POWERTEC 23743 VF3502 Size A Shop Vacuum Bags for Ridgid 6 Pack, 12-16 Gal. Vacuum Bags for Ridgid HD1200, HD1400 Wet Dry Vac

Why I switched to these bags

My shop runs on a couple of 12- and 16-gallon Ridgid wet/dry vacs that get used for everything from planing runs to drywall touch-ups. I’ve long relied on bagged collection to keep suction consistent and the main pleated filter clean, but OEM bags add up fast. After a few months with the POWERTEC VF3502-compatible bags (sold as a six-pack), I’m comfortable saying they’ve become my go-to for day-to-day cleanup and fine dust control.

What you’re getting

These are Size A, VF3502-compatible disposable bags meant for 12–16 gallon Ridgid wet/dry vacuums. The bag body measures roughly 35 inches long and 15-3/4 inches high, with a 3-inch collar that locks onto the vacuum’s inlet. The material is a 2-ply, high-efficiency paper/fiber blend designed for dry debris. In the box: six individually folded bags.

Compatibility is broad within the Ridgid lineup; I used them on a 12-gallon HD1200 and a 16-gallon WD1850, and fit was correct on both. The collar sits snug on the inlet and stayed put through rolling the vac over cords and thresholds.

Setup and installation

Installation is straightforward:

• Remove the vacuum head and open the drum.
• Slide the cardboard collar onto the inlet until the gasket seats (a gentle back-and-forth twist helps it click into place).
• Spread the bag evenly around the drum, keeping the gussets unfolded so the bag can expand without tearing.
• Reinstall the head.

A small tip: make sure the bag isn’t pinched between the drum lip and the head. On my first install I tucked the bag a bit too high and got a minor crease near the collar. Reseating the bag fixed it, and there were no leaks.

Performance with fine dust and shop debris

Where these bags shine is fine dust. Hooked to a sander for drywall patches, collection was excellent. Suction stayed steady, and when I cracked the drum to check, the pleated filter had only a light dusting instead of the usual paste. The same held true while sanding maple panels and routing dados: the bag captured the light fines that typically load up the main filter.

I also used them for general woodworking cleanup—sawdust, chips from the planer and jointer, and the inevitable shop grit. Two observations:

• For heavier chips, the bag fills quickly. That’s not specific to this brand; all bags in this size class have similar capacity. A cyclone separator in front of the vac will extend bag life dramatically if you do a lot of thickness planing.
• Suction remained consistent until the bag was nearly full. Once you start to notice a drop, it’s time to change; waiting too long packs the bag against the inlet and reduces airflow.

For cold ash from a wood stove cleanout, the bags handled the ultra-fine material well, but a reminder: only ever vacuum completely cold ash, and consider a metal ash pre-separator for safety and to avoid ember risks.

Filtration and cleanliness

Compared to running bagless, these kept the canister and main filter much cleaner. After several hours of drywall sanding and shop cleanup, the inside of the drum had only a faint film, and the pleated filter needed just a quick blow-out rather than a full wash. That reduced maintenance is the main reason I prefer bagged collection—less downtime and fewer filter replacements.

These bags are not HEPA-rated and shouldn’t be used for hazardous dust (silica, lead paint, asbestos). For that kind of work, you need a certified dust extractor and HEPA containment. For non-hazardous shop dust, sawdust, and drywall fine particles, filtration was more than adequate in my use.

Durability and fit

The 2-ply material and seam construction held up well. I had no blowouts, even when I inadvertently sucked up a few small chips and the odd short screw. That said, any paper-style bag is vulnerable to sharp objects; if you’re picking up demolition debris, screening out nails and shards is wise.

Capacity felt slightly less than the OEM bag I had on hand. The POWERTEC bag still reached what I’d call a normal fill before backpressure set in, but if you’re used to squeezing every last cubic inch out of the OEM, expect to change a bit sooner. For fine dust, that’s rarely a big deal; for planer chips, it’s the difference between “one more pass” and “go change the bag now.”

The collar gasket sealed well on both vacs. I didn’t see bypass dust around the inlet or inside the drum, which tells me the seal is doing its job.

What could be better

• Not for wet pickup. This is a dry-only accessory. If you plan to vacuum water, remove the bag first.
• No HEPA rating. Fine for shop dust; not suitable for regulated hazardous materials.
• Capacity. Like most bags in this class, they fill fast with heavy chips. Use a separator if you do bulk chip collection.

These aren’t faults so much as design realities, but they’re worth stating clearly.

Value

The six-pack format brings the per-bag cost down to a very reasonable number, especially compared to OEM. In my shop, that changes how I work: I’m less tempted to shake out and reuse a bag (which reduces filtration and can tear seams). I just swap and get back to work, and the main filter lasts longer because it isn’t acting as the primary collector.

Tips for best results

• Seat the collar fully with a gentle twist to ensure the gasket seals.
• Don’t overfill; change when suction drops or the bag feels firm near the inlet.
• Keep it dry. Any moisture weakens the fibers and can tear the bag.
• Blow out or tap-clean the pleated filter when you change the bag to keep the motor breathing freely.
• If you generate lots of chips, add a cyclone pre-separator to dramatically extend bag life.

The bottom line

The POWERTEC bags have proven reliable, easy to install, and effective at keeping fine dust out of the main filter on my 12- and 16-gallon Ridgid vacs. Filtration for non-hazardous shop work is solid, the seal at the collar fits correctly, and the material has handled typical workshop abuse without tearing. While capacity feels a touch smaller than the OEM equivalent, the tradeoff is minor given the cost savings and the fact that suction stays consistent right up until it’s time to change.

Recommendation: I recommend these to anyone running a 12–16 gallon Ridgid wet/dry vac who primarily collects dry, fine debris—woodworking dust, drywall fines, general shop cleanup. They’re a cost-effective, no-drama way to protect your main filter and keep the vac performing at its best. If you need HEPA-level capture or plan to pick up wet materials, look elsewhere, but for everyday shop duty, these bags strike the right balance of fit, filtration, and value.