vac-o-matic
Well-known member
Amazing read, thanks for sharing!
Why Collect Vacuums?
- Thread starter nycwriter
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sptyks
Well-known member
Yes Danielsand, I also enjoyed your short biography. I also own several Kirbys and enjoyed restoring and using them all very much.
danielsand
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2014
- Messages
- 101
I'm sorry,....I didn't mean to write a biography. I was trying to explain why I vacuum every day, and why I am "attracted" to vacuum cleaners in general, and vintage Kirby in particular. The original thread started with "why do you collect", and I understood that it would also mean "why are you attracted to vacuum cleaners".
compactc9guy
Well-known member
reply
For me collecting vacuum is remembering the past, my grand mother had a c9 compact vacuum i now own one. Every time i use it i picture my self cleaning her living room , that was my reward for doing my home work. She helped me whit cleaning whit her was my one on one time whit her . As i was getting bullied at school so cleaning was an escape for me ahhh the sound of a vacuum blocking the chaos mhm heaven to me . And then i began using it more and more changing bags ect taking care of it, you could say it became my friend as i said before school was not pleasant for me early on getting tease ect.. So cleaning was something i was good at me im good at some thing wow i tough my grand ma would say good job whit the compact hun thanks for your help i was getting praise for once, I was getting kind words so that's how it all began i kept at it for 24 years now i own several vacuum cleaner(compact c9 , lux discovery 20 $ in yard sale mint , lux floor pro 1086,25 cash, lux zb86 from a fellow collector im restoring it and a 16 gallons shop vac .) and i would clean at school. IL always remember in grade 5 i think cleaning the classroom whit this huge shop vac now that was awsome (i was young bear whit me here ) i never seen such a huge machine and its the school so it was like special one you could say none of the student wanted to clean so i did it the teacher was real happy other student asked why i like it i just said i like cleaning i feel useful. (I had a purpose i was good at some thing help my self esteem in a weird kind of way. ) Then i just started cleaning more and hunting for vacuum at trifts shops in my town, id fix them sell them like my own little shop you could say . Why do i like cleaning now that im older ? I like a neat house so i always look for the best appliances, i love electrolux and compact ,hoover ,tristar and filter queen also its what i grew up whit each vacuum belong to a special some one in my life so i had a connection whit those machine .I guess now its a hobbie .I love looking for information and new stories about vacuum that's why i joined this site finally a place i can talk about my weird collecting of vacuums, a place i can talk and read stories of other colelctors people like me who just like old vacs . I guess its like owning older cars you have a peice of history a peice of the past almost like a time machine you can go back to those good old days for a sort momment and forget the rough day you had . To me a machine that picked up the dust was fascinating how does it work?what makes it do that? I plug the cord turn it on and bam dust is gone how? why? what? So i began taking them apart and finding out why does it vacuum theres a motor a fan a cord a hose and a case aahah i tought thats how it works same whit cars ect i like fixing stuff insted of trowing it away if its broke i fix it i learn how to do it so i guess thats my story .
For me collecting vacuum is remembering the past, my grand mother had a c9 compact vacuum i now own one. Every time i use it i picture my self cleaning her living room , that was my reward for doing my home work. She helped me whit cleaning whit her was my one on one time whit her . As i was getting bullied at school so cleaning was an escape for me ahhh the sound of a vacuum blocking the chaos mhm heaven to me . And then i began using it more and more changing bags ect taking care of it, you could say it became my friend as i said before school was not pleasant for me early on getting tease ect.. So cleaning was something i was good at me im good at some thing wow i tough my grand ma would say good job whit the compact hun thanks for your help i was getting praise for once, I was getting kind words so that's how it all began i kept at it for 24 years now i own several vacuum cleaner(compact c9 , lux discovery 20 $ in yard sale mint , lux floor pro 1086,25 cash, lux zb86 from a fellow collector im restoring it and a 16 gallons shop vac .) and i would clean at school. IL always remember in grade 5 i think cleaning the classroom whit this huge shop vac now that was awsome (i was young bear whit me here ) i never seen such a huge machine and its the school so it was like special one you could say none of the student wanted to clean so i did it the teacher was real happy other student asked why i like it i just said i like cleaning i feel useful. (I had a purpose i was good at some thing help my self esteem in a weird kind of way. ) Then i just started cleaning more and hunting for vacuum at trifts shops in my town, id fix them sell them like my own little shop you could say . Why do i like cleaning now that im older ? I like a neat house so i always look for the best appliances, i love electrolux and compact ,hoover ,tristar and filter queen also its what i grew up whit each vacuum belong to a special some one in my life so i had a connection whit those machine .I guess now its a hobbie .I love looking for information and new stories about vacuum that's why i joined this site finally a place i can talk about my weird collecting of vacuums, a place i can talk and read stories of other colelctors people like me who just like old vacs . I guess its like owning older cars you have a peice of history a peice of the past almost like a time machine you can go back to those good old days for a sort momment and forget the rough day you had . To me a machine that picked up the dust was fascinating how does it work?what makes it do that? I plug the cord turn it on and bam dust is gone how? why? what? So i began taking them apart and finding out why does it vacuum theres a motor a fan a cord a hose and a case aahah i tought thats how it works same whit cars ect i like fixing stuff insted of trowing it away if its broke i fix it i learn how to do it so i guess thats my story .
