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Thread Number: 25539
what really grinds my drive belt |
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| Post# 286822 , Reply# 1 7/1/2014 at 21:14 (3,580 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
It's all in society! People would rather pay that extra $30-$40 every year or so then to take the time out of their day to perform maintenance and keep their vacuum in best shape! 40 years ago, The American people were a proud race. They took pride in their work and took greater pride in keeping that work going for decades to come. That's why you see such old things still going today, and modern people stop and gasp, stating "That thing is [Years] old, and STILL works!?". Now, people pay the money instead of paying the time. People also are not prepared to pay for quality, yet are surprised when their "Wal-Mart Special" vacuum craps out in 2 years. It's not only the consumer, but the manufacturer. Modern manufacturers would rather build it cheaply over-seas, then sell it highly in the states. The products they sell are now designed to fail, in order to continue to supply revenue to the company. Bags were once revenue for companies, now the vacuum itself is revenue. Manufactures used to take such pride in their work, and built things of quality and craftsmanship. I'm sure one day they'll be an exhibit in museums titled "American manufacturing, Circa 1963"!
It grinds my "Drive belt" too, but what can we do? Start a vacuum cleaner empire and show these cheapskates who's boss? I know I'd love to! | ||
| Post# 286826 , Reply# 2 7/1/2014 at 21:20 (3,580 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.) | ||
Shakespeare couldn't have said it better himself. Trash in, trash out. After you use it once, just wad it up and throw it away, much like the money you burned on it. You could have put your hard earned scratch down on something like this, that would last you a life time.
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| Post# 286830 , Reply# 4 7/1/2014 at 21:38 (3,580 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
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| Post# 286832 , Reply# 5 7/1/2014 at 22:06 (3,580 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.) | ||
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You got that right! | ||
| Post# 286833 , Reply# 6 7/1/2014 at 22:11 (3,580 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
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| Post# 286837 , Reply# 7 7/1/2014 at 22:24 (3,580 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.) | ||
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Suckolux, | ||
| Post# 286838 , Reply# 8 7/1/2014 at 22:24 (3,580 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
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| Post# 286839 , Reply# 9 7/1/2014 at 22:29 (3,580 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.) | ||
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| Post# 286840 , Reply# 10 7/1/2014 at 22:32 (3,580 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
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| Post# 286841 , Reply# 11 7/1/2014 at 22:35 (3,580 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.) | ||
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| Post# 286850 , Reply# 12 7/2/2014 at 00:53 (3,580 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center) | ||
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payment plans, Montgomery Ward charge cards, all the way!
That's the whole reason behind the Kirby coin slot, you would put loose change you found while vacuuming in it, and save up for belts or a payment! The salesmen would put a quarter in and say 'there,I made your first payment!'. Electrolux used to give away plastic banks that look like Mini-Luxes, I have one that looks like an Olympia One!
For that price you got dependable quality! What was cheap then was something affordable, not something flimsy! | ||
| Post# 286857 , Reply# 13 7/2/2014 at 01:22 (3,580 days old) by bnsd60m9200 (Akron OH) | ||
what most people dont realize, is for inflation even "cheap" or "budget" vacs back in the day were more expensive the high priced vacuums at wally world today. today's "$40" plasticrap vacs at wally world would even register on the inflation charts for 1970's era machines.
even a mid or top of the line convertible which was widely considered the "standard" family vacuum back in the 1970's, in today's money is about the same price as a high end dyson adjusted for inflation. a sears best powermate is about the same price as a rainbow or lux today ~ $1100. you paid for quality back then and it wasnt cheap. vacuums were multi decade investments, like a home, not considered disposable. | ||
Post# 286858 , Reply# 14 7/2/2014 at 01:35 (3,579 days old) by tolivac  (Greenville,NC) |
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Not just vacuum cleaner,but OTHER appliances,too.Look at todays PITIFUL washers,dishwashers,clothes. | ||
| Post# 286861 , Reply# 15 7/2/2014 at 01:46 (3,579 days old) by bnsd60m9200 (Akron OH) | ||
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rex, there is a reason why i have 100% vintage appliances for when i move out on my own, toaster, blender, mixer, iron, rotary dial western electric phone, boxfans (vintage 1960's lakewood TOL), luxo lamps from the late 60's, radios, obviously vacuums, radarange mircowave (giant chrome one rr-7b from 1981)and even my daily driver is a vintage 1984 ford country squire.
