Shop Vac Brands and Links

Updated March 2012

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Page: 6 of 7

In this report

Introduction
Budget Wet Dry Vacs{3 mentions}{1 mention}{3 mentions}{1 mention}{1 mention}{1 mention}
Workshop Vacs{4 mentions}{1 mention}
Portable Wet Dry Vacuums{3 mentions}{1 mention}{1 mention}{3 mentions}{2 mentions}{1 mention}{2 mentions}
Wall-Mount Vacuums{1 mention}{2 mentions}
Useful Links
Our Sources

More advice on wet dry vacs

Every year Taunton Press puts out their annual Tool Guide to help readers choose the best tools. Culling its content from Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking magazines, the guide compares more than 200 tools and includes editor recommendations in 24 categories.

Sandor Nagyszalanczy's book "Woodshop Dust Control" (*Est. $15) is the classic guide to designing a dust-collection system. The April 2008 issue of Woodworker's Journal includes his article "Improving Dust Control in the Woodshop." In addition, reviews of dust collectors and air-filtration systems may be downloaded for a fee from Wood magazine.

The Winter 2011/2012 issue of Fine Woodworking magazine's Tools & Shops annual issue includes a special feature by writer Asa Christiana called "A Revolution in Dust Collection." The feature discusses the health dangers associated with wood dust and investigates the differences between HEPA and HEPA-type filtration. The piece also covers dust management strategies for the woodshop, such as adding a dust separator to a wet dry vac or single-stage dust collector, and it tests the best double-stage (cyclone) dust collectors on the market today. The article is available online for a membership fee.

Accessories and upgrades

Several woodworking publications recommend a cyclone drum accessory, often referred to as a separator, for wet dry vacs used to collect dust in a workshop. Mounted between the shop vacuum and the tool being used, the cyclone separates dust and chips from the airstream and collects them in a larger drum. The Oneida Dust Deputy (*Est. $60 to $100) and Dust Right Vortex from Rockler (*Est. $70) are two of the most recommended models.

The April 2007 issue of Woodworker's Journal includes a useful tip from reader Mike Elias, describing how to remove caked-on dust from a vacuum filter. He suggests buying a second filter; that way you can swap a clean filter for the dirty one and then use the shop vacuum to vacuum the dirty filter.

To increase the filtering efficiency of an inexpensive shop vacuum, you can add a washable CleanStream Gore-Tex filter (*Est. $25 to $35), a dry dust HEPA filter (*Est. $20 to $35) or a disposable paper filter bag especially designed for collecting sheetrock dust. These options are available for Shop-Vac, Ridgid and Craftsman wet dry vacuums, and several owners of Fein shop vacuums say third-party dust bags can be used with them, too. On 5- to 6-gallon Shop-Vac models, there's only space for one of these options, but larger models can use both at once. Similar high-efficiency filters and filter bags are available for several other brands, as well.

David Heim's article "Sound Advice" in the January/February 2007 edition of Fine Woodworking magazine discusses the importance of hearing protection while woodworking. A panel of Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding editors test and make recommendations of their favorite earplugs and muffs for the shop. Peltor Worktunes-22 muffs (*Est. $49) and Hocks Noise Brakers (*Est. $14) are among the recommended ear protectors.

Tips on using a wet dry vac

Extremely fine dust, which is harmful to breathe, poses special problems. Because most vacuum cleaners expel some of the dust they suck up, it's not safe to use a regular wet dry vacuum cleaner on ceramics dust, pigment dust or dust from artists' pastels. For ceramics studios, special vacuum cleaners are available that are designed to collect clay dust safely. The smallest model, the Nilfisk Eliminator I HEPA Vacuum (*Est. $600), uses a triple-filtration system. Larger models are available for schools and larger studios. We found a good article discussing vacuums for pottery-dust cleanup at Bailey Ceramic Supply.

Fire-safety experts warn against vacuuming ashes from a fireplace, barbecue or woodstove with an ordinary wet dry vacuum, because hidden sparks could cause a fire. Special fireplace/ash vacuums are made for this purpose. Love-Less Ash Company specializes in manufacturing ash vacuums.

For tips on using a shop vacuum, see the articles "Wet/Dry Utility Vacuum Design & Benefits" at retail site Ristenbatt.com and "Choosing and Using Wet/Dry Vacs" by John Kelsey at This Old House.

Jude Herr, editor of Toologics.com, has a useful article on choosing a wet dry vacuum that's also worth checking out.

The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued an advisory on wood dust.

WoodCentral.com also discusses wood dust and offers tips for better dust collection.