sptyks
Well-known member
Danielsand, I was only trying to say I enjoyed reading what you wrote in Reply # 58.
human
Well-known member
Just to be clear: I'm not gay. I also don't really consider myself a collector so much as an accumulator. If I find something that's well made and worth saving, I'll invest my energy in making that happen. Since I first got online some 20 years ago, I have come to use message boards like these to find out information about things that I've accumulated so that I can fix them up.
I think I got that trait from my grandfather. He scratched out a living as a mechanic and truck driver during the Depression years and then got into rental real estate. Tenants often left behind perfectly good--or easily repairable--appliances and other stuff that he would fix up, sell, or give away. Like him, I am handy with tools and have an innate understanding of how machines work.
Of the five vacuum cleaners I presently own, only one was bought specifically because I needed a vacuum cleaner. I got the Electrolux 1205 because I was rebuilding after a divorce and had a limited budget. I found it at a Goodwill store, it was cheap, and in great shape. Of the other four, two were dumpster rescues (the Kirby G-Six and the Dayton shop vac) that were just too good for the landfill, one was given to me (the Kirby Heritage), and one was bought on a whim because it was cool and cost next to nothing (the Royal Prince hand vac).
Now here's the weird part. Unlike most people on this list, I'm a total slob. I live alone and I despise doing housework. While I swept some of the hardwood floors last weekend, I haven't vacuumed the carpeted areas (my bedroom and the living room) in several months. I used to not be that way, but the older I get, the more clutter overwhelms and gets ahead of me.
I think I got that trait from my grandfather. He scratched out a living as a mechanic and truck driver during the Depression years and then got into rental real estate. Tenants often left behind perfectly good--or easily repairable--appliances and other stuff that he would fix up, sell, or give away. Like him, I am handy with tools and have an innate understanding of how machines work.
Of the five vacuum cleaners I presently own, only one was bought specifically because I needed a vacuum cleaner. I got the Electrolux 1205 because I was rebuilding after a divorce and had a limited budget. I found it at a Goodwill store, it was cheap, and in great shape. Of the other four, two were dumpster rescues (the Kirby G-Six and the Dayton shop vac) that were just too good for the landfill, one was given to me (the Kirby Heritage), and one was bought on a whim because it was cool and cost next to nothing (the Royal Prince hand vac).
Now here's the weird part. Unlike most people on this list, I'm a total slob. I live alone and I despise doing housework. While I swept some of the hardwood floors last weekend, I haven't vacuumed the carpeted areas (my bedroom and the living room) in several months. I used to not be that way, but the older I get, the more clutter overwhelms and gets ahead of me.
danielsand
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2014
- Messages
- 101
Re post #63.......no problem "sptyks"! I like Internet, I really do, but sometimes it's hard to get the emotion (real meaning) behind the typed words on the screen.
Time traveler
Collecting older vacuums is like a trip back in time. I enjoy seeing so many vacuums, even if some are better workhorses than others. It's an experience, for me, of aesthetics, engineering, and sound. Some vacuums have all three sense-attraction. I'm like many, who appreciates the time when the USA designed some of the coolest looking, most durable or interesting appliances - vacuums, being one of a larger lot. Until I found vacuumland.org and automaticwasher.org, I was unaware that not all older appliances from my youth and teen years were vanquished to the crusher or garbage hills. A day is more interesting by a long shot, if I find a vintage vacuum(talking 25 or earlier years ago). But, I have little room to collect; the "collection" has been idle for now, til I sell or donate a few.
