Rating Summary
“compact, works OK, filter clogs easily”
- multi-trade craftsman
- Pros
- adequate for the job
Craftsman Shop Vacuum —
12-gallon shop vacuum model 9-17765 is compact and fits better under vehicles than the larger 16-gallon unit. It has good suction when filter is clean but filter clogs easily and is difficult to get really clean. I suspect the airflow swirl pattern inside the canister is not as well engineered as my older 16-gallon shop vacuum (also a Sears unit). I have an idea how to improve it using a flow diverter but haven't tested that modification yet. Red stripe filter has no wire mesh or other support structure to keep rubber end sealing rings apart; when wet, filter media tends to buckle if end cap is tight. Red stripe filter is, in my opinion, overpriced so I am loath to replace it a often as Sears would like. Plastic handles on top deck don't lock onto canister portion as well as older unit either. Hose latch is handy improvement to keep hose from detaching when you pull vacuum around the shop using the hose (not recommended but a common practice).
Craftsman Shop Vacuum
