Thread Number: 11161
Some Thoughts on Oreck Vacuums
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Post# 120528   1/7/2011 at 20:28 (4,828 days old) by kubvan1 ()        

I know that Oreck machines are looked down upon by quite a few in the vacuum collecting (and using) community, and I must say I never gave them much consideration, aside from loving the Oreck TV commercials when I was a kid growing up (so I had trouble really having negative feelings toward oreck)

I had the good fortune of bumping into a neighbor today while shoveling snow who offered me her quite old Oreck XL5300 as she had received a new Dyson for Christmas.

The machine looked practically unused so I accepted the offer, and I must say it is not nearly as bad as I expected. It is reasonably quiet, does a good job at quick cleanups, and is not as flimsy and plasticky as I was thinking it may be.
I still wouldn't class it as a "real" machine, but I am actually kind of liking it.

It got me interested in Oreck history, which I did not realize dated back to the 1960s I would consider seeking out any early Orecks, but I realize that the really old ones are impossible to find and actually sought after.

Just to put the word out, should anyone care to part with their heirloom CVR or XL4000 from the early days of Oreck, please let me know. I know a few other people here were looking for such machines, so I hope there are some still out there! Would consider a trade, or offering up my vintage tube audio repair skills!

Sorry for the ramblings, but thanks and best regards!
Doug


Post# 120554 , Reply# 1   1/7/2011 at 22:48 (4,828 days old) by kirbyloverdan (Egg Harbor Twp . NJ aka HOOVERLOVERDAN ❤️)        
I love the newest Orecks

kirbyloverdan's profile picture
I love the newest Orecks and have all of the newest Platnium Pilot , Silver ,Gold ,Platnium, and Element .Also a model sold at costco that looks like the Pilot. I also have all of the previous generations plus a 40th Anniversary . I really love the way oreck has improved their vacuums and the newer models are by far the best yet . I also heard the new Edge is a good vacuum as I think they used the Oreck Halo as a start to make the new edge . The halo is gone from Oreck and replaced by the Edge . I used to manage an Oreck floor care center and should have bought the store when I had the chance but I wasn`t to keen on the product and now they have really improved them . Oh well .

Post# 120558 , Reply# 2   1/7/2011 at 23:19 (4,828 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        
I have..

vacman117's profile picture
many Orecks are some of them are very decent machines. The newest one I own is a 2008 Oreck XL Intellashield in black. I bought it brand new, unfortunately. It is definitely not worth the price, but it is actually a pretty good cleaner. I love using it in my kitchen and bathrooms because it can clean ALL of the rugs without tearing them or lifting them up! I also love the self sealing bags, the Helping Handle, the back pouch on the bag so you don't lose all of the information, and the LONG cord!

Post# 120565 , Reply# 3   1/8/2011 at 00:53 (4,828 days old) by commodoremoody ()        

I got an older-style black Oreck XL for $10 at a garage sale. It runs great and for 50 cents more I got about 20 new bags.

I like it because it's easy to maneuver and it grooms the carpet. It's not a deep clean machine, but it makes the rug look great if you're having company etc.

I can use it to vacuum area rugs without them getting stuck to the nozzle.

One downside (besides no onboard hose) is that I find that the suction decreases quite a bit as the bag fills. I usually change the bag when it's only half way full because the performance really goes down.

For $10, it was a good buy. But if given the opportunity to buy a new one, I'd probably skip it.

~Tim


Post# 120575 , Reply# 4   1/8/2011 at 07:13 (4,828 days old) by scvacuumguy (SC)        
I'll share my thoughts here...

scvacuumguy's profile picture
This is a nice little recipe for those of you competing with Oreck stores. In this area, customer service is little to none at our local stores. They charge outrageous prices for service/repair/parts/bags. They also recently have suffered a loss of business, resulting in a move from one shopping center to another.

The last thing a business wants to do is move locations- especially when people know your location like the back of their hand. I'm a pretty diplomatic guy and I do believe in euthanasia, so I recently designed some nice full page ads for our state newspaper. They advertise: FREE tune up, inspection, and service to all Oreck customers. Hopefully, this will help them demise sooner and go out with some dignity.

