Do You Use a Shopvac?

[Michael Massey]

I normally would not put this in these forums except that I am sure that all of us use some kind of vacuum or air filtration system where we do our building.

I use a Shopvac Pro vacuum cleaner in my shop.  About 6 months ago, I began to have a problem with the switch.  I could not turn off the vacuum.  I read on some "fixit" forums that this is a somewhat common problem with the Shopvac vacuums.  I called the Shopvac company for a new switch and I was told they do not sell the switch but they would kindly sell me a new "power head" to the tune of nearly a hundred bucks.

Got checking around on those same "fixit" forums and found a company called Digikey (www.digikey.com) sells a replacement switch for the shopvac for $ 1.89 plus actual shipping costs.  Got it today and put it in.  The only issue is that the spade lugs were slightly smaller on the replacement switch.  A little "crimping" of the spade connectors on the vacuum fixed that problem and all is now functioning again.

I know some of you will have a Shopvac and you do, or will, have a switch problem.  At Digi-Key, the switch part number is EG1505-ND.

[Steve Helmick]

Good job, Mike!  Steve

[john e. holliday]

So far mine is still working great.     

[Brad Jungheim]

Mine did the same thing so I took it apart to find that there is a single throw double pole switch in there. Only one side was bad, so after removing the bad parts of the switch I hooked the neutral wires together and only switch the power. Works as good as new. I thought about putting a toggle switch instead but this worked out. I also use one of the bag filters for drywall in mine to keep even more dust out of the air.

[John Fitzgerald]

I have had three of them over the years.  Never a problem, except they were/are too loud.

[Rafael Gonzalez]

I have had three of them over the years.  Never a problem, except they were/are too loud.

They sell a silencer. It is a chamber that plugs at the outlet. Lowers it about 10-30db!!! Stops that aggravating whistle.
The switch got replaced by a DPDT toggle and I always can find it now. It used to be on the handle...

 

[Andrew Borgogna]

Never had that problem on my Craftsman shopvac, I have had it for years.
Andy

[Rafael Gonzalez]

I do use mine every day at work. Is about 15 yrs old...

[proparc]

Mine is a 5hp heavy duty. Essential piece of equipment.