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Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
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Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:54 am ]
Post subject:  Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Shop Vac is toast. Not much I can do with it other than take it to the dump.

A Fein or Festool would be wonderful, but not going to happen. The County is going to hand out pink slips in the next few weeks. Those of us who aren't getting one will most likely be asked to take a cut in pay. With that in mind, I'm looking for recommendations on shop vacuums to consider or at least ones to avoid.
Author:  Shane Neifer [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Lillian,

A lot of times the vacuums on those shop vacs are pretty generic and you may be able to just buy another motor for it, that will last a lot longer than the original. Take it to a vacuum shop and see what they say. Also, open it up and see if you can find a similiar vacuum motor on ebay.

Good luck with it.

Shane
Author:  Dave Fifield [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 2:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Lillian, I had a large ShopVac die on me a few months ago too. It had given me stellar service for about 12 years. I had fitted it with a proper filter etc. and cleaned it regularly, including blowing any dust in the motor out with a few blasts of compressed air. Right in the middle of some sanding, the motor stalled a couple of times, then stopped dead and smoke started pouring out. I sent it to the dump :(

I got lucky about the same time though, as a buddy of mine passed his old Porter Cable vac (with auto start built-in) on to me, since he'd gone all Festool on me. I've been using the PC vac ever since - it makes a fine replacement, and the roller feet actually work!!

Cheers,
Dave F.
Author:  Haans [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Lillian, sorry to hear about your job anxiety...it's bad all over.
Don't know what you are wanting to spend on a vac, but there are a couple of used Feins on ebay fairly cheap. I have had two for many years, and they work perfectly. I also have a 20 gal Husky, and while it really makes a racket even with the silencer, it works well. I saw a 9 gal for around $60 new.
Author:  John Bartley [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
A lot of these "shop vac" (generic name) motors are brush type. The brushes can wear out quite quickly depending on the environment. It might be worth having a look at the brushes before tossing a recoverable unit in the dump. If it is brushes, and when you buy the new ones, also buy yourself an armature dressing stick for touching up the commutator once it's running again.

cheers

John
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Lillian...I had a shop vac motor burn out. I called the company and I had a free replacement in 2 days...no questions asked. Give it a try!
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
I was all set on a course of action until JJ posted. I think I'll start there and see where this goes.

Haans, I'm not worried, my position is secure. I just know there isn't going to be a lot of extra in the budget right now. No need really to ask which model Fein, they are all good. No?

Dave, that's what just transpired in the garage last weekend. At least I know mine didn't commit suicide, but died of natural causes. that's somewhat reassuring.

If I am unsuccessful going JJ's route I will follow the others. Though I must admit the thought of getting another vac that doesn't fall over every time you try to pull it along would be wonderful.

Thanks for the advise.
Author:  Terence Kennedy [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
JJ Donohue wrote:
Lillian...I had a shop vac motor burn out. I called the company and I had a free replacement in 2 days...no questions asked. Give it a try!

Same here. I've done it twice. Just e-mailed customer service at shop vac and told them the motor died. They never replied but in both cases a new motor showed up on my doorstep within a week. No charge!
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Terrence, had you filled out a warranty card? I'm not the original owner, though I acquired it shortly after it was purchased.
Author:  Terence Kennedy [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Lillian F-W wrote:
Terrence, had you filled out a warranty card? I'm not the original owner, though I acquired it shortly after it was purchased.

I don't think so Lillian but I did buy it new. No harm in giving it a try. Just shoot an e-mail to customer support with the model number and tell them your motor died. They never responded to my e-mail, a new motor just showed up on my doorstep a few days later both times.
Author:  wbergman [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
I have had similar replacements for other small appliances by just contacting customer service. No receipt, no warranty card.
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Thanks gentlemen. I'll give it a try. If not, I'll try Shane's suggestion. I'm sure there is a small repair shop around here looking for business.
Author:  the Padma [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Recommendations on a sucker upper eh!

Well you could try the warrenty scam...if that don't work...try the Sally Anns or other thrift type stores.

Me, I just take in a 6 pack to the back door of Reverend Jims junk store, tell the guys what me need and pic it up in a few days. Simple.

Or you could hang loose at the bar for a few days, find out whos running the Midnight Supply Co. and place your order.

blessings
the
Padma
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 4:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Padma, its always good to hear from you.


I'll take your suggestions under advisement.
Author:  the Padma [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Well now,

me been had a few times and been taken once in a while but me never been "taken under advisement before"...Wow, Lillian, you honour the old Padma.

Wait till the guys in the monastery here this.


blessings
tP
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Just call 'em as I see 'em.
Author:  Haans [ Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Far as I know, they are all good. I have a "cheap" one and a better one with auto on/off hooked up to the bandsaw.
Author:  Link Van Cleave [ Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Lillian,
If the shop- vac is able to be resurrected and you don't know this already there is a really good gore-tex filter called a "clean stream". It filters to 3 microns and is easily cleaned by tapping the edge of the filter on something. It is a huge improvement and makes the shop vac pretty decent other than the noise.
Link
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sun Nov 01, 2009 11:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
That's kinda what I thought Haans, thanks.

Thanks Link! I hadn't heard of those filters before. The video is impressive. Wow!

http://www.cleanstream.com/
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
And if you add a Dust Deputy on the front end of the system, you won't have to clean the filter but a few times a year.
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
I have one of the original ones. That 1.25" inlet is hard to find hoses for. I've found the same size, which doesn't work of course. I have an adapter, but it doesn't quite fit, so.... May back it up with the Clean Stream filter.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Lillian, there is a kit, that has a 12 foot hose and a couple of orange tips, that is sold at most of the woodworking places. It is, I think, 1 1/2" hose by their description, but if you screw the end off of the hose, the hose fits tightly over the input port if you wrap a lap or two of duct tape around the input stub. My hose, of course, is now two 6' pieces since I melted a hole in it with a heater! [headinwall]
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sun Nov 01, 2009 11:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shop Vac Took an Early Retirement
Oh Waddy, I'm sorry. But thanks for the tip. As soon as I get something to hook up to it, I'll check it out.

Duluth Trading Co sells a watertight tape that just might work for you. http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/96825.aspx?feature=product_2&kw=tape&processor=content
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