If anyone is interested, email me- they are desperately trying to sell their stores.


Post# 120576 , Reply# 5   1/8/2011 at 08:37 (4,828 days old) by vintagecanister ()        
I didn't realize

Oreck had been around that long!

I'd love to see pic's or any other info. on models pre 1970.


Post# 120583 , Reply# 6   1/8/2011 at 09:32 (4,828 days old) by kubvan1 ()        
What a relief

I am glad to hear there are some other people who are somewhat partial to Oreck vacuums out there. I have to agree, I would not pay nearly full price for a modern Oreck, as I could easily get a new metal Royal for that kind of money.
The XL5300 I picked up was honestly the first Oreck I actually touched, but many of the people I know who have them really love their orecks.

I can't comment on the Oreck stores, as I don't think there are any in my area, and I was never inclined to actually go in. Sort of the way as an audiophile, I avoid those Bose outlet stores!

Would still love to find one of those early Orecks, the CVR 4000 or XL 4000, which I don't think I have ever seen, and imagine they are ultra-rare.
I found a few photos in old posts, and they are quite snazzy looking, very modern in appearance.

So if anyone wants to part with theirs at any time, just drop a note.....!


Thanks again!
Doug


Post# 120624 , Reply# 7   1/8/2011 at 15:41 (4,827 days old) by riccarstar ()        

I like the orecks,from commercial low to med pile carpet...they do a good job.Ive found them and mine to be quite durable overall,but overpriced when new . Nice to have around for quick clean-ups before or after company..ect.My XL was a trade in from back in 2005,wish i could get my hands on the pilot and edge for some testing/research around the house and the shop.

Post# 120642 , Reply# 8   1/8/2011 at 17:51 (4,827 days old) by vintagecanister ()        
We bought ours used.......

and for that I'm thankful it only cost $50.00. I just don't find it to be a deep cleaner and seemed to clog a lot. It's not a horrible unit, but our carpeting was so thick, it just literally skipped across the top of it. We bought it for the staircase thinking it would be a good choice. Perhaps, with other carpeting it would be.

However, it mainly got used as a stick-broom really. It worked pretty good on the hardwood floors as a quick pass through.


Post# 120648 , Reply# 9   1/8/2011 at 18:43 (4,827 days old) by kubvan1 ()        

Thankfully, all my carpets, or I should say rugs, are very short pile commercial type, or old-fashioned braided rugs, on which the Oreck seems to do a great job at quick cleanups.
I live in a historic site/inn building which is often used for special functions. A Royal commercial does the major vacuuming jobs, but I forsee the little Oreck doing spot duty before and after events.

Regards,
Doug



Post# 120659 , Reply# 10   1/8/2011 at 20:35 (4,827 days old) by djtaylor (Salt Lake City, Utah)        
Oreck

djtaylor's profile picture
I worked in the Oreck Clean Home Stores in the Salt Lake Valley for three years. I have to say that they are not bad vacuums. They groom the carpet nicely. True, they are not deep cleaners but if you are looking for light and easy to use Oreck is good. From my point of view the prices for parts was not bad. Belts need to be changed twice as often as other vacuums. My big complaint was the customers. The worst customers I have EVER dealt with were Oreck owners. They complained about how much the vacuum cost to purchase, to fix and that they expected better performance. I have also worked in Kirby shops. Kirbys cost four times what an Oreck does, but Kirby owners didn't seem to mind the prices for parts and supplies. I never could understand why Oreck owners were so much nastier than Kirby owners.
I would like to have an XL21 Legend (the red one). XL21s were nice machines and because of several difference in design over the standard models they were better performers.
Just my two cents.
Justin


Post# 120672 , Reply# 11   1/8/2011 at 21:37 (4,827 days old) by powertank ()        

I'm not a huge fan, but I like them for their simplicity. You can replace any part in less than 15 minutes. Access to the motor is easy. I never use the side belt access because the bottom is so easy to remove.

