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Whats the best consumer grade wet/dry vacuum?
QUESTION: Whats the best consumer grade wet/dry vacuum?
ANSWER: I've had the best luck with the vacuums sold at Sears. There's
usually one on sale for about $100.
I've got a ShopVac QSP 10-gallon (5hp) wet/dry vacuum that I've been very
happy with. It has a 2.5 inch hose, which I highly recommend over the
smaller 1.25 inch hose on some other vacs -- not as prone to clogging. It
is very quiet compared to other vacs I have used, without any noticeable
loss of power. It's easy to roll around(large wheels), change/clean
filter, and empty. And it is very well constructed and rugged -- has a
stainless steel canister.
The biggest minuses that I've noticed are: an attachment caddy/holder
doesn't come standard, and the motor cannot be turned into a blower.
Home woodworker magazine just did a review on a bunch of Shop Vacs. In all
of their tests, the 3 Craftsman wet/dry shop vacs
cleaned up (pun intended) on all the otjhers. Their summary (recommendations) at
the end was the 3 craftsman vacs and then the one by QSP "if the noise is a problem".
After using my parents 4.0 horsepower Craftsman Shop vac, I'm certain the one I
just got on sale (for $90 !!) with 5.5 hp will work just fine.
In addition to the vac, you can get and extended service plan for $30 for years
which will cover everything, including cosmetics. Also this service plan allows
you to get one filter/year (2 filters in the 2 year contract) which cost $16 each.
How can you go wrong - covered for 2 years, renewable, new filters so you get
your $30 back and one of the (if not THE) best vacuum going.
Sears also sells ton's of attacments for their 2.5 hose including a kit to clean
your gutters. Not to bad.
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