Just Rounded Out My Dynamic Duo

[ornery]

My filth fighting Batman of a vacuum is a 14 year old Royal 4008. He can handle whatever is thrown at him, but certainly has limitations where finesse is required. Just acquired what I hope is a worthy Robin for those tasks. An Electrolux UltraSilencer, EL6986A. Over qualified for what will be required, but I'm betting the Royal will be fighting grime long after he's retired or dead.

And, he is seriously quiet. The air rushing into the hose is louder than the motor. Quiet and powerful. Just perfect for a wingman!

 

[eurekaprince]

I have the Green version of this vac, and absolutely love it for its simplicity! See link below....

Quiet, powerful and gets the job done. The Green version comes with a different carpet nozzle: the "Dust Magnet" carpet/floor tool. This thing is the best carpet nozzle I have ever used! Surface litter pick-up is excellent, and I sometimes leave the bare floor carbon fibre bristles in the down position to gently sweep the surface of low-pile rugs. The combination of a suction-release valve on the hose handle + the motor power adjustment slider allow you to get just the right amount of pressure on the surface you are cleaning.

My only complaint: no proper on board tool storage...

http://www.housewaresdesignawards.com/links/winners_profile.php?ID=391

 

[ornery]

Might As Well Sell My Carpet Nozzle

It's a keeper, that's for sure, but I won't be exploiting the carpet vacuuming abilities of this tiny beast. And, I could do most of what I need with a single tool that isn't even included! I am now in the market for a "Dusting Brush" or something similar. The lower profile the better.

Could this Dyson brush be made to fit?

http://www.amazon.com/Dyson-49-Soft...3675&sr=8-2&keywords=Dyson+Soft+Dusting+Brush

 

[mieles7]

I love canister/ upright combos! I like to use my Sebo X2 or Riccar 8900 for the floors, and my Hoover Constellation for everything else. I've always wanted to try one of those Electroluxes. How maneuverable is the canister unit?

 

[eurekaprince]

I love the classic Electrolux combo dusting brush + upholstery nozzle that came with the vac. The adjustable "wings" are very very useful!

That being said, for dusting of delicate surfaces, I much prefer the Sears Kenmore dusting brush with horse-hair bristles...it's the softest dusting brush I have ever used, and it fits snugly on the end of the UltraSilencer's hose because both have standard diameters.

The little vac is extremely agile due to its big wheels, and I love the large handle that rises to a good height for easy pick-up without bending.

 

[ornery]

My First Canister

I've always wanted a burley Electrolux canister, but my wife nixed canisters before we were even married. So, this is my first, and I have nothing to compare it to. I've picked it up to move it as much as tugging it along. If it's not situated over loops of its own cord, it follows along effortlessly.

I don't need the "Dusting Brush" for delicate work. I need one of the same shape for getting under book cases, china hutch, hope chest, sofa, dressers and chests of drawers. The combo brush has a profile too high. Once that's attached to the hose, I'll just leave it on for other areas. By the time I swap it for the bare floor, or upholstery tool, I can be done with whatever I'm working on. 90% of the job can be done with the combo brush and this new tool. Slightly stiffer bristles than the Dyson dusting brush, would probably be better. Or, I could cut those shorter. Won't know till I have it in my hands.

Oh, one more thing. I wonder if I can attach a flashlight to the hose end? I did all the vacuuming yesterday with a small flashlight in my left hand or my teeth!

 

[eurekaprince]

Hi John,

Just bring the hose to your local vacuum dealer - those specialty sales and repair shops that sell central and portable and commercial vacs. They usually have a wall full of attachments and I'm sure you'll find the perfect tool that will fit on the hose and will clean the spaces you are describing.

 

[eurekaprince]

Oh...re the flashlight. You should have splurged and bought a new Miele Alize....it comes with a bright LED light in the hose handle!!!! See link below:

 

[ornery]

Vac Shops Out Of Business

Unfortunately, our local vacuum shops have been defeated by the big box stores. It will be about a fifteen mile drive to get to one that isn't Oreck oriented. I may do it this weekend, though.

