ShopSmith ShopMate vacuum

[rcplaneguy]

Does anyone else have one of these shop vacs from ShopSmith? Mine refused to start today, but I was able to fix, thankfully. Was a loose connection at one of the brushes. It seems very well made, this is the first issue I have had. Very interesting permanent cloth filter system. Has two vacuum ports.

[RonKlein]

I have had mine for over 25 years. I burned out the motor on mine, once(my own fault ). They are apparently made by Shop-Vac, and I was able to get a replacement motor from a place that sold repair parts for the Shop_vac line. It is still going strong, but I did replace it with a DC3300 for dust collection(I can see when the bag is getting full). I still use the ShopMate for general vacuuming.

Ron

[scanlon711]

Mine died today. I have the exact same unit as is in the picture. Can u tell me the model number of this unit? Also, where you ordered the motor from would be very useful info

thx,

steve s.
scanlon woodworking

[RonKlein]

Steve, I just pulled the motor from the unit. I googled shop vac parts, and found a place within a reasonable driving distance from me. I took the motor to them, and got the replacement motor. I think the cost was a little over a hundred dollars for the replacement. The numbers and other information on the motor should be sufficient to find a replacement part. Good luck in your search.

Ron

[Ed in Tampa]

Steve, I just pulled the motor from the unit. I googled shop vac parts, and found a place within a reasonable driving distance from me. I took the motor to them, and got the replacement motor. I think the cost was a little over a hundred dollars for the replacement. The numbers and other information on the motor should be sufficient to find a replacement part. Good luck in your search.

Ron

If you had gone to Home Depot for the same just over $100 you could have gotten a Ridgid shop vac that is guaranteed for life. You could have used the old Shopsmith tank for a Dust Deputy.

Win win new shop vac and dust deputy.

[stephen_a._draper]

I have had mine for over 25 years as well. I recently replaced the power cord and cleaned all the dust. My motor still works great. The Rigid is not necessarily built as well. The Shopmate is a two stage bypass system which means that the air that is pulled never comes in contact with the motor itself.

[JPG]

I have had mine for over 25 years as well. I recently replaced the power cord and cleaned all the dust. My motor still works great. The Rigid is not necessarily built as well. The Shopmate is a two stage bypass system which means that the air that is pulled never comes in contact with the motor itself.

I think he made the better choice.

I am curious if brushes might have 'fixed' the original.

[RonKlein]

Nope. Unfortunately, I let all the smoke out.

Ron

[rcplaneguy]

I thought my problem initially was brushes, too. It turned out to be a faulty connection of the wire that attaches to the brush housing.