METROVAC Compact Vacuum - Model VNB-83BA, 4.0 Peak HP, All-Steel Construction, 6 Ft Hose, Portable Handheld Design, Blower Function

*** OVERVIEW *** My interest in Metropolitan Vacuums started when I bought their small MetroVac 500 Hand Vacuum which is a medium "thermos sized" vacuum that works great for small automotive tasks... but, I needed something bigger and stronger for my small detailing shop. Enter the "Vac N' Blo": I'm going to go into specific details below but let me first say, I have tested dozens of vacuums from various shop vacs, to Kirby's, Dyson's, and everything in between; For automotive detailing purposes, this is hands down the absolute BEST vacuum on the market today. It is crazy to think that a vacuum of this size (small), is literally TWICE as powerful as a full-sized, 6.5 HP Rigid shop vac... but it is! I want to point out some of the details of the machine, many of which are not mentioned in the ad, followed by the pros and cons I've discovered after using the machine for a few weeks now. *** BUILD QUALITY *** It's "Made In America" and it really shows! It has the good old fashioned metal toggle switch which is both durable, and industrial--the first sign of a quality machine. The machine itself is solid metal construction with the exception of little things like the handle and optional wheels. It's clear MetroVac wasn't focused on aesthetics here; they were focused on POWER and DURABILITY. Unlike the Metropolitan Vac 'N' Blo Compact Vacuum which comes with a one-year warranty, the Vac N' Blow comes with a 5-YEAR warranty on the motor which is outstanding! I spoke with one of the owners of the company today, David Stern, who told me that these motor are virtually bulletproof... he's seen them last 15 years or longer with regular use. In fact, the obly thing you should have to inspect and possibly replace are the motor brushes which will run you a mere $17 for a pair of them. If they ever need replacing, it would be many years down the road. The Van N' Blo uses the exact same model of motor as the MasterBlaster (a single 4 HP motor instead of two of them as the MasterBlaster has) and it comes with a 5 YEAR warranty! A replacement motor for this machine (Part # MVC-157D or the older MVC-56D) will run you exactly $100 from MetroVac and the replacement motor brushes (Part # ABC-3), as I mentioned, will run you $17. The paint scuffs easily but this is an industrial designed machine with the intention to be used rough, not babied, however, I thought I'd mention it. Reminds me of black Honda paint sometimes! *** POWER *** MetroVac claims that this 4 HP vacuum has suction rated at 95" of water lift and 130 CFM. Is it true? Sure is... we tested it and got 97 inches! To give you a comparison, that 6.5 HP Rigid shop vac I mentioned which is much larger and has more horsepower, only has 50" of water lift suction! So how can a machine so portable put out almost twice the suction of an industrial shop vac with more horsepower? The answer lies in the construction of the vacuum, the parts used, the motor, fan, and the craftsmanship. This is a very well thought out vacuum that is very simplistic and industrial looking, and very, very powerful! With its modest yet powerful 4 HP motor, the vacuum uses 500 watts of power at 11.2 amps. This means you don't need to worry about upgrading any of your circuit breakers to 20 amps to accommodate this machine like you sometimes have to do on the MasterBlaster machine. ***EASE OF USE*** I recommend ordering the optional dolly accessory when you buy this machine as it allows you to roll it around on the ground instead of having to carry it by its strap. I'm sort of surprised the vacuum doesn't come with the dolly pre-attached, especially when you're spending $200+ dollars on the machine but that's the way it is I guess. The dolly installs quickly and makes ease of use a breeze. With the various included accessories, there really isn't a job this vacuum/blower can't handle. It works just as well for blowing a car dry after a wash as it does vacuuming up even the finest of sand and salt dust. *** ACCESSORIES *** The vacuum/blower comes with a 6 foot wire-reinforced hose, 13 attachments which allow you to do everything from vacuuming small and larger spaces, to blowing a car dry after a wash, to inflating air mattresses, and more. MetroVac also makes some accessories for the Vac N' Blo; the nicest being the longer, 30 foot hose (Part # MVC-56PRO-30, cost $74.99.) *** CONCLUSION *** I fell in love with this machine the first time I used it and I really believe if you're one of those people like me who have spent years looking for the perfect automotive vacuum, you're going to love it, too! ***If you have any questions, please leave a comment and let's get a thread going! I try to get back to everyone the same day if at all possible. Thanks!***

I just received this vacuum & have used it already. I needed something portable to clean the lint trap in my dryer as well as blow the lint vent thing out. This is the perfect tool for the job. It did such a great job it's like I've got a brand new dryer now. I can see lots of uses for this little vacuum & blower around the house. Great suction & awesome blower. I did a lot of research here, reading other reviews and such, and am now rating this machine 5 stars. I didn't think it was any louder than any other vacuum (as mentioned in other posts). The 6 foot hose is plenty long enough especially if you're using the strap. The power cord was more than long enough. The lack of wheels or legs didn't bother me as I attached the strap, threw it over my shoulder & got my work done. I can see where the wheeled dolly would come in handy when I get ready to do the car. But for all my purposes the Metro Vac-n-Blo is great. And made in the USA to boot!

What a great machine. This is one of those things that just works like it should. It feels very sturdy and I love that it is made in the USA. A bit pricey but worth it in my opinion. I am fanatical about keeping my cars clean. The suction from this little thing is better than my huge shop vac and unlike that vac this one is so easy to move around. Excellent assortment of attachments, too. Perfect for vacuuming carpeted steps! Plenty of power for blasting the water off your car/motorcycle (although the neighbors may think you are a bit off!). I drove home in a downpour yesterday but got this thing out and blew the water off in the garage and then a quick once over with the detailer and the car was perfectly clean. I do agree with other reviewers that some rubber feet would be a welcome addition but the lack thereof is not a big deal.

Bought this unit to keep family's cars and airplane interior clean and am not disappointed. Has incredible suction power and is well-built. A little on the pricey end but excellent quality costs a little more. Would recommend.

As a piano tuner, I purchased this vacuum to clean out pianos, which can accumulate dirt and dust in nooks and crevices. It's popular with piano techs because you can use the exhaust to blow dirt and dust out of piano action (the removable "guts" of the piano), which really can't be vacuumed directly. It's powerful, small, and light weight. It also comes with as great selection of tools for getting into right places. It can be packed in a small case and thrown into the trunk--I purchased a plastic Dewalt tool box at Home Depot for about $20. Why 4 stars? Just two details, one significant. The first is the design, which I don't quite get: the handle seems to be at the wrong end for balance. It's ok when you use the blower, but for vacuuming, it should have been reversed. Also, you'd expect the power button right next to your index finger when holding it by the handle, but it's not--it's on the "wrong" side. Not sure why they chose to mount it there. The handle/power switch placement is a minor issue, but there is potentially bigger problem, especially for piano techs working in a customers home: the power of the exhaust. Naturally, a powerful vacuum will have a powerful exhaust as well--it's the other side of the coin. But you have to be very, very careful where that thing is pointed, or you can damage a chandelier, blow a lamp over, or even just blow papers or magazines everywhere. But there are two possible solutions the company could implement: 1. Offer power switch with a "low" setting or 2. Include some kind of diffuser for the exhaust. This would cut down a little on the power, but in many situations you don't need full power. I'll probably make my own removable diffuser. Otherwise, a good product.