I have been interested in collecting vacuums since I was a small child, being that Im going to be 49 next month, it suddenly dawned on me that what I like,," Canisters from the 50s and 60s" would be considered ancient by some, and the things the younger guys collect are things I would not even think of as collectable..IE..Hoover Elites, plastic uprights of any kind etc..Ok guys, why do you find your selves attracted to certain machines...I like canisters and tanks because really no one I knew growing up had uprights except a couple of Kirbys I knew of,,It always seemed to me you really had "arrived" if you had an Electrolux, until I was a teenager I never had seen a Filter Queen or Rainbow,I knew they existed, but thought they were out of business..so when I found out about them, and Royal etc, I wanted them, most folks I knew had GE canisters, their seemed to be tons of them, now you cant seem to find one anywhere, one of my Great Aunts had a Saniway which I thought was really something high dollar as a kid!!
Why we collect the vacs we collect???
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cb123
Well-known member
Well, collecting vacuums is pretty much like collecting anything else. You have to be just a little bit crazy to do it. If that's one of the qualifications to being an enthusiast, then just call me crazy...CRAZY FOR KIRBY'S!
poconovacman
Well-known member
For me, I'm most partial to the models and brands that my family had growing up, which primarily consisted of Hoover, Singer (from the 50s), Eureka, Electrolux, Fantom, and a few others along the way that I've developed my own interest in.
Also, the majority of machines I own and grew up around were uprights, so I tend to favor uprights more than canisters, while still liking certain canisters and disliking certain uprights.
Our dear Hans (Kenkart) would have a stroke if he saw some of the machines I hold dear, but would fall over and wet his pants if he knew some of the others!! (Hans, you know I love ya like my luggage and am just busting your chops!)
Also, the majority of machines I own and grew up around were uprights, so I tend to favor uprights more than canisters, while still liking certain canisters and disliking certain uprights.
Our dear Hans (Kenkart) would have a stroke if he saw some of the machines I hold dear, but would fall over and wet his pants if he knew some of the others!! (Hans, you know I love ya like my luggage and am just busting your chops!)
I accidentally got hooked on Electrolux machines, parts, and accessories when trying to locate replacement parts a few years back. My searching led me to researching and learning details of various models and nuances of model versions. So really, these piqued my interest initially and continue to do so. Correspondingly, I enjoy cleaning and performing the basics of vacuum cleaner and floor beautifier maintenance. My hobby includes collecting tanks and power nozzles, attachments, manuals, Rug Washers and triple-brush cleaners.
I'd have to also say that Electrolux machinery has received my attention due to its reputation as a classic upper echelon brand and high quality design and features; along with the fact that I'd obtained a couple Electrolux tanks from the previous owners of my house.
I likely would not have developed an interest in the aforementioned items if it weren't for the internet, as my searching would have only led me to local vacuum cleaner stores and possibly an Aerus franchise some two hours away that--like many Aerus franchises I've since learned--do not care about vintage machines. I may also have sent a letter to Aerus LLC in Dallas only to discover that its knowledge and resources of vintage products are almost non-existent. Indeed, my correspondence with them has left me disheartened with collecting their vintage products on more than one occasion.
I also wrestle with maintaining boundaries of collecting so it doesn't get out of hand in terms of financial and time investment. My Christian faith compels me to live more selflessly than selfishly, so I am careful not to allow my collecting to become an obsession lest I neglect to love God above all else and to love my neighbors as myself.
That being stated, I am thankful for Vacuumland--with its camaraderie, information, tips, trivia, et cetera.
I'd have to also say that Electrolux machinery has received my attention due to its reputation as a classic upper echelon brand and high quality design and features; along with the fact that I'd obtained a couple Electrolux tanks from the previous owners of my house.
I likely would not have developed an interest in the aforementioned items if it weren't for the internet, as my searching would have only led me to local vacuum cleaner stores and possibly an Aerus franchise some two hours away that--like many Aerus franchises I've since learned--do not care about vintage machines. I may also have sent a letter to Aerus LLC in Dallas only to discover that its knowledge and resources of vintage products are almost non-existent. Indeed, my correspondence with them has left me disheartened with collecting their vintage products on more than one occasion.
