Which vacuum stands the test of time?
- Thread starter lori_ann
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bikerray
Well-known member
I have Kirby, Electrolux and Rexair / Rainbow. My 1949 Kirby will still outclean my Electrolux on carpet but my Electrolux will outclean my Kirby above the floor. Rainbow is great if you have allergies but you have to clean it up after every use, you can't just put it away wet.
Kirby's will last a lifetime if you take care of them. The older metal body Electrolux will also last a long time, the new plastic body will last a long time if the unit isn't dropped and the body cracked. I also have Rexairs from the '30's and '40's that still work wonderfully well and have already lasted a lifetime.
Kirby's will last a lifetime if you take care of them. The older metal body Electrolux will also last a long time, the new plastic body will last a long time if the unit isn't dropped and the body cracked. I also have Rexairs from the '30's and '40's that still work wonderfully well and have already lasted a lifetime.
vacu-finder
Well-known member
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- Jul 25, 2011
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- 330
Well for starters I don't spend much more than $15 to $20.00 on a used vacuum from say the thrift shop, garage sale or where ever. Secondly I'am very fluent in taking stuff apart and doing the reapirs and checking over the whole machine.
I have an older Panasonic McV5218 Upright or something like that. It is on its last legs now, but it has proved itself a very fine machine for over 12 years.
I prefer Bagged machines, never will buy a Bagless, the dust bin can build up with bacteria after a while and emptying it is a nuisance and the hepa filters need frequent changing.
Having said that Ricaar and Simplicity are very good Vacuums. I would not buy a miele they tend to have some quirks that can and will eventually haunt you returning to the vacuum shop for costly repairs.
Buy an Uprite with a Floor/Carpet selector on the power nozzle, that way you can also drag it outside to clean the car without the power brush churning away.
Its also a bonus to buy a machine with a metal brush roll as these have removable brush strips which are cheaper to replace than the whole brush roll. And do maintenance on the Brush roll portion of the machine every 6 to 12 months depending on how much you use it. And keep the motor pre-filter clean, this will increase the longevity of the motor. Its always better to change bags when 80% full so as not to cause over heating.
A quality machine if looked after will last over 20-30 years. Thats my 2 cents.
I have an older Panasonic McV5218 Upright or something like that. It is on its last legs now, but it has proved itself a very fine machine for over 12 years.
I prefer Bagged machines, never will buy a Bagless, the dust bin can build up with bacteria after a while and emptying it is a nuisance and the hepa filters need frequent changing.
Having said that Ricaar and Simplicity are very good Vacuums. I would not buy a miele they tend to have some quirks that can and will eventually haunt you returning to the vacuum shop for costly repairs.
Buy an Uprite with a Floor/Carpet selector on the power nozzle, that way you can also drag it outside to clean the car without the power brush churning away.
Its also a bonus to buy a machine with a metal brush roll as these have removable brush strips which are cheaper to replace than the whole brush roll. And do maintenance on the Brush roll portion of the machine every 6 to 12 months depending on how much you use it. And keep the motor pre-filter clean, this will increase the longevity of the motor. Its always better to change bags when 80% full so as not to cause over heating.
A quality machine if looked after will last over 20-30 years. Thats my 2 cents.
suckolux
Well-known member
and the belt on the Boss is new? They do not last long, can get hair under the hub and roll
dysonman1
Well-known member
The S36 is a very old machine. At least five years if not more. Good vacuum, but you have to drag a canister behind you.
dustin
Well-known member
I would go for the Kirby Sentria out of those choices- It is the most versatile, and will last a lifetime (or several!) if you maintain it. You can buy high-filtration HEPA bags for it, and although the bags are a bit pricy, they hold a lot of dirt. It should be great on pet hair, you can even get a pet owner's brushroll with stiffer bristles. If, and I'm saying *IF* you should ever damage the fan (not likely), it is a fairly inexpensive repair.
Miss Mercy
Well-known member
I'd say go with Kirby because this is my grandmother's Kirby that she bought brand new on July 25, 1967. It was the last vacuum she ever had to buy and she was using all up until when she died last year at the age of 91. She was so proud of her Kirby!
