Vacuums You Don't Use

[bagintheback]

Do you have any vacuums you keep but never use for historical or sentimental reasons? I almost never use my Halo UV-ST because I know they will become quite rare one day not being the Oreck model, and after what happened with my first one, I've only used it twice.

 

[compactelectra]

Yes

Here's some of them.

 

[compactelectra]

And More

Yikes!

 

[sireluxomatic]

Good question: to use or not to use. I have a small collection consisting of twelve machines, all Electrolux, four of which were made in the 90's and after. One of the new machines is no longer active due to a blown motor (but I still have it); one is being used by my sister; one is being used by my parents; and one gets used by me when in my other home. <br
The remaining eight were made between 1965 - 1977, so none of them are, relatively speaking, very old. All of these machines see regular use, on a rotating basis, sometimes with the original hoses and attachments (I like using an "all original" machine), and sometimes with replacement hoses and attachments. I would never vacuum up anything nasty with them, bang or knock them around in use, or use them in a really heavy duty situation (even though old Electrolux canisters can certainly stand up to heavy duty use and abuse). Besides, Electrolux, at least, makes it easy to use these older models...bags, belts, parts, and attachments are all still readily available and plentiful <br
The rarest, I suppose, would be the tan Model G, since it wasn't made for very long. I'm not quite sure how rare the turquoise model G, Golden Jubilee, AP series, and the 80 series are, but they certainly will become so in the future.

 

[schwinnapproved]

For me it is the Hoover 61 that rarely gets ran for more than a minute or two. Reason being that it is very brittle. The upper handle has a stressed spot were the metal is literally cracked. Also there are no brush strips on the brush roll, only beater bars until I can find a set or re-brissle the bald strips that came with it <br
I look forward to completing its repairs, the motor runs perfect now so its just the smaller things to correct <br
BTW Fred, nice collection!!

 

[crevicetool]

The pictures don't do Fred's collection justice!

For me, I don't use my "collection" vacs at all. I put way too much work into them to suffer a scratch or a dent. I do run them occasionally to keep the bearings in shape. <br
Interesting, as worried as I am about my machines - NEVER - has one of them suffered any damage at a convention. Our members respect each others stuff! I've done more damage loading them in the car than anyone even accidentally hurting one <br
Rick

 

[akabent]

Hey Fred....

Don't you have any nice machines??? (Ducks and runs. FAST!
Rick

 

[kenmore81]

Mine are the Hoover 68the handle is split except for one small spot hanging on. and my white 1983 Kenmore canister because I don't want to kill it. I want it to last because as you all know the hoses and such are kind of hard to find
I also dont use my "new" vintage premier because it has only been used about 3 times and Id like to keep it like new.

 

[arh1953]

I use my orange PortaPower that did McMaid service

I can't use anything I want to now, so the PortaPower and a Tempo cover the duty here. Several other Hoovers and GEs are waiting patiently to serve.

 

[compactelectra]

I Have a 61

That would work very well as a daily driver. Found it in a vacuum store, in restored condition (except for the brown paint which was removed and the base polished-took a while to figure that one out) being sold as a rebuilt. Couldn't pass it up. The hose is from a later machine, but normal folks (non-vacuum, that is) would never know. Runs like a top <br
BTW Mr. Benedikt - I'll deal with you when I am out there in a few weeks. You can run, but you can't hide!

 

[compactelectra]

That 61

Would go together with my favorite of all - found brand new in the box - a 53 - and would work very well as a daily driver - still.

 

[compactelectra]

BTW

It has been highly suggested that collection/vintage machines be run. Keeps the works working. Even if you run it for a minute or two. Guilty of not doing that. BTW When I run that 61 and 53, it brings me right back to the early 50's. Want to grab a pair of high heels and an apron. Charlie Watrous is a vintage automobile collector as well as a very refined vacuum collector and preaches running those cars. I have to work at running my vintage car occasionally. Sorry to hi-jack this thread. It is a fun one! OY! I am old enough to have a vintage car that was bought new <br
Fred

 

[kenkart]

Airway 88

My Airway 88 that is new in box is the only vac I dont use,I cook on a 49 year old stove,wash in a 30 year old washer,keep food in a 48 tear old fridge ,so yes I use all my vacs.

 

[kenkart]

Of course!!!

Some ARE hard to get bags for,so some get used more than others!

 

[joe22]

and more

wow the round swivel tops on a round table in the center of the room excellent !

 

[aeoliandave]

I take them all out for a spin eventually and at least once a year. That is, after I have reconditioned, rebuilt and Spa-ed them and they have been Felix & Hector approved.

Dave

 

[electrolux~137]

A big lesson I learned from Stan Kann was that if you don't use vacuum cleaners they suffer. First off, as they sit idle, the bearing grease settles to the bottom of the bearing case. When you turn the machine on the bearings can get damaged.

Also wheels can flatten when they are not turned, especially heavy machines with small rubber wheels. Power switches can lose their resiliency and tend to stick due to oxydation building up on the contacts.

And there are other issues as well, but after just having completed the Grand Mal Big Move Day, my brain is tired and I am so sore that even my eyelashes hurt. [But we did get it done, with some lingering things to deal with over the next few days. Our new apartment has a nice "aura." We both feel good about the decision even with some of the drawbacks involved.]

Stan had a very detailed and precise system set up whereby he ran through every machine in his collection from newest to oldest and from rarest to most ordinary, to make sure they all stayed in top running condition. At the very least, those of you who don't use all your machines ought to at least power them up for a minute or two once a month or so, to keep the bearing grease evenly distributed. He used each machine for a week at at time. And as those of you who ever saw his collection know, every single machine always ran in tip-top form.

 

[suckolux]

That would be my Eureka Junior model H home and automobile vacuum cleaner!30's?

 

[compactelectra]

I Rest My Case

Isn't this how vacuuming should be done?