Pp

Puckdropper

06/10/2011 12:44 PM

Ridgid Vacuum

I purchased the Ridgid WD1450 "professional" wet/dry vac I was asking
about last week. The quotes around "professional" are mine, as the
ratings Ridgid provided were obviously designed for the "homeowner" type
of user. I'd expect a professional vacuum to be rated according to
scientific measurements like inches of water column and dB rather than
Peak Horsepower (assuming weak horses, naturally) and arbitrary sound
ratings.

As far as value for the money is concerned, it looks to be a good buy.
For just over $100 you get a servicable and quieter than some shop
vacuum. You'll still have to talk loudly to get over it, but it's
nowhere near as bad as many of the others. If I had to guess, I'd guess
the level was somewhere around 75-80 dB.

Included in the box is an upgraded filter (it said it had a VF5000, but
it looks like the VF6000 HEPA filter was installed), small accessory kit,
and a 2 1/2" hose. I was unimpressed with the included accessories: A
wet floor sweep (might be useful, but you have to purchase a wet filter
separately), small floor sweep that's all plastic (the ones with brushes
work better), and a "upholstery" attachment that's really a blower
nozzle.

An additional purchase was dust bags, because it just doesn't make any
sense to me to get all dusty cleaning out a vacuum that's supposed to
keep you from getting all dusty. They're not too cheap at 2 for $15, but
it does take a while to fill one.

After connecting the vacuum to the table saw and cutting some dados, I
noticed that not only was the process neater but the dado blade seemed to
cut easier. I guess the vacuum pulling the chips away from the blade
helped quite a bit.

There's only 1 speed on this vacuum, and no electrical plug in. If you
must have those features, you'll have to buy something else.

Filtration seems to work correctly. Dust is trapped in the vacuum and
not just pulled away from the work area and redistributed. I suspect
that the Ridgid power head sees very few changes to be used on the HEPA
certified models. (This is just my suspicion. I haven't looked much at
the HEPA models and I could be 100% wrong. It wouldn't be the first
time...)

Drawbacks include combination of the small casters under the unit and the
long cord and short hose. This means the vacuum wants to follow you as
you work, but often winds up getting caught on its own cord. The hose is
not antistatic nor is it grounded, but not much static builds up anyway.
It's certainly not enough to be annoying.

The wet filter is a separate purchase, so while there's a squeegee floor
sweep included the vacuum cannot be used for wet stuff out of the box. A
little annoying, but that's why I keep the Shop Vac around.

One plastic clip that holds the head to the bucket is a little tight (I
used a prybar to get it off) but that seems to happen with most plastic
clips. Maybe it'll loosen up after a few cycles.

The "jet stream" out of the back is designed for use as a leaf blower. I
just don't see the point as a leaf blower is lighter than the vacuum,
needs no filter changes, and just as noisy. To blow tools off using the
vacuum, the best thing to do is set the vacuum hose in the direction of
an air compressor blow gun and blow the dust into the vacuum. I consider
the leaf blower feature to be just a marketing bullet point thing.

Overall, this is just a simple vacuum that's a good value for the money.
It's not overly loud, but could be quieter. Dust control seems to be
effective, with no noticable dust escaping out the exhaust. Ridgid's
dust bags are on the expensive side, but perhaps aftermarket bags will
solve that problem.

Puckdropper


This topic has 29 replies

Nn

Nova

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

06/10/2011 6:55 PM

On 06 Oct 2011 22:12:09 GMT, Puckdropper
<puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:

<snipped>

>Nova <[email protected]> wrote in
>news:[email protected]:

>
>> I highly recommend a "CleanStream" filter.
>>
>> http://www.cleanstream.com/products/landing_craftsman_ridgid.html
>>
>
>I'm not familiar with the product. What do you like about them?
>

The have a HEPA filter rating, are washable and unless damaged last
indefinitely. I've been using the same filter for about the last 15
years.
--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA

kk

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

07/10/2011 12:22 PM

On Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:07:01 -0500, -MIKE- <[email protected]> wrote:

>On 10/7/11 10:58 AM, [email protected] wrote:
>>> Why? Dumping a smaller cannister into a 35gal trash can is a cinch.
>>
>> I use a plastic trash bag to line my shop vac.
>
>
>How does that work? How do you get around the hole?

The drain? I don't.