i dont like the look of modern stuff AT ALL (asthetics today are even a thought in ANY appliance design), and also like that i can rebuild of fix the vtg appliances too. when i have more room, still on the outlook for a late 1970's early 1980's zenith console tv, and a pair of lady kenmore washer/dryer from the late 60's early 1970's as well. | ||
| Post# 286869 , Reply# 17 7/2/2014 at 05:13 (3,579 days old) by vintagevaclover (Athens, GA) | ||
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| Post# 286881 , Reply# 20 7/2/2014 at 09:02 (3,579 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2) | ||
Well and there I was in another thread lauding it up about vintage vacuums.
It's all right for you guys in the States or Canada - can you tell me where I can get an original outer soft bag for my Hoover Senior upright? Nada - it doesn't exist. Oh you all complain about modern vacuums that are lightweight, don't last and don't do this and that. I on the other hand have to make do with stitching an old outer dust bag together to make my old Hoover uprights look original. If I buy an "aftermarket" bag I am stuck with what resembles an old Oreck grey perma soft bag: not colourful, not original and not authentic. One day your soft bag on your Convertible may break - and ask yourself HOW or where you can purchase a NEW outer soft bag for it. | ||
| Post# 286885 , Reply# 21 7/2/2014 at 09:20 (3,579 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
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| Post# 286900 , Reply# 22 7/2/2014 at 10:56 (3,579 days old) by dysonman1 (the county) | ||
Today's Consumer
Doesn't want a high end vacuum that will last. They just don't. They are unwilling to pay more than a small sum for a vacuum. Partly due to the fact they don't care for cleaning, partly because of the economy. And partly because they don't believe they HAVE to spend more than $40 for a new vacuum. I've asked people every day why they bought a wally world machine. It's simple. They were there, and it was what they could afford AT THE TIME. No one who owns a $40 vacuum thinks it's great. But, it does suck up the dirt and fluff. Most people think about their vacuum as often as they think about their broom and mop. It's just something to clean the house with.
You have to understand that collectors are NOT thinking like the average person. Manufacturers will only cater to BUYERS, and they'll give the consumer exactly what they are asking for. Tacony's Super Light models (Freedom and SupraLite) 8 pound uprights are very high quality and have tremendous suction. Just because a vacuum is plastic doesn't mean it's bad. Stop saying plastic vacuums are bad - your beloved Kenmore from the 1970's was all plastic and it's still here today. Forty years ago, people bemoaned the 'cheap' vacuums like the Convertible. Today, they are collectible. | ||
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Post# 286908 , Reply# 23 7/2/2014 at 12:48 (3,579 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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A lot of the "new" plastic vacuums
weigh as much as a Convertible does. They're bulkier than Convertibles, too.
My late dad bought a Convertible model 67 in 1961. It cost, with attachments, $84.00 In 1961................ I bought a Convertible model 1076 in 1975. It was "regularly" $84.00. got it on sale for $59.00.$63.00 with tax. Attachments were an extra $9.99 Could you imagine that now? And. both have had regular servicing and are still going strong. My 1076 cleaned an 11 room house as a regular daily driver. Looks and runs like the day it came out of the box. 2 people have serviced it very carefully: 1 in Wilkes Barre, the other in Scranton. My aunt had a Convertible model 69.wedding gift in 1964............instead of servicing it, replaced it with a Eureka "Boss". after a few months, she got a new bagless Windtunnel. IF she had serviced that 69......... she'd still be using it. | ||
| Post# 286987 , Reply# 25 7/2/2014 at 21:29 (3,579 days old) by Jaker15 (Meridian, ID) | ||
Oh, goody!
