Thread: Shop Vacs and smoke signals!

Is it the green one that looks like R2D2 & sounds like a 707?

I had(have) one & the first motor smoked in warranty & the 2nd one just out of warranty.
The unit was about $285 new & they want about $190 for a replacement motor.
Not happy Jan... :mad: piece of junk.... I've noted that the Vacuum shop I bought it from have stopped selling them now, I wonder why.

I'm tempted to buy a replacement motor & flog it so it burns out 15 times during the warranty but I've got better things to do with my time & money.

The sticker on it says it was made in the USA but it is no better than one made in China & 4 times the price.

I think I'll try a Pullman next 'cos I've read good reports about it.

Auld, you may be aware of it but if not, Bunnings has a ShopVac (PRO 20) for $99. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a replacement motor for much less. What's more you get a new filter, hoses, attachments, etc. I've got the PRO 30 model and as far as I'm concerned (because I don't know any better) it does what I expect of it very well.

Just curious to know, what sort of work did you have it doing (sucking up MDF)? How often did you clean/replace the filter? If it is just! over a year old, I'd try a warranty claim from where you got it nonetheless.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

I think I'll try a Pullman next 'cos I've read good reports about it.

Yep, so far so good on mine.

Steve, did you have a mini cyclone attached to it ?

Originally Posted by Gumby

Yep, so far so good on mine. .....

What model did you get? I can't remember.
I have a couple of pages here from the local Godfreys with 11 different models.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

What model did you get? I can't remember.
I have a couple of pages here from the local Godfreys with 11 different models.

Not sure, I'm at work atm.

Maybe a P3 ??? Sound right ? It was on special $99 with trade-in but I didn't have a trade-in and got it for 99 anyway. Bagless, on rollers, like a little bin.

Originally Posted by AnthonyC

Auld, you may be aware of it but if not, Bunnings has a ShopVac (PRO 20) for $99. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a replacement motor for much less. What's more you get a new filter, hoses, attachments, etc. I've got the PRO 30 model and as far as I'm concerned (because I don't know any better) it does what I expect of it very well.

Just curious to know, what sort of work did you have it doing (sucking up MDF)? How often did you clean/replace the filter? If it is just! over a year old, I'd try a warranty claim from where you got it nonetheless.

Hi! Anthony,

It was the ShopVac Pro 18 (earlier model, I guess), and recall I originally paid around the $100 mark.

I called the Vic service department today, and they had a motor, and were prepared to let me have it at trade prices, about$80, but the chap actually recommended a new one from Bunnies!

Cliff - G'day!

My machine was bright yellow, had a USA flag on it - and yep, it made more noise than a bench belt sander

Coincidentally, someone from Timbecon saw this thread (Thanks - you know who you are!)and called me to let me know about their 1200W jobbies, delivered @ $119 - so I went for that

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Gumby

Yep, so far so good on mine.

Steve, did you have a mini cyclone attached to it ?

Hi Gumby!

I just used it as a vacuum cleaner for the shop, and occasional use with some hand-held power tools (no vacuum take-off on the LNs ) - but no cyclone or any such - so it did ingest quite a bit of fine dust. The main 2hp D/C cops most of the flak.

The little fellow died whilst cleaning up all the dust around the shop resulting from resawing a heap of Red Gum, and does that wood leave a pile of dust, or what!

I'll just have to wait and see on how the orange bugger'll work out. I suppose at $100/annum, it's cheaper to let the things flog than buy new filters:eek:

Cheers!

PS I have a new unwrapped filter cartridge for the ex-vacuum - ShopVac Pro 18. No idea if it fits any of the current (or larger) of the ShopVac range - but if someone wants to collect it (subject to it not fitting the Timbecon beast, which I doubt), then it's free! Postage if required starts at $99 :eek:

Originally Posted by Gumby

Not sure, I'm at work atm.

Maybe a P3 ??? Sound right ? ...

There is an AS3 in the list, it is the smallest one on this list but it doesn't have a price on it.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

There is an AS3 in the list, it is the smallest one on this list but it doesn't have a price on it.

That's the one. Good little vac, just right for handtools and the router table, as long as you have a 'you know what' in between.

Originally Posted by Auld Bassoon

- but no cyclone or any such - so it did ingest quite a bit of fine dust.

Don't need a Triton bucket for a cyclone, just a cheapo Bunnings one will do, or a freebee from a building site. It will certainly save your next vac a lot of strain.