Favorite Straight Suction Vacuum made?

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Another striaght suction vacuum I have-is made up by the Sew&Vac place here-the "Port-O-Vac" this is an MD central vac unit mounted on a janitorial cart-also I have one that has a ProTeam backpack unit mounted on the cart.Either of these works well with a Volt Powernozzle.
 
another great machine

Another great little central vacuum unit is the Drainvac Atomik, I love this machine, it's small but very powerful. It includes a straight suction hose but you could easily connect an electric hose to it if desired. And if you decided later that you wanted to connect it to pipes, you can do that too, the design of this machine is awesome.
Mike

http://https//www.thinkvacuums.com/drainvac-atomik6-30-portable-system-w-accessory-kit.html
 
Mike: You inspired me to order the Drainvac Atomik!!!Just ordered thru your link.Does sound like a NICE little machine--but don't let its small size fool you!Since its sort of portable would be good for the car!!!Maybe the Sew&Vac place could mount this on their cart!
As other members point out the NSS M1 is a direct air "canister" vacuum.There is a large chamber in its "snout" to trap lsarge heavy items.--Its fan is TOUGH,though.I am amazed what it can "eat"!Conduit knockout slugs,6 in piece of Romex,nails,and such.Used one of mine for a home renovation cleanup-did better than my friend Sears shop vacuum.And used it to clean his fireplace!The fan was undamaged!!The trailing blades are almost quarter in thick!
 
Drainvac atomik

Tolivac, that's awesome, I can't wait to hear what you think of it, I think you will love it since you're like me and like to use central vac units free standing. Unless yours is set up differently it should come with a utility valve already screwed in to the in-let, you can easily remove it though if you want to connect to pipes. You can use the hose and tools that come with it or another hose, it sounds like you already have plenty of central vacuum accessories. Wait until you see how portable it is, it has a nice carrying handle on top, the bags are not as large as other central vacuum units but this vac was designed to be portable. You could mount it on a cart but there's really no need, it's so easy to carry, just put it in a convenient place and connect a central vacuum hose, again, can't wait to hear what you think of it. When I first got it, I thought it was not going to be as powerful as other central vacuums since it's much smaller, but I was pleasantly surprised, when using pipes, it can handle a home up to 8000 square feet. I honestly cannot think of a single thing I don't like about it.
Mike
 
I am waiting for my Atomik to arrive.the order has been placed they have to tell me when I am supposed to get the machine.Anxious to get it-have ordered other stuff,too-a new NSS M1,A Polarian PH50 light with a snap on green filter designed to allow you to see dust particles-according to Polarion the filter is used for airborn dust tests.The PH50 light is for my lighting collection.It is an awesome portable light.An inheritance is allowing me to get some things I have wanted.--and refinance my house.
 
the m1

Hopefully your atomik will arrive soon, mine arrived in a few days after ordering. I have thought about getting the M1 since I love canister machines, that's the only direct air canister that I know of, most canister machines have the bag before the fan.
Mike
 
Once you try a M1 you will LIKE it!!Its heavy,but rolls very easy on its large wheels-body higher off the ground than other canisters.the bag support rod can serve as a handle to move the machine where you want it to go.And it has places to keep your favorite hand tools.The hose is not as long as a central machine-but longer than other canisters-and its 1.5"there are adaptors for 1.25".also the M! is built to last a good long time.Its motor turns at a lower speed than other vacuums-plus the motor brushes are larger as well as the bearings.The current bags can be used as a dump bag or with paper bags.I have used Kirby G bags in mine as well.6 Gal Shop Vac bags will fit-but you have to press hard to get them to fit over the M1 bag horn.I have used one of my M1s to clean out radio-TV station transmitters and sites-one TV transmitter had so much stuff in it that the NSS paper bag was chock full-put it on the station managers desk to show him how much stuff was in his transmitter causing arcing!Got som,e good money from them so I bought another M1 and it goes on from there.A drain vac would be good for that type of job,too.
 
