Amazon.com Review

Looking right out of the Jetsons' household, Fein's Turbo II vacuum is one the most effective on the market. With features like automatic start and dust-sealed switches, it's specifically designed to work with shaping, routing, or sanding tools, which create a lot of dust. It's also as quiet as any shop vacuum we've heard, making it easier to use in close proximity to a project, or in an enclosed space, and its internal fabric boot helps keep dust to a minimum. The Turbo II has a 7.3-gallon solid capacity, a 6.8-gallon liquid capacity, and a 1,300-watt, 9-1/2 amp, two-stage motor. Its size and sturdy rollers make it very portable and easy to dump after being filled. Unlike some larger models, you'll still be able to lift and empty this vacuum by yourself. The body is solid plastic and will hold up well to wear. The shape of the vacuum makes it easy to move around a job site--there aren't any big handles or attachments sticking out (other then the hose) to get snagged when wheeling the vacuum around. Fein's Turbo II is--hands down--a very high-quality, very low-noise vacuum, well worth the investment for carpenters, woodworkers, and craftspeople. --Jonathon Tudor ... Read more

Features

• 16-foot long hose, and a fabric boot filter collects dust down to 5 microns
• Auto start for dust extraction when connected to your power tool
• 2-stage motor with bypass cooling for a longer life
• Quiet operation at only 57.8 db
• 7.3-gallons solid, 6.8-gallons fluid capacity

Reviews (44)

Good Vacuum but not entirely as advertised.
This seems to be a good vacuum. It's easy to assemble (put the wheels on and attach the HEPA filter) and operate. Good thing, because the manual is poor. Removing the top and the 5 micron felt filter require a little force. The chord and 1¼" hose are nice and long (but can get in the way). Other vacuuming accessories cost extra.

The HEPA filter is expensive, but if you're doing woodwork or sanding, you need a HEPA filter (not available for all shop vacuums). The dust that standard filters let pass is invisible, and dangerous over time. The automatic switch is a particularly nice feature; it lets the (2000 watt max.) tool you're using turn the vacuum on and off.

If this vacuum actually put out only 57.8 dB(A), as advertised, it would be incredibly quiet. The first unit I got was defective, putting out close to 90 dB with the hose on, so I exchanged it. If you get one that sounds loud, something is wrong. In a large, fully carpeted room (i.e., no echo), I measured 3½ to 4 feet from the unit with a Radio Shack decibel meter. Without the hose it put out about 68 dB; with the hose about 72 dB (A and C). This is about as loud as a noisy office, so it's still pretty quiet; but although it's only 1/1000th the volume of my old (90 dB) shop vacuum, it's technically 16 times as loud as advertised. (Due to the nature of human hearing, that means it sounds a bit more than twice as loud as 57.8 dB.)

10 Oct 03 update: The vacuum has performed very well. The information available on Fein's web site ......... is pretty much what comes with the vacuum (not much). I got some bags to protect the expensive filters when I vacuum the car; they're also expensive. Unlike most shop vacuums, the exhaust does not come out one opening that you can attach a hose to (e.g., to direct the exhaust air somewhere or to use it as a blower). I've been able to use accessories from previously owned vacuums with this one.

Well engineered shop vacuum
I bought the TurboII to replace a burned out shopvac QSP-pro. So far I am quite happy with my choice. The turboII is much higher quality than the shopvac QSP-pro. This is the first shopvac I've used that has a decibel rating low enough to preclude hearing protection. The motor should far outlast those used in lower cost shopvacs, since it has a bypass cooling system. Suction power is as good or better than the QSP-pro. The extra long stock hose is great for hooking to tools for dust collection. For general purpose vacuuming I recommend investing in a wider diameter hose. My only caveats about this machine are the high cost of accessories and filters. It ships with zero attachments. My QSP-pro cost 1/3 in price, but came with a wide assortment of tools. Luckily you can friction fit a standard large diameter shopvac hose. The rubber tool adapter will let you use accessory tools from other vendors. The top handle is a bit uncomfortable when the vac is loaded down. Some cardboard padding and a bit of tape fixed that problem for me. Overall this is probably one of best shop vacuums available. Definitely worth the high cost if you need a machine you can depend on everyday.

Another Fein Turbo II fan
Most of the other reviews are very positve. Mine is no exception. I want to add my 2 cents anyway and respond to some reviewers negative comments.

1) Yes, the manual is brief, but come on, it's a vacuum. It's got an on/off switch, a manual/automatic (tool triggered) switch and a hose. What's to know?

2) It is so quiet that I sometimes have to hold my hand over the hose to make sure it's on. It always is. 72ish dB by my meter with the hose on (how could you use it hoseless?) in my concert floored, plaster board walled garage shop. If you buy one and feel that it's loud it must be defective. Return it and ask for a replacement. Still that's a bit over twice as loud in real life as the maker's 57.8 dB claim (by definition twice as loud is +10dB, although Fein probably tests in an anechoic chamber to eliminate echo and ambient noise). Twice as loud as really, really quiet is still really quiet.

3) One reviewer commented about hose storage interfering with the clamps. I suggest that you empty it before you wrap the hose around the top and tuck it in for the night.

4) It's insanely powerful.

5) Yes, it's hose is small in diameter so you can't pick up big chunks of stuff. It does, however, do a great job on little chunks of stuff and dust.

6) It is expensive, but you get what you pay for "You always buy a cheap tool twice".

7) I have had no problems with any "brittle" plastic bits and pieces (in fact, I haven't found any yet).

8) I use it a lot because it's so quiet an effective. My shop is safer and more organized now because it's much cleaner.

9) I planned on buying the Porter-Cable, but it wouldn't handle the wattage of my 2hp router. I usually buy P-C and Delta so it was kinda hard to stray to Fein, but I'm glad I did.

10) The accesory kit is a little expensive ($70) but it's very useful.

nice compact unit - QUIET!!!
As a professional finish carpenter, I like tools that work well, and last a long time. This tool has the feel of quality. It's a few pounds heavier than a typical shop-vac, but what a difference. It is a pure joy to use. When I turn it on my lab doesn't run for the door. And when I turn it off my ears aren't ringing. The extra long hose(25') and easy rolling casters make for a tip free clean-up, and the auto switch works like a charm. I have made adaptors for my sliding miter saw and sanders and I rarely need to use a dust mask any more. The ultra-fine dust from MDF still seems to get by, but I suppose it would happen with any vac except a true dust collector.

I had a Sears shop vac before that blew out half the dust it picked up, and it screamed like a banshee. I gave that vac to a laborer, and feel that the Fein is well worth every penny.

Don't jump to conclusions !!!
I gave away my Ridgid shop vac as soon as the Fein box arrived from Amazon.com. That was a mistake!!!!...this vac is too delicate to use "hard" during my kitchen demo/remodel - and I got so frustrated with the filter and small 1-1/4" hose constantly clogging, I gave up and bought another Ridgid vac. I think this vac would work great for woodworking, but general construction site conditions far out tax this machine, and it's difficult to get filters/bags..... ... Read more

Features

• One Year Warranty/30 Day Performance Certification
• Powerful 9 amp motor
• Dual filtration system provides 99.85% filtration efficiency for fine dust pick-up
• Built-in outlet for use with power tools--vacuum starts automatically when tool is turned on
• Large wheels for easy maneuvering

Reviews (7)

Really works
Purchased vacuum for use with the PC drywall sander. The sander works great, and in combination with the vacuum, I finished drywall with the door to the room open. It's not particularly loud, and the auto-on feature (accessory plugs into vacuum, vacuum plugs into wall) when you turn on the accessory tool is great. I used it on a chop saw as well as the drywall sander for renovation of two rooms in an occupied house. The bags hold plenty and the secondary filter (like a large lawn mower air filter) keeps everything out of the air. Didn't like the cheap-ish hose, and it could use an adapter that fits std vacuum accessories. Watch power usage: add amps of vacuum and your accessory tool.

