Wet dry vacuum recommendation

My old Rigid vacuum is making horrible sounds and I'm tired of modifying non- standard filter carriages to fit. Time for a new shop vacuum.

I have limited space so 5 gallon or so is preferred. Strong enough to clean out a wet carpet. Good range of attachments included. Reasonably inexpensive filter cartridges available.

what does the hive like in this range?

I use them daily in the business.  I've tried all the brands it seems.  Funny thing, totally unexpected on my part, but the Craftsman holds up the best.

Note:  I use larger than 5 gallon.

I have had the same Ridgid vacuum for well over a decade.  If space is a concern, the square one can't be beat and last time I checked it's the only game in town.

It looks like they now have other variants of it as well.

Lowes used to sell one that fit on a 5 gallon bucket. It is perfect for most jobs. 

Looks like it's the Shop Vac Bucket Head.

Here ya go: Project Farm shop vac comparison test

In reply to ddavidv :

Thanks.

I've needed a new one for some time now but after really marginal results with my last (actual) Shopvac I didn't really know what to buy. Although he recommended the very midrange Craftsman, the DeWalt looked like the better performer.

Toyman01 + Sized and said:

Lowes used to sell one that fit on a 5 gallon bucket. It is perfect for most jobs. 

Looks like it's the Shop Vac Bucket Head.

Yeah, I got one of those at Home Depot, I use it in the garage for smaller jobs. Works pretty well.

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) said:

Toyman01 + Sized and said:

Lowes used to sell one that fit on a 5 gallon bucket. It is perfect for most jobs. 

Looks like it's the Shop Vac Bucket Head.

Yeah, I got one of those at Home Depot, I use it in the garage for smaller jobs. Works pretty well.

I keep meaning to get one of these for indoors to use for carpet cleaning.  I hate running downstairs to get the shop vac, making sure there is no dust in it, removing the filter, and brining it upstairs to clean up a stain.  And my dog loves to throw up on the rug :(

Thanks for the suggestions! Looking at the craftsman on the Lowe's site they seem to be hit or miss on quality. Lots of complaints about hoses falling out/ apart and clogs in a down tube. Also some mention of product registration issues which makes me think "soon to be discontinued"

on further inspection of options I think I am in the 6 gallon camp as I can't find any with a 1 7/8 or bigger hose on the smaller models. 
 

has anyone used a newer rigid? There seems to be a 6 gallon 3.5 horse for about $60.

itsarebuild said:

has anyone used a newer rigid? There seems to be a 6 gallon 3.5 horse for about $60.

That's what I have in my pole barn/shop. I've had it for probably 6-7 years now, it replaced a Craftsman I bought in the early 90s (which still worked, I just wanted something more powerful). So far so good. I think it's one of those deals where there are only like 2 companies that actually make them, they just do different colors and decals for the different brands.

itsarebuild said:

has anyone used a newer rigid? There seems to be a 6 gallon 3.5 horse for about $60.

That's what I have for dust extraction on my Hanging CNC Router of Death

I use a dustopper & an internal bag in it as well to minimize airborne dust.

Go big or go home... within your 5 gallon constraints.

The ones that use the big 2" or 2.5" hose are the way to go.  I have a 12 gallon Ridgid that says something like 6 peak hp (which is complete BS because that would suggest 4400w and it doesn't trip a 10A breaker) but it is a monster.  3" screws?  No problem.  1/4" carriage bolts?  Gone.

I have used the bucket-head style and found them to lack suction compared to the big boys

If I had a hard cap on size, I would buy this one right now.  4 Gallon Detachable Wet/Dry Vac | RIDGID Tools

If I were more flexible with size, this one will suck the skin off an apple, then suck the whole apple in and turn it into applesauce when it hits the baffle in the canister.  11 Gallon Smart Cart Wet/Dry Vac | RIDGID Tools

Yessss

I wish more vacuums were reviewed and tested for their suction. I mean why spend more money on something that doesnt suck when thats the whole point? 
 

Other neat uses for shop vacs are gardening and digging holes. Bust up the earth than suck it into a vac, then dump back in when done.

In reply to pheller :

I use the exhaust on my shop vac to dust the scene shop.  I open the roll up door and put a big shop fan blowing out.  Then I just go nuts once a year blowing all the dust.

Also makes a dandy unclogger for the drain in the floor.  I use it for un-dusting me too.  If I'm crawling around under the stage or just get a lot of sawdust, it makes quick work of blasting off the man glitter.

After watching that video... I might be getting a Bauer.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

Oooh 6hp and 4 gallon. This looks good!

I have a 14-gallon Shop Vac

It is the size of a VW Bug and about as easy to move around. It can take the paper cartridges or paper bags or both. It's kinda silly, but it mostly lives in the garage and can suck the paint off a trailer hitch. The main reason I got it is to suck up standing water, and it can carry a lot. The base is like a big bucket, and it has a floor drain which is super convenient. I do not recommend this monster unless you have a specific need, like a babysitter.

ProDarwin said:

I have had the same Ridgid vacuum for well over a decade.  If space is a concern, the square one can't be beat and last time I checked it's the only game in town.

 

It looks like they now have other variants of it as well.

 

This is the way. Storing bucket shaped things is a PITA. I've had this one for years, and it just does a great job and stores well.

I've got a bigass, all metal Dayton industrial wet dry vac that I've had forever and I think I'm ready to part ways with if anyone is interested. It's awesome, but it's bigger than what I need now (probably 16 gallons), and it would be impossible to ship.

In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :

It's from CT... probably rusty. 

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

Nope, stainless. 

Oooo... it's the Delorean of shop vacs.

Pretty much. It will suck you back to 1985. 

I LOL'd at that.