Help me buy a good but inexpensive vacuum

[compactc9]

When you se a Bissell, RUN the other way!!!!!

I couldn't agree with David. I have to say that I consider Bissell to make the worst vacuums and carpet cleaners in the US. Their vacuums were always nasty ans stinky and covered in dust when I would take them in for service at the vac shop. They have a foam filter in the top of the dirt cup area, whcih is really useless and gets nasty quickly. There is also a secong foam filter before the motor which does a little more, but still not enough because every BIssell I have seen had a filthy motor. The Eureka is a step up from Bissell, but i find that the stupid cup screen thing plugs annoyingly fast, and the cup filter on the back of the cup (the one that says check every 3 months) is good for about 3 uses in my house.

The only bagless vacuums that I don't hate are ones like Silver KIng, or Filter Queen. BUt if I had to pick a bagless vacuum, it would be the Rainbow. NO dust clouds when you empty it.

But my advice on vacuums, especially if you only own one, get a good bagged vacuum. Bags are much cleaner and easier to change.

May I also suggest getting a vintage vacuum? Many of the older models can be found in good condition for a very reasonable price. I recommend getting a good upright like a Hoover Convertible, or Eureka with similar design. It would be built much better than any modern vacuum, and much more pleasant to use. You could then keep if for carpet cleaning, and use the Connie for bare floors and attachment use, since it only has a turbo nozzle. I might even think about getting a vintage Connie. I'm sure they are much better built than the new model, I know they have more metal.

Sorry for the long post, hopefully no one died of boredom.

 

[tolivac]

I'll vote for the "direct air" vacuums as well-my picks are Kirbys and Royals.They have more airflow than the Pancake head Eurekas and Hoovers.Their bag systems are more efficient and bags easier to replace-no struggling with a band over a paper bag tube.Although the "F&G" bag systems work well.I would not recommend the attachments for any "Pancake head" vacuum-their hose adaptors choke off the airflow.Get a canister instead-for hose work.Kirbys and Royals can be found used at many vacuum stores.If you don't find one-ask the store operator you are interested in one.One may get traded in toward a vac the store is selling.Direct air vacuums can get weaker airflow as the bag fills-but it is more pronounced on clean air machines.The direct air machines will pick up more dirt before the bag finally clogs.The Royals and Kirbys can actually PACK dirt into their paper bags with enough force to break the paper bag if it gets too full!.One vac store operator let me try a Kirby G6 that was brought in for "Service"-the complaint was--"the handle won't stay up"Even with the machine's bag packed so full it burst-that vac could still pick up!It was found out the owner of the machine was ill for six months and the kids of the house were asked to do the housecleaning!They didn't know to change the bag!Many users think their vacuums are "Magic" you never have to replace or empty the bag or dirt cup.Yes,top fill bags are available for older Eurekas,Hoover,Royals, and even Kirbys.Most vac shops can order the retrofit bags-A case where "Bojack" may be better than orig equipment.Of course save the old bag for collec tor use.

 

[westytoploader]

Hoover Convertibles (both the front & rear conversion models) and Eureka uprights were never really designed for tool use from what I've seen; the horizontal-motor machines such as Kirby and Royal take care of that. However, for carpet cleaning, you cannot find anything better than the "beats-as-it-sweeps-as-it-cleans" beater bar in a Convertible or a Disturbulator in a Eureka. It appears that you have plush carpet in your living room; those are PERFECT for that type and will groom it like there's no tomorrow, leaving those nice "vacuuming marks" behind!

It may be a long shot, but if you can find an older 2-position Convertible (such as the 1010 or 1060), that is the one to get. They do a MUCH better job of hugging the carpet than the 4-position machines, as the height adjuster operates completely different. For example, when you go from normal to high, instead of pushing the lever down like you would on a 4-position, you flip the lever up and push down on the back of the machine until it "locks" into place.

--Austin

 

[tommy]

Reliable Vacuum Cleaners

Hey, Jason--Nathan Thomas here, I agree with Compactc9--and that is to avoid not only the Bissell Machines, but I would advise to avoid all the plastic machines out there that Wal-Mart sells. You will more than likely not get but about a year's worth of use out of them, if even that, and they're shot! Again, I agree with Compactc9, I would recommend getting an older, re-conditioned vacuum cleaner, as the older ones are built a lot better. I personally am a big fan of Electrolux, and I have in my collection several of the Electrolux models, from the early 1930's, that still are working like a top! Electrolux models use the disposable bags, but they are not messy to change, simply push on the lid latch, swing the bag door open, pull out the old bag and drop in a new one, and you're done! All the dirt is sealed inside the bag, so you never will touch the dirt! Electrolux models have consistently received high ratings in consumer reports, as to being one of the easiest machines for bag changing, as well as the neatest, as no dirt escapes the sealed bags. Electrolux also has upright models, and Sanitaire also has an upright model that is the exact same model as an Electrolux. Also, another plus that I find is, the Electrolux and Sanitaire models have geared timing belts, which means constant and consistent agitation of the carpet all the time, so you won't have to worry about changing belts constantly. Anyway, Jason--I sell re-conditioned Electrolux machines, and although some of them are 30, 40 or even 50 years old--when I work them over and change out the bearings, and motor brushes--they work like new! Also, Electrolux models excel at running quietly--no jet-engine scream from an older model Electrolux. If I can be of service, please let me know--I'll be glad to help.