LJ

Larry Jaques

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

07/10/2011 4:45 AM

On 07 Oct 2011 04:27:14 GMT, Puckdropper
<puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:

>Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
>
>> On 06 Oct 2011 22:29:04 GMT, Puckdropper
>> <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:
>>
>>>Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>news:[email protected]:
>>>
>>>> Are you going to buy the muffler?
>>>
>>>I haven't decided yet. I didn't see it on the shelf when I got the
>>>vacuum, so I might have missed it.
>>
>> I saw it in the accessory list when I perused the HD site that day.
>
>As did I. I read about it in some of the Amazon reviews as well. I just
>didn't see it in the store when I got the vac.

It must be more popular than we thought, but lots of the reviews said
this was a quiet vac.


>>>Autostart can be nice for sanders and the like. Not too big of deal
>>>for the TS, though.
>>
>> I like the autostart Festool has on their suckers. Turn the tool on,
>> the sucker starts. Turn the tool off, the sucker takes a few seconds
>> to suck up what's in the hose and then turns off. Nice & convenient.
>
>I wouldn't buy a more expensive vac just for this feature... Rocker has
>one for $37.99: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17351

You'd spend $47 (with shipping) instead of "investing" only $500 more?


>>>> Or break. BTDT with other plastic parts. <sigh>
>>>
>>>That should be covered under "materials and workmanship" but good luck
>>>getting warranty service, eh?
>>
>> Especially if it's a design error, and everyone's broke.
>
>Maybe a molding error, but the design is common. Ah well, a spring clamp
>should do the job until the vacuum follows me around a corner.

<g>


>>>> Yer shittin' me! A shop vac using a BAG? Amazing. I thought only
>>>> Uncle Fester's dust extractors (not called shop vacs) used bags.
>>>
>>>I think the Festool comes with a bag while on all the others it's an
>>>option. It's a good one to take, though.
>>
>> Why? Dumping a smaller cannister into a 35gal trash can is a cinch.
>>
>
>It's still a dusty process. I get messy enough on my own without the
>vacuum dust helping. On the Fein, it seemed like I lost suction quickly
>due to the dust. With the bags, I could suck up more dust before losing
>suction. I don't know about this one, though.

Maybe the bags slow the collection of dust on the fiber of the filter.
Enjoy!

--
I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.
--Duke Ellington

Pp

Puckdropper

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

06/10/2011 10:12 PM

Nova <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> I tried using a shop vac years ago on my table saw. It helped, but I
> found it really didn't move the volume of air required for effective
> dust control. I also tried it on a portable planer. I had to empty
> if vac far to frequently.

Using the vacuum on the table saw is much better than nothing. I get a
big pile of dust and chips under the saw in just a few weeks of use and
walk in colored the same color as the wood I've been using.

The DeWalt 735 manual says not to use a vacuum with the planer for
exactly that reason.

> I highly recommend a "CleanStream" filter.
>
> http://www.cleanstream.com/products/landing_craftsman_ridgid.html
>

I'm not familiar with the product. What do you like about them?

>
> On the occasions I use the shop vac for water pick up I just remove
> the filter. The freezer I have in my basement requires manual
> defrosting. I use a heat gun to melt the ice build up and the vac to
> suck up the water.

I was incorrect about the wet use. Apparently it's good to go right out
of the box. Just remove the filter (and bags if using them) and go.

Another marketing bullet point: Humidifier mode! Leave the filter in,
and let the vacuum spray a mist out the exhaust port. lol

Puckdropper

Pp

Puckdropper

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

06/10/2011 10:29 PM

Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> Are you going to buy the muffler?
>

I haven't decided yet. I didn't see it on the shelf when I got the vacuum,
so I might have missed it.

>
> Weird. Tell us how dust you get wrestling the bag from the unit, eh?

If the Fein bag was any indication, it won't be too bad.

> What, folks need an outlet to power their iPad which they use while
> vacuuming the shop?!?

Yes! Can you imagine using the vacuum chamber for a speaker box to bellow
out tunez while you vacuum? Add a couple more speakers and you've got a
portable noise maker and vacuum. lol

Autostart can be nice for sanders and the like. Not too big of deal for
the TS, though.

>
> Can you cite a shop vac hose which IS grounded?

No, I can't. The Festool is supposed to come with an anti-static hose, but
that's not grounded.

>
> Interesting. The filters are considered washable. Why won't they work
> with wet material, I wonder?

I was wrong about that. Remove the filter to vacuum wet materials. A
little moisture with the filter installed won't hurt it, but too much may
spray water out the exhaust.

>
> Or break. BTDT with other plastic parts. <sigh>

That should be covered under "materials and workmanship" but good luck
getting warranty service, eh?

