My 8 gallon ShopVac just died. My biggest complaint (other than cheap motor bearings) is that even the "Quiet Suction Power" version is still too loud to run without ear protection for more than a few seconds.
I can blow $67 and get another one, or I could spend some serious $$ and get a much quieter vac like a Fein. Aside from the money, one concern I have is that I have one machine plumbed with ShopVac 2.5" diameter hose, including Loc-Line fittings:
Does anyone have any experience in connecting 2.5" hose to a Fein Turbo I or II (they use the same size hose). Lots of places (like Rockler, Woodcraft, etc.) sell 2.5" hose & fittings, so it's a pretty common size in the US. Bosch seems to have some adapters, but nothing (surprise) that anyone says will fit a Fein.
Other comments on Feins would be welcome. It will actually mostly be used in my metal shop, so it will be dealing with chips rather than dust, so I'm planning on using the coarsest filters for added efficiency. I assume I'll still need a bag, but I won't need a HEPA filter.
Thanks!
Doug White