What are some interesting sweepers out there that you guys recommend? I know the hoover convertables, kirbys in general, etc., but what are some more diffirent ones out there that can generally be found more on the cheaper side?
Suggestions of what to add to the collection?
- Thread starter icee
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human
Well-known member
"Interesting"...
...is a pretty subjective term. What's interesting to me may be of no interest whatsoever to you and possibly vice versa. It might be more productive to explore what exactly makes a particular machine interesting to you. Useful criteria might include age, condition, construction (metal or plastic), rarity, performance, unique features, childhood/family connection, etc. Which of these (singularly or in combination) makes a particular machine jump out at you? Understanding these criteria will help you figure out exactly what makes a vacuum interesting to you.
...is a pretty subjective term. What's interesting to me may be of no interest whatsoever to you and possibly vice versa. It might be more productive to explore what exactly makes a particular machine interesting to you. Useful criteria might include age, condition, construction (metal or plastic), rarity, performance, unique features, childhood/family connection, etc. Which of these (singularly or in combination) makes a particular machine jump out at you? Understanding these criteria will help you figure out exactly what makes a vacuum interesting to you.
bnsd60m9200
Well-known member
what you like to collect is purely subjective. i like to collect machines from the early 60's - around 1982 myself. this era most people collecting dont care about right now so its easy to find machines for cheap. people in thier late 20's early 30's are starting to get prices up, but if you go elsewhere than ebay that isnt the case. go to vacuum shops , estate sales and thrift stores in the midwest/appalachia. thats where the good vintage stuff is still VERY plentiful.
far as what to collect, for me that's even changed since i came into this 5 years ago. hoover primarily makes up over half my collection. i also have taken an interest in private label hoover machines made under the "penncrest" moniker for jcpenney. i also like 1974-82 sears best and 2nd tier powermates. compact, electrolux and a pretty big kirby collection too. i like stuff for color, design and shape usually. i consider vintage machines industrial functional art.
what drives you will focus what brands or eras you like. im also starting to get into pre war hoover uprights.
far as what to collect, for me that's even changed since i came into this 5 years ago. hoover primarily makes up over half my collection. i also have taken an interest in private label hoover machines made under the "penncrest" moniker for jcpenney. i also like 1974-82 sears best and 2nd tier powermates. compact, electrolux and a pretty big kirby collection too. i like stuff for color, design and shape usually. i consider vintage machines industrial functional art.
what drives you will focus what brands or eras you like. im also starting to get into pre war hoover uprights.
Look for AERUS ELECTROLUX. highest quality canisters other than Compact Tri-Star
hygiene903
Well-known member
Zach,
I agree with all the responses you have had so far. It's up to you, what do you like or find interesting? That should be your criteria for selecting additions to your collection. However, there are two machines that I have always felt should be part of every collection, and that is the model XXX Electrolux and the model 28 Hoover upright. Both are great cleaners and can still be found in reasonable condition for a reasonable price. here are pics of my Lux XXX and Hoover 28.
Jeff
I agree with all the responses you have had so far. It's up to you, what do you like or find interesting? That should be your criteria for selecting additions to your collection. However, there are two machines that I have always felt should be part of every collection, and that is the model XXX Electrolux and the model 28 Hoover upright. Both are great cleaners and can still be found in reasonable condition for a reasonable price. here are pics of my Lux XXX and Hoover 28.
Jeff
I thank you all for your responses. I do know that it is based on what I personally like, but there are alot of sweepers out there. Since I'm newer to collecting, I was interested in knowing what's out there and hoping if you guys had some suggestions on what you like/collect/know about that it might show me something I havn't seen before.And I have been doing google and ebay searches to try and find new things
it DOES depend on what you like.
It seems that if you like GE... a swivel top and a Roll Easy are must -haves. See? I'm helping the 'cause'. lol.
If you collect HOOVER, as I do , {solely}, a 28,a 29, a 62, a 56, a 707, 1070, a Decade 80, a Guardsman,a Constellation, are just a few of the must-haves, I believe.
The Kirby clan seems to gravitate to the Dual Sanitronic.....bet they're amazed that I even know what that it!!
A nice assortment of a brand is a good idea.
It seems that if you like GE... a swivel top and a Roll Easy are must -haves. See? I'm helping the 'cause'. lol.
If you collect HOOVER, as I do , {solely}, a 28,a 29, a 62, a 56, a 707, 1070, a Decade 80, a Guardsman,a Constellation, are just a few of the must-haves, I believe.
The Kirby clan seems to gravitate to the Dual Sanitronic.....bet they're amazed that I even know what that it!!