>
> Yer shittin' me! A shop vac using a BAG? Amazing. I thought only
> Uncle Fester's dust extractors (not called shop vacs) used bags.
>
> Thanks for the review, mon.

I think the Festool comes with a bag while on all the others it's an
option. It's a good one to take, though.

Puckdropper

Pp

Puckdropper

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

07/10/2011 4:27 AM

Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> On 06 Oct 2011 22:29:04 GMT, Puckdropper
> <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:
>
>>Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
>>news:[email protected]:
>>
>>> Are you going to buy the muffler?
>>
>>I haven't decided yet. I didn't see it on the shelf when I got the
>>vacuum, so I might have missed it.
>
> I saw it in the accessory list when I perused the HD site that day.

As did I. I read about it in some of the Amazon reviews as well. I just
didn't see it in the store when I got the vac.

>>Autostart can be nice for sanders and the like. Not too big of deal
>>for the TS, though.
>
> I like the autostart Festool has on their suckers. Turn the tool on,
> the sucker starts. Turn the tool off, the sucker takes a few seconds
> to suck up what's in the hose and then turns off. Nice & convenient.

I wouldn't buy a more expensive vac just for this feature... Rocker has
one for $37.99: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17351

>>> Or break. BTDT with other plastic parts. <sigh>
>>
>>That should be covered under "materials and workmanship" but good luck
>>getting warranty service, eh?
>
> Especially if it's a design error, and everyone's broke.

Maybe a molding error, but the design is common. Ah well, a spring clamp
should do the job until the vacuum follows me around a corner.

>>> Yer shittin' me! A shop vac using a BAG? Amazing. I thought only
>>> Uncle Fester's dust extractors (not called shop vacs) used bags.
>>
>>I think the Festool comes with a bag while on all the others it's an
>>option. It's a good one to take, though.
>
> Why? Dumping a smaller cannister into a 35gal trash can is a cinch.
>

It's still a dusty process. I get messy enough on my own without the
vacuum dust helping. On the Fein, it seemed like I lost suction quickly
due to the dust. With the bags, I could suck up more dust before losing
suction. I don't know about this one, though.

Puckdropper

Pp

Puckdropper

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

09/01/2012 1:38 AM

blueman <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> Home Depot sells a 'muffler' for Ridgid shop vacs for about $10. It is
> just real a small annulus of foam that attaches to the exhaust port.
>
> It didn't make a bit of difference to sound level and if anything cut
> down the suction power a little. Since most of the noise on standard
> vacs come from the motor mounted on the top, it is understandable why
> adding a muffler to the air exhaust won't do much to muffle the *loud*
> Ridgid motor noise...
>

I noticed a noise reduction when I put a hose on the leaf blower port. I
might have had a nozzle attachment on it, but it worked with just an open
hose.

It certainly wasn't enough of a reduction to keep permanently.

Puckdropper

--
Make it to fit, don't make it fit.

Nn

Nova

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

06/10/2011 10:00 AM

On 06 Oct 2011 12:44:47 GMT, Puckdropper
<puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:

<snipped>

>I purchased the Ridgid WD1450 "professional" wet/dry vac I was asking
>about last week.

>
>After connecting the vacuum to the table saw and cutting some dados, I
>noticed that not only was the process neater but the dado blade seemed to
>cut easier. I guess the vacuum pulling the chips away from the blade
>helped quite a bit.

I tried using a shop vac years ago on my table saw. It helped, but I
found it really didn't move the volume of air required for effective
dust control. I also tried it on a portable planer. I had to empty
if vac far to frequently.
>

>Filtration seems to work correctly. Dust is trapped in the vacuum and
>not just pulled away from the work area and redistributed. I suspect
>that the Ridgid power head sees very few changes to be used on the HEPA
>certified models. (This is just my suspicion. I haven't looked much at
>the HEPA models and I could be 100% wrong. It wouldn't be the first
>time...)

I highly recommend a "CleanStream" filter.

http://www.cleanstream.com/products/landing_craftsman_ridgid.html


>The wet filter is a separate purchase, so while there's a squeegee floor
>sweep included the vacuum cannot be used for wet stuff out of the box. A
>little annoying, but that's why I keep the Shop Vac around.

