Craftsman 338.179290 Owner's Manual

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Owner's

Manual

MODELNO.

338.179350

338.179370

338.179220

338.179290

Model Number

The model number may be found
on the nameplate. You should

record the model number in a safe
place for future use.

CAUTION: Before using this vac
uum, read this manual and fol-
low all its Safety Rules and
Operating Instructions.

CRRFTSMRN

WET/DRYVACUUM

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operating

• Repairparts

• Espan61p.6

Sears,Roebuckand Co.,HoffmanEstates,IL.60179 U.S.A.

87528-76 www.sears.com/craftsman Printed in USA

Item Page

Warranty Information ........................... 2

Safety Instructions ............................ 2,3

Assembly ................................... 3

Operation ................................... 4,5

Storage ..................................... ,5

Troubleshooting .............................. 5

Repair Parts ........................... See Insert

FULLONEYEARWARRANTYON

CRAFTSMANWET/DRYVACUUM

If this Craftsman WeVDryVacuum fails due to a defect in materi-
als or workmanship within oneyear from the date of purchase,

Sears will replace it, free of charge. For warranty service, return

vacuum to your nearest Sears Store in the United States.

If thisCraftsman Wet/Dry Vacuum is used for commercial enter-
prise of any sort, including rental use, this warranty coverage

applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.

Thiswarranty applies only while this product is used in the United

States.

Thiswarranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also

have other rights which vary from state to state.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Dept. 817WA, Hoffman Estates,

IL60179

When using an electrical appliance, basic precautions
should always be followed, including the following:
Readallinstructionsbefore usingthis product.

_, WARNING:To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock

or injury.

• Do not leave appliance when plugged in. Unplug from
outlet when not in use and before servicing. Connect to a
properly grounded outlet only. See Grounding

instructions.

• Do not expose to rain - store indoors.

• Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is nec-
essary when used by or near children.

• Use only as described in this manual. Use only
Craftsman attachments.

• Do not use with damaged cord or plug. If appliance is not
working as it should, has been dropped, damaged, left
outdoors or dropped into water, return it to a Sears

service center.

• Do not pull or carry by cord, use cord as a handle, close
a door on cord or puiI cord around sharp edges or cor-
ners. Do not run appliance over cord. Keep cord away

from heated surfaces.

• Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp the
plug, not the cord.

Do not handle plug or appliance with wet hands.

Do not put any object into openings. Do not use with any
openings blocked; keep free of dust, lint, hair and any-
thing that may reduce air flow.

Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers and all parts of body
away from openings and moving parts.

Do not pick up anything that is burning or smoking, such
as cigarettes, matches or hot ashes.

Do not use without dust bag and/or filters in place.
Turn off all controls before unplugging.

Use extra care when cleaning on stairs.

Do not use to pick up flammable or combustible liquids
such as gasoline or use in areas where they may be pres-

ent.

Do not use your cleaner as a sprayer of flammable liquids
such as oil base paints, lacquers, household cleaners,

etc.

Do not vacuum toxic, carcinogenic, combustible or other

hazardous materials such as asbestos, arsenic, barium,
beryllium, lead, pesticides or other health endangering

materials.

Do not pick up soot, cement, plaster or drywall dust with-
out cartridge filter and collection filter bag in place. These
are very fine particles that may pass through the foam
and affect the performance of the motor or be exhausted
back into the air. Additional collection filter bags are avail-

able from Sears.

Do not leave the cord lying on the floor once you have fin-

ished the cleaning job. It can become a tripping hazard.

Use special care when emptying heavily loaded tanks.

To avoid spontaneous combustion, empty tank after each

use.

The operation of a utility vac can result in foreign objects

being blown into eyes, which can result in eye damage.

Always wear safety goggles when operating vacuum.

STAY ALERT. Watch what you are doing and use com-
mon sense. Do not use vacuum cleaner when you are

tired, distracted or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or

medication causing diminished control.

