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Kirbys and the other "high end" vacuums I was just recalling how my Grandmother was a long time Kirby owner up until the 1970's when the local vacuum shop started selling Electrolux. She was good friends with the owner, so naturally she became an Electrolux convert. Her Electrolux G is...

Not many Royals here in PA either! That brought up another interesting observation. With the comment that there seemed to be a ton of Royals in Portland, I have yet to run across one here save for the 501 hand vacuum and variants. Any of my metal Royal uprights have been "imports" from...

I almost forgot, Electroluxes and Compact/Tristar seem big around here as well, although more so in the well-to-do households so it appears. (and of course Kirby is pretty universal) Not sure why Air-Way was popular, but I found a few houses that had both an Air-Way 88 and a Compact! I...

I guess this post could go in either the vintage or contemporary forum, or even Off Topic, but I'll put it here for now. Just wondering if certain models or makes of vacuums had fairly localized distribution, meaning US states or regions (not considering imported brands or distribution outside...

Funny, I was just sitting waiting for some work to be done on my car, and reading the newspaper to kill time when this recall notice caught my eye! I really would like to know if the problems are due to shoddy manufacturing quality or if there was a design flaw to begin with. Anyone have...

Well Said! I think you got it right. While I do think that Consumer Reports would be a decent to adequate starting point for the average consumer who wants value for their money, the CU testing procedures seem to miss something. Whether it be vacuum or loudspeaker or whatever, they base...

AC vs DC motors in Carpetwins I am also a bit surprised that they used a DC motor in my 140. I was really hoping I could just swap in a motor from a different model, but it seems like they all used something different, even amongst models made during the same time frame. I think mine was...

Yes, Where are the Royal metal uprights? I checked out this thread hoping that CU may have shed some light on what they thought of the current Royal metal offerings, but I had a feeling that they would not even make a showing. I have sort of given up on Consumer Report's ratings, as they...

Beastly Rugmaster Yeah, that Rugmaster does look like a hefty piece of equipment. Can't say I am at all familiar with them. Do they work as robustly as they look? Regards. Doug

Thank you for saving another Sanitizor. I have a 55A which I love dearly, and they kept up the quality until the end. I am still bitter that we lost them only a few years ago. I see the name still exists, but I doubt we will ever see another real Sanitizor machine on the market. I...

Kirby Aluminum castings Funny you should mention the Kirby aluminum castings. Just last night I was taking apart my Classic III for refurbishment (or is that rekirbishment?) And I noticed all the castings had the "Halex" logo on them. I had only heard of Halex as a manufacturer of...

Patriot HEPA Not sure if it's just marketing, but a few places claim that properly set up, the Patriot HEPA machine outperformed serious cleanroom machines by Nilfisk etc. I somehow can't see these being used commercially in real life, but the Patriot filters do claim true HEPA filtration...

Makes me want a G4 There is a local lady who is selling a G4 in clean condition with a full complement of attachments. She mentioned she wanted $70 but I said that it was a bit too new for me and I probably was not interested. Perhaps I should call her back and negotiate a bit? Cheers...

After doing some research and seeing how, at least in the early days, made virtually all parts of their machines in-house, I started to think. It seems as though today, quite a few vacuum manufacturers have some clever engineering behind their products, but when you get right down to it...

My question was already answered I guess the answer to my previous question is that Eureka made the CXL power nozzles! I guess I assumed differently as the fancy metal top threw me off! Cheers, Doug

Dumb Question I hate to show my ignorance, but who made the TriStar powernozzles that are often seen with the CXL (like mine) with the metal top plate and gray/black hammertone finish as on the vacuum itself? It uses an Ametek motor and wide flat belt, and I like it's performance fairly...

Vortech Force I've seen those for sale a number of times as well. Thought they looked pretty neat, but I've always stuck with a real TriStar. In fact, it seems as long as the Compact/TriStar has been around, there have been people building competing machines that use a similar vertical...

Thanks! Thanks for the notes. It makes me wonder if there are any Ametek motors still being made that have a lifespan like the older ones. Knowing that, I will hang on to my CXL for as long as it lasts. I can see where the incentive to skimp on copper would come from, given the cost of...

I love the "real" Tri-Stars/Compacts, and I am not sure if I can muster up much enthusiasm for the newest MG series with the really cheap looking motors, and according to one anecdotal internet source, they are now made in China as well. I know there are a few other manufacturers that have...

Hi Rick, Thanks for the notes. I am afraid it really is the motor. How do I know? Well, the magnets themselves have become unglued from the housing! Amazingly, the motor worked for a little while with the magnets simply wedged in place and stuck to the armature, but that didn't last...