I was searching for a wet dry vac that would not cost over 100 dollars but can be used anywhere from the basement to the living room, kitchen, garage and out in the yard, that is when I came across the Craftsman 12004 6 gallon wet dry vac. It has ample capacity to contain domestic dirt and debris as well as liquid waste. Its suction helps to get the job done quickly. If you are looking for a quick replacement for you everyday vacuum and do not have the money for the more expensive, this one may just serve you well.
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Who is the Craftsman 12004 made for?
This is a domestic vacuum, anyone that needs to vacuum their home would probably appreciate it. Pet hair, spills in the kitchen, flooded basements and a car full of crumbs, can all be dealt with. It comes with different tools that make it versatile and it is simple to use. For an affordable but reliable vac, this would be one of the good choices.
Features of the Craftsman 12004 Wet/Dry Vac
Versatility
The Craftsman comes with a number of tools which makes it versatile in the home. There are 2 extension wands that will help you increase the reach when connected to the 7-foot hose. There is also a squeegee, gulper, and brush. Like I had mentioned earlier, this Vac is made to handle different cleaning tasks around the home and all these tools make that possible. You can also use it in the yard to blow leaves or instead of sweeping the driveway, you can blow away dust and other debris.
Strong suction
The Craftsman 12004 is equipped with a 3 peak horsepower motor which is able to suck up dirt and debris fast and easy. For a domestic motor, I think this is strong enough to handle the usual demands like getting pet hair off the floor, sucking up broken glass or getting rid of water on the laundry floor. Considering the hose is not so long, not much suction power is lost so it provides steady suction. It is important though that you use the right tool to get the best suction result.
Big tank
The tank on this vac is 6-gallon capacity and I believe this is more than you would need to clean the entire house without having to empty the tank. I find that even when I am dealing with a basement that has not been vacuumed in months, when I start vacuuming, I will not have to leave the basement to empty the tank until the entire basement is done and there would still be 1 or 2 gallons of space still left in the tank. But maybe my basement just does not collect that much dirt.
Mobility and portability
There are a couple of features that make this vac easy to move around, first are the small wheels. When the tank is full especially with water, it may feel too heavy to carry so having wheels is great and the wheels swivel so changing direction in case there is an obstacle is easy. There is also the top carry handle. With this, you are able to use it as a handheld vac especially if you are vacuuming steps. I also use the handle to stop the vac from rolling away when on an incline.
No bags needed
There is no need for a collection bag as the plastic tank will collect everything. I find that this saves money. Many of the collection bags tend to be a bit pricey especially if you want the kind that have HEPA-like properties
Highlighted features
- 3 peak horsepower
- 6-gallon tank
- Onboard storage
- Swivel enabled wheels
- 10-foot hose
- Can convert into a blower
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Big waste capacity
- Sufficient suction
- Easy to use
- Onboard storage for accessories
- Does not need a bag
- Can be moved easily
Cons
- The electric cord is short
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. If you want to use bags is it possible to fit them?
A. No there is no provision to hold the bag firmly on the port.
Q. Is it possible to use it like a handheld vac
A. it is fairly light especially if you are vacuuming dust. If however, it is full of water, it may be heavy after holding it in your hand for long.
Conclusion
If you are on a tight budget but would still want to get something that will work well and last long, then you may want to give this a try. It can do just about everything you would expect of a wet/dry vac and it has the capacity to contain waste and debris from the whole house. It does not take up too much storage space and the tools can be stored onboard.