Customer Reviews

Bosch 3931A Airsweep 120-Volt 13-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner with Power Broker

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tired of cheap/loud shop-vacs, narrowed my choices to the Fein Turbo III, Festool and this Bosch 3931A. After reading all reviews and specs, decided on the Bosch. This Vac is not very popular on Forums and I don't know why. The Bosch is slightly more powerful than the Fein Turbo III and also very quiet. I added the accessory basket and bought several bags. I use the 1-1/2 Mr. Nozzle Hoses, and their 1-1/2 nozzles (complete line available from Woodworker's Supply) with all my vacs so the 2-1/4" tank fitting fit the Bosch with no problems. If I could find anything negative about it is it's weight, but I use it only in my shop, so that's not a problem for me. Some will complain about the cost of the unit and its accessories (bags, etc). I don't mind the cost since I'm a hobbyist and it's worth having a vacuum that matches the quality of all my other shop tools. Determine your requirements for a vac and if they're like mine, you won't be dissatisfied with the Bosch 3931A.

We started using the Bosch 3913A Vacuum on a large concrete resurfacing project that is on the beach here in Southern California. In the past we have had problems with our vacuums clogging up very fast because of the dust mixed with the continual moisture. The self cleaning on this vacuum works great. Our second use of this vacuum was the the removal of paint in the same environment. It worked great. The automatic self cleaning feature is a must. We found nothing negative about the vacuum.

I looked pretty hard for a good shop vacuum (Festool, Fein, Porter-Cable and others)and I'm pleased with this unit. It is quiet enough to carry on a normal conversation with someone when it is running, which means I'm much more prone to use it than my old screamer vac. The Power Broker function works as advertises, the barrel has plenty of capacity for my needs, it accepts hoses from other vacuums, the hose it comes with is very good quality and it fits my Festool sanders, and the self-cleaning filters keep the unit functioning at peak performance. The auto on/off feature is great, but a lot of higher end vacs have this feature too. No, it doesn't come with attachments, but if you have another vacuum that your are replacing I would think you could use those hoses and attachments like I did. Lots of suction power, and it moves a lot of air. No exhaust blower, but I imagine that's how they got it so quiet. Highly recommended!

I've been using this vac for 2 years now. I originally purchased it because I was tired of buying standard shop vacs that simply didn't hold up on the job site. Granted, I could buy 4 shop vacs compared to the cost of this, but it's not always about price. This vac is superior in many aspects. First, it's very quiet. It doesn't sound like an F-15 during takeoff like a shop vac. It also has an adjustable amperage dial that basically controls the speed of the motor and subsequently the amount of suction. No sense running at full throttle all the time if you don't need to. The power tool outlet is also another feature that's handy. You plug the tool that's connected to the vac hose. When you turn on the tool, the vac starts. It stays running about 5 seconds after the tool stops to clear the hose. I use this vac on a diamond grinder quite often and it's ability to keep up with concrete dust is amazing. The self cleaning feature really shines, keeping filters clean and suction up. Bosch also makes a HEPA filter for this vac which will be a necessity with the new EPA Lead Safe Work Practices laws that become effective in April 2010. Keep in mind that if you use the (any) vac for lead work, you have to devote that vac strictly for lead work since it will be contaminated with lead dust. Now for the nit picking. It's heavy and it's a little awkward to lift. Front wheels are pretty small. Tool end of hose doesn't stay connected very well. Despite these minor gripes, I think it's a great tool that's very well made and worth the price. It's held up remarkably well over 2 years of tough job site work. I'll be buying a couple more this March at the Bosch booth at JLC Live.

I bought this as the best pick between the Fein turbo III & the Festool 33 vac. I have a commercial woodshop and needed it mainly for pick up from tools as well as general clean up. I had the Fein turbo II for 10 yrs before it gave up and can definitely reccomend it, But I was looking for larger capacity (less frequent emptying), so it was between the Fein III and the Bosch. The Festool is very nice too but seemed overpriced and awkward to empty if you don't use the bags (which are pricy, as are all their accessorys). So the Bosch was it, it's made from a softer plastic than the other two but functions very well, the filter shaker really works, and the power broker functions like the variable speed control on the festool. the hose could be longer but it does come with a rubber end that fits the Festool domino outlet perfectly. No tools but they are available seperately from any of the manufacturers, I am using the old Fein hose and tools with this vac.

after 6 months of use:
Well, I don't have anything but Shop Vacs to compare it to, so this may be unfair. This thing is a dream compared to those. Quiet, powerful, sturdy, etc. Everything you would expect from a near $400 vacuum. Everything down to the cord is built to last. The only reason It didn't get 5 stars is the friction fit hose end. When I use the floor kit, especially the hand piece, it comes off unless I hold onto it. I wrapped elect. tape on it to increase the friction, which seems to work. Be careful with the capacity, I practically filled a bag with sheet rock and brick and could hardly get the bag out it was so heavy. The beauty was that the bag didn't break! One minor complaint shouldn't taint your decision. It makes a good seat and step stool as well.

This unit does what many shop vacuums fail to do, pick up dust and wood shavings without getting clogged every few seconds. It is also quiet enough that I do not need ear plugs just to clean up around my shop. I am a hobbiest woodworker, and this vacuum allows me to have enough dust collection that I can avoid a dedicated dust collector, thus saving the space needed for such a large unit, and allowing me to avoid adding piping to my little wood shop. It has the capacity and power to pick up the mess directly from my planer, saws and sanders leaving little to be cleaned up after I have finished my work for the day. It is pricey, but good tools are rarely cheap. Think about what you want a shop vacuum to do, if you can get by with a loud and jam prone unit, go ahead and save the money, but if you want a unit that can help you keep the mess down, allow you to hear what is happening around you, and not force you to stop every few minutes to clear the hose, then this vacuum is worth a good look. Four stars is due to its lack of any attachments, which forces you to buy them seperately.

I bought the Bosch because I noticed that regular shop vacuums allow fine particles to escape via the output vents. Definately not good for the lungs or the refinishing project on the bench. The Bosch works as advertised. In spite of it's weight (47#) and size, it is easy to move around the shop. My shop is a garage and space is a premium, so being able to navigate amongst the stationary tools is very nice. It is quieter than the "Home Depot" type shop vacuums, and as stated, much cleaner. I also purchased the tool set, and I have had no problems with the tools fitting the hose provided with the vacuum. They also work well. I have not yet tried hooking the hose to portable tools, but I suspect that the flexible hose will work better than the hosed supplied with other units. For my lungs sake, it was a great investment.

I already own a fairly uber cyclone dust collector, but that collector is really designed for high volume, low suction applications (where a relatively large space needs dust control like a planer or cabinet saw).
However there are plenty of applications where you need high suction and relatively low volume of air such as most hand sanding applications. I use this vacuum for just that as well as for my miter saw and sometime my router table. I already own a shop vac, but the noise can make things quite unpleasant. I deliberated on this vacuum for quite awhile due to it's cost and I compared it to festool and fein competing products. I am glad I bought it. It maintains good suction and the noise level is very bearable. As a result, I tend to use it more often, especially when sanding and I don't yack lung biscuits out the next day because I am breathing cleaner air in my shop. I feel confident it will pay for itsself with the related health benefits down the road.

I have been using this Bosch vac for a month or so and am very please with it. I have used it for drywall sanding and light woodworking projects. It is very quiet (well as much as a shop vac can be) and the Power Broker feature is great when you need to dial down the suction when using a sander. I am using the bags with it and recommend using them. I have NO DUST escaping sanding drywall and the vac's main filters are staying clean. They also make for mess free, hassle free emptying.