Great vac and dust collector
I have been using this vacuum for over a month now building custom cabinets in basements. I agree with most of the other comments regarding the nice features-especially the tool trigger outlet.

With the vac hooked up to my table saw, circular saw or router table, dust is held to a manageable level. No more choking on plywood dust! While the vac won't catch all the dust (don't expect to work in a finished area and not get dust anywhere in the room)it keeps the air a lot clearer. Also makes clean-up at the end of the day a breeze.

My only complaints are the lame single hook for the cord and the thin diameter of the vacuum hose--don't plan to pick up small scraps or longer nails/screws.

Best Vacuum for the money
This vacuum has picked up everything that I needed it to. Porter Cable even allows the use of bags to collect all the dust, so you don't have a mess in emptying the full vacuum. You don't need to use the bags if you have a lot of clean up. The built in pleated air filter catches all the dust, and the outside cleaning tool allows easy cleaning of the filter without opening the vacuum. The on board storage brackets for the accessories and the auto shut-off feature for water pick-up are also great. The tool power feature, is great. When used with the power outlet for tools, the vacuum only turns on when the tool is running and turns it off after 15 sec when you turn off the tool The purchase of the accessory kit will save you trouble finding attachments. The literature and manual also could be a little better. Unit has been running great for about six months in my shop almost every day. No problemsb

good and bad
1. the tool-trigger feature can really save your back from back ache and head from head ache

2. I don't mind it getting dirty because it's already black and grey!

What I didn't like:

I'd rather get a Fein vacuum because the wheels seem to give better mobilty; the same can be said of those Ridgid vacuums at HD. This PC seems to be able to move forward and backward very wheel, but not sideways. That's a really important feature, especially if you're having a bad day and you don't want to wrestle with the vacuum. The Fein also has similar features to this Porter-Cable. Lastly, this thing is a little bulky.

good quiet vacuum
I was looking for a new shop vac to replace my 15 y/o
Sears Shopvac and save my hearing. Having purchased and used several different house vacuums over the years, severe dust allergies required me to purchase a Nilfisk HEPA vacuum for house. After using this I realized how much fine dust < 1 micron leaves the exhaust in my Shopvac. My choices for vacuum were narrowed down to Fein and P-Cable. It is easy to find Fein Vacuums in local woodstores. Finding information on Porter Cable is very hard. I ended up purchasing PC based on reviews here. I liked features of Porter cable more as it was designed for drywall vacuuming. Fein required extra filters and brackets for fine dust. I still cannot find data on how fine filtration is on Porter's unit. It appears excellent as it comes.
I agree with other reviewer that accessory tools are essential
It can clean any car, boat, shop or garage mess. Unit is very quiet. I wish it had a place to wrap electrical cord when stored.
Hose appears narrow caliber and flimsy for quality of vacuum.
It wheels easily and doesn't seem to tip over easily at all.
The plastic casing is well made and very durable.
Overall I am very impressed. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Cleanup remains the bane of many a woodworker's existence. But times are changing. Gone are the days of loud, clunky vacuums, thanks to the 9-77-25 Turbo III portable vac from Fein. The Turbo III is the strong, silent type, emitting only a low, steady hum as it clears debris from the work site. But don't let its quiet demeanor fool you. The Turbo III is a real workhorse around the shop. As a wet-dry vac, it provides airflow of 125 cfm and static water lift of 105 inches, with a 12-gallon wet and 14.5-gallon dry capacity. But it really earns its keep when you flip the switch to auto, attach your favorite power tool, and let it go. In auto mode, the Turbo III will start as soon as you activate the tool you have plugged into it; no need to turn the vacuum on first or turn it off when you're done. The Turbo III is built tough and is easy to assemble and clean. Solid clamps lock the motor housing securely into place, while an extra-long power cord and protected switches provide added safety in wet conditions. --Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• 12-gallon wet, 14.5-gallon dry capacity
• Auto start for dust extraction when connected to your power tool
• Delivers 125 cfm and 105 static water lift
• Powerful enough to run two 6-inch random orbit sanders
• Runs quiet at only 57.8 decibels

Reviews (20)

Good, but not entirely as advertised
This seems to be a good vacuum. It's easy to assemble (put the wheels on and attach the HEPA filter) and operate. Good thing, because the manual is poor. The chord and 1¼" hose are nice and long (but can get in the way). Other vacuuming accessories cost extra. The HEPA filter is very expensive, but if you're doing woodwork or sanding, you need a HEPA filter (not available for all shop vacuums). The dust that standard filters let pass is invisible, and dangerous over time. The paper collection bags are also not cheap, but I decided to at least try them to lengthen the life of the expensive HEPA filter and to make emptying the vacuum less of a project. The automatic switch is a particularly nice feature that's not easy to find. It lets a tool you're using turn the vacuum on and off. Among other things, the Fein Turbo II Vac is advertised as being quiet. If it actually put out only 57.8 dB(A), it would indeed be incredibly quiet. The first unit I got was defective. It put out close to 90 dB with the hose on, so I exchanged it. If you get one and it sounds loud, something is probably wrong. In a large, fully carpeted room (i.e., no echo), I measured 3½ to 4 feet from the unit with a Radio Shack decibel meter. Without the hose it put out about 68 dB; with the hose about 72 dB (A and C). This is about as loud as a noisy office, so it's still pretty quiet; but although it's only 1/1000th the volume of my old (90 dB) shop vacuum, it's technically 16 times as loud as advertised. (Due to the nature of human hearing, that means it sounds a bit more than twice as loud as 57.8 dB.)

Great dust collector for my small shop!
I have a small basement shop (10x10) with concrete walls so everything seems loud to me - except this shop vac! It is very quiet. It comes with a long hose that has a 2.25" end that fits perfectly into my Delta 4" belt / 6" disc sander. No more sanding dust! It also comes with an adapter to convert down to a 1 3/8" connection so, with a three inch piece of PVC pipe (99 cents at the local hardware store) I can connect it to my Delta band saw. I also use it with my scroll saw by wrapping plastic tie connectors in a loop around the hose, then hooking the loops onto small eye hooks I attached to the base of the machine. This set-up holds the hose in exactly the right position for dust collection. Finally, I connected all of my tools to a multi-plug surge protector (because I only use one tool at a time) then plugged that into the shop-vac which is then plugged into the wall. This way, the Fein automatically turns on every time I use any tool without me having to change plugs all the time (as I only have one electrical outlet in my shop). Overall, I love this machine!

Very quiet and it can use bags!
I just started using this vacuum and it really is quiet. My previous shop vac was very loud, even with an exhaust muffler added. The Fein is quieter than most of my other shop tools that I would connect it to, and when I am using it by itself its quiet enough that I can still hear the radio.

