Ok I know lots of you guys have really well appointed shops, and then some not so good. I want to install a really good shop vac, make it stationary and have a long(25ft) hose to attach to it, or put remote vac outlets around the shop. My shop is 30X40 but is sort of chopped up with built in sinks, bathroom, etc. I would like a vac that is quiet, has lots of "suck" and affordable. Ilooked at some of the builtin house types but don't know if they will hold up, and they are pretty pricey too. Any hints are or comments are appreciated. Patrick
I have a 3HP 220 v woodworking system from ShopFox with 4 4" inlets. Burned up one of the "China" bushings on the motor in 6 months. I replaced it with a good motor & now really satisfied with it. A good powerful woodwork vac is over $1000. What ever model you buy make sure it has a good electric motor with ball or roller bearings. Most direct drive 220v shop vac's run at 3400+ rpm if they are good size & they are quite. Induction motors are noisey as in wood planers & routers and the roll around ones from Craftsman,Rigid,Shopvac.... I still use those for remote 120v. I am happy with the Rigid 6.5amp I got from Home Depot. as a closeout for $65
I can tell you right now this post is going to to suck. I bought a nice vacuum a couple of years ago made from stainless steel. It can suck the que ball off of a pool table. Anyway I was thinking of hanging it in the shop and running PVC to different areas with some hoses. So I am interested also in what some others have done.
THE only one is RIDGID from Home Depot, it sucks like no other..... I've had mine for 4 years, even vacuum the house with it, still original filter-just blow it out with compressed air and reuse....
Remember that a long hose can get clogged easily with metal curls from a drill press or lathe. Sears makes a muffler for their outlet that quiets the vac also. -"my problem", I have several vacs in my shop and the key is to use them when your done working not just leave a pile of trash to be swept up later.
I use this in my garage .... works better than the built in's.. Got this for 125.00 on sale last yr ..ck eBay Garage Utility Vac (GUV). This hanging garage/car vac has a 5 gallon tank capacity and heavy duty steel construction. Simply mount the storage bracket in your shop or garage, hang the vac and plug the cord in. Heavy-duty steel construction for lasting durability 30' crush-proof hose 12 amp motor provides powerful suction, yet quiet operation Easy wall mount assembly - no need to take up valuable floor space Lifetime filter <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/el-BoiyKUps&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/el-BoiyKUps&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
I've got something like NITROFC's. It works great. The best part, it was free. My dad worked for Hoover for years and I found it in his garage. Chris