Vacuums?

I have the Craftsman auto kit that comes with an 11 foot hose that's 1.5" diameter but the end that goes into the vacuum is 2". It was $19.99 about a month ago. I have used the 1.5" hose with attachments and the 2" standard hose with attachments and it seems like the 1.5" has more suction to it. I have the huge Craftsman with detachable blower so either way gets it done for me but I like the smaller hose better.
 
Mazda.Mark said:
I don't think the size of the hose matters.
Click to expand...

It absolutely matters (just ask my wife!).

Seriously, though, the vacuums at this level don't generate enough air movement (measured in CFM) to fully and reliably clear the larger 2 1/2 inch hoses. I'll second all the recommendations for the Ridgid auto detail kit.
 
DP 8Gallon wet/dry vacuum.
Very silent and peaceful to work with.
 
dmayer said:
I got this one at Home Depot and I love it! RIDGID 14-Gal. 6.0 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac with Auto Detailing Kit-WD1451 at The Home Depot. It has the standard 2" hose and also comes with the auto kit as a bonus. The auto hose is a smaller diameter (1-1/4" I think) and high quality and the auto attachments work great! It's model WD1451 and it's the same vac as model WD1450 (and same price). It is just bundled with the bonus auto kit.
Click to expand...

Just bought this 30min ago & tried it out. One word- AWESOME. Might buy other one
 
akj said:
So t the question i still have is about the size of the hose and how it affects or changes the way it preforms
Click to expand...

If you want a high performance vacuum, you have to be willing to spend at least a couple hundred bucks, since a high performance vacuum motor ALONE can cost over 150 bucks.

Water lift numbers are about as misleading as horsepower numbers. Neither is under real world operating conditions.

You need a balance of CFM and water lift, and the diameter of the hose definitely matters. To see what I mean, take a look at this vacuum motor specification:
http://www.alliedelec.com/images/products/datasheets/bm/Ametek_Lamb Electric/70252307.pdf

The first graph and chart (ASTM data) shows how the lift and cfm vary with orifice diameter. Water lift declines to practically zero as the orifice increases to 2" diameter, and cfm does the opposite. These don't take into account the losses due to hose length.

Anyway, you asked about how the orifice diameter affects things, so that gives you an idea. But without knowing what vacuum motor a particular vacuum is using, and looking at both CFM and water lift at different diameters, it's just academic info.

Your best bet is to look for head-to-head shop-vac comparison tests (consumer reports, woodworking magazines are a couple sources). Or, just go to a big box store (home depot, lowes) and buy one and if it doesn't meet your needs, return it.

Bottom line, don't get too hung up on these various numbers because you aren't given enough information by the manufacturers to make any informed pre-purchase decision based on it. It's entirely possible that if you buy vacumm #1 rated at 40" lift and vacuum #2 rated at 60" lift, the one with 40" lift might perform better under the conditions you'llbe using it under and with the supplied hoses/attachments.

Another link for educational purposes: Central Vacuum Definitions of Key Vacuum Terms such as CFM, Waterlift, and Air Watts - MD Vacuum
 
I purchased one from Harbor Freight on sale for $47. Add in a 20% off coupon and you have yourself a sweet deal. The vacuum is of high quality and has plenty of power.
 
Don't forget the used classifieds! I just got a $1000 Milwaukee vac for $200 for my "small" vacuum (I have a big truck mounted unit too). The thing has 130" of water lift and will readily outperform any of the Rigid, Shop-Vac, etc. A little larger than I would like for a mobile setup, but for that deal I'll live with it.

The Milwaukee:
417AWXDFX8L._SY300_.jpg
 
CCC4me said:
Don't forget the used classifieds! I just got a $1000 Milwaukee vac for $200 for my "small" vacuum (I have a big truck mounted unit too). The thing has 130" of water lift and will readily outperform any of the Rigid, Shop-Vac, etc. A little larger than I would like for a mobile setup, but for that deal I'll live with it.

The Milwaukee:
417AWXDFX8L._SY300_.jpg
Click to expand...

That's sweet! Looks like something out of a science-fiction novel.:xyxthumbs:
 
scada said:
That is the one I got. Got it because it is quiet.
Click to expand...

It's a fact. It has some power to it as well. I just wish they would make the same one half the size, giving me more space on my truck.!!:buffing:
 
I also have the pf51 i picked up an extra filter so i always have a clean one on hand.In case the other gets to wet or dirty.
 
I tend to buy the extractors with a vacume attachment huked up to it.
 
Dear akj

I have this little Shop-Vac and it does a great job for my two vehicles. I don't believe it has the strength to pull gum out of carpet, but for sucking up loose debris off vinyl mats, it does a fine job.

It's small and always plugged in and ready to go beside our van.
 
If I pick up a Wagner 915 steamer I should get a wet/dry vac instead of a metro vac n blo to suck up whatever water is left from the steamer? Or do I really need to worry about this steamer producing that much water?
 
Czapski said:
If I pick up a Wagner 915 steamer I should get a wet/dry vac instead of a metro vac n blo to suck up whatever water is left from the steamer? Or do I really need to worry about this steamer producing that much water?
Click to expand...

Use a leaf blower to dry the carpet after you steam it. The wet/dry vac is perfect for most applications. Metro Vac is just much nicer but if you detail for a living most likely you are going to scratch of ding that Metro Vac.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top