Looking for an inexpensive but decent shop vac. Any suggestions?
Shop Vac recommendations?
- Thread starter Rock_Hudstone
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The "blue" store carries Shop Vac. The "orange" store has Rigid. Both are about the same design/performance.
I have both and find the switch on the Rigid vac to be easier to use, it's a toggle switch. The shop vac has a push button type toggle and it's a pain. Sometimes it doesn't work.
I can't complain on longevity. Both have put up with all sorts of drywall dust, etc., and keep on going.
I have both and find the switch on the Rigid vac to be easier to use, it's a toggle switch. The shop vac has a push button type toggle and it's a pain. Sometimes it doesn't work.
I can't complain on longevity. Both have put up with all sorts of drywall dust, etc., and keep on going.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
I know I've gone through at least 3 Shop Vac brand vacs in the past 8yrs or so w/ my light usage. I've managed to let the smoke out of the motors on the ones that failed.
Personally I'd go for whichever is easier to get filters/bags for you. For me, the marginal Shop Vac quality is made up for by the fact they sell filters and bags at small hardware stores everywhere.
Get the largest one you can fit in your workspace.
If you go small there is a good possibility you will smoke the engine.
I have a 12 gallon 4.0 HP Shop Vac that I've used pretty well over the past 5 years. I have kept it with the drywall bags in it and use it around the house as well as in the garage.
Actually I think my wife uses it more than I do. Having 2 large dogs that seem to shed fur all year round, the disposable drywall bag works very well for that.
Shop around during this coming Christmas season. Both big box stores usually have very good deals on their shop vacs.
If you go small there is a good possibility you will smoke the engine.
I have a 12 gallon 4.0 HP Shop Vac that I've used pretty well over the past 5 years. I have kept it with the drywall bags in it and use it around the house as well as in the garage.
Actually I think my wife uses it more than I do. Having 2 large dogs that seem to shed fur all year round, the disposable drywall bag works very well for that.
Shop around during this coming Christmas season. Both big box stores usually have very good deals on their shop vacs.
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Ridgid (Home Depot) or Craftsman. Both are made by Emerson Electric and are largely the same. Good Vacs.
Unfortunately they are not anymore. Emerson used to make Ridgid products, but TTI has been manufacturing most of them in China for a few years now. The good news is you can register for the lifetime warranty and they will give you a new vac if the old one breaks.
When I worked at an auto auction, we used the regular gray and blue Shop Vacs. They held up surprisingly well to extreme wet and dry use.
Ridgid (Home Depot) or Craftsman. Both are made by Emerson Electric and are largely the same. Good Vacs.
Unfortunately they are not anymore. Emerson used to make Ridgid products, but TTI has been manufacturing most of them in China for a few years now. The good news is you can register for the lifetime warranty and they will give you a new vac if the old one breaks.
When I worked at an auto auction, we used the regular gray and blue Shop Vacs. They held up surprisingly well to extreme wet and dry use.
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Ridgid (Home Depot) or Craftsman. Both are made by Emerson Electric and are largely the same. Good Vacs.
Unfortunately they are not anymore. Emerson used to make Ridgid products, but TTI has been manufacturing most of them in China for a few years now. The good news is you can register for the lifetime warranty and they will give you a new vac if the old one breaks.
When I worked at an auto auction, we used the regular gray and blue Shop Vacs. They held up surprisingly well to extreme wet and dry use.
Bummer. Glad I have several in the house then. Still using the Craftsman my wife bought me for Christmas the first year we were married in 1994.
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Ridgid (Home Depot) or Craftsman. Both are made by Emerson Electric and are largely the same. Good Vacs.
Unfortunately they are not anymore. Emerson used to make Ridgid products, but TTI has been manufacturing most of them in China for a few years now. The good news is you can register for the lifetime warranty and they will give you a new vac if the old one breaks.
When I worked at an auto auction, we used the regular gray and blue Shop Vacs. They held up surprisingly well to extreme wet and dry use.
Bummer. Glad I have several in the house then. Still using the Craftsman my wife bought me for Christmas the first year we were married in 1994.
