Need a new shop vac

Kamel

Kamel

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2011
Location
Gladys, VA
My 15+ year old shop vac finally died and I need a replacement. Don't want a cordless unit. I think I've narrowed it down to this DeWalt Unit but wanted to entertain other recommendations. Also, I want something I can pickup today, so I am limited to DeWALT, Craftsman and Shop Vac from Lowe's, RIGID from HD, and Harbor Freight. TIA
 
X2 on Ridgid. Have a little one that rocks, bigger shop vac brand that doesn't seem to move much air.
 
I'd look at what hose come with it too....the Craftsman one i got from Lowes is awful. It wants to kink up right at the inlet to the vacuum Also has a wheel that won't stay locked in if I pick it up. Vacuums good but aggravating to use.
 
I have a few different ones currently, a Ridgid, a Stihl (yes that Stihl), 2 Shop Vacs, a Craftsman, and a Vacmaster.
I'll never own another Shop Vac brand one. I think one out of every 3 they make has switch issues. Also, they don't seem to work as well, or roll as well.
The Ridgid is great, no complaints, does everything is should, and even has the detachable head so it can be used as a blower, which I have never done, haha.
The Craftsman is satisfactory, it was a small, cheap one and gets the job done.
I just got the Vacmaster for Christmas and haven't used it much, but I'm very pleased so far. It is a compact version that I primarily wanted for vacuuming out vehicles. Great power and reasonably quiet in a compact form and I didn't install the wheels so it doesn't flop over as much. Available next day from Amazon.
The Stihl is everything you would want in a vacuum. Ridiculous power, super quiet for a vac, the hose is too small, and the price is too large. Stihl dealer may have it in stock though. I suspect it will still be working when my grandkids have kids. They have several models now, there were only 2 when I bought mine 5-6 years ago, the midsize SE62, and a bigger one that was like $400:

This is probably the best deal going for one you can pick up today.
www.homedepot.com

RIDGID 14 Gal. 6.0 Peak HP NXT Shop Vacuum Wet Dry Vac with Fine Dust Filter, Locking Hose, Wands and Attachments HD1400 HD1400 - The Home Depot

Attain a cool and smart look to your living space by selecting this RIDGID HP NXT Wet Dry Shop Vacuum with Filter Hose and Accessories. Durable plastic housing.
www.homedepot.com

Or something a little smaller and cheaper:
www.homedepot.com

RIDGID 6 Gal. 3.5 Peak HP NXT Shop Vacuum Wet Dry Vac with General Debris Filter, Locking Hose and Attachments HD06001 HD06001 - The Home Depot

RIDGID - 5/16 HP NXT Wet Dry Shop Vacuum with Filter Hose and Accessories - never find your window screen in the yard again. These screen clips are designed to securely hold screen in place during wind
www.homedepot.com

If you want to go with a different form factor, I bought one of these at work:
www.homedepot.com

RIDGID 3 Gal. 5.0 Peak HP NXT Shop Vacuum Wet Dry Vac with Fine Dust Filter, Expandable Hose and Accessory Attachments HD0300 HD0300 - The Home Depot

RIDGID - 5/16 HP NXT Wet Dry Shop Vacuum with Filter Expandable Hose and Accessories - never find your window screen in the yard again. These screen clips are designed to securely hold screen in place
www.homedepot.com
I really like it, with 2 exceptions, it is a bit loud, and the smaller hose can be a limiting factor sometimes. But the toolbox format is great for moving it around, and its small and light enough to manage, and just generally looks better in our work environment.
 
jeepinmatt said:
This is probably the best deal going for one you can pick up today.
www.homedepot.com

RIDGID 14 Gal. 6.0 Peak HP NXT Shop Vacuum Wet Dry Vac with Fine Dust Filter, Locking Hose, Wands and Attachments HD1400 HD1400 - The Home Depot

Attain a cool and smart look to your living space by selecting this RIDGID HP NXT Wet Dry Shop Vacuum with Filter Hose and Accessories. Durable plastic housing.
www.homedepot.com
Click to expand...
Tom@Hilltop_Machine said:
Video is a little old so don't know if any of the major brands have improved.
Click to expand...


@jeepinmatt I was between that one and the DeWALT until I watched a bunch of vids like @Tom@Hilltop_Machine posted. Everyone I watched the DeWALT came out the winner.
 
Rigid. I've got a 14 gallon one that I primarily use for woodshop/basement duty. I also picked up the smaller portable 3 gallon one for everything else. They make some of the best on the market and finding accessories for them is easy.
 
For what its worth I have 5 of the Rigids 1 DeWalt (bought because of that video ironically enough) a shop vac brand and a Bissel wall mount at the house.

The Bissel is probably my favorite combo of quiet, sucks good and easy to dump/clean/maintain.

I wont step by any of the dewalts or rigids to grab the other, I grab whichever is in front, unless its the shop vac brand one. I move it and threaten to throw it in the dumpster everytime.
 
The Rigid in my shop has had every material known to man go through it at some point and it still sucks as much as the day I bought it 22 years ago.
 
RatLabGuy said:
The Rigid in my shop has had every material known to man go through it at some point and it still sucks as much as the day I bought it 22 years ago.
Click to expand...
Was it the little bitty one that was on sale for next to nothing?
 
shawn said:
Was it the little bitty one that was on sale for next to nothing?
Click to expand...
No, its a typical 5 or 8 gal wtfever w the 2" hose. Gry buckey, orange top, black motor housing.
Pretty sure it was one of my first purchases when we bought our first house.

We do also have one of the ShopVac brand "1x1" units, (1gal, 1 hp). Keep it in the hallway for dusty spills, cleaning windowsills etc. Its been pretty handy. Now that I think of it that may have been a black friday steal 15+ years ago.
 
I ended up with this one:
www.homedepot.com

RIDGID 14 Gal. 6.0 Peak HP NXT Shop Vacuum Wet Dry Vac with Fine Dust Filter, Locking Hose, Wands and Attachments HD1400 HD1400 - The Home Depot

Attain a cool and smart look to your living space by selecting this RIDGID HP NXT Wet Dry Shop Vacuum with Filter Hose and Accessories. Durable plastic housing.
www.homedepot.com

Two main reasons for choosing it over the DeWALT: The 20 ft power cord ( :rockon: never understood why they were always so short) and the blower port. I don't know how many times I've ever used the blower side of a shop vac, but it's more than once. I like the ability if I want it. I will say the one con would be the "locking hose". It's little more than cheap gimmick, but does "lock". And man; does it SUCK! :laughing:

Thanks for the replies.
 
Why not use a bag and never have to clean or replace the filter?
Pull it out when using it for fluids.
 
Kamel said:
I will say the one con would be the "locking hose". It's little more than cheap gimmick, but does "lock".
Click to expand...
Timely AF! Never ceases to to amaze me NC4X4!

Early stages of total gutting the 60y/o bath for major renovation and future-proofing... (removing tub, adding low curb shower with "monkey-bars") AND the 5 y/o "ShopVac" POS (purchased for step-sons reno) screeching like multiple cats and won't suck up a cotton ball! 🤬🤬

So, tell me about said "locking hose"... just a PITA or showstopper?
 
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