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The Compromise My wife and I bought our first vacuum in 1979. After coming from homes that used Kirbys, quiet was top of our list too. We ended up with a Riccar by-pass machine. Lasted about 18 years, and worked fine. It was replaced by a Sharpe by-pass which worked as well, but was...

Direct Air You say "bang for the buck". I say, direct air. They are the ones with longevity measured in decades, not years. They are the ones used commercially. They are uncomplicated and easy to repair, with low priced parts still available even for vintage machines. The money you save...

If Bearing Is Good Might want to see how the field coil is located. It has to be rigidly held in place. If it is shifting off center, you'll have the same situation as a very bad bearing. http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?17780

Attempting To Find The Bearings Take it to your local vac shop and ask their opinion of whether they think the bearings are severely worn. You should be able to tell yourself, if you grab the belt pulley and see if there is any play in it. There should be none. Or, maybe the retainer is...

More! I remember when this show first aired here in the US. I actually remember watching this particular episode. Not with as much interest as now, but I enjoyed it just the same. Even now, I still watch "How It's Made" and "Modern Marvels" among others. It's a shame they're all so...

Get It All Done That machine will have to be pulled apart to buff it. May as well recondition it while it's apart. Does it need bearings, brushes, bumpers, bulb, lubrication, wheels, or anything else? Bag conversion? Now would be the time to do it. There's an outfit that specializes in...

Commercial Use? Which of these two big vac names is found more often in commercial environments?

Pictures? I'd like to see pictures, particularly the "scratches". I've been told a sisal wheel and emory compound can take them out. I'd love to see before and after of this process. BTW, you're looking at around $50.00 just for shipping it back & forth.

Are These The Correct Wheels? I'm looking at a Model 880 on Ebay. Serial Number 67K C 111820. The wheels on it aren't as large as the front, but larger than wheels from Model 880s that came later. That's a strange transition, unless this is a replacement set on this older machine...

Clarification My spell check changed advantageous to adventitious, whatever that is. And, by shearing action, I mean slicing between the carpet fibers, not cutting them off. Hope that makes sense!

No Way He Bought It "Makes you wonder if he was actually the person who bought it." I bet the average man on the street would have no idea what those cost new. Most people couldn't guess within $1,000.00 what they sell for! They figure a used vacuum, is a used vacuum, is a used vacuum. No...

Does Any Detail Escape Your Attention? Sheesh Ben, you pick up on things 99% of the population probably never notices... myself included! Now that you mention this, I'm going to guess the 180 degree bristles will have the better sweeping action, but wouldn't be adventitious for the...

I Concur Damn Ben, how do you know all this stuff? What's your secret? There's one more factoid that didn't make it into the book. I've found I have to adjust the height of my 1982 880 to the extreme, to engage the no pile/ commercial carpet in our kitchen and porch. I added an acorn nut to...

You're Not Alone My son was surprised that my 20 year old top of the line Royals weren't older than that. I'm so used to them, I never think about how antiquated they look. That Model 153 is just one generation older, and I'll put its performance up against anything you want to throw at it...

Wish There Was I believe the motors used in the current Royal Metal uprights are built in a country that uses 220V, 50 cycle power. I don't see why they couldn't manufacture motors for that voltage along with the 110V line. Start selling those converted vacuums for commercial use, and...

How Handy Are You? "Can I convert this shake out bag to a bag with paper replacements?" It can be done. Can you do it? Lowes 2-in Dia 22-1/2-Degree PVC Street Elbow Fitting, Item #: 174891 | Model #: PVC 00326 0800 $1.79. You'll need two of them. Screw one into the inlet of the bag from...

Time For A Kirby? You might want to add a Kirby to your collection. I really can't see one of those bouncing even a little.

Really? A nine blade fan? Honestly, I think the thin bag helps give it insane air flow already. I've been using the Model 131 for so long, I forgot how much more suction the newer ones have. Newer? That's a hoot. This one is 32 years old! Fired it up a little while ago and it wants to...

Full Circle Just purchased yet another Model 880 from Ebay. Paid about twice as much as the one purchased on Craigslist that started this thread. Reason I paid so much was the cost of shipping and it looked to be in very good condition. It arrived on Wednesday the 23rd, and I shot a video...

Figure It Out? You probably tackled this by now, but if not, the newer models are held in with a roll pin. Just drive it out with a 3/16" punch. Older ones are held in with a screw, which is pretty obvious to remove.