Thanks to vaccumland.org, and others inspirations, life has become more fun. Even if my collection is not dynamically active right now, it's a real high to see others vacuums and bring back memories of better USA products. Just cool!
Collecting older vacuums is like a trip back in time. I enjoy seeing so many vacuums, even if some are better workhorses than others. It's an experience, for me, of aesthetics, engineering, and sound. Some vacuums have all three sense-attraction. I'm like many, who appreciates the time when the USA designed some of the coolest looking, most durable or interesting appliances - vacuums, being one of a larger lot. Until I found vacuumland.org and automaticwasher.org, I was unaware that not all older appliances from my youth and teen years were vanquished to the crusher or garbage hills. A day is more interesting by a long shot, if I find a vintage vacuum(talking 25 or earlier years ago). But, I have little room to collect; the "collection" has been idle for now, til I sell or donate a few.
Thanks to vaccumland.org, and others inspirations, life has become more fun. Even if my collection is not dynamically active right now, it's a real high to see others vacuums and bring back memories of better USA products. Just cool!
nate94
Member
Going back to when I was little, whenever we'd go visit a relative or a friend I would always go into the laundry and look at their washing machine. I would look in the latest catalogues with my Dad and point out a vacuum cleaner or washing machine. My Grandparents had an Electrolux canister vacuum cleaner and I would watch my Grandmother vacuum. My parents had an old Wertheim commercial canister vacuum cleaner and I would watch my Mum or my Dad vacuum with that.
When I was 13 I started researching on vacuum cleaners and I got my first Hoover when I was 15 but it phased out for a while and then it wasn't until last year I got back onto researching and collecting, and decided that this is what I want to do as a hobby. So, I collect vintage vacuum cleaners because I like the designs of the vintage vacuum cleaners, wanting to know how they work, what unique innovative feature they have and I think that some vintage vacuum cleaners are worth some money these days.
When I was 13 I started researching on vacuum cleaners and I got my first Hoover when I was 15 but it phased out for a while and then it wasn't until last year I got back onto researching and collecting, and decided that this is what I want to do as a hobby. So, I collect vintage vacuum cleaners because I like the designs of the vintage vacuum cleaners, wanting to know how they work, what unique innovative feature they have and I think that some vintage vacuum cleaners are worth some money these days.
cb123
Well-known member
Dittos to Daniel and Edger!!! I couldn't agree with your wise observations any more!!! Thank you for your posts...they were like a breath of fresh air which cut through the noxious stink of a world turned upside down!!! I pretty much collect only three kinds of vacuums, and they are KIRBY, KIRBY, and, of course, KIRBY - simply just because they are the very BEST!!! Many, many warm thanks again!!!
When I was a kid, my mother's Electrolux reminded me of a toy car, and when I played with my siblings, we often begged to pull out her Diamond Jubilee and wheel it around with the matchbox cars, the pull-back spring cars, the R/C cars, and whatever other wheeled contraptions we were playing with. Which probably accounts for some of its scratches and scuffs today
It had wheels, like a car, and the giant, round, chrome hose connection mirrored the giant, round, chrome VW emblems on my dad's cars. There were also other undeniable similarities between the DJ and my parents' VW Jetta. They were both similar colors (beige with black trim), they were both the same year, they both had chrome circular disc hubcaps, etc. I think this also accounts for why I'm not into other vacuums. One grandmother had Eurekas... they didn't look like cars, so I never cared. The other grandmother had Rainbows... they didn't look like cars, so I never cared. If my mom had owned a different canister brand or worse, an upright, I wouldn't have paid any attention to vacuums.
I was also intrigued by fans... ceiling fans, box fans, roof turbines, etc. So knowing that the vacuum, which was like a toy car, had a powerful fan inside of it only made me like it more.
Fast forward to today... if I could collect anything, it would be cars. I have two Volkswagens now, and I can barely afford to insure them both. If I had it my way, I'd own about five more. But they're expensive to buy, maintain, restore, insure, own, etc., so I only have two. But vacuums, like others have said, are easier to collect. They're cheap, easy to fix, and you can cram about 8 of them into a closet, which is where mine live most of the time.
It has nothing to do with keeping a clean house. I'm not a hoarder or dirty, but if you walked in, you'd swear I didn't have even one vacuum, much less eight. Cobwebs in corners, dust under couches, evidence of weeks between vacuuming... I don't have any fascination or romantic ideals about a clean house.
