Do Dust Busters Work?

[model 10]

Are these things just more junk to carry around? Will they pick up sand etc.? Most importantly, do they last very long?

[bobconnie]

Never had a Dust Buster Brand of little vacume. But we do use a Minkota(spl?) Recharable Vacume that works great ! It's the same Battery as our other power tools,28 Volt, and charges with our Inverter system just fine. They are not as good as a larger 110 volt Vacumes but it works well enough to keep Connie happy and it's at least 8 yrs old

[Gary H]

I have the inexpensive Ryobi that uses the same batteries as their line of +ONE tools. Seems to do well picking up sand and small debris. Battery life is limited to a couple of minutes of continuous use.

[terminalcitygrl]

We have a filterstream at home and love it, it worked really well but after 7 years the rechargable battery is going... I feel we got our money's worth though. Hopefully we will be able to replace the battery.

[onestepcsy37]

it's a toy.

get the small shop vac - sells for about $25 in most stores. mine runs off my 700w inverter but i think it only needs 550w. very powerful. will even suck up water if necessary. try that with a dust buster....

[BlackOak]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

it's a toy.

get the small shop vac - sells for about $25 in most stores. mine runs off my 700w inverter but i think it only needs 550w. very powerful. will even suck up water if necessary. try that with a dust buster....

Ditto! I got one at home depot for 28 bucks. Wet/Dry Vac and runs off a 400w inverter just fine. Small enough to store in them lazerette thingys, or in v-berth closet. Works just fine

[Fortytwo]

I like the DeWalt DC515K 18v cordless wet/dry portable vac. It is also smaller and has stronger suction then the DC500 I had. I probably never would have tried them, but I already use several 18v DeWalt tools.

[janice142]

Originally Posted by Guy

Are these things just more junk to carry around? Will they pick up sand etc.? Most importantly, do they last very long?

I picked up an Oreck 12-volt dust-buster and like it. I'd had one of the rechargeable 110 ones and passed it along to a 40'er. This is easier -- simply plug into a cigarette lighter and go. Mine does pick up sand, dirt, beads (don't ask) and fur with ease. It doesn't pick up water. The Oreck draws 9 amps on start up and then about 7.

Prior to the original dust-buster I'd used a dust broom but frankly, it just didn't work as well as I wanted -- basically it did pick up but not under edges -- and that's where dirt collects.

Is a 12-volt powered unit worth the space aboard? I think so. Not so much the 110 units because of battery charging issues. And, you can get a car vacuum for pretty cheap too, or free (try Freecycle or Craigslist) ... good luck!

[salient]

Do yourself a favour and get a Dyson.

Seriously.

They are so much better than the rest in every way. Vastly better suction, Li battery so much lighter, better plastic, better design for cleaning and and much better battery life

[skipmac]

I've had several brand name, Black and Decker Dust Busters over the years, usually got them as gifts. In my opinion they're junk unless they have dramatically improved in the last 3-4 years. The built in batteries are cheap and after about a year will no longer hold a charge and cost more than the thing is worth to replace. Plus they have barely enough suction to pick up a feather.

Other small vacuums may be better but I completely agree with getting a small shop vac. Way more power and they last a lot longer. I have three different size Rigids from Home Depot and they're great tools. One I have had one for about ten years and have abused it seriously and it has never missed a lick.

[sailcruiser]

Originally Posted by salient

Do yourself a favour and get a Dyson.

Seriously.

They are so much better than the rest in every way. Vastly better suction, Li battery so much lighter, better plastic, better design for cleaning and and much better battery life

I second this. The regular dust buster type things of various brands never did well and didn't last long. If not a Dyson then a small shop vac. I need both to manage Labrador tumbleweeds.
SC

[maxingout]

We used a dust bust, and although it wasn't perfect, it came in handy working for most of our jobs. I still have one on board.

[mub]

I have a battery Dyson and a love it for day to day cleaning.
I have a small inverter run shopvac for the wet stuff.

Would not be without either of them.

Mub

[John Galt]

Just looked at the Dyson on Amazon. $99 refurbished was the least expensive deal.
Problem is, the first 6 reviews spoke of poor battery life. Most said 5 min. max.
Guess that would do for light daily chores but wouldn't want to recharge from zero each time I used it. Dyson owners, familiar with this?

[Tim R.]

Dust Busters are crap. We use a Dewalt wet/dry shop vac that can run off 120v or off the 18v battery from my Dewalt right angle cordless drill. Best of both worlds and can take standard vacuum attachments. It does not come with the battery or charger but these two tools are the most used power tools on our boat so I consider the set a great investment.

Vacuum will run about 15 min. on an 18v battery pack. It can also run on a 12 or 14 volt pack but you will take a performance hit.

DeWALT 2 Gallon Cordless or Corded Wet/Dry Vac

DeWALT Heavy-Duty 3/8'' 18V Cordless Right Angle Drill/Driver Kit