iam looking for a good shop vac since weeks, kinda confused now. i went through so many reviews online… checked blogs like WireCutter, NY Times, Lifewire, also scrolled reddit n some forums. most ppl keep saying there are 2 models worth looking at.
both looks solid on paper. Vacmaster is more compact, seems good for small jobs and storage. Craftsman has bigger tank n more power but maybe too bulky for me?
i read tons of reviews but i m still not sure, some ppl say Vacmaster suction is great for size, others say craftsman lasts longer n can handle heavy cleaning easy.
so just wanna ask from experts here, which one would you pick if you had to buy now? both have tons of reviews features are amazing i need you help to decide and thanks in advance.
I started with a “Shopvac” brand 4 gallon vacuum, still have it and it works well. The next brand I purchased was Rigid. I have 5 different models over the years, most of them are 10 gals or larger, two are smaller with one of those 18V. They have all performed very well, including just hooking up to my S5 Pro.
Then I read about the Dewalt “Stealthsonic” series (on this forum, thank you fellow forum members!) and eventually purchased one to try.
It has the same suction ability/HP as the equivalent Rigid HP models at roughly half the noise level (at least it seems like half). It’s a huge difference and well worth the value of the machine. The wife heard it (or, just how much less noise it made) and now has one herself for use inside the house.
I use my Stealthsonic on my S5 Pro with my small cyclone setup, I use the Rigid’s for all other cleanup duties with hearing protection (I still use hearing protection while using the Dewalt/spindle on the cnc).
If I were to need to replace the Rigid’s it would be with the Dewalt long term, but I don’t see the need as of now. The few times I will need one for use inside a house for a construction project I will just grab the one off the S5 Pro.
I’ve gone through a few shop vacs.
When my old Stanley finally gave it up I went shopping and saw the Dewalt Stealthsonic 12 gallon on sale at a local big box store. I took a chance on it and it’s turned out to be the best vac I’ve ever owned. It’s used as part of my dust collection setup in the shop and every else I need a vac around the property. I would buy it again if needed.
And I always chime into this discussion - if you’re willing to spend the money - I got this Oneida Cobra - which has the 2.5" port, built in cyclone, and works amazingly well.
I rationalized the purchase by getting two hoses: one for my CNC and a 30’ one that I can drag around my shop to get to my hand tools (I have an industrial cyclone for my stationary tools).
I recently bought the Stealthsonic 12 gal Stainless steel vac at Costco for $135 Cdn. I love it…powerful and very quiet. I only use it on my machine which freed up my older shopvac for everything else around the shop(garage)
When I got my Cobra, it was 1200 without the sale (which brought it down to around 1000). The Harvey is certainly a good choice between 2000 and 2500…So maybe nowadays, I would have considered the Harvey - although I can’t tell whether the footprint is a problem.
Another vote for DeWalt Stealthsonic. Insanely quiet for a “regular” shop vac. My ears thank me every time I use it. Don’t know where you live, but Lowes carries them.
has a port to plug your tool in, that switches the vacuum on when running, and off when off: very reliable, power can be regulated in both -direct and controlled mode- electronically, has a filter “shaker” that shakes the filter free several times before it has to be cleaned or replaced (top mounted: no need to remove the whole motor to check filter), can be used as a blower (I did not use that feature yet), I think is afordable, works in my small shop since 2022 at least twice per week for 1-2h each.
It is not silent though
For CNC I have a DeWalt StealthSonic: a feast for sore ears, works for hours and hours, attached to a small Oneida cyclone:
Works well, also for years, attaching and handling the bag is a terrible tinkering, manageable, but that probably why they don’t sell the bag system any more. However I still after 3 years use the same bag, sturdy the item certainly is.
Another vote for the Dewalt Stealthsonic. I was trying to get mine in my CNC cabinet so went with the 6 gallon. I discovered that it did’t fit so built a rolling cabinet for it and the Harbor Freight cyclone. It has more than enough suction for any CNC work, and is actually better than my Rigid 14 (?) gallon. And QUIET!! You won’t regret purchasing it.
i use the Dewalt 5 gallon stealthsonic. It comes in other sizes too, and I use an aftermarket hose, i think 1.5" because I could readily find it in 10 foot and have plenty of room to move.
My thought was the router is loud enough, I dont want more noise if i dont have to have it
Without one you will be changing the filter in your vacuum constantly. They also extend the life of your shop vac as a clogged filter means the motor will be working harder and have less airflow.
Can’t agree more and to CthulhuLabs point, I use a small cyclone on a 5 gallon bucket for all uses of a shopvac now. Yes, it’s a PITA to move/drag around while working but it’s well worth me not cleaning a filter all of the time. I have several carts with the vacuum/cyclone setup and all of them are designed to come apart quickly to use in the house for example.
Sorry!