Recommendation? Shop Vacs

[Shann]

I want a shop vac. I have a little 1 gallon one that I found in the basement of one of my apartment houses that is, I guess, better than nothing, barely.

Initial use will be to empty two sump wells in my basement.

Then mainly just to keep the garage and basement cleaned up after projects. Nothing major. Maybe to clean my truck too. Looking the the $50-$100 range. I looked at an 8 gallon Stanley for $58 today that seems to be decent. Is that big enough? Too big for just what I'm doing? They also had a 12.5 gallon Shop Vac.

In my area, Shop Vac, Rigid and Stanley are available either at HD or Wally World. I'd like something that the filters are easy to get\replace or clean.

 

[jmh33]

I have a Rigid (Home Depot) that I have had for probably 10-12yrs and beat the snot out of it.. 2hp and 6 gallon.. I keep the filter changed and clean inside and all has been good!! John

 

[GB940Rookie]

I like Rigid equipment. I have a Shop Vac 8 gallon. Works great.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Go for an actual SHOP-VAC, I believe some of them are still US made to a degree and you can't beat the original.

 

[Korean Hog]

I borrow a plumber's Rigid shop-vac all the time and think it's real nice
Seriously though, whatever you do, do not get one of those cheap things that fit on the top of a five gallon bucket. (like my boss bought)

 

[3fifty7]

Wet/Dry Shop Vac

 

[Sigsog226]

I have a Ridgid 14gal, 6hp i bought a couple years ago that i swear by. Cost me $100 if i remember correctly, and it's a bit over kill for my needs. Glad i got it though, one of my favorite tools in the garage.

It's stronger, a lot quieter, imo better built and design, more accessories that come with it, and just about as light in weight as the shop vacs I've used that are about the 1/3 of the capacity/power.

I like shop vacs though and we have a couple at work that get used alot and are still going strong. They clean out the work vans and plastic shavings pretty much, and I use mine mostly for woodworking and general clean up in my garage.
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[EricV]

I'm an apartment dweller and needed something portable that was easy to store, which sounds kinda like what you're looking at too. Rigid makes a model that looks like a tool box. Same 5hp motor as the cylinder models but easier to store away when you don't need it.

All the bits fit on or in the thing.