I also wrestle with maintaining boundaries of collecting so it doesn't get out of hand in terms of financial and time investment. My Christian faith compels me to live more selflessly than selfishly, so I am careful not to allow my collecting to become an obsession lest I neglect to love God above all else and to love my neighbors as myself.
That being stated, I am thankful for Vacuumland--with its camaraderie, information, tips, trivia, et cetera.
cb123
Well-known member
That's only one of the reasons which I primarily collect Kirby's. I don't want to be like some kind of backyard dog breeder, collecting a whole lot of everything. There's only three simple criteria I follow: Quality...Quality...and YES! even more QUALITY.
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In one word: Nostalgia.
A remembrance of simpler, more decent and honest times when I was growing up in the 1950s. Not to over-portray the 1950s as something that era wasn't -- there was plenty of bad stuff going on back then too -- racism and segregation for example.
But, overall, people -- at least in the small towns where I grew up -- were kind and decent to one another, and most folks were honest. Most of the people I knew as a child never locked their houses. (My mama didn't even know where the front-door key was when she went to look for it one day.) People left the keys to their cars in the ignition -- at home and when out and about.
Household appliances were better-made back then, and were more beautiful. Sure, there were drawbacks -- most of them were dirt belchers and dust breeders and awkward or difficult to deal with the vacuumed-up dirt. But they were made to last a household a lifetime, not 2 or 3 years then they fall apart and the folks would have to go buy another disposable machine.
Many of the ladies -- even the older ones -- had vacuum cleaners and other appliances that they had gotten when they were first married, either as wedding gifts or just purchases for the new household.
As most of us, my attraction to (okay, obsession for) vacuum cleaners began at a very, very early age. And I loved every single one I ever saw, found, or used. As I began to grow up and had to become more secretive about this "peculiar fascination," I put a stop to overtly engaging in my hobby. You could say that I went into the "sweeper closet."
Interestingly, one of my first after-school jobs was working for a vac shop, cleaning up, arranging stock, and such. When I went downstairs one day and saw the bewilderingly beautiful jumble of old trade-in machines that the owner had been putting down there ever since he opened, I began to play around with some of them, especially the old Kirbys and Electroluxes, and eventually bringing a few of them home to work on.
One day the owner of the store said, "You really have an eye for those old machines, don't you." I felt a deep sense of shame and embarrassment, like he had "outed me," and brushed aside his comment -- even though, looking back, I realize he meant it as a compliment and may well have had "an eye for those old machines" himself! But I considered my interest in them too secret and too shameful and I wouldn't admit it to anyone, not for many years. Not, actually, until after I met Stan Kann in 1990. But that's another story.
When I did begin openly collecting vacuum cleaners and began scouring through junk stores, thrift shops and vacuum cleaner stores, the machines I was most attracted to were the ones I remembered from my childhood. And that's the way it has stayed to this very day.
Every machine in my collection is like one that someone had when I was a kid. I have multiples of certain machines I really like, and some of them are configured as different people had them -- e.g., a Model E with a cord winder and XXX hose as I've talked about. I have that version sitting right here.
And So It Goes.
~
In one word: Nostalgia.
A remembrance of simpler, more decent and honest times when I was growing up in the 1950s. Not to over-portray the 1950s as something that era wasn't -- there was plenty of bad stuff going on back then too -- racism and segregation for example.
But, overall, people -- at least in the small towns where I grew up -- were kind and decent to one another, and most folks were honest. Most of the people I knew as a child never locked their houses. (My mama didn't even know where the front-door key was when she went to look for it one day.) People left the keys to their cars in the ignition -- at home and when out and about.
Household appliances were better-made back then, and were more beautiful. Sure, there were drawbacks -- most of them were dirt belchers and dust breeders and awkward or difficult to deal with the vacuumed-up dirt. But they were made to last a household a lifetime, not 2 or 3 years then they fall apart and the folks would have to go buy another disposable machine.
Many of the ladies -- even the older ones -- had vacuum cleaners and other appliances that they had gotten when they were first married, either as wedding gifts or just purchases for the new household.
As most of us, my attraction to (okay, obsession for) vacuum cleaners began at a very, very early age. And I loved every single one I ever saw, found, or used. As I began to grow up and had to become more secretive about this "peculiar fascination," I put a stop to overtly engaging in my hobby. You could say that I went into the "sweeper closet."
