Vacuum Cleaner Opinions

[tubatooter1940]

The first job I could get when I was discharged from the Marine Corps in 1963 was selling Rexair (now Rainbow) vacuum cleaners door to door - straight commision.
These machines use water for a filter so no gradual stop-up or bags to buy.
They also suck up water and clear drains.
I still have a 1960 cleaner I got while I was working for them. My mom and sister bought Rainbows in the 60's and when they passed away I inherited theirs and still have them on my boat and one as a shop vac.
They are easy to work on and parts are easily available.
New ones cost over $1,000 but I see used ones in vac repair shops. Building one out of used parts is a possible option.
Still, if I was starting out, a big shop vac is a viable option for cheap.

[steve_decker]

Not like I am really wanting to duplicate this test, but what were the 2 models of vacuums in this test?

The Hoover, now about 2 years old, is a WindTunnel (not sure of the exact model, kind of a grey/green color if that helps) and the Dyson is a DC07.

[TubaTodd]

I brought the old Windtunnel up from the basement. I took it apart as far as I could do "easily" (couldn't get to the motor without some major disassembly) and used my other vacuum to suck out the old dirt and grit. I reassembled it, wiped it down a little and put in a new bag. It's not quite as loud as it was, but it still makes a noise when it shuts off....albeit a softer noise. The suction is still awesome. I went over my rugs and it still did a great job. With my newer one if I run over a leaf, it breaks the leaf into little bits and then I have to run over the bits a couple times to pick it up. (FAIL!!!) With the old vac it just snags the leaf and I move on. I used the extension hose to clean under the couches and tables. The power was MUCH better than my Bissel. I guess I'll start using my windtunnel again until it flat out croaks.

For those who are curious, my Windtunnel is a 10 year old version of this model...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009O ... d_i=507846

The only difference is the color. (Mine is dark green) I will likely buy this vacuum when mine finally dies.

[bisontuba]

HI-
We have a Bissell 3760-4 machine--good unit!
Regards-
mark

[dmmorris]

All of my stuff is between 10 and 20 years old. I keep fixing them and they keep working. Vacuums are pretty simple as long as the motors work, the beater-bars turn, the filters are clear&clean, and the deposit-bags are emptied regularly. Motors can be replaced, but in some cases the cost is high enough to consider buying a whole replacment vacuum cleaner. I have an adopted, broken, (read: FREE) Oreck XL upright (20+ years, carpeted attic room), a Kenmore drag-behind canister (>12 years, first foor, hardwoods), a Hoover upright convertable (~10 years, 2nd floor, carpeted), and a Craftsmann shopvac (garage). I would have a hard-time buying a "new" one......unless the motor burned-out......then I'd prolly get another used one as sugested by TubaTinker. I had an old late 50's Hoover canister that was fab' until the motor quit.

If all you are doing is vac'ing open carpet, then the Orecks is a pretty nice package.
I give the nod to Hoover for canisters...at least the old ones

They all SUCK!

Reminds me of...............

Don Van Vliet: You know, once Stravisnky called me to his house, when I was doing a thing called Trout Mask Replica. Laura Huxley called and said, "The master must speak to you." And I didn’t go. I didn’t go due to the fact that I was deeply involved with the album and the people I was with would’ve probably run right out the doors if would have left at that time. I didn’t go and I’ve never forgiven myself for that. But, I did sell Aldous Huxley a vacuum cleaner in the desert, in Lano. An Electrolux.
Byron Coley: Really? Was it any good or was it a bum cleaner?
Don Van Vliet: Oh yeah, very good. I wouldn’t have done it other wise. I have a hard time selling anything. But that was one thing that was really worth it, because at that time it had a bag, a little paper bag, and it sealed off and you could dispose of it very easily.
Byron Coley: Did you go out there especially to sell it to him, or were you a vacuum cleaner salesman?
Don Van Vliet: I didn’t know it was him when I met him. But after being there for a minute I thought, "This fellow is an awfully powerful, unusual individual." He could hardly see, you know, he was very tall, and he looked down like this and said, "I want that". I said, "Well I assure you sir, this thing sucks."
From: 1979 interview by Byron Coley

also...interesting stuff here at the Cyber-Space Vacuum Cleaner Museum

[TubaTodd]

Update: Since my last post I'd been using an old Hoover Windtunnel that was my wife's grandfather's. It worked great for a while then something got lodged in it and I for the life of me can't figure out what or where it is. Last week I took the plunge and bought the Hoover WindTunnel HEPA. So far I really like it.

[Ace]

I had used a Hoover Wind Tunnel vac for many years. It was very good. Then, I bought a Bissell "Healthy Home" Microban Hepa vac which is proving to be a real winner.

Ace

[Ace]

A few years ago my spousal unit INSISTED on buying a Kirby G6 because it was so good for the high-piled carpet we had all over the house.

The darn thing has a TRANSMISSION and cost about as much as the first car I owned (a heap, admittedly).

Then she decided to rip up all the high-piled carpet and have the hardwood floor that was underneath it refinished.

LOL One of the funniest posts this month.

Ace

[iiipopes]

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/vacuum-cleaners.htm" target="_blank

[DonShirer]

Check this out:

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/top-pick ... d=12985601" target="_blank

More details in Consumer Reports magazine (likely available at your local library).

[Tubaryan12]

If it's "bagless," then it has filter(s). As the filters fill up, sucking starts to "suck."

Cleaning the filter(s) helps. Replacing is what they want you to do---if you can find them... Sometimes the price of the filters is as much as a new vacuum...

+1

a new belt and clean filters will bring most bagless vacuums back to life.

[MaryAnn]

bloke,
I admit I do not clean filters. However I do replace them. Last time I looked I was a woman.

I vote with Rick on the whole-house vacuum that exhausts outside. If I am ever lucky enough to be able to live inside again, I will have the whole-house. I at one point bought a HEPA-vacuum but it made no difference; I have since read that the HEPA must be incredibly well sealed in order to mean anything, and that a well-sealed one is nigh on impossible to find.

MA

[Eflatdoubler]

I have a Miele canister vacuum for my tile floor, and a Kirby G6 for my carpets. I love the Kirby, it is easy to use and does a great job. It even comes with shampooing attachments. I got it off of Craigslist for about $350.00 and it continues to go strong 4 years later.
The Miele is also awesome. It has many different suction levels which come in handy when trying to do drapes or other things. Canisters are great for getting under furniture too. The Miele is very quiet if that means anything to you. My wife can use it while my kid is asleep.
Both are top notch. I also have a Dirt Devil which I can't stand as it just shoots things out the back (it will soon be in the trash). The Kirby is heavy, but it does have a transmission. Both can be found on Craigslist and are the best I have seen.

[TubaTodd]

The more I use my new Hoover Windtunnel the more I realize I made the best choice. It does a great job of dirt and dog hair collection. The rugs are left clean and fluffy. Awesome!

[David Richoux]

I had a small Miele for quite a while, but when we got two dogs and 3 cats it was time to get a Dyson Animal. As a typical early adaptor (industrial designer) I did pay a premium for it when they first arrived in the USA. I had read about the Dyson saga in several design magazines and had also seen them while travelling in Europe.

It is still working fine after 10 years. I like the washable HEPA filter and the no bag canister. It did have a problem with drywall dust (during a remodel project) and I had to take everything apart to clean some of the many little air holes. If that happens again I would probably use a water jet or something like that to clean everything out. It would have been nice to have a retractable cord, but that won't be a Dyson feature at any time soon.

Some of the hand held Dysons are not great, but there aren't many good ones from other makers either!