A nice assortment of a brand is a good idea.
durango159
Well-known member
If you have any interest in canister vacuums then I HIGHLY recommend a Hoover Celebrity canister!! You could do a power nozzle or straight suction but a power nozzle will definitely show you the machines full potential. Great sounding, very powerful, large bags, high performance, very durable, full array of great attachments. I love them!!
I used to use one semi-commercially and in the same environment where Panasonic uprights and Kenmore canisters had lost airflow from the extreme dust of that environment, the Celebrity was still going full throttle and despite no HEPA filtration available. I have never had an issue running a Celebrity and my dust allergies are bad.
Rainbows and Filter Queens are neat if you can find them at a good price. With a Filter Queen it's a toss up. I find the newer unit has a stronger suction unit, but the older units have a stronger power nozzle. Rainbow the newer ones have a really great power nozzle due to the headlight, serpentine belt and street sweeper like brushes some of the others are cool finds too.
A Hoover Convertible/ Decade machine is really impressive to use. They are not all created equal either!! Different motors, different bases, you can surely find one that fits your tastes better whether it's sound, color, metal, plastic, cloth bag or vinyl bag. Any Convertible or Decade that will take a Top Fill type A bag, you would have the option of using a HEPA A bag.
Hoover Elite style machines are quite impressive. It could be branded: Dimension, Legacy, Elite, Sprint, Spirit, Decade, Convertible, TurboPower 1500, 1700, 2200, Elite, Encore, Runabout, Futura. There were many. You could choose depending on color, headlight, attachment set, soft bag or hard case, etc.
Kenmore/ Panasonic canisters appear often on Craigslist or in thrift shops. Generally very powerful suction units. With power nozzles you might get lucky to find one with the headlight equipped 12" head which despite its flat belt design, it was a great performer. There are many models and generations to choose from. Generally the rectangular bodied ones are better made. There is a green colored Panasonic one on eBay for $60 currently.
Of course the more you stumble into thrift shops, flea markets, estate sales, yard sales could surprise you one day with something quite interesting such as a Royal upright, Royal Tank canister, Filter Queen, TriStar CXL, or perhaps even a bargain priced Kirby G6 which I think offers one of their better color schemes.
My collection is primarily canister vacuums-- all of which have power nozzles because a brush roll is my favorite part of a vacuum. None of my machines are plain white and I don't do much with browns. No pinks here. I have 1 purple and it's probably going to go up for sale. All of my units have to meet my performance expectations because they all receive use whether in my home or at work.
I have to be able to use the machine without an allergy issue, which I've found eliminates my ever using another Oreck upright. I've used about 15 in my life from the Commercial Dual Stack, standard commercial, XL Ultra, XL 21, swivel head model and had allergy spasms within a few minutes of using every single one!!
So with that in mind, keep an open mind. When you get the chance to meet other collectors or go to store that allows you to try a machine then take it for a spin. Each has its own attitude and sound. I love the sound of many. Others like the new motor that Sanitaire has come out with for their SC886 and many other models drives me nuts and I'm definitely not a fan. It's not that it's extremely loud cause it's not but it's the tone makes the head ring; and I'm only 33 so I can't imagine how it hits some other generations. I also love outdoor power equipment such as commercial gas powered lawn mowers, string trimmers and leaf blowers so it's not the volume, it's the tone that gets me. I love a nice loud commercial weedwacker!! A Kirby G series in attachment mode hits me the same as the newer Sanitaire motors. Just not a machine for me!!
I used to use one semi-commercially and in the same environment where Panasonic uprights and Kenmore canisters had lost airflow from the extreme dust of that environment, the Celebrity was still going full throttle and despite no HEPA filtration available. I have never had an issue running a Celebrity and my dust allergies are bad.
Rainbows and Filter Queens are neat if you can find them at a good price. With a Filter Queen it's a toss up. I find the newer unit has a stronger suction unit, but the older units have a stronger power nozzle. Rainbow the newer ones have a really great power nozzle due to the headlight, serpentine belt and street sweeper like brushes some of the others are cool finds too.
A Hoover Convertible/ Decade machine is really impressive to use. They are not all created equal either!! Different motors, different bases, you can surely find one that fits your tastes better whether it's sound, color, metal, plastic, cloth bag or vinyl bag. Any Convertible or Decade that will take a Top Fill type A bag, you would have the option of using a HEPA A bag.
Hoover Elite style machines are quite impressive. It could be branded: Dimension, Legacy, Elite, Sprint, Spirit, Decade, Convertible, TurboPower 1500, 1700, 2200, Elite, Encore, Runabout, Futura. There were many. You could choose depending on color, headlight, attachment set, soft bag or hard case, etc.
Kenmore/ Panasonic canisters appear often on Craigslist or in thrift shops. Generally very powerful suction units. With power nozzles you might get lucky to find one with the headlight equipped 12" head which despite its flat belt design, it was a great performer. There are many models and generations to choose from. Generally the rectangular bodied ones are better made. There is a green colored Panasonic one on eBay for $60 currently.
