this year's convention

VacuumLand – Vintage & Modern Vacuum Enthusiasts

Help Support VacuumLand:

The Eureka Express is a good nozzle. Yes, it is a stretch belt but the motor torque is good and it runs a VGIII brush roll.

My experience with Sebo power nozzles is that the carpet height adjuster does next to nothing. The brush roll on/ off switch is a button about the size of a penny that is very annoying for someone to push it the right way to actually activate. Like other Sebos, there is no headlight. It is incapable of cleaning shags and many bath mat style rugs without power head shutting off. Even if only cleaning in a forward motion.

I just find it inept at cleaning ability on numerous rugs-- even low pile rugs. The brush roll looks like a nice design but there's no power!! The lack of power not only is noticeable in the cleaning and grooming but also the motor. Motor tone is a super lame, boring sounding one!!
 
which vacuums to use with the power nozzles

It's a shame we won't be able to hook the power nozzles to the hoover canisters, I know you're a big fan of the hoovers. I'll have the Sebo power head with me so we can see how it does with the different types of carpet, and hopefully we'll be able to test the CT23 if we can find some thicker carpet. I'll also bring a power cord that I have that lets you connect power nozzles to canisters that don't have electric hoses, so we could hook them to canisters such as the sunbeam, or maybe an airway or older Eureka. Of course, we could use the volt with those as well, but it would be interesting to see how those power nozzles do with some older canisters. The more I think about it, the better I'm liking the idea of a power nozzle competition. I think I'll be bringing all of the current power nozzles that are available besides the Volt which is already at the museum, and I'm thinking of picking up one of those. I think there are some hard floors in the museum as well so we can run the CT10 on that, so far I really like that nozzle, the design is really good, when running it on hard floors, it has that self propeled type feel to it. Is there any way we could get the Hoovers to work with these nozzles?
Mike
 
They used to make an adapter for the Hoover hose/wands to fit a 'fit all' set of tools. I know I have one, where in the store room it is - is anyone's guess. I plan on taking all the boxes out of the store room so we can all go through them. So many have vintage hoses and attachments, power nozzles, etc. I want it gone, so what folks at the convention don't take, is going to the crusher. I'm sure we'll find the adapter then.
 
hotels

So, I may stay at the Super 8 in Rolla again this year, but which hotel do most people stay at in ST. James? I think there is a Day's inn there and also one called Green Stay, for others planning on going, which hotel are you going to use this year?
Mike
 
A large number of people are staying at the Baymont in Rolla. Also, the Super 8 in Rolla. The GreenStay in St. James is very close to the Vacuum Cleaner Museum, about 1 mile away.

So many people are coming this year, it's going to be AWESOME.
 
lots of hotel choices

I will need to decide which one to stay in, hopefully I can find transportation to and from the museum each day like I did last year, that's why I want to stay in the same hotel as others who are coming. Looking forward to bringing all the power nozzles and hopefully having a power nozzle shoot out.
Mike
 
St James here I come with questions

I'll be driving solo. A 500 mile trip to St James, MO is doable. An 800 mile drive to Tulsa is too far for these old bones. I'm registered at the Baymont, arriving Thursday night.

What do others generally bring? How many typically attend? Todd.
 
what to bring

This will be my second convention, I would say bring anything you want to show everyone else. Perhaps a vacuum that stands out in your collection. For me, I'm bringing my collection of power nozzles, hoping we can have a power nozzle shoot out, going to also try to bring my most powerful central vacuum unit, we can hook the museum's central vacuum hose to it and see how it works.
Mike
 
HI Todd:

We have about sixty people so far who have made verbal commitments to come to this year's Convention at the Vacuum Museum.

What we hope you bring most, is a smiling face, ready to meet folks who also enjoy vacuums, and an open mind ready to learn all about the ones you currently don't know about.

If you have a personal favorite that you would like to show to the assembled group, please feel free to bring it. We would all enjoy what you have to say about that machine.

In addition to the Vacuum Museum's collection of approximately 800 cleaners, we are showing off Water Filtration vacuums this year. The Delphin with power nozzle, the Pro-Aqua, the Ocean Blue, and the Sirena will all be demonstrated, and everyone will get a chance to use and try one of these 'odd' Rainbow-like machines. Was hoping to get a Rotella (made in Lebanon), but no such luck this year.

The Baymont is a nice place. For the economy minded, the Economy Inn in St. James has many folks staying there - after all - it's only a place to sleep and shower.

Since you'll be arriving Thursday evening, if you email me privately I'll give you the address of the restaurant where we all go to eat after the Museum closes at 5:00 for the day. After dinner, it's back to my home for a cocktail party if you're so inclined. Friday is very fun filled, it's a caravan of cars to the homes of friends in St. Louis with nice collections. It's Saturday, back at the Museum, that has the repair clinics, as well as a barbecue lunch (free) for everyone. We spend the whole day Saturday at the Museum, out to dinner later on as a group, then to my home for a 'final goodbye' to each other.

