I was discussing this with my two Technicians, Robert and Sam.

They don't really work on vintage machines that's my department, and it would be the Hoover Junior. Concept one for all its cir clips 

On Modern machines we all agreed any of the new Electrolux /AEG Ultra ones,Ultra active and Ultra performer's. Its impossible to open the machine without leaving some scaring on the body while trying to remove clipped in covers or cord/switch buttons.

However our most hated modern machine would be the AEG/Electrolux twin clean. Too many sensors circuit boards and little air tubes that can be easily pinched in re assembly and rendering the machine useless. Great machine but oh when one comes into our workshop I run the other way 

I hate working on Dysons! You can't take the cyclone apart, and that's all I clean when I get one in for refurbishment! I don't even WANT to know what it takes to get into a ball model! 

That being said, Fantoms are far easier to completely break-down for service. Convertibles, too,but I rarely encounter a Convertible that needs anything besides a good cleaning! I wonder why! 

I've encountered one before, thankfully I had to resemble it, not tear it down! 

I can't exactly remember the best way to dissemble a Dyson, is it with an ax or a hammer?

I once acquired a Hoover Dial-a-Matic that was in good shape, but all the foam insulation in it was rotten.  I just about lost my Jesus getting that thing back together! 

Rainbows can be a real challenge too if they haven't been maintained, especially with the D3 and D2 models.  If they've been properly maintained, they're fairly straightforward. 

I think it has a lot to do with how often you work in them, although SOME  ( especially water filtration machines have a tendency  to rust shut) 

I can tear down and rebuild a dyson dc25  in 15 min. Actually 14.5min. Total strip down and re assembly. I had a bet with my two techs who could do it faster. I won. (We were using power drivers though)

I worked on a assembly line when I was 16 at Electrolux in my Holidays. you learn how to work fast but properly.

When I first got into vacuum repair I worked at a company called Lanzon services in Wynberg in Cape Town. It is a older suburb and many of the residence still used Hoover Convertibles ( 652 here ) and Seniors ( closed hood 652 ) The most common fault was dry or worn bearings. We would do an overhaul incuding brush roll bearings and brush strips, carbon brushes , New bottom bearing and clean and re oil the sleeve bearing + a general scrub down and clean. I never timed myself but I could do 8 - 10 after lunch till home time ( 12 -4.45 pm ) Having the right tools and space made all the difference. I also never worked on just one but had as many as needed repair on seperate stations at the same time.  

You think that something! I can dissemble a plastic vac in 0.4 seconds, but I must confess, there never seems to be enough parts to put it back together again - after that buck and ball tears through it!  

I'm just jinking you, I always try to pass a " STEAMER " on to someone else, anyway!

WOW, that's the first time I've ever heard of someone not finding the ware withal in putting a Kirby back together again. Congratulations, that's quite a FEAT!  

It's funny you mention the 7,14 & 17 models, I've worked on and owned all of those! The 14 had to be the easiest, the cyclone assembly came apart by screws, not by welding! Fantom was easier, the cyclone was one easy-to-clean piece! Orecks (ESPECIALLY the XL1, XL2 and the 9100 series) I can do blindfolded AND with one hand! I love them! 

I'd rather dig a bullet out of my own arm than to work on a cheap explosive plastic vac! Check this out and you'll see what I mean! Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan, two great Irish actors in Seraphim falls...one fantastic movie, a cinema delight! Well anyhow, this is exactly how I feel when I see a wretched plastic vac, and you know what they all say, " A picture tells a thousand words."  Now it is time to enjoy my pain, so pop some popcorn and have a respite at my expense, and oh yeah...enjoy!    

What do you find in your arm more often, Calem, bullets or explosive plastic vacuum bits? 

I have replaced the fan in all 3 of my Kirbys with no problems. D50, G3, and Sentria.

Alex, I only caught shrapnel once, I'm just so glad that it did not come from a cheap explosive plastic vac! I'm sure I would've gotten the green rot and that would've been all she wrote! I'd be sighing off for another broadcast day and they wouldn't be singing " Oh, say can you see " but they would playing Taps as a dirge for my requiem...softly, sadly. 

You don't need an engineering degree to work on a Fantom! I find them fun to rebuild at times!