Shop-vac, filter or not?

**AZ Ferrari Man** · 12-07-2005, 06:51 PM

Hi guys, I just bought the Ridgid 4gallon 5hp portable shop vac (the little hand held unit) I was curious as to how those of you with this particular model use it for dry or wet applications? Also what is the deal with the noise/muffler diffuser? Does it retrict air flow out or just filter? Do you remove the filter to get stronger suction? Any tips would be great.

Andrew

**budman3** · 12-07-2005, 07:04 PM

I don`t have that unit but you would be best off to remove all dirt and stuff with the filter in and then pull the filter if you will be doing any extracting.

**AZ Ferrari Man** · 12-07-2005, 08:02 PM

so for wet suction/extraction, I should remove filter? And then leave it in for dry suction?

**budman3** · 12-07-2005, 08:09 PM

Correct. You would want the filter on for dry work to protect the motor from getting damaged and when you do your wet suction remove so you don`t get the filter wet (it will mold and stuff) plus you`ll get more suction.

Have you used any other type of wet/dry vacs? I have an old 16 gallon 5.25 HP Craftsman wet/dry that is big and bulky but I like the suction. So I was looking into a smaller unit that would have similar suction.

**AZ Ferrari Man** · 12-07-2005, 08:32 PM

This one is $70 and sucks the skin off your hand! I know a few of us on this board have it and love it. It is very portable and all the cords and hoses wrap nicely around the unit. However I have not used it for wet suction, so I yet to make an opinion. But so far I love it.

Andrew

**probegt** · 12-07-2005, 10:00 PM

The noise reducer is suppose to reduce the noise level but it didnt make that much of a difference to me. Yeah be sure to take off the filter if sucking up alot of liquid.

**joe.p** · 12-07-2005, 10:12 PM

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2....&prod_id=48255

i seen this one for $17.00 on overstock, i think for the price you can`t go wrong and i`m sure someone could find many projects to use it on plus free shipping.

**CharlesW** · 12-07-2005, 10:21 PM

It`s covered on pages 8 & 9 of the owners manual.
Leave the filter in place for small quantities of liquid, remove it for large quantities.

Owners Manual WD4050

Charles

**rogie** · 12-08-2005, 03:01 AM

Hey, since your on the subject of Shop-Vacs, may I ask a different question?
O.K. I have an old school 10 gallon and recently i`ve noticed the 3 hinges
that latch the lid down have really started to loosen up therefore i`m losing mass suction. Anyone got any tips on how to tighten them, so I don`t have to buy a new one. Thanks. Out.
Rogie.

**budman3** · 12-08-2005, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by AZ Ferrari Man

This one is $70 and sucks the skin off your hand! I know a few of us on this board have it and love it. It is very portable and all the cords and hoses wrap nicely around the unit. However I have not used it for wet suction, so I yet to make an opinion. But so far I love it.

Andrew

If you, or someone else, could let me know how it works when drying carpets and such. I`ll have to pick one up in the near future if it`ll have the same results of my big bulky unit. Thanks