Best wet & dry vacuums according to redditors

I generally don't consider cordless anything to be BIFL, with limited battery lifespans, but after replacing my carpet with hardwood floors, I would use my DeWalt 20V max cordless vacuum several times a week to pick up dog hair, dust, crumbs, etc and it did the job fantastically well. Sometimes I'd dry-mop the floor and use the vacuum to pick up the dust instead of using a dustpan. As for ease/availability of battery replacement, you probably won't find a better option than a power tool pack. Also stores remarkably well in a very small space (no long rigid handle).

Your plan is about as wrong as it could possibly be. I'm not trying to be an asshole but for the sake of your kid, I am being intentionally blunt.

Hitting it with a dremel is going to fling dust everywhere.

An ordinary shop vac with a HEPA filter is not safe for use with lead paint. You need an EPA RRP-certified HEPA vacuum like this one which is the cheapest that I know of. If you own an old house it's a good purchase and you should use it liberally whenever you cut into a wall or disturb things that may contain lead paint.

The EPA has lots of information available about how to work with lead paint. Read up.

A few months back I read on here that after a bunch of testing this was the best vacuum for detailing. I’ve had it saved in my Amazon cart since. Super strong and yet small: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074BR5RV9/

EDIT: Home Depot Link: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vacmaster-Beast-Professional-Series-5-Gal-5-5-Peak-HP-Jobsite-Wet-Dry-Vacuum-VFB511B-0201/302875631

I use this shopvac its reversible. Same price much more useful.

I am currently dealing with this. I had to take down a small portion of a plaster ceiling and dust covered the entire house. I also did some small wall repairs that caused a layer of dust on every surface of my house. I went on a research tear (internet and talked to every expert I know as I work in the hvac industry). Here’s what I learned and what I now do to protect me and my family:

First, some facts:

• Lead is not your only enemy. When you drill into a wall you could potentially be drilling into asbestos and pulling that out from behind the wall and into the air. (Asbestos was banned in 1970’s, so your house almost definitely has some hidden in the walls)
  
• Lead is heavy and falls to the floor pretty fast, so inhalation isn’t much of a concern except for you when you’re doing the job. The biggest risk there is if you have pets or kids playing on the floor where the dust eventually settles.
  
• Asbestos is extremely light and will hang in the air for 2-3 days before finally settling.
  
• People who develop asbestos related lung disease are those who inhaled large quantities of asbestos on the job for decades without taking proper precaution (because they didn’t know. Bummer.). That’s not to say you shouldn’t protect yourself on the job, but you also shouldn’t lose sleep about dying of mesothelioma.
  
• The size of a lead atom: 1 micron
  
• the size of asbestos particles: .3 to .7 microns
  
• NOT ALL HEPA FILTERS ARE CREATED EQUAL. You must read the specification for the hepa filter you plan to buy. If it doesn’t filter out particles <= .3 microns - or doesn’t specify information on the particle size - don’t buy it for the purpose of filtering lead and asbestos. All you’ll be doing is kicking it back up into the air.
  
• Most household hepa vacuum cleaners are rated for allergens (dander, etc) and NOT lead and asbestos particles.
  
  With that, when you’re on the job, here’s what you do:
  
  
• Get yourself a proper mask to work with that supports filters you can change. Make sure you get the right filters. They must be specifically rated for lead and asbestos:
  
  This 3M face mask with 2091 filters will protect you:
  
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OZZZ7JU
  
  If you buy filters other than 9021 make sure you read the specification to ensue that they’re rated for particles at least as small as .3 microns.
  
  
• Buy a shop vac with an appropriate hepa filter that also supports tool attachments. I use this one and it works amazing:
  
  Vacmaster 8 Gallon HEPA
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ULBA4W
  
  It’s rated for the type of work we’re doing. You can attach a sander to it and it’ll suck up most of the dust before it hits the floor/air. It’s not 100%, but It’s way better than 0%. It’s also the most affordable one I could find.
  
  
• Remove or cover any furniture in the room (big jobs or sanding)
  
  
• Create negative air pressure in rooms where you’re going to create a lot of dust. This is easier than it sounds. You basically cover all doorways with plastic and duct tape and get a fan blowing out of a window. You can buy plastic sheets with zippers so you can easily go in and out of the room (try to limit this, though, and strip off your outer layer of clothes before leaving the room if you’ve created a lot of dust). You know you have negative air pressure when you turn on your fan and he plastic sheets are getting sucked into the room instead of pushed out. This will ensure that 90% of the dust is blown outside where it can safely spread out into the atmosphere.
  
