Building a 12x12 Deck – Best Car Vacuum for Sawdust Cleanup?

Hey all, I'm about to start building a 12x12 deck in my backyard. I'm using a miter saw and circular saw, so there's gonna be a ton of sawdust. My garage is my workshop, and I need a car vacuum that can handle fine dust AND bigger chips. I've got a Ridgid shop vac but it's too bulky to drag around. Looking for something portable but powerful. Any recommendations? I'm anal about cleanup precision – don't want dust settling in my car's nooks.

I feel ya, man. I've got like 6 vacuums for different purposes. For sawdust on a deck build, check out the DeWalt DCV580. It's cordless, has a HEPA filter, and runs on the same batteries as my other tools. I use it for quick cleanup around the miter saw. It's not as strong as a big shop vac, but for portability it's a beast. Also, get a cyclone separator attachment to keep the filter clean longer.

I'm a Makita fan through and through. The Makita XCV11Z is awesome. It's compact, runs on 18V LXT batteries, and has a rubberized hose that doesn't kink. I used mine when I built my shed and it picked up everything from fine dust to wood chips. Plus, it's quiet enough that you can use it without earplugs. Stick with Makita if you want reliability.

Thanks for the tips! The DeWalt sounds good but I'm already invested in Milwaukee batteries. Any Milwaukee options? I know they have the Packout system – maybe a vacuum that fits into that? Also, I need something that can handle wet pickup too, just in case.

Milwaukee has the M18 Fuel Wet/Dry Vac (0880-20). It's part of the Packout system, so you can stack it with your boxes. I've used it to vacuum up spilled soda and sawdust – works great. It's a bit heavy, but the wheels help. If you want something smaller, the M12 vacuum is portable but not as powerful. For your deck, go with the M18.