Thread: Best shop vac for random orbital sander

I have one of those Aldi shop vacs with an auto start function.
It's very handy not only for use with my ROS, but with my other tools as you don't have to go back and forth to the vacuum to switch it on/off.
I got mine for $69 on ebay brand new.

Andy

You can't go wrong with it.

Another vote here for the Aldi machine. Have had mine for two or three years and whilst all such vacs are noisy compared with the higher volume, slower air velocity dust collectors, and the Aldi machine is no exception in that regard, as a workshop vac, it is a beauty.

The experts on dust management in this forum will tell you that the pleated air filter in the Aldi does a pretty reasonable job in quantitative terms so that has always reassured me, albeit I do have the air outflow port pointed out of the workshop door just to be a little more sure about such matters. The machine is provided with a very generous length of air hose so it can be quite flexible to use on various machines around my home garage workshop.

The auto start function is a ripper!


I think that I paid around $99 for mine at an Aldi store but they have come down a bit in price since then.



.

It might help to know where you are, as there are local specials sometimes.

The Aldi-vac is quite good but may be too strong for fine sanding (it sucks the sander to the work and the top spins). You can always make it leak somehow.

Best buy at the moment is probably the Fein 40 at about $400ish. They are releasing full Hepa filters for their vacs this year (probably) and have the tool start feature and variable speed. It has a low centre of gravity and is not very 'tippy'.

The Aldi gets full marks for power and general features but is a noisy unit and does not have great filtration though you can fit bags to it which reduces the output dust significantly.

King of the hill are the Festool units, very quiet, excellent filtration, variable suction, tool start and very stable with big wheels to negotiate cables on the floor. Downside is cost, you get what you pay for, more costs more.

Originally Posted by Groggy

King of the hill are the Festool units, very quiet, excellent filtration, variable suction, tool start and very stable with big wheels to negotiate cables on the floor. Downside is cost, you get what you pay for, more costs more.

Ill go along with that. And the big wheels are sensational, they glide over all the usual workshop junk and they also have a quick action foot lock. I also love how you can store your hose in the top cavity, and most important has a flat top so a systainer or small top can be put on so you can rest your tools. Long after you have paid the credit card off you will be more than happy you got it. And it also makes one ripper house vac.

If the bigger ones are to exy, then the little Midi is an absolute ripper. I would love one of those for making house calls

+1. The Festool is definitely the best vac I have used. Its tough - mine withstood a big fall without any problems. It is the quietest I have heard in this type of vac and the HEPA filter will be appreciated all the time.

Originally Posted by TP1

+1. The Festool is definitely the best vac I have used. Its tough - mine withstood a big fall without any problems. It is the quietest I have heard in this type of vac and the HEPA filter will be appreciated all the time.

I also endorse that view. I have just given a friends Festool Midi back - he' a Festool prosletiser and has been trying to convert me. With a 150/3 sander - so fast, so little vibration, so quiet, such great results, and no dust. Just amazing - sand for a while, then rub your hand over the sanded surface and virtually no dust on your hand.

All those qualities must be good for you.

Cheers

Graeme

Thanks for the advice all. I think the Festool looks good. Maybe if SWMBO aggrees to the purchase it will help with future Festool purchases on the grounds that I already have the matching vacuum!