  Here’s a short video on what negative air looks like:
  
  https://youtu.be/JvAOVT9CVVY
  
  
• if your super paranoid, you can ask your family to leave while you do the work.
  
  Now, when you’re done with the work, it’s time to clean up. Here’s the safest way to do that:
  
  

1. Put an air purifier with a properly rated hepa filter in the room and leave it for a day. This will let the dust settle while clearing the air of lingering dust. Austin air makes great air purifiers for this kind of dust, but they’re pricey)
   
2. Water reduces dust particles from being kicked up in the air by 80-90%. All you need to do is use a spray mist (use pump bottle that hair dressers use) to wet all surfaces where dust can settle. It doesn’t need to be soaked, just misted.
   
3. Use your hepa shop vac to vacuum up the dust from everywhere you just sprayed.
   
4. Mist the plastic you used to seal off the room.
   
5. Slowly roll up the plastic as you remove it so that the part that was inside the room is getting covered. Put directly into a contractor bag, seal it and throw it away.
   
6. Leave the air purifier running for a few days.
   
   Hope this helps!!
   
   Edit: changed when asbestos was banned from 1978 to the 1970s as it was phased out until 1980.

I hadn’t thought about using a shop vac. I’ve been using a large syringe to remove runoff, but I think this may be better.

I would suggest a Dewalt portable vacuum. Highly reliable. You can get a 60v 6amp lithium battery for it with a charger it last forewer, also runs from a cord. It is wet/dry. Commercial quality. I have one and it's crazy good!
https://www.amazon.ca/DEWALT-DCV581H-20-volt-Cordless-Wet-Dry/dp/B00DD1UQ3Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3TGKJHD24XYN0&keywords=dewalt+vacuum+20v&qid=1554679295&s=gateway&sprefix=Dewalt+vacuum&sr=8-1

I can't believe how useful this Makita vac is. I got it for my wife because she is terrified of spiders, and it has a long tube, and doesn't seem like crap (like all the other vacs on Amazon which are from China ...) and it turns out we use the thing every day. I had hoped to add it to my garage but noooo ...

“Industrial vacuum”?

No friend. It’s a shopvac; louder than a normal vacuum, but very far from ear pro volume.

Edit:
Here’s an example for you. https://www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-17590-Gallon-Portable-Attachments/dp/B07BZSZLBM/ref=zg_bs_553022_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=EB22653DA3RVMHRG5J1P

This is the least expensive real hepa vac I was able to find. Filters and bags get expensive.

Like others have said, read the EPA guide.

i dont clean that often..but i have a little shop vac for cleaning the car

This one ...works great

Makita XLC01ZB 18V LXT Vacuum https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C17691M/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_R0UNBb4QN4J92

Naw it's not too bad. The little vac is more powerful than it looks. This one would be an even better candidate: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001A4FKVE

Do you need mobility? Just to add an alternative to the other great suggestions, my Hoover wall mount is one of my absolutely favorite machines. It's NLA, but I imagine because there is a successor.

I have a Dewalt that's mostly used to cleani up at job sites but it cleans out my car like a champ. It uses the same 20V battery that other Dewalt products use so if you already have other Dewalt batteries you have backups.

DEWALT DCV517B Baretool 20V MAX Cordless 1/2 gallon Wet/Dry Portable Vac Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CKIZ8BA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_P76Azb7PMSV9Y

Or one of these...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DD1UQ3Y/

What about using a HEPA rated shop vac? I've been considering getting one of these for vacuuming after home improvement projects now that I have a kid.

Depends how much dirt is in your car, it will probably take a lot of working back and forth to thoroughly clean something

I use this shop vac, it sucks up just about anything

If you absolutely need portability without cords, this is probably a good option. I'd use the 20v lithium batteries for best results.

DEWALT DCV581H 18/20-Volt MAX Cordless/Corded Wet-Dry Vacuum https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DD1UQ3Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_hI8hybCFB7YM8

I was just about to buy a regular vac and saw this! Thank you!
link to the 5 gal bucket vaccum

Dewalt has a cordless shopvac that's actually pretty good. It won't pick up chunks and or metal bits, but if you're just looking to vacuum up wood, drywall, or concrete dust then its perfect.

Edit: Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Shop-Vac-2021000-Micro-Wet-Dry/dp/B004UQVQ0I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453220156&sr=8-1&keywords=shop+vac+mini

This is the one I use. When I have my dust shoe attached ( kentcnc ) , I've had it running for multiple hours with no problems.

The issue with it is the tiny capacity and since you are talking about fine dust , clogging of the filter/bag.

