I have some older machines,too-esp washers and older KA dishwasher-I want my clothes and dishes CLEAN without having to wait all day to do it-and if the thing breaks you have a chance of fixing it-not having to go to the dump.And parts for those so called "green" machines aren't available-so they get scrapped-Who's idea is this of being so called "green" I think and others do an older machine that can be repaired so it can continue working for years on end is more "green".The water and power use really isn't that much of an issue compared to the energy needed to make replacement machines,materials for them,energy,fuel needed to haul their dead carcusses away-and energy needed to "recycle" them.The "greenies" need to rethink things here!
what really grinds my drive belt
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sebo_fan
Well-known member
Well and there I was in another thread lauding it up about vintage vacuums.
It's all right for you guys in the States or Canada - can you tell me where I can get an original outer soft bag for my Hoover Senior upright? Nada - it doesn't exist.
Oh you all complain about modern vacuums that are lightweight, don't last and don't do this and that. I on the other hand have to make do with stitching an old outer dust bag together to make my old Hoover uprights look original. If I buy an "aftermarket" bag I am stuck with what resembles an old Oreck grey perma soft bag: not colourful, not original and not authentic.
One day your soft bag on your Convertible may break - and ask yourself HOW or where you can purchase a NEW outer soft bag for it.
It's all right for you guys in the States or Canada - can you tell me where I can get an original outer soft bag for my Hoover Senior upright? Nada - it doesn't exist.
Oh you all complain about modern vacuums that are lightweight, don't last and don't do this and that. I on the other hand have to make do with stitching an old outer dust bag together to make my old Hoover uprights look original. If I buy an "aftermarket" bag I am stuck with what resembles an old Oreck grey perma soft bag: not colourful, not original and not authentic.
One day your soft bag on your Convertible may break - and ask yourself HOW or where you can purchase a NEW outer soft bag for it.
suckolux
Well-known member
In my smaller farm town in Northern California homes mostly seemed to have Ward's or Sear's vacuums, some GE and Hoover, Compacts,with the nicer homes seemed to have Kirby or Lux and we took care of the stuff!
dysonman1
Well-known member
Today's Consumer
Doesn't want a high end vacuum that will last. They just don't. They are unwilling to pay more than a small sum for a vacuum. Partly due to the fact they don't care for cleaning, partly because of the economy. And partly because they don't believe they HAVE to spend more than $40 for a new vacuum. I've asked people every day why they bought a wally world machine. It's simple. They were there, and it was what they could afford AT THE TIME. No one who owns a $40 vacuum thinks it's great. But, it does suck up the dirt and fluff. Most people think about their vacuum as often as they think about their broom and mop. It's just something to clean the house with.
You have to understand that collectors are NOT thinking like the average person. Manufacturers will only cater to BUYERS, and they'll give the consumer exactly what they are asking for.
Tacony's Super Light models (Freedom and SupraLite) 8 pound uprights are very high quality and have tremendous suction. Just because a vacuum is plastic doesn't mean it's bad. Stop saying plastic vacuums are bad - your beloved Kenmore from the 1970's was all plastic and it's still here today. Forty years ago, people bemoaned the 'cheap' vacuums like the Convertible. Today, they are collectible.
Doesn't want a high end vacuum that will last. They just don't. They are unwilling to pay more than a small sum for a vacuum. Partly due to the fact they don't care for cleaning, partly because of the economy. And partly because they don't believe they HAVE to spend more than $40 for a new vacuum. I've asked people every day why they bought a wally world machine. It's simple. They were there, and it was what they could afford AT THE TIME. No one who owns a $40 vacuum thinks it's great. But, it does suck up the dirt and fluff. Most people think about their vacuum as often as they think about their broom and mop. It's just something to clean the house with.
You have to understand that collectors are NOT thinking like the average person. Manufacturers will only cater to BUYERS, and they'll give the consumer exactly what they are asking for.
Tacony's Super Light models (Freedom and SupraLite) 8 pound uprights are very high quality and have tremendous suction. Just because a vacuum is plastic doesn't mean it's bad. Stop saying plastic vacuums are bad - your beloved Kenmore from the 1970's was all plastic and it's still here today. Forty years ago, people bemoaned the 'cheap' vacuums like the Convertible. Today, they are collectible.
A lot of the "new" plastic vacuums
weigh as much as a Convertible does. They're bulkier than Convertibles, too.
My late dad bought a Convertible model 67 in 1961. It cost, with attachments, $84.00 In 1961................
