|
Thread Number: 18848
A rather unusual Goblin Laser |
[Down to Last] |  |
| Post# 207454 11/22/2012 at 16:46 (4,165 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
 Hey folks,
Picked up this classic today. It's a Goblin Laser Duo System 3500. Now, any additional info provided here would be very helpful.
I believe this was the TOL machine in about 93/94, running alongside the lower spec blue model with on board tools and a light grey version without onboard tools. This later style model has a built in house with a suction diverter (like the Turbopower total systems, only shiter) which the earlier models didn't have. It also has a unique feature (at the time) of being used either with paper bags or bagless - more info to follow later 
| ||
| Post# 207455 , Reply# 1 11/22/2012 at 16:47 (4,165 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207456 , Reply# 2 11/22/2012 at 16:51 (4,165 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
This works a lot like the permabag on the Hoover TP and TM Freedom models. I actually think this design works much better. A filter sits on top of the dust box. The dust and dirt drops to the bottom of the dust box when entering, so doesn't touch the filter. The filter is only there to keep fine dust in. Unlike the Hoover design, the dust is not directly blown onto the filter. The black plastic piece is divided in 2 - half a section is where the opening to the dustbox is and the other half is where the filter sits. When you take the filter out, you can see that the plastic dust box opening actually extends below the filter, so the dust drops straight to the bottom of the box and doesn't come into contact with it, 
| ||
| Post# 207457 , Reply# 3 11/22/2012 at 16:52 (4,165 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
 | ||
| Post# 207458 , Reply# 4 11/22/2012 at 16:53 (4,165 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207459 , Reply# 5 11/22/2012 at 16:59 (4,165 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
Well, Jamie, the cleaner is dirty fan, but the bag is removed via the bag door at the top of the cleaner - kind of like a mash up of a Turbopower and a Lux 500, but as it's dirty fan, the bottom of the bag chamber is just solid plastic. It's a bit like a kitchen bin on wheels. So even with a bag in, the dust still just drops to the bottom. essentially, this design has removed the bag and put a filter on top of the bag compartment.
This style Laser is getting rare now. I don't think they were particularly big sellers in comparison to the lower spec models. Hell, if you're gonna buy a cheap vac, there is no point in buying a high end cheap vac. You might as well buy a low end, more expensive cleaner. IIRC, the price these retailed for was around a similar price range to the low end Turbopower 1 cleaners, which were far better (around the £100-£120 mark). The bottom end lasers retailed for around £65, so were much more popular | ||
| Post# 207460 , Reply# 6 11/22/2012 at 17:06 (4,165 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
Ah I understand the layout now - that sure is unique.
There is a lot to be said for cheap vacs you know. Little to go wrong and if they do, you haven't spent too much. My '93 Philips U800 was probably around the same price as that Laser when it was new and it still works great today. There's no HEPA, stair hose, telescopic tube or any of that, just a simple vacuum which picks up dirt and has a damn good brush roll. | ||
| Post# 207483 , Reply# 7 11/23/2012 at 07:28 (4,165 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England) | ||
Hi Chris | ||
| Post# 207485 , Reply# 8 11/23/2012 at 07:55 (4,165 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207486 , Reply# 9 11/23/2012 at 09:59 (4,165 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207492 , Reply# 10 11/23/2012 at 11:02 (4,165 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207497 , Reply# 11 11/23/2012 at 12:08 (4,165 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England) | ||
|
Hi C... | ||
| Post# 207509 , Reply# 13 11/23/2012 at 17:07 (4,164 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
Benny, the Goblin Laser was launched in 1991 and was still on sale last late as 98. The original line up consisted of a basic softbag with no on-board tools, softbag with on-board tools and hardbag with on board tools. The later style you mentioned with the tools actually built in (like the one pictured above) arrived in 93/94 and replaced the earlier style where one would have to take the hose off to plug into the front of the cleaner. This design was not rendered totally useless, however, as the basic Lasers still had no on-board tools and therefore continued to use the older design.
I'm slightly miffed re: your comments above about the Lux 600 series. I personally think that the 600's were the best thing Lux ever did and certainly a hell of a lot better in every way to the Contour. My Gran's 610 survived 12 years of hard use in a house with 2 dogs.
| ||
| Post# 207510 , Reply# 14 11/23/2012 at 17:07 (4,164 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207511 , Reply# 15 11/23/2012 at 17:09 (4,164 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207543 , Reply# 17 11/24/2012 at 04:21 (4,164 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2) | ||
 | ||
| Post# 207546 , Reply# 18 11/24/2012 at 05:28 (4,164 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England) | ||
|
:o) | ||
| Post# 207559 , Reply# 19 11/24/2012 at 10:06 (4,164 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207566 , Reply# 20 11/24/2012 at 12:07 (4,164 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
James... | ||
| Post# 207573 , Reply# 21 11/24/2012 at 15:40 (4,163 days old) by andy-lux () | ||
|
must admit tho, out of all the laser's i have have owned. i have never come across one of these before | ||
| Post# 207574 , Reply# 22 11/24/2012 at 15:41 (4,163 days old) by andy-lux () | ||
|
love that wide track i love the soft bagged ones hiding | ||
| Post# 207725 , Reply# 23 11/25/2012 at 16:30 (4,162 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England) | ||
|
Hi C...