Willing to extend a little effort?

http://www.amazon.com/Vestil-PAIL-STL-RI-Handle-gallon-Capacity/dp/B0052P2GIC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453220345&sr=8-1&keywords=metal+5+gallon+bucket

You'll need to get a lid and some sort of cyclone solution.

http://i.imgur.com/cp0aFfX.jpg

That's mine... quite litterally a pair of corner pvc with the 'extras' from the hosekit as adapters. The vacuum pressure was so high it was crushing plastic buckets, so the metal 5 gallon works perfectly.

It's not as good as a real cyclone, but space is at a premium for me.

With this, only the finest of all dust goes into the shopvac itself... I change out the cloth filter... well , not sure how to time it. I end up emptying the bucket when it gets to about a third full and every 3 or 4 empties I change the cloth.

The one I have was ~60 when I got it, but it's 79 right now. Its got variable speed, but that doesn't matter to everyone. I've seen people go for dewalt, makita, bosch, and ridgid random orbit sanders most often.

On the topic of sanding/dust, does he have a shop vac or any form of dust collection? I linked the one I have below that I got from home depot for $99, but there are smaller ones you can get. It's less sexy of a gift but it's something that's important to have.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-ROS20VSK-120-Volt-Variable-Random/dp/B0018Z8D64/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448994791&sr=8-1&keywords=Bosch+ROS20VSK

http://www.amazon.com/Ridgid-WD1450-14-Gallon-6-Horsepower-Vacuum/dp/B001MBADFI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1448994876&sr=8-2&keywords=rigid+shop+vac

I just replaced the shop vac in the pic with a dewalt one


DeWALT Portable 4 gallon Wet/Dry Vac https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BYHM9NK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_d6ESDb49YJWZQ

And the dust deputy

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JP315K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_p7ESDbJGQV34M

Yes. Keep kids away, lay a tarp under the area to catch anything, wear an N100 mask while scraping, clean up any flakes with a RRP HEPA vac, and prime with Ecobond or INSL-X prior to painting. As you're an adult, lead isn't gonna do much harm to you. But you don't want kids anywhere near by.

• Learn childrens first aid including choking. Once they eat solids you might need to use it. I did.
  
• Buy a small portable shop vac. The first time that sucker gets sick your gonna wonder where they keep all that milk inside them. I didn't buy one for this purpose but when it happened I was there by myself. I had one in the garage. It was the only way I knew how to respond. Pour cleaning solution all over the site and vaccume away. Repeat. It's like a professional cleaning company came in. Works better than the hose attachment on regular vacuum for glitter later on. Your having a daughter. "There will be glitter."
  
• Completely baby proof living room once they start to crawl and make it a play area. I cut down a piece of sanded plywood to 2.5 feet the long way and made a tiny wall between the living room and the rest of the house. Big 6 foot archway between the rooms. Widest gate I could find was only expandable to like 5 feet. Me and the wife could step over but baby couldn't crawl out. Relax, I painted it white and decorated it. Also painted flowers on it and it even had a cute little bee too. I could lay on the fllor, take a nap and my daughter could crawl all over me and around me while hitting me in the head with plastic toys every once in awhile. Also, I could watch TV and not be worried the little female Stewie would crawl upstairs and pick the lock on my gun safe and shoot me when I came looking for her.
  
• Keep the floors clean. Once they start crawling anything they find on the floor goes in their mouth. If you drop something like a tylenol, you HAVE to find it.
  
• Buy a big comfortable back pack. You will pack baby supplies in it when you go somewhere. Like your deploying with the Marines. You are the Mule/support team. Put single serving amounts of babies powdered milk in baggies and mix with bottled water on the fly. Mark one bottled water you bring in the bag with permanant sharpe to indicate amount of water to leave before mixing. Rinse it out and use same bottle next time. Sunscreen. Never take it out of the bag and you will not forget to bring it.
  
• Buy this for babies room and put a night stand on one side and the dresser or another night stand on the other. Easier to manage the kid and reach something you need when you can swivel.
  
• Buy a baby jogger. Even if you don't jog. If you spend the day at the zoo or something it handles like an offroad stroller. The big tires make it easy to go up and over steps or curbs, pushes easier and you have that tire in front acting as a battering ram. Just have to keep air in the tires and keep an air pump handy. My wife took ours hiking on steep trails where she and her friend carried it like a litter to get up and down some places. Yes my daughter was in it. Laughing.
  
• Kids are tough, love the mother.

