suckolux
Well-known member
This was a great question to pose!
Best Decade for Vacuums
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ralph
New member
I think Sablekid said it best, 40’s to 60’s Kirbys! They work great and look awesome.
pr-21
Well-known member
I like the 50's and 60's and 70's the best for Hoover and Eureka and I like the 90's through now for Kirby and Rainbow.
Bud Mattingly
Bud Mattingly
kirbylover
New member
80's were great indeed for Kirby,
but they were really just an improvement from the same design of the 70s (when I compare my Classic Omega and Tradition to Heritage and HII). I have no experience with pre-Classic Kirby so I can't make an opinion on that. I do like having paper bags, so once I get my H84 running with the new fill tube I think that I will like using it much more than the Classic Omega. The G5 is great as any Kirby, it's just different (the quality isn't there when you consider the age difference- wish it had more solid aluminum like the oldies!)
but they were really just an improvement from the same design of the 70s (when I compare my Classic Omega and Tradition to Heritage and HII). I have no experience with pre-Classic Kirby so I can't make an opinion on that. I do like having paper bags, so once I get my H84 running with the new fill tube I think that I will like using it much more than the Classic Omega. The G5 is great as any Kirby, it's just different (the quality isn't there when you consider the age difference- wish it had more solid aluminum like the oldies!)
sireluxomatic
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<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino; font-size: medium;">I'm strictly an Electrolux man, so I can only comment on those. Since the basic design of "Electroli" has never changed that much, its hard to pin down a "best decade". My personal favorite period is that of the 80 series and the various Model Gs (say, 1957-1973), but there are many machines after that that I like, and many innovations such as the Sidekick, the flexible vinyl hose and L-shaped power nozzles that came in the 80s and 90s. When you put the newer innovations together with the earlier machines, its an unbeatable combination.</span>
collector2
Well-known member
I would have to vote for the 50s and 60s as well. Good solid, easily repaired machines that worked well yet also were very aesthetically pleasing. There was a real flair to some of the designs.
Hmmmm
I certainly agree sireluxomatic....that's why I dispense with the original hoses on the earlier models and just use new hoses. I like how the original hoses match their colored machines, but they all leak eventually with lots of use. The new hoses are tanks. True the Sidekick is pretty cool. I bought a Diamond Jubilee new around '84 with The Sidekick and the L shaped PN. However, that machine bit the dirt, while the G's and the 1205's are still going.
I think a lot of older LUX's were traded for newer, just over the leaking/frayed hose issue alone.
Kevin
I certainly agree sireluxomatic....that's why I dispense with the original hoses on the earlier models and just use new hoses. I like how the original hoses match their colored machines, but they all leak eventually with lots of use. The new hoses are tanks. True the Sidekick is pretty cool. I bought a Diamond Jubilee new around '84 with The Sidekick and the L shaped PN. However, that machine bit the dirt, while the G's and the 1205's are still going.
I think a lot of older LUX's were traded for newer, just over the leaking/frayed hose issue alone.
Kevin
floor-a-matic
Well-known member
Best decade
My fav:
1. Kirby before 1980
2. Hoover from 1908-1980 (though I prefer before 1970)
3. Electrolux until 1994
4. Filter Queen (even the Majestic 360)
5. Rainbow from 1936-1980
6. Royal from 1930s-1960s
7. Sears Craftsman shop vacs (early-mid 1980s)
My fav:
1. Kirby before 1980
2. Hoover from 1908-1980 (though I prefer before 1970)
3. Electrolux until 1994
4. Filter Queen (even the Majestic 360)
5. Rainbow from 1936-1980
6. Royal from 1930s-1960s
7. Sears Craftsman shop vacs (early-mid 1980s)
whirlsonicmore
New member
A person into Sears stuff like myself would probably tell you the Whirlpool-made/ designed machines were the best, and were still decent even during the early Panasonic days. By the late 90's though, Kenmore stuff just wasn't as rugged anymore.
As for the Panasonic's, I refer the mid 90's as the end of the good uprights, when they discontinued the 6300's. After that, only a a few commercial models kept the older designs, like the 6602. Around this time they also did away with the handheld handheld cleaners. The canisters kinda followed suit along with the Kenmore models. We saw the end of the Whirlpool-designed cans in the early 2000's, when the 9644 and 9647 were laid to rest.
As for the Panasonic's, I refer the mid 90's as the end of the good uprights, when they discontinued the 6300's. After that, only a a few commercial models kept the older designs, like the 6602. Around this time they also did away with the handheld handheld cleaners. The canisters kinda followed suit along with the Kenmore models. We saw the end of the Whirlpool-designed cans in the early 2000's, when the 9644 and 9647 were laid to rest.
hamiltonbeachbo
New member
I agree with Beerad (plus I love his sauna pic)
No, but really, I think the quality was still good in the 60s.
The 70's and early 80s saw some changes in technology, design and power but I think the quality of components began to suffer.
The late 50s on through the 60's are by far my favorite machines.
Just my preference and thought.
psf
No, but really, I think the quality was still good in the 60s.