The bags are expensive, but I really hate cleaning out conventional shop vacs! I tend to cut fiberglass, and also clean up metal working tools with sharp chips, and having to brush that stuff out of conventional filters was a very annoying job.

The suction seems more than adequate for my needs. It is certainly better than my old shop vac.

Quiet and well made!
Boy is it quiet. Did I say it was quiet? And the parts are sturdy: nice hose, latches, casters, etc.

I have been using a cheap, loud vacuum for years and I'm so glad to have this now. With my old vacuum, even though I was wearing hearing protection, the volume was a problem upstairs for other people.

Thanks, Fein!

Almost perfect
I purchased the turbo III mostly because of the claims on how quiet it is. They were right, this machine is very quiet. I don't need to test it with fancy decibel meters or anything, just turn it on and listen, it's quiet. After using it in my shop, my favorite feature is the auto on. I use this little vacuum as a dust collector for every tool in my shop.

The only negative comments I can make is with the packaging. They just stuff the vac inside a box with no filler or bracing at all. Not surprising that it arrived with a broken hose lock, but Fein immediately sent the replacement part. This vacuum does cost alot (about three times as much as my 5hp craftsman), it you need auto on feature and a quiet machine this is the best. If you just need a shop vac, save your money and stick with a Craftsman. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Light, portable, versatile, and powerful, DeWalt's new little vac is a great invention. We love that it's powered by a 12- to 18-volt battery, allowing for use when the power's off or you're too far from an outlet, and that you can also plug it in for continuous use. If you're a DeWalt fan, it's likely you already have the 12- to 18-volt batteries and the charger, so the fact that this is sold without those won't affect you. But that's a change we'd like to see DeWalt make. Other than that, it couldn't be better. The five-foot hose is flexible, and the cleaning tools fit on board. The suction's impressive, whether on AC or DC power. Unlike other wet-dry vacs, you don't have to change out the filter innards when switching from wet to dry, and we just love that. Just rinse it off to clean it. Its high-efficiency filter is listed at trapping 99.7 percent of dust, and in our book, less dust in the air is a good thing. When you're wet-vacuuming, just empty the tank through the drain port. It's light as a feather, super-portable, and plenty powerful.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Includes crevice tool and wide nozzle
• Runs off of 12-18V DEWALT battery packs or 120V AC
• Heavy-Duty rubber hose provides durability and flexibility
• Wet/dry filter eliminates change overs
• High efficiency filter traps 99.7% of dust

Reviews (22)

Great Vac
I found this vac very effective. You can plug it in or run it off batteries. The BATTERY AND CHARGER ARE NOT INCLUDED. If you have other DeWalt power tools no problem, if not you can buy their drill for $199 with 2 batteries and a charger, then they give you a cordless screwdriver worth $100 so you get the drill an screwdriver for free and then some. I believe this free screwdriver offer expires around Christmas 2003. I found the unit light in weight and easy to move around. The only thing might have been a longer hose.

Good first try
I like this vacuum. It does what it says it does, and does it well. But. Like all my experience with Dewalt products, they are innovative and well built, but only 90% there as cutting a few corners makes it not as good as it could easily have been. The hose is great - flexible, extendable and light. But the two nozzles don't fit on it very well, and with a bit of pressure applied sideways (easy to do when cleaning up dust) they fall off. Annoying. Just poor quality control I guess. The motor is fine on battery (I use 14.4V) but on mains (when its sucks a bit harder) it screams - ear hurtingly loud when the nozzle sucks something across the tube and no air can get in. And why no built-in charger or extension tube? So four stars because it works well, its innovative - a good idea (well done Dewalt) and there's nothing else like it. But when there is, Dewalt better make some improvements or they'll lose the market.

DeWalt DC500 Cordless/Corded Vac
I bought the DC500 vacuum a few months ago to keep in my truck. Before that, I always had a little 120v 2-gallon wet/dry shop-vac in my truck for small cleanup jobs on service calls. I was keen on the idea of having a decent small cordless wet/dry vac that can run off my Dewalt 18v batteries. Mainly because it seems that when working on smaller jobs, I always end up making little messes that are scattered all around a finished building wherever I have been drilling or cutting, sometimes in remote areas where there is no electrical outlet to be had. This little vac makes it much easier to clean up as I go instead of leaving it until the work is finished and then going back with a dustpan and brush or extension cord and my old 2-gallon shop-vac.
The suction is quite good and the DC500 also has a blower function for getting fine dust out of tight spots and crevices. It uses a single pleated filter for both wet and dry use. Dewalt says the 1-1/4-inch hose is five-feet in length, but the hose actually stretches to almost seven-feet.
I used it to clear a clogged laundry sink and it does pick up water quickly, but of course, since it is only a 2-gallon tank, it fills up fast. A fresh, fully charged 18V XR-Plus battery will last for around ten to fifteen minutes of continuous use. Since I usually only use it for a couple of minutes at a time, I get can get by for quite a while with just one battery but, if needed for extended use I can always go the traditional route an plug it into a 120v outlet with an extension cord. The DC500 doesn't come with a brush attachment, which I use often, so I bought a Shop-Vac 1-1/4 inch right angle brush for about four dollars and just leave it on the hose. That way I can carry all three attachments with the vac for any type of cleanup that comes along.
This little vac gets banged around pretty good in the back of my truck and other than the attachments sometimes falling out of their holders, it seems to be very rugged and takes the rough handling in stride. Overall, I have been quite pleased with this little vac and would recommend the DC500 as an accessory to anyone who already owns other Dewalt cordless tools and battery packs.

No Battery or Charger
Yes, it's a handy, quality built little unit. Yes it is fairly inexpensive. But....

Yes, it is misleading that they don't give you a battery or charger with a cordless vacuum. Not only that, they don't tell you that it isn't supplied.

Got what I paid for ? Maybe, but I feel misled and maybe even tricked.

JHL

Great Vacuum for small projects
I've owned this for about 2 months now and actually have used it a lot more than I thought that I would. For its size, it has good vacuum power. In fact the power is the same whether you are on the cord or the battery. Some have complained that you only get :10 minutes of use. Well, that's a lot of use. You are not supposed to vacuum the house. Typically I have it on for about 30 seconds to a minute. I think that I am getting more than 10 minutes of use by the way. It's great for cleaning up small messes and I think that it has amazing suck power.

Things that I would like to see improved:

1. Add a battery charger
2. The cord should be about 3 feet longer
3. The price is a little steep, but no one else is making this thing and they have to pay for all those NASCAR's.

All in all it's a great little tool especially if you are a handy man and want to leave your clients house clean. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Mounted in a central location, Shop-Vac's clever 5-gallon Hang-Up wet/dry vacuum is the perfect no-clutter cleaning tool for garages, workshops, laundry rooms, and hobby areas. With the vac's 18-foot locking hose, you can cover a large area without the hassle of maneuvering the tank, and the unit's 4-1/2-horsepower motor delivers impressive suction and airflow of 165 cubic feet per minute. The filtering system features a high-quality cartridge filter, along with a foam sleeve for wet pickup. The vacuum also comes with a complete offering of 1-1/4-inch tools, including extension wands, crevice and gulper tools, and a 12-inch floor nozzle with squeegee insert. A handy tool-storage bracket keeps all tools organized and ready to use. ... Read more

Features

• Accessories include extension wands, crevice and gulper tools, and a 12-inch floor nozzle with squeegee insert
• Mounts to wall or post for centralized cleaning
• Powerfull 4.5-horsepower motor delivers 165 cfm of suction
• 5-gallon tank
• 18-foot extra-long hose

Reviews (5)

Good Power, Portable, But Very Loud
Been using it to vacuum up dust on a big painting job. The power is great, the long hose means I sit the canister in the middle of the room and easily reach all the spots I need. It's got good suction for when my basement floods too, although at 5 gallons it won't pump out a lake. My only complaint is that it's very loud. If I use it for more than a few minutes I wear a headset. Still, I consider it a great buy and would buy it again.