Hi Chris,
I have 3 Electrolux wide tracks. Burgandy,green and a NIB black one. Dated from early 1997 and who ever bought it got it from Alders as the invice is still on the box. Andy 3 of the soft bag vacs in the photo are a Goblin upright can't remember the model, A Hoover Junior (The one like the Sprite) and a Hoover Concept 1 James:o) | ||
| Post# 207769 , Reply# 24 11/25/2012 at 18:14 (4,162 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207770 , Reply# 25 11/25/2012 at 18:17 (4,162 days old) by vintagerepairer (England) | ||
|
It's either that or a 1977 Hoover Ranger. I joke Jamie. | ||
| Post# 207795 , Reply# 26 11/26/2012 at 01:28 (4,162 days old) by baglessball () | ||
|
Any chance of a photo of inside the bin/ filter? And maybe the brush cavity too? | ||
| Post# 207884 , Reply# 27 11/26/2012 at 14:59 (4,161 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England) | ||
|
Hi | ||
| Post# 207888 , Reply# 28 11/26/2012 at 15:05 (4,161 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207912 , Reply# 29 11/26/2012 at 16:10 (4,161 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
No, that's just the wine Chris! :)
Is that U800 in working order? Those motors are pretty darn good with excellent suction. I do love my Philips, used it today actually. Love the way that brush roll brings the carpet pile up. Need to buy an upholstery tool for it though, they are so cheap but I keep putting it off. Probably because I'd never use it since that hose is so stiff but it'd be good to have I guess. Couldn't take a photo of the U800 could you James? | ||
| Post# 207917 , Reply# 30 11/26/2012 at 16:36 (4,161 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England) | ||
|
Umm. | ||
| Post# 207919 , Reply# 31 11/26/2012 at 16:47 (4,161 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207922 , Reply# 33 11/26/2012 at 16:50 (4,161 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207935 , Reply# 34 11/26/2012 at 19:51 (4,161 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 207964 , Reply# 35 11/27/2012 at 06:56 (4,161 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 208170 , Reply# 36 11/29/2012 at 15:32 (4,158 days old) by keiththomas (Northumberland, England) | ||
Laser
Well Goblin name was owned by shop vac, then they had a fire in the ireland plastics factory so ended these machines in the mid 1990's The Goblin brand was sold to Glen Dimplex the owner of Morphy Richards. I heard they are dreadful and cheap nasty machines. We had a Goblin Rio made in Ireland dreadful and sold it to get rid of it. Now Use Dyson and the old Hoover Pure Power
| ||
| Post# 208220 , Reply# 37 11/30/2012 at 11:16 (4,158 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 208268 , Reply# 38 12/1/2012 at 03:39 (4,157 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 208372 , Reply# 40 12/2/2012 at 07:46 (4,156 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 208423 , Reply# 41 12/2/2012 at 14:22 (4,155 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 208457 , Reply# 43 12/2/2012 at 16:51 (4,155 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 208542 , Reply# 44 12/3/2012 at 05:15 (4,155 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2) | ||
|
Miele's washing machines are amazing though. A friend of mine owns a big launderette in town. They have tons of commercial grade washers and two Miele ones in the back. Shame they're so expensive and I have yet to meet an owner who actually wires up their PC laptop to the machine in order to get the claimed upgrades that most Miele washing machines promise.
I do like Miele's trouser/clothing roller press. Steams/irons and flattens. Shame its so expensive though. CLICK HERE TO GO TO sebo_fan's LINK | ||
| Post# 208544 , Reply# 45 12/3/2012 at 05:57 (4,155 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
Miele washing machines...
