The type of vacuum primarily used for woodworking and construction is known as a shop vac. It is made up of a high-power motor along with a suction unit. This suction unit helps in sucking up and collecting debris, dirt, and other chunks of materials. Another name for a shop vac is a wet dry vacuum.
This vacuum holds a big and tough hose and an enormous canister to hold the waste chunks. In this article, we will be discussing how to use a shop vac and other details. Let’s get started.
Shop Vacuum - What are the Uses?
Shop vacuums are highly beneficial, and many people own one these days. It is incredibly versatile as it can suck and pick all things. Starting from dry dirt, liquid waste, and chunks of debris, it can gather them all. You can use this machine in and around residents, garages, and work sites.
But did you know that shop vacs can do lots more besides cleaning and getting rid of debris? Well, yes, they can. Let’s check out some of them. We are sure you will be completely blown away.
Water Pickup: Shop-vac works great in pumping out water from a flooded basement. The large drum attached to it helps in the easy cleaning of large quantities of water.
Blower: It helps in easy cleaning of the barbecue pit. While we grill and barbecue, we use charcoal to light fires. So you need to clean out the debris and the ashes. You can easily scrape and clean the entire barbecue pit with a shop vac.
Wire Fetcher: Sometimes you might need to fish any electrical wiring through a pipe. It might be challenging to put the wire through the pipe conduit. But with a shop vac, things will become comparatively easier.
To Remove Clogs: If the drainage of your sink or washroom clogs for any reason, shop vacs are always at the rescue. It will help you push out the waste from the pipes and unclog it.
Picking Up Items: Kitchens contain the most amount of mess. Food, sauce, and other products might have a chance of spilling and creating a lot. And cleaning them will become more hectic and tiresome. But with a shop vac, you can always clean everything easily.
Picking Dust Particles: If you have a fireplace at home, you will find that it becomes dirty over time. And it would be best if you cleaned it at least once a week. So without brooming, use a shop vac and get rid of the entire mess.
Inflating Toys and Mattresses: Shop vacs also work great in inflating toys, carpets, and rafts. You will no longer require to drain your energy by blowing and inflating them.
Blow Out Snow: It will also help you remove snow from your rooftop, sidewalks, and stairs.
Aquarium Cleaner: Cleaning aquariums can become difficult. You will have to separate the fish and other decorations and clean the water. But with a shop vac, things will become easier and quicker for you.
Picking Up Lost Items from the Sink: If you ever let go of anything by mistake through a sink, a shop vac will help you retrieve it.
How to Use a Wet-Dry Shop Vacuum?
In the previous section, we have discussed many uses of a shop vac. So it is time for us to know how to use a shop vac for dry messes. Let’s check out the step-by-step guide and the tricks to use one.
How to Use a Shop Vac for Dust Collection (Dry Dust)?
Shop vacs are immensely beneficial for proper cleansing. It becomes an absolute game-changer when it starts cleaning. There will be plenty of sawdust if you are making new furniture at home. And cleaning them will become even more hectic. But shop vacs are always there to make your tasks easy and quick.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Use
Before turning it on, make sure that you remove the existing specks of dirt from the tumbler.
After emptying the bucket, you need to check the filter thoroughly. Make sure it is clean enough and will not cause damage to the equipment.
Fix the proper attachment as you use the vacuum to collect fine dust.
Tips to Use a Shop Vacuum for Collecting Dust
Before cleaning out the dry mess, make sure you know certain things. Here we will provide you with specific tips and prepare you for using a shop vacuum.
Not all shop vacuums come with various adapters. Since you will be using it for collecting dust, purchase a dust collector adapter.
The dust collector adapter will not fit in the existing hose of the shop vac. So you need to purchase a host of the size 6ft 1-¼ inch.
Dust particles are very tiny, so you need to have a proper filter installed within the vacuum.
Once you are ready with these three things, get down to the adventure of cleaning.
How to Use a Shop Vac for Water (Wet Objects)?
