Replies

1. 
   BilWil | Dec 08, 2007 06:49pm | #1

   I think that you get what you pay for in vac's, just like most other tools.  I've used Sears, ShopVac, Milwaukee and some others, including the Festool.  If you don't use it much, or if you aren't going to care for it, then go with a throw-away.  If you want it to last then move up in price.  Over 20 years I've have had two Fein Turbo II.  The first was destroyed in a fall from a third story window on to concrete.  The second I have had for a number of years.  It has been used and abused some, mostly by temporary help.  It doesn't sound as good as it did new, a bit more noise, but it works and picks up most everything.  I use the bags and the filter kit.  On occasion I have re-used bags by cutting the end, emptying the bag and then stapling and tapping the end.  The bags aren't cheap and aren't available just anywhere. 

2. 
   hammer1 | Dec 08, 2007 07:17pm | #2

   I've lost count of how many shop vacs I've owned over the years, from $99 Shop Vacs and Sears to commercial models like Rockwell and Doyle. I've been running a Fein Turbo III for close to ten years. I can't say enough good things about it but it is expensive and doesn't come with any attachments other than a 2 1/4" hose. There are many features that make this vac unique, those are what you pay for and it's worth it, particularly for a full timer like me.

   It's not easy to justify spending $400 on a shop vac, so I won't describe all the things that make the Fein so different than the others. There are plenty of vacs that will do the job at a fraction of that price. One accessory that I have used on all my vacs can help with waste and filter management. It's a coated nylon bag pre-filter. It doesn't fill up, rather, it sits on top as the container fills. Adding one of these to any shop vac can make filters last much longer and clean up easier. Available at commercial vac suppliers.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

   
1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 08, 2007 07:59pm | #3

   "It's not easy to justify spending $400 on a shop vac, so I won't describe all the things that make the Fein so different than the others."  But Hammer, that's exactly what we need to know!  What makes the Fein worth it?  A simple list?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   hammer1 | Dec 09, 2007 05:16am | #6

   The Turbo III is very stable on foot, doesn't tip over easily, no outrigger type casters, no onboard storage, fits in tight spots, easy to pick up and move, the top handle is just right, no exhaust to blow dust around, completely enclosed, switches are covered and recessed, no vents so rain, snow, debris won't get in the motor, very tough housing, I've dropped it down a few stairs, extremely quiet, although, smaller hoses and tool orifices may whistle, great capacity, electrical receptacle with auto on and off, felt filter cone far surpasses the durability of paper pleated filters, decent, long flexible cord, two recessed metal snap clips (stainless?), for easy emptying, top fits in any position, drain for water, long 2 1/4" hose provided, most other nozzles, wands, brushes, etc. from shop vacs fit, industrial 1 1/2hp motor for continuous duty, 125 CFM. It wouldn't surprise me if this vac had won some industrial design awards. It combines simplicity with functionality while using excellent materials. I don't know another vac, with the capacity, that you can pick up with one hand and walk through a door. The molded tub is an amazing piece of work, rigid in some areas but also flexible in others. It's a unique plastic and tougher and lighter than any I've seen. All smooth corners inside and out. It can accidentally roll into something and not leave a mark. The only way I know it's getting full is by the weight. There is no noticeable drop in suction. It's very quiet, especially compared to typical shop vacs that can howl. I'm a contractor that does everything from new homes to furniture. My Fein goes out on the job and works in the shop. I use a water pre-filter when sanding sheetrock, otherwise it's the cone and bag you see in the picture, both washable. It's my daily sidekick in just about everything I do. It's a life that has killed many other vacs. The Turbo III hasn't had a nick or failed part and it works as well as new. It has proven itself to be a professional level machine. I don't think it has any competition in it's price range, $350 +- last check.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   EdHarrow | Dec 09, 2007 05:39am | #7

   I have the little Fein.  It does most things very well and, as noted above, is very portable.  I grew up with a Craftsman 747.  No that's not what it was called, but that's about how loud it was!  One couldn't think over it, never mind have any sort of conversation. 

