If you were looking for something stronger than a shop vac, how would you search for it?

sounds like you're looking to control dust in your workshop. I'd do a search on dust collectors. That should bring up the many, many web sites dedicated to shop vacuum systems.

I have several shop vacs but also I have a single-stage dust collector attached to my planner, table saw and planer. Also, check good woodworking stores like Woodcrafters, etc. They will have entire systems, i.e., hoses, fences, gates, etc.

Good luck

1

Commercial Shop Vac

I have a Rigid 6.5 Hp 16 Gallon wet/dry vac that I purchased from Home Depot... works exceptionally well, picks up dust, water, dirt, nails, wood... really anything it can fit down the hose. You should be able to find a comparable model at the H.D. for $100 or less depending on how heavy duty your needs are. Although kind of cumbersome, it rolls nicely on casters comes with a complete array of attachments. Filters last for a while and are not terribly expensive to replace.

I am wondering if you are looking for an industrial dust control system. I mean like a wood working shop would use. They are like built in central vacuums with outlets/inlets at each machine and bench. I would be phoning industrial suppliers and getting an idea of what they supply. Since I don't know where you are located I can't give a name to call. You should be able to find it on the web or the yellow pages though.

Doing a search with the words "industrial vacuum systems," returned this as just the first hit of many more:

http://www.cat-vacuum-collectors.com/

These types of units are often available through closures and bankruptcy auctions.

For wood working, and plaster dust, I use a Craftsman 16 gal. vac with a HEPA filter cartridge. The regular filter costs $16.00, the HEPA costs $32.00. I get several cleanings out of the HEPA before replacement. I attach the vac to all my power tools. I don't have the room for the bag type dust collectors.

You can find all the types of vacs and dust collectors at Delta, Jet, Rockler, Powermatic, Woodcrafters, Sears, Lowe's, Home Depot.

Use a fan that draws air to the outside while working or using the shop vac...over time a box fan in a window will keep dust out...

You want to look for a Commercial or Industrial Shop Vac. They come in more power. If look on ebay, look under Commercial equipment

Since Amazon bought Tool Crib of the North they have good tool selection, good prices, great delivery. Search for Dust Collectors. I like my Jet - 1100 cfm, single stage. I've got bags, but the new cartridge filter ones pull more air and stop more of the dust.

Then you can make a hobby of installing the world's coolest dust collection system in your shop which can be more fun than actually using the shop to do woodworking...

I'm not quite sure why your shop vac is not containing the dust. Make sure your filter is in good shape and installed properly. Make sure the seal between the motor housing and tank is good before you replace it. I have a 60.00 vac and it relocates dust from the floor to the tank. Are you sure the hose is on the intake and not on the exhaust?