Thread Number: 36211  /  Tag: Recent Vacuum Cleaners from past 20 years
I GOT A FANTOM FURY AT LAST!!!
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Post# 388328   3/17/2018 at 15:53 (2,203 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)        

niclonnic's profile picture
I bought this from user electroluxxxx here on Vacuumland, and it came in today. He refurbished it for me, and it looks amazing! I found traces of dust here and there, but it works really well! The only major issue is that the fluff trap had disintegrated due to the amount of moisture this vacuum was exposed to, so it was removed. Apparently, that gave the machine a little power boost. This means that I need to maintain the vacuum well, which I am very good at. I put a brand new lightbulb in, and the headlight works!

This vacuum came with all three attachments: the dusting brush, floor nozzle and crevice tool. The suction through the hose is weak, so I think this vacuum needs to be broken in. It has had a new motor installed, and it works really well! I ran it on an area rug in my family room, and it picked up a lot of dirt! I haven't been this happy about a vacuum cleaner in a long time!

Here are some pics of this fantastic vacuum.


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Post# 388332 , Reply# 1   3/17/2018 at 16:14 (2,203 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        

dysonman1's profile picture
Congratulations on owning a piece of history. The suction was always weak, even when new, through the hose. The motor and fans are the same size Elux used in the Discovery II.

Post# 388334 , Reply# 2   3/17/2018 at 16:38 (2,203 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)        

crazykirbydude's profile picture
I hated my Thunder! Glad you are enjoying yours though.

Post# 388345 , Reply# 3   3/17/2018 at 18:02 (2,203 days old) by HonestJoe68 (Mansfield, Ohio)        
@niclonnic

Congratulations Nick!

I LOVED my Fantom Fury and Thunder. I actually wish I’d never sold them, but live and learn. I never had the canister Fantom, nor did I ever get a chance to buy the Fantom Wildcat.. Oh how I really wanted the Orange model Wildcat, but at the time I couldn’t afford it. See my Link if you’ve never heard of the Wildcat... I’d pay top dollar for one if it was super clean condition.

But so glad to see you posting and sharing your beautiful new Fantom!! It’s a beauty! Hey, if you want a tip, the liquid car wax they make specifically for Black painted cars, will make that baby shine. Just check to see that it’s safe to use on plastic and your good to go.

Thanks for sharing and you should post a picture of the dirt canister full for fun. Maybe someone will have a Fury for parts only and you can find a Fluff Trap.

Congrats again and have fun!

Oh, I found a post on here from another member about the Wildcat!

www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-...


CLICK HERE TO GO TO HonestJoe68's LINK


Post# 388358 , Reply# 4   3/17/2018 at 19:57 (2,203 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)        
Update

niclonnic's profile picture
I used my Fury a little more today; using the attachments, I cleaned part of my laminate flooring and did some dusting. The suction through the hose is actually decent, but not great. I cleaned up lots of dead leaves from herbs.

Then I vacuumed a textured mat by my back door. The Fantom performs great on it!

A few more cosmetic flaws I forgot to mention: The wheels are squeaky. When I took the lower base cover off to install the new bulb, I noticed some rust on the inside of the cover near the headlight lens. But it doesn't affect operation. Also, the hose has some sticky stuff on it near the cuff. I need to clean that somehow.

@HonestJoe68 Yes, I have heard of the Fantom Wildcat. I've seen videos of it on YouTube. If I somehow manage to find one in good condition, I would keep it as a collectible, as the handles on them are extremely fragile. Here's a good story: In early 2011, FantomVacuumFan purchased a green Wildcat off eBay and was very excited. However, when it arrived, the handle was broken off! So he had to send the vacuum back for a full refund. Then, in the summer of 2012, he got another green Wildcat, and it arrived in one piece! The seller found a way to remove the handle for shipping, so it arrived safely. And just last summer, one of FantomVacuumFan's friends found a green Wildcat at Goodwill, and bought it for him! So he has two green Wildcats now.

I am putting in a link to FantomVacuumFan's channel.

