Craftsman CMXEVBE17594 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac

What the 12-gallon kit includes, and what it leaves out

Craftsman's product page and the Amazon listing agree on the kit: the vac, a 2-1/2 inch by 7 foot POS-I-LOCK Dual-Flex hose, two extension wands, a utility nozzle, a car nozzle, a wet nozzle, a Qwik Lock pleated paper filter and a dust collection bag.

The manual's carton contents table for the 12-gallon model matches that list and adds four caster feet, four casters, two hose clips and a carry handle. It marks the crevice tool and the muffler/diffuser as not included in the 12-gallon column, and lists a Phillips screwdriver as the tool needed for assembly.

Model number, manual and parts

The listing and Craftsman's page call this vac CMXEVBE17594. The listing-supplied manual, form SP7075-1, covers five drum sizes and lists the 12-gallon version as CMXEVBE175940, with a trailing zero the product page does not use. The manual does not explain the difference, and this page does not guess at a reason.

If the model-number difference matters for a parts order or a warranty claim, ask Craftsman on 888-331-4569. The manual's 12-gallon parts column lists replacement filter CMXZVBE38754, disposable filter bag CMXZVBE38735, drain cap 73185, wet nozzle CMXZVBE38621 and hose assembly CMXZVBE38763.

The listing's own compatible-bag bullet also names CMXZVBE38735, which agrees with the manual. It names nine compatible Craftsman filter part numbers as well; the manual's parts table names only CMXZVBE38754 as the replacement filter for this model.

Wet pickup, the float and the filter

The manual says the supplied Qwik Lock paper filter works for both wet and dry pickup. It may stay in place for small amounts of liquid, but for large amounts the manual recommends removing it, since a saturated filter lets mist appear in the exhaust. Dry the filter afterwards; a wet filter clogs on dust.

A float cuts off airflow when the drum fills with liquid, and the manual says the motor note rises in pitch when that happens. Its instruction is to switch off, unplug and empty the drum rather than keep running with the float raised. The manual's parts list for the 12-gallon model includes a drain cap.

The disposable filter bag is for dry debris only. For fine dust such as drywall dust or cold fireplace ash, the manual says to use a fine dust filter rather than relying on the standard setup.

Size and weight: one figure differs

Craftsman's structured product data gives a height of 23.43 inches, a width of 21.03 inches and a weight of 26.3 pounds. The Amazon details table repeats the height, gives the weight as 24.3 pounds, labels 21.03 inches as length and gives 23.8 inches as width, a figure Craftsman's page does not show.

Neither source explains the two-pound gap in weight; confirm with Craftsman if it matters to you. The manual separately warns not to lift a vac that is heavy with liquid or debris.

The listing also carries a 75 dB noise field and a 39 inch maximum suction field. Neither figure appears on Craftsman's product page or in the manual pages read.

Power, cord and storage

The manual rates the 12-gallon model at 120 volts, 10.5 amps and 60 hertz, and the listing's amperage field agrees. Craftsman's page carries footnotes on how its 6.0 peak horsepower and 12-gallon drum volume figures are defined.

Craftsman's features list gives a 20 foot power cord that wraps around the carry handle, while its structured data gives 246 inches, which is 20 feet 6 inches. The manual calls for any extension cord to be outdoor-rated and no smaller than 16 AWG.

The manual describes the vac as intended for household use and tells you to store it indoors and not expose it to rain. The rear blowing port is covered by a separate blower safety list in the manual that includes eye protection; read it before using the blowing port.

What the three-year warranty covers

The manual's limited warranty runs three years from the date of purchase for the original consumer owner and ends if the vac is transferred. It names Emerson Tool Company as warrantor and manufacturer, with the Craftsman mark used under license from Stanley Black & Decker.

It excludes normal wear, power cords, hoses, filters and other accessories, and motor damage or burnout caused by failure to clear a blockage. Overuse beyond intended capacity and use outside the manual's instructions are also excluded, so read the operating section before the first job.

The remedy is repair, replacement or refund at the company's sole discretion after a physical inspection, and the manual gives 1-888-331-4569 for service. The warranty also contains a binding arbitration clause, set out in full in the manual.