Stongest most quiet wet/dry shop vac please input...
- Thread starter EMIN007
- Start date
Troy@Protekt
a.k.a. Troy@DetailCity
This was also my criteria for a wet vac when I was looking. I chose a Powrflite Commercial Vacuum. It gave you the same extraction power of an extractor while still being an effective wet/dry vac.
Any of the Craftsman or Rigid vacs are great as wet/dry vacuums but not so good at extraction (water lift).
Any of the Craftsman or Rigid vacs are great as wet/dry vacuums but not so good at extraction (water lift).
Not to detract from the OP's point, but rather to expand on Troy's input...
Troy, how long have you had the Powr-Flite? What are your opinions of it's performance vs. your previous vacs? They have a spotter that I have read about over and again, but unsure as to the quality. They are located over in Ft. Worth which, though not around the corner is probably only an hour's + drive from here.
My Craftsman wet/dry vac (12 gal. 5hp {peak}) does a fair job of extraction, but you must remove the filter cartridge and move the wand slowly.
Edit to add: I forgot about your question of quietness. IMO, it is not quiet, but I don't have a real good point of reference for comparison.
Troy@Protekt
a.k.a. Troy@DetailCity
I've had it about 3 years now. I modified mine with 30' of 1 1/4" hose so it's CFM (air flow) isn't great but it still does well at extraction (water lift). First commercial wet/dry vac I have owned and it has performed very well. Since I don't use an extractor I felt a vacuum with extractor like power was a must to be able to take care of spills. Shampooing or vapor cleaning alone would not be enough.
I know if I used the hose it came with it would perform quite a bit better but I decided to sacrifice a little performance for the convenience of not having to take it out of my truck.
accordn17
rise and *shine*
i bouth a 5 gal 5.5 horsepower contractors wet/dry shop vac at lowes.. this thing is small, very powerful and super quiet! definitely reccommend it..
I know exactly what you mean by this. I thought I would upgrade my setup by adding a Mr. Nozzle hose/attachments. I got extra length and probably a better constructed hose, but it seems to have impacted the suction capabilities of the vac plus the attachments are a notch (or maybe even two) below those supplied with the Craftsman vac.
Tex Star Detail
Formerly TexasTB
Same here. My 1st one lasted 3 years. Running daily for hours. When it died, I replaced it with the same one. Very powerful and quiet.
Troy, I wanted to follow-up on your Powr-Flite wet/dry vac.
Is yours the PF51 model?
How is the noise factor?
It says the filter media is permanent cloth, does that mean there isn't a pleated paper filter?
Have you had any luck finding compatible quality auto related attachments? It looks like it only comes with a crevice tool that would be helpful.
Is yours the PF51 model?
- 5-Gal Poly tank
- 100" water lift
- 114 cfm
How is the noise factor?
It says the filter media is permanent cloth, does that mean there isn't a pleated paper filter?
Have you had any luck finding compatible quality auto related attachments? It looks like it only comes with a crevice tool that would be helpful.
Russ@Exclusive
New member
I have one of the 3hp ones and it is amazing. It was only $30. It is a little on the weak side but god is it quiet and small and works fine for now. Plan on upgrading soon though.
Troy@Protekt
a.k.a. Troy@DetailCity
Yes that is the model. It is quieter than my Rigid Wet/Dry vac.
I modified mine from the start. I took out the cloth filter and replaced it with a foam filter (like ShopVac uses). I also modified the hose fitting to accept 2 1/2" hose. I did this because I have engineered a hose reel to be fitted with it.
I understood from the start that I was voiding any warranty by doing this and probably shortening the life of the motor, but I knew this would give me maximum performance and convenience and that is what I wanted.
The foam filter does not filter well. The vac stays in the back of my truck and it does get dirty back there after a while. The pleated paper filter would be a better choice. I just knew the cloth filter was not going to work for me.
I agree, no desire to mess with a cloth filter. That is just a bad idea (IMO, of course). But even the vac shops I've dealt with recommend tossing the cloth bag (if equipped) in favor of disposable paper.
So you actually replaced the 1.25" hose with a 2.5". I guess that resolved any question of hose-end accessories.
Was the foam filter and off-the-shelf item or did you have to "manufacture" one? Would any of the stock pleated paper filters fit? FWIW, I run both the foam filter and paper while dry vac, removing the paper to help with suction when wet vac. I think I would want to do the same with the Powr-Flite.
So you actually replaced the 1.25" hose with a 2.5". I guess that resolved any question of hose-end accessories.
Was the foam filter and off-the-shelf item or did you have to "manufacture" one? Would any of the stock pleated paper filters fit? FWIW, I run both the foam filter and paper while dry vac, removing the paper to help with suction when wet vac. I think I would want to do the same with the Powr-Flite.
Troy@Protekt
a.k.a. Troy@DetailCity
I agree, no desire to mess with a cloth filter. That is just a bad idea (IMO, of course). But even the vac shops I've dealt with recommend tossing the cloth bag (if equipped) in favor of disposable paper.
So you actually replaced the 1.25" hose with a 2.5". I guess that resolved any question of hose-end accessories.
Was the foam filter and off-the-shelf item or did you have to "manufacture" one? Would any of the stock pleated paper filters fit? FWIW, I run both the foam filter and paper while dry vac, removing the paper to help with suction when wet vac. I think I would want to do the same with the Powr-Flite.
Actually as you can see the hose is a 1.25" on the reel but it is 2.5" coming out of the vacuum. What can I say, I should have been an engineer.:redface:
I use standard houshold vac attachments. It's not good for sucking up medium to large debris but it is very good at getting dirt and small debris.
The foam filter was off the shelf. I had to modify it with staples to get it to fit.:redface: I'm sure you can find a pleated filter that will fit the Powrflite. Just take some measurements and visit Sears.
Good job Troy! Quite inventive of you. I had a similar set-up for my water hose reel, but it kept springing leaks, so I ditched it.
I may just fire off an e-mail to the Powr-Flite folks and ask them. I see the PF51 is @ $170 + tax, not sure about shipping costs. I'll weigh that against the Fein Turbo I, which has similar specs but is @ $300.
I may just fire off an e-mail to the Powr-Flite folks and ask them. I see the PF51 is @ $170 + tax, not sure about shipping costs. I'll weigh that against the Fein Turbo I, which has similar specs but is @ $300.