Best Shop Vac Value?

W

WrxRob513

New member
I was looking at a bunch of wet/dry vac's that i can use for interior detailing. I need to make a purchase in the next couple of days. Does anyone have a prefrence between these? Or another suggestion? (Looking at vac's less than $100)



3 gallon 3hp Craftsman Car Vac with a few attatchments

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...TOOL&pid=00917768000&subcat=Hand+Held+Vacuums

00917768000-190.jpg




12 gallon 5hp Craftsman tank style with attatchments

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...rtical=TOOL&pid=00917922000&subcat=Tank+Style

00917922000-190.jpg




11 gallon 5hp Rigid tank style with attatchments

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU...ID=cceeaddehimejglcgelceffdfgidgjk.0&MID=9876

181770_3.jpg




I saw the vac in the autopia store, and while i would love one, a $200 vac isn't in my budget at this point. I'm not against upgrading later, but i need a decent vac to start with.

This thread is similar, but the information was confusing, although it seems more people prefer the Crafstman though they are made by the same company, am I correct?

http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46997&highlight=vaccuum



Thanks! :woot:
 
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00917925000 - hung that one in mom's garage last month. We got it on sale for $80 or $85. She likes it because it just hangs there and it came with enough hose to reach almost the entire garage, and she can leave it hanging to sweep out the car. I like it because of hit's 5HP motor :) Only downside is the weird hose size so you can't get attachments that fit most other vacs.



http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00917776000 - we looked at that one too, but decided that the longer hose + hanging ability of the other one was worth the additional expense. Ridgid has the same vac under their name, but w/o wheels IIRC, and I think they have one that comes with a hanging basket. Seems pretty popular around Autopia.
 
I've been impressed with my 12 gallon Ridgid, but since its so big, it is hard to lug around on details. I'm looking at this:



165710_3.jpg




from the home depot for about 70 bucks. Its 4 gallons and 5.0 hp
 
I bought the small Craftsman last week. It's a pretty nice vac. Plenty of power with 9 AMPS (i think) and 5 HP. Strong suction and portable. What more could you ask for. I think I paid $70. The only advantage it has over the rigid, WHEELS!



JJ
 
I have personally owned the first vac, I liked it at first, but after using it for a while I found the hose diameter to be too small and would cause fatigue when extensive vacuuming was required. Also the 1.25" hose forces your hand to be placed on the end of the attachment, this causes TONS of knuckle busting situations. I sold it.



I currently own the stronger verion of the rigid vac that you posted, AWESOME, but huge. I keep it for at home details.



Having gone through SEVERAL vacs over the years I have come to the conclusion that if I had to do it all over again, I would only need one vac. This sucker is strong enough to handle any interior, yet portable enough to go anywhere. The odd hose size means nothing to me as it came with every attachment that I will ever need. I find the hose diameter to be perfect.



165710_3.jpg
 
Do any of these shop vacs come with the option of blowing air as well as vacumming? I was thinking of getting a leaf blower, but if I can get a shop vac that does both for about the same money as a leaf blower, then that's what I'll do.
 
^ Mine did, "car" tool, extensions, dusting attachment. That is all that I need, the car tool is slim enough that I have never needed a true crevice tool.
 
I also have the small rigid, mine didn't come with any attachments, other than the tool shown on everone else's pic. However, Rigid makes a small "detailing kit" at HD in the vac section...which comes with a 1 something inch diameter hose and a few other odds and ends. It also works well with the little mini attachments. I usually switch betweeen hoses when I vacumn out the carpet, as the bigger one has a little bit more suction. Overall I love the vac to death, and I'm very skeptical that anything else could do much better as far as detailing.

DSC00799.jpg
 
RCBuddha said:
I've been impressed with my 12 gallon Ridgid, but since its so big, it is hard to lug around on details. I'm looking at this:



165710_3.jpg




from the home depot for about 70 bucks. Its 4 gallons and 5.0 hp
Click to expand...



^^ my baby!
 
Just for some misc. information. You really need to compare AMP rating on the vacuums. My Craftsman has more AMPS than the rigid and the same HP, and like I said, it has wheels.



JJ
 
J.J. said:
Just for some misc. information. You really need to compare AMP rating on the vacuums. My Craftsman has more AMPS than the rigid and the same HP, and like I said, it has wheels.



JJ
Click to expand...



Agreed. That's why I posted it above. The little Craftsman is a 1/2 amp more.



Does it make a big difference? :nixweiss I'm not sure
 
I have the little Rigid also and have been very happy with the performance. If I had to choose again, I would make the same choice.
 
It's expensive but I think the Metro Vac N Blo is a great value overall due to its portability and suction and variety of accessories.



It's only a matter of time before Jim Dyson brings something to market. ;)
 
More AMP mean more power coming from the motor.



A eletrician, always warn me this. " It's not the voltage that kills you.. It's ampage" ;)
 
"they are made by the same company, am I correct?"



Emerson makes the Rigid brand for Home Depot and they used to make the Craftsman brand, however I believe that Sears was not pleased with their relationship to Home Depot and the competing brand and now they buy from overseas. This info is a few years old and they may be making them for Sears again. Sorry can't confirm who makes the Craftsman brand today. Anyone know?
 
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