Hello all!

Before I became a homeowner the in-laws gifted us an Armor All 2.5 Gallon 2 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac that has a measly 53 CFM and 47.4 IN water lift.

I’ve never been overly impressed with this unit from the beginning. There’s no collection bag. The top housing of the unit doesn’t seal well to the collection tank (therefore it’s not preforming to specifications). It’s nearly impossible to find a wet filter for this unit. It’s made by Cleva Hong Kong Limited which is or was being sued by Emerson Electric Company for patient infringement. Emerson Electric from what I understand manufacturers vacuums for Ridgid, Craftsman, etc.

Well, being a new homeowner I’ve had many expenses lately with one-time purchases so I’ve tried to use this Armor All wet/dry vacuum for as long as I could. I recently demolished a cinder block dividing wall (non load bearing) in the basement which had a sole purpose of holding coal to heat this late 1800’s home at one time. Since it’s negative space, I removed it. I’m left with quite a bit of small material after demolition. A lot of this fine material remains even after sweeping. Yet the Armor All wet/dry vacuum even struggles with this, among other tasks I’m noticing.

I’m frustrated with this unit and can now justify upgrading. While being frustrated, I may be going to the opposite extreme. I’ve potentially settled on 3 options below. However, from what I’m reading the size of these units below may be ‘overkill’ however I wouldn’t know as I don’t have much experience with different sizes of shop vacs.

I do not have a garage (but plan to have a detached one built within 1-2 years). For now, it would remain in the basement for storage where I have a decent amount of space. It’s where I keep a Yeti Tundra 45, a lawn roller (empty), top dressing rolling lawn spreader and an Ego lawnmower (only during the winter, I baby it). I don’t enjoy moving these heavy items to and from the basement but it’s not physically an issue. I do currently have gravel parking so if I decide to use it to vacuum our vehicles, it will be a challenge with a vacuum with wheels but again, that will change in the future.

I don’t know what the future uses will be with the new shop vac. This far, 7 months into homeownership I’ve used it as a dust collection for sanding our wooden deck, removing stale water from a water softener brine tank, cleaning air ducts vents, cleaning refrigerator coils and up until now, cleaning the cinder block demolition.

I’m interested in:

• RIDGID 14 Gallon 6.0 Peak HP NXT Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum

• DeWalt 16 Gal. 6.5 HP Poly Wet/Dry Vac

• Craftsman 16 gal Corded Wet/Dry Vacuum 12 amps 120 V 6.5 HP

Based on the above information, are these sizes a great option for me or should I look at something smaller and if so, what size?

Thanks for your help!

My little portable shop vac I bought 10 years ago (before woodworking) just isn't cutting it anymore, and I'm looking to upgrade. I plan on putting a dust cyclone in front of it (still deciding between the rockler dust right and the dust deputy). I was currently going between these two shop vacs:

Amazon.com: CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595 16 Gallon 6.5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac, Heavy-Duty Shop Vacuum with Attachments , Red : Everything Else

RIDGID 14-Gal. 6.0 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac with Auto Detailing Kit : Industrial & Scientific (amazon.com)

My question is: do I even need that large of a capacity since most of the dust wouldn't make it into the vac? I also realize I eventually want a dust collector for the table saw but figure I'll start with the vac since I need something to clean up the floor anyways.

This probably belongs in r/furgal but fugured I would recieve a better answer here. So my apoligizes if this is the wrong sub.

This is for a typcial home garage not really anything large-scale but I want to r/BIFL (within limits) and not have to purchase another one for sometime but also not break the budget. I need it mostly for house remodeling (sanding drywall and rerouting), cleaning crawl spaces, and maybe dust collecting for carpentry projects in the future.

What should a first time home buyer consider in this scanerio and us there any specifics I should look for in models? What are the expriences with non brand and more affordable options in similar alternatives brands if the budget is tight? I.G. Black and Decker vs Soap-vac? Thanks

I have an older 4 gallon Ridgid shop vac which has been ok for small tasks, but really isn't big enough since I'm often picking up huge amounts of dog hair along with everything else. I was all set to order the current 12 gallon NXT model until I noticed the 14 gallon version is actually cheaper in Canada right now. It's higher power (6hp peak vs. 5hp peak) but also considerably heavier (22 lbs vs. 16.5 lbs net weight). Normally I wouldn't have even considered the 14 gallon model simply because it's heavier and more expensive, but now I'm debating whether the extra power would be useful. I'm mostly just concerned it might end up being too bulky and heavy since the 12 gallon model seems to be a sweet spot. I intend to keep the small shop vac, so I'm not as concerned about getting into really tight spaces, but I want to use the large one as much as possible.

I'd be very interested to hear some opinions on which size is preferable for home use.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ridgid-nxt-45-l-12-gal-5-0-peak-hp-wet-dry-vacuum/1001157716

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ridgid-nxt-53l-14-gal-6-0-peak-hp-wet-dry-vacuum/1001157717

Edit: Looks like Home Depot's site died after I posted this. Here are some links to Ridgid's site instead. The price is $150 vs. $130.

https://www.ridgid.com/ca/en/12-gallon-nxt-wet-dry-vac

https://www.ridgid.com/ca/en/14-gallon-nxt-wet-dry-vac

I am looking to get my first shop vac to use for general stuff around the house. I have an unfinished basement in a new house that needs some cleaning (nothing crazy).

I have been eyeing 6 hp ones at Home Depot, but then I saw a Craftsman 3.5 hp vacuum on sale at Lowe's. What hp of vacuum do I really need for cleaning around the basement, garage and cars?