I actually don't like the new ones as much- they changed the brushroll slightly, and there are more random little parts and trim pieces that are annoying.


Post# 120674 , Reply# 12   1/8/2011 at 21:38 (4,827 days old) by powertank ()        

Oh, I forgot. I always laugh when I see the two speed Orecks- they just barely work on high- who thought low speed was a good idea?

Post# 120677 , Reply# 13   1/8/2011 at 22:13 (4,827 days old) by jodan3399 (Brownsville, PA)        

I've had 3 uprights, all curb finds that I've since fixed and sent off to homes that needed something alot lighter due to health issues. They all love them.

For me, they're not bad, light and very easy to work on. I have fairly deep shag carpet, and they just didn't clean as deep as I would have liked. I do think they are a bit overpriced (for me anyways), and I doubt I would pay the price they want for a new one.







Post# 120681 , Reply# 14   1/9/2011 at 00:30 (4,827 days old) by electrolux~137 ()        
"I'm just sayin'"



It's really disheartening to hear that some vacuum cleaner enthusiasts still are being looked down upon or made to feel ashamed for liking a particular brand or type of vacuum cleaner.

No, all of us don't like the same kinds. There are machines I like that others don't. There are machines others like that I don't. But I couldn't imagine copping an attitude of superiority over it, belittling another collector because he's bug-eyed crazy for a machine that I do not care for.

I'd think by now, with so many collectors of all different ages and backgrounds coming out of the woodwork with interests in all sorts of machines and of all different vintages, that those who like a particular brand wouldn't feel the need to belittle those who like others. Even those who like Orecks and Dysons. JUST KIDDING!!! :)

Seriously, I think in some cases it's a matter of self-important snobbery. In others, it's overheated brand loyalty (sometimes it "just happens" that a person's particular favorite is the kind s/he sells). Other times, it's just, pure and simple, "contempt prior to investigation."



Post# 120708 , Reply# 15   1/9/2011 at 08:23 (4,827 days old) by kubvan1 ()        
Well Said! Thank you!

I will say I was pleasantly surprised by this little old Oreck, and I think my initial negative view on the brand was based mainly on what others had said.
Granted, as I said before, the Oreck commercials were one of my fondest and earliest memories of TV when I was a kid, and you must commend Mr. Oreck's skills as a salesman.
Anyway, it goes to show you that keeping an open mind and a willingness to try new things is almost never a bad thing.
Now, until someone lets me try out a Dyson for myself, I will not utter a negative thing about them.

Regards!
Doug E.


Post# 120720 , Reply# 16   1/9/2011 at 12:40 (4,827 days old) by vac-o-matic (Saint Louis, Mo.)        
Well said.....

Charles, I have been biting my tongue on this thread, and most of you can probably figure out why.

Rick


Post# 120726 , Reply# 17   1/9/2011 at 13:49 (4,827 days old) by motojoejo (MO)        

In my part of the world- the local oreck dealer is known for treating his clients very well. Free bags, belt changes- you name it. Despite the tons of ads, his word of mouth reviews keep his story busy. He has a better rep than some of the local sales and repair shops.

I think that Orecks are decent cleaners- they carry a long warranty and they are simple, no frills easy to use. I think a lot of people like the simplicity of it. For the average person- a quick light weight vacuum that gets the job done is a dream come true.


Post# 120853 , Reply# 18   1/10/2011 at 15:47 (4,825 days old) by kloveland (Tulsa)        
Orecks don't need to be bashed so much

kloveland's profile picture
Just received a commercial Oreck from a fellow collector friend and I have to say the Oreck isn’t a bad vacuum cleaner. Granted, it may not deep clean as well as the others but it serves its purpose. Mine had a busted fan housing and the cord had been cut since it was found in the trash. Rewiring the cord was simple and I purchased a new fan housing. It was very straight forward to take apart and service.

I have had fun using it, aside from the noise. The brush roll grooms the carpet well and it seems to do well on my kitchen floor. My grandfather enjoyed using his Oreck before he passed, the Oreck was easier for him to maneuver, they had been using a Classic III. My grandparent’s on my father’s side purchased a XL 21 about a year ago and have had no complaints. For the elderly the Oreck is great!!! It beats not vacuuming at all, which tends to happen.

