Shop Vac hose upgrade question.
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TheMeanGreen
New member
I don’t know exactly how the Shop Vac brand is built, but if it is anything like the Ridgid Vac’s, you should experience a significant suction improvement when switching over to a 2-1/2 inch hose. A standard 7 foot hose isn’t too cumbersome, anything hose length over 7 feet does get a bit cumbersome when getting situated, but the added performance is entirely worth it. Honestly, I will not use one of these types of vacuums without a 2-1/2 inch diameter hose, because the smaller diameter hoses just kill the performance of the machine. In regards to length, around 14 feet is the sweet spot for me. It is long enough so I can keep the vacuum away from the vehicle when it is being used and short enough that storage is livable.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Just FWIW, I tend to go the other way, using smaller-diameter hoses for most everything Detailing related. [Heck], I do 99% of my Detailing related vacuuming with an old household canister vac, and my Big Challenges are related to the dogs and hauling landscape supplies.
The ShopVacs just sit there unused for the most part, but when I do use one I *do* find the larger diameter hoses cumbersome and only use them for stuff unrelated to the vehicles. For non-Detailing tasks, the larger hoses can indeed be much better, but for the vehicles? Nah, not for me.
The ShopVacs just sit there unused for the most part, but when I do use one I *do* find the larger diameter hoses cumbersome and only use them for stuff unrelated to the vehicles. For non-Detailing tasks, the larger hoses can indeed be much better, but for the vehicles? Nah, not for me.
Billy Jack
Member
A larger hose will increase the volume of air, but at the expense of suction power.
For example, I have a 5.5 hp Vacmaster Beast which is available in two sizes. The 5 gallon version with a 1 7/8" hose specs at 102 CFM and 82.6" waterlift.
The same vac in a 12 gallon size has a 2 1/2" hose and specs at 143 CFM and 60" waterlift.
Imagine you had a standard size and a 1/2" diameter soda straw. You could move more soda with the big straw, but with much less suction power.
I adapted my Vacmaster to a HD 1 1/4" detailer`s kit hose, since I valued the suction more than the volume of air.
Bill
For example, I have a 5.5 hp Vacmaster Beast which is available in two sizes. The 5 gallon version with a 1 7/8" hose specs at 102 CFM and 82.6" waterlift.
The same vac in a 12 gallon size has a 2 1/2" hose and specs at 143 CFM and 60" waterlift.
Imagine you had a standard size and a 1/2" diameter soda straw. You could move more soda with the big straw, but with much less suction power.
I adapted my Vacmaster to a HD 1 1/4" detailer`s kit hose, since I valued the suction more than the volume of air.
Bill
Stokdgs
dansautodetailing.com
I have this 15-year old Metrovac -- https://www.autopia-carcare.com/metro-vacnblo-full-size.html#.XiyyKDKQH3g
It uses the 1-1/4" hose, and of course a big 4hp motor.. This vacuum has 95 inches of water lift with the 1-1/4" standard hose..
I have never had an issue with it not picking up anything.. It absolutely pulls everything up and out..
The 1-1/4" hose is very flexible, and much more easy for me, to get ALL the dirt out of a vehicle..
And with the different adapters that attach to the end of this hose, I can always get everything from between the seats and the console, everything under the seats, and in the trunk, wells, etc., much faster and easier than dealing with a bigger hose..
They also sell these metrovac hose extensions I believe in 3 ft lengths, which is also very handy if you eventually wear one out or want to modify what you have.. https://www.autopia-carcare.com/metro-hose.html#.Xi5YPTKQH3g
Dan F
It uses the 1-1/4" hose, and of course a big 4hp motor.. This vacuum has 95 inches of water lift with the 1-1/4" standard hose..
I have never had an issue with it not picking up anything.. It absolutely pulls everything up and out..
The 1-1/4" hose is very flexible, and much more easy for me, to get ALL the dirt out of a vehicle..
And with the different adapters that attach to the end of this hose, I can always get everything from between the seats and the console, everything under the seats, and in the trunk, wells, etc., much faster and easier than dealing with a bigger hose..