Love the light on the Miele. I think I can duplicate it to some extent, and probably will!

 

[ornery]

Miele Light Clone

Found a great deal on a Maglite Xenon Handheld Flashlight. Item #: 76170 | Model #: JM2A01R at Lowes for $7.97. Uses two AA batteries with High-intensity xenon light beam that can be focused. Ordered a black one and went to pick it up at lunch. When I got there, they told me it was out of stock despite the web site saying otherwise. Ordered a silver one from another Lowes, and got a quick confirmation it was ready for pickup. When I got there, they said all they had was a blue one, and asked if I still wanted it. I said no, but I'll take it anyway. I'll be filling out their survey as soon as I post this. It will NOT be pretty!

Anyway, cobbled a bracket out of nylon. Works great, but the color is miserable. Really clashes with my pea green machine!




http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...tNumber=76170-76859-JM2A01R&storeId=10151&N=0

 

[ornery]

Dyson Soft Dusting Brush Tool

Well, it's almost complete. The Dyson Soft Dusting Brush, 908896-02, does NOT fit standard wands. Had to make an adapter, but other than that, it's exactly what I needed.

I use the Royal for 90% of the carpet, rugs and bare wood floor. The setup shown in the picture does the rest. No need for other wands, heads or anything else for our general vacuuming. I can carry the canister if I have to reach a cobweb or something. The crevice tool is the only other tool that would be needed on occasion, but not enough to lug around on the goofy caddy. I can blow (or suck, as the case may be) through that last 10% VERY quickly. If I happen to see a shelf or something that needs dusting, bam, it's done! Then, just continue on to the next hidden dust pit.

I've got a better flashlight on order. A Mini CREE Led with adjustable lens, for less than $5.00 shipped! I'll consider the current configuration a prototype, and return this hideous blue bomb to Lowes.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GWYR1FA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[ornery]

Hideous Blue Bomb Is History

Mini Cree is installed and what a difference!

So, my dynamic vacuuming duo is complete. My Bunton 48" walk behind mower is to my Royal 9700, as my Stihl string trimmer is to my Electrolux EL6986A. They all excel at the task they were designed for.

Some people prefer the Shopsmith type woodworking tool, others would rather have individual machines. The trade off is generally more expense for the multiple tools choice, but that can be greatly defrayed by purchasing quality used machines.

I could see using another brute, like an old Kirby or Hoover Convertible, but whatever it is would have to be direct-air. I could also see using a different canister, but it would have to be nice & quite, but powerful. The Royal will probably be handed down to my grandkids, but the Electrolux will probably be replaced a few times by then. But, for now, I like it!

 

[tolivac]

Shopsmith -or "multipurpose" woodworking tools-keep in mind some people don't have the SPACE for seperate tools-yes,those are best-but not allways practical.I have 2 Shopsmiths!-do collect them-just wanted a newer one and the same type my Dad had-and I learned to use.The Shopsmith Mk7 is their newest model-it has a "digital" SR motor-greater efficiency-wider range of speeds-and its rotation direction can be reversed-the older induction motor tools didn't have the reverse function.

 

[ornery]

Storage Issue

Good point Tolivac. That's yet another factor in the great compromise. Weighing cost, vs speed, vs weight, vs noise, vs maintenance, vs consumables, vs end result, vs... aesthetics? Yeah, even the appearance seems to be a factor for many consumers.

Everyone has different priorities, and weight the various factors to suit their needs.

I like to think of myself as being more practical. Unswayed by the "general opinion" or flavor of the month. And, frugal because of very limited funds. I put a LOT of thought and research into purchases, because I literally can't afford to make mistakes. When I can solve the pet hair vacuuming problem with such an effective solution, that costs so little up front, does the job so quickly, has decades of longevity, and looks good to boot, well, I call that a consumer's grand slam! It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I'm just tickled to death.