Interestingly, one of my first after-school jobs was working for a vac shop, cleaning up, arranging stock, and such. When I went downstairs one day and saw the bewilderingly beautiful jumble of old trade-in machines that the owner had been putting down there ever since he opened, I began to play around with some of them, especially the old Kirbys and Electroluxes, and eventually bringing a few of them home to work on.
One day the owner of the store said, "You really have an eye for those old machines, don't you." I felt a deep sense of shame and embarrassment, like he had "outed me," and brushed aside his comment -- even though, looking back, I realize he meant it as a compliment and may well have had "an eye for those old machines" himself! But I considered my interest in them too secret and too shameful and I wouldn't admit it to anyone, not for many years. Not, actually, until after I met Stan Kann in 1990. But that's another story.
When I did begin openly collecting vacuum cleaners and began scouring through junk stores, thrift shops and vacuum cleaner stores, the machines I was most attracted to were the ones I remembered from my childhood. And that's the way it has stayed to this very day.
Every machine in my collection is like one that someone had when I was a kid. I have multiples of certain machines I really like, and some of them are configured as different people had them -- e.g., a Model E with a cord winder and XXX hose as I've talked about. I have that version sitting right here.
And So It Goes.
super-sweeper
Well-known member
Charles, you hit the screw on the head there! But don't forget our modern times come with there own issues! I'd like to see Russia hack into Facebook's credit-card stuff, in 1959! Then there was no Facebook, internet or Prius car things. The cars had an extra ton of chrome on them, and could cause eye damage if you stare into it long enough!
Everything I own is older than I am! My vacuums, mixers, 8-Tracks, etc. I do things the vintage way when I can, such as playing a 45 RPM record from my library, or making a video on Super 8 film. I wonder at times if I'm trying to clutch onto that perfect lifestyle of the 1950s, from my dream-car to my dream-house, from my appliances to the way I style my hair!
Every now-and-then I'll get super-nostalgic and vacuum every possible thing I can with the Electrolux, or other days switch the Kirby into attachments and go about the house's floors and crevices. It's nostalgic because that's the way it was. The husband went off to work and won bread in an awesome poker match (figure of speech) and the wife stayed home to keep the house and kids in order (not that I'm the wife, but I do keep a clean house!). The house was always clean. Fresh Pine drifted into the air from the kitchen floors, and dust was kept down constantly. Having vacuums, and anything really, brings me closer and closer!
Everything I own is older than I am! My vacuums, mixers, 8-Tracks, etc. I do things the vintage way when I can, such as playing a 45 RPM record from my library, or making a video on Super 8 film. I wonder at times if I'm trying to clutch onto that perfect lifestyle of the 1950s, from my dream-car to my dream-house, from my appliances to the way I style my hair!
Every now-and-then I'll get super-nostalgic and vacuum every possible thing I can with the Electrolux, or other days switch the Kirby into attachments and go about the house's floors and crevices. It's nostalgic because that's the way it was. The husband went off to work and won bread in an awesome poker match (figure of speech) and the wife stayed home to keep the house and kids in order (not that I'm the wife, but I do keep a clean house!). The house was always clean. Fresh Pine drifted into the air from the kitchen floors, and dust was kept down constantly. Having vacuums, and anything really, brings me closer and closer!
For me
What I like to use goes back to the nostalgia of sound. I really like Electrolux and Rainbow. As a child, I always loved using my grandma's Electrolux. The sound of the power nozzle was just perfect to me. It harmonized so great with the sound of the machine. Although that was an Olympia One, I love all Electroluxes (and mostly ones older than that!)
The sound of the Rainbow resonates with my early days chasing my mom around while she was using our D4 SE. We had the four quart water basin and I watched the water churn in obsession. The sound of the motor was not quiet, but just seemed like the perfect tone. And the power nozzle always made a distinct sound to me that I always seem to describe as "bubbly".
What I like to use goes back to the nostalgia of sound. I really like Electrolux and Rainbow. As a child, I always loved using my grandma's Electrolux. The sound of the power nozzle was just perfect to me. It harmonized so great with the sound of the machine. Although that was an Olympia One, I love all Electroluxes (and mostly ones older than that!)