the m1

How much does the m1 go for, can you still get them new? How is the suction and airflow? I know that direct air, or fan first machines are known for not being as powerful at the hose end. It sounds like the Atomik bags are much smaller than the M1, they are no where near 6 gallons, that cleaning job would have probably filled several Atomik bags, mine came with a bag installed and an extra replacement bag. I'm not sure how they got that much power in to a machine that small but it's a great little central vac unit.
Mike
 
The NSS M1 DOES NOT have high suction "pressure" but works on VERY high CFM airflow.Unlike central vacuums and other clean air canisters the M1 has only one suction fan.when used with its 1.5 in hose the airflow is very impressive.It easily compares to any of the central machines for air movement and power.The M1 Pig has a 12A 8,000 RPM motor designed to last for over 12,000 hrs.Compare that to 1200 hrs on other types of vacuum motors.The brush life is over 2500 hrs-typical vacuum motors the brush life is 500-1000 hrs.The capacity of the NSs bag is around 6 gallons.NSS says something like 2.5 bushels in the dump bag mode-less with the paper insert bags.I use mine with the paper bags.On the NSS website and YouTube they show the M1 "Pig" being used for high up cleaning jobs with the 10 ft 1.5 in hose and 30Ft rigid wands.It has the airflow to deal with these situations-other vacs couldn't handle that.A central one should like the Pig.The 1.5 In airflow for the Pig is like 150 CFM.The suction pressure is low but the CFM makes up for it-when you try a Pig you will see.
 
The Pig is still made--you can order or buy one thru an NSS dealer.The machine itself is about $1000 and the tools are extra.This is done so you can buy the tools you want.I ordered a "kit" that contains the machine,hose floor wand and your choice of hard floor tool or carpet tool.The carpet tools on the Pig are straight suction-no powered beater brush.At one time you could get a powernozzle for the Pig.I have one-got it years ago.Of course the Volt works better.The Volt works good with the Pig-had the vac shop here make up an adaptor.The Pig is worth the price.You will get a vacuum that can outlast others-and its easily serviced.I replaced the brushes and bearings in the older one I have.Took less than an hour to do it.The machine comes apart easily with common tools.All in all the NSS Pig cost less than a Kirby!Like Kirbys NSS has stuck with the proven design on these machines that has worked for about the 100yrs they have been made!You might be able to find a vacuum guy in your area that has a Pig-then you can try it.LOVE mine-all 5 of them!!!!I am planning to keep one of mine in the garage for car and garge cleaning-----another bonus-you can remove the bag--MAKE SURE the Scrap Trap snout is EMPTY before doing this-you can put the hose on the fan case discharge and use the Pig like a powerful wheeled blower!I don't know if NSS suggests this-I find out one my own.
 
I don't like straight suction canisters for vacuuming carpeting. When my boyfriend and I first moved into our house his grandma gave us an old eureka princess. It was the only vacuum we had at the time so I used it to vacuum a house full of wall to wall carpet. The eureka only has the straight suction floor nozzle. No revolving brush at all. It didn't pick up dog hair or threads which was totally annoying. It was also a pain in the butt to vacuum an entire house of carpet with a straight suction canister. I know way back when, a lot of people had straight suction canisters. That must have been tedious! My eureka has a vibra beat nozzle but all it did was make a lot of noise that scared my dogs and really annoyed my boyfriend. The plain carpet nozzle did a better job than the vibrabeat nozzle. After several months of cleaning with the eureka my mom gave us a shark navigator for Christmas. It's plastic crap but I was glad to have it at the time because it's an upright with a revolving brush at least. So does anyone here like using a straight suction canister on carpeting?[this post was last edited: 9/3/2018-12:32]
 
straight suction on carpet

There are battery power nozzles you could get for that Eureka so it could clean carpets better. For carpets, you need a spinning brush, a straight suction tool really won't work, and the spinning turbine nozzles are noisy and have issues with the turbines getting jammed or clogged. If you are goin'g to use a canister to clean carpets, you need a motor driven brush, I'm actually surprised so few backpack vacuums don't include an electric power nozzle or at least the connection for one but instead include a straight suction carpet tool instead.
Mike
 
I don't use the eureka anymore really. My boyfriend uses it to vacuum the cars but that's about it. I have a Kirby now that I love. I use the hose and attachments on it for vacuuming the upholstery and above the floor stuff. I did buy a turbo nozzle for my eureka but it was useless. Once I would put it in the carpet the brush would stop turning. I Didn't know they made battery turbo nozzles. How cool. Wish I had known that when I was using the eureka for all my vacuuming.
 
