> A useful review would give you an actual choice: what's the difference between a department store brand $100 vacuum, a $500 vacuum, and a $1000 vacuum?
Strongly disagree. He's reviewing vacuums that someone would actually use in their shop environment. Who the heck is going to risk dropping $1000 on a vacuum for use in a busy shop? I'd be paranoid that something would scratch it. Or never want to use it outside of the basic parameters it's designed for. Whereas with my $50 ShopVac, I have no fear of using it and it gets used all the time, and probably for things it's not meant for.
> Who the heck is going to risk dropping $1000 on a vacuum for use in a busy shop?
People who value not dying from silicosis, I guess. Obviously it depends on your use cases. Sawdust for example is not as dangerous, but you can still find various price points and performance of wood dust extractors.
Sure, but we're talking about shopvacs. Wood dust extractors are their own very different thing and usually come with a whole network of ducting around the shop. What's more, good wood and metal shop practice includes a real air purifier like from Grizzly or Jet (for cheap options) to cycle air through layers of filters. My metal shop has one, it cost $250. Wet/dry vacs are for cleaning up and maybe preventing a bit of spread at the source.
My new rule of thumb is, if I am using the shopvac, I am wearing a respirator and gloves, and taking a shower immediately after. Just too much shit goes a 'flyin, no matter what it seems you are vacuuming up.
Many woods are moderately to severely toxic. Plywood glues are probably not healthy to breathe. Most finishes are undoubtedly health-hazardous in micro/nano-particle size, when inhaled.
Strongly disagree. He's reviewing vacuums that someone would actually use in their shop environment. Who the heck is going to risk dropping $1000 on a vacuum for use in a busy shop? I'd be paranoid that something would scratch it. Or never want to use it outside of the basic parameters it's designed for. Whereas with my $50 ShopVac, I have no fear of using it and it gets used all the time, and probably for things it's not meant for.