Porter-Cable 7814

1. Wood MagazineDetails/Subscribe

This review compares the smaller but otherwise very similar Porter-Cable 7812 with three other tool-triggered workshop vacs; the Festool model earns top ranking.

Review: Wise Buys: Tool-Triggered Vacuums, Editors of Wood Magazine, May 2008

2. Taunton 2009 Tool GuideDetails/Subscribe

This review of five tool-triggered wet dry vacs compares the smaller yet similar Porter-Cable 7812 with four competitors, based on tests done for the June 2007 review in Fine Woodworking (below). A survey of readers ranks the Porter-Cable fourth, below more expensive Festool, Fein and Bosch wet dry vacs.

Review: Tool-Triggered Shop Vacs, Rob Wotzak and Taunton Press Editors, Nov. 2008

3. Fine HomebuildingDetails/Subscribe

Tests here compare the smaller, but otherwise similar, Porter-Cable 7812 with four other tool-triggered wet dry vacs, rating each for filtration and dust collection, ease of emptying and cleaning, mobility and overall design. Carpenter Rob Wotzak also measures noise levels; the Porter-Cable is louder than the top-ranked models and lacks a drain.

Review: Tool-Triggered Shop Vacs, Rob Wotzak, June/July 2007

4. Taunton's 2005 Tool GuideDetails/Subscribe

This older roundup review compares the Porter-Cable 7814 wet dry vac with nine other shop vacuums. Editors praise the way Porter-Cable positions the filter at the very top so it takes longer to clog. Editors also like the filter-shaking mechanism and the separate filter door that lets you change the filter without opening the whole tank.

Review: Shop Vacuums, Editors and readers of Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking, Jan. 2005

5. Fine WoodworkingDetails/Subscribe

The Porter-Cable 7814 earns top ranking in comparison with 12 other wet dry vacs. Woodworker Roland Johnson praises the Porter-Cable 7814 for its well-designed filter system, diffused exhaust and auto-start feature.

Review: Shop Vacuums, Roland Johnson, May/June 2003

6. Tools of the Trade

The Porter-Cable 7814 is the close runner-up to the Bosch 3931 in this review, which puts nine wet dry vacs through objective tests and also compares them on contracting jobs. Compared with the Bosch wet dry vac, tests here find the Porter-Cable 7814 slightly less powerful and a bit top-heavy.

Review: Tool Test: Wet/Dry Vacuums, Chris Kulczycki, April 1, 2004

7. American WoodworkerDetails/Subscribe

This review compares the Porter-Cable 7814 with five other wet dry vacs, including two other tool-activated vacuums suitable for dust collection. Editors praise the Porter-Cable 7814 for ease of cleaning, but find the Bosch 3931 offers better suction and even easier filter cleaning.

Review: Tool Test: Shop Vacuums, George Vendriska and Tony Caspar, Oct. 2005

8. Amazon.com

We found about 10 owner-written reviews here for the Porter-Cable 7814 wet dry vac, giving it a lukewarm overall rating. Complaints include quality control problems, poor repair service from Porter-Cable and users who say this shop vacuum is a bit top-heavy and unstable.

Review: Porter-Cable 7814 15 Gallon 1-1/2 Horsepower Tool-Start Wet/Dry Vacuum, Contributors to Amazon.com

9. Epinions.com

At the time of this report, we found only one review here of the Porter-Cable 7814 wet dry vac. This owner compares it favorably with a Craftsman shop vac, finding the quieter Porter-Cable up to general workshop use despite its smaller hose. Lack of onboard storage is the only complaint.

Review: Porter-Cable 15-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum 7814, Contributors to Epinions.com