Recommend me a shop vac that actually sucks

Ron

Ron

Dum Spiro Spero
Moderator
Joined
Apr 16, 2005
Location
Sharon, SC
Seems all are junk these days.
Anyone got one they are fond of?

I want small kids and animals scared when it's on and a hose that won't kink and split while I wrap it up.
 
I've had a Craftsman, 6 gal., 2 HP, for Years. Great suction, but the hose could be longer, & more flexible. Hose pulls out of tank, if your not careful. I could probably buy a longer hose. Also picked up a "left-over", from a demo site one time. It's a Shop-Vac [brand], 12 gal., & 5 HP. It runs & seems strong, but needs a new hose & filter. I "thought" I would need it, & use it, but it's still taking up space. Little Craftsman, does all I need. Maybe the fact both are Old, makes them better.
 
Was birthday gifted a rigid about 10 years ago from my pops. That thing has sucked up more than any porn star could dream of from shop stuff to anything and everything on the farm (yes, shit, puke, animals parts) it’s older but as long as you dump it and knock the filter clean it keeps going. Not sure about the new models but it just plain sucks.
 
A big RIDGID wet+dry 16 is what I use to vacuum my Jeeps out with. I've used the same one for 10+ years now. Globs of mud, sand, water, loose change, sockets, it gets it all. I just open it up every few months and reclaim the good shit.
 
I’m not sure if you’re vacuuming bowling balls or something, but I’ve had this one for 5-6 years and does a pretty good job getting up sand in the car after a beach trip or sucking out the last 6” of water out of one of those blue blow up pools.

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Ridgid from HD.

Lifetime warranty. I abused the crap out of a 16gal and a smaller one when I worked for AdvantaClean. Sometimes that thing would run nearly the entire day sucking up anything from nasty sludge and flood water and harsh chemicals, to fine dust and sand, insulation, GI Joes and dog crap.
I even dropped the big one from the 2nd story of Baptist Hospital once, the plastic casing around the motor cracked but it still worked. I used it for a couple days like that until I had time to run by HD and they replaced it no questions asked.
 
Do they make one that fits a 5 gallon bucket? Because a 5 gallon bucket rolls across the floor better than the casters on any shop vac I've ever used.
 
I have an old Ridgid that's great... it's 15 years old or better. They may be worthless nowadays, but that's where I'd start.

Mines little... Probably 9 gallons. It still falls on it's side every chance it gets.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Do they make one that fits a 5 gallon bucket? Because a 5 gallon bucket rolls across the floor better than the casters on any shop vac I've ever used.
Click to expand...
Yup
Bucket Head 5 Gal. 1.75-Peak HP Wet Dry Vac-BH0100 - The Home Depot

One of the best vacs ive had, was a homemade vacuum motor siliconed to a lid that went over a can that was maybe 10 gallons. Picked it up at an estate sale for $10. Looked to be 30+ years old. The wiring eventually deteriorated and had to get rid of it.

X whatever on the rigid vacs. Got mine in 2001 and treat it like shit. Still sucks.

Also... the filter really matters.
 
RatLabGuy said:
Yup
Bucket Head 5 Gal. 1.75-Peak HP Wet Dry Vac-BH0100 - The Home Depot

One of the best vacs ive had, was a homemade vacuum motor siliconed to a lid that went over a can that was maybe 10 gallons. Picked it up at an estate sale for $10. Looked to be 30+ years old. The wiring eventually deteriorated and had to get rid of it.

X whatever on the rigid vacs. Got mine in 2001 and treat it like shit. Still sucks.

Also... the filter really matters.
Click to expand...
I did not know those existed. That's awesome
 
orange150 said:
I did not know those existed. That's awesome
Click to expand...
There's a similar thing that's a wastewater pump. Which, if you think about it, is just the same thing but with the intake pointed down.
 
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