Thread Number: 195
Vintage Vacuums for cleaning house 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 1733   9/26/2006 at 21:14 (6,415 days old) by frkirby511 ()        

Hey everyone...

Just wondering how vintage vacuums are put to use in actual house cleaning duties...? Does anyone use vacuums in their vintage collection as their regular vaccuum or "daily driver?"

For myself, I guess it depends on how one classifies a "vintage" machine. I regularly use a Kirby Legend, Kirby G-6, and Electrolux Ultra-Lux and Epic 6500 and Magic Blue for house cleaning. I also use a very beat up Electrolux 1205 for cleaning the garage and car interior. And we have a family vacation place that we all own together. There I use a Hoover Convertable 69 for the carpeting and a Compact C-7 for other cleaning. There is an Electrolux Pro-Lux Commercial Upright there that I let the rest of the family and guests use. I won't let anyone touch my Convertable 69 and Compact. In fact I keep them packed away and get them out only when I am down at our place.


I guess the Kirby Legend comes close to a vintage machine...but I don't think of it as such. Certainly the 1205 does; but it's not the 1205 I have for "keepsake" in my collection. For sure the Convertable 69 and Compact C-7 are vintage.

But I almost never use the older cleaners to clean with. Occasionally I have used my Electrolux-G -- especially when I was in a rectory that had many other residents and I wanted to be as quiet as possible while cleaning my own quarters.

I used to use an Electrolux LX a lot for cleaning; but I gave that one away. The Lux LX I have now I have never used to clean the house. I occasionally use the Kirby 517 I have to clean; and I have put a Legend II bag assembly for disposable bags on it. But I don't use it often because frankly the later Kirby Legend and G-6 have way better suction. So while using the 517 brings back many memories; I think to myself...why should I use this one? I have never used the 561 that I have in the box. I don't think it was ever really used..certailnly not much. So I am going to keep it that way. And the other Hoovers...I tried using the Model 63 [again ...memories] but it didn't do very well on the high pile carpeting.

Anyway...as I was vacuuming the house today I thought to myself, "I wonder how often the vintage machines get used to actually clean house?"

Bruce C.
Memphis

Post# 1734 , Reply# 1   9/26/2006 at 21:20 (6,415 days old) by converto-skip ()        
Bruce

Hey Bruce I use all of my vacs and I have so many that none can be considered dailey drivers. I like to use all of them to keep them in tip top shape. Although I will admit the really rares ones I use extreme caution when using them because I don't want to harm them or damage them.Right now my kick is My Oreck Dual Stack, I have been using it in the last couple days.

Skip...

Post# 1737 , Reply# 2   9/26/2006 at 22:02 (6,415 days old) by convertible68 ()        

I use a Frankenvertible as a daily driver in my room. This one happens to be a 1010 base/cord/handle with a 728 bag and hood, but other variations are out there! Sometimes, when I feel like it, I'll use a vintage machine down in the Studio, but normally I use the Metro tank.

Post# 1739 , Reply# 3   9/26/2006 at 22:11 (6,415 days old) by buffalo-joe ()        
I Rotate My Vintage Vacs

 I usually rotate semi vintage vacuums in regular cleaning service. Semi, means 60's thru 80's vintage. I usually rotate Convertibles and Dial-A-Matics for regular cleaning and occasionally other semi vintage uprights, like Eurekas and my Kirby Classic III. Canisters get rotated too, but mostly I use Hoover Celebrities and my newer Luxes like an Olympia or a Silverado. I do have a Model 82 Constillation that gets rotated into the mix. Its not all that original and has a few dents, but it runs too good to part up. I do like using that one. All the vacs I rotate are on a monthly schedule. After a month the bag gets changes and anything that isn't right, gets fixed, like belts and bearings. I believe that these machines have to be used in order to stay in working shape. The ones I have that just set there, always seem to have problems once I do get to running them. So yes, I use them, but don't abuse them.

My wife will only run certain ones if she needs a vacuum. She likes a Panasonic that I have up in my collection. It's got the red and green dirt finder lights. Not vintage, but cool and she likes it. She is afraid of damaging the older ones so she has her favorites.

Joe

Post# 1747 , Reply# 4   9/26/2006 at 22:59 (6,415 days old) by normvac (COLUMBUS, OHIO)        
vintage useage!