The sound of the Rainbow resonates with my early days chasing my mom around while she was using our D4 SE. We had the four quart water basin and I watched the water churn in obsession. The sound of the motor was not quiet, but just seemed like the perfect tone. And the power nozzle always made a distinct sound to me that I always seem to describe as "bubbly".
pr-21
Well-known member
What I grew up with.....
A Premier 21 Upright started it for me when I was young. I also always asked for a toy vacuum for Xmas. Back in the 50's, they had some great toy vacuums. Anyway, my mom traded a PR-21 in for an Electro Hygiene Tank in the late 50's. I didn't realize until I got older, that my mom made a very good choice for the type rugs and hardwood floors we had. When I got my first apartment, I bought a Top of the Line Eureka. This would be the early 70's. I also bought my first Kirby brand new, it was the Kirby Classic. When my Mom's vacuum quit, I bought her a Hoover Model 70 which was the tol Hoover then.
I always had a straight suction canister for above the floor and an upright for carpets. In the past 20 years or so, I am 62 now, I discovered Electrolux and bought the Discovery III upright and the Marquis tank. I now actually prefer canisters to uprights, although I have lots of both, simply because a canister with a power nozzle and onboard attachments in my opinion is better for mixed flooring. I have wood, tile and carpet. If I had to choose just one to keep, it would be hard to choose. My favorite top of line cleaners are Rainbow, Riccar, Aerus (originally electrolux) and the upright favorites would be Kirby Sentria II, My Vintage Eureka 250 with ST fill tube adapter for filtration, Simplicity Premium Vibrance, and the Eureka Retro Vac with the original bag from that era on it....
PR-21
A Premier 21 Upright started it for me when I was young. I also always asked for a toy vacuum for Xmas. Back in the 50's, they had some great toy vacuums. Anyway, my mom traded a PR-21 in for an Electro Hygiene Tank in the late 50's. I didn't realize until I got older, that my mom made a very good choice for the type rugs and hardwood floors we had. When I got my first apartment, I bought a Top of the Line Eureka. This would be the early 70's. I also bought my first Kirby brand new, it was the Kirby Classic. When my Mom's vacuum quit, I bought her a Hoover Model 70 which was the tol Hoover then.
I always had a straight suction canister for above the floor and an upright for carpets. In the past 20 years or so, I am 62 now, I discovered Electrolux and bought the Discovery III upright and the Marquis tank. I now actually prefer canisters to uprights, although I have lots of both, simply because a canister with a power nozzle and onboard attachments in my opinion is better for mixed flooring. I have wood, tile and carpet. If I had to choose just one to keep, it would be hard to choose. My favorite top of line cleaners are Rainbow, Riccar, Aerus (originally electrolux) and the upright favorites would be Kirby Sentria II, My Vintage Eureka 250 with ST fill tube adapter for filtration, Simplicity Premium Vibrance, and the Eureka Retro Vac with the original bag from that era on it....
PR-21
edgar
Well-known member
Growing up
It has something to do with childhood. I collect cleaners from the seventies and eighties. My age is 38 ;-))
It has something to do with childhood. I collect cleaners from the seventies and eighties. My age is 38 ;-))
marks_here
Well-known member
Because I wasn't brilliant enough to think of anything else to start collecting at the time plus no on I knew of was doing it so...
eurekastar
Well-known member
For me it's about preserving a little bit of Americana, combined with the fact that I love working on things. So obviously my preference is with vintage models. Many newer vacuum models tend to be over-engineered and unnecessarily difficult to work on. Plus, when a part breaks on something newer, it's often no longer available. But amazingly, Kirby still manufactures parts for models dating back 75 years!
The brands I have the most experience with are Kirby, Electrolux, Eureka, Compact/Tristar, and Rainbow. I have some limited experience with Hoover, mainly because parts for older Hoovers seem to be less plentiful.
Pictured are a few of the vacuums that I've either rebuilt or repaired.
The brands I have the most experience with are Kirby, Electrolux, Eureka, Compact/Tristar, and Rainbow. I have some limited experience with Hoover, mainly because parts for older Hoovers seem to be less plentiful.