On the occasions I use the shop vac for water pick up I just remove
the filter. The freezer I have in my basement requires manual
defrosting. I use a heat gun to melt the ice build up and the vac to
suck up the water.
--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA

kk

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

07/10/2011 12:47 PM

On Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:29:31 -0500, -MIKE- <[email protected]> wrote:

>On 10/7/11 12:22 PM, [email protected] wrote:
>> On Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:07:01 -0500, -MIKE-<[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> On 10/7/11 10:58 AM, [email protected] wrote:
>>>>> Why? Dumping a smaller cannister into a 35gal trash can is a cinch.
>>>>
>>>> I use a plastic trash bag to line my shop vac.
>>>
>>>
>>> How does that work? How do you get around the hole?
>>
>> The drain? I don't.
>
>On my vac and every other shop vac I've seen there is an inlet hole in
>the bucket where the vac hose comes in. If I were to just throw a
>plastic bag in there it would cover up that inlet hole.

Mine is an older Sears. The inlet is in the lid/motor piece. I hadn't even
noticed that they'd moved them.

DW

Doug White

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

07/10/2011 1:57 PM

tiredofspam <nospam.nospam.com> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> Try this link for $20 as opposed to 35
> http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00924031000P?
>
> If you need more capacity (amperage) try the mbright line
> http://www.ivacswitch.com/index.action
>
> On 10/7/2011 12:27 AM, Puckdropper wrote:
>> Larry Jaques<[email protected]> wrote in
>> news:[email protected]:
>>
>>> On 06 Oct 2011 22:29:04 GMT, Puckdropper
>>> <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Larry Jaques<[email protected]> wrote in
>>>> news:[email protected]:
>>>>
>>>>> Are you going to buy the muffler?
>>>>
>>>> I haven't decided yet. I didn't see it on the shelf when I got the
>>>> vacuum, so I might have missed it.
>>>
>>> I saw it in the accessory list when I perused the HD site that day.
>>
>> As did I. I read about it in some of the Amazon reviews as well. I
>> just didn't see it in the store when I got the vac.
>>
>>>> Autostart can be nice for sanders and the like. Not too big of
>>>> deal for the TS, though.
>>>
>>> I like the autostart Festool has on their suckers. Turn the tool on,
>>> the sucker starts. Turn the tool off, the sucker takes a few seconds
>>> to suck up what's in the hose and then turns off. Nice&
>>> convenient.
>>
>> I wouldn't buy a more expensive vac just for this feature... Rocker
>> has one for $37.99: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17351

Being a control freak, I prefer a foot switch. It allows me to run the
vac easily for cleanup, and I can power the vac off a separate circuit
from the saw/power tool. There are some cheap ones around, and some more
expensive ones. A lot of the newer ones are plastic, and you have to
make sure you get a "Push-On Push-Off" style & not one you have to stand
on. The cheap ones work OK, but they are light & tend to skid around. I
have one like this, which is metal, but is still too light:

http://www.linemaster.com/media/DataSheets/LIT-008%20Rev%20Bsm.pdf

They run around $20. More recently, I got one of these:

http://tinyurl.com/2annw8v

This is almost twice the weight of the other one, works great, but cost a
good bit more (~$60).

Doug White

DW

Doug White

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

08/10/2011 2:43 PM

Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> On Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:58:43 -0500, "[email protected]"
>>>I like the autostart Festool has on their suckers. Turn the tool on,
>>>the sucker starts. Turn the tool off, the sucker takes a few seconds
>>>to suck up what's in the hose and then turns off. Nice & convenient.
>
> Lee Valley Tools has a standalone autostart device should you be
> interested.
> http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=63013&cat=1,240,41065&ap=1

This one is nice because it recognizes the possibility that you would need
to run the tool & the vacuum off separate circuits.

Doug White

tn

tiredofspam

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

06/10/2011 9:14 AM

Try the little diffuser that they sell for the out port.
It does cut the noise down quite a bit.

On 10/6/2011 8:44 AM, Puckdropper wrote:
> Ridgid WD1450 "professional" wet/dry vac

fE

[email protected] (Edward A. Falk)

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

06/10/2011 7:08 PM

In article <[email protected]>,
Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote:
>On 06 Oct 2011 12:44:47 GMT, Puckdropper
><puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:
>
>>I purchased the Ridgid WD1450 "professional" wet/dry vac I was asking
>>about last week. The quotes around "professional" are mine, as the
>>ratings Ridgid provided were obviously designed for the "homeowner" type
>>of user. I'd expect a professional vacuum to be rated according to
>>scientific measurements like inches of water column and dB rather than
>>Peak Horsepower (assuming weak horses, naturally) and arbitrary sound
>>ratings.

I bought one too, although I've so far only used it to clean my car.

