Broken shopvac

The shop vac is broken

I took a quick look at it for any obvious problems and didn’t see any. I would consider the ShopVac to be a critical necessary piece of equipment at the space, especially if we have a shop and wood tools. Note: Even without a ShopVac you are still required to clean up after your self. Use a broom!

I would like to buy another one, using VHS’s funds

This version is arbitrarily chosen based on price from home-depo (they are close by)
$129.00 RIDGID 45 Litre/12 US Gallon RIDGID Wet/Dry Vac
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/45-litre-12-us-gallon-ridgid-wet-dry-vac/958664

I am open to suggestions on other makes or models.
I will wait a week if someone would like to investigate the current broken ShopVac before we buy a new one. Or better yet if someone has a spare one they want to donate.

I have that model, works fine, but if I had to do it again, I’d get one made
out of metal, more rugged. Also most of the metal ones I’ve seen tend to be
thinner and taller so take up less floor space.

eg

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/shop-vac-stainless-steel-45l-vac-1996123p.html

That Rigid unit is quite short and squat and takes up far too much floor
space in my garage.

Did you have time to take the bottom off and look at the motor connections?
It’s probably a loose wire. If not - I will swing by tonight and do it.

I’ll pitch some cash for it, I use it a bunch, no opinion on what model.

I purchased that model, because it was a great Vac for pulling up water. My
experience with metal/steel ones, they rust.

Tonight I am fixing vacs. I’ll report back in here with my findings.

vac hack night

Bring all the vacs!

VHS Hacks Shopvacs

I’ve not seen rusting with the stainless steel ones but YMMV. I also know a
few boaters that use them.

Some of the better ones will shutoff if the filter is too clogged. Might
make sense to remove it and see if it powers on.

I did not try that.

That one does have a water level shut off switch.
Please check it.

I believe there is an internal float. Please remove the filter bag and foam to check. Give it a good shack and you should see it moving.

This might relate to the fact that it had to be repaired couple weeks ago? Not sure how or what. Just know that it was sucking up dust and blowing it out the back. So more snowblower then vacuum

I have used that Ridgid model and like it a lot. Great suction. But it is noisy as hell. Yes worse then the one we have now.

Yes, the Rigid is noisy indeed!

Could it be as simple as the filter needing emptied? LOL.

5HP model is ok. 6.5HP is much better.

Paul S Gill
aka the sIGNgUY
604.250.0060
VE7PXG

alternate email
(I use gmail for mobile email)

paul@bcweddings.org
paul@gills.ca

Spend the extra $30 and get this model instead.
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/ridgid-53-litre-professional-series-wet-dry-vac/971345?eid=PSM_DynRMKT_FB_971345

Paul S Gill
aka the sIGNgUY
604.250.0060
VE7PXG

alternate email
(I use gmail for mobile email)

paul@bcweddings.org
paul@gills.ca

Agreed, far better choice for the Pro series Rigid model.

Yep - it’s fried. I checked the float and also the power switch and cleaned out the filters. I’m assuming the motor is fried. It is now in the 3 week bin.

There are 2 remaining vacs that work - one I got out of the broom closet (it’s a smaller shop vac but it still sucks stuff up) the other vac is the R2D2 vac which is an older vac but still works.

So…we have 2 working vacuum cleaners. They are basic models but they do the job.

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