Re: Wet & Dry vacuum

It appears each guy here uses a different brand of wet/dry vacuum. Shopvac, karcher, zenkoki, ridgid...

In terms of ubiquity in accessories/consumables, Shopvac seems to be the winner. I believe those are made in china.

FWIW, i use a Karcher a2004, (made in Romania, higher end models are german.) I can't back it up but i believe karchers are made to a higher standard than the rest except maybe for Ridgid and Bosch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWACoXxzl9Y (Paper bags were expensive and non compatible with other brands so i stitched a cloth one out of khaki shorts.) One should always drain the tub lest the paper filter rot DAMHIKT.

That it was only 6K made me choose the model too... funny, same motor but with a stainless body instead of plastic and it's 9K.

What i always read is that the failure mode of these things is dust getting into the motor so I plan to someday cobble up a dedicated garbage bag for it (thien baffle timb made before.) I also saw some speck of dust between the plastic body and paper filter so i sealed that with electrical tape. 1 year so far of personal car/home/hobby use with no problems...

Re: Wet & Dry vacuum

I use a shopvac pro 30 with a paper bag filter (easier on the motor) PLUS a Phil Thein Baffle which you can search here. keeps the vacuum clean and leaves the filters empty. I might try the Bosch soon... sana:D

Re: Wet & Dry vacuum

What's the unofficial vaccum thread, this one?

It appears the main cause of a paper filter's death is rotting. Instructions say you can wash them with water but it just takes sooo long to dry. (This even after shaking it and putting it in a breezy area.) Since these things aren't cheap, might as well make an extra step and dry them in a light bulb. (I would not dare leave this overnight unattended tho.) If you guys notice where the light passes through, that's where the paper fibers have frayed-i'll try fix that with some epoxy glue or epoxy primer.

Retroffiting a large shopvac filter in a karcher's a success. (Shopvac filters are cheaper.) Having used an RTV gasket, the seal is even better than the OE. (Haven't tried out if there's a car air filter one can retrofit.)

Re: Wet & Dry vacuum

I use the cheapest Shopvac Classic 20. I think you can still find it on sale for P4k.

I like that I can use it to suck and blow and the filter's foam so easily washable. I know it's notba "pro" model so I don't use it for long periods. Once my power tool is off, I switch it off, too.

What I hate about it is the location of the switch. It's a tiny rocker at the back so I grope for it all the time while I'm hunched over it. Then, when I finally get to push it, dust blows over my face because the exhaust/blower port is on top. The designers probably had a crooked sense of humor.

Re: Wet & Dry vacuum

i also got a shopvac classic 20 but its only suck and no blow:eek:

rarely use it now since the arrival of zekoki...its just way noisy and consumes more electricity (@1300W) versus the 1000W of the Z.

its been a year and the Z is still standing and mighty.

once i forgot to unload the poor vacuum of collected dust, i was surprised to find that even at almost 80 percent filled, (filter almost embedded deep in sawdust) it was still suctioning fine!

and luckily i caught the would be disaster in a nick of time.

have you got any idea on how to silence the shopvac20? the borrowers were complaining too hehe! well the only good thing about it is its motor.built tough.

Re: Wet & Dry vacuum

Im also Using a shopvac to suck all kinds of mess, yes all kinds from cement dust,molds, saw dust and even chalks from gypsum works and once on a wet floor during typhoon milenyo. From the all around 1 (blue color) and now to all-around 8 (maroon color) since this has a bigger wattage of 1300w from the previous 1100w. And also i tried diff filters that it offers, from the orig cartridge type, bag type and now the washable type. Based from my experience the cartridge type is the best at filtering but not as durable esp if you start washing it. Thats the problem with the cartridge once you get it wet, it rots easily and smells awful even when fully dried. It also makes the paper material brittle causing it to tear at the folds. For cartridge type filter i recommend that you just blow air on it from the inside when cleaning dry waste. Kind of stupid really since you will be just blowing the dust again all over the place:( next i tried the bag type( disposable) this is the most convenient to use since once the bag is full you just throw it away, mess free but cost a lot. From 100 to 150 pesos per piece. Now im using thewashable type, this is not mess free since once the filter is full you neee to remove it and wash it. It dries faster than the cartridge type and does not produce any foul odor. Its also priced reasonably at 500pesos for a 3pcs/pack. Most durable among the filters ive used with my shop vac. Also i tried using the washable bag type( generic kind sold at ace hardware for 150pesos) this is also good but is so small that you have to empty the bag often, also not mess free.

Last week I saw a new shopvac model that can accomodate a BIGGER disposable filter bag that cost only 150@. It also comes with the standard cartridge type and 1pc disposable bag. I was thinking if its possible to re-use those disposable filter bagsby just opening and sealing the end with glue? Since its made of paper, its not going to be as messy as cleaning the washable/cartridge types since dust does not stick to paper that much.

Btw I still have an aowa vacuum cleaner which uses water as filter, for me this is the best vacuum cleaner ive used sadly its down for repair. It can filter everything wet and dry talaga and so easy to clean, just hose it off and dump the waste sa canal:p but i think this cost way more than a shopvac, it also has an adjustable power from 0-1200w, a bigger tank and is see-through pa so you easily know when its full. Quiet operation too since water lang ang filter(no contraption on airflow).

Thank you for letting me share my sucking experiences;)

Re: Wet & Dry vacuum

i also got a shopvac classic 20 but its only suck and no blow

almost embedded deep in sawdust) it was still suctioning fine!

have you got any idea on how to silence the shopvac20? the borrowers were complaining too hehe! well the only good thing about it is its motor.built tough.

Why only suck? Old model?

My Shopvac would clog up and, when I open it, the whole canister is packed tight in sawdust!

Sorry, I never found a need to silence it. My table saw and thicknesser are noisier than the Shopvac. I'll probably get me some ear mufflers one day.