The reason for the Electrolux model 60 (LX) front cover cut-out is very simple. The machine cannot be used (will have no suction) without a bag in place <br
The cleaning contest was very interesting this year. The amount of sand in the mixture was reduced, with the amount of talc increased. This was done so that the dirt mixture would 'clog' the bag of the cleaners being tested. The cleaners with the best ability to cope with clogging dust, would win <br
RJ's tank Electro-Hygiene canister with Air-Way - built Power Nozzle was most interesting to watch. You could hear the motor bog down as the bag clogged out on the first and second strokes. His machine, while a good cleaner, left so much dirt in the carpet, it was hard to imagine it had picked up anything at all <br
The Dyson-copy (the Kenmore Progressive "iradium" canister) did an extremely good job of carpet cleaning, as did the two Hoover Conquests, one of the Hoover Aggrevations (oops, Innovation), and the Dyson Telescope DC-11 canister with Turbine Head. What was interesting was that the Central Vacs, while doing a good job of carpet cleaning, did NOT clean the rug as well as a number of machine. That was completely contrary to what I thought would happen <br
The Rexair model B did a very commendable job of rug cleaning, since the filtration system did NOT clog with the talc (although quite a bit did come through the water, into the motor's fans), allowing the machine to remove a tremendous amount, even with the rather wimpy rug nozzle and the fact that Reggie is tall (the Rexair rug tool was designed to be held low, and Reggie held it very high). <br
I was personnaly impressed with Corey's Simplicity Synergy. It did get the dirt out of the rug, even though the bag clogged out with the dust and the machine refused to turn the turbo brush after ingesting the test dirt mixture. The rug was very clean and the machine is a pleasure to use <br
Next year, for the Monster Vac category, I'm going to hook a Bison upright to an old Chrome Dome Rainbow. Perhaps we'll call the result a Water Buffalo <br
Marty K's Hoover 150 with the paper bag (type W) conversion kit was a joy to see. Very rare, especially with the factory original paper bag kit and the complete attachment set. We'll probably never see one again <br
For me, the Kenmore with Power Nozzle from 1959 (I believe it was a Satellite model) that Fred Nelson brought was the highlight of the show. A very rare electric hose with straight end (instead of a curved hose end) and the original power nozzle were just a delight to see and operate.