You can never go wrong with a Kirby! They are proven to stand the test of time and have a wonderful life time rebuild as well.
I am not a fan of any of the new uprights with onboard tools. Stretch hoses, the cheap tools, along with the added weight to the machine make it clumsy and awkward to use. Most of the clean air uprights draw suction or use a hose to one side of the machine. This reduces the air flow at the opposite side of the machine. Edge cleaning is weak on these machines.
Since a Kirby is a direct air machine and draws air from the center, edge cleaning and over all air flow is much better.
The other factor is that a Kirby is only around a 6 amp machine. Kirby has received awards for being an Eco Friendly product. Almost all of the materials in the machine are recyclable and can be repaired.
Some will claim the air flow for attachment usage is weak compared to a 12 amp machine, I don't find any truth to that. I have always felt that a Kirby is a great deep cleaning work horse that lasts for years.
Just my two cents... Royal metal uprights are also a good choice. (tool usage not as easy)
I am not a fan of any of the new uprights with onboard tools. Stretch hoses, the cheap tools, along with the added weight to the machine make it clumsy and awkward to use. Most of the clean air uprights draw suction or use a hose to one side of the machine. This reduces the air flow at the opposite side of the machine. Edge cleaning is weak on these machines.
Since a Kirby is a direct air machine and draws air from the center, edge cleaning and over all air flow is much better.
The other factor is that a Kirby is only around a 6 amp machine. Kirby has received awards for being an Eco Friendly product. Almost all of the materials in the machine are recyclable and can be repaired.
Some will claim the air flow for attachment usage is weak compared to a 12 amp machine, I don't find any truth to that. I have always felt that a Kirby is a great deep cleaning work horse that lasts for years.
Just my two cents... Royal metal uprights are also a good choice. (tool usage not as easy)
sebo_fan
Well-known member
Im interested - I've only seen one or two responses in regard to the Sanitaire/Electrolux metal uprights - aren't they are as durable as Kirby uprights? Surely they would be cheaper to buy?
I've put feelers out for two local Sentries. One she said her mother inlaw bought used once and said is too heavy... the other they have two units... the second is hundred cheaper (350 & 250)... both look brand new in pics supplied!
Both just responded to my texts... making plans to pick one up. Not sure yet which, as the first mentioned is willing to negotiate and is closer.
Both just responded to my texts... making plans to pick one up. Not sure yet which, as the first mentioned is willing to negotiate and is closer.
dustin
Well-known member
Yes, You should be excited! That sounds like a great deal if it is in good condition. Maybe post pics after you get it, and definitely let us know how you like it.
another decision
OK, so I can obtain a Sentria that is approx. 6 or 7 yrs old (probably refurbished, as it is a guy who sells Kirby's) for $200....
Or, I can obtain a Sentria that was purchased late last fall for (listed at $350).. this one I have a feeling is Sentri II and she has OBO on price.
I'm going to see if my son wants one, that will solve it... but if he doesn't, is it worth more for the newer model? I'm unfamiliar with the differences.
thank you all!
OK, so I can obtain a Sentria that is approx. 6 or 7 yrs old (probably refurbished, as it is a guy who sells Kirby's) for $200....
Or, I can obtain a Sentria that was purchased late last fall for (listed at $350).. this one I have a feeling is Sentri II and she has OBO on price.
I'm going to see if my son wants one, that will solve it... but if he doesn't, is it worth more for the newer model? I'm unfamiliar with the differences.
thank you all!
sptyks
Well-known member
Lori
That's a super low price for a new condition Sentria. Does that price include all the attachments? If it does, then you should congratulate yourself on a fantastic deal! Let us know how you made out, and if there's any questions you have about the machine or its use, besure to let us know.
That's a super low price for a new condition Sentria. Does that price include all the attachments? If it does, then you should congratulate yourself on a fantastic deal! Let us know how you made out, and if there's any questions you have about the machine or its use, besure to let us know.
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