What wet/vac are you using?

L

liquidtiger720

New member
I'm currently shopping around for a wet/dry vacuum and am wondering what all of you guys are using. Hopefully, it can be bought locally too. So let me know which one you are using, why you like it, and list your dislikes/problems. Thank you.
 
If you're using it around your house, get one with a large container (5 gal). If you're going to be using it mobile, get a smaller 1 gal type. I have a Rigid and I like it. It has ample power, but only a 3 gal storage. Lots of accessories --- recently bought a car detail kit for it that has smaller nozzles and such. Bought it at Home Depot. A little loud, but that's what my ear plugs are for.



Here's another thread about them:

http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49424&highlight=Shop+Vac



If you use the search button above for "Shop Vac", there's over 10 pages of results. Some are as relevant, but they're there for the sifting through. Enjoy!!!
 
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I really like this one youcan clean both cars in a two car garage with it..



not so loud picks up great but the tools are a little large I might get the step down hose and see if i can pick up the smaller car detailing kit also
 
I bought a 12 gallon Ridgid from Home Depot on sale for $30 about three months back (normal price $60 or $70):



http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/12-Gallon-Vac/index.htm



This vac has a LOT of suction, but it is not small, so it'd be fine for shop/garage use. The only disadvantages I can think of is the size and lack of an optional filter bag. A bag makes it easier to switch from dry to wet pick-up, but if you can live with those two things it is a very good vac. Currently I use it only for wet pick-up and blowing, and my older Shop-Vac with a bag for dry pick-up.



I do like the smaller size of the one holland_patrick has, so if space is a concern I'd spend a few more $$$ and consider that model (it's also sold at HD).
 
I use this 6.5HP Craftsman that I bought at Sears on Sale for $79.



Very durable and loaded with serious suction abilities. Picks up anything and everything. Remove the filter and it makes a nice extractor for the weekend warrior if you can't afford a dedicated one.
 
holland_patrick said:
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I really like this one youcan clean both cars in a two car garage with it..



not so loud picks up great but the tools are a little large I might get the step down hose and see if i can pick up the smaller car detailing kit also
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I have the same one and LOVE it. Much better than my 16 gallon Craftsman
 
blackntan said:
Hey Enduro,



Clean those wheel wells, quick!!!!!



Oh, and the tires could use some shine too...



:p
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they were clean the day before when the owner decided to drive at night in the rain they got dirty and the tires have NXT on them just cant really tell at that angle
 
Eliot Ness said:
I bought a 12 gallon Ridgid from Home Depot on sale for $30 about three months back (normal price $60 or $70):



http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/12-Gallon-Vac/index.htm



This vac has a LOT of suction, but it is not small, so it'd be fine for shop/garage use. The only disadvantages I can think of is the size and lack of an optional filter bag. A bag makes it easier to switch from dry to wet pick-up, but if you can live with those two things it is a very good vac. Currently I use it only for wet pick-up and blowing, and my older Shop-Vac with a bag for dry pick-up.



I do like the smaller size of the one holland_patrick has, so if space is a concern I'd spend a few more $$$ and consider that model (it's also sold at HD).
Click to expand...



I have the same one and it is an excellent vacume. Used to carry it with me in my Jetta. :D I am going to get that 4 Gallon one for mobile detailng.
 
For simple garage use, is the 10+ gallon tank really necessary? I've been thinking of that small Ridgid vac or the hang-up Craftsman, but both have smallish tanks. It'd go in mom's garage and I'd use it whenever I go over to detail. She would occassionally use it to sweep out the garage, maybe when we wet down the floor and clean it too.



The hanging systems seem to be a good idea.. If we mount the vac in the right place, the hose could probably reach the far corners of the garage - she just has your average two car garage. I think that one with a large tank would just discourage her to use it :nixweiss
 
For what it's worth, I got an ad from Home Depot in the newspaper yesterday and they have the RIDGID 2.5 Peak HP, 6 gal. wet/dry on sale for $19.97. It's regulary $39.97.
 
PaPenguin said:
For what it's worth, I got an ad from Home Depot in the newspaper yesterday and they have the RIDGID 2.5 Peak HP, 6 gal. wet/dry on sale for $19.97. It's regulary $39.97.
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That's a good price, but pretty low on power. I use to have a 2.5 hp vac and went with a rigid 6.5 hp and 16 gallon vac this last time. It's like night and day. I got it at Home Depot for $39.95 as they had the 5hp on sale for that price but were out of it and substituted the bigger one for the same price. It's a little big, but I also purchased the detailing kit for $19.95 which comes with a 10' section of 1.5" hose and an adapter. I just put the vac in front of my vehicle and I can reach all the doors as I have about 16' of hose to work with. The vac rolls very easily on large caster wheels.:D
 
Thanks for the info on the Rigid 2.5 hp vac. I just called my HD and confirmed that they have it on sale for $19.97.



I think I am going to go over a pick one up this weekend.
 
I have this model Craftsman wet/dry vac with the 1.25 inch car attachment kit.
 

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Just bought the small Rigid vac yesterday at home depot, I was really impressed. I really like the portability factor of it, for the price it's the smallest vac I've seen with all the power of a bigger vac.
 
Just bought the small Rigid vac yesterday at home depot, I was really impressed. I really like the portability factor of it, for the price it's the smallest vac I've seen with all the power of a bigger vac.
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Same here. Just picked one up last night at HD. Can't beat it for the price. My old vac was a Craftsman 1.25 hp. The thing would always tip over etc.



Thanks to PaPenguin for the info on the sale...:xyxthumbs
 
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