Here is a pic of the dirt I picked up from 2 rugs, in addition to cleaning on and around a bookshelf.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO niclonnic's LINK


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Post# 388361 , Reply# 5   3/17/2018 at 20:03 (2,203 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)        

crazykirbydude's profile picture
No bagless for me!

Post# 388364 , Reply# 6   3/17/2018 at 20:12 (2,203 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)        
That's nice

niclonnic's profile picture
I'm all bagless, all the time. This is where the revolution started here in North America, during a time when bags were your only option. In addition, on the Fantoms, the hose is always ready to go, so you can do any task without having to attach a separate hose or use a different vacuum for a different job. This is how Fantom Technologies changed the vacuum industry.

Post# 388389 , Reply# 7   3/17/2018 at 22:34 (2,203 days old) by Lux_Luthor (Tennessee)        

Why is the vacuumed up debris hanging on in the middle? Is that where it separates inside the bin when the bin is removed?

Post# 388393 , Reply# 8   3/17/2018 at 23:12 (2,203 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)        
I don't know...

niclonnic's profile picture
It may be static electricity. The inner seal is intact. I'll have to look into what's causing this.

Post# 388395 , Reply# 9   3/17/2018 at 23:43 (2,203 days old) by Electroluxxxx (……)        

Glad you like your machine! as I said to you in a text the machine is a used machine therefore will have some cosmetic flaws and traces of dust here and there but other than that operation was perfect on it and it has been thoroughly gone through. I’m sure it will get quite a bit of use with you! The dirt that was sticking in the middle of the container is caused by static electricity which these machines are VERY GOOD at creating. Basically any bagless is good at static electricity. Also I’m very glad that it made it to you with out any issues considering the post office, FedEx or UPS really aren’t all that great at delivering things in one piece after all i packed it as good as I could without making the box bulge out lol.

Post# 388405 , Reply# 10   3/18/2018 at 03:54 (2,203 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Powdered graphite on the axles will fix your wheel squeak issue.

Also I just got a brand new bagless vac and it is a total hair magnet too on the ountside of the vacuum. It's just the plastic they made them out of, running it across the carpet charges up the plastic and everything sticks to it. Wonder if there is some kind of plastic wax you can use that will counteract the static? I think it will wear off over time though.


Post# 388407 , Reply# 11   3/18/2018 at 04:17 (2,203 days old) by HonestJoe68 (Mansfield, Ohio)        
@huskyvacs

I have a simple trick that (temporarily) helps rid Bagless vacuums of the dreaded static issue.

Get a box of any dryer sheets, you gently wipe the outside of the vacuum cleaner around the brushroll head and all around the outside of the dirt canister. Then you take another fresh Dryer Sheet and place it inside the dirt container. This will greatly help reduce static from whatever it is in the sheets they use to reduce static in your clothes, etc.

Just be careful to wipe gently and use dryer sheets that feel smooth... if in doubt, check a small area on the bottom of the vacuum to make sure you wont cause scratches on newer or mint vacuums.

Hope this helps.. plus pick a dryer sheet with a pleasant scent that appeals to you and it helps keep the vacuum smelling fresh too. Just a hint I’ve learned about years ago and have used this trick before.

One last thing.. Dryer sheets are also great in bagged vacuums.. you can place a dryer sheet in between the paper bag and cloth bag (like in a Kirby) or in side the bag by simply pushing one inside the opening hole of a new bag. Makes such a nice fresh smell as you vacuum.


Post# 388412 , Reply# 12   3/18/2018 at 08:46 (2,203 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)        

crazykirbydude's profile picture
I don't do bagless because it is messy, the filter are expensive and bagless cleaners have less airflow. They also lose suction. I'd much rather replace a bag. Since the bag acts as a filter, you're getting a new filter every time you change the bag. I really did hate my Thunder. It was loud, bulky, uncomfortable to use, and there is no pre motor filter, so the thing was covered in dust. I might just trash it, as I have other vacuums I would like more than some dirty old Fantom.

