# Help me save my Shop-Vac **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 14, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227 "2023-01-14T18:08:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/1 "2023-01-14T18:08:23Z")
Ten years or so ago, I bought [this Shop-Vac combo wet-dry vacuum/leaf blower](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Shop-Vac-12-Gallon-6-5-HP-Portable-Wet-Dry-Shop-Vacuum/50159055), and I’ve been very happy with it since. A couple of weeks ago, I removed the full bag to put in a new one, and somehow I’ve lost a critical part. [![](https://mobileimages.lowes.com/productimages/5d90a49a-35c6-4d3a-b6f4-9553aa9a3cef/08803257.jpg?size=pdhism) ](https://mobileimages.lowes.com/productimages/5d90a49a-35c6-4d3a-b6f4-9553aa9a3cef/08803257.jpg?size=pdhism) See the red cylinder above the word “blower”? That’s where you thread the hose onto the body of the vaccum; the back side of it has a flange into which you slide the cardboard neck of the bag. Somehow, this part has inexplicably disappeared. Yes, I’ve looked everywhere, including the last place I saw it, and a bunch of other places it couldn’t possibly have got to. And unlike [@slicedalone’s tire cap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-bicycle-tire-cap-vanish/974799), or [my own wedding ring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-bicycle-tire-cap-vanish/974799/33), it hasn’t turned up again. It’s not in [the freezer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-bicycle-tire-cap-vanish/974799/80). The only thing I can think of is that when I was changing the bag in the garage, the part fell into a trash bag or box that I later threw out without noticing. I called Shop-Vac and they gave me the bad news: the model has been discontinued, that red thing was not even a separate part number – it was part of the main tub – they don’t have any spares any more, and they don’t use the same part on any other model. And no non-OEM parts place that I checked has it either. What to do? For now I’ve bodged the thing together with gaffer’s tape, but 1) that probably won’t last very long under real-world use, and b) even if it did, it would be a pain to undo and redo next time I have to change bags. So what’s the best alternative? Before you suggest using 3-D printer (never mind that I don’t have access to one), please go out and find me the object file I’ll need. Hand-make one? I don’t quite see how I’d do that without a prototype to work from, even if I had the skills, tools, and materials to try. And I’m pretty sure I’d come up short on some part of that, even if I had a prototype. And if I had a prototype, I wouldn’t need to make another! Failing that, and since I need a working shop vac, it seems my only option is to throw the thing out and buy a new one. I would keep it as a leaf blower only, except for the fact that I just bought a [new battery powered one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-and-hobby-projects-small-to-big-pictures-of-course/957910/69) last summer. (I guess I could donate the leaf blower part to Goodwill. That would be less wasteful.) The only good news seems to be that if I buy a new one, it won’t have to be as expensive, because I don’t need the leaf blower part and I realize I’ll be fine with a smaller unit than this one. Do you fine people have any better ideas? (Commiseration, sympathy, and similar tales of woe are welcome, too.) Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/2 "2023-01-14T18:12:53Z")
You could look for a broken one on eBay, but searching on eBay just now it might be cheaper to just buy a new one. ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/3 "2023-01-14T18:17:22Z")
So, you’re missing that orange, round part? Maybe you could find some PVC pipe in the correct size? If it’s close, you can work it pretty easily with a file and a saw. Maybe a combination of PVC pipe and coupling? ---
**Author:** ![onedayfishsale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onedayfishsale/32/4398_2.png) [@onedayfishsale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onedayfishsale)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/4 "2023-01-14T18:24:30Z")
Is it this? > **[GENUINE OEM Wet/Dry SHOP VAC Hose Connector Screw on to Drum Tank Connection ...](https://www.ebay.com/itm/304603209247)** > > Removed from the vac shown in the last pic. Fits many other models. If not I think I’d just look through the eBay search results for “shop-vac hose inlet connector.” ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/5 "2023-01-14T18:28:36Z")
It almost certainly is, and I’ve ordered it. THANKS! I looked through eBay, but I guess my mistake was searching for the specific part and model numbers, instead of just generic Shop-Vac parts. And it took less than 20 minutes. The Dope is just the best place in the world! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/6 "2023-01-15T20:35:40Z")
Indeed, it is. = ) ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/7 "2023-01-15T20:38:59Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > The Dope is just the best place in the world! Can i quote you on that ? ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/8 "2023-01-15T20:40:33Z")
Of course! ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/9 "2023-01-15T22:04:25Z")
And by a poster who hasn’t posted in 9 months! ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/10 "2023-01-15T22:14:03Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > ? For now I’ve bodged the thing together with gaffer’s tape, but 1) that probably won’t last very long under real-world use, and b) even if it did, it would be a pain to undo and redo next time I have to change bags. glad things are (preliminarily) sorted … plan-b - if the part doesn’t fit is **thermoplastic granules** - basically the poor man’s version of a 3D printer. You heat it up, it converts to something like chewing-gum and you MacGyver the part … once cooled down it sets like normal plastic… probably not nice looking but serviceable, nevertheless ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/11 "2023-01-16T14:48:06Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > plan-b - if the part doesn’t fit is **thermoplastic granules** - basically the poor man’s version of a 3D printer. Or, actually 3-D print it. My local library charges $1 per hour of print time to use their printer. Check around. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/12 "2023-01-16T14:57:28Z")
Didn’t read the OP completely? 😁 > [@commasense](#): > > Before you suggest using 3-D printer (never mind that I don’t have access to one), please go out and find me the object file I’ll need. ---
**Author:** ![onedayfishsale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onedayfishsale/32/4398_2.png) [@onedayfishsale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onedayfishsale)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/13 "2023-01-16T20:24:16Z")
Lurking ain’t a crime. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2023, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/14 "2023-01-25T11:27:31Z")
The part arrived, it fits, all is well with the world. Thanks again, @onedayfishsale! ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2023, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-my-shop-vac/978227/15 "2023-01-25T13:18:44Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/y4sOfO8Ei1g/hqdefault.jpg "Shop Vac (kinetic typography animation)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4sOfO8Ei1g)