Craftsman 17761 Review

What the reviewers like:
Reviews praise the suction on the 6-hp (11-amp) Craftsman 17761 shop vac, especially for dry pickup. It can also be used as a 170-mph blower. The hose locks securely to the tank, and the 20-foot cord wraps for onboard storage. Also, the Craftsman has a squeegee floor tool and drain for liquids.

What the reviewers don't like:
Unlike Ridgid shop vacs, the motor of the Craftsman 17761 doesn't automatically shut off when vacuumed liquids reach their maximum level. Nor does the Craftsman 17761 capture as much fine dust, reviewers say, so emissions are higher in the exhausted air. Also, some reviewers say the Craftsman is louder than Ridgid shop vacs (which also have a longer warranty). We also found a complaint that the filter doesn't hold up after repeated vacuuming of liquids, but no true "wet filter" is available.

Craftsman 17761 review highlights

Reviews praise the Craftsman 17761 shop vac for its power and ease of use, though the 20-gallon Craftsman 17762 is three inches shorter (at 2.5 inches) and thus easier to store. Both Craftsman shop vacs are priced quite a bit lower than the 16-gallon Ridgid WD1850 (*est. $170), but the Ridgid shop vac emits less dust and carries a lifetime warranty. The Craftsman shop vacs are guaranteed for only one year.

At Sears.com, more than 40 owners review the Craftsman 17761 shop vac, which gets many more reviews and ratings than most wet-dry vacs get there. The sheer number of reviews adds credibility to the high average rating owners give this shop vac. The 16-gallon Craftsman 17761 is a slightly smaller version of the 20-gallon Craftsman 17762 tested by Consumer Reports. This review compares the 17762 with four other consumer-brand wet-dry vacs of similar size, as well as with 18 other shop vacs of varied sizes. The larger but similar shop vac also gets compared with Ridgid shop vacs in the Ridgid tool forum.

Also see full report: Shop Vacs

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

1. Sears.com
Craftsman 17761 Reviews
Contributors to Sears.com

More than 40 owners have reviewed and rated the Craftsman 17761 shop vac at Sears.com, giving it a rating well above average. Sears.com is becoming the best place to read owner-written reviews on Craftsman shop vacs, which can't be found anywhere else.

2. Consumer Reports
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Wet/Dry Vacuums
Editors of Consumer Reports
Mar. 2007

Consumer Reports includes the larger, similar Craftsman 17762 in its review of 23 shop vacs, comparing it mostly with four other models of similar size. Each shop vac is put through objective tests, then assigned a total score as well as separate ratings for wet and dry pickup performance, emissions and ease of use.

3. Ridgid Power Tools Forum
Comparing Craftsman 17761 with Ridgid shop vacs
Contributors to RidgidForum.com

Several users posting here recommend the similar Craftsman 17762 shop vac over competing Ridgid models, citing its 20-gallon capacity and the range of available accessories. The main point that's relevant to the 16-gallon Craftsman 17761 is that owners here say Ridgid shop vacs are quieter.

4. Epinions
Craftsman 17706 Reviews
Contributors to Epinions

Owners review the earlier, similar 16-gallon Craftsman 17706 here, giving it quite a high average rating; it's also one of the few shop vacs to get lots of reviews here. Most owners praise this earlier model for plenty of suction, but quite a few find it bulky and hard to store.

Also see full report: Shop Vacs