Portable Vacuums--Another Tool?

[OctaneGuy]

Just curious what kind of vacuum cleaners people are using. I've got a huge Wet/Dry vac in my garage for my clinics, and all the small vacs I've tried just don't have much power. I know my needs are pretty unique considering the size of the trucks and trailers you guys have.

After some research, I went ahead and ordered from Amazon a DeWalt DC515K.

1/2 Gallon
6 pounds
Wet/Dry
Gore™ HEPA Wet/Dry filter traps 99.97% of dust at 0.3 microns

Can be used by holding whole unit, or extending tube.

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=10654

It's compact, seems to have decent power, and runs on batteries or AC. As you will recall, I've recently entered the business and I'm using my MINI Cooper as my detailing rig.

I'm currently using this and it works great for carpets and floors, but no crevice tool or hose for tight areas.

http://www.aerusonline.com/products/accessories.cfm?o=4

[travisdecpn]

I've been using a 2.5 hp/5 gallon Shop-Vac for the past two years. I'm looking to upgrade to a ridgid unit. This one appears to be what many mobile detailers use since it is rather compact, yet powerful. http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/4-Gallon-Vac/index.htm

[imacarnut]

Originally posted by travisdecpn
This one appears to be what many mobile detailers use since it is rather compact, yet powerful. http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/4-Gallon-Vac/index.htm

i've been eyeing this one as well. seems like the best bang for the buck, compared to some other models.

[MTBPATH]

that's a nice compact vacuum.
what's a good price range for that DeWalt going for?
and where besides Amazon can you get one.
Sears?

[OctaneGuy]

$129 at most places plus $10 shipping. I think Sears had it as well. I chose Amazon for the free shipping, no sales tax, and $30 off for opening an Amazon credit card. LOL.

They have a 2 gallon version that seems to be even more highly rated for $139. It form factor is like the ridgid mentioned here.

Richard

Originally posted by MTBPATH
that's a nice compact vacuum.
what's a good price range for that DeWalt going for?
and where besides Amazon can you get one.
Sears?

[BJClarke001]

Originally posted by travisdecpn
I've been using a 2.5 hp/5 gallon Shop-Vac for the past two years. I'm looking to upgrade to a ridgid unit. This one appears to be what many mobile detailers use since it is rather compact, yet powerful. http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/4-Gallon-Vac/index.htm

I too use (Rigid from Home Depot) this one and I purchased mine with a hanging rack system (came as a complete system, I think it was $89) that hangs the unit on the garage wall. It sits on the wall and is always ready to just turn on and use (no dragging stuff out anymore). The rack also has additional wire shelves on it to hold accessories and coiling the hose up neatly. And in addition, the unit works GREAT.

[amg/md]

Originally posted by BJClarke001
I too use (Rigid from Home Depot) this one and I purchased mine with a hanging rack system (came as a complete system, I think it was $89) that hangs the unit on the garage wall. It sits on the wall and is always ready to just turn on and use (no dragging stuff out anymore). The rack also has additional wire shelves on it to hold accessories and coiling the hose up neatly. And in addition, the unit works GREAT.

So, would that be the model #WD5500? The 5 gallon one? That one is $99.97 at Home Depot now.

[BJClarke001]

Originally posted by amg/md
So, would that be the model #WD5500? The 5 gallon one? That one is $99.97 at Home Depot now.

I looked on the Rigid site and mine is not the 5 Gallon one your asking about. Mine was the 4 Gallon on there (just like the one Jeff provided a link for except without the wall rack) but I don't see the one I have on the site (might just be at stores only) and perhaps you can check it out at a Home Depot store. Good Luck and I hope you find it.

[showtime]

I've got the 4 gal/5HP one that's already been brought up. I bought it a couple weeks ago and love it. It had the power of the big ones but small enough to be brought anywhere.

[gb387]

OctaneGuy.... let us know how the Dewalt works, I have looked it over at Lowes and just wondered how well it get the job done. Looks very handy!

[OctaneGuy]

Will do! It's supposed to arrive by tomorrow, which I hope cause I got a detail job on Friday I'd like to use it on.

Richard

Originally posted by gb387
OctaneGuy.... let us know how the Dewalt works, I have looked it over at Lowes and just wondered how well it get the job done. Looks very handy!

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by OctaneGuy
Will do! It's supposed to arrive by tomorrow, which I hope cause I got a detail job on Friday I'd like to use it on.

Richard

This looks like it'd be great to have on road trips, if nothing else.

[MTBPATH]

took a look at both the Ridgid and DeWalt.
for the DeWalt, the larger one (DC500) is a lot less than the next model (DC515k). cheaper by about $25. the DC500 is around the $99 range.
I like the small compact ones. in my garage I already have a 12g Ridgid wet/dry vac. these smaller cordless ones looks a lot easier to work with.
for the Ridgid, price is not bad at all. around the $70 range.
I wish it was smaller in gallons. maybe it is very compact compared to the DeWalt line. what do you all think?
decision decision...
hmmm. another gift for my garage and car?

[MTBPATH]

but only the DeWalt ones. DC500 and Dc515K are cordless.
I believe the Ridgid one is corded.
Craftsman has a 2gal, 1.5hp for $30. but that is corded aswell.
I like the idea of having it cordless. its convienvent to take with in the car and it needs to have all the attatchment to make cleaning a bit easier.
Lowes carries a cordless for around $50.
it has 2.5gal and all attatchments.

[OctaneGuy]

Thanks, you're absolutely correct. I wanted to choose a Wet/Dry vac that could be used cordless or with a cord when necessary, that was compact when not in use. Capacity isn't essential since most of the stuff I'm sucking up from cars is pretty small anyways. Also I was interested in a washable filter, not something that has to eventually get replaced. I couldn't find any HP measurements for the cordless, not sure if that's cause they don't come close to the power of corded one or what.

Richard

Originally posted by MTBPATH
but only the DeWalt ones. DC500 and Dc515K are cordless.
I believe the Ridgid one is corded.
Craftsman has a 2gal, 1.5hp for $30. but that is corded aswell.
I like the idea of having it cordless. its convienvent to take with in the car and it needs to have all the attatchment to make cleaning a bit easier.
Lowes carries a cordless for around $50.
it has 2.5gal and all attatchments.