another interesting new Vac

[tolivac]

when I visited Vac Hospital in my area today-found another new design upright vac I couldn't resist---A Riccar "Radiance" upright.what is really unique about this vac is that has a "hybrid" or "push-pull" dirt pick up system.It has the advantages of a traditioanl Fan first upright and those of a "clean air" upright.the machine has two motors in it.the first motor drives the roller brush and the traditional "fan first" vac fan.the second motor is behind the filter bag and "pulls " air after the first vac motor.otherwards they are in "series" with each other.In the first trials with the vac(had to go to work for my night shift)It performs as well as the Kirbys and the Royal Classic metal upright.both of those are "fan first" designs.Found those to be the best untill the Radiance.that Radiance performs on a par with them.when you use the Radiance like a canister-the brush bar and fan first motor shuts off.The suction only motor does that job-and rather well.If you pick up that quarter in from behind the couch cushions it won't tear up your fan.It goes into the bag.a clever "Hose" and "Carpet" selector selects between the modes.when the vac is set and locked upright--to use like the suction only canister-the brush bar motor shuts down.there is a switch on the handle so you can use both motors or just one--that way you can "electricbroom" a bare floor.It has a SS floor shoe.The plastic parts of this vac are exceptional quality-that's saying a lot since I don't normall like plastic vacs.This one is another example(like the Dyson "ball")of cool vac technology.Will use it more and tell how it goes.Looks like it could be a winner.Oh-by the way-still use my "ball" love the cool way it steers--!!Another thing on the Radiance-it has the COOLEST LED headlights-and they are pretty effective-they are focused right on the floor so you can REALLY do some serious dust bunny hunting!

Upright Vacuums | Best Quality Vacuums | Riccar

Our durable upright vacuums feature a powerful motor and specialized filter system that captures dust and allergen particles.

www.riccar.com

 

[petek]

Interesting machine, I haven't seen one yet around here, maybe I'd better not, lol. I've been working away on my Kirby's , got the Classic III , two Traditions and one Legend II all back to primo working condition. I still have one Legend II that needs a new fan and it will be back good as new. A couple need a a better polish than I've been able to do with just an electric drill and buffer pads so I guess I have to go out and get a proper bench grinder and polishing wheels to properly restore a full shine.
I'm using the Legend II almost exclusively now I like it that much, it's so much quieter than my Hoover self propeller and it picks up tons of dog hair as well as all the bird seed and feathers just as well if not better. I'm going to stick to metal vacs now, no more plastics...but I did a Kenmore EVO bagless minus the dust bin last week, almost like new...cost me $5 and sells for $499 here. Trouble is that bloody plastic dust bin costs $89 to replace...for a piece of cheap plastic!!!
What other vacs do you have in your collection?
OH.. I found another Connie as well.. not too bad a condition with some minor touchups, it's a blue one.

 

[drmitch]

Riccar

Hi Rex, The Radiance is one of the coolest looking vac`s I`ve seen in a long time. I`m thinking about buying a new one and will definetlly look into this one!

 

[tolivac]

For polishing Kirby or Royal vacs-I would aviod using a bench grinder motor for that-they turn too fast and could burn the wheel or the item being polished.motors for buffers turn slower-1800 RPM as opposed to 3600 RPM for a bench grinder.the variable speed drill and wheel with "Flitz" or similar polish would work well.Just use a VERY SMALL amount of the polish.I too still love the Kirby vacs-they just love to eat up stuff that others leave behind--So far I have all of the "G" series Kirbys,Heritage,Legend,dual Sanitronic 50,80.also have classic and two 500 series machines.I have several Royal classic type vacs.also have several of their "torpedo" shaped Power Team canisters.Have many other vacs just to numerous to list here.also have the "dirt meters" the salesmen use for Kirby,Compact TriStar and Filter Queen.also have two Dysons,the "yellow" and the "ball"
The Riccar Radiance is an interesting vac-but its reliability over the ages is unknown since it was just introduced to the market in the spring.(US)Yes,the prices of the plastic parts for new vacs is pretty rediculous--Vac maker -ITS JUST A PEICE OF MOLDED PLASTIC.The injection molder machines could make hundreds or even thousands of those parts per hour.Guess they claim you are paying for the "Technology"Would have to admit-in the Dyson Cyclone plastic parts-there is some pretty difficult molds and set-up to do to the molding machine to make those intricate cyclone parts.Would be VERY EXPENSIVE to make from metal.I don't know what sort of matrial or plastic the Radiance direct air fan or fan housing is made from-just try to be careful of what I let it pick up.and sadly Kirby NO LONGER makes the metal fans for their older vacs-If you replace the older fan-Kirby now just makes the Lexan ones-you will miss the "ding" or "ping" sound the vac will make if it picks up a small hard object.The plastic just makes a disturbing "clack" sound.I have one Sanitronic 80 that has a new plastic fan.The 80 I have with the METAL fan is more pleasing to use.Was lucky and got that one as a trade in for a TriStar a while ago.