Looks like old Tom's gonna call someone out again. I would take a Convertible over those Simplicity lightweights any day. My 1988 Kirby Heritage II-Legend is my daily driver, and it will remain that way until another machine comes around that is as powerful, versatile, and as well-built as the Kirby. I paid $20 for it, and it will put any plastic Tacony machine to shame. I use HEPA bags in it, and it has been a godsend for my allergies. Even my 1950's Electrolux E has excellent filtration for how old it is. I'd like to see one of Tom's "super-ultra-deluxe high quality" plastivacs out-clean and out-last any of my uprights.
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| Post# 286993 , Reply# 26 7/2/2014 at 21:52 (3,579 days old) by marks_here (_._) | ||
Hay Nar | ||
| Post# 287127 , Reply# 28 7/3/2014 at 19:42 (3,578 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2) | ||
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Thanks Mark
Many years ago I had to order from the U.S a few parts for keeping my Senior ticking along. I find it shocking that in the fact I'm in Scotland, and given that there was a Hoover factory nearby that there aren't any stocks left of many parts where a lot of vacuums were produced. Still, that is life I guess. I do keep an eye on EBay and other auction/second hand sites for donor machines and spares. It isn't the same though - a brand new sealed outer dust bag for an original soft bag Hoover branded upright must be like hen's teeth. | ||
| Post# 287264 , Reply# 29 7/4/2014 at 23:41 (3,577 days old) by fooseofhoove (Minnesota) | ||
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This post has been removed by the member who posted it. | ||
| Post# 287274 , Reply# 30 7/5/2014 at 00:36 (3,577 days old) by fooseofhoove (Minnesota) | ||
I was one of "those" consumers
I agree with Tom on this one, he knows of what he speaks. Years ago when the belt on my Hoover broke the vacuum was put away because I was too lazy to buy a new belt. After some time I was at a Target and bought a cheapo Dirt Devil for around 40 bucks instead of maybe a buck or two for a new belt for the Hoover! Hated using that Dirt Devil because it was so loud but it cleaned the carpet ok so that's all that mattered to me. Could have cared less about quality, just needed the carpets "somewhat" clean. About 4 years ago when I got my parent's Hoover 584 that they bought new I started collecting vacuums and my atitude has since changed. Think I have around 150, so I'm more of a collector now. Have since put a new belt on the Hoover, but the Dirt Devil is long gone.
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| Post# 287449 , Reply# 31 7/6/2014 at 12:16 (3,575 days old) by DesertTortoise () | ||
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Where do you put 150 vacuums? Holy moly Batman! | ||
| Post# 287477 , Reply# 32 7/6/2014 at 14:29 (3,575 days old) by fooseofhoove (Minnesota) | ||
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In the Batcave of course! | ||
| Post# 287589 , Reply# 33 7/7/2014 at 04:38 (3,574 days old) by thermokid (Casper, Wyoming) | ||
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150 vacuums ??? try storing 435 vacuums in a small two bedroom house. I can honest to God say them little suckers are everywhere... Pretty bad you can't vacuum your house because of all the vacuums.. LOL.. | ||
| Post# 287603 , Reply# 34 7/7/2014 at 09:24 (3,574 days old) by DesertTortoise () | ||
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Thermokid, now THAT is funny! | ||
| Post# 287618 , Reply# 35 7/7/2014 at 11:20 (3,574 days old) by luxy1205 (Wilmington, IL) | ||
Throw Away Society
It's a shame...I'm only 29 and everything I use basically is at least a decade or older than I am! I've just begun collecting vacuums, but I can say from experience that I will only buy old!!!! Here's my experience with newer vacuums: back when I first moved in with my soon to be husband, he had a yellow hoover bag less vacuum that literally sucked up dirt and spewed it back out! I would clean that vacuum before every use and make sure it's filter was nice and clean, and the suction was bad too! He got it as a gift from one of his sisters. I would hate to know how much his sister paid for that yellow nightmare! It became to the point that I could take an ordinary house broom and sweep the carpet better than the vacuum would suck! Ha Ha! So, needless to say, that vacuum didn't last here very long! After that POS, we garbage picked a red upright plastic Bissell. There was nothing wrong with it! It just needed a good cleaning and some new bags! I beat the tar outta that thing for over 3 years! The bottom of it literally fell out, no