Small vacuum cleaner recommendations?

DoubleEnder

DoubleEnder

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I have access to mains power on my pontoon berth but the cabin is very small, and managing a full size domestic vacuum cleaner on the boat is difficult. I’ve got a whole load of fiddly paint and varnish jobs to do in the cabin, and it would be great to have a small hand held vacuum cleaner just to collect dust. There’s a huge number for sale on all the usual websites, from about £25 upwards. Anyone got any tips or warnings?
Thank you
 
I use this Draper vacuum on a 40’er. It is small, powerful, dry work only, works well with brush, nozzle or wide mouth nozzle. Sucks up chunks of wood, bits of GRP, small screws no problem, as well as dust if course.

The dust bin is small so it does fill quickly and the filter is robust and can be bashed, brushed and cleaned easily.

I have used it for years now, vacuum, hoses and bits fit in a shoe box.

Pardon our interruption...
 
I take down my mains garage vacuum cleaner when I have "messy" jobs to do on board. I leave it on deck and extend the hose with another one (they are both the larger diameter hose) through an open hatch or window. This removes the dust / bits, and any that gets through the disposable bag filter is at least outside the boat.
 
We have a hand-held battery one that does the job reasonably. If this is a regular task, something like a Henry would be portable enough.
 
If you have bought in to a cordless tool "system" have a look at a vacuum within that.
I have ended up with all Hitachi/Hikoki (screwfix) .
I have a small cordless Hitachi that runs off drill batteries, with all the advantages that brings. So good I bought another. £40.

I had a lecky working in the house last month. He has a really super De Walt cordless hoover. Better than mine, but £150ish?
 
RunAgroundHard said:
I use this Draper vacuum on a 40’er. It is small, powerful, dry work only, works well with brush, nozzle or wide mouth nozzle. Sucks up chunks of wood, bits of GRP, small screws no problem, as well as dust if course.

The dust bin is small so it does fill quickly and the filter is robust and can be bashed, brushed and cleaned easily.

I have used it for years now, vacuum, hoses and bits fit in a shoe box.

Pardon our interruption...
Click to expand...
Yup we use the German version. Very efficient.
 
I'm happy with my Henry for most things, weight and size/shape perhaps not ideal for confined spaces.

I spotted this 230v unit recently in the Toolstation catalogue. Looks neat and easy to carry around. I'd want to add a longer flexi hose.
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I've been disappointed in all the handheld vacs I've ever tried. Feeble suck and poor filtration. If you have mains power I'd go with a cheap wet and dry jobbie with a long hose. I got one at Screwfix for peanuts and it's worked for years
 
Dyson batteries tend to die after a few years - we have one on board but it’s duration when in use is fairly short - in last boat we had a wired Electrolux -it’s still going and I use in garage but we changed to reduce storage space . In use the Electrolux cylinder was /is very good . You might look at small cheap cylinders of other makes. I guess a lot turns on storage space . Our Dyson lives in the cool box (when not using the box) . While the electric cable wire on cylinder makes it slightly more tedious it’s ability to keep going makes it good for fixing to tools etc when sanding etc.
 
ashtead said:
Dyson batteries tend to die after a few years - we have one on board but it’s duration when in use is fairly short - in last boat we had a wired Electrolux -it’s still going and I use in garage but we changed to reduce storage space . In use the Electrolux cylinder was /is very good . You might look at small cheap cylinders of other makes. I guess a lot turns on storage space . Our Dyson lives in the cool box (when not using the box) . While the electric cable wire on cylinder makes it slightly more tedious it’s ability to keep going makes it good for fixing to tools etc when sanding etc.
Click to expand...
Dunno about battery dying. We have a Dyson V7 and it works brilliantly.
 
They work well agreed but with age like iPhones their willingness to run on and on reduces. You can of course get replacement batteries and should any forumites be visiting the South Island and tying up at Newport quay there is a man there(near the bus station ish) who has a good business fixing old Dyson for pensioners at a price though.
 
I rate this but you need the battery and charger. For general day to day dust/debris it works. Twist off end to empty and filter clean.

Cannot compare mains power vs battery. The Makita can be stuck away and is great for end of day on boat tidy.
 
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