Early Shop Vac

[fan-of-fans]

I noticed at my Re-Store an old Shop Vac. It had a green metal tank and was on a dolly. The tank had "Super Vac", and on top it had "Shop Vac 5 gallon". On top were two ports for vacuuming and blowing. The hose was very large in diameter. I am guessing this is a very early one and dry pickup only, similar to the Singer Porch N Patio. Anyone know more about them? Also does anyone know when Shop Vac came out with the first plastic tank vacuums and wet/dry. I assume it was at the same time. The metal ones seem to be rarer, well even the older plastic ones are fairly rare I would guess. Most were probably thrown away.

 

[suckolux]

Not sure this is of any help, but we had a huge maybe 55 gallon drum one, sides were cardboard, metal rims, heavy! this was 1962

 

[kenmore81]

Plastic Shop-vacs started comming out in the late 80's, IIRC most of the first plastic ones were the larger 8 + gallon. The metal ones were for wet pick up also but most rotted away. My 1st one was white/blue metal ( I think Fred S. has a pic with his). My aunt and cousin also had one and all 3 rotted to some extent. Mine started with a small hole that repaired with silicone. The one my cousin had she barely ever in 5 years used it for wet pick-up, it was her daily driver and hers rotted quite badly, of course she didnt empty it untill the dirt was almost to the filter and living near salt water makes everything rust. I remember as a kid looking at Save-Rite catalogs seeing Shop-Vacs in all sizes with the same white can and motor top, but different color stripes around the middle. I can only remeber blue 5 gallon green I think was 8, and rust was 10 i think. It was so long ago lol.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Metal tank Shop Vac

Here's mine (even includes the box)

I paid only $5 at a garage sale a few yrs back.

Maybe I can coat the tank's inside bottom with primer & paint? The epoxy coating flaked off a bit; but I hope the project turns out nicely?

 

[mister299]

I have a metal tank model

I have one from 1975 or 76. I can remember my folks buying it from k-mart. It was a daily driver until 2001. It is a 5 gallon metal tank, model 640 and says Aqua Vac by Shop Vac. Bicentenial red white and blue color. I know that mine as well as current models came from Williamsport PA but I think the really old models came from New Jersey, that may help to determine the age.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Mine's from 1979-80? The last time I've seen these shop vacs at stores was around 1986?

 

[tyson]

Wow!What memories does that old shop vac bring back to me.My Dad and grandfather were somewhat Carpenters always building something and I remember as a kid they had a couple of these that they would use in their tool Rooms.They used them for all sorts of clean ups.They were pretty powerful as I remember using it helping them work on all kinds of project.Thanks for the post.Lot's of great Memories seeing this.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Thanks for the information everyone. The one I saw I didn't check the location if it was PA or now. I did notice it didn't have a grounded power cord. It didn't have a plastic top, just a metal lid with the hose ports on top.

My grandparents have a Montgomery Ward shop vac from the 1970s that I believe was made by Shop Vac and relabeled. Red metal tank with white plastic dolly and white plastic top that has suction and blower ports on the front. It came with two white plastic wands and a floor nozzle with squeegee. I think the dolly and hose got brittle with age and broke. They got one of the small Craftsman Clean N Carry Vacs to use instead, but they still have the Montgomery Ward.

 

[fan-of-fans]

mister299, I had a look and the vacuum I mentioned was made in Hackensack, NJ. It will run on both AC and DC current.

 

[mister299]

Hello fan of fans,

If it says New Jersey I would guess that model is from the early 70s, possibly late 60s. Very old, quite a survivor!

 

[jim]

Singer Porch "n Patio Vac.

I have a Singer Porch "n Patio vacuum purchased about 1972 in Rochester, New York.
It is the plastic one and I believe the model number is WD-9-3. It is on it's third set of bearings and second set of motor brushes. It is a very well designed machine and is very powerful. I opened Retail stores back in the late 60s & 70s. With each new store, I would buy the shop vac for the store. I bought every brand on the market and none were as powerful as the Singer Porch 'n Patio.
DOES ANY ONE HAVE ANY PAPER BAGS FOR IT. I'm at: 727.776.8319 if you do. Thanks. Jim