A small wet/dry shop-vac with the hose plugged in to blow instead of suck with this accessory set works way better and after enough time pays for itself. Bonus points for the fact it doesn't use any greenhouse gases like canned air.

I'm in the market for a Dust collections system. Should I buy something like this: https://www.rockler.com/dust-right-reg-wall-mount-dust-collector-650-cfm

​

Or could I make one cheaper with a shopvac like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Vacmaster-Gallon-Vacuum-Detachable-VBV1210/dp/B0023EY052/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=shopvac&qid=1567791928&s=gateway&sr=8-2

​

Which one would be more powerful and better at picking up dust? Especially for turning on a lathe! Thanks!

Ive got the 0880-20 (https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-0880-20-18-Volt-Cordless-Vacuum/dp/B001AHMQ90/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1537837899&sr=8-2&keywords=milwaukee+cordless+vacuum&dpID=4188YcQbmyL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch)

How bout a shop vac?

Shop-Vac 5989300 5-Gallon 4.5 Peak HP Stainless Steel Wet Dry Vacuum https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075MWCF8L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2xhACbE9186W6

I love mine. Gets the job done.

This vac is the one I have and is half the price.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ULBA4W/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also have an old house and a young kid (7, 4, 2). My toddler has gotten a positive lead test after living here for about a year. I work from home, so he's basically here with me 24/7. 7 micrograms per deciliter, which is two over the current limit. For what it's worth, the old limit was 10 (changed in 2013) and neither the Department of Health or his pediatrician is particularly concerned.

He's getting a second test in a couple of weeks, which will be about 3 months since his initial positive test.

I had knob and tube replaced, which involved cutting into all the walls. Dust was everywhere and nothing was sealed off when the cuts were made in the walls. A cleaning service did come out and clean the entire house after the renovation was complete, which took 3 full days. Since the positive test, I've hired a cleaning service to come out every other week, since one of the main recommendations is to wipe down surfaces that might be contaminated with lead dust.

I just bought this Shop-Vac 6.5HP 5 Gallon
Buddy talked me into it. Unless you need higher capacity i think this one is amazing. If you need higher capacity I would recommend Rigid 10Gal 6HP Stainless Shop Vac

Sure, https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DD1UQ3Y?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_t1

This is the HEPA vac I saw recommended on reddit when I was searching for posts about lead paint remediation.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ULBA4W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you get it on jet.com, they have a 15% off coupon for new users which puts it around $150. I bought through Amazon because I need it here ASAP and jet.com usually takes a week or so to arrive.

There's a self-serve car wash place at the corner of Brownsboro Rd and Clifton Ave. They have a bunch of coin operated vacuums that do a really good job.

If you're willing to make the investment, Amazon is selling a Mini Shop Vac for about $36 shipped. This thing works great for vacuuming out cars, and also comes in handy when you have liquid spills from plumbing issues and things of the like.

I use this one. Pretty darn good imo.



https://www.amazon.com/Vacmaster-VFB511B-0201-Professional-Vacuum/dp/B074BR5RV9/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=vacmaster&qid=1555827144&s=gateway&sr=8-6

The desirable feature of the DeWALT vacuum is that it is small??

Edit to add: I see that it is both cordless and corded.

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCV581H-20-Volt-Cordless-Wet-Dry/dp/B00DD1UQ3Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479658542&sr=8-1&keywords=dewalt+shop+vacuum

metal is better for ash.

https://www.amazon.com/Tacklife-Canister-Collector-Fireplace-Stove-PVC03A/dp/B07YSBMP7L/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=ash+vacuum&qid=1572391258&s=hi&sr=1-3

Costco used to carry a Porter Cable ash vacuum and that's where I got mine.

I'd recommend Dewalt DVC 580. A little steep for a basic cordless vacuum but they have good power and run time and the batteries are interchangeable with other power tools if you stay on brand.
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCV580-Cordless-Wet-Dry-Vacuum/dp/B00CP8DF3O/ref=pd_sbs_469_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00CP8DF3O&pd_rd_r=BM60DSR1E20P9M4DCG2M&pd_rd_w=Vcbyo&pd_rd_wg=HWVz7&psc=1&refRID=BM60DSR1E20P9M4DCG2M&dpID=41LbpsK7qmL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

I received this as a gift last year and I love it soooo much. Amazing suction, 7 attachments, 30' hose, 5-gallon, 3-year warranty, and it's extremely quiet. I also love that it's wall mountable and effortless to empty. I have my large dog in my car almost daily and this is strong enough to get the hair off of my cloth seats without needing to use a lint roller, pumice stone, etc. It gets crumbs and small debris out of the small cracks with the crevice tools too.

