Metal Clean-air uprights
I feel the Hoover metal DAM uprights are better than the Powercast-much lighter and more efficient.
I feel the Hoover metal DAM uprights are better than the Powercast-much lighter and more efficient.
VACUUMANIA
- Thread starter Suziehomemaker
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mrcleanjeans
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THE WEIGHTIER MATTERS
the POWERCAST weighs more than the KIRBY at a hefty 30 lbs,the KIRBY 24 lbs.They should call it the POWER CAST-IRON.
the POWERCAST weighs more than the KIRBY at a hefty 30 lbs,the KIRBY 24 lbs.They should call it the POWER CAST-IRON.
Yes-indeed,the Powercast is heavier than a Kirby-and no "tech" drive in the Powercast.When you try the Powercast first-you feel like you are pushing a Certified Pile Lifter vacuum instead of a regular one.Than you try a Kirby "G" series machine and the Kirby almost "floats" across the floor.The Kirby does better as well.I would give the Poweerrcast as easier to use the hose-You just set its handle upright-automatically shuts off the beater bar motor.You can also turn the roller brush motor off manually at the handle.Then you just insert the hose into the hose opening door on the front of the machine.The Kirby is more versitle though-the Powercast vacuums-it cannot shampoo carpets or polish hard floors.I would think they could trim several pounds off the Powercasts weight by changing over from Aluminum to Magnesium.Would be just as strong but lighter.The magnesium may not be polished though. Would have to paint it or use some other finish.
Hmmm
I went into a small vac shop yesterday and he had lots of used machines, not too much quality stuff and no Constellations, but he did have for $89 a self propelled Concept in blue and a few Kirbys but wanted too much for them. Also one black Powermax like mine which is very similar to the Concept, half bag, half hard shell on the front. Don't want to pay $89 for it though.
I went into a small vac shop yesterday and he had lots of used machines, not too much quality stuff and no Constellations, but he did have for $89 a self propelled Concept in blue and a few Kirbys but wanted too much for them. Also one black Powermax like mine which is very similar to the Concept, half bag, half hard shell on the front. Don't want to pay $89 for it though.
kenmore1978
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weight
"Yes-indeed,the Powercast is heavier than a Kirby"
D***N! HEAVIER than a KIRBY?! Hard to imagine. Everytime I have to actually lift my G4 off the floor I have to let out an "oomph"
"Yes-indeed,the Powercast is heavier than a Kirby"
D***N! HEAVIER than a KIRBY?! Hard to imagine. Everytime I have to actually lift my G4 off the floor I have to let out an "oomph"
mrcleanjeans
New member
sis-tahs super sucker stockpile
so,suzie,how many vacs total DO you own, and what's your fave?and why?
so,suzie,how many vacs total DO you own, and what's your fave?and why?
Powercast - into the wind...
Interesting info on the Powercast, I guess I'll stick with my Concepts and Kirby G4. I didn't get the hose with my G4 (ebay) but have since ordered one from Hesco. I've had it now for several weeks but not used it, that is one thing that Kirby could improve - making the change from upright to hose a little less involved. I found an Airway 88 at a sale a while back and tag-team that and the G4 while cleaning my own house. If the Kirby weren't so heavy, I'd love to have one to take to work with me, but my Sharp is so light and easy to use. It still amazes me that people will buy a half-million dollar home and spend $69 on a vacuum to take care of it!
Interesting info on the Powercast, I guess I'll stick with my Concepts and Kirby G4. I didn't get the hose with my G4 (ebay) but have since ordered one from Hesco. I've had it now for several weeks but not used it, that is one thing that Kirby could improve - making the change from upright to hose a little less involved. I found an Airway 88 at a sale a while back and tag-team that and the G4 while cleaning my own house. If the Kirby weren't so heavy, I'd love to have one to take to work with me, but my Sharp is so light and easy to use. It still amazes me that people will buy a half-million dollar home and spend $69 on a vacuum to take care of it!
westytoploader
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I "tag-team" a Hoover DAM, 1970 Convertible 1020, and a newer Sanitaire 16" upright for the house; for my room, I switch off between a 1989 Eureka 630D and a 1975 Hoover Junior. The Convertible, Eureka, and DAM have attachments as well which come in quite handy.
Soon, a 1980's Canadian Simpson-Sears compact canister will be joining the "main cleaning lineup"...
Soon, a 1980's Canadian Simpson-Sears compact canister will be joining the "main cleaning lineup"...