HAS NO SUCTION POWER
I bought this shop vac hoping to use it to sweep up bird seeds, cat & dog hair. It really doesn't have the suction necessary to pick up more than a few feathers! I was very disappointed and I can not get help from Amazon making a return so I must be stuck without a refund!!

Super shop-vac
What A wonderful wonderful, vacuum. WHAT POWER!!!! Every garage in America should have this. This Shop-Vac does not miss any dust. You have got to give this A try!!!!

STRONG...BUT NOISY
I mostly use this little vac on a 21/2 inch dust collection system for my table saw and miter saw. It does a real good job of removing dust and chips from the two tools. I have it hanging on a 10x10 post to one side of my small shop and can vacuum the whole shop floor with the 18 foot vac hose that came with the machine. It has a good selection of tools and filter replacement is fast and easy. However, it is noisy. It actually drowns out the sound of my table saw. The 4" Delta dust collector I use for my planer and jointer is actually quieter than this little vac. I will continue to use it (maybe build a sound box for it), because it does do a great job. Except for the noise level, I would reccommend it to anyone.

shop-vac hangup 4.5 hp
I bought 3 of these units for Christmas presents, including myself. The product was so new that the store personnel had no feedback, so I took a chance. We love it ! The portability is fantastic. My son has his hanging on the wall in his workshop and takes it off the convenient wall holder to use in other areas. I haven't bothered to attach my holder, as I carry it all over the house, garage and Suburban. The long hose and cord make it much easier to use than a normal shop-vac which I also own. The regular shop-vacs are a pain to pull after you, while this unit enables you to cover alot of area before you have to move it The suction is strong. It has a slim shape so fits into tight areas or stores easily. Changing a filter takes about 30 seconds. It is beautifully designed to carry about. I will buy more of these in the future. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Impressive power, quiet operation, and easy portability makethis little vac a real find at a decent price. Right from the bottomup, it's a winner. Five smooth casters won't let it tip; the click-onhose can be attached and detached easily with one hand; and the motorunit doesn't sit in any specific position, thereby eliminating all thatawkward fumbling it takes to seat it. Two sturdy clips hang onto themotor from the canister. The hose is a generous 10-1/2 feet long, andthat doesn't even count the two extension wands. It has 90 inches ofstatic water lift, and Fein lists the airflow at 116 cfm--darnedrespectable for a unit that's compact, incredibly quiet (at 63decibels), and comes loaded with accessories. It also has a 16-footpower cord, a nice plus. It's light and easily maneuvered at just under18 pounds, and--not that this is important in a vac--mighty stylishlooking, too. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Quiet: 63 decibels
• 8 amp motor
• Dual fan motor to prevent electrical damage
• 90-inch static water lift
• Cleanup kit included

Reviews (15)

First impressions
I after performing some web research on canister type vacuums I purchased the Fein wet/dry vacuum due to the low price, features, and the customer review on amazon.

My initial impressions after one use:
-The Fein vacuum is very sturdy, lots of thick/heavy-duty plastic.
-It has a nice long hose and power cord.
-The attachments, hose, and dust filter are easy to take on and off.
-The manual/instructions are a little difficult to read with some vague pictures, but has multiple languages.
-The dust bag was a little difficult to put on, the instructions were unclear, and it was a hard to get my hands on the cardboard portion of the bag to push it all the way on.
-The optional wheels were very easy to install (recommend taking the top motor portion off and flipping the bottom half).
-The suction power is comparable to the vacuums you would find at do-it-yourself car washes. Would easily vacuum up coins/marbles/nails if needed.

Overall I think that the Fein wet/day vacuum is a great value beating most other canister vacuums in the same price range with functionality and suction power.

Quieter...but....
I was definitely attracted to this vac for its quietness, and yes, it is quieter than my Sears wet/dry...but, the quietness comes at a noticeable reduction in suction power. With the reduced suction power, you also find yourself cleaning the filter more often. I really miss my onboard "tool" storage for the other cleaning accessories...the Fein while compact, lightweight and well balanced is not designed to hold its own accessories, which I think is a must for any tool. I think I have already misplaced an accessory or two...On the plus side it has an excellent quality hose (though the narrow diameter limits what you can pick up with the vac)the longer length hose is welcome but is difficult to store (maybe some velcro strips...)the unit is light and very well balanced, and yes, it is quieter than your average shop vac. I won't be getting rid of my old Craftsman any time soon.

Good Vacuum, but short on accessories
I've been using this vacuum for about two months now and am generally pleased with it. It's sufficiently powerful, very quiet, and seems generally to be well-built. It does not come with an upholstery brush or other fairly standard attachments, and because the hose size is a bit different from the standard shopvac, one cannot just go down to Home Depot and pick up attachments. Instead, it is necessary to purchase the rather expensive Fein attachment pack -- sort of a drag given the rather high price tag of the unit itself. Overall a good unit, but not perfect.

Fein mini-turbo vac
I just unpacked my new Fein mini-turbo vac and plugged it in to play around with it! My first impression is that Fein has made another nice product that performs as advertised, as long as you don't think that the advertising info gives you the complete, straight story.

The vac has plenty of suction and is quieter than my 8 gal Shop-Vac. It's also more stable when you pull it around by the hose, cuz the hose is positively attached to the tank and the 5 casters make the thing just about untippable. The 10 foot hose and 16 foot heavy-duty cord are great. So far, so good, right!

Wrong, I think. They give you just about every tool you'd want except a brush attachment, which I use a lot on jobsite cleanup. Then, there's no provision for on-board storage of the attachments, a major oversight. Couldn't they supply some sort of simple mesh bag for this stuff that clips onto the unit?

The other major oversight is the filters: The main filter is supposed to be used in conjunction with a paper filter which must be discarded when it's full, sort of like a typical vacuum cleaner bag. Only trouble is, the paper filters cost about 9 bucks a piece, kind of spendy, I think. I intend to use this unit minus the paper bag filter and just clean the main filter when it gets dirty but they say not to wash it out with water or it will deteriorate faster.

Oh, really? Both Sears and Shop-Vac have filters that are washable in a stream of water; I've used some of these filters for a couple of years or more before replacing them.

Fein is a strange company. They make some very high quality tools but fall down on some of the details. They particularly don't quite understand how things are done in the USA, yet they are making a major effort to sell their stuff here. I haven't yet decided whether I'll keep this tool. I'll have to think about it.

Great Vacuum
I just used this vacuum for the 1st time cleaning my garage, and I must say that I like this vacuum very much.

It is unbelievably quiet, and yet very powerful and easy to handle. This machine is a little expensive but to me it is definitely a worthwhile purchase. ... Read more

Features

• One Year Warranty/30 Day Performance Certification
• Powerful 9 amp motor
• Dual filtration system provides 99.85% filtration efficiency for fine dust pick-up
• Built-in outlet for use with power tools--vacuum starts automatically when tool is turned on
• Large wheels for easy maneuvering

Reviews (3)

Great vacuum
I just wish, for $330 they included a couple of attachements. It's not that I'm going to vacuum my living room, but just a little wider nozzle to pick up some saw dust or something after I make a mess.