They also sell these metrovac hose extensions I believe in 3 ft lengths, which is also very handy if you eventually wear one out or want to modify what you have.. https://www.autopia-carcare.com/metro-hose.html#.Xi5YPTKQH3g
Dan F
Stokdgs
dansautodetailing.com
Great Find !!!
I have purchased this kit before to get the 2 great, triangular vacuum brushes and the long thin crevice tool.. I never use the hose because the metrovac hoses are so much better and easy to use..
Since then, I have found my way to better, longer, thinner, crevice tools and other things..
Dan F
Since I will lose suction with a larger diameter hose. If I stick with the 1 1/4 in hose but go slightly longer. Will I gain or lose any suction?
I have now the factory Shop Vac 1 1/4 diameter, supposedly 7 ft long hose. Doesn`t seem like 7 ft.
I`m going to call Ridgid to see if those triangle brushes are sold separately.
I have now the factory Shop Vac 1 1/4 diameter, supposedly 7 ft long hose. Doesn`t seem like 7 ft.
I`m going to call Ridgid to see if those triangle brushes are sold separately.
Billy Jack
Member
I have that Rigid kit, buying it 2 years ago on a Black Friday deal for $19.99. With a little bit of sanding, it replaced the 1 7/8" hose on my Vacmaster Beast. If you`re buying separate pieces, buy the white-bristle brush, not the black bristle one. The black one has firmer bristles, but too much space between the bristles, so the suction is reduced.
Bill
Bill
Accumulator
Well-known member
Asking the vacuum to suck stuff through a longer hose is asking it to do more work. Whether you`ll actually notice any functional diff with the 1.5" hose, eh...I don`t know. I do know that I can overdo it if I concatenate too many of the 2.5" sections on my shopvacs, but I`ve never had it be an issue with the 1.5" hoses I`ve used and I`d lean towards optimism.
Also check ebay. I find/buy the little Bissell Upholstery Nozzles (that I *LOVE* on my extractors) there,. and really cheap.
Stokdgs
dansautodetailing.com
TheMeanGreen
New member
Man, all of you guys and your 1-1/4 inch vacuum hoses have taught me something new. Thanks for challenging my point of view. I may look into a 1-1/4 inch in the future.
Accumulator
Well-known member
TheMeanGreen- Yeah, the only times I use the bigger hoses are when I`m worried about clogging up the smaller ones. I guess that`s a big part of why I have all these shopvacs that just sit here unused most of the time, only have one that gets used regularly and it sucks up leaves/etc. that`d clog smaller hoses.
"Accordion style"? School me please...all mine are like that, aren`t they? Eh, what`m I missing here?!?
"Accordion style"? School me please...all mine are like that, aren`t they? Eh, what`m I missing here?!?
I LOVE that Rigid hose kit, I also love that HD has a good selection of hose adapters and attachment tools you can buy individually for cheap. They have a good selection and have most of them in both hose sizes too which is nice. Sucks they don`t sell the 2 triangle tools that come with the car kit, well at least the 2 HD`s by me. I lost mine and want to replace them but don`t need a whole kit. This is one I bought there and have used a lot, the LED can actually be pretty useful. It was around $8. I use the hose on my Metro Vac & Blo.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...-RIDGID-Wet-Dry-Shop-Vacuums-LA2539/304753788
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...-RIDGID-Wet-Dry-Shop-Vacuums-LA2539/304753788
Attachments
Another word, the longer, wider the shop vac hose is, the harder the vac has to work.
I measured the hose, it`s just over 6 ft. If I had to stick with the 1 1/4 size hose due to performance. I was hoping to go to a 8 ft hose length for that little extra reach. Then again, I only used the the vac twice for car cleaning. I may have to find a better way of using the vac.
Out of the Ridgid kit the triangle brush is the only thing I don`t have. Plus it should fit with the supplied hose from the vac. The suction port hole on the vac is smaller than the hose in the kit. Plus with the supplied locking hose adapter in the kit, doesn`t work with Shop Vac.
As the old saying goes "If it`s not broken, don`t fix it" I think this saying applies in this situation.
