[Shop-talk] Shop Vac

[Wayne]

On 11/9/2012 7:31 PM, Doug Braun wrote:
> I am growing weary of my 12-year old, fairly cheap Sears shop vac.  It's
> starting to fall apart.
> Can anybody recommend a good replacement (or ones to avoid)?

I think there are really only two major manufacturers. Actual "Shop Vac" 
brand, which most people say is lousy. And Ridgid, which sells under 
their own name (@ Home Depot & elsewhere) and also appears to make 
Sears'. There are some esoteric brands with absurdly high (multi-hundred 
dollar) price tags, but you'd have to be an every day finish carpenter 
or similar to justify them.

I have a Ridgid 12gal one from H.D. that's worked well for 4+ years. The 
local H.D. has it (well, pretty much the same one) on holiday sale right 
now for $70 (same I paid years ago) AND it comes with more accessories 
than I got for the price (floor brush & squeegee nozzles). I can't say 
it's quiet, but it is improved -- a lot less shrill or high-pitched than 
the older Sears I had.

I like mine to be easy to move around, so I don't like the huge tank 
models. Who needs 20+ gallons liquid capacity? That's what a pump is 
for! Unfortunately, the mini-sized ones don't have all that much 
suction. The Ridgid is a good in between size for me.

-W