pun intended! Ha Ha! It sits in the basement now, one day we'll fix it. So, after that Bissell I needed a vacuum fast, so mind you, this is all well before I started collecting, I went to our local Ace Hardware store, because I didn't have time to go anywhere else, it was a day before Christmas Eve, I bought a brand new upright Dirt Devil. I believe I paid $55.00 for it. I thought that was a ridiculous price, but I needed a vacuum! Beggars can't be choosers! The on and off switch was made of cheap plastic and you used your foot to turn it on and off with, it broke after 2 months! My husband took it completely apart and put in a toggle switch. I didn't even care at that point! From there, I would say about a month later the left back wheel broke off! Let me clarify at this point, I live in a 750-800 sq. ft. house, no hallways, it's literally like living in a cube! When I was done vacuuming a room, I would carry the vacuum into the next room. I don't know why the wheel broke off!!! I actually tried to love this vacuum because I felt sorry for how rough I was to the Bissell! Apparently the Bissell lasted better on neglect! Ha Ha! My husband yet again, re strengthened the wheel and put it back on again, to no surprise it has fallen off a few more times! My husband had dedicated a Saturday to re-building and modifying the wheels poor design, it is about ready to fall off yet again! So, for not even owning this stupid Dirt Devil for a year, I said screw it and remember how well my mom's Electrolux 1205 was! I told my husband if that vacuum had lasted thru my grandma who bought it new, was passed down to my mom and she used it from the time I was about 8 till just up into this past year when she died, I told him that I wanted to get a 1205! So, that's exactly what we did! Old it is!!! Now I'm collecting and servicing old vacuums that will out live me!!!
On a different note: we just went to a garage sale last Saturday and I got a 1970's General Electric stand mixer for $2.00. We took it home, rebuilt it, and I hand polished it. That is the quietest and smoothest mixer I have used yet! I have close to 30 hand and stand mixers. We made homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with it a day ago! I love "Whippy"!!! He is the best and he will literally last my whole life! All vintage things just require a little TLC! Thought I would throw in my 2 cents! :) -Michelle | ||
| Post# 287937 , Reply# 36 7/9/2014 at 14:02 (3,572 days old) by whirlpolf () | ||
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Michelle, I LOOOOVE your pic Is that you? I hope it is! Adorable, could cuddle your cheeks all day long. This face plus the chain saw message! That makes my day. :-))) Joe | ||
| Post# 287968 , Reply# 37 7/9/2014 at 14:50 (3,572 days old) by marks_here (_._) | ||
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Michele is a really cool lady!! Any lady that knows how to use a chain saw is just fabulous, can fix things & puts most men to shame...gotta love it!!! I wouldn't know where to begin to start on a vintage tube radio..my father got rid of all his oscilloscope things, meters & other electronic things that would make that a lot easier.
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| Post# 287976 , Reply# 38 7/9/2014 at 15:05 (3,572 days old) by luxy1205 (Wilmington, IL) | ||
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Joe & marks_here | ||
| Post# 287987 , Reply# 39 7/9/2014 at 17:16 (3,572 days old) by DesertTortoise () | ||
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Vacuum tubes are still the state of the art for high fidelity reproduction of sound. The very best audio components from firms like Audio Research and Conrad Johnson still use vacuum tubes. | ||
| Post# 287992 , Reply# 40 7/9/2014 at 17:57 (3,572 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
Michelle / Luxy1205 | ||
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Post# 288030 , Reply# 41 7/10/2014 at 03:53 (3,571 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC) |
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Tube sounds-Not just Hi-Fi-most of the market is taken up by Guitarists-"G-Fiddles"Look how many tubed G fiddle amps are being built out there-and the prices being asked for vintage Fender,Marshall,Ampeg,HiWatt,even tubed Silvertones, and so on! | ||
| Post# 288208 , Reply# 42 7/11/2014 at 11:17 (3,570 days old) by marks_here (_._) | ||
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I've got one | ||
| Post# 288214 , Reply# 44 7/11/2014 at 11:47 (3,570 days old) by marks_here (_._) | ||
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That what I thought | ||
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