Craftsman 17066 Review

What the reviewers like:
The top of the Craftsman 17066 shop vac detaches for use as a handheld leaf blower. This model also comes with six cleaning tools, more than most shop vacs. Multi-directional castors and a locking hose make it easy to tug around, and its 21.5-inch height makes it easy to store. The tank has a drain, and reviews say the lack of a lip on the lid makes it easy to empty dry debris.

What the reviewers don't like:
Noise and bulky size are issues with the Craftsman 17066, as are emissions -- which means that it exhausts some dust. The switch isn't located conveniently. Some owners complain that this shop vac’s lid doesn't lock on tightly, allowing dirt to escape, while others complain that the hose comes off. Checking the filter requires opening the tank, and there's no auto-shutoff when liquid reaches the maximum level.

Craftsman 17066 review highlights

Reviewers like the way the Craftsman 17066 shop vac can be used as a leaf blower, thanks to its detachable top. However, tests show it emits more dust in its exhaust compared to the Ridgid WD1665 (*est. $130), which also doubles as a leaf blower. In addition, the Craftsman warranty is for only one year, while Ridgid shop vacs carry a lifetime guarantee.

Consumer Reports includes the 16-gallon Craftsman 17066 in its thorough comparison tests of 23 consumer-level wet/dry vacs, as does Popular Mechanics in its even more recent tests of six models. An earlier review in American Woodworker compares the Craftsman not only with two consumer-level shop vacs, but with more expensive pro-level models as well. Also, quite a few owners posting at Sears.com say they’ve tested this model for a wide range of uses over a long period of time.

Also see full report: Shop Vacs

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Consumer Reports
>> Details/Subscribe
Wet/Dry Vacuums
Editors of Consumer Reports
Mar. 2007

Consumer Reports includes the Craftsman 17066 in its review of 23 consumer-level shop vacs, comparing it mostly with four other consumer models of similar size. Each shop vac is put through objective tests, then assigned a total score, plus separate ratings for wet and dry pickup performance, emissions and ease of use.

2. Popular Mechanics
>> Details/Subscribe
Shop Vac Showdown: We Test 6 New Wet/Dry Vacuums
Tom Klenck
Sept. 2007

This review compares the Craftsman 17066 with five other shop vacs ranging from 4.5 to 16 gallons, testing each model's speed and capacity in vacuuming water and in picking up a variety of dry debris (cat litter, sawdust, wood shavings and scraps, garden mulch). The Craftsman 17066 is by far the fastest at sucking up both dry debris and water, and the blower feature is nice; but the Ridgid WD1450 is more convenient to use. Unfortunately this review doesn't make a head-to-head comparison with the Ridgid WD1665, which also has a top that detaches for use as a blower.

3. Sears.com
Craftsman 17066 Reviews
Contributors to Sears.com

At the time of this report, more than 40 owners review the Craftsman 17066 shop vac on the Sears.com website, giving it a near-perfect rating; most say they’re very satisfied. However, there are some complaints that the hose and lid don’t lock securely to the tank, along with a few concerns about durability. The most recent reviews are especially positive, so earlier problems may have been corrected.

4. American Woodworker
>> Details/Subscribe
Tool Test: Shop Vacuums
George Vendriska and Tony Caspar
Oct. 2005

This review compares six shop vacs, including the Craftsman 17066 and two other general-purpose shop vacs, as well as three pro-level, tool-activated models. Vendriska and Caspar evaluate each unit for pickup power (using roofing nails) and airflow (sucking up sawdust that can quickly clog the filter). The Craftsman 17066 outperforms the Ridgid shop vac reviewed here, except that it's noisier.

Also see full report: Shop Vacs