Difference between revisions of "Vacuum cleaner"
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==Reviews== | ==Reviews== | ||
− | [ | + | [[Image:Earlex Combivac.jpg|thumb|Earlex WD1000]] |
+ | [http://www.earlex.co.uk/html/wd_html/wd1000.htm Earlex WD1000 wet&dry vac] | ||
+ | |||
+ | PROS: | ||
+ | * cheap | ||
+ | * blows as well as sucks (useful sometimes) | ||
+ | * wet and dry | ||
+ | |||
+ | CONS: | ||
+ | * really needs the wet+dry filter (£10 from Wickes) | ||
+ | * filter needs cleaning: sometimes tapping or brushing off dust will do, from time to time washing and drying it, especially after sucking up lots of fine dust | ||
+ | * mixing wet with fine dust quickly blocks the filter: it is better to empty the canister and remove the filter to sucking up mainly water (flooded floors etc) | ||
+ | * when sucking up lots of water it can spit out (often filthy) water from around the motor housing as well as the blow orifice: workarounds are to station the machine outdoors, or putting a dustsheet over it to catch the spray | ||
+ | * the filter just pushes onto its housing and can slide down, especially if the cleaner is bumped on the floor, resulting in clouds of dust being blown out of the machine | ||
+ | * the filter has a tinplate body which eventually rusts through requiring replacement even if the filter material is still serviceable | ||
+ | * no carrying handle | ||
+ | * tends to tip over if pulled by the hose | ||
+ | * hose just pushes into orifices and can get blown out when fitted to the blow orifice | ||
+ | * short mains cable | ||
+ | * no cable, hose or tool storage | ||
+ | |||
+ | Available from [http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=23140 Screwfix], Wickes and others. | ||
+ | |||
+ | See also [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/uk.d-i-y/browse_frm/thread/c2eccddbf7f10735/230ded00fd94b0fd#230ded00fd94b0fd thread on uk.d-i-y] | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== |
Revision as of 18:34, 20 May 2007
Filter Types
Cloth Bag
A cloth filter eliminates the cost of bags, and is less likely to clog than paper.
The bag must be emptied, which can be messy.
Performance is middling.
Old cloth filters generally need a thorough clean to restore full suction power.
Paper bag
The bag is disposable, making emptying more or less mess free.
A new paper bag every time means ongoing expense
Paper filters clog very rapidly on building dust.
Cyclone
Cyclones are good for building dust
Some cyclones have additional filters that must be replaced from time to time.
Cyclone vacs with no other filter lose no suction at all due to the filter. In contrast, the back pressure produced by paper & cloth bags is significant, and worsens considerably as the pores clog.
This is partly but not 100% true for cyclones with additional cloth filters, as those filters will give some airflow resistance that increases over time. The presence of the cyclone filter means that much less clogging occurs, but they will still clog eventually.
Dysons have gained a poor reputation for reliability as well as price. Other makes don't generally seem to suffer the same frequent problems.
DIY Cyclone
DIY cyclone filters are easy to make, and can be added to any existing hoover or air filtration system.
http://www.internode.co.uk/cyclone/
http://www.woodcraft.com/articles.aspx?articleid=408
Water
These uncommon vacs use a tub of water to trap the dust.
Presumably the water needs emptying after each use.
Reviews
PROS:
- cheap
- blows as well as sucks (useful sometimes)
- wet and dry
CONS:
- really needs the wet+dry filter (£10 from Wickes)
- filter needs cleaning: sometimes tapping or brushing off dust will do, from time to time washing and drying it, especially after sucking up lots of fine dust
- mixing wet with fine dust quickly blocks the filter: it is better to empty the canister and remove the filter to sucking up mainly water (flooded floors etc)
- when sucking up lots of water it can spit out (often filthy) water from around the motor housing as well as the blow orifice: workarounds are to station the machine outdoors, or putting a dustsheet over it to catch the spray
- the filter just pushes onto its housing and can slide down, especially if the cleaner is bumped on the floor, resulting in clouds of dust being blown out of the machine
- the filter has a tinplate body which eventually rusts through requiring replacement even if the filter material is still serviceable
- no carrying handle
- tends to tip over if pulled by the hose
- hose just pushes into orifices and can get blown out when fitted to the blow orifice
- short mains cable
- no cable, hose or tool storage
Available from Screwfix, Wickes and others.
See also thread on uk.d-i-y