Attached is a link to a interview with David Oreck on Youtube.

Also guys remember that the factory was destroyed in Katrina.
So please be nice to Mr. Oreck!


CLICK HERE TO GO TO kloveland's LINK




This post was last edited 01/10/2011 at 16:34
Post# 120863 , Reply# 19   1/10/2011 at 17:06 (4,825 days old) by mieles7 (TX)        

mieles7's profile picture
I mainly use my Oreck XL 988 for quick cleanups, but it does a good job of removing most of the surface dirt. To me, it sounds like an amplified dust buster.




Post# 120870 , Reply# 20   1/10/2011 at 19:31 (4,825 days old) by kloveland (Tulsa)        
Oreck guestion

kloveland's profile picture
After looking through some of the archives, I read that some Oreck motors did not use ball-bearings? Is it true that the current 4 amp motors will burn out after a couple of years? If so, that’s a shame. Really like using the vacuum, and I know it's not a deep cleaner by the fan and motor size.

It just confuses me when manufacturers skimp on quality, on very important details (such as the motor)...


Post# 120871 , Reply# 21   1/10/2011 at 19:44 (4,825 days old) by powertank ()        

Actually, those darn motors seem to last forever. They're Ametek, and the ball bearings last a long time. I'm no Oreck expert, but I've never seen a recent one without ball bearings.

Post# 120875 , Reply# 22   1/10/2011 at 20:01 (4,825 days old) by cleaningbuff (Quincy, IL)        
oreck XL 4000

cleaningbuff's profile picture
Here is my oreck XL 4000

Post# 120876 , Reply# 23   1/10/2011 at 20:02 (4,825 days old) by kloveland (Tulsa)        
thanks

kloveland's profile picture
Thanks Peter,

Good to know, from reading this forum I thought the larger low amp motors lasted longer than the small high amp motors. While the Oreck motor has lower amps, it's still small. It is difficult to get the story straight sometimes, because so many of us have different opinions. Which makes it difficult to distinguish fact from opinion, it’s enough to make my hard spin. LOL



Post# 120895 , Reply# 24   1/10/2011 at 21:38 (4,825 days old) by djtaylor (Salt Lake City, Utah)        
low amp, high speed motors

djtaylor's profile picture
Kenny,
I was an Oreck Service Manager for three and a half years and I did see many Orecks with bearing problems. It seems to me that even though Oreck motors are low amps they are high speed. The modern vacuum bearing has more,but smaller metal balls. At high speed they heat up very fast and seem to ware out faster. 5 to 7 years seems to be the life expectancy for the new Oreck motors, though the amount of usage has a lot to do with service life. I've had machines less than six months old come back for warranty replacement of the motors, but I have also seen Orecks that were beaten to death by rough owners but the motor was still usable.
But to your concern, yes 5 to 7 years of normal service is about normal for most of the Orecks I have worked on. Since the replacement motor is not too pricy I would suggest that you use your Oreck till the motor goes and then replace the motor.
Hope this helps.
Justin


Post# 120915 , Reply# 25   1/11/2011 at 01:41 (4,825 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York)        
5 to 7 years, thats it?

bimmer740's profile picture
5 to 7 years, thats it? I had two Oreck XL uprights about 5 or 6 years about that I purchased new, one for me and one for my grandmothers house. I liked them both, they were light weight, easy to use, groomed the carpet well, good filtration with easy to change bags, and great for quick clean ups. The belts are pretty easy to change and the cost of belts and bags was not that bad. Im very surprised that the life of the motor is only 5 to 7 years. It would seem like Oreck would loose a lot of money replacing motors, as I believe the warranty on my units was for 10 years. For a vacuum in that price range, they should certainly last longer than that. I would really like to try the new Pilot, its an interesting machine and its Orecks first machine with a steerable handle. Ive only heard great things about the XL21, and several members of this forum have them, so I can only imagine that the Pilot is an even better machine. One has to appriciate Orecks for what they are and can not compare them to a machine like a Kirby, they are in two completely different classes and target totally different consumer needs.

