Shop vac

16 gallon Ridgid for dust in my shop, hooked up to an Oneida Dust Deputy, which makes a world of difference. It’s been years since I had to replace the vac filter, and the dust gets separated into a 5 gallon bucket for easy and quick disposal.

For general barn use, wet and dry, a Dewalt 6 gallon, plastic, not metal canister. Definitely look for the model that comes with the improved, more flexible yellow hose, and not the standard black hose. This new hose is about $10 more than the standard hose, if each is bought separately, and is worth it for ease of use. I had to really search to locate the hose as part combination package for the same price as the old hose. Amazon and the big box stores were sold out. This was around 3 months ago.

I have a big one and a small one (Shop vac)
13 and 2
Small one is awesome for toting around and going up ladder to clean gutters. Sits nicely at the top of my 10’ stepladder

ClydeLogan said:

It’s been years since I had to replace the vac filter, and the dust gets separated into a 5 gallon bucket for easy and quick disposal

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That’s cool.

I have always used Craftsmans and had very good luck with them.

I have a 16 gallon SS Ridgid with a HEPA filter for general use. Works great for cleaning the ash in the smoker. My wife uses it in the house for cleaning the [concrete] floors too. Great for picking up the snow drifts of dog hair without losing suction.

We also have have a Festool Midi and CT36 for shop use when the dust collector is too big. The Midi is nice as I can carry it around with me wherever I need to work (up / down ladders, etc.). Being able to keep tools attached to them is a huge plus too when working outside the shop.

For general use the Ridgid is great. It's loud and big though. We keep a water sponge attachment on the exhaust as a diffuser to keep the vacuum from blowing dust around inside. Doesn't hold a candle to the Festool dust collectors in terms of power, quietness, size, maneuverability, and storage. The downside is that Festool has the JD price tag. They are green tools too

Just in time question!

Shop-vac got run out of business due to the WuFlu... sad, since they employed a fair number of people in the US. They had great customer service and were an old fashioned business located in the northern part of PA. Not sure who picked up the name now.

Anyone buy one of the newer offerings and like it? Not needing something being used in a microchip clean room but something that doesn't create a dust cloud would be nice.

ClydeLogan said:

16 gallon Ridgid for dust in my shop, hooked up to an Oneida Dust Deputy, which makes a world of difference. It’s been years since I had to replace the vac filter, and the dust gets separated into a 5 gallon bucket for easy and quick disposal.
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For general barn use, wet and dry, a Dewalt 6 gallon, plastic, not metal canister. Definitely look for the model that comes with the improved, more flexible yellow hose, and not the standard black hose. This new hose is about $10 more than the standard hose, if each is bought separately, and is worth it for ease of use. I had to really search to locate the hose as part combination package for the same price as the old hose. Amazon and the big box stores were sold out. This was around 3 months ago.

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I've always had Craftsman , at present time , the one a 12 gal ( motor comes off for blower use) and Oneida Dust Deputy. This one connected to chop saw, haven't changed or cleaned filter for over a year. The larger 16 Craftsman I have Dustopper brand. Same as the oneida brand. air filter stays clean. This one I use for my band saw, small sanders and the 12" belt sander.
Dustopper High Efficiency Cyclonic Dust Separator, 12 in. Dia with 2.5 in. hose, 36 in. long, with 2 Sweep Elbows-HD12A - The Home Depot

Shop-vac got run out of business due to the WuFlu...

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I read it was more complete and utter incompetence from upper management... They shot themselves several time, from manufacturing in China going on strike because they found out that manufacturing was moving to another country and ending with the sale of the company falling through.

Stainless steel Shop Vac, 12 gallon if I remember right.

Menard's branded wall hanger.



Porter Cable 40V.




And General dust collector, (wall hanger, hooked to 1-1/2" plastic pipe manifold):

While a big corded shop vac is needed in many cases, a lot of the time I just have a small mess I want to clean up. So I decided to try a cordless version and it has become one of my favorite tools. Went with DeWalt 20v, since I am already invested in so many of their batteries. Easy to move around and no cords to mess with. Really love it!

MadMadHoosier said:

While a big corded shop vac is needed in many cases, a lot of the time I just have a small mess I want to clean up. So I decided to try a cordless version and it has become one of my favorite tools. Went with DeWalt 20v, since I am already invested in so many of their batteries. Easy to move around and no cords to mess with. Really love it!

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I too have one of those, I like it, a lot.
If you like that one you and your wife will love this one...
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCV51...y+Vacuum,+Cordless&qid=1637847673&s=hi&sr=1-5

I have one of those Keith and very handy and strong too, also have an older than dirt wet or dry Craftsman, don't remember the size but it's huge, powerful and LOUD with a 16 foot hose plus attachments, also have a smaller craftsman wall mounted to do the vehicles. Also use a dust deputy for my cabinet sand blaster and other items, (bench belt sander, grinding wheel, etc.) to filter out the air, they work great.

sdavilla said:

I read it was more complete and utter incompetence from upper management... They shot themselves several time, from manufacturing in China going on strike because they found out that manufacturing was moving to another country and ending with the sale of the company falling through.

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The state shutting down businesses finished them off for good, though. Sad.

If Sears/Panasonic still made the original HEPA Kenmore home vacs I'd use one of those as a shop vac. Low on capacity but built like a tank and with sturdy and useful cleaning tools.

That Dewalt handheld looks intriguing for the workbench and cleanup. Still would like to have something to vacuum the garage floor, etc since the ebb of the wind is directly off of the fields and up into my garage.