Craftsman wet-dry vac

Russ from MN · Mar 18, 2014

Brought home a new shop-vac last night, a Craftsman from our local Ace hardware. 16 gal and says 6 horsepower. Now I know that's imaginary horsepower, but I couldn't se an amp rating on it, must be one somewhere. So I did a load reading on it after it was put together. 10.6 amps with open hose, 7.4 with your hand over it. Now that's only 1.7 max horsepower when you do the math, how can they ever call it 6? I know most small power tool hp is BS but this is ridiculous! On the other hand it works real well and it's made in Mexico, not china so I am happy with it!

gtractorfan · Mar 18, 2014

Only thing I can add is I've had more than one Craftsman shop sweeper over the years bought for $99. They cheapen them up (filter especially) to sell for about the same price. Still good sweeper for the price.

IH2444 · Mar 18, 2014

· It is not based upon the nominal operating current of the vacuum cleaner, but on the in-rush current to the motor when first turned on.

· The peak in-rush current lasts no more than 0.008 to 0.012 seconds. It is often inflated by chilling the motor to temperatures as low as -20F.
http://www.garagevac.com/The-truth-about-horsepower

So yeah you have 6 HP vac... for about .01 seconds :roll:

JerryBowers · Mar 18, 2014

My new Craftsman 16 Gallon, 6.5HP vacuum does have a label near the motor.

The label reads, "120V 12A"

That would be 1440 watts which is ~1.93 HP, or just under 30% of the advertised power.

Far, far, far away from the advertised 6.5 HP. Add to the equation that my actual line voltage is usually closer to 110V rather than the rated 120V, and the MAXIMUM power draw winds up being ~1320 watts, or ~1.77 HP.

I can only assume that the specification figures are in Mexican HP. As Russ wrote, still better than made in China.

My new unit (replacing a more that 25 year old 16 gallon Craftsman that finally died) is significantly improved: 2 1/2" attachments, latching fittings, better wheels, lower profile, and designed to use as a powerful blower among other items.

If is lasts as long as the previous unit, it will still be going strong when I am no longer around to care!

dr sportster · Mar 18, 2014

write your filter number on the outside somewhere with a marker. When you go to Sears there is a gazillion filter choices.

JerryBowers · Mar 18, 2014

Good advice about the filter number, but my new machine has a permanent label on the motor housing with both the filter part numbers and filter bag part numbers.

Steve@Advance · Mar 18, 2014

Yep, the HP ratings are nonsense. To overrate HP on a vacuum is bad enough. Though it doesn't really matter on a shop vac application, it'll still get the job done, but they do the same thing with air compressors.

The real horsepower of a compressor can be used in calculating the volume of air it will produce at a given pressure. They lie about the HP, resulting in someone purchasing and installing a very expensive piece of equipment that won't get the job done!

Buyer be ware!!! Check the full load amps against the advertised horsepower before buying.

IH2444 · Mar 19, 2014

Always look at the other compressor specs.
CFM at 40 CFM at 60, max pressure, etc
Those should be very close to correct.
Never buy on HP alone. A single stage 5 hp will not do very well when you actually need a 2 stage.

GordoSD · Mar 19, 2014

My "6.0 HP" Sears vac is a 6060 model number and is labeled, "120v 11 amps. It was made in 2000 and is still going strong.

Craftsman wet-dry vac

Russ from MN

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gtractorfan

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IH2444

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JerryBowers

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dr sportster

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JerryBowers

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Steve@Advance

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IH2444

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GordoSD

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