Hamie wrote:
I'm about to buy a vacuum for the DIY, since the wife is about to kill
me for breaking one vacuum cleaner already...
I've narrowed it down to 3 possibles...
1. A 1200W 30l/min job 'el cheapo' from toolstation.com. 39.74
http://www.toolstation.com/index.html?code=98016
2. A 1200W 30l/min very similiar to #1 except it appears to have
appliance sockets on it. 69.95
http://www.toolstation.com/index.html?code=53892
3. A deWalt DC500. 100l/min, but very small... 99.95
http://www.toolstation.com/index.html?code=79967
Ahem!
That's 30l/_sec_ for the 1st two, 100l/_minute_ for the 3rd!
I'm still having trouble with the deWalt, or more specifically its filter:
it blocks up almost solidly (though invisibly) as soon as you look at it.
Mine is currently so crap you genuinely can't tell which is the suck and
which is the blow end. I've had one replacement machine from TS so far but
the new one has gone just as bad. It's definitely the filter: if you remove
it the machine has a reasonable suck/blow (though obviously you don't want
to use it without the filter for sucking up muck).
It's also a slightly odd design in that it has no more power on mains than
on 14.4V battery. In other respects (i.e. if it worked!) it's a reasonably
handy machine, though not what you want for hoovering up lots of muck.
The first two don't appear to have a manufacturer listed... Does anyone
know whether they're any good? They are wet & dry, but apparently need a
separate filter for wet operation. Is the only difference betwene them
the included applicance sockets on the second? And does the first come
with an attachement for power tools (The second seems to - at least
according to the photo, but then that may be an unlisted optional extra)?
The Earlex(?)/Wickes own-brand is another cheapie wet/dry machine, which has
blow as well as suck (which can be useful). You can get a wet/dry filter
for it so you don't need to change between separate filters for wet & dry.
Snags are it tends to splutter wet splashes out from the top if it gets too
full of water, and blow dust out if you suck up too much fine dust.
Is the DC500 worth that much more than those two? I really need
1. Wet & Dry
2. Power tool attachment.
3. Suction good enough to stopthe bulk of the crap getting onto the
carpets & dust everywere when I drill/sand/strip plaster (i.e. by using
it near the work areawhen using the cold chisel etc... That dust goes
for miles).
I use mine to follow the angle grinder when I'm cutting chases and if I cut
slowly enough it keeps the dust manageable. Having a blow port allows me to
stick another hose out of the window to help get the overall airflow to be
out of the house so dust doesn't drift indoors.
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