What is happening is that I'm slowly grinding the long extension on the concrete. It's getting a bit worn, and it's only when I'm using it that I tell myself to go find an accessory to put over the end of it and I curse PC for not adding an attachment or 2.

I use it with my router, sander and chop saw. Not a lot of noise and great suction. Obviously what it was designed for, wandless tool dust collection.

Heavy to lug up stairs so I try to keep in in the shop.

Nice long cord and hose. a Very nice vacuum overall.

Nice and quiet
I purchased this vacuum for a small cabinet shop and am pleased to report that is quite superior to the Crafts**n (no names please!) unit I had been using. It has similar suction power, albeit through a smaller hose, but is vastly quieter than the "red screamer". The filter stays clean longer with fine dust due to the use of a 15 gallon bag prefilter, and the two stage filtration exhausts cleaner air than any single stage unit I have tried. The wheels allow for easier movement than the typical four swivel casters on most "shop vacs". My only complaint would be in the meager amperage limit of the built in 120 volt outlet which activates the device when used with devices like random orbit sanders. I would like to be able to use it with larger tools, such as a router, as well.

Powerful, Durable, & Quiet
After several models of Shop-Vac vacuums (they're all junk as far as I'm concerned) i decided to dig deeper in my pockets and get a decent vacuum. That led me to the Porter Cable.

Decent is an insulting understatement. This thing has power!!! With a clean filter this thing loves to eat nails, screws, rocks you name it.

This vacuum accidentally fell 9 feet to the floor below where I was using it. Nothing broken or bent. It didn't even come apart. Now that's durability.

With respect to the noise level during operation, it's the quietest vacuum I own (i have 2 shopvacs and a Sears Kenmore canister). It's even quieter than the Sears vacuum with bogus Whisper feature.

The only problem I have with this model is its weight. It's tough to carry up and down stairs even with the carry handle on the top.

Lastly, if you get the filter bags for this from Amazon, make sure you're getting the 15 gallon bags. the 10's are the ones they usually show you in the "related accessories" area. I ordered a bunch of them (the 10's) thinking they were 15's. The 10 gallon bags do not work well in the 15 gallon vacuum (they rip apart from the weight of what they're holding).

In a nutshell, you want quality? Buy this or the 10 gallon model. You won't be sorry. ... Read more

Features

• Cartridge and collection filter
• 5.0 HP quiet motor
• 16 gallon plastic tank
• Deluxe 2.5" plastic tools
• On-board tool storage

Reviews (5)

Keep the cat away from this vac
This Wet/Dry Vac is the best shop vac I have ever owned. Make sure you are waching what your picking up with it. Everything goes in but does not come out. 5.0 horse power will pull the paint off the neighbors house. Great unit, get one you will love it.

No blower
The Shopvac works great, but does not convert to a blower.

Easy to use and it definitely gets the job done.
First, let me point out that I'm not a contractor. I'm a homeowner with a big, dirty garage and the owner of 2 frequently dirty cars. I needed something that could handle seriously dirty floors, walls, spills, car floors and anything else I could throw at it outside of the house. And, I needed to be able to do it fast and easily.

In short, this machine fit the bill perfectly. I don't have any complaints about it. It came w/ a huge vacuum bag, hose, accessories and it was easy to assemble. It has amazing sucking power and is very easy to move around. It's probably more machine than I need for my purposes, but I'm not complaining at all.

To sum up: It's an extremely nice machine for a very nice price. I seriously doubt you'd be disappointed.

Great Wet/Dry Vacuum, especially Wet!
I have been infinitely pleased with this unit. It is well made, surprisingly quiet, extremely powerful, and a great value for the price. Our basement just flooded (too much rain & snow). This unit can pick up about 10+ gallons of water in about 30+ seconds ... from standing water only about 1/4" to 1/2" deep. Although having your basement flood is not fun, having this wet/dry vac almost made the experience tolerable. Almost.

Regarding the dry stuff ... sucking up saw dust in the shop is a trivial job for this baby. I always feel good about having purchased a well-engineered tool. And this vac definitely makes me smile.

Pro's: Well Made, Powerful, Quiet, Good Value, Good Hoses

Con's: The utility bucket doesn't fit the accessories

Shop Vac reliability and Power... A+++
ShopVac wrote the book on wet/dry vacuums. This little beauty is no exception. I received one as a gift... I liked it so much I purchased another.... I'll keep this one at camp. The power and unusually quiet motor make an effective tool for cleaning up a wet or dry mess. I recommend it! ... Read more

Features

• 4 piece detailing kit
• 4.0 peak horsepower
• All steel construciton
• Vacuum/blower capabilities
• Complete set of accessories

Features

• Deluxe tool storage
• Low profile 16-gallon tank
• Ultra quiet 6.25 HP motor
• Triple filtration system
• Deluxe 2.5" cleaning tools

Reviews (2)

EXCELLENT!!!
This Shop-Vac is wonderful! It came with many accessories, and this vacuum is really powerful. I am replastering the walls in my house, and with the shop-vac running in the room, the dust level has been considerably lowered. As for the wet-vac, our basement flooded recently, and we removed about 60 gallons of water in no time. An excellent product, and easy to use. Definitely one of the best home improvement purchases we have made.

Shop-Vac saved my bookstore!!
Recently, when we had two heavy rain days in a row - my basement pump quit working & the water rushed into the my book storage rooms. I have an online bookstore with over 30,000 books in storage. This would have been a nightmare had it not been for the Shop-Vac 962. Not only did it vac up the water - it did is so fast that my books were saved from being damaged. Thank you!! ... Read more

Features

• 2-stage filtering system with foam filter and filter disc with locking ring
• Powerful 3.0 HP motor set in a top-handled motor housing for ease in carrying
• Lightweight and mobile with easy-roll casters
• Low-profile design keeps the vacuum stable when in use
• Includes 7' by 1.25" hose, 2 extension wands, and 10" floor nozzle with squeegee insert

Features

• 18-foot power cord increases reach
• Quiet 6-horsepower motor delivers 60 inches of sealed pressure
• 2-stage filtering system contains both a cartridge filter and a fine-dust collection bag
• 12 gallon plastic tank has convenient side carrying handles and an easy-roll caster system
• Deluxe plastic tools include 12-foot hose, extension wands, crevice, gulper, 10-inhc floor nozzle

Reviews (6)

Mine works Great
For the reviewers that complained that they needed to go back to the vac to manually turn off the unit when using the "on-demand" feature, you need to return the unit to be repaired. My vac works perfectly when using the on demand feature. It has a delay of about 6 or 7 seconds before shutting off. This delay is a built in feature that allows the hose to clear itself before shutting down. I think most of the problems mentioned in the reviews have come from not reading the instructions (I must admit, I'm guilty of this myself from time to time). As far as clogging, all vacs with and 1 1/2" hose will clog from wood chips. I invested in the larger hoses that amazon offers, and they fit perfectly into the vac intake. As far as the tool end connection to the hose, this is where good old yankee ingenuity will help. There are rubber fittings available that are "stepped" in size to accomadate different diameter connections, this item doesn't work on all connections, but most. I did have to have the on-demand switch replaced after about 9 months of use (reason for the 4 stars), but other than that this vac has performed extremely well. My main use of the vac is dust collection while being attached to my Bosch orbital sander. It picks up about 95% of the dust, which is a huge improvement over using the attached cloth bags that come with some sanders. I have several of my shop power tools pre-fitted with vac hoses, and simply wheel the vac from tool to tool when needed. This vac is a great alternative to investing in a dust collection system, and all that goes with it, when you don't have the room or the budget.