   The little Fein comes with attachments, and I find them to be quite useful for general clean-up.  I also use it to back up sanders, and it does a fine job at that.  I guess I've had it for close on to ten years.  I'd discribe it's use as 'light'.

2. 
   dgreen | Dec 10, 2007 05:48am | #10

   Excellent coverage of the Fein's advantages, the only point I would add is the double fan. Even if the intake is plugged and unnoticed the vac won't overheat . It can run continuosly with a plugged intake and suffer no harm. I have the II and III and would not be without them.------------------------------------

   It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore

1. 
   hammer1 | Dec 10, 2007 08:48pm | #11

   Yes, the fan also keeps down the exhaust and noise. I'm happy to say something good about an outstanding product. I wish every tool was as well made, they didn't cut corners on anything.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 10, 2007 09:01pm | #12

   I have a Turbo II for the shop and the wife has a mini-turbo for the house.  The differentitor is the 58 dB sound level.  With my (also very quiet) Makita palm RO I can sand without additional lung or ear protection all day long.

   Which brings up a question... After 10 years + the Turbo II is getting louder.  Any ideas why?John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

3. 
   saschafer | Dec 10, 2007 09:11pm | #13

   This is just speculation, since I haven't looked at the inside of the Fein vacuums, but some of the foam rubber materials used for soundproofing become brittle or otherwise deteriorate over time and no longer have the same acoustic properties.

   This is one of the reasons that cars tend to get louder over the years, by the way.

   -Steve

    

4. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 11, 2007 01:21am | #14

   Thanks.  That'll something else to check when I open it up.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

5. 
   hammer1 | Dec 11, 2007 03:32am | #15

   I don't know about you, John, but I sort of take my Fein for granted. Since you mentioned it, it's past time to take the air gun to the motor area. There is some foam in there. I think it stops the direct flow of exhaust air. I haven't had a reason to open the housing. If you think it's making a worn bearing noise, I'd get it looked at. No sense in ruining the commutator. Mine certainly makes different noises depending on what tool is hooked up. The smaller hose and connections are likely to be noisy. Air leaks can also contribute. Hope it's nothing serious.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

6. 
   Ed | Dec 11, 2007 02:56pm | #16

   I have two Fein II vacs and can only echo what others have said.  One is used for general shop cleanup and the other is stationed near my bench for hookup to sanders and routers.

   I've found that the Festool green hose fits into the Fein vac and the tool end fits most of my hand held power tools without duct tape assistance.  Also, the Festool hose is much more supple than the Fein or the Porter Cable router accessory hose.

   The Festool hose is expensive but well worth it IMO.

   Ed 

    

3. 
   DonC | Dec 08, 2007 10:53pm | #4

   I have owned a Sears 32 gallon vac for 30 years. I bought new brushes for the rotor when it was first purchased. I still haven't needed to replace them. It has run perfect since day one. The bad news is, it's incredibly loud. I just wear ear protection. I put nylon panty hose over the filter to screen out and once in a while I'll open it up and rub my hand on the panty hose covering and I'm good to go again without having to clean the filter so frequently.

   One of the quietest vacs I've seen is sold by Shopsmith. It's less $ than many quiet high end competitors.

   Don

1. 
   Y1RET | Dec 09, 2007 12:14am | #5

   I also have sears shop vacs. One is over twenty years old. I bought the second one because it had a larger motor and wider base. I kept tipping the old one over. I use the old one for connecting to chop saw and sanders. The new one, which is about ten years old, is for cleaning up the shop. I agree with DonC, they work very well but are very noisy. I am thinking of replacing them just to get something quieter.

4. 
   brownman | Dec 09, 2007 09:07am | #8

   I purchased a shop Vac brand some twenty years a go and it still works as good as the day I bought it. It's the contractor model with the stainless container. I also own two 5 hp rigid shop vac's that I like very much. They actually have a little more suction than the Shop Vac brand. I usually purchase these the day after Thanksgiving at HD. I bought one this year for $26.00. They usually sell for $70.00, so it's really hard to beat that value.
   Danny

5. 
   knuts | Dec 09, 2007 04:39pm | #9

   Fein Turbo III

   Starts on accessory switch. Powerful & QUIET!