Sincerely,
Nathan L. Thomas

 

[tolivac]

Austin-I have both Hoover and Eureka vacs-as well as the Royals and Kirbys-My home has very deep pile carpet thruout-I like using the Hoovers and Eurekas-but the Kirbys and Royals still give the best deep down cleaning in my carpets.And they "groom" well too."Pancake head" vacs were really not designed for deep carpets.A surprize-an older Hoover 105 and a 115 do VERY WELL on it.I have dirt meters for my Kirbys and I am picking up far less dirt from my 30Year old carpets.Lots of fine brown sand around here!Wish there were "dirt Meters" that could fit the Hoovers and Eurekas.I use the bags or dirt cups,shake out bags.Of the pancake head machines I own the Koblentz is a good performer almost as good as the Kirby and Royal.The Koblentz has a better design than the other pan cake head machines.the Koblentz is VERY powerful.I have three one has a "dirt cup" the other two use F&G bags.They are sold as commercial vacuums.Sold as "ironsides" under the ProFlite name.The koblentz has a metal body and a metal fan.Some of Koblentz present models have the lexan fans-the metal fans are better-they have machines that use the metal fans.

 

[mixfinder]

Suck It Up

Jason,

I grew up with Electrolux and it is still my favorite. They are very quiet, very powerful and so very user friendly.

I have no experience with the new Aerus.

My exwife manages a condo and it takes about 3 hours to vacuum the hallways. I have a bad back so we bought a self propelled, Hoover WindTunnel. It is an amazing machine. It was left behind in the divorce. (How are a tornado and a cowboy divorce alike? They both start with a lot of sucking and blowing and in the end, someone loses a mobile home!)

I search out WindTunnel vacs, in Thrift Stores, for under $10.00. They have all needed belts, except one, that one had a plugged a hose. I regift them to friends since they are mighty, both in noise and suction. (do the best ones always have to be the screamers!) This one in the picture, was found sitting next a dumpster.
Kelly

 

[dalangdon]

We have the Eureka Boss Smartvac Vacuum, and it's nice. My only complaint is it's kinda clunky, and hard to lift (with all the pets, we find reason to vacuum the furniture daily, and the best way to do that is just use the beater bar. If it had a handle on the front, it would be perfect for our purposes)

But I'm still gonna buy one of the new Connies

 

[rp2813]

My mom needed a new vacuum. Her cleaning person complained her old Hoover Convertible was too heavy to push around. I went to a vac guy locally who seemed very knowledgeable, who said bagless vacuums were the worst thing to ever happen to the vacuum cleaner industry. He had a Dyson outside his door and offered trade-in allowances for anyone who had one. He really wants to get those things off the roads/floors ASAP. I asked his advice and he suggested that a Fuller Brush (bagged of course) machine would be the last my mom would ever need to buy. I had never seen one before. Was none to happy that it was made in China when I got it home, but it was a done deal, I had spent enough time on the task already. The Fuller machine seemed very similar in design to a "Raccar" (I think) brand that was made in USA. I don't see any mention of that make here and assume they've not been around long. Either this vac guy is a total BS'er and makes money on these Chinese machines he's selling, or Fuller makes a decent vacuum. Even though it's water under the bridge, anybody care to speculate?

Ralph

 

[jasonl]

And the winner is....

NEW Hoover Constellation from Allergy Be Gone.

Thanks Skip!

http://www.allergybegone.com/hoover-s3341-canister-vacuum-cleaner.html

 

[jaxsunst]

That's pretty cool, a good modern adaptation of a classic design.

 

[compactc9]

Yes, the Riccar and Simplicity uprights are made in the U.S. Fuler Brush and Carpet Pro vacuums are made in Asia. Interestingly its all the same parent compant Tacony. They are a very large company in the vacuum and sewing industries, pretty much every vac shop deals with them in some way.

 

[skip]

The New hoover constellion

Hi everyone; Jason has made his decision he has ordered the New Hoover constellion from The Site I sent Him. Well I'm glad he is getting it because that really is the one He wanted most of all. I told Jason To be sure and let me know How He likes it when He gets it. Well I'm sure He will let Us all know.

Skip...

 

[mixfinder]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Hey Jason,
What about an address where those of us who feel like giving you a wedding gift can defray some of the cost of the Connie?
Kelly