Well my old Craftsman shop vac finally died and I need a replacement. Lets face it, for remodeling the Wet/Dry vac is the most underrated tool a contractor owns. This time however I’m going with a good quality machine that doesn’t require hearing protection to use.
I’ve read positive comments about Fein’s but I’m also considering a Porter Cable machine, but have yet to hear any comments about it.
Any comments about either machine?
Scott R.
Replies
I too used & abused a Craftsman for many years. A project came up where noise was going to be big issue. I didn't consider PC but I listened to the Fein, one at a job site of a buddy's, and one at a trade show. The lack of noise is simply unbelievable. After choking on the price of the 2-1/2", out came the checkbook. It really is a superb tool. Clean, quiet, powerful. My only dislikes are that the cloth filter seems to clog easily, although I'm doing a lot of fine dust generation right now, and there's no top exhaust port to stick the end of the wand into when it's not in use. You have to just set it on the floor. But these are small items and I would buy another in a heartbeat. BTW, a HEPA filter is available for absolute cleaning. I haven't studied the vac that closely but I still can't figure out how the thing exhausts though. There's no external air motion at all.
Al
Another fascinating machine is the Centaur; they have 50 and 60 decibel vacuums (that's qiet enough to still hear a radio or have a normal volume conversation right beside it). Saw their booth at the local tool show and have noticed a couple of drywall crews have them lately. Smallish machine, 4-5 us gal probably, roughly 100cfm; designed for janitorial trade.
http://www.centaurmachines.com/
.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
I'm glad to see some progress with these machines. I read an article once concerning noise from portable shop tools and as I recall, belt sanders, routers, and vacs were among the worst offenders. Over the years I've become pretty careful about goggles, hearing protection, & dust control. I like what I do too much to jeopardize it with an injury or illness.
Al
I was more shocked at the cost of various replacement filters, especially the HEPA, for Fein.
After resigning to the fact that I couldn't justify the cost, I opted for a ShopVac QSP model, which they claim is quieter.
Picked up a 2-1/2" 16-gallon model and equipped it with pre-filter bag and the CleanStream pleated filter, which is "near" HEPA, at around $23.00. CleanStream recently introduced a HEPA version at around $35.
(The pre-filter bag, even without a CleanStream, makes a big difference in the exhaust.)
It is much quieter then the old ShopVacs - less high pitched screaming and the larger 2-1/2" hose help. It's more of a loud hum then a scream.
This setup is used more for cleaning the house.
With several extensions hoses, it still has plenty of draw and I am able to keep the cannister in a different room.
And with the filters, I know the exhaust is fairly clean.
Well, maybe except for the carbon dust from the motor ?
Lately I've been looking at the Fein sander/vaccuum setup....
I've used the Fein Turbo III since it came out and it works wonderfully. The cons have already been mentioned: price, doesn't come with a tool set, no place to effectively store tools on the vacuum itself. I'm quite happy with mine and would buy it again.
Steve