Shop vac guide
Vacmaster VJH1612PF 0201 Professional Beast Series 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac
Shop, jobsite and basement cleanups that need a 2-1/2 inch hose, a fine dust cartridge filter and a separate foam wet filter
A 16-gallon, 6.5 peak HP Beast Series wet/dry vac rated at 12 amps, 150 CFM and 400 air watts, with a flat power head, drain port, blower conversion, noise diffuser, fine dust cartridge and foam wet filter. The manual says the dust bag is sold separately.
Listing checked . Confirm the model, included parts and availability before ordering.
Published specifications
- 16-gallon tank (actual volume); 6.5 peak HP; 12 A, 120 V
- 150 CFM; 64 in water lift; 400 air watts (listing says 360)
- 7 ft x 2-1/2 in hose; 20 ft cord; 27 ft reach per Cleva
- Fine dust cartridge filter and foam wet filter; dust bag sold separately
- Tool weight 24.65 lb per Cleva (listing says 29 lb)
- 5-year limited household warranty; 90 days for commercial use
Fit and limits
Strengths
- Fine dust cartridge filter and foam wet filter both come in the box
- Cleva publishes CFM, water lift and air watts measured at the end of the included hose
- Five-year limited warranty for household use
Caveats
- Listing says a dust bag is included but the manual says it is sold separately
- Listing's air watt, reach and weight figures differ from Cleva's
- Running dry pickup without the cartridge filter voids the warranty per the manual
A 16-gallon Beast Series vac with a flat power head
The VJH1612PF 0201 is Vacmaster's Professional Beast Series 16-gallon wet/dry vac with a 6.5 peak horsepower motor. Cleva's description names a rugged polypropylene tank, a flat power head that doubles as a place to set tools, on-board hose, cord and accessory storage, blower conversion and an extra-large drain port.
Cleva's what's-included list is a 7 foot by 2-1/2 inch premium hose, two extension wands, a utility nozzle, a crevice tool, a floor nozzle, an air and noise diffuser, a fine dust cartridge filter and a foam wet filter. The manual's carton list matches and adds four screws, the caster foot assembly and a hose storage rack.
Cleva's page title calls the model a stainless steel wet/dry vacuum, while the description and feature list on the same page say polypropylene tank. The manual's cover and parts pages read here do not state the tank material.
Is a dust bag included?
The Amazon listing's second bullet says the vac is equipped with a high-efficiency cartridge filter and dust bag that capture fine dust down to 1 micron. Cleva's what's-included list names the fine dust cartridge filter and foam wet filter but no dust bag.
The manual's dry vacuuming section describes fitting a collection bag as an optional step for improved dust filtering and states that the dust bag is sold separately. Cleva lists VDBL and VHBL high efficiency 12-16 gallon dust collection bags among compatible filters and bags.
Neither maker document mentions a 1 micron rating. The manual does say the included fine dust filter should be used for fine dust, and warns against vacuuming drywall dust, fireplace soot or ash with a standard wet/dry filter.
Performance and reach: two sets of numbers
Cleva's specifications give 12 amps at 120 volts and 60 hertz, 150 CFM, 64 inches of water lift and 400 air watts, tested to an ASTM standard at the end of the included hose. The listing's first bullet instead claims 360 air watts, and its details table gives a 64 inch suction figure matching Cleva's water lift.
Cleva's feature list gives a 27 foot cleaning reach from hose and power cord, with a 20 foot cord and 7 foot hose in its specifications. The listing's bullet says 29 feet of reach. The listing also gives 29 pounds, while Cleva gives a tool weight of 24.65 pounds.
The listing's variant selector on this ASIN reads 14 Gallon, although its title and details describe the 16-gallon VJH1612PF 0201. The listing's 69 dB noise field and 120 watt wattage field do not appear on Cleva's page or in the manual pages read.
Wet and dry filters are not interchangeable
The manual says the cartridge filter is for dry pickup only and must not be used for liquids, and that the dust bag must not be used for liquids either. For wet work it has you remove the cartridge and fit the foam wet filter.
It warns that using the machine for dry vacuuming without the cartridge filter will burn out the motor and void the warranty, and recommends keeping spare filters. A wet cartridge clogs quickly on dust; the manual says wet filters should air dry for 24 hours before refitting, and not to use a filter with holes or tears.
After wet vacuuming, the manual says the foam wet filter must come out and a cartridge filter go back in before dry vacuuming again. It describes washing the foam filter in mild soapy water and letting it air dry.
Float, drain, blower and storage
The manual describes a float valve that stops suction when the collection tank reaches maximum capacity, with a noticeable rise in motor speed. The tank empties through the drain cap, and the manual's emptying steps should be followed as written.
The vac converts to a blower through the port on the back of the power head. The manual sets out the conversion steps and the eye protection, bystander and dust mask warnings for blower use; follow it as written.
The vac is double insulated, and the manual says extension cords must be rated for outdoor use and sized from its wire gauge table. For storage it says to empty and clean the tank, hang the cord on the handle hook, keep hose and accessories on the unit and store the vac indoors.
Five-year limited warranty
Cleva's product support section and the listing both give a 5 year limited warranty. The manual states five years against defects in workmanship and materials from the date of purchase under normal household use, and a 90 day limited warranty for commercial, industrial or rental use.
Excluded are parts made inoperative by misuse, negligence, abuse, accidents, improper maintenance, repairs or alterations; consumables such as filters and accessories; normal wear of hoses, nozzles and casters; deterioration of the exterior finish; units with a tampered serial label; and products bought from an unauthorized retailer.
The manual asks you to keep the receipt as proof of purchase and gives Customer Service at 1-866-384-8432. It names Cleva North America, Inc. of Greenville, South Carolina as the distributor.
Check the current listing
Confirm the model, included parts and availability before ordering.
Primary sources
- Cleva Vacmaster Professional Beast Series 16-gallon wet/dry vacuum VJH1612PF 0201 product page
- Vacmaster VJH1612PF 0201 operator's manual (linked from the Cleva product page)
Primary sources checked .
Compare with
- Vacmaster VJH1211PF1101 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
A larger tank with a 2.5-inch hose and drain
- Vacmaster Beast VFB511H 0201 5-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
A compact rolling body with filter and bag supplied
- Armor All AA255W 2.5-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
Small cleanups and car-detail tools in a wheeled package
- Vacmaster VOC508S 1101 Stainless 5-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
A smaller stainless tank with three extension wands
- CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
A larger rolling drum with a wide hose and drain
- DEWALT DXV06P 6-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum
Routine corded cleanup with a mesh accessory bag