection.

    Tmaxxx

    Urban Workshop Ltd

    Vancouver B.C.

    cheers.  Ill buy.

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