Why do we like vacuums?

[crazykirbydude]

Whenever I have told someone that I have an interest in vacuums, the question they almost always follow up with is WHY? I've never been able to put my finger on it. I am interested to hear why you like vacuum cleaners.

 

[vexorgtr]

It's level 1 technology.

It's a fun technology for those who like mechanical stuff, but don't want to get into advanced engineering. The principles of how they work are understandable to most people, and repairs usually are NOT that advanced. It's an interactive technology that you can see, hear, understand and appreciate.

 

[luxkid1980]

I've always had in interest in how mechanical things work, which includes vacuum cleaners, clocks, and small kitchen appliances and I have a deep appreciation for items that are well made. I also like to spot a good deal at a thrift store! I get a lot of satisfaction when I find an item that is in poor condition (dirty or just not working) and I can clean it up and make it like new or close to new again! Also, vacuums are sort of a hobby that I find that I can afford. I wouldn't be able to get into other more expensive hobbies like classic cars or the like.

I don't have much room to store more than about two or three vacuums in my house so if I find one that I think I can repair inexpensively, I am more apt to sell to someone that I feel can get a good amount of use out of the refreshed machine versus keeping it for myself (unless I really have to have it.) That's satisfying to me.

 

[dysonman1]

For me, it was all about design and how design affects efficiency. I grew up with a Rainbow and a Compact in our home, my Aunts had Electrolux, neighbors had Kirby, Filter Queen, Fairfax, etc. One had a Sunbeam. They all cleaned differently, mostly due to the bag and where they were purchased (Blue Luster as opposed to genuine bags). But this was at a time when one ply bag were all there were, except for Air-Way and Filter Queen cones (and Lux bags to a certain extent).

Since my mother's Rainbow didn't lose suction or airflow, in my youth I believed it was 'the best'. I learned my lesson later - and now own about 800 vacuums going back to the first electric machines. I now understand how the basic designs affect the efficiency with which the machines remove dirt from carpets. That's really why I collect them, in essence, to test them against each other.

 

[human]

Vacuum cleaners were among the first 'big' machines I figured out how to operate as a small child. I never really thought about actually collecting them until I found this site a few years ago. Until recently, the most vacuum cleaners I had at any one time was four in early 1998 and I gave three of them to Goodwill before I moved. I didn't have more than one vacuum again until late 2012, when I rescued a Kirby Gsix from beside a dumpster, which led to me finding Vacuumland. A couple of weeks after finding the Gsix, I told my dad about my find and he said there was a Kirby in the attic (Heritage 1D) I should take with me. I did and my girlfriend promptly appropriated it. Sometime after I bought a house in early 2014, I started accumulating machines and now have about 15. I have admitted that I am powerless over vacuum cleaners and that my life has become unmanageable. I'll be downstairs at 8:00 for the Vacuholics Anonymous meeting.

 

[suckolux]

I have been repairing and cleaning up used machines, often thrown out by relatives, give it to David since I was 7?? I loved the idea that they made mess and dirt disappear! Magic. I still have that childhood machine. My mom was the boss at home, did I want to be her? I did love to keep the house up when I was little, but I like a variety of machines too, each seems to me to have a bonus/ advantage over another. So for me like 3 different ones work well. Kirby, well rugs! Silverado for powerful reliable above floor and a Dyson v6 for the in between, quick ups, even quick in the car messes. Others I find and fix for the challenge and then if someone needs a machine, well what kind do you like?? They may offer me something for it, or not. Just take care of it!!My dingbat neighbor complained when her Eureka 1934? died, I said wow that sucks, free machine you abused for 11 years. I put a used motor in it to shut her up. Still free.

 

[n0oxy]

why I like vacuums

I've liked vacuums since I was very young, but never started collecting them until a few years ago. I started with collecting wet dry vacs, then moved on to get a decent collection of central vacuum units, then came the canisters, and finally the backpacks. Also acquired several power nozzles along the way. I've never liked uprights, we had an upright when I was growing up, and I've always found a canister cleaner to be much more flexible. I like all types of canisters, whether round, tank type, central vacuum or backpack. I think one reason I like vacuums is because I'm a blind person, I love to compare how different vacuums sound, the pitch of the motor and the other sound characteristics. Also it's interesting to feel how much suction a vacuum has, that's probably another reason why I don't like uprights, while many do have hoses you can use, a canister of any type will be more powerful at the hose end.