Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Sucking water with shop vac????

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michaeljp86
10-28-06, 09:02 PM
I have a question about sucking up water with a wet/dry shop vaccume. I heard that you take off the filter when sucking water, is this true?
thanks alot

Renolenny
10-28-06, 09:09 PM
That is true> My shop vac has a paper bag filter with a foam sleeve under it. I remove both to suck up H2o
michaeljp86
10-29-06, 07:55 PM
I looked at the manual for a craftsman shop vac that is about 6 yrs old and it says if you suck alot of water to take off the filter. I looked at new shop vacs and they say leave the filter on and either use a water filter or use a special slever over the filter.

ImCurious
10-30-06, 07:35 PM
I have 2 different Shop Vacs.

The little one says remove the filter. I think this one is 5 gallon with 1.5 HP or so.

The big one says when switching from wet/dry/wet, then always use a clean, dry filter when changing. (so always use a filter) This is a 12 gallon 4 HP model.
mango man
10-30-06, 07:44 PM
nothing to filter when sucking water

take it off
michaeljp86
10-30-06, 08:48 PM
I was sucking water off the floor from a washing machine accident and water was spraying out the top of the motor which is what brought me to this question because I have heard both ways. I am sure water isnt supposed to get into the motor like that so I think for safty reasons that is why all the new ones I have seen say to have a filter on.
mango man
10-30-06, 09:02 PM
your saying shop vac

is it a wet/dry vac or just shop vac ?

everyone I've seen has a float to kill the motor before the water gets to high

filter isnt going to stop the water from getting to the motor
ImCurious
10-30-06, 09:18 PM
nothing to filter when sucking water
take it off

A filter also regulates the maximum speed the motor may obtain. Without a filter the motor might burn up. No resistance on a motor is a bad thing.