Living The Dream
Member
We have a large construction clean coming up. Our shop vac's are not that great. I'm considering buying a Pro Team or Powr Flite backpack vacuum. Or should I break down and buy a decent shop vac?
Can a backpack vacuum take the place of a shop vac?
- Thread starter Living The Dream
- Start date
Cleanworks
Moderator
The difference is in the size of the hose. I have a large rigid vac from home Depot with a 2 1/2 inch hose. It'll suck up just about anything without clogging. The tools are crap but get the job done.
Desk Jockey
Member
Working with a backpack is much easier than a shop vac. While the capacity isn't as good, your productivity should be much better. Protean makes some great HEPA backpacks.
hogjowl
Idiot™
You have to decide who to believe
A janitor
Or a Canadian
A janitor
Or a Canadian
Cleanworks
Moderator
Depends on what you're vacuuming. Doing construction clean up you may be sucking up bits of wire clippings, chunks of drywall, wood splinters, paper, etc. It'll plug up that 1 1/4 inch hose in no time. Better to use a shop vac first for the rough stuff then a back pack for the final clean. The rigid vacuums come with or without bags, HEPA filters, etc. Can also be used as a wet vac.
Sierra Clean Care
Member
Took the words right out of my mouth. But,
Don’t use the stock POS hose, cut 25-30 ft of 2” vac hose from you’re junk pile. Use 2” soft vac cuffs from the supplier. It fits like a glove, and don’t bother running the BS HEPA filter, just use one step down. Keep it clean, and it will P/U almost anything.
And don’t run the BS ‘silencer ‘, it chokes the vac motor....
I’m sure you guys south of the border can pick one up for 150-200$.... I’ve run mine for the last 8 years, for business, and Home.
Don’t bother with the Stainless Steel one, all you gain is a shiny canister....
Desk Jockey
Member
Without the HEPA you risk redistributing sheetrock dust. If you have all that crap Ron listed, I'd sweep it up with a broom first. Then detail vacuum to finish.
Cleanworks
Moderator
Hard to sweep carpet. The hepa filter screws on and off easily. Between the hepa filter, the bag and foam filter on the exhaust, nothing will escape.
Desk Jockey
Member
I was speaking to the HEPA rated backpack not the HEPA rated filter on the shop vac. I don't believe they are the same but I've never tested a shopvac for HEPA particle recovery or lack of.
The Pro Team we use on Mold Remediation jobs in Critical care units of a hospital and computer clean room clean up. I have confidence it can pass clearance testing.
Last edited:
steve_64
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2012
- Messages
- 13,371
No you don't redistribute it. We clean a lot of new construction. It takes a good shop vac with 2 and a half inch hose for floors. And a small shop vac for cabinets. We have one we really like for that now and have tried several. I'd have to go look to see what it is but I'm tired.
We keep extra filters for the shop vacs or you can tap the dirt out several times from the filter. Its mostly drywall dust and you lose airflow so your motor gets hot so keep it clean.
Desk Jockey
Member
As long as you say so. I don't believe it would pass clearance testing. But if its working for you, that's great.
steve_64
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2012
- Messages
- 13,371
Maybe I'm confused on the filter. We just use the pleated one that cost about ten bucks. Not sure if that's the helps or not.
Dolly Llama
Number 5
you'll be better served with a shop-vac, Nick
as Ron mentioned, hose diameter is the biggest reason
HD's Rigid brand are the best.
Buy the $159 dollar one and it's also one of the quietest on market
a light wt small one in hand is handy to have too for some tasks
this one kicks azz and is only $39 right now
..L.T.A.
Dolly Llama
Number 5
HEPA is overkill for simple construction clean-up.
he's not doing lead or mold
you're spending Nick's money now...not Chavez Resto's
I bet he doesn't wear $70 dollar work shirts either.....
..L.T.A.
Dolly Llama
Number 5
PEEE-AZZZ
tech tip
Don't point the exhaust flow at a pile of dust
... and it'll be al'ite....
..L.T.A.
tech tip
Don't point the exhaust flow at a pile of dust
... and it'll be al'ite....
..L.T.A.
steve_64
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2012
- Messages
- 13,371
Shop vacs blow about 2 feet over the surface. I've never had it kick up dust cept when have to clean the filter. It kicks out a little when you turn it back on.PEEE-AZZZ
tech tip
Don't point the exhaust flow at a pile of dust
... and it'll be al'ite....
..L.T.A.
We do about 15 new co struction jobs a year.
Desk Jockey
Member
Cowboys! 
Dolly Llama
Number 5
I'm the guy that makes the construction mess, Steveo
Obviously you've never seen a knucklehead blow sawdust around with shopvac exhaust close and directed toward a wall
..L.T.A.
Living The Dream
Member
I'm going to go pick the $159 one up this weekend. I think I'm also going to order a refurbished Pro Team backpack one for the lighter vacuuming. I'm hoping it should increase production and be worth the investment.
Cleanworks
Moderator
I think the back pack is a good way to go once you have all the chunky stuff picked up.
steve_64
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2012
- Messages
- 13,371
I like a shop vac better. My back hurts enough already. The small one we put on counters to clean cabinets.
Getting under staircases might be a pain with the backpack and other tight spaces.
We thought of trying a backpack but I've never tried one. I would be interested in hearing how it works for you.
Getting under staircases might be a pain with the backpack and other tight spaces.
We thought of trying a backpack but I've never tried one. I would be interested in hearing how it works for you.
Old Coastie
Supportive Member
You can pick up a Rubbermaid backpack with HEPA filter for 1/4 the cost of a Pro Team. So far I’ve had 6 years of hard service out of mine.
Kenny Hayes
Member
Way to go boys. The way to go is to have the big leaf dust pan, plastic, and broom to pick al the big shite up. The Ridgid for the piles of shite that are scatter about. Theeen, go through with the back or hip vac moving at a high rate of speed. Window seals, cabinets, counters, behind toilets, etc. Wash and scrape windows and doors, clean carpets, strip and wax vinyl. Dust light fixtures, and anything else before the strip and wax.
Living The Dream
Member
I feel asleep and lost this auction tonight.
I have both. Haven't used the back pack in 5 years. Large wet vac with 2 inch 20 ft. or so, then down to inch and a half for cabinets, etc. Its easier to work with a long hose than keep moving or holding a small vac. Thinking about getting a cobra for window tracks.
Living The Dream
Member
What's a cobra?
Kenny Hayes
Member
Don’t despair, it’s a 10 qt., and a 6 qt. Is better for comfort. When the 10qt starts getting full of course it’s heavy.
Keep looking.
Cleanworks
Moderator
It's the opposite of a camel toe.
Desk Jockey
Member
This a nice one too. We got one from an MB auction.
www.cleanfreak.com
Hoover® Hushtone™ 6Q Corded Electric Backpack Vacuum
The Hushtone™ 6Q backpack vacuum is another great innovation from Hoover®. Like any other backpack vacuum, it offers freedom & unmatched mobility. Chiropractic designed ergonomic harness that increases range of motion & reduces fatigue. Free shipping!
www.cleanfreak.com
Kenny Hayes
Member
Yep, that’s like the Pro-Team. It’s an awesome design. Comfortable
