Love that model E race car. Your stuff is wonderful!!
Question for the Vacuum People...
- Thread starter bajaespuma
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superba
New member
Air-Way All The Way!
In the VCCC, most people have at least one Air-Way. Air-Way Signature Series vacuums are still made, in Alabama, out of metal, and by hand. They run about $500 to $600 for club members (from a club member) and about $700 to $800 for non-Club members (the buying 'public'). Air-Way's filtration is above reproach, they invented the micro filtration disposable bag in 1920. Air-Way was the inventor of the power nozzle, the dirt finder, the swivel top, etc. etc. etc.
Above all, they are DURABLE machine, made the correct way out of steel and polished aluminum, IN AMERICA out of American parts, and most vac shops carry the repair parts (whether or not they know it). Buy an Air-Way, they are excellent.
Charlie W. (from the VCCC) is an Air-Way dealer and he would be quite happy (I'm sure) to talk with you about it.
In the VCCC, most people have at least one Air-Way. Air-Way Signature Series vacuums are still made, in Alabama, out of metal, and by hand. They run about $500 to $600 for club members (from a club member) and about $700 to $800 for non-Club members (the buying 'public'). Air-Way's filtration is above reproach, they invented the micro filtration disposable bag in 1920. Air-Way was the inventor of the power nozzle, the dirt finder, the swivel top, etc. etc. etc.
Above all, they are DURABLE machine, made the correct way out of steel and polished aluminum, IN AMERICA out of American parts, and most vac shops carry the repair parts (whether or not they know it). Buy an Air-Way, they are excellent.
Charlie W. (from the VCCC) is an Air-Way dealer and he would be quite happy (I'm sure) to talk with you about it.
partscounterman
Member
Depends what you got to clean...
I love the older heavy metal vacs, but found while my Kirby G3 (bought rebuilt) was fantastic to clean my large 3 bedroom home on the mainland, it was just "too much" for my hawaiian cottage. I now have an Oreck which I think is just the bee's knee's for whipping through my little place. I do question the Orecks ability to clean up after shaggy long hair pets-It seems like that would clog it up. Since the 3 area rugs in my place belong to the landlord, I don't really care whether they get deep cleaned or not. The nap isn't all that thick anyway, so as long as everything LOOKS clean, I'm happy.
There is no perfect vacuum, but by considering what you have to clean and your preferences, you can narrow it down to a machine that is right for you.
I love the older heavy metal vacs, but found while my Kirby G3 (bought rebuilt) was fantastic to clean my large 3 bedroom home on the mainland, it was just "too much" for my hawaiian cottage. I now have an Oreck which I think is just the bee's knee's for whipping through my little place. I do question the Orecks ability to clean up after shaggy long hair pets-It seems like that would clog it up. Since the 3 area rugs in my place belong to the landlord, I don't really care whether they get deep cleaned or not. The nap isn't all that thick anyway, so as long as everything LOOKS clean, I'm happy.
There is no perfect vacuum, but by considering what you have to clean and your preferences, you can narrow it down to a machine that is right for you.
hoover1060
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Air-way
I've got a Sani-clean New Century, about $500 with powernozzle, its light, powerful, and handles like a dream...
If you like canisters, its an excellent machine!
I've got a Sani-clean New Century, about $500 with powernozzle, its light, powerful, and handles like a dream...
If you like canisters, its an excellent machine!
Does Air-Way make an upright machine? And how do I get in touch with Charlie W? I don't want another canister vac-if the Oreck had better ratings I would probably choose it. I want a simple, non-convertible upright that has the right system for beating and brushing dirt out of carpets efficiently. If it can do bare floors as well, that would be a plus but I mainly want something very quick and easy (no attachments) to pull out and use to clean carpets.
hoover1060
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Well in that case
I'd recommend a metal Royal Everlast upright, solidly built, all metal, and they perform very well.
2nd choice would be a Sanitaire Blue line upright
3rd choice would be the Simplicity/Riccar supra light, also sold as the Hoover Ultra-light-weight.
Airway is only canisters, I'm not an Airway expert, but I think their last upright was the late 1930's...
I'd recommend a metal Royal Everlast upright, solidly built, all metal, and they perform very well.
2nd choice would be a Sanitaire Blue line upright
3rd choice would be the Simplicity/Riccar supra light, also sold as the Hoover Ultra-light-weight.
Airway is only canisters, I'm not an Airway expert, but I think their last upright was the late 1930's...
air-waycharlie
Well-known member
Air-Way Charlie Here........
Timborow,
Jeff is right that Air-Way only makes cannisters and has for quite some time. Their last upright was the Dirtmaster, (a less than stellar model but VERY collectable), circa. 1940.
I'm not a vacuum professor or genius, but for uprights that are effective and reasonable affordable, I would add to Jeff's list the Kenmore/Panasonic uprights, (various models and prices), and I also like the "Electrolux" which is really a Eureka, that Lowes carries. They have two models, one being a more basic and the other more deluxe.
The Sanitaire Blue upright that Jeff mentioned is excellent and very affordable.
