I ruined a vacuum this evening....

[logan]

So a few years back my sister bought a basic Eureka Model 6982-A canister vacuum. Nothing really fancy about it, but it was a good vacuum. I say "was" because she asked me to take it home this evening and clean it out for her. I was in the process of taking it apart and literally plastic pieces started cracking and breaking off. The plastic is so broken that I can't get it back together. The plastic is also warped from the motor running really hot. She must have sucked up tons of plaster dust during her renovation of her home and that made the motor too hot. The vacuum was literally covered in white dust. At this point, I think it just needs to be trashed.

I feel like it was totally my fault that vacuum is now broken even though I know this kind of thing happens sometimes when you work on plastic machines. The thing is, I've taken one of these apart before with no problems, so I don't know what happened with this one. Anyways, I called her and apologized. She was a little irritated that I broke it, but understood that it was just an accident.

I offered her any vacuum I have as a replacement (within reason). She didn't really know what I have so I told her about one of my extra Filter Queen Triple Crowns. She said it sounded like something she may like, so she decided to take it. I'm going to take it over to her house tomorrow.

Do you guys think that I did the right thing? What would you have done? Should I have went out and bought her a new Eureka as a replacement instead of offering her one of the machines out of my collection?

 

[lux1521]

Why don't you show us some pictures of what you managed to do. I think that might be interesting. I think there still might be a way to put it back together too if it fell apart a certain way. There is always hope, until it gets trashed.

 

[arh1953]

It's not like you deliberately broke it. I'm not real big on disassembling anything for that reason. I wouldn't venture any opinions on you offering up a Filter Queen, except that it is mighty generous. I would hope she will come to the realization that she may have helped her Eureka into an early grave.

 

[petek]

No way. She'd already ruined it sucking up drywall dust and tell her that. Or don't tell her and just go out and buy a refurbished $39 Euro-Pro from a liquidation type store and present her with it. That's all she deserves LOL

 

[danemodsandy]

Logan:

I think that both of you will have learned something from this by the time it's over. Your sister will learn that it takes a shop vac to deal with that kind of dust, and you've seen that it's always a good idea to make it clear that there is no guarantee of success when disassembling/reassembling a plastic vac. I've worked on a couple myself, but always with the clear understanding that plastic vacs sometimes break in the process, and it's nobody's fault.

 

[logan]

I talked to her again and she decided not to take the Filter Queen. She remembered that I had brought it over to her house just to vacuum a few months back and she didn't really like it. She just didn't want to tell me she didn't like it. She was trying to be nice. (I take different vacuums to her house to vacuums sometimes. It gives me different types of carpets, tile, etc. to try my vacuums on).

Anyways, I am giving her an Electrolux Ultralux (plastic body), similar to my moms, that she really likes. I am not attached to that vacuum at all and it will make a good canister for her to use. I am going to "school" her on what you can and can not pick up with a high end vacuum cleaner. I am also going to offer her an old shop vac I have for using when she wants to pick up crap. LOL

I have learned a lesson and I think she will too. As for the Eureka, I don't feel like bothering with it anymore. I spent about 3 hours messing with it tonight and the plastic is just too screwed up. I am going to salvage some parts off of it and toss the rest. It only cost like $190 5 years ago, so it's not a big deal.

 

[louvac]

Logan...

A Eureka Sanitaire model 3683 seems like it would do a great job for her. However, this machine does not have a power nozzle. My sister is also clumsy with vacuums and I would NEVER EVER give her one from my collection! You are a better man than me, you brave soul, you!

I did the same thing to her Hoover Quick Broom-the one that looks like the Regina Electrik Broom wanna be. The fan broke due to her carelessness and so I ordered her a fan, took the machine apart, installed it, put it back together and turned it on only to hear it self destruct. The fan tightened itself, striped the threaded shaft and nearly burned the motor all the way out. Needless to say, the machine must have been on its last leg to begin with and it was time to say goodbye! It wasn't my fault and it certainly wasn't your fault. I believe that some of the plastic machines are not really meant to be repaired and are basically a one-time-snap-togther design. Once you undo them, their integrity is compromised and/or lost. It's discouraging but nonetheless, but definitely not worth stressing over. Screw it!

Louis



MODEL SC3683

Our proven canister is compact, powerful and features telescopic metal wands to reach those difficult cleaning locations. CRI Green Label certified and available HEPA filtration make this the perfect detail cleaner.

Other Great Features:

• 12 Amps of Power
• Disposable Dust Bag System
• 20' Power Cord


Owners Guide Repair Parts List

 

[ericaustin]

That Sanitaire Mighty Might I have but in dark blue! I think I wanna trade it for a Kirby.. Or high end canister with a power nozzle.. We move Saturday! So pictures of my collection will be up shortly after that..

 

[arh1953]

Have a safe move Ericaustin!

 

[logan]

Louvac:

You are absolutely right. I said "screw it" at one point myself last night too! I figured that Eureka was probably doomed from the beginning anyways, so why worry about it.

The Electrolux I am taking to her house tonight is one that I had in my collection that I am not really attached too. I was more than likely going to give it away at some point anyways, so I figured why not give it to her. I am going to make sure she doesn't use it for picking up plaster dust, etc. because I'm giving her a shop vac as well.

We'll see what happens.