How about this Vacmaster: http://www.amazon.com/Vacmaster-VBV1210-Detachable-Blower-Vacuum/dp/B0023EY052/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t
JHZR2
Staff member
The shop vacs I have from lowes are us made and have lasted well
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Ridgid (Home Depot) or Craftsman. Both are made by Emerson Electric and are largely the same. Good Vacs.
Unfortunately they are not anymore. Emerson used to make Ridgid products, but TTI has been manufacturing most of them in China for a few years now. The good news is you can register for the lifetime warranty and they will give you a new vac if the old one breaks.
Interesting. Ridgid still is a subsidiary of Emerson Electric according to http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Wet-Dry-Vacs2/EN/index.htm
My guess is TTI doesn't make them but Emerson sent production to Chinavv
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Ridgid (Home Depot) or Craftsman. Both are made by Emerson Electric and are largely the same. Good Vacs.
Unfortunately they are not anymore. Emerson used to make Ridgid products, but TTI has been manufacturing most of them in China for a few years now. The good news is you can register for the lifetime warranty and they will give you a new vac if the old one breaks.
Interesting. Ridgid still is a subsidiary of Emerson Electric according to http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Wet-Dry-Vacs2/EN/index.htm
My guess is TTI doesn't make them but Emerson sent production to Chinavv
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Ridgid (Home Depot) or Craftsman. Both are made by Emerson Electric and are largely the same. Good Vacs.
Unfortunately they are not anymore. Emerson used to make Ridgid products, but TTI has been manufacturing most of them in China for a few years now. The good news is you can register for the lifetime warranty and they will give you a new vac if the old one breaks.
Do you have any links? I think you may be mistaken. I was recently shopping for a new shop vac and looked at lots of Ridgids. They were pretty much all made in Mexico.
TTI owns some vacuum companies, but I don't think Ridgid is one of them.
http://www.ttigroup.com/en/our_brands
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Ridgid (Home Depot) or Craftsman. Both are made by Emerson Electric and are largely the same. Good Vacs.
Unfortunately they are not anymore. Emerson used to make Ridgid products, but TTI has been manufacturing most of them in China for a few years now. The good news is you can register for the lifetime warranty and they will give you a new vac if the old one breaks.
Do you have any links? I think you may be mistaken. I was recently shopping for a new shop vac and looked at lots of Ridgids. They were pretty much all made in Mexico.
TTI owns some vacuum companies, but I don't think Ridgid is one of them.
http://www.ttigroup.com/en/our_brands
I have one of the smaller Craftsman's, that's about 25yrs old and still going strong. Works so much better with a 2" dia hose.
My other shop vac is the small Fein, made in Italy. Very, very quiet, long OEM hose and powerful motor. Very expensive though. Found this one for a steal at a close-out sale.
I think my brother has one of the LARGE Craftsmans...it's a brute, VERY LOUD, clumsy, stiff hose, etc.
My other shop vac is the small Fein, made in Italy. Very, very quiet, long OEM hose and powerful motor. Very expensive though. Found this one for a steal at a close-out sale.
I think my brother has one of the LARGE Craftsmans...it's a brute, VERY LOUD, clumsy, stiff hose, etc.
I had a ShopVac (smaller one) and did not like it especially the filter setup. I tossed it when I moved. But kept my older Craftsman. I think I would get a Rigid today.
I did get a Dewalt AC/Cordless kind-of shop vacuum and really like it. But its not on wheels so I cannot drag it around like I can a normal shop vacuum.
I did get a Dewalt AC/Cordless kind-of shop vacuum and really like it. But its not on wheels so I cannot drag it around like I can a normal shop vacuum.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: cchase
Personally I'd go for whichever is easier to get filters/bags for you. For me, the marginal Shop Vac quality is made up for by the fact they sell filters and bags at small hardware stores everywhere.
That's my situation too. I like using the Shop Vac dust bags and typically have extras on hand for the 14gal style that I've been buying.
Personally I'd go for whichever is easier to get filters/bags for you. For me, the marginal Shop Vac quality is made up for by the fact they sell filters and bags at small hardware stores everywhere.
That's my situation too. I like using the Shop Vac dust bags and typically have extras on hand for the 14gal style that I've been buying.
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