Anyone else surprised by a found vac that becomes a favorite?

[suckolux]

My wind tunnel curbside find,a 6200 turbo power was just a free machine with plans to clean up a bit and repair for a friend possibly down the road, but after using it a few times and being startled by the amount of power and carpet lifting it got a thorough cleaning and moved inside. It is now pretty much my go-to for doing the deep cleaning, still surprised! The price certainly was right.

 

[human]

Kirby Gsix

The biggest surprise was the one that started all this madness, my first Kirby Gsix. I had found a few vacs beside the dumpster at the apartment where I was living at the time. They were nothing special but I hate wastefulness so I would fix them up (usually just a bag and a belt) and pass them on, donate them or, on at least one occasion, sell them. But one drizzly December evening, I was leaving for a meeting at church and the polished aluminum of this Gsix reflected my headlights back in my eyes and I could read the word "Kirby" on the handle so I stopped the car, jumped out and grabbed it, and headed on to my meeting. When I got home, I found the machine needed— surprise, surprise—a bag and a belt and it had been subjected to that despicable vacuum-killing carpet fresh powder, so popular with dog owners and indoor smokers, which necessitated a thorough cleaning. In my search online for bags, belts and general information, I came across Vacuumland and have been here ever since.

I had memories of an in-home Kirby Classic Omega demo when I was about ten years old and I recalled being mightily impressed—and disappointed when we didn't buy one—so I really felt like I'd found a prize. It quickly became my new favorite vacuum cleaner. I ordered bags and belts online and even went back to the dumpster the next morning to look for the tools but didn't find them. A few months later, I was at a nearby thrift shop for its monthly half price sale and found a set of Gsix accessories for about $4.50. I like to think I reunited them with their original machine.

This machine quickly became my primary vacuum and I quickly became a Kirby fan, although because of its weight, I kept my Electrolux 1205 upstairs and used it there and on the steps. It also was the beginning of my inordinate interest in vacuum cleaners.

 

[jscarlato]

My Gsix . . .

. . . is also one of my favorite vacuums, even among my other Kirbys. I do have an affinity for its black and yellow trim, even more so than the throwback black and red color scheme and handle design of the Avalir. Comparing the two, I think the Gsix has a sleeker appearance, and I am just as satisfied with its cleaning ability as I am with that of the Avalir. Edgar, I enjoyed reading your account of how you happened upon your Gsix. Since I am a retired teacher, I appreciate your well written narrative of how one vacuum sitting out in the rain one evening called your name and subsequently became a great addition to your home.

Joe

 

[human]

Thanks Joe,

Actually, in my day job, when I'm not out rescuing high end vacuum cleaners, I'm an English and humanities professor at a community college.

I agree with you about the Gsix; it's as fine a machine as Kirby ever put out. I actually have seven Kirbys in my collection: a Sentria, two Gsixes, a G5 that's a bit of a 'Johnny Cash special', a Legend II, Heritage II Legend, and a Heritage. All four of the newer machines perform about equally, as do the three older ones, and they're all built like tanks.

 

[oreck_xl]

If I may be so bold, how does a Kirby G5 become a "Johnny Cash Special?"

 

[suckolux]

I believe they're referring to his song one piece at a time.

 

[thevacomaticiec]

Me its when i syarted fixing up
My Compact c9 .Also when i got my lux zb89 i was planning to fix her up and sell it on for ebay money....but niw December it stayed whit me just to sweet to sweet to let go of.Some research and came back here since.
Now my c9 cxl and zb89 are dayli drivers.

 

[oreck_xl]

Thank you for clarifying that. For me, it happened about 10 years ago. I found a Riccar SupraLite RSL1A at a church rummage sale for $10. It is a dowdy machine, straight handle, foot switch, not even a swivel cord hook but it moves an impressive amount of air and does a nice job grooming the carpet. Stronger than the standard 4 amp Oreck upright for sure. That SupraLite will always be a keeper.