You'll enjoy it very much.
 
convention two weeks away, getting excited

A bit more than two weeks to go and counting, should be an awesome convention this year. Tom, think I'm going to stay at the Super 8 again this year since that's where I stayed last year and that hotel is really easy to get around in. Do you knjow if anyone else is staying there since I will need a way to and from the museum each day and I don't think Uber or Lyft are available there yet. So, what is everyone going to bring? I've decided to bring my power nozzle collection, we can hook them up to different vacuums and have a power nozzle shoot out, and I will have a cord that will allow them to be hooked up to vacuums without electric hoses. There are some particular vacuums I want to spend some time with this year. I'm a big canister fan, not really in to uprights, of course, I want to see the Eureka canned ham again, actually I would love to see all of the vacuums the museum has that use the Ametek motor that I am so fond of from that time period, I know it was used in lots of different vacuums. I would also love to see the G.E. canisters, I don't think I have seen those yet, and since G.E. made their own motor, I want to know what it sounds like. And, if the museum has any, I would love to see any Eureka power teams from the 1970's. I ended up bringing back three vacuums last year, we'll see what happens this year. If anyone has any canisters you want to part with, bring them and I may be interested.
Mike
 
machines

I can't wait to see what machines are available, at least the canisters. I'm just not an upright person, Tom, any idea what canisters will be available? That compact you said you have for me sounds like a dream come true! And I may have a look at getting the Immaculate or Impecable as well. The three vacuums I got last year from the convention are running great and are very happy here.
Mike
 
hotel

Ok, reservation is booked. The super 8 in Rolla was full, so I decided to try the Baymont in Rolla, it actually sounds pretty similar, just have to figure out how to get transportation to the museum now. One week to go, so excited. Tom, got any ideas on the transportation issue? I'm hoping to bring back that compact you got for me, a Riccar immaculate or Impeccable, and who knows what else, always looking for more canisters.
Mike
 
Hey Mike:
There are so many people who have confirmed they care coming, we should have no problem getting you from the Baymont to the Vacuum Cleaner Museum. Worse Case Scenario: I pick you up on my way to the Museum since I live in Rolla.

I'll be quite proud to present you with your Compact C6. I know you'll have fun and enjoy it.

There will be a good number of canisters either for sale cheap, or free, at the convention. I know Luke Gebhart is bringing a bunch this year. He even has a purple Air-Way (with the GE motor) for $15.

It's about a week away, can't wait to share with everyone. Fr. Bruce brought the rest of his collection to the Museum yesterday, so we have many things to show and share with everyone.

Can't wait to see you again.

T.
 
airway

Oh wow, an airway for $15, I definitely want to look at that. I just hope I don't miss the opportunity to see what's available, I wonder if the G.E. motor sounds similar to that Ametek motor. there's nothing like adding new vacuums too your collection, my goal is to get as many canisters as I can, everyone else can have the uprights, lol. Actually, I think I am one of the few collectors who only prefers canisters, not sure though. Wish I knew how to contact Luke to get more info on that airway.
Mike
 
Luke has a thread on the vintage section about machines he is bringing to the convention. Why don't you consider sending him a private message about it. I think Luke and Norm will be arriving on Thursday. The purple airway is not only very rare, it has a unique sound to the general electric motor that I'm sure you will like.
 
The purple Air-Way was made before World War II, approximately 1939 - 1940. They were the first canister vacuum ever with a disposable bag, a swivel hose connection, and on-board attachment storage. It's an awesome machine. I have the same model in the Vacuum Museum and it's one of my prized pieces in the collection.

Luke should be arriving at the Museum on Thursday, so we'll have time to go over it and clean it up for you.

Just one more week till the Convention - this is the biggest gathering we've ever had. I meet people at the Museum all the time, who collect vacuums but who know nothing of Vacuumland, or clubs, or anything like that. I invite them to the convention too.
 
collecting vacuums

I've always liked vacuums, ever since I can remember, I didn't really start collecting until 2014 and currently have 36, perhaps by the end of the convention, I will have 40 or more. I saw a Central vacuum unit on the Riccar web site that I'm interested in as well, if the outlet store has it, I'm sure the price will be cheaper, the motor in it sounds awesome, 3 stage! If I get it, it would be my 8th central vacuum unit. I love connecting a central vacuum hose directly to a power unit, talk about a powerful canister!
http://riccar.com/premium-hybrid-central-vacuum-rcu-h9
Mike
 
st. louis visit

I think we had talked about going to St. Louis last year to view some collections, but were having so much fun at the museum that we never got around to it. If we do end up making the trip this year, and you want to see my collection as well, you are more than welcome, we can stop by my place and I will show you what I have. I have everything organized by category, backpacks in one closet, canisters in another, etc. I can also show you my central vacuum power unit collection, although I'm sure Evan has more than I do, I currently have 7 of them throughout my apartment.
Mike
 
Thursday is spent at the Museum, with a Factory Tour after lunch at Tuggie & Joe's where I've reserved tables for 40 people. Friday is the day where people caravan to Bob's house, Evan Roger's house (his central vac collection is awe inspiring), and then to Bill Kirby's house. All three have beautiful vacuum collections. As people are arriving on Thursday all during the day - we are expecting at least 60 people to be here by Friday morning.