Pictured are a few of the vacuums that I've either rebuilt or repaired.
dysonman1
Well-known member
I started my obsession with vacuums at a very early age (4). My mother had a Rainbow model D upstairs and a Compact C-4 downstairs. My aunt had an Electrolux Automatic F, and my other aunt had a Model G. Next door was a 1954 KenKart. Across the street was a Kirby Dual 80. The day the lady bought the Kirbeast, my mother took me over to see it. After the owner went to get us some tea, my mother said "that thing is worthless". "Why" I asked? She went to the lady's sofa and smacked it. Dust clouds rose. "See, worthless" she said. When we got home, she smacked our sofa and nothing happened. The Rainbow salesmen told her to use the upholstery tool every time she came to the sofa, and she did. My mother always felt our house was the cleanest on the block.
I went to Catholic Church and Catholic School until I begged my mother to let me go to public school (I hated church and still do). The church had a GE Swivel Top that they used to clean the alter (pink). The only thing I enjoyed about that church and school was getting to vacuum with the GE.
Everyone I knew had canisters. Uprights were considered "low class". I don't know why. Even my best friend's mother had a Fairfax. And my mother's best friend had a Filter Queen model 500. Canisters and Tank types were all I grew up with.
It wouldn't be until I was an adult with my own vacuum cleaner sales and repair shop that I began to see uprights as anything other than "worthless". When I sold Rainbows as a young adult (I'm 52 now, I was 19 then), we hung uprights in the tree and shot them with shotguns at the Rainbow company picnic. I always thought of uprights as dust belchers.
Today, I see them in a whole new light. I still hate Kirby. But Maytag and Simplicity with their on-board tools are wonderful. I have a love/hate relationship with Dyson. Unlike so many brainwashed people, I do not hate them. I see them for what they are. I did use a DC07 for several years exclusively and really liked it.
All in all, I still like the vacuums I grew up with. To me, The best canister, other than the Rainbow which can do it ALL, is the Air-Way Sanitizor.
I went to Catholic Church and Catholic School until I begged my mother to let me go to public school (I hated church and still do). The church had a GE Swivel Top that they used to clean the alter (pink). The only thing I enjoyed about that church and school was getting to vacuum with the GE.
Everyone I knew had canisters. Uprights were considered "low class". I don't know why. Even my best friend's mother had a Fairfax. And my mother's best friend had a Filter Queen model 500. Canisters and Tank types were all I grew up with.
It wouldn't be until I was an adult with my own vacuum cleaner sales and repair shop that I began to see uprights as anything other than "worthless". When I sold Rainbows as a young adult (I'm 52 now, I was 19 then), we hung uprights in the tree and shot them with shotguns at the Rainbow company picnic. I always thought of uprights as dust belchers.
Today, I see them in a whole new light. I still hate Kirby. But Maytag and Simplicity with their on-board tools are wonderful. I have a love/hate relationship with Dyson. Unlike so many brainwashed people, I do not hate them. I see them for what they are. I did use a DC07 for several years exclusively and really liked it.
All in all, I still like the vacuums I grew up with. To me, The best canister, other than the Rainbow which can do it ALL, is the Air-Way Sanitizor.
kirbymodel2c
Well-known member
Well...
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hi. Well for me the nostalgia <a name="start_26105.292682"></a>side does come in to it especially with certain models like the Electrolux 345,406,350 etc as that was what family had and what I grew up with since I started liking vacuum cleaners at the age of 4. With Kirby which is my favorite brand(As if you didn't know!), that was a love that blossomed from the moment I saw next door using one to clean their car out. Not long after I got to see one used in a demo and was opened up to what a true quality vacuum cleaner could do and could be capable of.
</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I can remember the time I got my first Kirby and feeling my heart pumping with excitement from the first moment I saw it & rushing over too claim it as my own
After that one, one became two and the rest is history lol.
</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I also had a very helpful,friendly and supportive Kirby distributor which helped with any questions I had.</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">And for that I am truly grateful.</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James
</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hi. Well for me the nostalgia <a name="start_26105.292682"></a>side does come in to it especially with certain models like the Electrolux 345,406,350 etc as that was what family had and what I grew up with since I started liking vacuum cleaners at the age of 4. With Kirby which is my favorite brand(As if you didn't know!), that was a love that blossomed from the moment I saw next door using one to clean their car out. Not long after I got to see one used in a demo and was opened up to what a true quality vacuum cleaner could do and could be capable of.