Of course the more you stumble into thrift shops, flea markets, estate sales, yard sales could surprise you one day with something quite interesting such as a Royal upright, Royal Tank canister, Filter Queen, TriStar CXL, or perhaps even a bargain priced Kirby G6 which I think offers one of their better color schemes.
My collection is primarily canister vacuums-- all of which have power nozzles because a brush roll is my favorite part of a vacuum. None of my machines are plain white and I don't do much with browns. No pinks here. I have 1 purple and it's probably going to go up for sale. All of my units have to meet my performance expectations because they all receive use whether in my home or at work.
I have to be able to use the machine without an allergy issue, which I've found eliminates my ever using another Oreck upright. I've used about 15 in my life from the Commercial Dual Stack, standard commercial, XL Ultra, XL 21, swivel head model and had allergy spasms within a few minutes of using every single one!!
So with that in mind, keep an open mind. When you get the chance to meet other collectors or go to store that allows you to try a machine then take it for a spin. Each has its own attitude and sound. I love the sound of many. Others like the new motor that Sanitaire has come out with for their SC886 and many other models drives me nuts and I'm definitely not a fan. It's not that it's extremely loud cause it's not but it's the tone makes the head ring; and I'm only 33 so I can't imagine how it hits some other generations. I also love outdoor power equipment such as commercial gas powered lawn mowers, string trimmers and leaf blowers so it's not the volume, it's the tone that gets me. I love a nice loud commercial weedwacker!! A Kirby G series in attachment mode hits me the same as the newer Sanitaire motors. Just not a machine for me!!
eurekaprince
Well-known member
No vintage vacuum cleaner collection would be complete without something from Eureka Williams from the 1960's. Though hard to find complete and original, keep your eyes peeled for some of Eureka's classics from the late 1960's: a Eureka Vanguard Upright with box-top bag, or a Eureka Empress II FastVac with Carry All Tool Caddy. If you want to go a little earlier: a Eureka Princess canister (turtle shape) or a Eureka Mobile Aire with a Vibra-Beat carpet nozzle. Another fantastic example of Eureka Williams' great designs would be any of the Sweet Sixteen 1600 Series canisters from the early 1970's. Or their best Power Team from 1973: the orange 1200 Series Power Team with their very first Roto-Matic power nozzle.
Some of the most common Eureka vacs seen on eBay are the little "Quick Up" hand vac in classic Eureka Lagoon Blue or 1970's orange, and the black Boss Upright from the 1980's - I think it is Model 1234. This Boss upright is a classic example of a Eureka upright design that has been around from the 1960's to the present day in the form of Sanitaire uprights: they feature the famous top-loading F&G dust bag and the famous front-adjusting Dial-a-Nap height adjuster.
Eureka. The very best in vacuum cleaners.
Some of the most common Eureka vacs seen on eBay are the little "Quick Up" hand vac in classic Eureka Lagoon Blue or 1970's orange, and the black Boss Upright from the 1980's - I think it is Model 1234. This Boss upright is a classic example of a Eureka upright design that has been around from the 1960's to the present day in the form of Sanitaire uprights: they feature the famous top-loading F&G dust bag and the famous front-adjusting Dial-a-Nap height adjuster.
Eureka. The very best in vacuum cleaners.
eurekaprince
Well-known member
Ooops...sorry...the model number for the Boss upright is actually 1934B....but you want the original 1990's version with the black hood and kind of tweed-looking bag...see the link below:
http://https//www.google.ca/search?...B&biw=320&bih=372&dpr=2#imgrc=zuNxH1radBGQNM:
http://https//www.google.ca/search?...B&biw=320&bih=372&dpr=2#imgrc=zuNxH1radBGQNM:
hooveru4089
Well-known member
Based on other collections I have been aware of…
…definitely some Convertibles, particularly ones from the late '50s to early '70s. A Dial-A-Matic plus a Constellation, Slimline or Portable would also be worth looking for. I would also recommend searching for a few Eureka style F & G uprights, a nice Kirby 500 series or Sanitronic, a metal Royal upright and hand vac (501 or Dirt Devil 103), a Royal/Dirt Devil BroomVac and an Electrolux tank.
…definitely some Convertibles, particularly ones from the late '50s to early '70s. A Dial-A-Matic plus a Constellation, Slimline or Portable would also be worth looking for. I would also recommend searching for a few Eureka style F & G uprights, a nice Kirby 500 series or Sanitronic, a metal Royal upright and hand vac (501 or Dirt Devil 103), a Royal/Dirt Devil BroomVac and an Electrolux tank.