I absolutely love my Miele washer. I got it 4 years ago on sale at £550, with the full 10 year guarantee. It's quiet, quick, well built and the results are excellent. Sadly, Miele prices have rocketed since then and it's certainly a shame about the quality of their vacs. Sebo are really kicking their butt at the moment.
| ||
| Post# 208566 , Reply# 47 12/3/2012 at 10:51 (4,155 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2) | ||
|
I agree, but the worst insult about Miele is the fact that you have to pay more money for selected models for their 10 year guarantee as opposed to the standard 1/2 years. Sometimes they give it away for free seasonally, but most of the time the 10 year guarantee on their vacuums is cost optional or factored into the cost on the higher top of the line models, or specific ones. SEBO give away a 5 year guarantee as standard, Bosch 2 years to 4 years, again cost added and Vax, who offer a 6 year warranty on their current Mach Air and selected models. None of their paper pleated filter models carry the extended guarantee though.
| ||
| Post# 208624 , Reply# 49 12/3/2012 at 16:16 (4,154 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 208625 , Reply# 50 12/3/2012 at 16:29 (4,154 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
It does make you wonder whether the so called "big brands" are really worth it when you compare them with a cheaper brand which has, granted, a shorter guarantee, but a lesser price tag and a "less to go wrong" assurance.
There is a large amount of "keeping up appearances" when it comes to those expensive brands I think. Now I'm not saying that everybody who owns a Miele is trying to be better than others or match up to them (far from it), but I am saying that it is indeed a selling point for a lot of people. Not that there is a problem with that, if I had more than two pennies to rub together I may do that to a certain extent, but I don't, so I make do and through doing that I have discovered that although better in theory, expensive products are not the be-all and end-all, so to speak. Lets take an example from something that we all know about - vacuums. I own a 1993 Philips U800 and a 1994 Hoover Turbopower 1000 Autosense. The TP1000 would have been about £150 new and the U800 somewhere around £60 I'd imagine (Chris, I'm sure you can correct me if I'm wrong). The Philips has a plastic hose, two tools, no "five stage filtration" or any lights or sounds. It does however have an 800W motor which is incredibly powerful in terms of suction and the brush roll is the best I've known aside Hoover's Activator. It is now 19 years old and everything works as intended, even the rather iffy height adjuster. Take the Hoover, it has a hose which will practically do all your stairs with the vacuum at the bottom, three tools and two extension tubes (one of which is a long crevice tool), five stage filtration and has some nice Autosense lights and a bag check light. The 1000W motor was incredibly powerful and the brush roll was amazing. Why the past tense? Well the motor burnt out earlier this year despite being a TOL vacuum in its day and being a year younger than the BOL Philips. Now I'm not saying all Hoovers are bad because they were expensive nor am I slagging them off but what I am saying is that cheap is not always bad. Yes the Hoover was slightly better to use and it was made sturdier with a better array of tools however when the motor burns out, none of that matters. My simple old U800 keeps on going with its no singing and no dancing design. I'm not trying to irritate people who buy/have bought expensive products and are happy with them, but I am just stating that things aren't always as they seem... With what is quite possibly my longest post on VL, I bid you goodnight. | ||
| Post# 208631 , Reply# 52 12/3/2012 at 16:56 (4,154 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 208636 , Reply# 53 12/3/2012 at 17:07 (4,154 days old) by vintagerepairer (England) | ||
|
Well it was the point I was making this morning, but yes you said it too. | ||
| Post# 208644 , Reply# 54 12/3/2012 at 18:10 (4,154 days old) by vintagerepairer (England) | ||
|
This is the machine she went in for. Crazy price for what one gets. CLICK HERE TO GO TO vintagerepairer's LINK | ||
| Post# 208725 , Reply# 55 12/4/2012 at 04:27 (4,154 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2) | ||
|
Cheap Is Not Always Bad
True, cheap products aren't always bad - but if you can't get spares for it, you're sunk. This is where the compromise must be made for owners who just need a reliable vacuum cleaner rather than collectors whose machines don't see much action. This is where the premium brands like Miele, Sebo and Bosch fight back because spares are made available for some of their oldest models.
For example, I had a cheap JMB 1000 watt bagged stick vac based on the Philips London stick vacuum many years ago. I bought it a year before Index catalogue shut down and cost me £39-99. Absolutely brilliant stick vacuum but it had to be used with generic dust bags as the original ones either by Philips or JMB went out of production. The secondary filters were also hard to find and eventually had to buy universal cut to fit Microfilters. I eventually sold the vacuum for the same price I paid for it and included a few smaller cleaning tools because the original tools were never available to get other than the short crevice tool it came with. Again, if I hadn't had bought other "expensive" brand tools such as Hoover's spare tool kits or just a single purchase of a Hoover brush etc alone, I don't think I'd have been able to recoup the same price when it came to a sale. Proof that yes, even if a machine is reliable, it can't always be trusted to be a good buy if spares aren't available - and if the brand name isn't an unknown source. Even considering the major brands that Jamie owns - Hoover & Electrolux - spares are always available for most of their floor care ranges. But this is only because "back in the day," those were the popular and reliable brands. | ||
| Post# 208732 , Reply# 56 12/4/2012 at 07:26 (4,154 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland) | ||
|
| ||
| Forum Index: | 
| Other Forums: |
|
|
|
|
|
Comes to the Rescue!
