Shop-Vac Tool Mate is a Tool Box and Vacuum Combo

Shop-Vac makes the Tool Mate (model 3880200), which is a tool box and 2.5 gallon wet/dry vacuum combo. The vacuum part can be detached for use, and reattached for easier transport, but you can keep the two parts attached or detached all the time, depending on your preference.

Shop-Vac isn’t clear about the tool box’s dimensions, but it looks like the two parts have the same combined footprint as a standard 26″ toolbox.

The vacuum part features a 2.5 HP (peak) motor, 18-foot power cord, 2.5 gallon capacity, and a 1-1/4 inch x 4 foot hose. Maximum airflow is 120 CFM, and sealed pressure is rated at 50 inches of water lift. It comes with a “gulper” nozzle, crevice tool, round brush, and a cartridge filter.

Price: $80-100.

Personally, I would rather have a separate tool box and shop vacuum, even if just small one with ~2.5 gallon capacity, such as the Dewalt DCV581H 20V Max and AC vac I recently reviewed. But the Tool Mate combo seems perfect for handymen, landlords, technicians, and other types of pros who might need to carry a bunch of tools and maybe a vacuum to occasional jobs. For the jobs where they know they won’t need the vacuum, they could leave it in the truck.

We’re currently leasing a partially furnished space, and the fridge was acting up. Two maintenance guys came out to take a look, and they needed to vacuum around the rear compressor. They didn’t bring a vacuum, so out came mine. If I didn’t have one, they would have had to retrieve their 16-gallon shop vacuum for a 30-second cleanup. This would be the perfect combo for them.

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