Griots 4HP Vacuum, Any Other Sources...

M

MBZ 500E

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Kind of long, sorry.......



My birthday's coming up and my wife has been asking what I need. Well the other day I hinted that a nice powerful vacuum cleaner would be great tool for the car around the garage and in the house.



At this point I decided if I'm getting one I better choose something that would be really useful and a major improvement over our existing upright.



Around the same time the infamous (according to my wife) Griots catalog came in the mail. In there I found not just a vacuum cleaner but a blower as well.



Here are the features:

4Hp, Vacuum/Blower capabilities, 95" Lift capability, metal canister, small enough to carry, includes 16 accessories including carrying strap, tiny tiny nozzles to get into tight areas like dash vents, 6ft of hose and other typical vacuum accessories. Heres the link: http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=92360



Why I like it:

It offers good vacuum which I can use in the car, in the garage and around the house. The blower function is something I really need as well, I don't have a leaf blower for my sidewalks so this would be helpful. I'd also use the vacuum/blower function to clean in the engine bay using the smaller tools. The blower function doesn't need to be air compressor powerful obviously.....that's next years birthday present.;)



So my question after all that writing is anyone know of a cheaper source to buy this or do you have any better suggestions for $190.00? :nixweiss



Your input and experience is definitely appreciated.:)
 
I have one of those. It's called a Metro Vac N Blo. Do a web search for them. You'll find other dealers selling them cheaper, but not a lot cheaper. I paid $160.00 for mine a couple years ago and I think they can now be had for $150.00ish.



I use this vac for almost every detail I do. Although it can't pick up water and heavy, sharp objects like nails, it's perfect for 90% of your vacuuming needs. Small, lightweight, quiet, very portable. IOW, everything a wet/dry vac is not.
 
6.5 HP Craftsman 16 gallon wet / dry vac that turns into a 230mph blower for $95 at Sears. Serious, serious suction capability. I also use it as an extractor after washing floor mats and carpeting. Works brilliantly.



By far the best and most vesatile tool I have. It's used all over my house
 
My gut tells me it will not be enough for for a leaf blower. Well maybe for the sidewalks. For leafs in the yard, I use a B&D leaf blower with a vacuum attachment. The vacuum attachment shreds them and dumps them into a garbage can that I line with a trash bag. I love it! Well, may I just like. It beats raking and bend over to pick up leafs. Which my back hates.
 
Bretfraz,



Thanks for the tip on the Metro Van N Blow, I'm doing a google search on it now.:xyxthumbs. Since you've had one for a while can you describe how well the blower function works? Would it be enough to move loose grass, leaves off of sidewalks? Did your vacuum include all the accessories as well and are they worth the extra $$? Also would it be worth spending the extra to buy it at Griots to get the lifetime warranty or am I wasting my $$?



Spilchy,



Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out and compare.:cool:
 
So I did a bunch of research on the Metro vs the Craftsman and so far I'm leaning towards the Metro. I really like the portability of the unit which is a major selling feature for me. The Craftsman's advantages are the 'wet' capabilities, which would be helpful for sure. Both have nearly similar blowing capabilities, Craftsman at 230mph and the Metro at 200mph.



I was able to find the Metro Online for $139.99 including most of the accessories Griots offers. The Craftsman has a price advantage at $90.00.



If anyone has a better suggestion let me know, I'll be purchasing in the next two weeks. Thanks again everyone, your knowledge is invaluable.:up
 
The Craftsman doesn't cut it for portability (even though I cram in the back seat for the jobs I do!!)



Craftsman makes smaller, similar models (even a couple wall mounted canister models) that you can compare to.



If anything, it will be cheaper.
 
I received a Vac 'N Blow last year for Christmas. For my detailing work, I think it's great. :xyxthumbs I have used it to blow stuff out of my garage and it does an ok job there too. When it comes down to using it as a blower though, I 'd rather have a dedicated, gas powered leaf blower instead. To use the Vac 'N Blow as a blower you've got to get out the vac, remove the filter from the vac, plug in the extension hose and nozzle and get out the extension cord. With a gas blower you just grab it from the wall, crank it up and go. Ok, you've got to buy gas and oil sometimes.



This thing does have the power to clear your driveway, sidewalks and garage. If you don't mind using a corded piece of equipment for this task then I think you'll be very happy with it. I'm happy with it and I only use it for detail work.
 