When I clean plastic bodied vacuums, I use car wax. Meguiars ColorX to be exact. It helps restore the color and luster and will remove paint with a lot of rubbing if necessary. I have also used very fine steel wood and then gone over it with ColorX. Jeff recommends Brasso if I remember correctly. If the plastic is textured and not shiny, I use lacquer thinner but VERY lightly and sparingly as it actually will remove the plastic in addtion to any paint.
Lacquer thinner works great on rubber bumper trim and power cords. You should wear gloves as it is very harsh and will cause skin problems with direct contact.
Hope this will help you.
Timborow,
Jeff is right that Air-Way only makes cannisters and has for quite some time. Their last upright was the Dirtmaster, (a less than stellar model but VERY collectable), circa. 1940.
I'm not a vacuum professor or genius, but for uprights that are effective and reasonable affordable, I would add to Jeff's list the Kenmore/Panasonic uprights, (various models and prices), and I also like the "Electrolux" which is really a Eureka, that Lowes carries. They have two models, one being a more basic and the other more deluxe.
The Sanitaire Blue upright that Jeff mentioned is excellent and very affordable.
When I clean plastic bodied vacuums, I use car wax. Meguiars ColorX to be exact. It helps restore the color and luster and will remove paint with a lot of rubbing if necessary. I have also used very fine steel wood and then gone over it with ColorX. Jeff recommends Brasso if I remember correctly. If the plastic is textured and not shiny, I use lacquer thinner but VERY lightly and sparingly as it actually will remove the plastic in addtion to any paint.
Lacquer thinner works great on rubber bumper trim and power cords. You should wear gloves as it is very harsh and will cause skin problems with direct contact.
Hope this will help you.
brettsomers
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i like the vintage Hoover *convertible* uprights with a metal base. the motor runs smooth and quiet (the way a vacuum should) and its great at deep cleaning. you can find one on eBay and if its from a professional vac source, it may be serviced before delivery. or your local Hoover store can renew many older Hoovers. IMHO a classic Hoover Convertible seems to clean more deeply than the classic Panasonic style and MUCH more than Orecks? a Convertible wouldnt work on bare floor...
nurdlinger
Well-known member
Sorry (Air-Way) Charlie...
I did not realize you were a dealer for Air-Way vacs. I had in mind to replace my 30 year old J.C.Penney/Hoover with a newer upright with as much metal as I could get. I read web and usenet posts, and had focused on Sanitaire. Reading the old posts in this forum's archive, I came upon a thread where Air-Way was discussed a lot, and I was intrigued. Although I seldom act impulsively, I went to the site and ordered one right then. Had I realized you sold them I would have contacted you instead.
As far as acting impulsively, in the last 12 months I have replaced the refrigerator, the range, the toilets, and the laundry machines in my house. Each was investigated via the internet for days on end, with much changing of mind, etc. In the end, I actually bought the items which I identified early in the search. All have proven to be fine. It is just so uncharacteristic of me to do it all in one day that I thought it deserved mention here. I hope (and expect) to feel the same about the Air-Way New Century.
I did not realize you were a dealer for Air-Way vacs. I had in mind to replace my 30 year old J.C.Penney/Hoover with a newer upright with as much metal as I could get. I read web and usenet posts, and had focused on Sanitaire. Reading the old posts in this forum's archive, I came upon a thread where Air-Way was discussed a lot, and I was intrigued. Although I seldom act impulsively, I went to the site and ordered one right then. Had I realized you sold them I would have contacted you instead.
As far as acting impulsively, in the last 12 months I have replaced the refrigerator, the range, the toilets, and the laundry machines in my house. Each was investigated via the internet for days on end, with much changing of mind, etc. In the end, I actually bought the items which I identified early in the search. All have proven to be fine. It is just so uncharacteristic of me to do it all in one day that I thought it deserved mention here. I hope (and expect) to feel the same about the Air-Way New Century.
air-waycharlie
Well-known member
Air-Way New Century
Nurdlinger,
Thanks for your post. Did you order the New Century, (Sani-Clean), recently? If so, you will receive the new "Quiet Drive" power nozzle that Air-Way is using temporarily.
The vacuum people here that have used it really like it and gave it rave reviews. Unlike Air-Way's regular power nozzle, it does not have a beater bar agitator but a quadraflex agitator with 4 rows of brushes revolving. Even less the beater bar, it is still very effective and my customers think it is great.
The belt is a mini-triangle shape with one edge in the pulley groove on both ends--(brushroll and pulley)and it is very quiet as opposed to the rubber geared belt. Other than those differences it is the same.
The regular power nozzle will be back with all their vacuums at a later date as there are some production problems. If you did order it, please let us know how you like it. The customers that have purchased it from me, (VCCC members and the private sector), think it is quite probably the finest cannister they have ever owned.
Nurdlinger,
Thanks for your post. Did you order the New Century, (Sani-Clean), recently? If so, you will receive the new "Quiet Drive" power nozzle that Air-Way is using temporarily.