Part of my collecting now is what I call my "one of each" syndrome. Like a kid, I often want one of everything. I don't collect much, but if I had a car collection, I'd want one of every body style/major cosmetic change. Similarly, I would like one of every "square body" Electrolux that vaguely reminds me of my past... I have a 1205, a Silverado, my mom's Diamond Jubilee, and a blue body Ultralux (I'm missing a Golden J, Olympia One, Marquis, and a Grand Marquis/Legacy/LX); I also have a blue body Epic, an all-white Legacy, a new black Legacy, and a Guardian Ultra (I'm missing the all-gray Epic, the white/gray Epic, and the white/blue Epic/Legacy). There were too many of the 2100s, Diplomats, Classics, Regencies, etc. for me to really care about them. The Epic/Legacy line is much easier to attain. Will I ever complete my collection? Probably not. I don't have the space, and I wouldn't be able to hide my strange obsession if I owned any additional vacuums. I would like a Golden J though.
And I'm not so attached to these things that I can't part with them. I've got my white Legacy on Craigslist right now as a backup plan in case my tax return money doesn't arrive before the due date of my car insurance bill, because car collection > vacuum collection. Similarly, my 1205 has a motor problem and has got to go. The armature was replaced after I purchased the dud on Ebay, but after the fix, it smells like something's burning. There's no point in owning it if it doesn't work, and the 1205 loses some of its appeal if it winds up with a louder 1401/1521 motor, so I'm ready to ditch this 1205 to find another.
So yeah, I think it's about 30% fascination with machines/cars, 30% reconnecting with the past/childhood toys/obsessions, 30% "one of each" syndrome, and maybe 10% feeling a connection with mom--because it was her machine. I wasn't allowed to play with dad's real cars, but her vacuum was involved in several epic battles.
I was also intrigued by fans... ceiling fans, box fans, roof turbines, etc. So knowing that the vacuum, which was like a toy car, had a powerful fan inside of it only made me like it more.
Fast forward to today... if I could collect anything, it would be cars. I have two Volkswagens now, and I can barely afford to insure them both. If I had it my way, I'd own about five more. But they're expensive to buy, maintain, restore, insure, own, etc., so I only have two. But vacuums, like others have said, are easier to collect. They're cheap, easy to fix, and you can cram about 8 of them into a closet, which is where mine live most of the time.
It has nothing to do with keeping a clean house. I'm not a hoarder or dirty, but if you walked in, you'd swear I didn't have even one vacuum, much less eight. Cobwebs in corners, dust under couches, evidence of weeks between vacuuming... I don't have any fascination or romantic ideals about a clean house.
Part of my collecting now is what I call my "one of each" syndrome. Like a kid, I often want one of everything. I don't collect much, but if I had a car collection, I'd want one of every body style/major cosmetic change. Similarly, I would like one of every "square body" Electrolux that vaguely reminds me of my past... I have a 1205, a Silverado, my mom's Diamond Jubilee, and a blue body Ultralux (I'm missing a Golden J, Olympia One, Marquis, and a Grand Marquis/Legacy/LX); I also have a blue body Epic, an all-white Legacy, a new black Legacy, and a Guardian Ultra (I'm missing the all-gray Epic, the white/gray Epic, and the white/blue Epic/Legacy). There were too many of the 2100s, Diplomats, Classics, Regencies, etc. for me to really care about them. The Epic/Legacy line is much easier to attain. Will I ever complete my collection? Probably not. I don't have the space, and I wouldn't be able to hide my strange obsession if I owned any additional vacuums. I would like a Golden J though.
And I'm not so attached to these things that I can't part with them. I've got my white Legacy on Craigslist right now as a backup plan in case my tax return money doesn't arrive before the due date of my car insurance bill, because car collection > vacuum collection. Similarly, my 1205 has a motor problem and has got to go. The armature was replaced after I purchased the dud on Ebay, but after the fix, it smells like something's burning. There's no point in owning it if it doesn't work, and the 1205 loses some of its appeal if it winds up with a louder 1401/1521 motor, so I'm ready to ditch this 1205 to find another.
So yeah, I think it's about 30% fascination with machines/cars, 30% reconnecting with the past/childhood toys/obsessions, 30% "one of each" syndrome, and maybe 10% feeling a connection with mom--because it was her machine. I wasn't allowed to play with dad's real cars, but her vacuum was involved in several epic battles.
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