HellrotCi said:
I received a Vac 'N Blow last year for Christmas. For my detailing work, I think it's great. :xyxthumbs I have used it to blow stuff out of my garage and it does an ok job there too. When it comes down to using it as a blower though, I 'd rather have a dedicated, gas powered leaf blower instead. To use the Vac 'N Blow as a blower you've got to get out the vac, remove the filter from the vac, plug in the extension hose and nozzle and get out the extension cord. With a gas blower you just grab it from the wall, crank it up and go. Ok, you've got to buy gas and oil sometimes.



This thing does have the power to clear your driveway, sidewalks and garage. If you don't mind using a corded piece of equipment for this task then I think you'll be very happy with it. I'm happy with it and I only use it for detail work.
Click to expand...



I could not have said it any better :up



I use the Vac N Blo for vacuuming vehicles. I use a wet/dry vac for home/garage needs. I use a gas powered trimmer with a blower attachment for yard work or I borrow my neighbor's Stihl BR420 for blowing stuff like grass clippings. The right tool for the job and all that....
 
HellrotCi said:
I received a Vac 'N Blow last year for Christmas. For my detailing work, I think it's great. :xyxthumbs I have used it to blow stuff out of my garage and it does an ok job there too. When it comes down to using it as a blower though, I 'd rather have a dedicated, gas powered leaf blower instead. To use the Vac 'N Blow as a blower you've got to get out the vac, remove the filter from the vac, plug in the extension hose and nozzle and get out the extension cord. With a gas blower you just grab it from the wall, crank it up and go. Ok, you've got to buy gas and oil sometimes.



This thing does have the power to clear your driveway, sidewalks and garage. If you don't mind using a corded piece of equipment for this task then I think you'll be very happy with it. I'm happy with it and I only use it for detail work.
Click to expand...



Thank for for the honest response. Definitely right that there are the right tools for every job. At the moment I'm prioritizing which tools I need most and I figure if I can get my hands on a great vacuum to clean the interior of my car, the garage and be able to blow the grass a little then I'm better off for it.



If this does an ok job I can put a real blower at the bottom of my list after the high pressure sprayer, high cfm compressor and roller bearing tool chest;) . Luckily the postage stamp lots of CA don't require a huge extension cord which should keep me sane for the next couple of years.:D



Mental note, remember to buy a self winding power cord reel before year end.:)
 
I guess the biggest decision is what will you use it for the most. I do a fair amout of wet vacuuming so a wet/dry vacuum is a necessity. If you don't think that part will be beneficial then the Metro might be the better value for you. The portability of the Metro is nice, but my needs wouldn't require that where maybe yours do. You can't go wrong with either unit and the best thing to do is list both units advantages and disadvantages and see what would fit your needs the most. Good luck.:xyxthumbs
 
MBZ,



I recently added a wall mounted wet/dry Craftsman Vacuum:



http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...OL&fromAuto=YES&bidsite=CRAFT&pid=00917775000



I could not be happier with the performance. It also unclips off the wall in seconds for use else where.



I know its not a blower, but I already have a large capacity air compressor.....which really should be the AAAA+ priority since you do car shows. There is nothing like washing down a door jam and then using compressed air to remove all trace of water and dirt! I recently added a retractable air hose reel as well.



http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...s&vertical=TOOL&pid=00916340000&bidsite=CRAFT



Finally I have purchased a computer vacuum cleaner hose kit which is abosutley perfect for detailing in the car. The problem with most micro attachements for your Vac, is that they are still attached to the large hose. This kit provides a small hose whicj is great for getting into very hard places like door pockets etc. The kit also has several small brushed great for the dash.



http://shop.store.yahoo.com/tmt/conyourvacto.html
 

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Thank you for the links JB.....and sweet setup.:bow



Yes I will be following in your footsteps regarding tools although I'm placing a higher priority on the vacuum over the compressor.



You must have been reading my mind because that small computer kit was exactly why I was leaning towards the Griots version of the vacuum. Their version includes that exact kit you posted in addition to the standard vacuum accessories. As you already stated, small accessories are useless without having the flexibility to use them.



The Craftsman Wall Mount looks cool and I'm sure works great but I really want something I can carry around the house to cleanup the dog hair, cobwebs and dust, I'm not just a neat freak about my car.:o I'm going to search for a Craftsman portable canister to determine if they offer something similar to the Metro.



With the extra money I save not buying the Griots version I'll buy a wall mount retractable extension cord. :)



The compressor and reel are definitely next, those little cans of compressed air just don't cut it.:(
 
If you look at JB's description and also the description at the Sears website, it says that it can be easily unclipped and can be carried to wherever you want. Portablility, wet and dry vacuum. Looks like a nice setup.:xyxthumbs
 
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