Anyone know a good portable mini-vacuum?

[Ned Hamford]

I had been a fan of the Black and Decker Flex; but their new model with the lithium battery, doesn't have anywhere near the power of the older model (and taking it apart to clean is far more of a pain). I had two of the older and when one broke, I bought 2 of the newer; which are terrible. And now my last older version stopped holding a charge for more than a minute and of course the damn thing has a sealed off battery for its planned obsolescence.  When its older brother broke, I took it apart to entertain the notion of replacing the battery, but it really is designed for replacement, aggressively. 

Really bugs me when the newer model at 3X the cost is actually far inferior.   BLACK DECKER BDH2020FL 20V Max Lithium Flex Vac with Pet Hair Brush at $100 is junk next to its prior model.  Unless given a good heads up in a better direction; I plan to just buy a refurbished old model. 

My home is mostly hardwood and I have a cat; so between full upright cleaning and mopping; I just walk the portable vacuum around the edges.  That and swiffering keeps the place pretty tidy and within range of almost my outer edges of depression sloth. 

So; anyone have a mini-vac they love?

[zxcvbob]

Many years ago, a Eureka electric broom.  Because I had carpet I got the one with 2 motors, but with all hardwood floors you wouldn't need the power brush.  I have no idea if the new ones are any good, but that old one worked better than many full-sized vacs, it just didn't hold much dirt and stuff before you had to empty the bin (which was easy to do)

It was not battery powered, but it was small and light with a long flexible cord.

[AZRedhawk44]

Slightly different direction... I have a Bosch 18v cordless shop-vac that I absolutely love.

https://smile.amazon.com/Bosch-GAS18V-3N-gallon-Vacuum-Bare/dp/B07G7FPKMV/

[charby]

I love my 5 gallon Shop Vac (wet/dry vac) for in the house. It's corded but doesn't weigh much. I also have a 20 gallon version that lives between the garage and basement.

[Ben]

I find that one portable vacuum doesn't do it for me. I use a Dustbuster for probably 60% of quick spot cleanup stuff, and then have one of these mini shop vacs for the other 40% of spot cleanup stuff:

https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Vac-2021000-Collapsible-Multifunction-Accessories/dp/B004UQVQ0I/ref=pd_cp_469_3?pd_rd_w=PgFSY&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=EKXVBV44N1Q551147CQR&pd_rd_r=a46c76aa-9c27-11e9-a88d-27c34bac3539&pd_rd_wg=3C162&pd_rd_i=B004UQVQ0I&psc=1&refRID=EKXVBV44N1Q551147CQR

Only very rarely do I find I need to schlep the big shop vac into the house for anything. I let the Roomba do most of the regular vacuuming and follow up on it once or twice a month with the upright vac.

[230RN]

"So; anyone have a mini-vac they love?"

Yeah, but it's not helpful for you.  I got a 110V hand vac about ten years ago from Home Depot which was absolutely terrific --easy to take apart, easy to clean the filter, had a nice 15ft cord, and a really great suction.

About a year later I decided I needed a new filter, Home Depot no longer carried this gem and had no suggestions as to where to get a new filter.  Instructions (Chinese Product) had no reference to pursue.

Still using it, still washing out the filter, about to rebuild a new filter from other filters.

Ticked me off that there was no way to contact the manufacturer, even to give them a compliment.

Told you this wouldn't be helpful.

Terry

[Ned Hamford]

Slightly different direction... I have a Bosch 18v cordless shop-vac that I absolutely love.
https://smile.amazon.com/Bosch-GAS18V-3N-gallon-Vacuum-Bare/dp/B07G7FPKMV/

That looked great, till I saw I'd have to also buy a battery and battery charger. 

[AZRedhawk44]

That looked great, till I saw I'd have to also buy a battery and battery charger. 

Yeah, if you don't have any other Bosch tools it's a bit steep.  I've got an angle grinder, jig saw, handheld band saw and drill in their 18v line so I already had a charger and 3 batteries.

The next thing I'd really like to see done for 18v cordless products, is a light duty air compressor.  Something good for camp mattresses and bicycle/motorcycle/car tires, a skosh heavier duty than those 12v cig lighter emergency air compressors, maybe with a small reservoir tank.

[Ned Hamford]

Anyone know if the Dewalt batteries would work?  They look darn similiar; but I don't see any confirmation handy online and would hate the bother of ordering and finding out its a nope.

[BlueStarLizzard]

I also have a small Shop Vac for household use. My only real beef with it is the electric cord isn't long enough, so I have to shift to different outlets all the time.

But it's great for keeping the wall to wall fur carpeting Larabee thinks we should have under control.

[AZRedhawk44]

Anyone know if the Dewalt batteries would work?  They look darn similiar; but I don't see any confirmation handy online and would hate the bother of ordering and finding out its a nope.

I don't have a 3D printer, but if you know anyone that has one (or anyone on APS can help?), there are plans on Thingiverse for various battery adapters.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:772345/files

This one here converts Bosch 18v tool sockets.  I'm a little fuzzy on the details as to what it converts TO, in regards to what battery plugs in.  But the guy has multiple platforms, both male and female sides, so he could probably answer questions about the conversion matrix.

[AZRedhawk44]

Or there's this guy on ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/str/americannigel

Looks a bit nicer... maybe approach him regarding an adapter to convert Bosch 18v tools, so they can use DeWalt batteries?

[Ned Hamford]

Ah, but the battery goes inside the machine I think; so the adapter would ensure it didn't fit. 

I do think I'll go ahead with the refurb of what I know I like and works.