This vacuum sucks--and not in a good way!
I bought this vacuum for use in my garage. I do little DIY jobs here and there, and I'm trying to get into woodworking, so I needed a vac to clean up the sawdust and miscellaneous mess. I looked at reviews on vacuums in woodworking magazines, but couldn't justify paying for the super high dollar vacs. Also, my father had a Shop-Vac while I was growing up that worked fine, so I didn't think I could go too wrong.
But I was mistaken. This is an expensive unit, and one of its draws is the auto function that allows you to plug a power tool into it and have the vac turn on when you fire up the tool. That part works. But it doesn't shut itself off when you turn off the sander, saw, etc. When you have to fumble for the vac power switch after using the tool, I'm not sure you've saved yourself a whole lot by not having to fumble for it right before using it. But this is not my biggest gripe.
The biggest problem with this vac is it has little power and is easily clogged up. The other day I spilled some granulated lawn fertilizer on my garage floor. When I went to vacuum it up, this Shop-Vac sucked it up--but only as far as the hose; the fertilizer never made it to the vacuum. I had to detach the hose and empty the fertilizer out into a gargage can. Afterwards I went around my shop vacuuming up sawdust and small debris. I could go about two minutes between having to pull apart the hose extensions or pull the hose straight to dislodge small (about 3/4") wood chips that had plugged up the vac. This Shop-Vac has only worked for me when I was vacuuming up dry sawdust containing absolutely no woodchips, no matter how small. Even then the attachments seem more suited for cleaning out the crevices in the seats of a car than for vacuuming up sawdust coating a garage floor.
The vacuum's power cord is long, which could be a benefit, but I find it too long for use in my 1-1/2 car garage; the vac just trips up over its own cord. The vacuum hose also is long, but readily coils up, pinching off the vacuum and killing off the suction. The hose is also inconvenient to store on the vac itself. Also, I think a larger diameter hose might be a big improvement, but then I would think the vac would need more power to accommodate.
This has been a big disappointment, unlike some other tools I have obtained for my shop, such as my Porter-Cable circular saw and DeWalt router combo kit. It's bad enough that this tool doesn't work very well; it's made only worse that it cost so much to boot.

Best Damn Shop Vac
I purchased one of the Model 925-63 "On Demand" Shop Vac's about 4 years ago,and the only problem I'm having is getting a replacment 12' foot hose like the one that came with the unit. I originally purchased it from Lowes Center, and the replacment hoses they stock, won't work on my planer or sanders. Would someone please tell me where I can get one. The repair center in my home town can't get one for me either. The only other problem I've had, is with an on demand switch that went bad early on, but the repair center replaced it under warranty, and all is well. I would highly recommend to any woodworker the purchase of this Shop Vac Unit,as it does a very good job, when using it with a sander/planer thru the vac hose system,and the vac unit being controlled via hand tools on/off switch. It does a very good job when in normal Shop Vac usage, sweeping the floors,walls,etc,etc.Vacuuming operations is very compariable to the High Dollar Vac units that sell for 2-3 times the amount of the Model 925-63. P.S. add a Dry Wall Filter Bag,and a secondary Hepa Filter to the unit,and you there isn't another Shop Vac Unit to compare for the Monies invested.

Awsome vac
This vac sucks down almost anything I point at it. Easy to assemble and manuever.

On Demand
This is a great vac, however we were expecting it to turn on (On Demand) with the tool switch and shut off when the tool switch was turned off. It forces you to go back to the vac switch to shut it down. The 8 amp tool rating could also be increased to handle 10 to 12 amp saws and planers. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Finally, the feature we’ve all wished for--this Shop-Vac will pump out up to 6 gallons per minute, up to 50 feet vertically, so you’ll never lug a heavy, sloshing canister up the basement stairs again. It’s perfect for basements that flood, washing machines and drains that overflow, and cleaning the pool floor at season’s end. It’s a great innovation: Just attach a garden hose (not included) to the receptacle, and you can pump out while you’re still vacuuming. The 5.5 hp motor lives up to its "super quiet" rating, yet moves material, wet or dry, like a powerhouse. There’s a nice array of accessories, including a crevice tool, squeegee, and two extension wands. Though the unit is large, it maneuvers easily, thanks to anti-tip casters, rugged top and side handles, and, best of all, a locking nut that keeps the intake hose secure on the unit, even when you pull it by the hose. We also like the easy-reach on-off switch right on top of the unit. While it would be great in a workshop for sawdust or a garage for cleanup, this unit really shines on the wet side of things.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Onboard rear tool storage area and basket for accessories
• Powerful enough to pump up to 6 GPM of water up to 50 vertical feet
• 5.5 horsepower motor with improved sound reduction for quieter operation
• Cartridge filter and full collection filter bag keep the vacuum operating at peak efficiency
• Loaded with deluxe 2-1/2-inch cleaning tools

Reviews (3)

A Great Idea!!
The idea behind this unit is great and should have been made available a long time ago. The vacuum part is so powerful that it is almost dangerous. It will suck up anything in its path with lightning speed (be careful if you have laundry hanging in the basement). The pump also works well, once you get it primed. That is the only major problem with this unit. Once there is water in the tank it can be somewhat frustrating trying to get the pump started. It takes a few trys, but the end result is well worth it. Just be careful, the vacuum works faster than the pump can discharge, so you have to stop picking up the fluid occasionally to give the pump a chance to catch up.

Not for heavy duty use.
I bought this unit for clean up while building a new house. With the rainy autumn I put the pumping function to some serious use pumping rain from the basement.

I think the switch that detects a full tub was malfunctioning. The unit just kept shutting down for no reason. Even when the tub wasn't full.

Then one day while sucking up some water on the floor the motor burned up (as evidenced by that familiar electrical smoke smell)!

Got it fixed locally under warrenty but still have the problem with the unit shutting down/not wanting to run some time.

Evidently Shop-Vac hasn't got the bugs worked out of the new features.

Disappointed.

its all you need for your Wood Work
This is a great machine for wood work. You can clean every thing in seconds, this is the tool you need for your working please and your tools with the blow future.
It will be cool if the machine comes with a 3/4 hose and the "Y" adaptor for 4" and 3/4" for your power tools. ... Read more

Features

• 3-wheel cart with handle for easy mobility
• Quiet 6.25-horsepower motor delivers 65 inches of sealed pressure and 185 cubic feet per minute of suction
• 10 gallon stainless tank won't rust
• Deluxe plastic tools include 6-foot locking hose, extension wands, crevice tool, and floor nozzle
• 2-stage filtering system utilizes a cartridge filter and fine-dust collection bag

Reviews (8)

Poor design.
I purchased this vacuum put it together placed it in the center
of my floor that had sawdust all over the floor and turned it
on. WOW, did I get a surprise. The air from the exhaust blew
sawdust everywhere.I called tech support and they said it was
so powerfull that this could happen. Because of the poor design
I packed it up and returned it. I'm still using my old shop
vac that has the exhaust coming out of the top the way I feel
it should. I would not purchase this vac for my wood shop.

