Just bought an Oreck... Information wanted!

[jmurray01]

Well, last week I saw a rather tempting advert online for an Oreck upright at £15. I got the seller down to £10 ($15) and picked it up.

Not a bad cleaner, I've used it a few times now on medium and shag pile and it works well on both, although the handle becomes stiff after a while (not sure why!).

I think it is from the 1980s but would like to know all info there is on these models.

Also included in the deal was a BNIB Oreck handheld vacuum (cigarette lighter type) which I have yet to try out. I know that was manufactured in 1998 from the original postage sticker on the box.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Jamie, may I call you Jamie?????????

Don't MAKE me come over there!!!!!!!!!!
Well, you DO have a little piece of "America" over there now.

 

[jmurray01]

I know John, although it will be kept in a different room from the Hoovers, you have my word! No contamination will take place.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I'll send you

some gloves, if that helps.


  Can't you just HEAR eyes rolling right about now?

 

[MPN]

I have that same hand-held car vacuum. It works very well as long as you DON'T let the re-usable bag/sock become clogged.

 

[singingrainbow]

Hi Jamie, good to hear from you.

I am by no means an oreck expert, but I believe your machine is actually from the late 90's. It is kind of hard to tell with these since they have used this style for a very long time (and still do), but I think the bag is a giveaway. I have a similar one from 1993 which has the older style (non "hypo-allergenic") vinyl bag.
I could be wrong, and that's assuming it isn't a replacement bag. But if I remember correctly that bag material wasn't out until the mid to late 90's.

Other than that all I can say is that is by far the most common oreck design (in terms of the actual motor bit).

Anyway, I'm sure someone else can give you a better answer.

Scott

 

[durango159]

John, I think you should send holy water too!! LOL

I've used several Orecks. I find that they are very lightweight to carry around the house. However their small wheels and what I feel is weak agitation make it stiff at gliding over a carpet. I've seen housings on some literally just about fall apart when taking off for service.

They're a neat machine to try and at least you can say that you've experienced an Oreck. Beyond that it's not my cup of tea. Some have really nice color schemes and some models had really neat cool looking dual headlights.

Enjoy your machine. Don't forget your Hoovers and other great cleaners though!

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Oh Johnny!

John! Quick, hand me some gloves and a Type C bag! I have to re-build an oreck at work!
Oh No!
Andy

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I'm there

for ya.  Well,  in between therapy sessions, that it.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

John
Maybe call me tomorrow (Wednesday)? I have TERRIFIC NEWS!
Andy

 

[gottahaveahoove]

sure!!

Sounds like a plan.

 

[jmurray01]

Ah, so in that case it could well be that he bought the upright at the same time as the handheld, in 1998?

As I say, it is a decent vacuum and a good basic cleaner for carpets but obviously of no use for hard flooring or above floor cleaning.

 

[singingrainbow]

Indeed, That would be my guess. Another detail I just noticed was the looped handle, another later 90's development.

I don't mind them. I think they clean and groom well enough, and they are very light and have huge bag capacity. Plus uses very little energy.

Scott

 

[jmurray01]

Yes you are absolutely right Scott! Such a small and simple machine - perfect for the hotel industry they were originally designed for. I love the pocket at the back of the bag for storing extra bags and also the mold underneath for a spare belt.

In fact, looking at the information plate now, it says that the serial number is "97", which perhaps means it was manufactured in the year 1997? Either that or just a coincidence.

 

[singingrainbow]

I wish I knew how to read the serial numbers on these. I suppose either it was made in 97 or was only the 97th off the line!

I think the pocket is a really cool idea too, many models (including my 93' one) also have a pocket on the inside of the outer bag where you could slot a scent tablet (the oreck ones are actually quite nice).

Scott

 

[sebo_fan]

Nice find, Jamie!

That's the same XL my parents had - Oreck in the UK sold two of these models in the grey colour and Hypo decals at the front - one with a black rubber like ours (and yours) and another model with a white bumper.

If you got a later model, there's every chance that it has the far better slip in bag holder. If not its a simple case of pushing the bag onto the dust channel dock - but beware, if you keep checking the bag to see how much dust is in it, the cardboard slip will wear quickly and may fall off the bag dock which allows dirt to seep into the outer bag. Luckily the outer bag is machine washable.

Ours had a tiny little pocket inside the outer bag at the top when unzipped to put a scent pellet in. I have never put a pellet on the back pocket as I find very little scent came off the back pocket.

In all the years we owned it, the back pocket wasn't really used all that much. The drive belt storage on the base plate is a nice idea though.

 

[jmurray01]

Thanks for the further information Nar! I am really glad I bought it now (especially for £10!), despite initially thinking "oh, an Oreck..." because I had seen rather poor reviews of them on here and elsewhere. For the time being it is sitting in the living room and I am using it for the daily vacuum of the downstairs carpets, a duty which it is fulfilling without fault.

 

[sebo_fan]

Bit of a bargain at £10. Im over the moon with my old Vorwerk VK130. Not exactly the same as an Oreck XL but similar in the sense that no hose or tools are on-board.

 

[vintagerepairer]

The on-off switch is in the handle and not a foot switch on the base. That itself dates it to the late 1990's.