Big negative: very little storage for accessories. Other vacuums
have mounting points all over them to hold the accessories. This
one just has a shallow bag that attaches to the side.

Other than that, it seems to be a good value.

>Are you going to buy the muffler?

In my case, Home Depot was sold out. I'll try again some other time.


>Interesting. The filters are considered washable. Why won't they work
>with wet material, I wonder?

The manual says that for small amounts of water, you can just use
it as is. For large amounts, remove the filter completely to avoid
clogging. I don't remember if there were special wet filters you
could buy.

--
-Ed Falk, [email protected]
http://thespamdiaries.blogspot.com/

Mm

-MIKE-

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

07/10/2011 12:07 PM

On 10/7/11 10:58 AM, [email protected] wrote:
>> Why? Dumping a smaller cannister into a 35gal trash can is a cinch.
>
> I use a plastic trash bag to line my shop vac.


How does that work? How do you get around the hole?


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
[email protected]
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Mm

-MIKE-

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

07/10/2011 12:29 PM

On 10/7/11 12:22 PM, [email protected] wrote:
> On Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:07:01 -0500, -MIKE-<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On 10/7/11 10:58 AM, [email protected] wrote:
>>>> Why? Dumping a smaller cannister into a 35gal trash can is a cinch.
>>>
>>> I use a plastic trash bag to line my shop vac.
>>
>>
>> How does that work? How do you get around the hole?
>
> The drain? I don't.

On my vac and every other shop vac I've seen there is an inlet hole in
the bucket where the vac hose comes in. If I were to just throw a
plastic bag in there it would cover up that inlet hole.



--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
[email protected]
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Ff

FrozenNorth

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

07/10/2011 1:44 PM

On 10/07/11 1:29 PM, -MIKE- wrote:
> On 10/7/11 12:22 PM, [email protected] wrote:
>> On Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:07:01 -0500, -MIKE-<[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> On 10/7/11 10:58 AM, [email protected] wrote:
>>>>> Why? Dumping a smaller cannister into a 35gal trash can is a cinch.
>>>>
>>>> I use a plastic trash bag to line my shop vac.
>>>
>>>
>>> How does that work? How do you get around the hole?
>>
>> The drain? I don't.
>
> On my vac and every other shop vac I've seen there is an inlet hole in
> the bucket where the vac hose comes in. If I were to just throw a
> plastic bag in there it would cover up that inlet hole.
>
I have an older Ridgid, the hose attaches to the lid, not the pail,
putting a trash bag over pail, then attaching the lid would work without
any problems.

--
Froz...


The system will be down for 10 days for preventive maintenance.

Mm

-MIKE-

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

07/10/2011 2:01 PM

On 10/7/11 12:44 PM, FrozenNorth wrote:
> On 10/07/11 1:29 PM, -MIKE- wrote:
>> On 10/7/11 12:22 PM, [email protected] wrote:
>>> On Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:07:01 -0500, -MIKE-<[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 10/7/11 10:58 AM, [email protected] wrote:
>>>>>> Why? Dumping a smaller cannister into a 35gal trash can is a cinch.
>>>>>
>>>>> I use a plastic trash bag to line my shop vac.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> How does that work? How do you get around the hole?
>>>
>>> The drain? I don't.
>>
>> On my vac and every other shop vac I've seen there is an inlet hole in
>> the bucket where the vac hose comes in. If I were to just throw a
>> plastic bag in there it would cover up that inlet hole.
>>
> I have an older Ridgid, the hose attaches to the lid, not the pail,
> putting a trash bag over pail, then attaching the lid would work without
> any problems.
>

Nice. I might start looking for an older Ridgid. That would be very
convenient.


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
[email protected]
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Ff

FrozenNorth

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

07/10/2011 3:42 PM

On 10/07/11 3:01 PM, -MIKE- wrote:
> On 10/7/11 12:44 PM, FrozenNorth wrote:
>> On 10/07/11 1:29 PM, -MIKE- wrote:
>>> On 10/7/11 12:22 PM, [email protected] wrote:
>>>> On Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:07:01 -0500, -MIKE-<[email protected]>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 10/7/11 10:58 AM, [email protected] wrote:
>>>>>>> Why? Dumping a smaller cannister into a 35gal trash can is a cinch.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I use a plastic trash bag to line my shop vac.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> How does that work? How do you get around the hole?
>>>>
>>>> The drain? I don't.
>>>
>>> On my vac and every other shop vac I've seen there is an inlet hole in
>>> the bucket where the vac hose comes in. If I were to just throw a
>>> plastic bag in there it would cover up that inlet hole.
>>>
>> I have an older Ridgid, the hose attaches to the lid, not the pail,
>> putting a trash bag over pail, then attaching the lid would work without
>> any problems.
>>
>
> Nice. I might start looking for an older Ridgid. That would be very
> convenient.
>
It is a noisy SOB though. :-)

--
Froz...


