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View Full Version : V28 Milwakee cordless shopvac - review


D60
12-09-2008, 11:03 PM
So I got the V28 wet/dry vac as an early Xmas gift. I didn't expect a whole lot out of it, but figured it'd be handy at times.

The short: I'm impressed. It doesn't seem to have the power of 110V, and you don't walk away from it thinking it's a piece of shit.

The long: I mostly only have experience w a 1x1 ShopVac (1hp, 1gal) and my 16gal Craftsman. I'd say it's more fair to compare the Milwaukee to the 1x1. In that regard, the Milwaukee doesn't have quite the power, but it's superior in every other way. The hose strikes me as quality; it's flexible and pliable, even at low temps (below freezing). The V28 is plenty light to carry around comfortably (as confirmed by my wife), but is well balanced so it's not always tipping over like the 1x1.

The filter is a cartridge, 1/2 turn to release. If only all shopvacs were this easy. The 1x1 uses a lame "fish net" retained by a plastic ring, the 16 gal Craftsman requires fumbling w a wingnut.

The "receptacle" of the V28 releases w two quality latches, like those found on nicer portable toolboxes. Most shopvacs use cheesy plastic tabs which either break or sport a vague feel

The hose of the V28 positively engages w a 1/2 turn. My 1x1 slips into a groove between the two halves (major PITA), while the 16gal uses a cheap plastic clip to retain the hose.

Finally, the V28 is surprisingly quiet, which might also contribute to a psychological feel that the V28 is underpowered if one does not objectively assess its performance.

Overall, I'd recommend. It'll be awesome for quickly vac'ing the truck in the driveway, as well as cleaning out the shoe scrushers (mud brushes) on the front deck and vac'ing pine needles and cob webs from the back deck which clog our Dyson. And at the risk of hi-jacking my own thread I gotta say Dyson's are the most over-engineered, over-priced POS's I've seen.

Also, the 18V Milwaukee vac is nearly half the price (around $50ish) than the V28 (around $100). No experience w the 18V tho.

montecarlo31
12-10-2008, 06:48 AM
And at the risk of hi-jacking my own thread I gotta say Dyson's are the most over-engineered, over-priced POS's I've seen.


I'd agree my friends have it and believe it or not my 200 dollar run of the mill bagless (I forget the brand but it's a good one) picks up just as much dirt as theirs and doesn't loose suction like dyson claims.

I'm interested in this vac as well, I like the idea of being able to vac out closests and what not without hauling around a cord. my shop vac is a 6.5 hp Rigid that will suck the carpet out of the truck but's a pain to haul/tote around.

ChiScouter
12-10-2008, 08:16 AM
D60 it looks like you are keeping a pretty close eye on the 28v stuff. Do they have a converter out yet to run it off of 110?

D60
12-11-2008, 07:15 PM
No idea on the converter

I used the vac tonight to clean out the wife's truck *in the shop*. I'm really loving this thing. It makes the 1x1 (which is only convenient in theory) completely obsolete, and it's a million times easier to move around the shop than the large 16gal. No need to dig up extension cords or try to roll a large vac over air hoses and other cords.