 I like my Hoover Windtunnel with the extra long attached hose
for hardfloors and upholstery. Then because I have area rugs,
hardfloors, kitchen carpet and a cat. My lux 90 with the side kick for the carpeted steps, and furniture. Then I get
in a mood for my Lux upright Special Edition with attachments, Especially the side kick for the carpeted steps but the hose
suction is just not as great as the tank. Then I occassionally drag up the Air Way 66 (one I grew up with) or
the 513 Kirby ( I need to get my Dual 80 up and going) then
sometimes the G or 1205 lux with Power Nozzle. I agree that
you need to keep all machines running in rotation. Oh, I forgot my Model 28 and 63 Hoover's.
It's all about the mood!!

Post# 1750 , Reply# 5   9/26/2006 at 23:31 (6,415 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)        

hygiene903's profile picture
My wife, Lena, uses her 886 Royal as the "daily driver" around our house. I have frequently used the Hoover 28 or 82 Constellation upstairs, and used my Westinghouse Cannister or Filter Queen 350 in the basement. My 1070 Convertible or 858 Constellation have often accompanied me to the museum where I volunteer for cleaning in the display rooms. My Electro-Hygiene 701 tank and 903 upright have been used for cleaning out the car or truck (with attachments borrowed from the 966 tank or the wife's Royal!), although a Shop-vac (which I don't consider to be part of my collection) is used for general cleaning in the garage. Once the bag is fixed or replaced on my Hoover 29 and I get a good hose and attachments for my Luxes, I'll put them into the rotation also, so basically, if it runs, it gets used.

Post# 1751 , Reply# 6   9/26/2006 at 23:43 (6,415 days old) by swingette ()        

i use all my cleaners as well. its no fun to simply look at them. i DO tend to use the Hoover 913 and Royal 880 the most, along with a 70s Portapower and Hoover Quik-Broom with E-bag.

Post# 1754 , Reply# 7   9/27/2006 at 07:19 (6,414 days old) by vintagehoover ()        

I use my pre-war Hoovers on a daily basis - nothing like doing housework in 1930's style!

Post# 1756 , Reply# 8   9/27/2006 at 08:08 (6,414 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
I tend to ....

 Just grab something random off display lol- The 707 was the last vacuum of choice ;).

Seamus

P.S Austin- The cord on Frankenvertible is prob from the 728 as well, the 1010 cord matches the handle and is much shorter(16ft against 22ft I think???)

Post# 1757 , Reply# 9   9/27/2006 at 08:09 (6,414 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
A correction....

 Actually thats not quite right lol- the 1010 cord matches the bumper!!!!

S

Post# 1758 , Reply# 10   9/27/2006 at 08:17 (6,414 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
OK

 I could have just posted this pic- would have been easier!!

Post# 1768 , Reply# 11   9/27/2006 at 12:06 (6,414 days old) by charles~richard ()        
I do use my vintage vacuums

 but I rotate them with new ones. I do realize that, fun to use as the "golden oldies" are, they really don't do as good a job of cleaning as modern machines do, so I use both.

Post# 1769 , Reply# 12   9/27/2006 at 12:48 (6,414 days old) by alex (PENSACOLA)        
Vintage machines

 As for the old stuff, my non-electrics of 1870-1920, I never use them. From time to time I put one of my Kirby Vacuettes to use, and use my Electrolux LX on a regular basis. As I have a love of old uprights I use my Electro-Hygiene circa 1930 to clean the kitchen and hardwood floors. For light dusting and everyday pick-up I use a Tri-Star. For deep cleaning, carpet shampooing and do on I haul out the Kirby G-6 and for the kitchen and hardwoods I put my Electrolux Epic polisher/scrubber to work.

Post# 1783 , Reply# 13   9/27/2006 at 16:23 (6,414 days old) by hoover800 ()        
Cleaning with vintage vacs

 I use the 28, 800 and 825 for regular cleaning. They run and clean beautifully as they are well maintained.
Bob

Post# 1788 , Reply# 14   9/27/2006 at 18:27 (6,414 days old) by swingette ()        
cleaning performance of *vintage* vacuums

 in some cases, vintage machines do not do as well as a *modern* cleaner. it seems many post-war uprights, esp Hoover, offer cleaning performance that rivals MANY (dyson, oreck, many clean-air) current cleaners. the Hoover models 28 AND 61 are examples of *vintage* cleaners that do a superb job even today. i dont use canisters or pre-war very much so i cant speak about those...

