shopvac drywall sander

[Ablesupe]

I was in Lowes today and saw a drywall sanding attachment that hooks up to a Shopvac. The cost was about $30. Has anyone had any experience with this attachment? I'm very familiar with the Porter Cable sanders/vacs but I don't do DW work enough to warrant spending a couple hundred bucks.

[Ablesupe]

I bought this attachment. For $31 plus tax I couldn't have been more pleased. I cleaned out the Ridgid vac and filter thoroughly before I started. I had relocated a window and built an arch over an 11' opening so there wasn't alot of sanding. The house is fully furnished but it's my daughters so I thought it was a good place to try it. I'm sure the Porter Cable works better but for a small job and the price it was a good solution. No signs of residual dust.

[sisyphus]

We've used a couple versions of those, one made by Richards and one by ?? actually they both appeared to be identical made by the same supplier in China I assume. They work reasonably well and are a lot cleaner than with no vac. Parts break too easily IIRC but heck the whole system is quite inexpensive and beats eating all that dust. It has been a while since I used one personally but I think the suction made for more friction when sanding which is obvious I suppose.

I like them.

[philthegreek]

what you seem to be talking about is a vacuum sanding pad that uses screens. I have had two of those for quite some time. They work reasonably well, but the real need is in the vacuum system.
First of all you will need plenty of hose and shopvac hoses are just too stiff to move freely enough. You will save a bundle and have more freedom if you use sump pump hose kits.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/cata...gry=SEARCH+ALL
or
http://www.lowes.com/pd_313726-48284...+pump+hose+kit

HopeyDopey also sells the 1 1/2" hose by the foot in white for pool use but it is more expensive.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...1#.UHthZ47PTnk

all of these are way cheaper by foot than "genuine" vac hose. You can get a cyclone 5-8 gal pail lid from many places. Harbor freight has an inexpensive one.Amazon has them too

http://www.amazon.com/DUST-COLLECTIO...one+bucket+lid

Attach these to your vet/dry vac, but install a vacuum bag and a HEPA filter. Now you're ready to sand drywall. Anything less and you'll have lots of cleanup to do.

hope this helps.

Phil