Recommend me a wet/dry vacuum for garage stuff!

[jlee]

Shop-Vac? Craftsman? Ridgid? I'd like to stay under $100 if possible, though.

Milwaukee looks nice but not at almost $300..

 

[StageLeft]

I read enough about them when I got one last year to be happy with my Rigid. Paid maybe $70. They do each year seem cheaper on Black thursday or friday but they are cheap to begin with.

 

[IronWing]

This appears to be the latest version of the Craftsman I have been using for eight years.

To see what it looks like click on the "video and demonstration" link on the left side below the top box. It has worked very well. It is loud, really loud. It looks like it comes with the muffler now. That was a separate item when I bought mine.


Edit: The detonator link doesn't seem to be working. Here is the direct link:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917066000P?prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7#ppspecs

 

[mmntech]

The Rigid ones we use at work for cleaning cars are near indestructible.

 

[dud]

OP, wait until Black Friday if you can. Why? ... because I buy a new Rigid shopvac at my local HD every two (2) years at their BF sale. They run $29 for the 5 HP, 12 gallon version. They are the "best value" in a shopvac at that price-point.

I then give my used (as in 2-yr old unit) to a neighbor.

 

[jlee]

OP, wait until Black Friday if you can. Why? ... because I buy a new Rigid shopvac at my local HD every two (2) years at their BF sale. They run $29 for the 5 HP, 12 gallon version. They are the "best value" in a shopvac at that price-point.

I then give my used (as in 2-yr old unit) to a neighbor.

Hmm, I can wait but I wanted to get one because I need one...

 

[WackyDan]

I have a Rigid. Didn't buy the cheap one either. Spent about $75 to $90 on it back in 2004 and it is still on the job...And I've put a lot of use on it... dry wall dust, and a ton of saw dust, both coarse and fine. I did have to buy a new hose as the one that came with it had issues after a couple of years. They sell a heavy duty one that won't collapse on itself.

I think just about any name brand shop vac is decent though as long as you don't buy at the low end of the price range.

 

[Imported]

OP, wait until Black Friday if you can. Why? ... because I buy a new Rigid shopvac at my local HD every two (2) years at their BF sale. They run $29 for the 5 HP, 12 gallon version. They are the "best value" in a shopvac at that price-point.

I then give my used (as in 2-yr old unit) to a neighbor.

They sell out super fast! And they don't have a limit.. I was waiting to get one and saw some guy walk out with like 4 the last BF. Gonna try again this year for sure.

 

[JulesMaximus]

They're all pretty much the same and will last for years if you keep the filter clean/replace it when it is shot. Just get the cheapest one.

I have a Shop-Vac brand and I think it's going on 13 years old now. Still works great. I don't think I paid more than $50 for it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

OP, wait until Black Friday if you can. Why? ... because I buy a new Rigid shopvac at my local HD every two (2) years at their BF sale. They run $29 for the 5 HP, 12 gallon version. They are the "best value" in a shopvac at that price-point.

I then give my used (as in 2-yr old unit) to a neighbor.

Why would you buy a new one every 2 years?

 

[Vette73]

Which ever one is on sale.

Its not rocket science. Its a motor with a large can and filter. I got a craftmans as it was onsale. HD had a rigid onsale last week, check fatwallet to see if its still up. And as said wait till black friday or some other large holiday.

 

[MotF Bane]

Get a full-sized unit.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Easy to find used ones for <$50 at pawnshops. Get a new filter and it'll work good as new. I got one for like $30 4 years ago (Shop-Vac brand) and it hasn't had any problems.

 

[jlee]

I went ahead and spent the money for a new 6.5hp Ridgid..no way I'm going to wait 'till November.

 

[StageLeft]

I went ahead and spent the money for a new 6.5hp Ridgid..no way I'm going to wait 'till November.

Sometimes you have something that needs sucking and it won't wait!

 

[Vette73]

Sometimes you have something that needs sucking and it won't wait!

JLee: I said don't bother me when I am cleaning my room!!!

 

[StageLeft]

I've found that a few of the dry/wet units will actually blow, too, but most of us aren't lucky enough to have one like that, or at least this feature seems to stop working soon after purchase. Did you get that, jlee?

 

[jlee]

I've found that a few of the dry/wet units will actually blow, too, but most of us aren't lucky enough to have one like that, or at least this feature seems to stop working soon after purchase. Did you get that, jlee?

265mph.

 

[cheesehead]

I just used a "6.0HP Shop Vac" to remove over 50 gallons of water from my basement.

Good vacuum.

 

[herm0016]

i have the small rigid 2 gal i think? works pretty well for my very small camper and apartment. not a lot of space to store a large one.

 

[BassBomb]

I got a Shop-Vac kind slightly better than the cheaper models, it has a blower built in too which is good for the leaves

 

[Iclimb1998]

I've had a ridgid 5 hp for 6 years. Great suction, reversible for blower use, never a problem with the filter.
I would recommend this model.
_________________
IP PBX

 

[waffleironhead]

I got a wd1278 a few weeks back for ~$40 at home depot. they are going for ~50 right now. Its a pretty good deal imo. they are the same as the wd1250 but come with less attachments, which was fine for me because I already had a bunch left over from my shopvac, which I was able to use with an adapter.

 

[darom]

I bought a cheap Home Depot special and absolutely hate its rigid vacuum hose. I wish it was more flexible. Overall, the unit does come in handy when working on cars' paint/rust/dirt removal. I attach my DA sander to it which keeps dust under control.