Post# 1790 , Reply# 15   9/27/2006 at 18:45 (6,414 days old) by davortho10 ()        

Vintage is the way to go, I think. We use a Hoover 725 for our rugs, does an excellant job, and a Constellation 858 for the floors and furniture. Wouldn't want to use anything else. I did a little conversion, doesn't show, to use disposable bags in the 725. I've restored another 725 and a 575 and given them to friends of mine. They are also "daily drivers". We all have multiple pets in our homes, and nothing get the rugs cleaner and the pile lifted faster.

Post# 1793 , Reply# 16   9/27/2006 at 18:51 (6,414 days old) by davortho10 ()        

Here's the 725 before I got a more appropriate bag.

Post# 1856 , Reply# 17   9/29/2006 at 15:58 (6,412 days old) by rexairman ()        

I use a D2 Rainbow as my everyday vacuum. It was a used machine I fixed up for my parents when they bought their new home in 1971. I don't use it for any sentimental reasons, but because I can sell every newer Rainbow, that is D3 and newer, that I can get my hands on. My cleaning lady kids me about it, because she has a brand new e2, and here I am in the business of selling them, and use a 40 year old machine myself. Go figure.

Post# 1873 , Reply# 18   9/30/2006 at 09:03 (6,411 days old) by raymanretro ()        

I have used most of mine but have setteled on the G as the one I like the best for everyday normal cleaning. I also use a 1205 for the messy construction jobs that we do. The lady of the house prefers a Kirby G4 and I might add she has one for upstairs and another for downstairs. She likes the Vintage vacs, but she will not let me display mine in the living room> :(

Post# 1875 , Reply# 19   9/30/2006 at 09:35 (6,411 days old) by rocketwarrior ()        
Kirby G3 with TechDrive (need Compacts)

 Most of all y'all have seen this pic, but, Bruce, I use a G3 for 2000SF of office space.

P.S. Need a pair of shoes for a robot. I am assembling the parts, but need two Compacts (or Tri-Stars) for the shoes. Don't need motors or attachments. Will compensate appropriately.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO rocketwarrior's LINK
Post# 1893 , Reply# 20   9/30/2006 at 17:32 (6,411 days old) by vacuumkid3 ()        
My daily vacuum

 I use my Kirby Heritage. It is well-maintained, and with the bag vs. bagless, I feel as though it collects more dust in the bag than releasing it out to the air. If I could get an original hose for my Airway Sanitizor 88 Mark II (note the green wheel next to the Heritage) as well as attachments, I would use it for hardwoods. However, my Kirby is the best for my playroom carpet.

~Kyle~

Post# 1907 , Reply# 21   9/30/2006 at 21:47 (6,411 days old) by compactc9 ()        

Well Since I couldn;t decide what vacuums to post, here are 3. I really don't have a daily vacuum, I use them all. BUt the most used is probably the Riccar central vac. This is me with my 2 favorite Scott & Fetzer vacuums, the Kirby D80 and the SuperVac.

Post# 1908 , Reply# 22   9/30/2006 at 21:49 (6,411 days old) by compactc9 ()        
And here it is...

 The Compact C9. I have a new sticker for the power nozzle somewhere, but I have to look for it.

Post# 2170 , Reply# 23   10/7/2006 at 13:29 (6,404 days old) by gmmcnair (Winston, Oregon, USA)        

I bought my Kirby Classic 1CR, and my Electrolux 1205 (the one with the brushed aluminum power nozzle) for my daily drivers. I loved them so much that I added another Lux, and two more Kirbys to the collection.

They're much better than the lousy White Consolidated Eureka upright that they replaced, and better than the Dirt Devils, Panasonics, and Kenmores I had.

Post# 2184 , Reply# 24   10/7/2006 at 20:32 (6,404 days old) by eluxomarty (Palm Springs)        

I usually tear through the house with my Electrolux Marquise because i can clean everything with just he one vacuum. I have been using my Hoover Decade 80 alot lately too.


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