Post# 120936 , Reply# 26   1/11/2011 at 07:38 (4,825 days old) by vintagecanister ()        
Thanks, Rob........

What year was that 4000 made? I've never that before..... Nice!

Post# 120943 , Reply# 27   1/11/2011 at 09:13 (4,825 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)        
Hi

kirbymodel2c's profile picture
Hi all. I to like the newest orecks like the Platnium Pilot , Silver ,Gold etc,Very nice looking, light weight and clean well. But I was never keen on the basic older models myself.

James:o)


Post# 120945 , Reply# 28   1/11/2011 at 09:40 (4,825 days old) by KIRbysthebest (Midwest)        

I like the Orecks. Though when I was in the market for a lightweight I ended up with the Riccar Supralite. I will have to say that the visit to the Oreck store was very plesant.

I think the main part about being happy with the Oreck or any light weight, for that matter, is your expectations. You know that an Oreck is not designed for deep cleaning, but if you do frequent surface cleaning the dirt and dander won't be driven into the carpet and thus won't require as frequent deep cleaning.

As our population is aging a machine that is used is far more effective than a vacuum that sits in the corner.


Post# 120955 , Reply# 29   1/11/2011 at 12:41 (4,825 days old) by cleaningbuff (Quincy, IL)        
what year

cleaningbuff's profile picture
I think around 1978 -79, that is when I first used one, we got one new to use at the movie theatre back then.
By the way what part of IL are you in? I would love to host a mini-meet sometime.


Post# 121195 , Reply# 30   1/13/2011 at 17:12 (4,822 days old) by electroluxtank ()        
That GIANT sucking sounds of jobs leaving

Oreck built vac here just miles away a few years back.

***** When their 10 year tax holiday was to expire after Katrina , local political leaders played poker.



They assumed Oreck would not leave the area if the tax holiday expired. With cities laid to waste such as Long Beach's beach to the railroad tracks, government tax revenues dropped after Katrina of Sept 2005.

Local leaders assumed that making vacuums creates a giant profit, and that taxes do not matter.

About 400 to 500 jobs were lost; without any slight tax extension after a giant national disaster.

The scuttlebutt I heard is Oreck wanted a *few years* more of the tax holiday to recover from Katrina but out great local leaders figured they/Oreck would not leave. Thus the leaders would not budge a crevice tools width.

The reason the "Leaders" do not understand is that they are in the government bubble, sheltered from the costs of running a business.



CLICK HERE TO GO TO electroluxtank's LINK


Post# 121197 , Reply# 31   1/13/2011 at 17:17 (4,822 days old) by electroluxtank ()        
Oreck departure will leave Gulf Coast vacuum

Notice being a good salesman the expiration of the 10 year tax holiday is left out!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO electroluxtank's LINK


Post# 121201 , Reply# 32   1/13/2011 at 17:29 (4,822 days old) by electroluxtank ()        
Oreck will bt in Tennesse for XX years ?

"says Matt Kisber, Tennessee's commissioner of economic and community development. Putting an *equally attractive incentives package* on the table was the next step, he says, an effort helped by the recent redesign of some of the state's job training and infrastructure incentive programs."

My bet is that if Tennesse's "attractive incentives package" runs out, Oreck will either go overseas of to another Southern State that gives them a tax break or deal


CLICK HERE TO GO TO electroluxtank's LINK


Post# 121448 , Reply# 33   1/15/2011 at 18:27 (4,820 days old) by vac_whisperer ()        
My oreck

which i just bought today, actually pleasantly surprised me. I expected it to be a flimsy pile of crap, but it is actually pretty tough and id a good cleaner. Like mieles7 said, "it sound like an amplified dust buster."

