Sadly, I have yet to start a vacuum cleaner collection. I do hope to start one in the future. I have autism and vacuum cleaners are one of my favorite machines
What are your dream machines yet to be found?
Miele S200 (any model) Vax 121, Hoover junior 1334, 119; and any of the older Panasonic machines.
What are your earliest and favorite vacuum memories?
My aunt had a Hitachi upright cleaner that I used to be scared of, but it was one of the first vacuums I learned not to be frightened of along with my mum's old Electrolux she got from her dad (my granddad) when he passed away. I remember my aunt also had 2 Panasonic upright machines after the Hitachi. First she had a purple one; and when it burnt out she got the red version.
What is the history of vacuum you have owned?
In order. My mum had the electrolux cleaner from her dad, then we had a premier mini 185 commercial canister/cylinder cleaner which was a really powerful machine and performed really well. We then got blue electrolux the boss 1300W; and she was a really awesome sounding machine too, until a builder decided to suck up plaster dust and kill the motor. We then had a dirt devil canister (forgot what model it was off hand) but it didn't last long. A hoover purepower was our next machine; and I really didn't like how it sounded, it was loud and gravel-like. We started getting bagless machines after the purepower blew its motor. (grr) The first one we got was a Bissell; and after a year or so the brush roller bearings went, then we got an electrolux Vitesse. That was a really cheaply built machine; and after about a year or so the motor blew up on it. The next 2 machines were even cheaper and they were a Vax, which was actually good but the same thing happened to the motor after a while. After that was a hoover. I bought that one because I was fed up of mum buying cleaners that wouldn't last. I thought it seemed better built, but being made where most vacuum cleaners are now, it didn't last long until the smell of carbons said the motor was going to go. So then I bought an upright cleaner. She was a Vax U89-MA-LE; and i loved this machine. It wasn't too heavy for my mum to push; and wasn't offensively loud like most other newer stuff. She lasted for nearly 6 years and never broke once. The brushbar bearings started going bad though and where I'm from there's not really any vacuum repair stores to speak of. So having tried a few stores; and not having any luck I had to let the machine go. I'm autistic, so changes to machines like that really trigger me. More if we've had the machine in question for a long time. We've now got a Numatic Henry and a chordless Bosch upright cleaner. I like these machines but we don't often use Henry because he's quite heavy for mum to carry around or even to use in general. The Bosch is still going and really is a great machine in my oppinion.
Have you ever worked on, repaired and/or restored any vacuum cleaners?
Sadly no. It's one of my dreams though. I'm blind, so have never been given the chance to have a go even with someone who's sighted to support me. I've driven a dual controlled car before, so I'm just waiting for the time to come. I'm fully aware of the safety precautions I'd need to take and would not work on any electrical equipment without someone sighted supervising
