Retirement or no retirement ?

[jmurray01]

I've been thinking about this for a while.

Once a Vacuum Cleaner becomes vintage (over 20 years old), should you put it into "retirement" and only use it occasionally, or still use it regularly to stop it seizing up, so to speak ?

There seems to be pros and cons to keeping vintage cleaners going and retiring them.

Pros for retirement:

-Less wear and tare
-Obsolete (and thus irreplaceable) parts won't wear

Cons for retirement:

-Parts may seize up due to stagnating

Sorry I couldn't come up with any more pros and cons, but you get the gist of it.

So, your views ?

 

[CW]

I still use my Hoover U4053 all the time. Of course, I've taken it apart and thoroughly cleaned it/greased the bearings. It still does a fine job of cleaning floors (probably better than the Bissell bagless we have that uses 3x as much electricity), and the metal base, fan, and brushroll mean that it won't jam up on a piece of cat food.

However, I'm not your typical 'collector.' I repair vintage appliances for daily use because I find they're often better made than what's available on the market now. Others may vehemently disagree with me, preferring to have 100 of something that never gets used. I don't fault them for it, but I believe that part of preservation (I also repair old computers, radios, etc.) is in seeing the machine work. Maybe for a vacuum cleaner that's not quite so important, but there's not much you can learn about an 80s computer by looking at one that's never powered on behind glass in some museum: If you really want to learn about it, you have to use it.

 

[Organboy1974]

Use it

I would say. I've got a couple of modern vacs but mainly pre-eighties and use them all. The senior I use very often because it's so good and a little sixties Junior in the kitchen for going around furniture even though it's a bit battered now. They both beat my modern 1800w Hoover hands down.

I also have a good many vintage washers from twin tubs to wringers and use them all for my weekly wash. I hardly use the automatic front loader except for really filthy stuff and that's only because I don't want to get the others dirty.

They are far happier being used and most components only wear out because they seize from lack of use not over use.

 

[hooverboy81]

I agree with CW

I use all of mine regularly. If I can't use it, there isn't much point in having it. What's the point in having a vacuum that collects dust OUTSIDE of the bag? I can service all of the cleaners I have, so I don't see it being a problem. I also stock up on parts, brushes, etc. so I don't have to worry down the road. I think not using a machine is more detrimental to it mechanically than using it! Just my personal opinion, that and I find these older "vintage" machines out clean any of the crap on the market today! I say use them, and enjoy them!

 

[jmurray01]

"it won't jam up on a piece of cat food." Ha ha, that made me laugh.

That is a beautiful Servis you have there Aled!

I'd give anything for a vintage washer. Don't get me wrong, the Beko WM5100W works fine, but it takes an absolute age!

At least the dryer is vintage, a Bendix 7414.

Getting back on track, I hear you all and quite frankly, agree!

I use my 1977 HOOVER Ranger two or three times a week which keeps the old girl from seizing up, but of course with no hose she isn't ideal for the daily jobs such as crevices and upholstery...

My other vintage cleaner, a 1982 Electrolux 502S only gets used rarely, but I don't know for the life of me why!

It isn't intentional and I LOVE using it, but for some reason I always avoid it when picking a Vacuum Cleaner to use...

I'll maybe use it tomorrow since it has been laid up a week now.

 

[papasvacs]

I agree.....

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Keep using them or they will waste away.  I use all mine at one time or another, in both houses.  </span>


<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">This little beauty is in Florida and gets use all the time and it is over 60.   </span>


<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Hmmmm... like me.  Wish I ran as well.......</span>


<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Use 'em or lose 'em.</span>

 

[hooverboy81]

Greg

Beautiful Lux! Love the XXX! I am SURE it can out clean any new vacuum!

 

[kenkart]

I Use!

ONLY vintage, I dont own but one newer vacuum,"A new Constellation" and i rarely use it.

 

[CW]

jmurray01 - Re: cat food

You may laugh, but I've actually burned up a belt on one of those department store special Dirt Devil uprights with a piece of cat food. This was dry cat food in pellet form where I spilled a bunch trying to feed the cat. A couple of pieces jammed between the brushroll and the body of the machine and burned up a belt.

 

[jmurray01]

"You may laugh, but I've actually burned up a belt on one of those department store special Dirt Devil uprights with a piece of cat food. This was dry cat food in pellet form where I spilled a bunch trying to feed the cat. A couple of pieces jammed between the brushroll and the body of the machine and burned up a belt." Really!?

Wow, that just shows the quality (or lack of) put into modern Vacuum Cleaners.

I use my uprights regularly for tough jobs which include hard pieces of dirt, similar to cat food, with no adverse affects.

 

[alexhoovers94]

I say use it too...


I use all of my older vacs for daily cleaning it is the best thing to keep those fine pieces of machineary running smooth, I can't remember when I used a modern machine for daily vacuuming! I like to alternate different vacuums I use during the week, I don't like to use one of my older ones constantly because I don't want too over use it and burn it out.
To sum up however, I say use it/them on a regular basis to keep them going strong and preventing them from gathering dust rather than sucking it up, but don't over use them is my advice, because, those old girls are not getting any younger

 

[jmurray01]

Well said Alex, summed my sentiments up to a T!