</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I can remember the time I got my first Kirby and feeling my heart pumping with excitement from the first moment I saw it & rushing over too claim it as my own
</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I also had a very helpful,friendly and supportive Kirby distributor which helped with any questions I had.</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">And for that I am truly grateful.</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James
jaker15
Well-known member
Why do I collect what I collect?
To put it simply, I like how my older vacuums sound. There are so many people out there that have NEVER heard an Electrolux Model 30 run before. When I show them my Model 30 for the first time, they usually say, "Oh, wow. Would you look at that! It looks like an old Cadillac! I bet it's really loud..." and when I turn it on, they're stunned. It sounds so mellow and smooth compared to today's plastic banshees. I also collect certain machines because I don't want them to end up in the scrap pile. If you have the opportunity to save a vacuum from being trashed, do it!
To put it simply, I like how my older vacuums sound. There are so many people out there that have NEVER heard an Electrolux Model 30 run before. When I show them my Model 30 for the first time, they usually say, "Oh, wow. Would you look at that! It looks like an old Cadillac! I bet it's really loud..." and when I turn it on, they're stunned. It sounds so mellow and smooth compared to today's plastic banshees. I also collect certain machines because I don't want them to end up in the scrap pile. If you have the opportunity to save a vacuum from being trashed, do it!
suckolux
Well-known member
Hans, I could not have put it better myself!
Guess I got started collecting vacuums-primarily Kirby-because thas what I grew up with.My Mom tells me of a Kirby purchase from the door knocker salesman in 1951-the year I was born.Again grew up using BOTH types of vacuums-The Kirby for the carpets-our homes always had carpets of some sort-then the Sears Kenmore canister-my Stepmoms for the other vacuum jobs.We all had to vacuum our rooms-my brothers hated the chore--I LOVED it!The roar of the Kirby cleaning the carpet-and the gentle sound of the Kenmore.We didn't have dusty couches at our place-I would vacuum ours and the chairs the cat slep on Stepmom liked that.And the living room carpet-when the Dad and the others went out skiing(HATED that hobby!)I would go over the living room carpet well with the Kirby.I would do as Dad did-dump the Kirby in the plantbed outside the garage-plants grew WELL with that Kirby dust!It did contain losts of ash from the fireplace.Dad liked using it.
Hate to say it--would love to use some of the dusty,dirty,broken Dysons on a target session!!!The presnt vacuum place I go to-the owner likes to shoot-the vacs from his junkpile would be good for those "BOOM Therapy" sessions!!Several Dysons-and LOTS of Bissels and Eurekas and Sharks!!All broken,dirty,and dusty!!!Would make good hang in the tree targets!!
And when I spotted an NSS M1 Pig being used to clean a Bank of Maryland place--just WANTED one of my own-now have 4!!!My favorite canister-Sort of like a Kirby and Other canister in one!!!Have canisters,too.At present Mike found a really nice Hoover Concept 2 WITH handvac--needs a cord.He is ordering one-saved the machine for me.Was traded in towards a Simplicity.Used a cheater cord-the Concept and hand vac run fine.They just need a little cleaning up-belt,and brushroll.And this is self propelled-it works,too.This would be a good addition to the collection.Just have to wait for the special order cord.One you get started collecting vacuums,like other collecting hobbies-hard to stop!!!Space and finances are the stopping factors.
Hate to say it--would love to use some of the dusty,dirty,broken Dysons on a target session!!!The presnt vacuum place I go to-the owner likes to shoot-the vacs from his junkpile would be good for those "BOOM Therapy" sessions!!Several Dysons-and LOTS of Bissels and Eurekas and Sharks!!All broken,dirty,and dusty!!!Would make good hang in the tree targets!!
And when I spotted an NSS M1 Pig being used to clean a Bank of Maryland place--just WANTED one of my own-now have 4!!!My favorite canister-Sort of like a Kirby and Other canister in one!!!Have canisters,too.At present Mike found a really nice Hoover Concept 2 WITH handvac--needs a cord.He is ordering one-saved the machine for me.Was traded in towards a Simplicity.Used a cheater cord-the Concept and hand vac run fine.They just need a little cleaning up-belt,and brushroll.And this is self propelled-it works,too.This would be a good addition to the collection.Just have to wait for the special order cord.One you get started collecting vacuums,like other collecting hobbies-hard to stop!!!Space and finances are the stopping factors.