GROUNDINGINSTRUCTIONS

This vacuum cleaner is equipped with a cord having an
equipment-grounding conductor and grounding plug. If vac-
uum cleaner should malfunction or breakdown, grounding
provides a path of least resistance for electric current to
reduce the risk of electric shock. The plug must be inserted
into an appropriate outlet that is properly installed and
grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances.

_I= WARNING: Improper connection of the equipment-

grounding conductor and grounding plug can result

in a risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified
electrician or service person if you are in doubt as to
whether the outlet is properly grounded. Do not mod-

ify the plug provided with the vacuum cleaner - if it
will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by
a qualified electrician.

© Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Thisapplianceisforuseonanominal120-voltcircuit,and
hasagroundedplugthatlooksliketheplugillustratedin
sketchA. A temporary adapter that looks like the adapter illus-

trated in sketches B and 0 may be used to connect this plug to

a 2-pole receptacle as shown in sketch B if a properly ground-
ed outlet is not available. The temporary adapter should be
used only until a properly grounded outlet (sketch A) can be
installed by a qualified electrician. The green colored rigid
ear, lug or the like extending from the adapter must be con-
nected to a permanent ground such as a properly grounded
outlet box cover. Whenever the adapter is used, it must be
held in place by a metal screw.

NOTE:In Canada, the use of a temporary adapter is not per-
mitted by the Canadian Electrical code.

GROUNDING METHODS

GROUNOEO A

£ • I I rat ] METAL "_ /_l"_

G l_ GROUNDEDL_ GROUNDING SCREW

PIN OUTLET BOX

(A) (B) (C)

EXTENSIONCORDS

When using the vacuum cleaner at a distance where an
extension cord becomes necessary, a 3-conductor ground-
ing cord of adequate size must be used for safety, and to
prevent loss of power and overheating. Use the table below
to determine A.W.G. wire size required. To determine
ampere rating of your vacuum, refer to nameplate located

on rear of motor cover.
Before using vacuum cleaner, inspect power cord for loose

or exposed wires and damaged insulation. Make any need-
ed repairs or replacements before using your vacuum
cleaner. Use only three-wire outdoor extension cords which
have three-prong grounding-type plugs and three-pole
receptacles which accept the extension cord's plug. When
vacuuming liquids, be sure the extension cord connection
does not come in contact with the liquid.

Volts
120V

Ampere Rating

More Not More

Than Than

0..................... 6

6................... 10

10................. 12

12................. 16

NOTE:Static shocks are common in dry areas or when the
relative humidity of the air is low. This is only temporary
and does not affect the use of the appliance. To reduce the
frequency of static shocks in your home, the best remedy

is to add moisture to the air with a console or installed
humidifier.

Total length of cord in feet
25 50 100

AWG

18 16
18 16
16 16

14 12

16 14
14 12
14 12

Notrecommended

15O

,

Pull tank cover latches in an
outward motion and remove

tank cover and any acces-

sories which may have been
shipped in the tank. (Figure1)

,

Before replacing tank cover,
refer to Dry Pick-Up or Wet

Pick-Up Operation in this manual to ensure you have
the proper filters installed and inlet deflector is posi-
tioned correctly for your cleaning operation.

,

Your vacuum comes with the
filters already installed for dry

pick-up. For filters recom-

mended for wet pick-up refer
to wet pick-up operation.

,

Be sure inlet deflector

(Figure2) is in proper

position. Opening up for wet, down for dry vacuuming.

,

You will find four casters, four caster supports and four
vacuum. Model 17935

screws with your wet/dry _' (_

includes four casters only. _, _,

,

With tank cover removed,

f f

invert tank so that the bottom

is facing up.

,

Insert caster supports into

slots and secure with screws. (Figure 3)

8.

Insert caster stems into supports by applying pressure

until you feel the casters are firmly in place.

9.

On model 17935, insert cast-

ers directly into holes provided

in the bottom of the tank.

