Vacuum recommendation $100-150 budget

LEDetailng

LEDetailng

New member
My 10 year old Craftsman vacuum is just not what I need anymore. Hose is junk, could always use more power, and its got cheap casters that always fall off.

I`m looking at a few Rigids, one with built in cart or the model with the detailing attachments.

Got any good recommendations/suggestions? I`m open to other brands and models.
 
I bought a Rigid at home depot last year with detachable blower. I really like it, came with a few crevice tools as well. On sale for just over $100, about 25% off.
 
I did a bunch of research before buying a Ridgid 14gal 6hp from Home Depot. 3 years on it`s been a good wet/dry vac. In checking HD`s site I see the have a special buy on the same model as mine but w/ the detailing kit thats in your price range. I wouldn`t hesitate to pick it up.
 
Angus said:
I did a bunch of research before buying a Ridgid 14gal 6hp from Home Depot. 3 years on it`s been a good wet/dry vac. In checking HD`s site I see the have a special buy on the same model as mine but w/ the detailing kit thats in your price range. I wouldn`t hesitate to pick it up.
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Hard to argue with that price/package. That was the one I was looking at. Leaning towards buying that one. Thanks
 
KevinmFitz said:
I bought a Rigid at home depot last year with detachable blower. I really like it, came with a few crevice tools as well. On sale for just over $100, about 25% off.
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Cool idea. Thanks for the recommendation. I`ll probably buy the one with detailing attachments. I do need a blower too.
 
LEDetailng said:
Cool idea. Thanks for the recommendation. I`ll probably buy the one with detailing attachments. I do need a blower too.
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Until you get a blower you can simply swap the vac`s hose from the inlet to exaust port and pop on a tip with a narrow opening. Works well for most areas except high up spots due to the shorter vac hose. Just make sure to remove the filter and vacuum bag first. Thats what I did until I had the $$$ for a Masterblaster. Easy peazy.

Shop Vac makes a blower style tip too - I used to have a photo of mine on here but it looks like my photos have been cleared out. Weird.
 
Angus said:
Until you get a blower you can simply swap the vac`s hose from the inlet to exaust port and pop on a tip with a narrow opening. Works well for most areas except high up spots due to the shorter vac hose. Just make sure to remove the filter and vacuum bag first. Thats what I did until I had the $$$ for a Masterblaster. Easy peazy.

Shop Vac makes a blower style tip too - I used to have a photo of mine on here but it looks like my photos have been cleared out. Weird.
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Wait it wait wait... remove the filter or bag first?! Aren`t you effectively turning it into a sandblaster by doing this??? I don`t know about you but I`d prefer filtered air to dry my car off with. Definitely not any forced air from an unfiltered bucket of dirt.

if you guys are using your shop vac for a blower as well, may I recommend you get a new hose and dedicate it to just blowing? Take your vacuum hose after it`s sucked up cars worth of stuff and put it on the exhaust and feel what comes back out of that hose when you reverse the air flow. Not on my car!
 
ShaneB said:
Wait it wait wait... remove the filter or bag first?! Aren`t you effectively turning it into a sandblaster by doing this??? I don`t know about you but I`d prefer filtered air to dry my car off with. Definitely not any forced air from an unfiltered bucket of dirt.

if you guys are using your shop vac for a blower as well, may I recommend you get a new hose and dedicate it to just blowing? Take your vacuum hose after it`s sucked up cars worth of stuff and put it on the exhaust and feel what comes back out of that hose when you reverse the air flow. Not on my car!
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Oh good point, yeah leaving the filter in place is a much better idea. Deleted that line from my post.

FWIW, I also use a bag inside of my shop vac so theres never any debris inside the tub/ never was a risk of blasting sand anywhere.
 
Angus said:
Oh good point, yeah leaving the filter in place is a much better idea. Deleted that line from my post.

FWIW, I also use a bag inside of my shop vac so theres never any debris inside the tub/ never was a risk of blasting sand anywhere.
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Ah ok that makes more sense. I was thinking a shop vac half full of dirt with no filter lol.
 
ShaneB said:
Ah ok that makes more sense. I was thinking a shop vac half full of dirt with no filter lol.
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Oh no! Jeeze that would be awful. But to your point I certainly don`t want someone to think that/ do that based on my previous, and now removed, comment. ;)
 
It is really annoying that all of my local Home Depot`s have the vacuum for $104, and the detail kit for $39.97, but not the combined package for $99. Yes I know I can order it online or ship to store but still...
 
Bal said:
It is really annoying that all of my local Home Depot`s have the vacuum for $104, and the detail kit for $39.97, but not the combined package for $99. Yes I know I can order it online or ship to store but still...
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Talk to a manager. I did that at Walmart. Showed the manager the online price and they price matched.
 
I thought of doing that. Then I realized that I have more work to do, am not going to use it this weekend anyway and it is free shipping so... Instant gratification though, right?
 
I have 2 of the Ridgid vacuums discussed in this thread. I think they`re a great piece of equipment for the guy working out of his garage. They might be a little bulky for the guy taking them on the road. My first one came with a feature that is no longer included in the current models. It has a guage that tells when it`s time to change the air filter. I found this kind of handy as it`s one of those things not often thought about. I`d recommend these to anyone looking for a garage vacuum. They are noticeably more quiet than the Craftsman vacuums I`ve had/have.
 
richy said:
Research water lift. That is so important as it is the sucking ability of the machine. CFM is the volume. Ideally, you want both to be high. I have had this vacuum for about 7 years and I still highly recommend it


Wet Dry Vacuum 5 Gallon PF51 - Powr-Flite


Here is a write up I did about it at AG:

PF51 Wet Dry Vac Review

It also falls within your budget.
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This is why I`ve always recommended the DP/McKees shop vac. It has 90" of lift but Is at 185cfm (major improvement over the one you suggested). It seems it`s been discontinued though because I haven`t seen it in stock for months. IMO it`s the perfect mobile detailers vacuum. I sold my metro vac n blo because the McKees is so much better in every way. If you can get your hands on one I wouldn`t pass it up.

McKee's 37 8 Gallon 2.5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Auto Detailng Vacuum, car vacuum, auto vac, shop vacuum
 
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