My Collection (part 1)

[mpbyrd]

Hello All! I'm fairly new to vacuumland but just wanted to post a few pics of my collection. I've yet to get pictures of any of my Kirbys or Rainbows but just thought I would share some that I managed to take pictures of recently. I really enjoy 90's Hoover's, as they are what I grew up with but have a love for all types of vacuums. I hope you enjoy and feel free to share any pictures of favorites in your collection!

 

[myvacsrock]

Welcome Michael...

You've got a really nice mix of machines in your collection! Kudos for everything being in tip top shape as well. Thanks for sharing!

Kyle

 

[mpbyrd]

Thanks Kyle!

I try to keep my vacuums in tip top shape. I don't use many of them, but do rotate which ones I use at certain times lol. I still have many more machines I want, just need to have the storage space. I can never not buy a vacuum if I see it, ( unless its most of your bagless plastivacs made today.)

 

[funnynet1231]

Awesome collection! I try to collect 90s and early 2000s vacuums too.

 

[mpbyrd]

funnynet1231

Did you ever get your featherlite plus apart? I responded to your post.

 

[rugsucker]

Nice Collection (and nearby)

Great and varied vacs above.Hoover canisters look great in pictures but please do not store with hoses hanging.It will start cracks at ends.Some very good Eureka/Sanitaire uprights also.If interested in more I have an F-G upright on almost every stair step going upstairs.I now need the space on the stairs more than the Eurekas.They include 60s blue models,some with chrome hoods and cordwinders as well as 70s deluxe models with chrome,winders,larger bag,switch in handle and switch in hand grip.When I have time they will GO.I also have parts that you might need such as DIRT DEVIL filters/bags,FANTOM attachments,much KIRBY including boxes,hoses,atts,polishers,etc,etc,from 50s to Generation and might have the attachment cover for your blue Dimension.Some parts easily found,others require searching.I value much of this at Zero to $5 & $5 to $20.You would be just over an hour away and could choose at least 3 routes here including Colletsville to Newland to Roan Mt and Blowing Rock to Boone to Mt City to Hampton.If you might come on a Saturday to look at vacs if weather is nice you could also see 3-4 blocks of cars at our weekly cruise-in in the evening.Please call if there is anything you want to add to make a great collection greater.
Jimmy Martin--Vac Shop--423-268-4841

 

[mpbyrd]

Thanks so much!

Due to the size of my house I keep most of my vacuums in my closets several of the Hoovers being my most prized possessions ( this includes my Hoover Canisters) I keep them stored taken apart on the top wrack of a walk in closet. The teal Hoover quadraflex powermatic I actually bought from a local vacuum shop (it was a trade in and had all attachments and is in great condition.) Thank you for the tip on the hoses that will surely keep them in tip top shape. I will be in contact with you about some parts and possibly a few machines. I would love to get my hands on an all blue metal based Eureka. I remember one from my family's beach house in my early childhood. I will most defiantly be planning a trip to see your shop since your so close! I love Tennessee. Thanks again for the information!
-Michael

 

[funnynet1231]

Yes, and thanks for the help by the way! It's now working better than my bissell. It would be the perfect vacuum if it did not sound like a fighter jet every time you run it. Though as you said I did have some trouble getting the casing off for the motor and fan.

 

[durango159]

Nice collection you have growing!!!

Hoover power nozzle canisters is my favorite vintage brand. For current market lineup I vote towards Panasonic or Riccar/ Simplicity.

All of your machines look great. Nice you have mix of old and new!

I agree with you on current market bagless stuff. I find the majority highly unappealing. I am fussy about vacuums I take in though. I've done years of house cleaning and trying various vacuums at commercial and residential sites and have built a list of ones I tolerate and ones I don't! LOL

I may get yelled at for this-- but I'm kinda glad you don't have any Kirbys! I'm sure you've come across tons of them through Craigslist, ebay, thrifting, yard sales, etc. as many consumers are trading them up. There are many consumers who own them and have purchased an easier to use vacuum such as Kenmore, Hoover, etc. I came across this NUMEROUS times when I did Filter Queen and Rainbow demos. A lot of Kirby owners felt more "stuck" with vacuums and not liking them. In my work I haven't had very pleasant experiences with those machines myself!!!

For some favorites of my collection, I'm posting the 3 below: Hoover PowerMax S3603-040, Hoover Celebrity II Elite S3063-040 and Simplicity Verve-- VERVE.1.
Thanks for the post and welcome to the site!

 

[mpbyrd]

Durango159

Thanks for sharing! I love that Hoover Celebrity ll, I also notice a Rainbow E-2 black in the background as well.. I love mine, the LED lights sure are a nice touch to the new machines. I also agree about the new machines. I own a Simplicity 7250 and it's my daily driver, it's not new but for $5 at a thrift store it sure is a wonderful machine. I love the quality built metal brushroll and it has a nice sound to it. I actually do own several Kirbys though lol... From a Model 513 to Sentria (missing a few models in between) just haven't pictured them yet. I have gotten them all for really good deals though, never paid more than $40 for one. My Sentria a lady I worked with just gave it to me cause she hated it lol. I think people get overwhelmed by the use of Kirbys in the everyday household. Today's society is all about quick and convenient, and a Kirby takes some work. For less money you can pick up a Simplicity, or Riccar and you have a quality product that's pretty convient to use. I guess when it comes down to it it all depends on ones preference.