DesertTortoise
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2014
- Messages
- 1,189
I edged into collecting vacuums sideways. My lifelong habit has been to buy good quality items and take care of them. When things break, I repair them rather than dispose of the old item and replace it with something new. It isn't a love of old products or nostalgia for a bygone era. I don't have those traits thank goodness! Rather it is a habit from my parents of thrift. If something is paid for and can be repaired, why throw it away? It is nearly always less costly to repair it and keep it in service.
When my dad passed I inherited my parents old vacuums. I had a crappy Hoover upright back then, and when I started using their old Kenmore canister vacs I thought, wow, that's a good quality vacuum, and easy to use. I had never used a good quality vac before so using the better of the two old Kenmores was a bit of a revealation.
When the old Powermate started making sick noises, the natural reaction was to see how much a new motor would cost. When I saw the price, only $35, it was a no brainer to fix it rather than popping $199 for a replacement. It only needed a motor, everything else was still good. I could not see throwing it away like my parents did when the older vacs Powermate died (tossed the Powermate and condemned the vac to garage duty). I had restored whole BMW motorcycles at that point in my life so how hard could a vacuum floor brush be to tear down and repair? Not hard at all as it turned out. Then the motor on the older vac, the 1971 vintage Kenmore canister I call the Avocado Bomber started to make sick noises and loose suction. So I did a little research and replaced the original motor with a newer high suction Lamb motor. That one was a bit more difficult because I had to suss out the wiring going from two speeds to one. But I did it, I only popped the garage breaker once figuring the wiring out, heh, heh, heh, and when it worked I was pretty happy with myself.
From there the snowball started rolling. I had a little confidence that I could tear into a vacuum and not eff it all up, and I had become interested in how they work. It didn't hurt that used vacuums cost so little. It's cheaper than dating. That Electrolux I bought at the Salvation Army was the first and so far the only Electrolux vacuum I have ever seen. I knew the name and that they were some sort of a luxury item but beyond that I knew nothing about them. So I offered the store $25 for it, they took it, and I walked away carrying what would become a little adventure. I had no idea what was inside that gray plastic body, no idea how they came apart or anything. I was winging it. But it's a lot of fun poking around these things, learning how they work and sussing out their problems. It's cheap fun and you build confidence with each new success.
When my dad passed I inherited my parents old vacuums. I had a crappy Hoover upright back then, and when I started using their old Kenmore canister vacs I thought, wow, that's a good quality vacuum, and easy to use. I had never used a good quality vac before so using the better of the two old Kenmores was a bit of a revealation.
When the old Powermate started making sick noises, the natural reaction was to see how much a new motor would cost. When I saw the price, only $35, it was a no brainer to fix it rather than popping $199 for a replacement. It only needed a motor, everything else was still good. I could not see throwing it away like my parents did when the older vacs Powermate died (tossed the Powermate and condemned the vac to garage duty). I had restored whole BMW motorcycles at that point in my life so how hard could a vacuum floor brush be to tear down and repair? Not hard at all as it turned out. Then the motor on the older vac, the 1971 vintage Kenmore canister I call the Avocado Bomber started to make sick noises and loose suction. So I did a little research and replaced the original motor with a newer high suction Lamb motor. That one was a bit more difficult because I had to suss out the wiring going from two speeds to one. But I did it, I only popped the garage breaker once figuring the wiring out, heh, heh, heh, and when it worked I was pretty happy with myself.
From there the snowball started rolling. I had a little confidence that I could tear into a vacuum and not eff it all up, and I had become interested in how they work. It didn't hurt that used vacuums cost so little. It's cheaper than dating. That Electrolux I bought at the Salvation Army was the first and so far the only Electrolux vacuum I have ever seen. I knew the name and that they were some sort of a luxury item but beyond that I knew nothing about them. So I offered the store $25 for it, they took it, and I walked away carrying what would become a little adventure. I had no idea what was inside that gray plastic body, no idea how they came apart or anything. I was winging it. But it's a lot of fun poking around these things, learning how they work and sussing out their problems. It's cheap fun and you build confidence with each new success.
jaker15
Well-known member
DT,
I can assure you that not all Electroluxes are like that. My 1949 model 30 is still purring along without any problems at all.
I can assure you that not all Electroluxes are like that. My 1949 model 30 is still purring along without any problems at all.
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