I want to purchase my first shop vac and one thing I've noticed is that for a given brand/model of vacuum (e.g. Ridgid HP NXT), the greater the rated volume, the higher the rated HP and CFM according to the manufacturer.

Does this mean that the larger sizes of a given brand/model will have greater suction power than the smaller sizes, or are the higher HP motor and listed CFM necessary to achieve equal suction power given that the vacuum is larger?

Another way of asking my question is: do I have to buy the largest vacuum of particular brand/model to get the best suction power?

Used a craftsman for 15 years but it's getting tired. I want it to be good quality, flexible, accept add on sanding and portable tool dust collection, but small enough to tuck away, good durability and parts availability. Price not an issue if the quality and flexibility is there. Quiet is a bonus. Thanks in advance for opinions and why you like.

We are moving to a new build in a couple of months. I have seen suggestions to buy a good shop vac. I see too many options. Which model will be useful and suggestions on price/shop. Thanks

https://www.shopvac.com/collections/wet-dry-vacs

Trying to decide on a decent mid-sized wet/ dry vacuum for the garage mostly and occasional home use. I don't care much about the peak HP, as long as it's got good suction and is durable. Primary use: DIY/ home improvement projects mostly - so think ...drywall dust, sawdust from a sander, miter saw, workshop cleanup, etc. Budget: Ideally 60 -75$

Here are the options I'm considering, what do you guys recommend?

• CraftsmanCMEVXA18115/ 5 Gal / Stainless Steel / 3 yr limited warranty/ 60$

• Stanley SL18415-6B / 6 Gal / Stainless Steel /1-year warranty/ 60$

Additional Questions :

• I'm a bit unsure about the durability of stainless steel, some reviews have mentioned it rusts (which makes no sense tho)

• Does the 3-year limited warranty with Craftsman make it better than Stanley - 1 year? both these look and work the same from what I observed. ( except Stanley is slightly lower db).

Update: The suction, the steel drum, and durability were my main concerns with what I thought was a fairly good deal otherwise. I'd picked up the Stanley to test it out, but now that's a return. The more I read and talk to people --> I hear good things about Rigid and DeWalt. Also, looks like they do get discounted.. so I can wait.

Hey friends

I'm a homeowner looking into purchasing a wet/dry vac for general handyness/DIY work, amature woodworking, plumbing problems, car cleaning, and just general homeowner business.

I'm looking at a 5 gallon 2 hp shop-vac model for $34 versus a 12 gallon 5 hp workshop model for $55. $55 is my price ceiling on this.

Do you think the 5 gal 2hp model can cut it? Or should I might as well ante up and get the 12 gal 5hp for another $20?

Thanks.

Edit : Looks like both of those deals are dead so now I'm looking at a 9gal 4.5hp ridgid model. I'll think on it for a couple hours but'll probably go this way. Thanks everyone. Stay handy

I have 40ft of 2.5D and it’s pretty weak. 14 gallon shop vac.

Every time I think I’m going to get one while it’s on sale, I get a case of nerves. I’m on a farm, so I’d like something heavy duty.

Power? Size? Filters? Extra tools?

What’s your best (and worse) experience with yours? Thanks for your valuable insight!

What size wet/dry vacuum is recommended for a vacbed? I want something that will pull a good vacuum but not so powerful it causes pain or ruptures eardrums. Smaller to be more portable is also helpful.

Unrelated question, the 7 ft side poles are rather awkward to transport. If I chop them in half and use a coupler, am I likely to run into problems?

I have a shop vac that I use for cleaning the saws mostly but can't stand how bulky it is. It hangs around on the floor and doesn't really fit anywhere. What are some recommendations for shop vacs that fit on a shelf. Idc if I have to empty every time

I am in need of a shop vac for around the house for general use from home repairs/maintenance to kids messes. I lucked out for father's day and got a nice gift card for Home Depot. I am kind of stuck between the 12 gallon and 14 gallon Rigid shop vacs. The 12 gallon is $95 and the 14 gallon is $130.

Is the additional 21 CFM and 2 gallon capacity worth the $35 extra in price for the 14 gallon? This is my first shop vac purchase and I want to make sure I get the right one for my use. All help is greatly appreciated.

I don’t know if I am asking too much of a small vacuum, but here is what I would like it to be able to do. I have a bigger one (14 gallon RIDGID) that I find kind of a pain for smaller jobs.

I would like it to be easy to bring up and down stairs. Although capable of wet use, I would mainly use it for DIY clean up. In that regard, can a smaller one hookup to tools (such as jig saw, sander, maybe even a table saw?)? Obviously, I would also use it for car clean out.

I was thinking of something around 5 gallons. Saw good things about a RIDGID and Vacmaster VF408 or the Beast. Thoughts?

Thanks!

Does anyone have a clear explanation for the different performance characteristics when it comes to shop vac hose diameters?

1.25"

1.875"

2.5"

I have a 1.25" hose on one of my Rigid shop vacs that I've been using for years to detail cars. It's been great. But I'm renovating a house so I pulled my second Rigid out of storage and need to buy a new hose for it. I'm just wondering if a different diameter hose might be better suited for different tasks.

Hi everyone, Im trying to find the right shop vac to vacuum up some diatomaceous earth. I need something with the right filter for safety and that isn't blowing out a ton of air out of the back port as it'll blow the diatomaceous earth around the room. Don't want to spend more than 200. Thank you!

Need a shop vac for everyday wet and dry vacuuming. Most are 4 horsepower and wanted to know if that's enough power or if I should go for the 6 hp?