Thoughts on a vac.

[Zuke]

I have been in search of a portable Vac. It seems the ones on Autogeek.net got not so great reviews, any suggestions on a great all around Vac with a blow function as well? Hopefully one no more than $180.

[Nappers]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

Are you mobile? or just want a small one?

I bought a 6hp (I think) from Sears and it's a lunker but works great, I use it for extraction, vacuuming around my little shop, vacuum cars, blow leaves off of the porch and extract wasps from around the house.....

I think Sears brand or Shop Vac brands are pretty decent.

Others will chime in.....

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

I went with the rigid vac. I checked out shop vac and the others. I went with rigid because of the price and it just seems sturdier.

[john m.]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

I have a 6 hp rigid that is great! Rigid also has a handy little tool box vaccum that you could take a look at.

[Ryan L.]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

Rigid makes great vacuums. Our last one lasted 6 years of abuse before it gave up. Look for sales at Home Depot around the major holidays, I picked my 6.5 HP one for $25.

Ryan

[DogParkGuy]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

I purchased a Shop-Vac model with an 8 gallon tank and 3.5 hp motor for $72. It is very quiet and the tank is bigger than I would need to clean out 100 cars before emptying. Don't get sold on buying a model with a giant tank and a more powerful motor.

Noise level is important unless you don't car abou tinnitus when you get older.

I have a Rigid vacuum at work that is incredibly noisey and has a stiff, inflexible hose. Would never buy it again.

[CharlesW]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

One thing that was important to me was a unit that didn't tip over when you pulled it around the car by the hose. A Craftsman 5 HP, 12 Gal. unit is short and squatty. Serves the purpose in the garage and was less than $75.
For true portability, the Ridgid WD4550 is hard to beat. The hose and accessories are 1-7/8" which limits you to buying their stuff. That is not a problem for me, but might be to some.
As far as use, the hose isn't as easy to extend as most because of its extreme retractibility. Again, it's no problem for me, but did take some getting used to.
It was about $90 when I purchased mine a few years back.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

One thing that was important to me was a unit that didn't tip over when you pulled it around the car by the hose.

That's why I'm looking to buy a set of Hose & Cable Catchers





It's annoying when the hose or extension cord gets caught under a wheel and my shop vac tips over.

Seems almost as good an idea as the Grit Guards!

[H.E.D]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

^ thats pretty cool the hose and cable catchers.as far as vacuums i like shop vac better than rigid, rigid went out quick.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

For true portability, the Ridgid WD4550 is hard to beat. The hose and accessories are 1-7/8" which limits you to buying their stuff. That is not a problem for me, but might be to some.
As far as use, the hose isn't as easy to extend as most because of its extreme retractibility. Again, it's no problem for me, but did take some getting used to.
It was about $90 when I purchased mine a few years back.

How is the power on the Ridgid WD4550? I have a small Shop Vac right now that just isn't cutting it. I am mobile and can't get the larger units and have yet to find a small, yet powerful unit without an absurd price tag.

[Zuke]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

Hey i've been looking around, and size isn't too much of an option because i have a truck to put it in, not a mini cooper like another MOL member :P. I have been lookin @ the rigid WD1670. Anyone have this or wanna google and get the 2 cents worth?

[CharlesW]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

How is the power on the Ridgid WD4550? I have a small Shop Vac right now that just isn't cutting it. I am mobile and can't get the larger units and have yet to find a small, yet powerful unit without an absurd price tag.

It has enough power to lift carpeted mats out of a vehicle and that's enough for me.
Keep in mind that I'm a hobby detailer so using it as an extractor isn't of any concern to me. It does have enough suction to do a good job of vacuuming a dry surface and I have no doubt that it would do a good job as a wet-vac as well.
You can purchase what I think is the same vacuum not in a toolbox style in the Ridgid WD4050. Same power and accessories. I also think Sears has the same unit under their Craftsman label.
For a portable unit, I think it would be worth taking a look at.
All three are easy to transport, but the toolbox style of the WD4550 was real handy for me to take to the boats when needed.

[roger 668]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

I recently purchased a small 6 HP craftsman vac and it has really gone above and beyond , it actually sucked up a small wrench one day.

[Marc Hufnagel]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

I've had the Ridgid 4550 for about 1 1/2 years now and find it to be great save for two things:

1. When working with the open-ended hose, the little rotating ring will move around on you, and the area between the hose and hard end piece will pinch your fingers quite often. On me it does at least.

2. Since the hose is so springy and flexible, when you pull a suction on something it will contract as short as it can, a few times it has jerked the end right out of my hand.

Other than those quibbles I really like mine.

[CharlesW]

Re: Thoughts on a vac.

I've had the Ridgid 4550 for about 1 1/2 years now and find it to be great save for two things:

1. When working with the open-ended hose, the little rotating ring will move around on you, and the area between the hose and hard end piece will pinch your fingers quite often. On me it does at least.

If you are talking about the ring that closes off a hole in the hose, I taped mine in the closed position. Not because it ever pinched me, but because I didn't want to have to worry about it bleeding off any suction.

2. Since the hose is so springy and flexible, when you pull a suction on something it will contract as short as it can, a few times it has jerked the end right out of my hand.

Other than those quibbles I really like mine.

The springy hose can be a nuisance, but it didn't seem to be any more of a nuisance when under suction than it was anytime it is extended any length. I hold the tool with one hand and the hose about 2' upstream with the other when I am reaching any distance.
The springy hose is probably not used on the regular models so they shouldn't have the problem.