Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Power Tools). This thread is read-only.
As a continuation of the attic drama from my other thread in “Around the House” I am contemplating doing the cleanup in my attic myself. To do that safely, I really think that I should use a good HEPA vacuum to remove all of the drywall dust, mouse poop and fiberglass leftovers. I love my ridgid shop vac, but I don’t think it’s quite up to the job.
Does anyone have experience with this sort of mess that can recommend a good HEPA vacuum? I don’t mind spending for quality, but of course I don’t really want an industrial system that costs a fortune and weighs a ton. Any personal experience that can say what not to buy is also greatly appreciated.
Thanks
kdv
Any Festool DC is considered top of the line. Bosch also makes a really good machine too.
I was going to recommend Festool but prices are likely intimidating.
Believe it or not, the Festool DCs are right in line than the competitors but they are really well designed machines. You can get some models a little bit cheaper but a comparable Bosch is right in the same price category.
Thanks for the heads up Chris. When my garage gets built I think a Festool is the one that will fit the bill then.
Hahahaha….yeah it’ll be a bill 😉
Do some research, several companies manufacture them. look for a system that has the ability to take bag/ liners to make handling what you have cleaned up easy to dump/empty. Fein is another company that has an outstanding reputation, DeWALT does as well. Another feature you may want to look into on your Hepa vac is a self clearing filter or filters that clean themselves every 30 seconds or so. My estimate is you are looking at $300 or so to start and it goes up from there.
I seriously thought about getting a Festool and this would really be the perfect excuse. Then however, I thought about the fact is be vacuuming up poop with my fine German engineering and I’d probably have to replace a $400 hose when I was done because there’s no good way to clean it out for regular woodworking dust duties. I’ve vacuumed up litter box dust with a shop vac before and the smell never really leaves the hose. I’m just not sure I could do this to a Festool or any really nice dust extractor. That’s why I was leaning towards something like a Dustless that has a pre-filter. I don’t know that it’s that much cheaper, but then I don’t have to have the conversation with myself saying “well, this is the stinky Festool. I have to buy another one for my shop” if that makes any sense.
Soap, water, and a good air dry works wonders on most things. I’ve taken apart plenty of stuff for cleaning. Just have to be careful with expensive goodies lol.
A dust deputy would probably be highly benificial. You can always go with the warning cone model for cheap.
Ive also gotten around hepa issues by using a spare hose to send the exhaust outside.
Have a look at the DeWalt TIA reviewed, it has a self cleaning dual filter system.
I have a Fein Turbo II and I really like it. I picked it up off Ebay at great deal to get me started in the dust collector game. I bought the dust bags for it at HD online. I have a dust deputy I am going to mount to a bucket which fits perfectly right on top of the Fein.
That being said I recently wanted something smaller and more portable for jobsite use and as a sanding vac. I placed an order for a Festool CT-Mini. Patiently waiting for it’s arrival.
Dewalt makes a good one
jeffmcmillan wrote:
On 8/1/2016 at 11:59 PM, jeffmcmillan said:A dust deputy would probably be highly benificial. You can always go with the warning cone model for cheap.
Ive also gotten around hepa issues by using a spare hose to send the exhaust outside.
I’ve looked at the Dust Deputy, but the problem is then you have to empty the DD cylinder. I’m not sure it would be a great idea to go banging out a mouse poop filled DD, though I suppose I could do that while still suited up.
Hi guys,
I found the Bosch cordless vacuum cleaner GAS 18V-Li is pretty good, light and easy for storage.
The link below show the specification and technical data.
Just picked this up thanks to guys. Of course there’s a bigger version too, that offers variable suction, I believe.