Shop vacs are a blessing as you can use them for various purposes. In this section, we will be guiding you on how to use a shop vac for water. Let’s begin.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Use
Firstly you need to remove the filter and the collecting bag from the shop vac.
Install the proper attachment that will help you to remove the water.
Let the shop vac clean up the water.
After the water has been drained out entirely, make sure to empty the canister.
Once you are done, make sure you clean it thoroughly.
Tips to Use a Shop Vacuum for Vacuuming Water
If you do not use the shop vacuum correctly, you might ruin it. Make sure you take care of certain things before you vacuum water.
Make sure you use the right filter in the shop vacuum to make it work fine. Sometimes the filter might get clogged and torn out. So thoroughly check and change if required.
Make sure to clean it after you use it. Changing filters might be costly. So if you clean them regularly, you can enhance their durability.
Keep a check on the bristles of the hose brush. With time it has the probability of thinning. If not changed at the right time, it might cause damage to the surface you are cleaning.
How to Use a Shop Vac As a Blower?
A wet and dry shop vac is more potent than a regular vacuum. This equipment is highly versatile and can be used for cleansing a wide range of things. Starting from residential purposes, workshops, garages, and a lot more. Did you know you can also use a shop vac as a blower? Yes, you can. Let’s check out how.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Use
Let the latches loose from the sides of the vacuum.
Lift the top portion from the tank.
Take out the dirtbag and the filter from the vacuum.
Put the lids back in their original position and secure the cover.
Remove the suction hose from the vacuum.
Please insert it into the exhaust port.
Twist and connect the ports.
Please turn on the vacuum and watch it work like a blower.
Tips to Use a Shop Vacuum As a Blower
Shop vacs act magnificently as you can use them for various purposes. Some of the tips for using a shop vacuum as a blower are:
Before you turn on your shop vac, make sure the hose has been fixed properly.
Adjust the lids and fix the latches properly, thereby avoiding an accident.
As this equipment is heavy-duty, it can run for a long time. It will help you in cleaning anything very quickly.
Cleaning and Maintaining a Shop Vac
Shop vacs have the capability of sucking up various nasty things. You will not want to keep them stored within your vacuum. So you need to clean and store them properly. If you take care and maintain your shop vacuum well, it will have more outstanding durability.
Collated below are some cleaning and maintenance steps for your shop vac. Let’s check them out.
Cleaning shop vacs are simple. All you need to do is remove the filter and bang it to let the dust loose. Make sure to put on gloves and a face mask before cleaning it.
Sometimes dirt has the probability of sticking to the filter. Dig them out and remove them.
You can also use compressed air to remove dirt from the shop vacs.
If suitable, you can also soak the filter in a bucket of warm water and wash them.
Lay it out under the sun and let it dry.
Once it has dried up, please put it back inside the vacuum.
If you follow these steps to clean your vacuum filter, you will be able to retain its power. Cleaning will also help in restoring the suction capability of the shop vacuum.
Safety Tips to Use a Shop Vacuum
You might own a shop vac, but do you know how to use a shop vac safely? Well, we know how you would do that. In this section, we will be providing you with some essential tips for safety shop vac use. Let’s begin.
Make sure you remove the plug from the wall socket after use. It will help protect the cord and the plug, thereby preventing accidents.
Make sure you store them in proper places to avoid any kinds of danger.
Make sure you follow the necessary steps before you clean anything with the vacuum.
Make sure you never drop a shop vac. Dropping it might cause damage to the motors placed within it.
Keep them away from flammable objects and children.
Don’t let the vacuum pick sharp objects like nails, broken glass, screws, etc.
So whenever you use your shop vacuum, clean it once you are done using it. This way, you will not only keep it safe from any damage but will also provide more extended durability. And before you use it, check on the connectivity. If you find serious issues, make sure to get them fixed.
To Conclude
The information mentioned earlier was valuable enough to understand how to use a shop vac. So before you head on to use one, follow the given tips and tricks. Always follow the safety rules and avoid damage to the equipment and yourself.
Bruce Rivers