The system will be down for 10 days for preventive maintenance.

LJ

Larry Jaques

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

06/10/2011 9:15 AM

On 06 Oct 2011 12:44:47 GMT, Puckdropper
<puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:

>I purchased the Ridgid WD1450 "professional" wet/dry vac I was asking
>about last week. The quotes around "professional" are mine, as the
>ratings Ridgid provided were obviously designed for the "homeowner" type
>of user. I'd expect a professional vacuum to be rated according to
>scientific measurements like inches of water column and dB rather than
>Peak Horsepower (assuming weak horses, naturally) and arbitrary sound
>ratings.
>
>As far as value for the money is concerned, it looks to be a good buy.
>For just over $100 you get a servicable and quieter than some shop
>vacuum. You'll still have to talk loudly to get over it, but it's
>nowhere near as bad as many of the others. If I had to guess, I'd guess
>the level was somewhere around 75-80 dB.

Are you going to buy the muffler?


>Included in the box is an upgraded filter (it said it had a VF5000, but
>it looks like the VF6000 HEPA filter was installed), small accessory kit,

Cool.


>and a 2 1/2" hose. I was unimpressed with the included accessories: A
>wet floor sweep (might be useful, but you have to purchase a wet filter
>separately), small floor sweep that's all plastic (the ones with brushes
>work better), and a "upholstery" attachment that's really a blower
>nozzle.

My all-plastic floor sweep on my Griz works like a champ. No brushes.


>An additional purchase was dust bags, because it just doesn't make any
>sense to me to get all dusty cleaning out a vacuum that's supposed to
>keep you from getting all dusty. They're not too cheap at 2 for $15, but
>it does take a while to fill one.

Weird. Tell us how dust you get wrestling the bag from the unit, eh?


>After connecting the vacuum to the table saw and cutting some dados, I
>noticed that not only was the process neater but the dado blade seemed to
>cut easier. I guess the vacuum pulling the chips away from the blade
>helped quite a bit.

Cool.


>There's only 1 speed on this vacuum, and no electrical plug in. If you
>must have those features, you'll have to buy something else.

What, folks need an outlet to power their iPad which they use while
vacuuming the shop?!?


>Filtration seems to work correctly. Dust is trapped in the vacuum and
>not just pulled away from the work area and redistributed. I suspect
>that the Ridgid power head sees very few changes to be used on the HEPA
>certified models. (This is just my suspicion. I haven't looked much at
>the HEPA models and I could be 100% wrong. It wouldn't be the first
>time...)

From the sales lit, it appears that the filter alone lets it make the
jump.


>Drawbacks include combination of the small casters under the unit and the
>long cord and short hose. This means the vacuum wants to follow you as
>you work, but often winds up getting caught on its own cord. The hose is
>not antistatic nor is it grounded, but not much static builds up anyway.
>It's certainly not enough to be annoying.

Can you cite a shop vac hose which IS grounded?


>The wet filter is a separate purchase, so while there's a squeegee floor
>sweep included the vacuum cannot be used for wet stuff out of the box. A
>little annoying, but that's why I keep the Shop Vac around.

Interesting. The filters are considered washable. Why won't they work
with wet material, I wonder?


>One plastic clip that holds the head to the bucket is a little tight (I
>used a prybar to get it off) but that seems to happen with most plastic
>clips. Maybe it'll loosen up after a few cycles.

Or break. BTDT with other plastic parts. <sigh>


>The "jet stream" out of the back is designed for use as a leaf blower. I
>just don't see the point as a leaf blower is lighter than the vacuum,
>needs no filter changes, and just as noisy. To blow tools off using the
>vacuum, the best thing to do is set the vacuum hose in the direction of
>an air compressor blow gun and blow the dust into the vacuum. I consider
>the leaf blower feature to be just a marketing bullet point thing.

Marketinggeekspeak.


>Overall, this is just a simple vacuum that's a good value for the money.
>It's not overly loud, but could be quieter. Dust control seems to be
>effective, with no noticable dust escaping out the exhaust. Ridgid's
>dust bags are on the expensive side, but perhaps aftermarket bags will
>solve that problem.

