My 8 gallon ShopVac just died. My biggest complaint (other than cheap
motor bearings) is that even the "Quiet Suction Power" version is still
too loud to run without ear protection for more than a few seconds.

I can blow $67 and get another one, or I could spend some serious $$ and
get a much quieter vac like a Fein. Aside from the money, one concern I
have is that I have one machine plumbed with ShopVac 2.5" diameter hose,
including Loc-Line fittings:

http://www.modularhose.com/Loc-Line-...System/25-kits

I haven't been able to find any adapters that specifically allow one to
plug a 2.5" diameter hose into a Fein vacuum. I'm looking at the Fein
Turbo II as the best compromise on sound, capacity & money. It comes
with a long 1 1/4" hose, but it looks like the fitting on the front is a
good bit larger.

Does anyone have any experience in connecting 2.5" hose to a Fein Turbo I
or II (they use the same size hose). Lots of places (like Rockler,
Woodcraft, etc.) sell 2.5" hose & fittings, so it's a pretty common size
in the US. Bosch seems to have some adapters, but nothing (surprise)
that anyone says will fit a Fein.

Other comments on Feins would be welcome. It will actually mostly be
used in my metal shop, so it will be dealing with chips rather than dust,
so I'm planning on using the coarsest filters for added efficiency. I
assume I'll still need a bag, but I won't need a HEPA filter.

Thanks!

Doug White