Thanks, VW


Post# 121475 , Reply# 34   1/15/2011 at 21:09 (4,820 days old) by kubvan1 ()        

Lots of interesting information and opinions have been presented on this thread, I didn't think it would go very far, but I have enjoyed the input. I too, sort of expected an Oreck to be made of flimsy, brittle plastic and just sort of fling the dirt around more than anything, but from playing with my XL 5300 I am pleasantly surprised.
I guess I see now why in so many hotels I have been in, the maid's have been equipped with Orecks. How many times would a daily deep cleaning of a hotel room be necessary? (unless utterly trashed by guests) and the Orecks would be a whole lot easier to put on a service cart than a big Sanitaire or Royal commercial.
Cheers!
Doug E.


Post# 121579 , Reply# 35   1/16/2011 at 10:41 (4,820 days old) by vac_whisperer ()        
INFO ON MY NEW ORECK

I did some looking last night, and it turns out to be an XL2600. Still need help identifying model.

Best regards, VW

Happy Sunday!


Post# 352390 , Reply# 36   5/18/2016 at 23:01 (2,870 days old) by Vintagevaclover (Athens, GA)        
I just bought this one...

vintagevaclover's profile picture
Does anyone know anything about this particular model?

Post# 352539 , Reply# 37   5/21/2016 at 01:30 (2,868 days old) by Durango159 (State College, PA)        

durango159's profile picture
Honestly most Orecks have about the same guts inside and function the same!! They all have a small fan chamber and soft bristled brush roll. The motors aren't powerful enough to handle any sort of slightly firmer brush roll. Yours is a single speed with foot pedal access on/off switch, which is an older style. Some Orecks are dual speed with the lower speed being lower than that found on the single speed series and it's even less powerful of a machine.

Orecks are best for commercial grade carpet. They still really do only ok on that. Filtration is poor on an Oreck because the bag clips for the paper bag and also the seal for the bag cloth bag to the handle is poor.

Be careful if you take that unit apart. I've seen some Oreck housings basically fall apart-- as the compartments for the screws can basically just break off with such ease in hood removal!




Post# 352881 , Reply# 38   5/27/2016 at 22:46 (2,861 days old) by Vintagevaclover (Athens, GA)        
I like it a lot so far!

vintagevaclover's profile picture
For what it is anyway, I know it's not a deep-cleaner by any means but it's good for quick clean ups in between and great for pet hair. I did take the bottom off to replace the brushroll but it doesn't seem old or brittle at in fact it's in Like New Condition pretty much, it literally looks like it was used maybe 5 times then put in the closet.

Post# 352885 , Reply# 39   5/28/2016 at 00:53 (2,861 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
"it's good for quick clean ups in between and great for pet hair."

I agree. That's about as much as I used to use my old Oreck XL for. I'd still prefer one of these vacs to the plentiful cheap bagless uprights on the market, today. I dont mind living without a hose or on board tools.

The problem with Oreck is that IMHO they are too over priced for what you get.


Post# 352888 , Reply# 40   5/28/2016 at 02:37 (2,861 days old) by Vintagevaclover (Athens, GA)        
I agree!!

vintagevaclover's profile picture
I like having a hose and tool but they don't have to be onboard, that's what canisters are for lol. I would most definitely prefer this to any of bagless plastivac junk they make today. And yes, for what they are, they're slightly overpriced, it a very "bare-bones" simple machine, but it does an pretty decent job and grooms the carpet well.

Post# 352930 , Reply# 41   5/29/2016 at 05:40 (2,860 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
I have a separate tool kit with my old Vorwerk VK130. There are plenty of tools but the whole process it takes to dismantle said vacuum off the floor head, attach shoulder strap to carry format, attach suction tube on the bottom, attach tube and then the choice of tool - well that takes me far longer than it does to plug in a cylinder/canister vac and away I go.

Or a cordless dust buster with a long crevice tool - provided that I know there's enough power for me to clean up what I want cleaned up.


Post# 353032 , Reply# 42   5/31/2016 at 00:05 (2,858 days old) by Vintagevaclover (Athens, GA)        

vintagevaclover's profile picture
I have a Sanitaire Blue Line canister and a Sanitaire QuietClean that has a hose attached


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