Yer shittin' me! A shop vac using a BAG? Amazing. I thought only
Uncle Fester's dust extractors (not called shop vacs) used bags.

Thanks for the review, mon.

--
I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.
--Duke Ellington

bN

blueman

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

08/01/2012 6:16 PM

Puckdropper <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> writes:

> Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>> I like the autostart Festool has on their suckers. Turn the tool on,
>> the sucker starts. Turn the tool off, the sucker takes a few seconds
>> to suck up what's in the hose and then turns off. Nice & convenient.
>
> I wouldn't buy a more expensive vac just for this feature... Rocker has
> one for $37.99: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17351

And often on sale for about $25

bN

blueman

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

08/01/2012 6:10 PM

Nova <[email protected]> writes:
> I tried using a shop vac years ago on my table saw. It helped, but I
> found it really didn't move the volume of air required for effective
> dust control.

I have a low end Ridgid that works perfect on my old Craftsman Table
Saw. The trick (for me) to make it work was to close off all the air
holes around any of the penetrations using a combination of plywood and
rubber. I also added a zero clearance insert. The result is that almost
no sawdust escapes from the saw and what is captured gets sucked into my
shop vac.

bN

blueman

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

08/01/2012 6:07 PM

tiredofspam <nospam.nospam.com> writes:
> Try the little diffuser that they sell for the out port.
> It does cut the noise down quite a bit.
>
I bought one of those for my Ridgid shop vac and couldn't notice
any meaningful difference in sound level...

bN

blueman

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

08/01/2012 6:24 PM

Puckdropper <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> writes:
> Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>> On 06 Oct 2011 22:29:04 GMT, Puckdropper
>> <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:
>>
>>>Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>news:[email protected]:
>>>
>>>> Are you going to buy the muffler?
>>>
>>>I haven't decided yet. I didn't see it on the shelf when I got the
>>>vacuum, so I might have missed it.
>>
>> I saw it in the accessory list when I perused the HD site that day.
>
> As did I. I read about it in some of the Amazon reviews as well. I just
> didn't see it in the store when I got the vac.

Home Depot sells a 'muffler' for Ridgid shop vacs for about $10. It is
just real a small annulus of foam that attaches to the exhaust port.

It didn't make a bit of difference to sound level and if anything cut
down the suction power a little. Since most of the noise on standard
vacs come from the motor mounted on the top, it is understandable why
adding a muffler to the air exhaust won't do much to muffle the *loud*
Ridgid motor noise...

bN

blueman

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

08/01/2012 6:18 PM

tiredofspam <nospam.nospam.com> writes:

> Try this link for $20 as opposed to 35
> http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00924031000P?

Cool - I like that it has a 'mode' switch and 2 accessory outlets.

However, I didn't see any listing of amperage (either tool or accessory)
on the link.

kk

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

07/10/2011 10:58 AM

On Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:44:12 -0700, Larry Jaques
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On 06 Oct 2011 22:29:04 GMT, Puckdropper
><puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:
>
>>Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
>>news:[email protected]:
>>
>>> Are you going to buy the muffler?
>>
>>I haven't decided yet. I didn't see it on the shelf when I got the vacuum,
>>so I might have missed it.
>
>I saw it in the accessory list when I perused the HD site that day.
>
>
>>Autostart can be nice for sanders and the like. Not too big of deal for
>>the TS, though.
>
>I like the autostart Festool has on their suckers. Turn the tool on,
>the sucker starts. Turn the tool off, the sucker takes a few seconds
>to suck up what's in the hose and then turns off. Nice & convenient.

I use an iSocket on my SCMS, controlling a shop vac. It's a whole lot cheaper
than Fe$tool.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005855/18215/ISocket-Vacuum-Automator.aspx

>>> Or break. BTDT with other plastic parts. <sigh>
>>
>>That should be covered under "materials and workmanship" but good luck
>>getting warranty service, eh?
>
>Especially if it's a design error, and everyone's broke.
>
>
>>> Yer shittin' me! A shop vac using a BAG? Amazing. I thought only
>>> Uncle Fester's dust extractors (not called shop vacs) used bags.
>>
>>I think the Festool comes with a bag while on all the others it's an
>>option. It's a good one to take, though.
>
>Why? Dumping a smaller cannister into a 35gal trash can is a cinch.

I use a plastic trash bag to line my shop vac.

tn

tiredofspam

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

07/10/2011 5:00 AM

Try this link for $20 as opposed to 35
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00924031000P?