Edit* I should mention that it's a dry vac only.

Not the cheapest option but the 18V cordless shop vacuums actually work well unlike most gutless battery powered vacuums. Make sure you get the big battery, the compact battery drains way too fast.

I have a Milwaukee, DeWalt also makes a similar product
https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-0880-20-18-Volt-Cordless-Vacuum/dp/B001AHMQ90

I use a hoover powered brush attachment that I got with an upright vacuum (has a little squirrel cage inside it that spins up the agitator) for cleaning upholstery.

Saucer - Big enough for the smart pot?
Remove excess water - Bucket Head
Pots off floor - Something like this?
powerstrip with built in timer - Found - Why use this over a stand alone timer? how many things need to be timed out?

I just picked up this for my vehicle. Still haven't had the chance to try it on my car, but around the shop it's not bad.

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCV581H-20-volt-Cordless-Wet-Dry/dp/B00DD1UQ3Y/ref=dp_ob_image_hi

If money is no object, that's a great choice, but you can buy a beast shop-vac with a HEPA filter for way cheaper.

This Rigid works pretty great:
http://www.amazon.com/Ridgid-WD1450-14-Gallon-6-Horsepower-Vacuum/dp/B001MBADFI

This is the one I got. I was really surprised by how good it is. Comes with two filters, different attachments, a small hose, and is really powerful. I’ve used it to clean up spilt kitty food with no issues. And it’s cheap!

I use this vac for all cleaning. It's absolutely fanatic. You can pull the filter out and shake it then rinse it off.

I would love that one, but in Canada I can only find it for over $200

Vacmaster thoughts?

This is a portable vacuum on top of an RC flatbed truck, if anyone's looking to replicate it.

Here are some options:

RC flatbed trucks

$17 https://www.amazon.com/Remote-Control-Tractor-Trailer-Flatbed/dp/B00O3KV1OC

$33 https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Trailer-Semi-Truck-Removable-Excavator/dp/B00QAWUE5S/

$116 https://www.amazon.com/Fistone-Mercedes-Benz-Semi-Trailer-Engineering-Electronics/dp/B0722VMP5X

Portable Vacuums

$100 https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCV580-Cordless-Wet-Dry-Vacuum/dp/B00CP8DF3O

$130 Vacuum Battery https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCB204-2-Premium-Li-Ion-Battery/dp/B00BQHOI6S

I found a vacuum combo blower for $25 at local store and have used it in blow mode on tons a computers and its the cost of like 5 cans of air and lasts a lifetime. I also recommend a natural bristle soft paint brush for the tough stuff like grime on fans. Similar to this one https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Vac-2021000-Micro-Wet-Dry/dp/B004UQVQ0I/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1538072111&sr=8-15&keywords=shop+vac

blowing out a power supply takes more air then what a can provides, you will be surprised the amount of dust a psu can hold. I've used a leaf blower also , you just need be careful and not to get to close and don't let fans spin backwards.

I love my cordless Makita! I use it often because it's lightweight and does great with picking up pet hair from hardwood and tile floors and just about anything else. I got it as a "deal of the day" on Amazon for $108.99. It is SO MUCH EASIER to use than plug-in vacuum cleaners. At full price I'd still buy it again. Charge lasts a long time on battery and suction is very good.
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XLC02RB1W-Compact-Lithium-Ion-Cordless/dp/B018S0VT4O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504066721&sr=8-1&keywords=Makita+XLC02RB1W

https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Vac-5986000-5-Gallon-Stainless-Vacuum/dp/B075MWCF8L

That's the one I went with, may be a little larger than I needed for this specific application. It works well and I can use it for other things when it's not acting as part of a RCM. :)

One of the first replies first mentioned the Squeaky Clean on this thread and has a link to a less costly and probably better space wise vac. :)

Edit: alternate vac opinion.

I want this shopvac

I could just keep my garage door open when I'm working but I could use this as a dust collector and keep my projects out of the driveway. Sawdust gets every where though.

I have one like this at work at want to buy one for myself at home. Does it move the air with enough velocity to actually blow water off the bike and out of things like cooling fin slots or does it just streak it? The one I have at work is this one.

the one i was talking about has the same design as mine just is corded also https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCV581H-20-Volt-Cordless-Wet-Dry/dp/B00DD1UQ3Y/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2O787N03KFUNR&keywords=dewalt+20v+vacuum&qid=1574111580&sprefix=dewalt+20v+v%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-5

+1 for the Milwaukee DA, ima piggyback off this comment to mention their cordless vacuum.