POS
We'd rate this thing zero stars if we could. All the features in the world can't make up for the fact that it doesn't [pick up] anything. ... In addition, the hose broke on the first day and it makes a lot of noise for not doing anything. It has been nothing but headaches since we opened the box - poor/incorrect instructions, assembly steps more difficult than necessary, clunky, tippable, short hose, ambiguous cord storage, no tool storage, etc. However, as a trash can, it's got decent wheels and a nice handle.

Potentially a good product
I received the above Shop Vac ... today. It was shipped disassembled and without the necessary nuts, bolts and instructions for assembly. While it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how this thing goes together I did have to scrounge through my spare parts drawer to locate the necessary hardware to put this unit together. I'm sure ... would have sent a replacement but I didn't have the time nor want the aggrevation. The vac has good suction (but certainly not 6.25 HP as advertised)It is my understanding that this is Peak HP. To obtain Peak HP the volt/amp input is increased and the HP is measured at the point just before the unit goes up in smoke and melts. Not exactly usable HP. The hose is very short and the floor vac head is not angled at the hose connection which makes it difficult to maintain flat contact with the floor. I gave this unit a low 2 star rating because of poor engineering and packaging of product.

Excellent Vac
I've used many types of wet/dry vacuums at home and work. This vacuum has the max suction power without the usual huge container. How many homeowners need 20+ gallons, or have room to store it? The sound level is reduced far below the old style units, no more earplugs or complaining from the wife. Shoot, it's quieter than my old 1.5HP vac. The vac follows along when pulled by the hose instead of wandering aimlessly like those with casters. And the hose won't pull out because it's screwed on.

In both function and appearance I give it the highest rating!

This Unit Really Sucks. So Buy It Now!
It goes together in 10 minutes and is made of quality parts. The stainless tanks speaks for itself. The motor/top locks on securely and is easily removed. The caster/wheels roll with little effort. The only thing I thought was odd is that the axle on my unit is about 4" too long. I can cut this down myself and it doesn't factor into the performance of this unit. Suction is excellent. Hose is only 6' long but there are two extension wands to make up for it. The hose pivots on both ends so it doesn't kink up at all. This is a key feature, especially with a shorter hose. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Features

• Caster system for easy rolling
• Quiet 3-horsepower motor provides 55 inches of sealed pressure and 130 cfm
• 10-gallon plastic tank includes side handles
• Two-stage filtering system features a high-quality cartridge filter and a dust bag
• Onboard tool storage harbors 6-foot locking hose, extension wands, crevice and gulper tools, and a 14-inch floor nozzle

Reviews (5)

Loud but effective
This product does the job with any application. I've re-plastered the interior of my home and using the 925-40 it the kept dust down and picked up the old material off the floor with no problem. I highly suggest using hearing protection as this unit is rather loud. However, once the switch is on you know you'll be ready to tackle any mess! BTW..purchase the universal adapter you'll find a ton of uses for it!

A must buy from Amazon.com for the do-it-yourselfer or the professional.

Heads above its competition!
I got tired of the filter keep falling down my Ridgid 10-gallon shop vacuum (not to mention the hose keeps getting pulled off the unit), so I ordered this Shop-vac on a whim.

What a pleasant surprise! Superior suction, much quieter motor and accessories that fit together like a glove (including a locking hose to unit connector). This is a well-made basic shop vacuum at a very attractive price!

Great Shop Vacuum
This is a very good vacuum. I love the longer cord so you don't have to drag out extension cords and it can get all the way around my Excursion using it's own cord. It is often the little things that make such a big difference.

While this vac is fairly loud when it is on, it is also extremely powerful. Shop Vacuum is the originator of this type of vacuum. All of the components are strong and this machine should last a long time. While you can buy cheaper prices units, you can't buy a better vac for the money.

Great for flooding basements -- BUY EARPLUGS!
When I used to manage a building with a constantly flooding basement, this was my salvation. Works remarkably well, though you have to watch out mixing water and electricity. You get so excited that it is sucking up the water so fast that you forget how close the two unfriendly elements are to each other. One note to all wet/dry vac buyers -- BUY YOURSELF SOME EARPLUGS or HEARING PROTECTION.

Lean, Mean and Clean
We live at the bottom of a hill so every time it rains we get an inch of water in the basement. When our sump went out last month, we used this vac to bale out. Lots of sucking power, filled the tank in only a couple minutes each time. Emptied an entire 1,300 square foot basement in an hour and didnt overheat. A little loud in a tight spot like the cellar but worth it to stay dry. The extra long cord is a nice bonus too - almost 20 feet long so we didnt need an extension cord. ... Read more

Features

• Cartridge and collection filter
• 6.25 HP quiet motor
• 22 gallon plastic tank
• Deluxe 2.5" plastic tools
• On-board tool storage

Reviews (5)

Shop-Vac 22-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
I bought this wet/dry vac about a year ago and so far, it has held up well to on the job use. Considering the reasonable price, I feel that it was a very good value and I expect to get another year out of it before replacing it with the same model if still available then. It has excellent suction power although the hose cannot be reversed for blowing. This is probably the main reason why the motor is so mercifully quite. With an empty tank, the vac is light enough for me to easily pick up and load in the truck but still heavy enough to roll smoothly on a concrete or plywood floor. The vac has an eighteen foot long power cord and came with a six-foot 2-1/2 inch diameter locking hose and accessory kit including a floor brush with squeegee, two 2-1/2 foot long extensions, a crevice tool and a disposable fine dust filter bag. I immediately ordered an additional eight-foot locking hose, hose coupling, right-angle brush attachment and two reducer/adapters for connection to my table saw and miter saw when needed.
For regular cleanup, such as woodchips, I just use the included standard wet/dry paper element filter without a bag. When using the vacuum to clean soot from oil burner/gas furnace flues and stack pipes, wood stove/fireplace ash or drywall dust I always use the #90673 high-efficiency fine dust bags and have never had a problem with soot or dust blowing out of the motor exhaust and into the room. These filter bags come in two-packs and are a little expensive but can last for quite a while if you don't use them for everyday cleaning jobs. Of course, the twenty-two gallon tank does have a drain for liquids, but for continuous wet pickup below grade when no sump pit is available, I remove the top motor assembly and use a utility pump with a garden hose to drain the tank rather than try to lift it or fiddle with adapters for the tank drain. Overall, I have been very satisfied with this wet/dry vac and have no problem recommending it.

Poorly designed shop vac
It's simple, the bag won't come out of the vac after it is 2/3 full. It will rip apart first. Would not recommend this product under any circumstances.

nice machine, only minor issues
Just got this model for my first shop vac. All the reviews said it was quiet and had lots of power, and they were right. It is even quieter than I was expecting. I did have a few issues though and will list some pros/cons for readers.

PROs: Long cord, stable base, quiet, lots of power, large size hose, hose screws onto unit for secure connection.

CONS: -short hose.

If you follow the manual for assembly you end up with two plastic washers left over. I went through the manual again and nowhere does it show this piece. I assume that they go on the back wheels since they look the right size and it would make sense, but you have to put them on in the beginning since you hammer a metal cap onto a steel rod and you probably don't want to take it apart. Even the manual says to make sure it is right before you hammer it.