 

[petek]

Re the polishing wheels or pads?

What type do you use, cotton or is there something else that works better for a first stage in order to get out the light scratches or those pesky looking dull areas on the aluminum?

Can you post a pic of the Sanitronic I'm not sure what it looks like or differences. My ship will come in when I find one of the self propellers cheap!! lol
I unloaded the Rainbow SE last weekend thankfully, made plenty enough on that to buy more old vintage stuff.

 

[tolivac]

I have used cotton wheels. Cotton is slightly naturally "abrasive" by itself.I just use it in a drill.I don't have a camera.the Sanitronics were the first "dual speed" motor Kirbys. The older ones before those had a single speed motor. the dual speeds are with us today. It works on low speed when the floor-carpet nozzle is on the machine.when the hose is put on the machine-the motor is switched to the high speed.that gives the higher suction pressure for hose use.Unfortunately that is where the fan can get torn up-since its spinning at a higher speed than for floor use-the coin,nail or screw can more easily break the fan.

 

[programcomputer]

If you go off their previous bretheren.....

Hi,

Just wanted to spit in my two cents worth...which is this. If you go off their previous bretheren, they are very reliable, and are quite long lasting. I gave my grandmother a demo model Riccar 8850 a few years back when my old store was selling them new.

The machine that she still has, was used almost daily for like 6 months to clean our showroom every night, was a takehome machine for quite a few prospectus purchasers, and also when repair machines took too long becasue of parts unavailibility...was this very machine used.

By the time that It was offered to me at below cost, it needed only a new bumper/hood,from nicks and scratches, and dings; new brushstrips, which on the older Riccar's were VERY stiff and almost imparted a self-propelling action to the machine; and a new cord, the orig being chewed by careless folks who had used it, an as usual ran over it with the vacuum. The rest of the machine was factory.

I gave it to her, as she complained quite loudly one day that I visited that she was now VERY tired of dragging around her Kenmore Powermate from 1979. And on that was mad becasue you couldn't get many repair parts for it anymore, as of 1999 that is. Go to a local Sears service and ask for the brushstips for that old 13 inch powerhead brush mandrel and see where you get.

Anyway she loves it, including the hose/attachment set, which was the deluxe one with the 15 ft. hose. I tried to offer her an late model Oreck XL that came into my possession a few weeks ago, and she told me no way....

So this one should do just as well is my thought...

Chad

 

[tolivac]

Yes I also have a Riccar series 8000 vac.Its a black in color.Both the Radiance and the 8000 one I have(don't remember its exact#)have metal roller brush assemblies with replaceable brush strips.I have seen Riccar machines used in restaurants,the local cinema here,etc.and they keep going strong.The Vac Hospital place where I bought both of the ones I have is a factory authorized repair station.I saw one Riccar machine brought in that had a peculiar smell---came from one of the restuarants-it looked like someone vacuuming the floor tried to pick up a whole HAMBERGER with it-Bill cleaned it up anyway and the machine was then OK.The berger remains clogged up the bag fill tube.Took a while to clean it out.Also the belt had to be replaced.Riccar belts are pretty tough-they are made with Kevlar.Riccar believes in the grooved flat Kevlar belts.They do not use the cogged ones.The pulleys on the motor and roller brush are grooved to match the belt.