 

[airway77]

Hoover Canisters

Is that a Hoover Spectrum canister I see???

For newer canisters (when I can't or prefer not to use an Aerus/Electrolux...) I LOVE the S-Bag Hoover Canisters and have always wanted a Spectrum. I have a WindTunnel Plus S3639 that just keeps on keepin' on and shows no signs of slowing down.

Overall, I have much better luck with Hoover canisters in general unless we're talking about the Concept, Decade/Convertible, and parts of the Elite lines. I can't really complain about the carpet-cleaning abilities of the Y-Bag uprights and their Twin-Chamber bagless counterparts, but the atrocious attachment setup, obnoxiously-pitched motors, and the Twin-Chamber Bagless system (let's not go there...) make me question the pure sanity of the engineering department that designed them and the QC committee that approved them.

I don't really like TTI...but at least they had the brains to build a half-decent attachment configuration for the T-Series and it's vastly-improved descendants. I especially like the fact that the hose end LOCKS into the floor connection, something that nothing else at the price point comes with. A relative owns the current WindTunnel 2 High-Capacity Pet Bagless; by far the best post-Elite residential Hoover upright I've used. It ain't no Convertible, Concept One or Innovation...but the quality, performance and user-friendliness pleasantly surprised me and is light-years ahead of the insanely over-engineered and pathetic Twin-Chamber Bagless system that Hoover left on the market WAY too long. This is one case where I can't slam TTI...they actually made some much-needed improvements. Yes, Tacony makes them look like clowns and always will, but TTI stands FAR above other name brands concerning quality and user convienence (cases in point: Dyson and Bissell).

Just a rookie collector's two cents....

 

[mpbyrd]

Hoover Canisters

Yes that is my Spectrum 800, purchased at Goodwill for $18. It was obviously very gently used the brushroll and all airways had no build up on them and looked almost new. The hose has not one blemish and has very few slight scuffs. It had a clog in the base of the power nozzle, got that out and it worked like new. It's a very solid machine my only complaint is that the power nozzle is a bit noiser than some but overall it's a great vacuum.

I have owned several of Hoover's new stuff and they are decent machines as far as features go and the bagless technology has came a long way they are just not my thing I guess. The plastic is very flimsy on the handles and seems certain parts may break easily. I did like the hose locking feature though. For the price they are decent vacs. I have found several for great deals and usually fix them up and sale them or give them to friends and family in need of a decent secondary vac. However Rainbows are most of my family members primary vacuum and have been used by my family for years. My grandma and I both used to sale them lol.

 

[rugsucker]

Michael,

Call when you might see a time to come over.This year I have gone from mostly being out of town to mostly being here(& sorting vintage vacs).My phone has a wonderful button that will turn it off at some point in the evening and back on the next morning.
There are also MANY Hoovers including a NICE Cel II as in reply 8 pic 2.,
Jimmy

 

[mpbyrd]

Jimmy,

My plan is to make a day trip of it within the coming month, possibly the second Saturday in July. I do have one machine in mind I am looking for specifically (as pictured below) and would love to come see what all you have. Just gotta save some cash for the trip cause I know I'm gonna want some stuff. I look forward to seeing what you have!
-Michael

 

[eureka1998]

mpbyrd

That is a awesome collection, nice looking Spectrum 800 too! Is it grey or black? I cant tell cause they made those in several colors.

 

[rugsucker]

BLUE Eurekas

The latest count on blue Eurekas same or similar to above is 7.Most with headlights,3 with cordwinders,2 with chrome hoods,most with original bags,1 labeled Bradford for W T Grant.Also have Eureka att kits in flat,square box.Most days in July should be good.Stay in touch.,Jimmy
And I also have Brandywine,deluxe Gold,Montgomery Ward & more & MORE that need new homes!

 

[airway77]

Re: Hoover Spectrum

I feel. I own a Rainbow D4 SE PE from 1998 that I love....but I usually grab a Lux or the WindTunnel out of convenience. Recently, I've been using my new-to-me Air-Way most. Very impressed with the power and quiet motor (it ain't no Model G, but it's pretty quiet).

I don't really trust the long-term durability of the TTI-made Hoover stuff, but for basic cleaning by someone who abuses a vacuum they aren't bad, especially at the +/-$100 price point. I certainly can't see Bissell's competition holding up as well...and I'm not going to start on about Dyson...

I must ask...has anyone on here tried the new TTI Orecks??? I really like the looks of the Elevate series as it appears to be a refined XL21...I had one of the original "boxy-headlight" dual-speed uprights from 1999 in black and it wasn't bad (until the motor blew)...carpet cleaning was not too great though even with a new brushroll and belt...yay for the "no-scatter" ideology!

 

[panasonicvac]

Wow

Nice collection you have there. I really like that Blue Featherlite you have there as well as your Simplicity 7250 which I'm trying to look for both of them. I also can't believe you own a Bissell 8 amp upright and your Singer 7.5 amp upright, I have that Bissell (with no hose) and I used to own that Singer as well.

 

[kenkart]

LENOIR!!!

That's where I'm from!!!!I grew up in Lower Creek just off Powell Road!