I bought a Convertible model 1076 in 1975. It was "regularly" $84.00. got it on sale for $59.00.$63.00 with tax. Attachments were an extra $9.99 Could you imagine that now? And. both have had regular servicing and are still going strong. My 1076 cleaned an 11 room house as a regular daily driver. Looks and runs like the day it came out of the box. 2 people have serviced it very carefully: 1 in Wilkes Barre, the other in Scranton.
My aunt had a Convertible model 69.wedding gift in 1964............instead of servicing it, replaced it with a Eureka "Boss". after a few months, she got a new bagless Windtunnel. IF she had serviced that 69......... she'd still be using it.
weigh as much as a Convertible does. They're bulkier than Convertibles, too.
My late dad bought a Convertible model 67 in 1961. It cost, with attachments, $84.00 In 1961................
I bought a Convertible model 1076 in 1975. It was "regularly" $84.00. got it on sale for $59.00.$63.00 with tax. Attachments were an extra $9.99 Could you imagine that now? And. both have had regular servicing and are still going strong. My 1076 cleaned an 11 room house as a regular daily driver. Looks and runs like the day it came out of the box. 2 people have serviced it very carefully: 1 in Wilkes Barre, the other in Scranton.
My aunt had a Convertible model 69.wedding gift in 1964............instead of servicing it, replaced it with a Eureka "Boss". after a few months, she got a new bagless Windtunnel. IF she had serviced that 69......... she'd still be using it.
DesertTortoise
Well-known member
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Well said Dysonman1. Very well said indeed. For most people, me included until a few years ago, a vacuum was about as interesting to me as a broom in the closet. I could never in my wildest imagination paying mid to high three figures for a vacuum, much less the four figure sums that get you into a top of the line Riccar (that has a Chinese or Mexican made motor btw depending on the model, Tacony doesn't make motors in the US) or Kirby. That was insanity, a waste of scarce household money. I could buy a whole timing belt service for my car for the cost of one of those vacuums. Guess what expenditure is more important to a working family. I was scraping to try to afford rent, scrimping on things as basic as heath insurance (accepting big deductibles to afford the monthly premium and hoping I didn't get really sick), driving a two decade old car trying to balance all the requirements in life and you think I was going to pop for a new Miele or similar? That is insanity. And I didn't have kids that need braces and a college fund. This is the situation most working families are in. Get off your high horses people. Working families today making around the median income cannot in your dreams justify spending that much money on a vacuum. Other needs for that money are far more important.
Btw Dysonman1, I very much agree with your assessment of plastics. I have that old steel Kenmore canister I call the Avocado Bomber. It has unsealed metal joints in the body and there is absolutely no way to seal that thing for any kind of modern filtration. It is an allergy nightmare and it's a beyatch to work on too. But, my later early 1980's Kenmores have outstanding thick plastic bodies, nothing the least bit cheap about it, and the way the motor compartment is arranged exhaust air is segregated from the rest of the vacuum very well. I replaced the vintage filters with modern filter materials in the exhaust and secondary filters and have a very well filtered vacuum. I bought what I intended to be a parts vacuum of that vintage that the previous owner took really good care of and the inside of the motor compartment is absolutely spotless. In fact the whole vacuum is beautiful. It is a keeper instead. The Whispertone models and their immediate predecessors have outstanding plastics, and the way the motor is arranged in a Whispertone ( I call them Whimpertones but I am learning to respect them more and more) allow excellent filtration. Those two early generation rounded Kenmore vacuums are by far my favorite canister vacuums. Very high quality even by modern standards.
You also might want to find out the specs of the Ametek Lamb motors used in the Whispertone and later Progressive vacuums. To my chagrin, both put my favorite Ametek Lamb motor, the 115923, on the trailer. Big suction and airflow. I was surprised because both are smaller 5.1 inch single stage motors.
Btw Dysonman1, I very much agree with your assessment of plastics. I have that old steel Kenmore canister I call the Avocado Bomber. It has unsealed metal joints in the body and there is absolutely no way to seal that thing for any kind of modern filtration. It is an allergy nightmare and it's a beyatch to work on too. But, my later early 1980's Kenmores have outstanding thick plastic bodies, nothing the least bit cheap about it, and the way the motor compartment is arranged exhaust air is segregated from the rest of the vacuum very well. I replaced the vintage filters with modern filter materials in the exhaust and secondary filters and have a very well filtered vacuum. I bought what I intended to be a parts vacuum of that vintage that the previous owner took really good care of and the inside of the motor compartment is absolutely spotless. In fact the whole vacuum is beautiful. It is a keeper instead. The Whispertone models and their immediate predecessors have outstanding plastics, and the way the motor is arranged in a Whispertone ( I call them Whimpertones but I am learning to respect them more and more) allow excellent filtration. Those two early generation rounded Kenmore vacuums are by far my favorite canister vacuums. Very high quality even by modern standards.
