Vax Turboforce Experiences/opinions!

[parwaz786]

Hi
I have found a nice Vax Turboforce for the price of £20 and needs a new belt. I know it definitely comes with the turbo brush and extension tube. Wouldn't really care if the bulb was blown but would find it cool if it does work

Anyways, Just wondering has anybody had or tried a Vax Turboforce here? What do you think of it?
A friend of mine had one, he liked it and I am keen on finding about other collector's opinions

I like it because it's got a little long extension/mini non removable tube on the hose, kinda nice.
On board turbo tool!
Looks heavy
Has a headlight
Has a Metal beaterbar
Just looks nice

Thanks

 

[parwaz786]

I don't like how the entire body up to the motor unit is all plastic which has one purpose of keeping the machine stable only. Would be nicer if it was one massive unit with the switch at the top and cable coming out near the handle too at the top.

Aesthetically, I personally like the looks of this vac

I imagine car cleaning would be a pain with this, even had trouble using any cylinder vacuum cleaning a car! This includes the beastly Happy Henry

 

[henrydreyfuss]

I repaired dozens of the Dirt Devil version in the US

They ARE heavy. Heavy in the hands, and not easy to push. They're also enormous cleaners from a time when most bagless uprights were monstrosities. The Dirt Devil version was notorious for the brushroll ends allowing in hair, tying up the bearings, and melting the brushroll (and oftentimes the brushroll housing too). The brushroll had 3 rows of brushes, but they weren't stiff and they barely stuck out from the bottom plate. It used Dirt Devils best pleated filter setup (basically just a big pleated cone filter in the center of the cup), but it was still a messy job to keep it running. The tools were also clunky and a relic compared to the better setups on modern bagless uprights.

I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed that they're parading this thing around in orange like it's commercial-grade.

The price is right!

 

[parwaz786]

Cool, thanks for the info!
I might get a new brushbar for it if I can find a good one, don't want to spend too much on a Vax. I have some Dyson belts which I am hoping will work and fit fine. I will give it a good refurb and wash the filter aswell, but I will probably get a new filter kit anyways. I like how it would be heavy to push but will the small roller castor wheels at the back make it hard to maneuver on thick carpets? I would much rather see one with just normal wheels though. Not like anyone is gonna swing the vacuum sideways like in the advert!

 

[henrydreyfuss]

It takes a huge flat belt

I believe it was a Dirt Devil Style 12 in the states, which had a huge diameter and was unlike any flat belt I've seen. Even the largest Dyson belt would be too small, and put strain on the motor, brushroll, and brushroll housing. I'm sure the genuine correct belt can be purchased very cheaply online. Those swivel wheels made it impossible to push when the cleaner was reclined from the upright position. They would also get caught on themselves, so even pushing the cleaner in a straight line was a challenge.

Takes me back to a time when I was nothing but dismayed by the quality of department store vacs. We're in a much better place now, where companies are still making products cheaply, but they're learning how to make cheap products higher quality.

 

[sebo_fan]

They were popular in the UK due to pricing but the melting drive belt/brush roll sounds familiar. I know several owners who had these and didn't like them, despite the fun aspect of castors being fitted to them instead of wheels.

The "commercial" orange colour is a nod to Vax's own domestic colouring of their original company, the colour of which is still applied to the brand name today.

The Dirt Devil Swift style hose at the side front of the floor head hood can be inclined to break off, so be careful there.

 

[parwaz786]

Thank you both I don't really like the castors, if it breaks I will go mad. Not gonna spend more than £20 for the vax and to refurb it either!
BTW Orange Vax machines were everywhere, I remember when I was a kid, there was the Vax 6131 EVRERYWHERE, most households, most shops etc had them. Even the local mosque had them. However, despite that fact they were a good idea and worked well, they didnt last well. The pumps failed, the plastic snapped off in places. The one at my local mosque had tape everywhere, even round the motor unit. They got rid of it ages ago.

My next door neghbour always bought Vax products, they had like a 121 I think, but they had like 2 or 3 orange 6131's they loved them. Then they got the smaller version in marroon/red. It didnt last long. Worked fine but the suction was horrible from new. They borrowed our DC04 cos the carpets were in a state and were impressed with hot good it was, even when the bin got like almost half full. They now have a DC33 which they think is their best vac.

I don't rally see the 6131 round much anymore! most people replaced them with Henry's or Dyson's

 

[sebo_fan]

I cant imagine why people would replace their Vax canisters with a Dyson - its no as if Dyson has ever done a castor style vacuum..yet..

Its easier to see why owners would trade up to a Henry vac though, even more so to a George if you want to retain the straight suction style of carpet cleaning OR 3 in 1 versatility. Vax also offer moving scrubbing brush floor heads with their newer Vax wash canisters.

 

[parwaz786]

IK but it seems that all people want today is a fancy new Dyson, very modern and decent aswell as innvovative, plus you get a 5 year guarantee

 

[parwaz786]

If the castor breaks off is it the castor that actually broke or is it the chassis?

 

[sebo_fan]

Sometimes the castor snaps off the main chassis underneath. They can actually survive on one rear castor, but then make sure to prop it up against a wall so that it doesn't fall at an angle.

 

[beko1987]

I had a Turboforce once, found it on the side of the road!

It was very beaten up, and clogged, but after a full refurb, new brushroll and new filters it was brilliant tbh!

Pro's -
Suction was very powerful (on brand new filters)
Cord is very long
Hose is very long
(The pattern brushroll I bought) was metal, nd VERY stiff. Really did groom well
Loud, not but unbearable. Not high pitched

Con's -
(It may have been dropped before) but when pressing on the release pedal after the refurb when using it the whole chassis snapped around it! Glued back together but still... (I see this has been mentioned before!)
Filters clogged quickly
It's a heavy old thing!
You can't tip it back and wheel it about thansk to the rear swivelling castors!

£20 for a good one is fair I think. Filters belts and brushrolls are very very cheap, so it's worth a punt! It came behind the Kirby G5 for grooming at the palce we lived in at the time anyway! A close second indeed.

 

[parwaz786]

Lovely! Cheers Was the original old brushbar metal too? I probably will get a new brushbar anyways as the end caps look thin and easy to snap :/