Saturday is spent at the Museum, where we will go through ALL the boxes of spare parts like hoses, attachments, etc. for vintage cleaners. Fr. Bruce brought a ton of vacuums he didn't sell, and we will be distributing them to collectors as well. At 12:30 we will break for a wonderful Barbecue lunch - pulled pork sliders, beef brisket, pasta salads, potato salads, Louisiana Jambalaya, along with plenty of deserts. All at NO COST to collectors. We are also having a raffle where Tacony Corporation has donated a brand new vacuum cleaner (could it be a Tandem-Air canister?) - someone is taking home a extremely expensive brand-new machine.

For dinner on Thursday, we've reserved tables at Bandana's again (it was so popular last year), and we'll all go to Chico's Mexican restaurant for dinner on Saturday. They are one of the few places that can easily accommodate 60 or more for Saturday's dinner.
 
Fr. Bruce brought three Air-Way cleaners (post war models) that are going in the "Free" area, The other canisters (like the "I Love Lucy" Westinghouse) are on display in the Museum.

The other machines were all uprights.

As we go through both storage areas for the Museum, I'm SURE there will be lots more canisters in the "Free" area, and some others that for sale CHEAP. Fairfax, Lewyt, Compact, etc. Probably close to 100 or more machines either free or cheap.
I'll decide what I want to get rid of from the storage areas on Saturday.
 
canisters and chico's restaurant

Wow, mentioning those brands has me drooling. Tried to look up Chico's restaurant but couldn't find it, where is it located? Didn't fairfax also use the awesome Ametek motor? Next Thursday can't get here fast enough.
Mike
 
Hey Mike:
Fairfax did indeed use Lamb motors, two different types. The early ones had standard two speed Lamb motors (like Filter Queen), later models had a by-pass double stage Lamb motor since the machines came with a water pick-up kit.

Chico's is the Mexican Restaurant that's located, literally, across the highway from the Vacuum Cleaner Museum. Shouldn't take us more than a few minutes at most to get there. About a year ago, the old Mexican restaurant closed (the owners got divorced) and a new one reopened (Chico's). I've eaten there several times, both lunch and dinner, and it was very good food. Donnie loves the shrimp cocktail, which in a Mexican restaurant, is VERY different from what I always thought of as a shrimp cocktail. He's from California anyway, and used to eat in Baja all the time. He also loves fish tacos the way they make them in Mexico. The ones at Chico's are very close.

I'm getting so excited. The Vacuum Cleaner Collectors Convention is just a few days away. It's my favorite time of the year. Frank Morgan is bringing a car full of canisters he rescued from a Kirby dealer going under water (literally). There's a Guardian Platinum Lux with Adam Mercer's name on it when Frank arrives.

People are arriving on Wednesday evening as well as all day Thursday. By dinner time, everyone should be here (except Frank who will arrive Friday). Mike Banta is coming again this year, all the way from San Diego. I think he's traveling the longest distance. Russ Riddering from Florida is driving 18 hours. As you know, we are just one large, happy family of vacuum collectors all in our element with our favorite machines.

You must see my Stainless Steel Hoover Constellation, hooked up to the Volt power nozzle (I put a steel brush roller in mine). Boy that thing can really clean. Also, we WILL have the new Tandem-Air canister power nozzle for everyone to see. Tacony hasn't launched the new Wonder and Prima canister line with the Tandem nozzle yet - so we will be one of the first people to ever see and use it (other than the R and D department at Corporate).

Many pics of the festivities to follow.........
 
I am contemplating the trip!

In light of my health issues at present, I am working on clearing my schedule and heading to St. James. I would be leaving late Wednesday, or early Thursday morning.
Wondering if anyone would be interested in sharing the expense of a hotel/motel room?


Looking forward to seeing old familiar faces and meeting new ones!

Ken Wagman
[email protected]
815 670-3077
 

Similar threads

bagintheback
"Kirby World" Conventions
Replies
0
Views
169
bagintheback
bagintheback
S
Meet us in St. Louis! The 2024 VCCC Convention
Replies
3
Views
185
gottahaveahoove
gottahaveahoove
Wyburn
'80s PortaPower, pros & problems
Replies
2
Views
426
kirbyclassiciii
kirbyclassiciii
hygiene903
A Silver King By Any Other Name
Replies
7
Views
286
hygiene903
hygiene903
human
Discovery Plus Gets a New Lease on Life
Replies
7
Views
631
panasonicvac
panasonicvac

Latest posts

Back
Top