The vacuum people here that have used it really like it and gave it rave reviews. Unlike Air-Way's regular power nozzle, it does not have a beater bar agitator but a quadraflex agitator with 4 rows of brushes revolving. Even less the beater bar, it is still very effective and my customers think it is great.
The belt is a mini-triangle shape with one edge in the pulley groove on both ends--(brushroll and pulley)and it is very quiet as opposed to the rubber geared belt. Other than those differences it is the same.
The regular power nozzle will be back with all their vacuums at a later date as there are some production problems. If you did order it, please let us know how you like it. The customers that have purchased it from me, (VCCC members and the private sector), think it is quite probably the finest cannister they have ever owned.
Designgeek
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Hey Rocketwarrior, you just hit on an interesting business concept. "Formal Cleaners," office cleaning crew in formal attire.
Anyone here ever hear of Metro-Vac or Metropolitan Vacuum? Located in New York, manufacture all their stuff in the USA, and the machines appear to be oldschool cylindrical canister vacs of roughly the same shape as an Electrolux. Made of steel with various attachments and accessories. Are these any good? What's the company's reputation in terms of ethical business practices?
Tech question: what does it take to get a 2-speed fan motor on a canister vac? Can this be done with standard vac motors (plus or minus some kind of outboard modification) or is a special motor required?
Anyone here ever hear of Metro-Vac or Metropolitan Vacuum? Located in New York, manufacture all their stuff in the USA, and the machines appear to be oldschool cylindrical canister vacs of roughly the same shape as an Electrolux. Made of steel with various attachments and accessories. Are these any good? What's the company's reputation in terms of ethical business practices?
Tech question: what does it take to get a 2-speed fan motor on a canister vac? Can this be done with standard vac motors (plus or minus some kind of outboard modification) or is a special motor required?
hoover1060
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Hoover Convertible U4103
Thats an excellent machine, and a very early U4103 as it says ESTATE instead of ELITE on it... So this particular one is RARE!!!
Its my opinion that an old Convertible, tuned properly, will out-clean pretty well anything today. They were well made and easy to maintain too.
I'd also like to add to my recommend list: Hoover Conquest C1800 with paper bags. Don't let its large size fool you, this is a very easy to use machine, and it really CLEANS too!
Thats an excellent machine, and a very early U4103 as it says ESTATE instead of ELITE on it... So this particular one is RARE!!!
Its my opinion that an old Convertible, tuned properly, will out-clean pretty well anything today. They were well made and easy to maintain too.
I'd also like to add to my recommend list: Hoover Conquest C1800 with paper bags. Don't let its large size fool you, this is a very easy to use machine, and it really CLEANS too!
seamusuk
Well-known member
Convertibles!
Id like to second Jeffs opinion- both the US machines hes sent me and my UK Senior models have fantastic carpet/rug cleaning performance- better than anything by "Mr D" lol!!!
Seamus
The same seller is also selling a U4003- We had this model as a 240V import briefly in 1973!
Id like to second Jeffs opinion- both the US machines hes sent me and my UK Senior models have fantastic carpet/rug cleaning performance- better than anything by "Mr D" lol!!!
Seamus
The same seller is also selling a U4003- We had this model as a 240V import briefly in 1973!
seamusuk
Well-known member
If I was in the US lol
Id probably buy a paper bag Guardsman and a Commercial Portapower for above floor/hard floor cleaning.....
Id probably buy a paper bag Guardsman and a Commercial Portapower for above floor/hard floor cleaning.....
brettsomers
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i wonder if that Convertible *Elite/Estate* has a slide in bag holder? also, i prefer the Convertible models with metal fans. still, (almost) nothing gets dirt out of a carpet like Convertible.
hoover1060
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yes
David,
That model would have the slide on bag holder if it is still all original.
Thats a LOW serial number too, from the first run of those!
It would have a plastic fan though...
David,
That model would have the slide on bag holder if it is still all original.
Thats a LOW serial number too, from the first run of those!
It would have a plastic fan though...
Electrolux Sidekick
Last week I in the thrift store I found the Elux Sidekick attachment for only $2 and brought it home. Yesterday I decided it was time to clean out my car and started with the Shop-Vac for all the stones and rock chips then brought out my Elux 280 and attached the Sidekick (mini power nozzle). I can't believe how well that thing worked getting all the dog hair off the seats and carpet. Remember I have 2 heavy shedding border collies who almost live in the car. It worked much better than my handheld Hoover with a rotating brush. The only downside to it is that you can't get right close to corners or edges. Highy recommended though.
Last week I in the thrift store I found the Elux Sidekick attachment for only $2 and brought it home. Yesterday I decided it was time to clean out my car and started with the Shop-Vac for all the stones and rock chips then brought out my Elux 280 and attached the Sidekick (mini power nozzle). I can't believe how well that thing worked getting all the dog hair off the seats and carpet. Remember I have 2 heavy shedding border collies who almost live in the car. It worked much better than my handheld Hoover with a rotating brush. The only downside to it is that you can't get right close to corners or edges. Highy recommended though.