You also might want to find out the specs of the Ametek Lamb motors used in the Whispertone and later Progressive vacuums. To my chagrin, both put my favorite Ametek Lamb motor, the 115923, on the trailer. Big suction and airflow. I was surprised because both are smaller 5.1 inch single stage motors.
jaker15
Well-known member
Oh, goody!
Looks like old Tom's gonna call someone out again. I would take a Convertible over those Simplicity lightweights any day. My 1988 Kirby Heritage II-Legend is my daily driver, and it will remain that way until another machine comes around that is as powerful, versatile, and as well-built as the Kirby. I paid $20 for it, and it will put any plastic Tacony machine to shame. I use HEPA bags in it, and it has been a godsend for my allergies. Even my 1950's Electrolux E has excellent filtration for how old it is. I'd like to see one of Tom's "super-ultra-deluxe high quality" plastivacs out-clean and out-last any of my uprights.
Looks like old Tom's gonna call someone out again. I would take a Convertible over those Simplicity lightweights any day. My 1988 Kirby Heritage II-Legend is my daily driver, and it will remain that way until another machine comes around that is as powerful, versatile, and as well-built as the Kirby. I paid $20 for it, and it will put any plastic Tacony machine to shame. I use HEPA bags in it, and it has been a godsend for my allergies. Even my 1950's Electrolux E has excellent filtration for how old it is. I'd like to see one of Tom's "super-ultra-deluxe high quality" plastivacs out-clean and out-last any of my uprights.
marks_here
Well-known member
Hay Nar
You are spot on! There are no replacements for the Junior or the Senior but every now & then they do come up on Ebay for the converts and there is one on there now for a bottom fill convert if that's the one you need. Check it out! Cheers!! Mark D.
You are spot on! There are no replacements for the Junior or the Senior but every now & then they do come up on Ebay for the converts and there is one on there now for a bottom fill convert if that's the one you need. Check it out! Cheers!! Mark D.
Plastic type vacs--We do paint them with a broad brush---BUT plastics vary and the way they are molded or formed.The older Sears,newer Tacony,Sebo,Meile,and high end DTD vacuums are made from the higher grades of plastics-and higher quality molding.The cheap Wally World vacs are made from cheaper,thinner,plastics and made from lower quality molding and forming lines.
sebo_fan
Well-known member
Thanks Mark
Many years ago I had to order from the U.S a few parts for keeping my Senior ticking along. I find it shocking that in the fact I'm in Scotland, and given that there was a Hoover factory nearby that there aren't any stocks left of many parts where a lot of vacuums were produced. Still, that is life I guess.
I do keep an eye on EBay and other auction/second hand sites for donor machines and spares. It isn't the same though - a brand new sealed outer dust bag for an original soft bag Hoover branded upright must be like hen's teeth.
Many years ago I had to order from the U.S a few parts for keeping my Senior ticking along. I find it shocking that in the fact I'm in Scotland, and given that there was a Hoover factory nearby that there aren't any stocks left of many parts where a lot of vacuums were produced. Still, that is life I guess.
I do keep an eye on EBay and other auction/second hand sites for donor machines and spares. It isn't the same though - a brand new sealed outer dust bag for an original soft bag Hoover branded upright must be like hen's teeth.
fooseofhoove
Well-known member
I was one of "those" consumers
I have to agree with Tom on this one, he knows of what he speaks. I was one of those consumers who just didn't care what vacuum he used. Around 18 years ago when I moved to my new house I bought a new Hoover baged commercial vacuum from a local Hoover store because it was kind of like my parents 594 that they had bought new. I used that vacuum as a kid and always kind of liked it.