 

[jo]

Older Panasonic power nozzle

I came across a Panasonic canister that had a reversing power nozzle...loved it, the brush roll would run forward on the forward stroke. I did eventually give it away to habitat for humanity though as the canister motor went out and I did use it with my Electrolux for a while but decided to let it go finally. It created a self propelled feature but was a bit “jerky” when changing modes.


Very unique though and fun I thought!

Jon

 

[madman]

My Shark Rocket Pro. Honestly, even before I started coming around here, and didn't think much about vacuums (besides antique ones), I was of the mind that modern plastic vacuums were all disposable crap.

Very pleasantly surprised. Not that it just works well, but you can really tell that somebody took time to think about every little thing. The engineering team actually did a wonderful job, and it's obvious. Just as an example, the dust cup has a quick release button on the top of the machine, so you can remove the dust cup with just one hand, without stooping down. I could go on and on. Sharks aren't generally well-liked around here, and I'll freely admit, some of them are less than stellar. But mine is easily the first plastic vac that I liked. Or that I had any feeling for. Y'know?

 

[human]

Oreck_XL wrote:
If I may be so bold, how does a Kirby G5 become a "Johnny Cash Special?"

I reply:
Suckolux got it right. It's a reference to Johnny Cash's song about an auto worker who smuggles a Cadillac out of the factory, one piece at a time, which is pretty much how my G5 came about. It has a G4 back panel on the handle, G3 replacement cord, Ultimate G bag assembly, a Sentria brush roll and gray Sentria rear hubcaps. I didn't smuggle the pieces out of the factory; I just went with the least expensive parts I could find.

Johnny's song is a classic. If you've never heard it--or you just want to hear it again--click the link below:

 

[suckolux]

 

[vacuumdevil]

My SEBO ET-H

I really dislike the complexity of the SEBO ET-H
But it really does drive like a dream on my soft carpet.

 

[jo]

Also...

I have to admit that I did find my love for the Shark rocket stick vacs from a friend of mine had bought one. She showed it to me and I tried it but I wasn’t sold on it much then, then a year and a half later she passed away and she was renting my house. I had to empty her things from the house and decided to keep the rocket and try it out at home and decided I really like this thing. I did even buy myself a more deluxe model and gave away my friends one to my partners parents and they love it too over the Bissell upright they were using previously. While Shark’s are still modern plastic vacuums and more disposable than repairable...the company does make a nice product for the price and it is very well thought out. I particularly like the slow speed on the power nozzle to gently sweep dirt off floors and also love the hard floor hero tool for hardwoods.

Jon

 

[tolivac]

Several favorites for me-My Kirbys,Royals,Central vacuums-MD Silentmaster,and a Viper central machine.Also of all thangs an Oreck Magnesium-use these vacuums in turn.Just like all of them.Just can't narrow down to ONE as a favortie-another favorite--My NSS M1 !!!!The Pigs also get frequent use.Like the central vacuums change their bags only a few times a year.The NSS disposable bag is as large as the central bags.Holds several gallons of debris.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Probably my Eureka 1934A. I actually did not like it at first (thought it was very noisy).

But now really like it - cleans carpets very well, lightweight and easy to maneuver, and really not that loud compared to bagless screamers. Also the bag capacity with the F&G bags is of course huge and the Arm & Hammer bags don't smell for a long time.

Only complaint I have is very short cord and no quick release, which I guess the short cord kind of helps as there's less cord to have to unwind!

 

[suckolux]

My old Hoover by Wards was a gift, so free but not a curb find it gets a lot of play also! Probably somewhat due to the rust color, one of my all-time favorite colors, the nostalgia as I remember those being around whenever I was looking for early vacuums in my first place and I love how when it beats the rug you can see everything dance! Also a rather pleasant sound, I believe it would have been a ranger model?

 

[electroluxxxx]

Viking 720

For me I found that my latest EBay purchase the Viking (electrolux) 720 canister has become my absolute favorite, it's quietness, and power seem to be just right. the machine itself is not awkward to use yet it maneuvers very well and almost effortlessly follows behind. for some reason I find that I go to it more than the central and for a while I have been going for the central first but something about this machine just makes it my absolute favorite.

 

[vacuumdevil]

@electroluxxxx
Would love to see some more of that Viking.