10. Replace tank cover and apply
pressure with thumbs to
each latch until it snaps tightly
in place. Make sure both lid
latches are clamped securely. (Figure4)

11. Insert hose end with locking-nut into inlet of tank and

tighten nut. Do not over-tighten.

12. Attach the extension wands to

the accessory end of the hose.

13. Attach one of the cleaning
accessories (depending on

your cleaning requirements)

onto the extension wands.

14. Align tool holder with the lugs near bottom of tank. Slide

tool holder down until it snaps into place (Figure 5) Your
vacuum is now equipped for
tool storage (Figure 6).

15. Plug the cord into the wall
outlet. Your cleaner is ready

for use. I=ON, O=OFF

DRYPICK-UPOPERATION

With the tank cover in an upside down position, slide the
cartridge filter down over the lid cage, pushing until the filter
seals against cover (Figure 7). Foam sleeve will remain in
place. Place filter retainer into the top of the cartridge filter,
and holding the tank cover with one hand, turn the handle
on the filter retainer clockwise to tighten, locking the filter

into place (Figures 8 & 9). To remove the filter for cleaning,
again hold the tank cover and turn the filter retainer coun-
terclockwise to loosen and remove, then slide the cartridge
filter off the lid cage (Figures 10 & 11). To clean the cartridge
filter, shake or brush off excess dirt (Figure 12) or rinse (from
the inside of the filter) with water (Figure 13). Dry completely

and re-install.
Your vac filter is color coded with a black stripe. When

replacing, just match the color.

INSTALLINGTHE

DISPOSABLEFILTERBAG

(Notstandardwith all models)

1. Use for dry pick-up only. Use only when cartridge filter is
installed on wet/dry vacuum.

2. With cord disconnected from receptacle, pull latches in
an outward motion and remove tank cover.

3. Unscrew hose locking-nut and remove hose from inlet.
(Figure 14)

4. Remove inlet deflector from deflector guide. (Figure 14a)
NOTE:Hose must be removed before inlet deflector can

be taken out.

5. With the opening of the inlet deflector facing the bottom
of the filter bag, slide collection bag collar over deflector,

matching notches of bag collar to tabs on inlet deflector.
Bag will only fit properly one way. (Figure 14b)

6. Slide deflector with collection bag attached into deflector
guide (Figure 14c)

7. Reinsert hose into inlet and tighten locking-nut. (Figure

14d)

WETPICK-UPOPERATION

For best results for wet pick-up remove cartridge filter and
utilize the foam sleeve (already in place over the lid cage).
For wet pick-up remove inlet deflector from deflector guide
sliding in an upward motion. Invert and insert into guide

with opening facing up. NOTE:Hose must be removed

before inlet deflector can be taken out. Be sure the opening

of the inlet deflector is facing the top of the tank (Figure 15).

Misting may occur if inlet deflector is not inserted properly.
Misting in exhaust air may also occur if the foam sleeve
becomes saturated during wet pick-up. If misting occurs,
remove and dry the saturated foam sleeve or replace with

another dry foam sleeve to eliminate the misting and possi-

ble dripping of liquid around the lid.

Turn the unit off immediately upon completing a wet pick-up
job or when tank is full and ready to be emptied, and raise
the hose to drain any excess liquid into the tank. The interi-
or of the tank should be periodically cleaned. The foam

sleeve should be cleaned periodically as described in the

following steps:

1.Always disconnect the plug from the wall receptacle
before removing the tank cover. Remove foam sleeve by
sliding it up and off the lid cage.

,

Shake excess dust off foam sleeve with a rapid up and

down movement.

3.

Hold sleeve under running
water, rinsing from the inside.
A water wash is not always
required, depending on the

condition of the sleeve.

,

Gently wring out excess water,

and blot sleeve with a clean towel. The foam sleeve is
now ready to be reinstalled on the lid cage. NOTE: Bottom

of sleeve should be TUCKED in groove between lid cage
and tank lid. (Figure 16)