Next problem was that the handle did not line up with the screw holes on one side. Problem was that it fits under a lip in the casing, and so when you line up the screws it didn't fit under the lip. No amount of force would make it work, so I ended up drilling the hole a tiny bit so the screw can fit. It doesn't appear that my minor modification will impact it. In fact you can't even tell I did it, since I could see half the hole and just had to widen it on one side a bit. I don't think that it is a actual defect, and you probably won't have this problem with all of them.

next item is that the picture is wrong. The picture shows 4 casters, but there are only 2 casters in the front. The back has actual wheels. This limits the turning of the unit a bit as straight wheels don't swivl. Second discrepency is that this unit has a bar handle that attaches to the sides and stands up behind the unit. This is a nice bar and allows you to push the unit around with it instead of pulling the hose all the time. I find that the handle also makes a nice place to wrap the cord around.

Packaging of the unit was not the best. They put some cardboard sections in the bottom, but all the attachments were just thrown in either inside the unit or just laying on top of it in the box. Nothing was broken but I would like it better if everything was packaged nice and safe.

The extension wands are plastic, but my very first night I started a bad habit of dropping them on a concrete floor. I am concerned that one day it will shatter as it looks more on the brittle side than the tough rubber side.

A piece not included in the kit is the adapter to connect to standard power tools. (the hose with this thing is too big). They list it as an attachment but it is not part of the unit. (it should be in my opinion)

This really Sucks!
No pun intended. I bought mine recently, and it does a great job around the house/shop. I think it does need a longer hose, though, even though the one it has works well.

Good Basic Vacuum
Great quality unit with great suction. Has all basic accessories needed. Also has a nice unexpected touch - a nice long AC power cord so I don't have to find an extension cord.

But if you are looking to do overhead cleaning (like getting the cobwebs in the corner of the garage) you have to get the extension hose. ... Read more

Features

• 2 ply, 5-gallon filter bags
• Three bags per package
• Fits Porter-Cable 7810 wet/dry vac

Features

• Vacuum bags for loveless wet/dry volt
• package of 2

Reviews (1)

Love the Loveless
I initially purchased the dustless vacuum for my husband. He does carpentry & drywall and I thought this would be a good purchase for him, since he always cleans up when he is on the job. All the other wet/dry vacuums we have bought don't come close to this one and have been a waste of money.I then bought the sander attachment and the bags.Needless to say this vacuum and the bags are totally dustless and durable,the bags do not fall apart.We use the products in our shop also and the power of the vacuum is amazing.There is an accessory which we have been unable to locate for the vacuum itself, a filter which is locatated at the top of the vacuum, and also to be able to purchase additional attachments.Other wise we love the entire Loveless product line and highly recommend it. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

When small messes need immediate attention, the 2-gallon, 3.5 amp Black & Decker utility vac can get the job done fast. Lightweight, compact, and portable, the vac fits easily under a workbench, under the sink, or on a storage closet shelf. Use it for everyday spills around the house, garage, or workshop, or for heavy-duty household chores like clearing a clogged sink or changing the water in an aquarium. A 6-foot power cord lets you get at those hard-to-reach spills, while onboard extension wand storage provides easy accessibility. The vac comes with built-in blower capabilities. Just move the hose from the intake to the exhaust housing to make the conversion complete. However you use it, the utility vac is built solid throughout. The motor housing is easy to remove and locks down securely using plastic latches. A foam filter sleeve is used for wet pickup. A foam filter/paper filter bag combination makes dry cleanup a breeze. And an auto-shutoff feature prevents the overflow of liquid debris.--Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Includes foam filter, paper bag filter, and extension wand
• Ideal for quick cleanup of wet and dry messes
• Compact design is convenient and portable
• Quick conversion to portable blower to remove more debris
• On-board tool storage

Features

• UL listed for operator safety
• Industrial 1.7 HP (peak) 2-stage bypass motor for powerful suction
• 10 gal stainless steel canister
• Wet/dry vac can pick up non-combustible materials
• Internal float automatically shuts off vacuum eliminating any risk of overflow

Reviews (4)

Just does the job for years
My virtually identical ten-year-old vac came with a hose more cheaply made than the older display unit's one; even ten years ago the product was being cheapened, but aside from a tendency to clog at the tank fitting it has worked reliably in shop and home cleaning. The metal tools are certainly better than plastic, but not as good as more expensive commercial vacs offer. In all, this vac has been easy to use and dependable but noisy.

bad casters
I have had this shop vac less than 3 months and the front casters have broke. One of them has been totaly destroyed. It (the) shop vac has not been abused at all. The other day I noticed that the shop vac was moving poorly on my drive way. So I checked it out and found that one of the front casters was totaly broken. How do I GET new casters for this shop vac. model #LPV550/ 16gal, 5.5 hp. I went back to Lowes and bought a new set of casters but they did not fit. Please Help. thanx

Recommended for home and light shop use.
I bought this vac when my old shop vac started spewing dust due to worn out filters and seals. I use this type of vac to clean pet hair, dust, sand and dirt from the hardwood and tile floors in my home. I didn't want to deal with a consumer quality vac that would lose efficiency as it filled with dirt.

1. The tank is stainless steel, but could be dented if you abuse it. I wouldn't drag it down the stairs by the hose. With proper care, it should last a lifetime. The handle and wheels are permanently attached to the unit, so it might be hard to invert the tank for cleaning purposes. The motor, cord, attached filter and top lid completely remove from the tank for cleaning.

2. The cord is plenty long enough for most homes, and the 12 foot hose is fantastic. You can reach ceiling fans without having to carry the vac up the ladder.

3. The wheels are sturdy, and make moving the vac very easy.

4. The motor is reasonably quiet (at least compared to my Sears unit), and sufficiently powerful to vacuum sand from the floor, through the 12 foot hose, and into the tank. Although the HP rating seems small, the motor is a two stage unit which much more efficient than the single stage units seen on cheaper vacs. Even after three days of cleaning a very dusty house, garage, and automobile (without emptying the dust bag), there was sufficient suction for efficient cleaning. I ran the unit from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM for three days, and didn't notice any heat problems or strange noises indicating that I was overtaxing the motor.

5. This unit comes with a paper filter, and I added vacuuum bags to eliminate any possible release of dust from the unit. The vac bags are a great idea. They protect the paper filter, keep the inside of the vac clean, and make for very easy cleanup. On the down side, they do prevent you from easily retrieving property that accidentally gets sucked into the vac.

6. The tools are pretty rugged, but not typical of the $400 industrial vacs that I've seen. This is probably a good thing since such tools are very heavy, bulky and hard to handle. The supplied tools will probably last for years.

Shop Vac's customer service was great (I called them with a number of questions), and they were nice enough to tell me that parts could be purchased at Wal-Mart (instead of having to order them from Shop Vac directly).

If you're going to be vacuuming an office, a small shop or a home, this vac will last a lifetime. I'm very happy with the purchase.

Why and why not stainless
One could argue either way for the stainless construction of this vacuum. The upside is that it is easy to clean and will last longer than plastic. The downside is that it dents and pits and is susceptible to being severely bent to the point where the top would no longer fit (this has not happened to me). The motor is strong, the filter adequate, and the carrying dolly is a great feature. Like many high-end tools, it is expensive but worth the extra money if you plan to keep it for a long time. ... Read more