Shop Vac - Where am I going wrong?

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Wiserphil

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I am on 4th or 5th shop vac. I have bought one from Sears, Home Depot and Lowes. And within a year they stop working. I am guessing the motor is getting wet. I also bought a wet filter to help out. Still no luck. My current vac just quit on my after only two months. Not sure whats going on. Back in the old days a shop vac would last a few years. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
 
Have they been replaced under the 3 year warranty???
 
when I purchased the three year warranty yes. And I have tried the Home Depot one and it lasted maybe a years.
 
I've been thinking of buying a new wet/dry vac, but your post makes me doubt myself. I have a big, noisy Craftsman shop-vac, but I've owned it since 1984. Other than a new filter every now and then, I've only had to replace a motor bearing once. I guess they don't make them like they used to.
If I do buy a new one, I'll probably go Powr-Flite. I've never even seen one, but the Richy seal of approval is good enough for me.

Bill
 
BillyJack said:
I've been thinking of buying a new wet/dry vac, but your post makes me doubt myself. I have a big, noisy Craftsman shop-vac, but I've owned it since 1984. Other than a new filter every now and then, I've only had to replace a motor bearing once. I guess they don't make them like they used to.
If I do buy a new one, I'll probably go Powr-Flite. I've never even seen one, but the Richy seal of approval is good enough for me.

Bill
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the old school ones would last for years. Not sure whats going on with these new ones. I am headed to Lowes to try one of their new ones that has a pump.
 
"Shop Vac" the brand name has a three year warranty if I'm not mistaken.

I'm with BillyJack on this--have a 15-20 year old Craftsmen that I've never had a problem with that will suck your eyes out if you're not careful.
 
As a Metro Vac owner, I can say that going from any wet/dry vac to a Metro Vac is similar to going from a PC to a Flex/Rupes. My Metro Vac is very high on the list of favorite things that I own.
Aside from excellent suction, and a hose that will make you never want to go back to the cheap plastic ones or to the "upgraded" hoses in special automotive kits, it's best feature is how quiet it is. Mine is at least half as loud, probably even lower, than my 5 hp ridged model.
 
expdetailing said:
Aside from excellent suction, and a hose that will make you never want to go back to the cheap plastic ones or to the "upgraded" hoses in special automotive kits, it's best feature is how quiet it is.
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I own a Master Blaster, but I will say that if you think that one is nice try getting your hands on one of the Bosch hoses. Makes the MB one seem like a toy.
 
I bought a Lowe's contractor grade shop vac several years ago. I use it weekly and it's held up well. I think it's a small five gallon unit. Good manageability in a car.
 
Old 1980 Sears 16 gallon...just will not die!

I can more than guarantee ya that what is out there now won't be 'working' in 35 years.

Really sad, that we can't get really long product longevity.

Just my 2¢...

Bill
 
I got my old faithful Shop-vac in 1989 or so and it has never let me down. Didnt change the filter for the first 10 or so years. It is now delegated to wet vac only duty since I have a metro. They deff dont build them like they used to!!!!!!!!
 
Wiserphil said:
I am on 4th or 5th shop vac. I have bought one from Sears, Home Depot and Lowes. And within a year they stop working. I am guessing the motor is getting wet. I also bought a wet filter to help out. Still no luck. My current vac just quit on my after only two months. Not sure whats going on. Back in the old days a shop vac would last a few years. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...
That seems extremely unusual. By any chance did you use the same electrical outlet for all of them? Maybe you're getting a voltage spike? Good luck.
 
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