Back when I used a Shop-Vac wet/dry vacuum for dust collection and general shop cleanup tasks, I used two kinds of filters – a high efficiency bag for projects that produced fine particles, and a Cleanstream HEPA filter for everything else.
Cleanstream HEPA filters are great, and there are several reasons why I loved using one in my ShopVac.
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First, they’re washable and easy to clean, so you can use and reuse them over and over again. Just knock off loose dust and debris and rinse the rest right off the outside.
Second, they provide HEPA-level filtering, meaning they should filter out 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns big (about 0.00012 inches). I am a bit more focused on safety these days and work more comfortably when able to cut down on the amount of finer particles being released into the air.
Thirdly, the filters’ slick non-stick surfaces don’t seem to clog as quickly or easily as regular pleated paper filters, which means less loss of suction.
Cleanstream makes HEPA filters that fit Craftsman, Ridgid, Shop-Vac, and Genie wet/dry vacuums.
Yes, these filters are a bit pricey (I paid $28.54 and change a few years ago for my Shop-Vac 903-40-00 filter), but Cleanstream HEPA filters last a while and can be refreshed with a quick rinsing.
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Unless something has changed in recent years, these filters are still made in the USA.
Some Cleanstream filters are “high efficiency” models. I only used and can only recommend the HEPA-rated ones, which are suitable for both wet and dry pickup use.
Sometimes you’ll find Cleanstream filters under vacuum-brand labels, such as the Shop Vac 903-40-00 Cleanstream filter I bought and used.
fred
Mikeise makes a few different hose nozzles that are designed for cleaning filters like these:
http://www.powerpicpro.com/
We bought some from our local Industrial distributor but they might be available at Lee Valley and Sears.
fred
I see at leat on variant of the Mikise Tool at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Mikise-FFT-Flosser-Cartridge-Cleaning/dp/B002WKS85K
But its me!
I put one of these in my Fein Turbo II, although I cannot recall if it was the one designed for Ridgid or Shop-Vac brand (or Craftsman). A cheap substitute for the pricey official Fein HEPA unit. Probably not OSHA compliant, but good enough for DIY use.
Brian
I combined this with my Rockler Vortex and my shop vac runs like a champion now. I love this filter. One of the best purchases I have ever made for the garage.
Henry H.
I love this filter. Use it in my LOUD Ridgid vac, and it keeps the area nice and dust free, and is super easy to clean. Being that it filters to much, it does seem to need to be cleaned more often than the stock one.
Mike Bunting
I wanted to thank you for your review of our product and wanted to let you know that if there are any questions regarding our tools, I would be happy to answer them directly.
Mike Bunting – COO
Mikise Filter Tools
Mike
My Question: When installing the Cleanstream on a “Shop-Vac TM” brand vacuum for wet pickup… does the Cleanstream filter go Over the cage with the black sponge stock wet filter in place, or am I supposed to remove the stock black sponge wet filter from the cage and THEN put the Cleanstream on a bare cage. In other words should there be anything between the Cleanstream and the plastic cage for wet pickup… oh and come to think of it…. dry pickup?
Stuart
I don’t think so. My understanding is that the Cleanstream filter goes directly on the plastic cage with nothing ever in between. It should be dried before using it for dry pickup applications, but other than that I believe it’s used in exactly the same manner for wet or dry vacuuming.