Shop Vac Grinding Noise.

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royalfan103

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 5, 2019
Messages
215
Location
Bremerton, Washington
I still have my Shop Vac Hang Up that I bought in 2018. It still makes that grinding noise whenever I turn it on. What could be going on with it? It doesn't make that bearing noise anymore so I don't need to lube it.
 
Umm

I had a Porter cable shop vac. I don't know how but a screw got jammed in the fan.
Check and make sure no foreign objects aren't in there.
Les
 
The Chewbacca noise upon startup/shutdown can be cured if you put some 3-in-1 Electric Motor Oil (blue label) in the upper sleeve bearing.
 
No 3 in 1 Oil. That oil is SAE20 at most and some formulas are less than that, not for heavy duty applications like vacuum motors. Also 3-in-1 oil contains detergent and once the lubricating oil burns away the detergents are left behind to attract and hold dust and dirt. In a sewing machine this is likely not much of a problem, but in a vacuum cleaner it's a big deal.

Use a non-detergent SAE-30 electric motor oil when needed, and for situations where grease packing is required, Mobil Polyrex EM. Also leave the vacuum to sit for 3-4 hours after oiling to allow the oil to soak in and settle itself.

I got mine at Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tech-Non-Detergent-SAE-30W-Lubricating-Oil-1-Quart/52626201

Non-detergent motor oil is typically recommended for lubricating electric motors that do not have sealed bearings and for lubricating bronze sleeve bearings. Non-detergent is usually specified in electric motor manuals - even for modern electric motors. This is why Royal and TTI use it because their vacuums are marketed mainly for industrial use and are used for hours upon hours a day, nearly non-stop. You need to use a slightly heavier oil so it doesn't burn up with friction.
 

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