Wet dry vac repair

This is a forum for intermediate to advanced woodworkers. Show off your projects or share your ideas.

Moderators: HopefulSSer, admin

User avatar
wrmnfzy
Platinum Member
Posts: 744
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:59 pm
Location: Destrehan, LA

Wet dry vac repair

Post by wrmnfzy »

After a project I was trying to clean up and the vac suction wasn’t strong enough. It’s a Rigid pro model. I changed the filter, changed the bag, checked the exhaust and no problem. I was ready to get another as this was an old unit and had reached the 500 hour warranty. DUH, then I checked the hose and found a partial blockage.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best solution.

Learn from this dumb mistake and almost a costly one.

I did remove the hose and hooked it to exhaust to see if it was clogged and only minor sawdust came out then reinstalled and tried with still only less than effective suction.

When I finally found clog was when I again removed hose and beat, for lack of a better word, the hose and the partial clog came out.

I guess I should have followed the KISS method, keep it simple stupid!
Last edited by wrmnfzy on Wed Mar 15, 2023 2:52 pm, edited 2 times in total.
garys
Platinum Member
Posts: 2075
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2011 12:16 am
Location: Bismarck, ND

Re: Wet dry vac repair

Post by garys »

I've encountered that in the woodshop before. I learned that small wood scraps should be picked up by hand before vacuuming as they like to get stuck in the hose.
Hobbyman2
Platinum Member
Posts: 2660
Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2017 12:52 am
Location: Ohio

Re: Wet dry vac repair

Post by Hobbyman2 »

LOL I do not know what to say !! {{{{ insert smiley face here !!!!!}}}} ?
Hobbyman2 Favorite Quote: "If a man does his best, what else is there?"
- General George S. Patton (1885-1945)
User avatar
jsburger
Platinum Member
Posts: 6396
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:06 pm
Location: Hooper, UT

Re: Wet dry vac repair

Post by jsburger »

Cardinal rule of troubleshooting---check the easiest most likely thing first. In the case of a vacuum that would be a plugged hose. Also a partially plugged input will result in a reduced output (exhaust). Also with a plugged input you will hear an increase in the motor RPM since the impeller is working less because there is less air to move.
John & Mary Burger
Eagle's Lair Woodshop
Hooper, UT
edma194
Platinum Member
Posts: 1874
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 4:08 pm

Re: Wet dry vac repair

Post by edma194 »

If the hose seems hopelessly clogged and you grab a broomstick to push out the clog make sure the broomstick is longer than the hose.
Ed from Rhode Island

510 PowerPro Double Tilt:Greenie PowerPro Drill Press:500 Sanding Shorty w/Belt&Strip Sanders
Super Sawsmith 2000:Scroll Saw w/Stand:Joint-Matic:Power Station:Power Stand:Bandsaw:Joiner:Jigsaw
1961 Goldie:1960 Sawsmith RAS:10ER
User avatar
SteveMaryland
Gold Member
Posts: 187
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2021 3:41 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Re: Wet dry vac repair

Post by SteveMaryland »

That's right - centrifugal fan impeller speed goes up when clogged. Most people would think it should slow down.

Impeller speeds up because as it is throwing air away from itself, impeller creates a partial vacuum around itself (when upstream air is blocked) and spins faster because of less air resistance. Who knew?
Mark V, Model 555510, Serial No. 102689, purchased November 1989. Upgraded to 520
edma194
Platinum Member
Posts: 1874
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 4:08 pm

Re: Wet dry vac repair

Post by edma194 »

Yes. It's not so much lowered air pressure, the motor will speed up even if you block both the inlet and the outlet because the impellor is doing less work. A synchronous motor won't speed up much but I think most vacuums use universal motors and you'll hear the difference.
Ed from Rhode Island

510 PowerPro Double Tilt:Greenie PowerPro Drill Press:500 Sanding Shorty w/Belt&Strip Sanders
Super Sawsmith 2000:Scroll Saw w/Stand:Joint-Matic:Power Station:Power Stand:Bandsaw:Joiner:Jigsaw
1961 Goldie:1960 Sawsmith RAS:10ER
HopefulSSer
Gold Member
Posts: 398
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2021 6:07 pm
Location: NC

Re: Wet dry vac repair

Post by HopefulSSer »

The Secret Life of Machines

https://youtu.be/CJlrbMHLBd4?t=1157
Greenie SN 362819 (upgraded to 510), Bandsaw 106878, Jointer SS16466
User avatar
rlkeeney
Platinum Member
Posts: 715
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:53 am
Location: Tallahassee FL
Contact:

Re: Wet dry vac repair

Post by rlkeeney »

In a wet-dry vacuum, the air sucked in is not used to cool the motor. The motor is cooled by a separate fan attached to the opposite end of the motor.
--
Robert Keeney
Tallahassee Florida
#odinstoyfactory
Hobbyman2
Platinum Member
Posts: 2660
Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2017 12:52 am
Location: Ohio

Re: Wet dry vac repair

Post by Hobbyman2 »

I was watching a video on youtube where they made a vacuum for removing bees called a bee vac , they claim that it does not harm them , the first thing that came to mind was what a mess it would be to have a clog .
Hobbyman2 Favorite Quote: "If a man does his best, what else is there?"
- General George S. Patton (1885-1945)
Post Reply