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Craftsman CMXEVBE17596 20-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac
Buyers who want a 20-gallon drum, a 2-1/2 inch hose, and a crevice tool and diffuser in the box
A 20-gallon, 6.5 peak HP corded wet/dry vac with a rear blowing port, screw-cap drain and a kit that includes crevice tool and diffuser. The manual rates it at 12 amps and gives three years of limited warranty; weight figures differ between Craftsman and the listing.
Listing checked . Confirm the model, included parts and availability before ordering.
Published specifications
- 20-gallon drum (drum volume, per Craftsman); 6.5 peak HP
- 120 V, 12 A, 60 Hz per the manual's 20-gallon rating
- 2-1/2 in x 7 ft POS-I-LOCK Dual-Flex hose, two extension wands
- Qwik Lock pleated paper filter (CMXZVBE38754) and dust bag (CMXZVBE38749)
- Weight 31.2 lb on Craftsman's page vs 28.4 lb in the listing
- Three-year limited warranty for the original consumer owner
Fit and limits
Strengths
- Kit includes crevice tool, wet nozzle and muffler/diffuser, confirmed by Craftsman, the listing and the manual
- Screw-cap drain and blowing port described in the manual and listing
- Manual publishes part numbers for the filter, bag, hose, drain cap and diffuser
Caveats
- Manual lists the model as CMXEVBE175960 while Craftsman and the listing say CMXEVBE17596
- Craftsman gives 31.2 lb, the listing 28.4 lb, and neither explains the gap
- Warranty excludes hoses, filters, cords and motor burnout from uncleared blockages
What comes in the 20-gallon box
Craftsman's product page and the Amazon listing give the same 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 crevice tool, a wet nozzle, a muffler/diffuser, a Qwik Lock pleated paper filter and a dust collection bag.
The manual's carton contents table for the 20-gallon model agrees and adds the loose hardware: four caster feet, four casters, two hose clips and a carry handle, plus the disposable bag, the Qwik Lock filter and the manual itself. It lists a Phillips screwdriver as the tool required for assembly.
The manual's table covers several drum sizes in separate columns, so read the 20-gallon column when checking your carton. In that table the crevice tool and the muffler/diffuser are marked for the 20-gallon model only, which matches the kit Craftsman and the listing describe for this ASIN.
The model number in the manual has an extra digit
Craftsman's product page and the listing both call this vac CMXEVBE17596. The listing-supplied manual, form SP7075-1, covers a family of 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 gallon vacs and lists the 20-gallon version as CMXEVBE175960, with a trailing zero that the product page does not use.
The manual gives no explanation for the difference, and this page does not guess at one. If it matters for a parts order or a warranty claim, ask Craftsman: the product page lists service on 888-331-4569, open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM Eastern, and the manual gives the same number.
The manual's parts table is where the useful numbers live for the 20-gallon column: replacement filter CMXZVBE38754, disposable filter bag CMXZVBE38749, drain cap 73185, hose assembly CMXZVBE38763 and diffuser CMXZVBE38660. The manual asks you to order by part number rather than by the key number on its diagram.
Filter, bag and float: how the manual says to run it
The supplied Qwik Lock filter is a pleated paper cartridge that the manual says can be used for wet or dry pickup. For small amounts of liquid it may stay in place; for large amounts the manual recommends removing it, because a saturated filter lets mist appear in the exhaust. It must be dried afterwards, and a wet filter clogs on dust.
The disposable filter bag is for dry debris only and can be used instead of, or in addition to, the cartridge. 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.
When the drum fills with liquid, a float rises and cuts off airflow; the manual says you will hear the motor pitch rise. At that point it tells you to switch off, unplug and empty the drum, and not to keep the motor running with the float raised. The 20-gallon drum has a screw-cap drain for emptying liquids.
Weight and cord figures differ between sources
Craftsman's product page gives a weight of 31.2 pounds. The Amazon details table gives 28.4 pounds. Neither document explains the gap of almost three pounds; confirm with Craftsman if weight matters to you.
Cord length is close but not identical: Craftsman's page gives 246 inches, which is 20 feet 6 inches, while the listing says 20 feet. Both sources give a height of 30.04 inches. Craftsman gives a width of 21.03 inches; the listing labels 21.03 inches as length and gives 23.8 inches as width, a figure Craftsman's page does not show.
The listing also carries a noise field of 80 dB and a maximum suction field of 45 inches. Neither figure appears on Craftsman's product page or in the manual pages read. The manual itself advises ear protection for extended use.
Power, extension cords and where it can be used
The manual rates the 20-gallon vac at 120 volts, 12 amps and 60 hertz; the listing gives 12 amps and 1440 watts. The listing description's footnotes say the 6.5 peak horsepower is a laboratory dynamometer figure and the 20 gallons is drum volume; Craftsman's page carries footnotes on the same two points.
The manual says the vac is intended for household use, is double-insulated and has a polarized plug. If you need an extension cord, it calls for an outdoor-rated cord with conductors no smaller than 16 AWG. The full electrical safety section is in the manual.
It also tells you to store the vac indoors and not expose it to rain. The listing and the manual both describe a blowing port. The manual has its own blower safety list, including eye protection requirements; read that section before using the blowing port.
Three-year warranty: what it excludes
The manual's limited warranty runs three years from purchase for the original consumer owner, and it ends if the vac is transferred to someone else. The manual names Emerson Tool Company as the warrantor and manufacturer, with the Craftsman mark used under license from Stanley Black & Decker.
Excluded items are listed plainly: normal wear, power cords, hoses, filters and other accessories, and motor damage or burnout resulting from failure to clear a blockage. Overuse beyond intended capacity and failure to follow the manual 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 text also contains a binding arbitration clause, so read that paragraph in the manual if dispute terms matter to you.
Check the current listing
Confirm the model, included parts and availability before ordering.
Primary sources
- Craftsman CMXEVBE17596 20-gallon wet/dry vac product page
- Craftsman 6-20 gallon wet/dry vac instruction manual SP7075-1 (listing-supplied PDF)
Primary sources checked .
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