Mike:
The "think Vacuums" folks shipped my Drainvac order 9-4 via UPS.Got my new NSS M1 today-awesome like my others.I like to get a new one every few years or so-kinda like me and Kirbys.The bag is made of a heavier material.when I tried the machine for its maiden test-the Pig lived to its name----it ATE the plastic bags the wand and bag came in!!!!Had the end of the hose close enough to those and it ate them!Using a paper bag in the cloth one.Always do this to keep the outer bag clean even though you could use it as a dump bag if desired.
 
awesome

Great, can't wait to hear what you think of the Atomik, are you going to use the hose it comes with or hook it up to a different hose? It sounds like you have lots of central vac hoses and attachments, I think you will really enjoy it, and you may find it much easier to move around than a big unit on a cart.
Mike
 
a few other vacs that would work well on a cart

Here are a few other vacs that would work well on a cart, these have hose inlets built in so no need to attach a utility valve to them.
First is the vacumaid garage vac pro, this one uses a 5.7 Ametek through flow motor, I have this machine, it's very powerful, 138 CFM, 138 water lift, 740 air watts.
https://vacumaid.com/product/garage-vac-pro/
And here is another vacumaid machine, I don't have this one but am tempted to get it, apparently it has a hose inlet on the unit but also has an in-take to connect pipes as well so I'm not sure what makes this one different from any other central vacuum unit, it uses a 6.6 bipass motor.
https://vacumaid.com/product/vacumaid-uv100-extended-life-professional-wall-mounted-utility-vacuum/
 
Power nozzles will always be preferred, but I have learned to appreciate a good rug nozzle as well! I don't know that I can pick a favorite, I enjoy a central vac, the NSS M-1, Mieles do well too. I simply haven't the patience to try and sort out all of my favorites, but I do enjoy a well designed rug nozzle on a fun machine.
 
Mike--Atomik is here!!!Tried the machine--my maiden test was a disappointment.The zipper on the bag came open-this little guy is like a jet fighter-mostly engine!!!The airflow caused the zipper to open the inside of the Atomik was full of the debris I picked up.Soo--I duct taped the zipper shut-problem solved.MUCH better-My new NSS Pig enjoyed cleaning out the Atomik and its bag.The Atomik--11A motor-Pig-12A motor.They are close in power.when I unpacked the Atomic from its box-the plastic clamshell it was in was unique.I first laughed-but trying the vacuum it was awesome like the Pig.I also electrician taped the relief valve on the hose handle shut-was a nuisance-if it opened while the machine was used made a loud whistling noise!The duct tape on the bag zipper and tape on the hose handle the machine is now a go to vacuum.It worked well for my car--I do have an extension cord on the Atomiks cord so the machine can rest safely on the ground.The Atomik is a high quality small but mighty vacuum.All of the replacement bags have zippers-the bag material is intended to be used only once.So when my duct taped bag fills-will throw it in the garbage and duct tape another bag to put in the machine.Its a fun vac to use like my Pig.Right now those are becoming favorite canisters.The Atomiks LOOOOOONNNGGG hose makes it easy for the car or in the house.Just only have to plug the machine twice in the house and only once for the car.I do like the little Atomik you can use it like a portable machine or bolt it to a wall.I would like to see solid disposable bags instead of the zipper ones.
 
