Shop vacuum
this post was submitted on 01 Jan 2024
60 points (92.9% liked)
Ask Lemmy
26734 readers
2413 users here now
A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions
Please don't post about US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion
Rules: (interactive)
1) Be nice and; have fun
Doxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them
2) All posts must end with a '?'
This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?
3) No spam
Please do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.
4) NSFW is okay, within reason
Just remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either [email protected] or [email protected].
NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].
5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions.
If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email [email protected]. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.
Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.
Partnered Communities:
Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
I feel really stupid that this didn't even cross my mind. I'll give it a go. Thanks.
I used to live in a house where the gas shutoff valve for the fireplace was in the living room floor, controlled with a little key. It was the perfect size for a marble to fall in and block it.
I found a metal straw and taped it to the end of my vacuum hand attachment, effectively forcing the suction through the straw. I felt I may have been straining the vacuum a bit, but I was able to pull the marble out easy-peasy.
If you have an attachment that fits in that hole, you’re good. If not, you can use a similar method to this.
You probably would've thought of it eventually. Gotta ask though: Do you need to remove the gravel? Is it causing a problem?
The tube that actually support the clothes hanging part needs to slide into the hole and the gravel is blocking it.
If the shop vac can't get down far enough, duct tape a bit of PVC pipe or some other study tubing to the end of the vacuum hose. The standard nozzle might be too short or wide for getting where you need it, but it should be the quickest way to do what you need.
Fill with mercury. The rocks will float to the top then you can just pick them up.
And when it's time to get the mercury out:
How is this practical or safe?
when he claimed it was?
It is practical as rocks should float in mercury and it is safe if you use elemental mercury and don't eat it.
It isn't environmentally fantastic and you would want to remove it with a vacuum trap, which does make it a less than ideal option compared to a shopvac.
Suck hard. If you need help ask your momma
Op should have just said "friend". Now he's downvoting all the mama jokes
If the long spoon, backscratcher, or shop vac doesn't get it done, I'll give this a try. Thanks.
Blue tack and a stick? Like stick the rocks to it then pull out?
Your best bet is probably to vibrate them out.
Now given this is your moms house, I am unable to politely suggest what household items would be useful.
It is either a powerful vacuum or a blower depending on the size of the gravel.
a powerful vacuum
A shop vac, maybe with a narrow extender.
If OP is in the US -- which I assume he is, from the inch measurement -- I'd bet that he can probably rent one at a large hardware store, like Home Depot, if he doesn't have any use for one outside of this.
If OP is in the US -- which I assume he is, from the inch measurement
eh, they could live as well in Liberia or Myanmar
I’ve never seen a shot vac extension that would fit into a 2” pipe
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Vacuum-Attachments-Shop-Accessories/dp/B0BD549KV2/
Not specifically recommending this one, but this has a crevice tool and adapters for various diameter shop vac hoses.
Curious...why do you need to remove the rocks from the pipe?
She can't slide the clothesline into the hole to set it up.
Maybe the clothesline doesn't go far enough I to the ground hole to stand up straight.
Air compressor with a skinny long nozzle.
This was also my thought. Wear eye protection!
A coiled wire screwed to the end of the stick (like a spring). Jam over the rock and pull up.
Or put silicone on tip of stick, glue to rock, cut stick, apply more silicone and repeat until empty.
Long spoons. Or a backscratcher would work.
I did not think of a long spoon. I'll give that a try. Thanks.
Blue tack and a stick? Like stick the rocks to it then pull out?
Something like this might work. They are kind of expensive, and some are better made than others, but they come in handy and maybe you could borrow one from somebody. A landscaping company might have something like this too that they use to get fruit off of trees, or maybe a fire department has something like it. Possibly a pond and aquarium store has some equipment that could work since they need nets and tools for plants and rocks, or tools used for feeding aquarium animals and fish. There are some home improvement stores that let you borrow tools or rent tools, shop vacs, long handled gutter cleaners or painting tools etc.
Vive Suction Cup Grabber Reacher 32" (2 Pack) - Elderly Grab It Reaching Pickup Tool Heavy Duty for Seniors - Trash, Sticks, Litter Picker Upper - Extra Long Reach Handle & Handy Extension Arm Claw
Rule 5. Locking.