The product title says, “hose for shop vacuums,” but that’s not quite accurate. There’s nothing about the hose that is unique to a shop vacuum. In fact, standard shop vacuums use a 2-1/2″ hose while this one is 1-1/4″. It does, however, come with an adapter that makes it easy to connect to a shop vacuum.
I wanted a 1-1/4″ hose so that it would fit the port of the central vacuum unit in my garage. I have a shop vac attached to my miter saw and another that is split between my table saw and router table. So the central vacuum is for hand-held tools and general clean-up.
Why I bought a new vacuum hose
The central vacuum came with a garage hose, but it wasn’t long enough for my needs. That, and the included power tool adapter set, was enough for me to pull the trigger.
The Good Stuff
- It’s easy to coil and uncoil. The old hose had a tendency to get twisted and tangled. It had a little too much memory and the handle did not allow the hose to twist as you used it. I’m happy to report the Cen-Tec solves both of these issues.
- The quick click system is convenient. The adapter set has proved useful several times now. It’s so frustrating trying to find the correct adapter when you need it – and so rewarding when you realize you have the correct adapter and can put it on with a simple click.
- It’s flexible and tough. You can step on the hose – it will flex and bounce back like it never happened. Just make sure you don’t step on the connectors. When not in use, I fold it into fourths and hang it on a rack. It hangs straight, no twisting.
The Bad Stuff
- Static. This hose will build up static electricity if you are vacuuming a large amount of sawdust. The result is that the outside of the hose will pick up any sawdust that comes into contact with it. It’s a minor problem in the sense that it only happens when vacuuming a large amount of sawdust. I usually get out the broom and dust pan for the bigger jobs. If that’s an issue for you, you may want to pay extra for an anti-static hose. The 30′ anti-static version runs about 2.5 times more.
Conclusion
The Cen-Tec Systems Quick Click Hose for Shop Vacuums does the job, but there are plenty of acceptable alternatives. The reason to purchase this product is the included adapter set. I like that the company recognizes the nightmare of trying to find the right adapter for a variety of woodworking tools and is doing something to help.
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Finally, I only recommend products that I use on a regular basis and have proved their worthiness over time. Check out the Product Reviews page to see more.