I have to agree with Tom on this one, he knows of what he speaks. I was one of those consumers who just didn't care what vacuum he used. Around 18 years ago when I moved to my new house I bought a new Hoover baged commercial vacuum from a local Hoover store because it was kind of like my parents 594 that they had bought new. I used that vacuum as a kid and always kind of liked it.
fooseofhoove
Well-known member
I was one of "those" consumers
I agree with Tom on this one, he knows of what he speaks. Years ago when the belt on my Hoover broke the vacuum was put away because I was too lazy to buy a new belt. After some time I was at a Target and bought a cheapo Dirt Devil for around 40 bucks instead of maybe a buck or two for a new belt for the Hoover! Hated using that Dirt Devil because it was so loud but it cleaned the carpet ok so that's all that mattered to me. Could have cared less about quality, just needed the carpets "somewhat" clean. About 4 years ago when I got my parent's Hoover 584 that they bought new I started collecting vacuums and my atitude has since changed. Think I have around 150, so I'm more of a collector now. Have since put a new belt on the Hoover, but the Dirt Devil is long gone.
I agree with Tom on this one, he knows of what he speaks. Years ago when the belt on my Hoover broke the vacuum was put away because I was too lazy to buy a new belt. After some time I was at a Target and bought a cheapo Dirt Devil for around 40 bucks instead of maybe a buck or two for a new belt for the Hoover! Hated using that Dirt Devil because it was so loud but it cleaned the carpet ok so that's all that mattered to me. Could have cared less about quality, just needed the carpets "somewhat" clean. About 4 years ago when I got my parent's Hoover 584 that they bought new I started collecting vacuums and my atitude has since changed. Think I have around 150, so I'm more of a collector now. Have since put a new belt on the Hoover, but the Dirt Devil is long gone.
DesertTortoise
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2014
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- 1,189
Where do you put 150 vacuums? Holy moly Batman!
fooseofhoove
Well-known member
In the Batcave of course!
Actually kind of all over. Think I have about 50 displayed around the house, another 25 or so in the garage and the rest in a storage unit. It's amazing how many you can cram into a storage unit. I'm starting to think that their multiplying all on their own!!
Actually kind of all over. Think I have about 50 displayed around the house, another 25 or so in the garage and the rest in a storage unit. It's amazing how many you can cram into a storage unit. I'm starting to think that their multiplying all on their own!!
thermokid
Well-known member
150 vacuums ???
try storing 435 vacuums in a small two bedroom house. I can honest to God say them little suckers are everywhere... Pretty bad you can't vacuum your house because of all the vacuums.. LOL..
try storing 435 vacuums in a small two bedroom house. I can honest to God say them little suckers are everywhere... Pretty bad you can't vacuum your house because of all the vacuums.. LOL..
DesertTortoise
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2014
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Thermokid, now THAT is funny!
luxy1205
Well-known member
Throw Away Society
It's a shame...I'm only 29 and everything I use basically is at least a decade or older than I am! I've just begun collecting vacuums, but I can say from experience that I will only buy old!!!! Here's my experience with newer vacuums: back when I first moved in with my soon to be husband, he had a yellow hoover bag less vacuum that literally sucked up dirt and spewed it back out! I would clean that vacuum before every use and make sure it's filter was nice and clean, and the suction was bad too! He got it as a gift from one of his sisters. I would hate to know how much his sister paid for that yellow nightmare! It became to the point that I could take an ordinary house broom and sweep the carpet better than the vacuum would suck! Ha Ha! So, needless to say, that vacuum didn't last here very long! After that POS, we garbage picked a red upright plastic Bissell. There was nothing wrong with it! It just needed a good cleaning and some new bags! I beat the tar outta that thing for over 3 years! The bottom of it literally fell out, no pun intended! Ha Ha! It sits in the basement now, one day we'll fix it. So, after that Bissell I needed a vacuum fast, so mind you, this is all well before I started collecting, I went to our local Ace Hardware store, because I didn't have time to go anywhere else, it was a day before Christmas Eve, I bought a brand new upright Dirt Devil. I believe I paid $55.00 for it. I thought that was a ridiculous price, but I needed a vacuum! Beggars can't be choosers! The on and off switch was made of cheap plastic and you used your foot to turn it on and off with, it broke after 2 months! My husband took it completely apart and put in a toggle switch. I didn't even care at that point! From there, I would say about a month later the left back wheel broke off! Let me clarify at this point, I live in a 750-800 sq. ft. house, no hallways, it's literally like living in a cube! When I was done vacuuming a room, I would carry the vacuum into the next room. I don't know why the wheel broke off!!! I actually tried to love this vacuum because I felt sorry for how rough I was to the Bissell! Apparently the Bissell lasted better on neglect! Ha Ha! My husband yet again, re strengthened the wheel and put it back on again, to no surprise it has fallen off a few more times! My husband had dedicated a Saturday to re-building and modifying the wheels poor design, it is about ready to fall off yet again! So, for not even owning this stupid Dirt Devil for a year, I said screw it and remember how well my mom's Electrolux 1205 was! I told my husband if that vacuum had lasted thru my grandma who bought it new, was passed down to my mom and she used it from the time I was about 8 till just up into this past year when she died, I told him that I wanted to get a 1205! So, that's exactly what we did! Old it is!!! Now I'm collecting and servicing old vacuums that will out live me!!!