The 70's and early 80s saw some changes in technology, design and power but I think the quality of components began to suffer.
The late 50s on through the 60's are by far my favorite machines.
Just my preference and thought.
psf
vacuumalex
Well-known member
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- Messages
- 112
Best Decade for Vacuums
My first thought was the 80's too!
My first thought was the 80's too!
eurekaprince
Well-known member
For Eurekas.....
I'd have to say that the most beautiful Eurekas were designed from 1965 to 1985....from the arrival of the Empress Canister to the arrival of the Express Canister. Even the uprights of these 2 decades were designed so beautifully - from the early Vanguards up to the Ultra and the Self-Propelled Precision. They are also some of the best performing Eurekas in their history.
I'd have to say that the most beautiful Eurekas were designed from 1965 to 1985....from the arrival of the Empress Canister to the arrival of the Express Canister. Even the uprights of these 2 decades were designed so beautifully - from the early Vanguards up to the Ultra and the Self-Propelled Precision. They are also some of the best performing Eurekas in their history.
sireluxomatic
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- Joined
- Oct 4, 2007
- Messages
- 681
Re: Electrolux hoses
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">On rare occasions, I'll bust out an old, still somewhat usable woven hose, just to transport myself back to the 60's, but for practical, everyday cleaning, they're unsuitable, especially the electric ones. </span>
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Then there's the noise factor. If you put all the 80 series and Model Gs together and turned them on simultaneously, they'd probably still be more bearable to listen to than a newer Electrolux. </span>
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">On rare occasions, I'll bust out an old, still somewhat usable woven hose, just to transport myself back to the 60's, but for practical, everyday cleaning, they're unsuitable, especially the electric ones. </span>
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Then there's the noise factor. If you put all the 80 series and Model Gs together and turned them on simultaneously, they'd probably still be more bearable to listen to than a newer Electrolux. </span>
Hoses...
If I had to display 'a collection'.....and one that was correct, I'd be inclined to get the right color hose for the correct LUX. But that's not happening for me at the moment, as I'm still very much into form AND function. I might have even thrown some old OE hoses away, come to think of it. Yeah I know...that was probably stupid, because when and if there is ever a fix that preserves the color/pattern and makes those original hoses like new again, I'll be up the creek.;-)
Kevin
If I had to display 'a collection'.....and one that was correct, I'd be inclined to get the right color hose for the correct LUX. But that's not happening for me at the moment, as I'm still very much into form AND function. I might have even thrown some old OE hoses away, come to think of it. Yeah I know...that was probably stupid, because when and if there is ever a fix that preserves the color/pattern and makes those original hoses like new again, I'll be up the creek.;-)
Kevin
Do you think that the period between 1974 and 1981 was the best period of time for Rainbow vacuums?
~Ben
~Ben
1966-2001
KirbyUltimateG
What happened the those two years? 2002 still had some great vacuums.
What happened the those two years? 2002 still had some great vacuums.
suckolux
Well-known member
Has anyone noticed, some of the older guys, me included like ones more the age when they were young and the younger ones same thing? it really only makes sense.
whirlsonicmore
New member
Ben,
As far as Rainbow, considering all attributes, only the D4's to pre-2005 E series are worth any time to me. The older metal 'Bows were tough machines and ran a long while, but motor rebuild time is a bear.
Suckolux,
I would agree with you on that.
As far as Rainbow, considering all attributes, only the D4's to pre-2005 E series are worth any time to me. The older metal 'Bows were tough machines and ran a long while, but motor rebuild time is a bear.
Suckolux,
I would agree with you on that.
But.....
I think for the most part, there were plenty of technological advances to let vacuums peak even well into 2000. But, manufacturers used technology to give big sound, poor construction & components the nod in their high dollar, top-end models.
If there's not enough profit in your bottom line, make your vacuums cheaper, but use graphics, color or advertised 'ergonomics' to convince folks that their products are better than ever. There's still that mentality out there; that if you go to Shopco (or wherever) and pay $300-500 for a vacuum, it HAS to be good.
And I agree about the generational thing. Whatever turned your crank as a boy vacuum-wise, will undoubtedly be you collector's passion as an adult. Look what Baby Boomers did to the motorcycle industry-although they had the very fortunate luxury to be blessed with better and better motorcycles. It's a sad story that new vacuums have declined so far from their roots.:-(
Kevin
I think for the most part, there were plenty of technological advances to let vacuums peak even well into 2000. But, manufacturers used technology to give big sound, poor construction & components the nod in their high dollar, top-end models.
If there's not enough profit in your bottom line, make your vacuums cheaper, but use graphics, color or advertised 'ergonomics' to convince folks that their products are better than ever. There's still that mentality out there; that if you go to Shopco (or wherever) and pay $300-500 for a vacuum, it HAS to be good.
And I agree about the generational thing. Whatever turned your crank as a boy vacuum-wise, will undoubtedly be you collector's passion as an adult. Look what Baby Boomers did to the motorcycle industry-although they had the very fortunate luxury to be blessed with better and better motorcycles. It's a sad story that new vacuums have declined so far from their roots.:-(
Kevin
