Fein 9-20-26 Turbo III 15-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum with Auto-Start

by Fein

• Durable, compact, and quiet, producing an average of 60 dB (A) noise level at 3.5 feet
• Electronic variable suction control with LED indicator
• Rugged new design for heavy, continuous, industrial use with optimized shape to reduce tipping
• Tremendous 90-inch static water lift
• Auto start for dust extraction, 19 amp switch on vac allows you to plug in your router, miter saw, portable table saw

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Fein Turbo III 15-gallon dust extractor has been redesigned with an optimized shape and 6 wheels instead of 4 for added stability. At an average of 60 decibels, it is far quieter than most other popular vacuums. The Fein Turbo III comes with a variable suction control, the suction can be adjusted via a simple and durable switch. Variable suction control saves energy and reduces noise level to an absolute minimum. The Turbo III now has an integrated drain plug. All models can be used wet or dry by first taking out the cloth filter bag and adding an optional foam filter. Fein also has accessory filters available that capture particles down to 0.3 micron (HEPA). Product includes 1 10-foot hose (2-1/4-inch diameter), 1 step adapter (2-1/4-inch to 1-1/4-inch), and 1 5-micron cloth bag.

Product Description

The Fein vacuums / dust extractors are designed for heavy, continuous, industrial use, wet or dry. The improved, rugged anti-tipping design features a powerful 120volt two-stage motor that offers bypass cooling, ensuring a long motor life. Vacuum performance measuring at 90 to 99 inches of water lift means Fein dust extractors produce far greater suction than the competition, at an average of 60 decibels. All three models come with electronic variable suction control with LED indicator allowing for maximum performance, auto-start function, and integrated drain plug. Accessory filters are available that capture particles down to .3 micron (HePa). The Fein dust extractors when combined with Feins random orbit sanders are an integral part of Feins 98 dust-free sanding system. Plug your random orbit sanding system into a Fein dust extractor. The tools switch turns the dust extractor on and off and provides a ten second delay after shut off to clear the hose. Maximum performance can be achieved by adjusting the electronic variable suction control. Fein dust extractors handle power tools with inputs of 5 to 2000 watts (.05 to 18 amps).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

115 of 119 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Quiet, powerful convenient and costly June 20, 2009

By Michael Sandman

Size Name:9-Gallon|Amazon Verified Purchase

The new version of the Fein Turbo II has some improvements that answer criticisms of the previous model, and it's more expensive. Fein added two additional casters, metal clips to hold the top to the base, the ability to change suction power by changing motor speed, and a drain plug to make it easy to get liquid out. It still comes without any accessories except for a nice long 16' 1-1/4" hose and a rubber adapter to mate the hose with to a Fein power tool dust outlet. Fein wants far too much money for its accessory tool set, IMHO. But a 2-1/4" Sears or Shop Vac hose will fit the inlet, and/or you can buy 3rd party attachments for the 1-1/4" hose that comes with the vacuum. If you're going to attach it to a sander or other power tool for dust extraction, it's a good idea to buy the stepped hose adapter Fein sells. It's available at Amazon for a reasonable price.

Why would anyone pay Fein this much for a shop vacuum? Two reasons: quiet operation and the onboard power outlet that turns on the vacuum when you turn on a power tool plugged into the outlet.

Quieter operation may not seem important until you hear the difference. As another reviewer says, a big old Sears shop vacuum sounds like the deck of an aircraft carrier during takeoff operations. You need hearing protection if you're going to run it for more than a minute or two. The Fein sounds like quiet household vacuum, but it has enough suction and capacity for a workshop. The advantage of the auxiliary power outlet is obvious if you use a vacuum to extract dust when you're using a sander or a miter saw. The vacuum turns on just when you need it and shuts off on its own when you turn off the power tool.

The Fein comes with a cloth filter that will capture particles down to 5 microns, which is probably marginally OK for dust generated by a miter saw, but not for handling fine dust from orbital sanding or if you vacuum up after sanding wallboard seams. Fein will sell you a cartridge filter for 1 micron particles or a HEPA cartridge filter that gets down to 0.3 microns. You can buy a Gore Clearstream HEPA filter - the "Ridgid-Sears Red" version -- at Amazon or at a home center for less than a third what Fein charges for theirs. Gore does not list the Fein as one of the vacuums its filters will fit. But it does. Just buy a 2-1/2" x 3/8 fully threaded carriage bolt, a 3/8" wing nut and a 3/8" nylon washer and screw the filter down snugly. You don't need a bag if you use a cartridge filter unless ou're vacuuming hazardous materials.

Barely five stars considering that Fein ought to include vacuum tools in the box, but this thing really delivers on "quiet," on power and on convenience.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Why would anyone pay $400 for a portable shop vac? October 23, 2009

By Nobody

Size Name:9-Gallon|Amazon Verified Purchase

Well, I did, after burning out my last hardware store special. I was skeptical, even after getting the beasty out of the box, but I figured for once in my life I would get a really good shop vac.

And to find out why you pay $400 for a shop vac, all you need to do is turn it on. It's incredibly quiet, will not tip over and will suck a rock through a straw. Okay, I get it.

One thing I don't understand is the hose. I assume Fein did some field surveys, and that was the preferred length, but it's way too long for me. Why didn't they split it in two, put a joint in the middle? Seems like an obvious feature they could have added. Anyway, I'm using the hose from the burnt out jobby, and the Fein anaconda sleeps on a hook.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Fein January 18, 2009

By David Burdon

Size Name:9-Gallon|Amazon Verified Purchase

I does all Fein claims, and very well. The ability to choose the suction level between 5 settings allows me to keep the noise down if I don't need high power, but even at high power it's pretty quiet ( I measured 75db at 3 ft). European hose sizes are a little different from US so be prepared to get creative with hose adaptors.
To use the auto on/off feature you plug the tool into a power socket on the side of the vacuum, the socket is protected by a spring loaded cover which is hinged at the top, hence, with the cover open you cannot see the holes for the plug; not a big problem but I find it annoying.
Still, this is a huge improvement over my Shop Vac.