My ten year old vac has been great, but it doesn't have the suction it used to. I got a new filter, but it still doesn't have the suction. The hose is clear, so the only problem left is the motor. Is it most likely bad brushes, or do these motors just wear out after awhile? The way they make things now makes me want to repair or replace the motor, but I'm just curious if anyone has repaired one.

Are there any fan blades damaged or missing? Does it have suction without the filter? If the motor runs, the problem is probably somewhere else.

Those things are pretty indestructible. I have two small ones that I use for drywall sanding, and believe me, they are COVERED inside and out w/ rock dust.

If the motor isn't "screaming", I'd be looking for some form of obstruction or take the cover off the fan to see if the blades are OK.

Ok, guys, I'll take it apart and check the fan, etc. Thanks

Another telltale sign of impending doom is whether you smell any burning of an electrical nature. Usually the motor is close to becoming toast. It is usually less expensive to buy a new vacuum. If you stay with the same brand, you can use your old accessories with the new model usually.

I had a Shop Vac brand that I also used for collecting drywall dust, etc. I tore it apart and cleaned it up real good. It lasted for another two years or so. Right before it bit the dust (no pun intended) I had just bought a HEPA style filter for it.

I replaced it with another SHOP VAC brand. I kept all the accessories. So now I have 4 extension pipes that will let me reach 12 foot ceilings with a breeze. I have 16 feet or so of flexible hose. Of course that newer HEPA filter also works on this new VAC. I only had to invest another 5 bucks to get a coupler that permitted me to join the two flexible hoses together.

I also saved the power cord as sometimes these give out and I saved the canister as well as its casters. I now use that to store garden tools all together in a corner of the garage. When you want to clean - VOILA! the whole thing - tools and all moves as one easily out of the corner for simple cleaning and sweeping.

Who could ask for anything more?

A friend owns a Craftsman Shop Vac and it does have a lot of power and longevity - at least the one she owns which is probably 15 years or more. I like her shop style vac. It has incredible sucking power!

Good ideas, EAP!

I used to have a Craftsman shop vac and used it many years, sometimes connected to my table saw. It finally bit the dust (!) when the motor bearings started to go and made a lot of noise. But it always picked up dust just fine. I think it had brushes on the motor but I never replaced them.

My old one is the multispeed, very old, +20. Smells of burning electrical when I run it, has for 10 years. Sucks great, if I keep the filter clean. I use it for my saws all the time, no explosions............yet!!