Yes it is amazing-encountered that while selling TriStars.Would point that out to the prospect as he tries to claen his house with a clogged up bagless cleaner-the filter in the machine would be hopelessly plugged up with dust.Or in bagged machines the bag so full its about to give birth!!Some of these folks only change their vac bags only like twice a year-and thats in the expensive neighborhoods--also these same guys may complain how expensive Kirby bags are.Also the belt of the roller brush is shot or even broken.But did make some sales though-they see how well the NEW machine cleans and buy it.And the machine the TriStar replaces is typically a cheap machine bought from Sears or Wall-Mart.I have gotten very adept at changing over modes in Kirbys-was training to sell them at one point.It does take awhile to fully demo one of these to a prospect.Its said that Kirby salespeople try to make at least 3 Kirby demos a day.You have to be good to show it in about 2Hrs!
kenmore1978
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Kirby bags
I admit, the cost and availability of the Kirby bags is one of the reasons I "tag-team" it with my Electrolux G with the jury-rigged Eureka powerhead. Bags for the Electrolux are cheaper and more readily available. Additionally, the much lower profile of the Eureka powerhead lets me get into spaces the Kirby can't go. For the kitchen floor, I either use the floor brush of the Electrolux while I have it out for the carpets, or, if if not vacuuming carpet, use my Bissel electric broom, which has a HUGE paper bag in it, though suction is sorta mediocre. Hoover Porta Power gets car duty and general dusting, since it's much easier to carry around. Royal Dirt Devil hand machine gets spot carpet cleaning duty. And lastly, 1984 Dust Buster (still going, has had one battery replacement) gets "accident" duty.
I admit, the cost and availability of the Kirby bags is one of the reasons I "tag-team" it with my Electrolux G with the jury-rigged Eureka powerhead. Bags for the Electrolux are cheaper and more readily available. Additionally, the much lower profile of the Eureka powerhead lets me get into spaces the Kirby can't go. For the kitchen floor, I either use the floor brush of the Electrolux while I have it out for the carpets, or, if if not vacuuming carpet, use my Bissel electric broom, which has a HUGE paper bag in it, though suction is sorta mediocre. Hoover Porta Power gets car duty and general dusting, since it's much easier to carry around. Royal Dirt Devil hand machine gets spot carpet cleaning duty. And lastly, 1984 Dust Buster (still going, has had one battery replacement) gets "accident" duty.
Wouldn't the bag of the 'Lux fill quickly while carpet cleaning with the powernozzle?I found that whenever I used a 'Lux or other powernozzle cleaner for carpet.The only exceptions are the Rainbow and the TriStar.The TriStar's cyclonic action keeps the intake area of the bag cleaer even when all the way full.I use my Kirbys for most carpet cleaning-and other uprights in my collection "take turns"I use my other canisters for dusting and bare floors too.-and of course the car.Even use the canisters for cleaning the lawnmower motor air filter-gets pretty pluggedup-the canisters do a good job of clearing it.I mostly order my Kirby bags from Kirby's 1-800 parts. The Kirby dist closed again here.I use the "Filtrete" bags.Makes a big diffrence and they last about twice as long as the standard Micro-Filtration bags.And the Filtrete bags don't generate odors!seems the Filtrete Material absorbs or blocks the odors.
kenmore1978
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Electrolux bags
Yes, the Electrolux bags do fill quicker than the Kirby bags, but thats mitigated by "tag teaming" with the Kirby, plus I get 2-3 times as many bags for the same price as the Kirby, their availability is much better, and changing the bag is MUCH easier than the Kirby, takes all of 5 seconds. I tend to have trouble getting the tabs to line up and push through the bag collar on the Kirby. Takes 2 hands and some struggling, and sometimes dirt falls out of the full bag or the bag tears in my struggle to get it out of the outer bag. The vacuum the Kirby replaced (WP built Sears upright with a hard case) had bags that fairly easy to change, and not as expensive, but had the availability problem (Sears or vacuum cleaner store only). The ease of bag changing on the Electrolux (pardon the pun)blows away ANY of my other vacuums
Yes, the Electrolux bags do fill quicker than the Kirby bags, but thats mitigated by "tag teaming" with the Kirby, plus I get 2-3 times as many bags for the same price as the Kirby, their availability is much better, and changing the bag is MUCH easier than the Kirby, takes all of 5 seconds. I tend to have trouble getting the tabs to line up and push through the bag collar on the Kirby. Takes 2 hands and some struggling, and sometimes dirt falls out of the full bag or the bag tears in my struggle to get it out of the outer bag. The vacuum the Kirby replaced (WP built Sears upright with a hard case) had bags that fairly easy to change, and not as expensive, but had the availability problem (Sears or vacuum cleaner store only). The ease of bag changing on the Electrolux (pardon the pun)blows away ANY of my other vacuums
Yes,I can agree replacing bags in 'Lux cleaners is much easier than most others-including the Kirby.The 'Lux bags just "drop-in"The newer Kirby "Hepa Micron magic bags and "Filtrete" bags for Kirby "G" series cleaners have a slot that seals shut when the bag is taken off the fill tube. This is a little easier.Also cuts back on the dust "poofing" out of the bag.The 'Lux seal is still the best.Theirs closes better over the bag opening when it is removed from the machine-no "poofing" at all.The TriStar(New Compact) is easy to change-but the bag opening is exposed.You remove the bag assembly from the machine-empty it into the trash-then remove the old paper bag from the cloth one.Put in a new paper bag and put them back into the machine-then ready to go again.Also some bag manufactuers(DVC) make a multilayer bag for Compact-TriStar-filters better than the stock bags.