 

[tolivac]

What kind of pet hair are you trying to vacuum?Short hair doesn't present much of a problem-but LONG hair does-It wraps around roller brushes teneciously-esp lomg cat hair-its kinda "sticky"A suction only tool is good for these-use it first to get the long hair peices-than a roller brush tool or upright.
Woodworking have done much less of it over the years-the cost of lumber is getting outa sight-its getting cheaper to BUY the furniture than the lumber to build it-kinda sad-woodworking is kinda entertaining.The oost of a new Shopsmith is rising-beleive $3700 but you do get a lot for that money.It is ready to go.Just don't see Lowes promoting the Shopsmiths as they used to.And Lowes doesn't stock themthink if they did than the machine would sell better.Smithy makes a competing machine called the "Super Shop" Its a bit heavier than the Shopsmith-but does the same jobs.You order it from their website.Beware of a machine called "TotalShop" its a Chinese "Knockoff" of a Shopsmith-their machine is UNSAFE to use!Its speed changer blows out when used!Beleive TotalShops are no longer available becuase of its problems.

 

[ornery]

English Springer Spaniel Fur

Our furry son, Murphy, is a fur machine. A few months ago he was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and his fur had thinned a lot. He's been on meds since, and his fur has filled back in amazingly. Not sure if that caused his old fur to come out more, or what, but the area rugs need vacuuming daily.

Our old Sharp by-pass can't even remove it. A Royal model 880 could get it out, but took more passes than a Model 1030Z we had. Got a model 4008, which works as well. And finally a 9700, which also works as well, and a little lighter and quieter to boot. The 4008 goes on the Ebay block next week.

Never got into furniture much. It's similar to sewing. Seems you can buy these things new for less than you can make them. And, buying used is even cheaper. I used to build computers, and it's the same with them. Just not worth the effort anymore.

Used to do carpentry and various repair work for a living. Taught me the value of buying quality tools. I work on my own cars as much as possible. Seems every time they need some work, it's an excuse to buy more tools. There's really no end to how many you can buy of various quality and power. Funny thing is, if I could afford to buy everything I want to work on my cars, I wouldn't have to work on my cars! I could buy newer cars that don't need repair, or pay someone else to do it. I don't consider it a hobby. Such is the life of a working stiff...

 

[tolivac]

Wow!!Can see the hair on the rug Murphy is laying on-probably best to just leave Murphy's rug that way.May be BEYOND vacuuming-at least with a roller brush vacuum.I like carpentry more so than fixing cars-I HATE fixing cars-have someone else do it.Worth it.-BUT--I get just as dirty and greasy fixing transmitters at work.Guess don't mind so much there since I am paid to do it.I am not being "paid" to fix my car.Right now its oil changes are FREE-can't beat that.And for the price of trying to buy oil and filters yourself-I can pay the Toyota dealer LESS to do it.-and faster,too!

 

[ornery]

Royal Metal Upright Fur Fighter

Hey Tolivac, That's funny. I can clean that particular rug in under a minute with the Royals. Not exaggerating. Takes a full minute if I use the Model 880, which has been sold.

That shot was taken when all I had was a Sharp by-pass. You're right, it couldn't do anything with that fur!

Most of the floors are hardwood, and the fur seems to get tracked onto the rugs. I also find it accumulating under the sofa and bookcases. Doesn't take long, either.

Speaking of working on cars, my two twenty year old winter beaters are just eeking through their last season. It takes two, because one or the other seems to need repair. The H-pipe on one is completely separated from the converters. Sounds like a pack of Harleys now. I have parts to fix it, but the weather won't let up, and the garage has my good car in it. Serious storm coming as we speak. Hope I won't need to use it. I shuffle off at 5:00AM, and I doubt my neighbors would appreciate it!

 

[tolivac]

Ornery--DON'T sell your Royals if they can clean Murphys rug!!!Hope your storm doesn't hit you too badly-its just rain my way.Everything is so wet outside-and gets foggy at night.Thunderstorms are being predicted my way for Wenseday afternoon-I'll be sleeping then.