If you need more capacity (amperage) try the mbright line
http://www.ivacswitch.com/index.action

On 10/7/2011 12:27 AM, Puckdropper wrote:
> Larry Jaques<[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>> On 06 Oct 2011 22:29:04 GMT, Puckdropper
>> <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:
>>
>>> Larry Jaques<[email protected]> wrote in
>>> news:[email protected]:
>>>
>>>> Are you going to buy the muffler?
>>>
>>> I haven't decided yet. I didn't see it on the shelf when I got the
>>> vacuum, so I might have missed it.
>>
>> I saw it in the accessory list when I perused the HD site that day.
>
> As did I. I read about it in some of the Amazon reviews as well. I just
> didn't see it in the store when I got the vac.
>
>>> Autostart can be nice for sanders and the like. Not too big of deal
>>> for the TS, though.
>>
>> I like the autostart Festool has on their suckers. Turn the tool on,
>> the sucker starts. Turn the tool off, the sucker takes a few seconds
>> to suck up what's in the hose and then turns off. Nice& convenient.
>
> I wouldn't buy a more expensive vac just for this feature... Rocker has
> one for $37.99: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17351
>
>>>> Or break. BTDT with other plastic parts.<sigh>
>>>
>>> That should be covered under "materials and workmanship" but good luck
>>> getting warranty service, eh?
>>
>> Especially if it's a design error, and everyone's broke.
>
> Maybe a molding error, but the design is common. Ah well, a spring clamp
> should do the job until the vacuum follows me around a corner.
>
>>>> Yer shittin' me! A shop vac using a BAG? Amazing. I thought only
>>>> Uncle Fester's dust extractors (not called shop vacs) used bags.
>>>
>>> I think the Festool comes with a bag while on all the others it's an
>>> option. It's a good one to take, though.
>>
>> Why? Dumping a smaller cannister into a 35gal trash can is a cinch.
>>
>
> It's still a dusty process. I get messy enough on my own without the
> vacuum dust helping. On the Fein, it seemed like I lost suction quickly
> due to the dust. With the bags, I could suck up more dust before losing
> suction. I don't know about this one, though.
>
> Puckdropper

LJ

Larry Jaques

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

06/10/2011 4:44 PM

On 06 Oct 2011 22:29:04 GMT, Puckdropper
<puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:

>Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
>
>> Are you going to buy the muffler?
>
>I haven't decided yet. I didn't see it on the shelf when I got the vacuum,
>so I might have missed it.

I saw it in the accessory list when I perused the HD site that day.


>Autostart can be nice for sanders and the like. Not too big of deal for
>the TS, though.

I like the autostart Festool has on their suckers. Turn the tool on,
the sucker starts. Turn the tool off, the sucker takes a few seconds
to suck up what's in the hose and then turns off. Nice & convenient.


>> Or break. BTDT with other plastic parts. <sigh>
>
>That should be covered under "materials and workmanship" but good luck
>getting warranty service, eh?

Especially if it's a design error, and everyone's broke.


>> Yer shittin' me! A shop vac using a BAG? Amazing. I thought only
>> Uncle Fester's dust extractors (not called shop vacs) used bags.
>
>I think the Festool comes with a bag while on all the others it's an
>option. It's a good one to take, though.

Why? Dumping a smaller cannister into a 35gal trash can is a cinch.

--
I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.
--Duke Ellington

Du

Dave

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

08/10/2011 1:19 AM

On Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:58:43 -0500, "[email protected]"
>>I like the autostart Festool has on their suckers. Turn the tool on,
>>the sucker starts. Turn the tool off, the sucker takes a few seconds
>>to suck up what's in the hose and then turns off. Nice & convenient.

Lee Valley Tools has a standalone autostart device should you be
interested.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=63013&cat=1,240,41065&ap=1

SB

"Steve B"

in reply to Puckdropper on 06/10/2011 12:44 PM

08/01/2012 9:35 PM


"blueman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> tiredofspam <nospam.nospam.com> writes:
>> Try the little diffuser that they sell for the out port.
>> It does cut the noise down quite a bit.
>>
> I bought one of those for my Ridgid shop vac and couldn't notice
> any meaningful difference in sound level...

Noise? They make noise?

I don't wear my hearing aids often in the shop. When an offensive noise
comes along, I open up the battery doors with my thumbnail until contact is
broken, and I can hear very little.

Noise, you say?

Hmmmmmmmmm.

Steve


You’ve reached the end of replies