I do have a strong vacuum pump which I use for vacuum bagging composites. Its the kind repairmen use to service refrigerators. Or I could use one that runs off a compressor. But I would rather just use my shop vac, and add a fork in my hose so I can use the shop vac for the dust collection system and the vacuum table at the same time. I will have to see if the shop vac can do both jobs at once.
Very unlikely. Just buy a harbor freight shopvac for $20 and kiss it goodbye once it breaks. I treat my shopvacs like router bits and wasteboards. Just a consumable.
For $20 who cares. My waterjet guy spends almost $200 on nozzles every 75 hours and he cuts 60hrs a week.