The vacuums Mike uses on the Port-o-Vac are special MD units.They have 14A bypass motors and 6 gal cap bags.Same as the Pig.The Atomik could be used on a janitor cart,toothen it would be good for hotels and such.For them the machine should have a dump bag made from the heavier fabric used for dump bags.Filtrete type cloth-spun woven cloth is intended for disposable bags only-use once.
 
atomik bags

That's interesting that the atomik bags are coming open for you, have not had that issue, I'm not sure why those bags have zippers though, never saw the point of that.
I don't use the hose that came with the atomik since I already have a 30 foot and 50 foot central vacuum electric hose. Taping the zipper shut was a great idea, hopefully none of what you vacuumed up got in to the motor, it doesn't sound like that happened. Did yours come with a spare bag? If so you may want to tape that one up now so it's done, did yours come with a filter that you put on the exhaust? Mine did but I don't use it, I find that the bag's filtration suffices. It would be interesting to see how the atomik worked if connected to pipes, anyway, glad you like it, for its size it's very powerful, this is one of the few machines that does not use an Ametek motor, I think the motor is made by Dommel. I wonder if it's a flow through or bypass motor, based on the sound I'm going to guess that it's flow through.
Mike
 
1 up

@n0oxy
@ultralux88

I was thinking along the lines of portable vacuums. But it sure is hard to beat a good central vacuum!:-D
Well just chalk 1more up for #CentralVacuumpropaganda

I guess we're all just going to eventually agree that Central Vacuums are best?
Everything always leads back to well if you had a "central vacuum" :-D

Thanks for all your input guys!
 
WELL...Im the oddball as usual!

I have many power nozzles, and don't like them much, I use straight suction machines about all the time, True, certain nozzles are much better than others, the secret to getting a thick carpet clean with one you must vacuum slowly, and you need to give your carpet a once over about every day, this week I have been using my 1963 Gem, which is a early version of the Water Matic, typical Canadian rug tool like used on a Fairfax, I DO use a power nozzle or upright about once every couple of weeks to fluff up the carpet, but last week I used my Cyclonic Turbinette with my Compact C6, that is a air driven power nozzle.
 
Mike: I taped the spare bag-a package of bags came with my machine-those have zippers.Will just tape them when I use the bags.No stuff got into the motor-the "safety" filter prevented the debris from getting into the motor.There is a screen over the motor intake opening.Peaked inot the exhaust outlet-the motor is indeed flo-thru.I use the little filter bag on the exhaust-put the hose clamps to hold the bag in place.And there was no debris in the exhaust filter bag.Did a particle count with my particle tester-the count was high-this would be due to the carbon impregnation in the filter bag to reduce odors.The NSS read a lower count-it has a paper bag inside its cloth one.An EXCELLENT all metal carpet tool and wand came with my Pig and it does very well-glides over my thick carpet.NSS makes EXCELLENT floor carpet tools for their canister machines-1.5".They are big-but work really well and since they are all metal-almost indestructible.When I order more bags from Drainvac will explicitly ask for the plain,unzippered bags.They offer both.
 
central vacs

Central vacuums are good, if I lived in a house rather than an apartment I would probably have piping installed. Fortunately just about any central vacuum unit can be made to work free standing without pipes. Some units come with a utility valve on the unit and for those that don't, you can attach one to the intake. You then have the benefits of a central vacuum without pipes. I use all 8 of my central vac units this way, I have them in different rooms of my apartment, it's awesome.
You could probably get a carpet clean with a straight suction tool but it will require much more effort and take longer, I would just use a power nozzle, much easier.
Mike
 
I got the idea of using a central vacuum without the plumbing from vac shop displays where the unit is mounted to the wall and it is demoed with the utility inlet-or a standard wall inlet mounted to the machine.Of course ANY central vac machine will be most powerful used in this manner.
 
collecting central vacuum units

When I first started collecting central vacuum units, I didn't know that a valve could be attached directly to the intake, so I only looked at units that had a utility valve built in. Once I learned more about how they work, I started collecting other units and attaching a utility valve directly to the intake, the power is awesome, you get the advantages of the larger motor without the pipes. I really wish I had a 240 volt outlet in my apartment so I could get some of the two motor beasts, unfortunately I don't see any way to make that happen.
Mike
 

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