New Vacuum...Suggestions?

[Chris Nemlich]

My uncle has offered to get me a vacuum for Chrsitmas this year. I would like to know what all of you use and what you would suggest. I would say $150 is the limit unless I chip in my own funds.

So what is everyone using?

Chris

[alanceperson]

I use 4.5 hp wet/ dry Shop vac. I want 6.5 hp.

[Chris Nemlich]

How does it work for your purposes? Does it have a good amount of sucking power? I don't want to end up with another weak vacuum.

What accessories do you use with it?

Chris

[Rockpick]

I tend to agree Chris. You really can't go wrong with a Shop-Vac. My personal preference is to go with a Craftsman model because of the SUPERIOR service with Sears and the fact that they stand behind their stuff 110%.

Here is a VERY nice set up from Sears for $110. It comes with a slew of accessories and is 6.5 HP. That's where I'd spend my money... urr... your Uncle's money.

RP

[Tim Lingor]

Hi Chris,

I have the Shop Vac, 5.5 hp Ultra Pump Vac. (It has a built in feature to pump water.) I use many accessories, especially the small crevice tools. It has plenty of power, has been totally reliable and does the jobs I need it to do. The only downside is that it is a little loud.

Tim

[Chris Nemlich]

Ok thanks guys I'll check some of these out.

Chris

[mrzeee]

the handheld vac even worked pretty good until part of it broke...
but the shop vac + blower outstanding...blower is great for drying car or getting last drops of h20 from crevices


http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...cat=Tank+Style

[GearHead_1]

I've been using the Craftsman line of shop vacs for years. I kind of got tired of the shrill wine of these vacs. They all sounded the same and were quite loud. I decided to try the Ridgid line. I just bought a new one about 3 weeks ago. It's stock number is WD1850. It's a 16 gallon 6.5 H.P. vac. It is an amazing vacuum, far better than the 6 H.P. Craftsman I was using and WAY quieter. It ran $149. I used it last weekend and had to take some water out of the basement of a new basement foundation (it rained) on a new home I'm building. I pulled over 1000 gallons out of this basement and the vacuum performed flawlessly and is SOOOO quite. It also has a nice little pouch that holds all of its attachments and a gauge that tells you when your filter is plugged. It's quite a bit lighter than my Craftsman and my fathers Shop Vac. My last two Craftsman's had detachable blowers on them and the Ridgid doesn't have this feature. In all the time I had them I never used this blower feature one time. If you're not specifically looking for a wall mount this is the vacuum you are looking for. I would highly recommend it.

http://www.ridgid.com/Contentpages/images/WD1850.pdf

[Chris Nemlich]

Glad to hear a good word for Ridgid. When I looked at Home Depot's site that's primarily what I was seeing. Now I just have to figure out how much my uncle will spend!

Chris

[GearHead_1]

Home Depot isn't showing this new vac on their site yet though it is in their store.

[Chris Nemlich]

Have you bought any extra accessories for you vacuum? Extra tools or anything?

Chris

[GearHead_1]

Just a new filter. I plugged it up sucking up all that dirty water. There are quite a few accessories available for it. A thinner more flexible hose and needle type attachment that I am interested in. I've since used this on several carpets and would add that it is everything I expected. Oh and by the way, did I mention how quiet this thing is?

[alanceperson]

Chris my 4.5 works well for getting in between seats , has only 1 inch hose . Its takes longer in large area though.At work 1 have the craftman 6.5 with a 2 inch hose.More horses good thing but have harder time in the tight spots . Have to use air compressor to blow seats out. Both have goods and bads. Agree about the Loudness ..

[Chris Nemlich]

What brands are your vacuums?

Chris

[bkarma]

I just purchased this for my self

http://www.epinions.com/content_160359026308