Vacuum cleaner for DIY - dry pickup only.

[RJS]

Can anyone recommend a vacuum cleaner for workshop DIY use?

I already have an Earlex WD1000 which I use for wet work - it's great at cleaning drain traps.

I also have an Aquavac, a Vax and a Dyson which are used for dry work. Of these the Aquavac is far and away the best and will happily pick up chunks of brick without complaint. It also has the biggest hose diameter.

Back in 2007 the consensus of opinion here was that the Earlex WD1200P was the one to buy. However, I don't rate my Earlex as that great for dry work (a) because of the small bore of the hose and (b) because the suction on my Aquavac is greater.

The Aquavac is only being retired because the can is rusting at the base, the motor is decidedly tired and the cooling fan is unguarded and took the tip off one of my fingers..

So, what would you recommend nowadays?

TIA

Richard

[newshound]

For quietness, suck, and a long power lead with really reliable coiling, the Henry family.

[dom]

If it's strictly sawdust/shavings/woodchips or very similar - consider getting a workshop dust/chip extractor.

I have the bottom of the range from Axminster - it takes bin-liner sized sacks and can fill one in a few minutes.

Think it's this one:

[The Medway Handyman]

You can buy a 60mm hose for the Earlex if that helps

[Dave]

The George is better, having used one.

Dave

[Tabby]

Those sound quite fixable

NT

[Andy Dingley]

I'm happy enough with my Earlex for dry workshop - although I bought it the extra pleated filter and fat hose. Noisy, but cheap.

[Nitro®]

Stop putting your fingers in there...f*ck, jobs a good'un.

[RJS]

to be properly portable. Sorry should have included these in the first post.

[RJS]

helps

> --

Won't increasing the hose bore reduce the vacuum?

Richard

[RJS]

Do you think so? About 15 years ago I tried to find new handles and wheeled base for the unit without success.

Richard

[The Medway Handyman]

Suction. Yes it will, but the airflow will increase.

A twin motor vacuum has much the same suction as a single motor machine, but double the airflow.

[Tabby]

Well, generally speaking...

Small rust: wire brush, car body filler, wipe of paint. Major rust: rivet on a new sheet steel base Unguarded fan: EML, chip basket etc, rivet or weld on Motor: usually its a case of cleaning out the airpaths through the machine, but if the motor is actually faulty, rewinds are an option on a decent vac.

NT

[Lobster]

Unless you use the Earlex a hell of a lot in 'wet' mode such that you really need separate machines, that would seem a good option, enabling you to use the same machine for both. I have one of these filters and have found the machine's performance (in 'dry' mode) to be radically increased over the old paper filters.

David

[Andy Dingley]

Be careful though that wet use (or even damp) and cement dust don't mix. They'll "corrode" the filter, and they aren't cheap.

[BruceB]

The most recent filters I have bought at Wickes no longer have the metal grille and are now all plastic, so do not rust Regards Bruce

[RJS]

Indeed. I did replace the cooling fan guard when it broke and did a 'cigar cutter' job on my right forefinger. Certainly a dollop of plastic plod will sort the rusty can. Just not sure that the motor deserves a great deal of investment. I fear that the cost of a rewind might exceed the cost of a new machine if one takes life expectancy into account.

R

[Andy Dingley]

No, I meant the element itself. IMHE, they seem to not like damp alkalis.

[VAG_dude]

So what exactly is the advantage of higher air flow?

[dennis]

It should be able to carry more dirt and maybe bigger dirt.