I LOVE that Rigid hose kit, I also love that HD has a good selection of hose adapters and attachment tools you can buy individually for cheap. They have a good selection and have most of them in both hose sizes too which is nice. Sucks they don`t sell the 2 triangle tools that come with the car kit, well at least the 2 HD`s by me. I lost mine and want to replace them but don`t need a whole kit. This is one I bought there and have used a lot, the LED can actually be pretty useful. It was around $8. I use the hose on my Metro Vac & Blo.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...-RIDGID-Wet-Dry-Shop-Vacuums-LA2539/304753788
I was looking at this attachment, Craftsman part # CMXZVBE38690. It fits a 1 1/4 hose. I don`t know how good it will work for detailing.
If you are really interested in making your own hose, please check out the link for industrial vacuum hose supplier/manufacturer Flexaust:
https://www.flexaust.com/product/smooth-interior-vacuum-hose/
The paper converting machine company I worked for used this manufacturer`s hose for its vacuum hose for supplying vacuum to rolls used for folding of paper at high speeds to make individual napkins and tissue you buy as a consumer. You can get various diameters and material/construction types of hoses, including those that are crush-proof.
One caveat about using a smaller diameter hose on a shop vac designed for a large diameter hose is that it restricts the air flow and the motor has to work much harder and that will cause an increase in electrical power draw and increases the heat the electric motor generates. If you use a shop vac for any length of time, say for two hours non-stop without turning it off, that shop vac motor will get awfully hot and your motor life will be greatly reduced. If you ever have to vacuum out a vehicle with a lot of pet hair in it and end up scrubbing off the hair with a pumice stone or a pet hair brush or a textured rubber glove (which is what I use), you know it can be a long time with vacuuming an interior. What is even worse is doing it outside in the sun with the shop vac sitting their with its black cover absorbing all that heat from the sun. I have learned to stop vacuuming periodically and check that motor cover with my hand to see how hot it really is. Sometimes the shop vac needs a break, too, before it gets too hot.
That , and using a 12 GA wire electrical extension cord. Using a smaller gauge wire (16 or 20 GA) extension cord really puts strain on the motor because a small gauge wire cord cannot fully supply the amperage draw of the shop vac motor under load.
https://www.flexaust.com/product/smooth-interior-vacuum-hose/
The paper converting machine company I worked for used this manufacturer`s hose for its vacuum hose for supplying vacuum to rolls used for folding of paper at high speeds to make individual napkins and tissue you buy as a consumer. You can get various diameters and material/construction types of hoses, including those that are crush-proof.
One caveat about using a smaller diameter hose on a shop vac designed for a large diameter hose is that it restricts the air flow and the motor has to work much harder and that will cause an increase in electrical power draw and increases the heat the electric motor generates. If you use a shop vac for any length of time, say for two hours non-stop without turning it off, that shop vac motor will get awfully hot and your motor life will be greatly reduced. If you ever have to vacuum out a vehicle with a lot of pet hair in it and end up scrubbing off the hair with a pumice stone or a pet hair brush or a textured rubber glove (which is what I use), you know it can be a long time with vacuuming an interior. What is even worse is doing it outside in the sun with the shop vac sitting their with its black cover absorbing all that heat from the sun. I have learned to stop vacuuming periodically and check that motor cover with my hand to see how hot it really is. Sometimes the shop vac needs a break, too, before it gets too hot.
That , and using a 12 GA wire electrical extension cord. Using a smaller gauge wire (16 or 20 GA) extension cord really puts strain on the motor because a small gauge wire cord cannot fully supply the amperage draw of the shop vac motor under load.
Accumulator
Well-known member
I assume it`s a combo of performance (the as-delivered setup performing well enough to be competitive) and cost (longer hose = costlier = lower profit margin and poorer cost comparison with competitors), and what`s considered the industry-norm (if most come with [whatever] then I suspect that`s just "how they`re configured" in an industry-wide sense). No reason to deviate from that unless somebody can predict a significant upside.
That makes me wonder about the length of the electrical cord on such units. With household vacuums, Hoover has generally offered shorter cords than their competition (a topic my father once broached with a member of the Hoover family, who offered a disappointing if predictable response related to unit-cost).