On a different note: we just went to a garage sale last Saturday and I got a 1970's General Electric stand mixer for $2.00. We took it home, rebuilt it, and I hand polished it. That is the quietest and smoothest mixer I have used yet! I have close to 30 hand and stand mixers. We made homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with it a day ago! I love "Whippy"!!! He is the best and he will literally last my whole life! All vintage things just require a little TLC!
Thought I would throw in my 2 cents!
-Michelle
It's a shame...I'm only 29 and everything I use basically is at least a decade or older than I am! I've just begun collecting vacuums, but I can say from experience that I will only buy old!!!! Here's my experience with newer vacuums: back when I first moved in with my soon to be husband, he had a yellow hoover bag less vacuum that literally sucked up dirt and spewed it back out! I would clean that vacuum before every use and make sure it's filter was nice and clean, and the suction was bad too! He got it as a gift from one of his sisters. I would hate to know how much his sister paid for that yellow nightmare! It became to the point that I could take an ordinary house broom and sweep the carpet better than the vacuum would suck! Ha Ha! So, needless to say, that vacuum didn't last here very long! After that POS, we garbage picked a red upright plastic Bissell. There was nothing wrong with it! It just needed a good cleaning and some new bags! I beat the tar outta that thing for over 3 years! The bottom of it literally fell out, no pun intended! Ha Ha! It sits in the basement now, one day we'll fix it. So, after that Bissell I needed a vacuum fast, so mind you, this is all well before I started collecting, I went to our local Ace Hardware store, because I didn't have time to go anywhere else, it was a day before Christmas Eve, I bought a brand new upright Dirt Devil. I believe I paid $55.00 for it. I thought that was a ridiculous price, but I needed a vacuum! Beggars can't be choosers! The on and off switch was made of cheap plastic and you used your foot to turn it on and off with, it broke after 2 months! My husband took it completely apart and put in a toggle switch. I didn't even care at that point! From there, I would say about a month later the left back wheel broke off! Let me clarify at this point, I live in a 750-800 sq. ft. house, no hallways, it's literally like living in a cube! When I was done vacuuming a room, I would carry the vacuum into the next room. I don't know why the wheel broke off!!! I actually tried to love this vacuum because I felt sorry for how rough I was to the Bissell! Apparently the Bissell lasted better on neglect! Ha Ha! My husband yet again, re strengthened the wheel and put it back on again, to no surprise it has fallen off a few more times! My husband had dedicated a Saturday to re-building and modifying the wheels poor design, it is about ready to fall off yet again! So, for not even owning this stupid Dirt Devil for a year, I said screw it and remember how well my mom's Electrolux 1205 was! I told my husband if that vacuum had lasted thru my grandma who bought it new, was passed down to my mom and she used it from the time I was about 8 till just up into this past year when she died, I told him that I wanted to get a 1205! So, that's exactly what we did! Old it is!!! Now I'm collecting and servicing old vacuums that will out live me!!!
On a different note: we just went to a garage sale last Saturday and I got a 1970's General Electric stand mixer for $2.00. We took it home, rebuilt it, and I hand polished it. That is the quietest and smoothest mixer I have used yet! I have close to 30 hand and stand mixers. We made homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with it a day ago! I love "Whippy"!!! He is the best and he will literally last my whole life! All vintage things just require a little TLC!
Thought I would throw in my 2 cents!
-Michelle
marks_here
Well-known member
Michele is a really cool lady!! Any lady that knows how to use a chain saw is just fabulous, can fix things & puts most men to shame...gotta love it!!! I wouldn't know where to begin to start on a vintage tube radio..my father got rid of all his oscilloscope things, meters & other electronic things that would make that a lot easier.
luxy1205
Well-known member
Joe & marks_here
Thanks for the compliments! I just love rebuilding and restoring stuff! I will be posting videos and pictures of our chainsaws soon! -Michelle
Thanks for the compliments! I just love rebuilding and restoring stuff! I will be posting videos and pictures of our chainsaws soon!
-Michelle