Post# 388413 , Reply# 13   3/18/2018 at 08:48 (2,203 days old) by Lux_Luthor (Tennessee)        

I’ve seen static cause stuff to stick on the outside of the vacuum (when I had a Dyson Ball Allergy and DC 50) but I’d never seen it do that on the inside of the bin. Glad it’s not an issue for concern. With Dyson I found that if the hose is extended the vacuum power is lessened but it was still enough to do the job. I do enjoy being able to see what was picked up which is a bag less perk.

Post# 388450 , Reply# 14   3/18/2018 at 19:31 (2,202 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        

broomvac's profile picture
It's normal for some debris to get caught around the rubber gasket where the cyclone meets the fine dust collection chamber in the bin. Both my Fantom Thunder and my CMS 1000 do what yours does; long hairs get wound around that section. It doesn't hurt a thing.

I prefer the look of the early Fantom Furys like yours over that of the later ones with the redesigned hood.

Thanks for sharing!


Post# 388478 , Reply# 15   3/19/2018 at 00:13 (2,202 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)        
Today

niclonnic's profile picture
I decided to put my Fantom Fury to a real test. I brought it over to my mom's place and did a quick comparison to a distant cousin, her Dyson DC07 Animal. I saw some similarities between them! They both have cyclonic technology; the Fantom has dual-cyclonic technology, while the Dyson has Root Cyclone technology, consisting of 8 cyclones.

Both have a quick-draw hose and wand; the Fantom has a short hose that doesn't stretch very far, and the Dyson has a much longer hose. With the Dyson off, you can stretch the hose to a very long length. But turn the vacuum on, and the very powerful suction causes the hose to "pull back" during use. So you have to fight the hose while using attachments; on the other hand, the Fantom has much weaker suction, so you don't have to fight it! However, the Dyson has the added perk of a reversible wand, which the Fantom lacks. On both machines, you can take the wand off of the hose and put the attachments right on the end of the cuff if you want to vacuum something close by.

I'm aware that there is a 7-foot extension hose available for Fantoms, which allows the hose and wand to be used up to 17 feet away from the vacuum, compared to 10 feet. I don't recall us having it on our original Fantom Fury.

Anyway, my mom had just vacuumed yesterday with her Dyson. I ran the Fantom over the carpeted apartment, and it pulled out a lot of dirt that the Dyson somehow left behind! I dumped the debris onto a paper towel on the floor afterwards, and we were both astounded at what was picked up!

I used the wand with the crevice tool to vacuum some edges, and Mom remembered this from our original Fantom Fury back in the day! She said it was so convenient, compared to our old Eureka, which had a separate hose that clamped onto the bottom of the vacuum.

Here are a few pics of two distant cousins.


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Post# 388480 , Reply# 16   3/19/2018 at 00:15 (2,202 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)        
Here's the shocker

niclonnic's profile picture
This is how much dirt the Fantom pulled out after having vacuumed yesterday with the Dyson. What a furious vacuum! (pun intended)

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Post# 388528 , Reply# 17   3/19/2018 at 14:42 (2,201 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        

myles_v's profile picture
Nice Fury! I'm not surprised that it picked up a decent amount of dirt after the DC-07. The brushroll on the Thunder that I used to have was more effective than the DC-07's brush, I don't think the design of the floor head that Dyson used on the 07 and 14 was very effective.

Post# 388530 , Reply# 18   3/19/2018 at 14:50 (2,201 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)        

crazykirbydude's profile picture
My Thunder always picked up nothing. It was fully functional, clean, and the height was set right. If I was lucky, I would get a tiny ball of carpet fuzz. I would go over the same area with another cleaner and I would get a sizable amount of dirt.

Post# 388533 , Reply# 19   3/19/2018 at 16:14 (2,201 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        

broomvac's profile picture
My Thunder has never struggled with pulling sand and dust from my carpet. I have to empty it frequently lest the it get too full. I

Post# 388544 , Reply# 20   3/19/2018 at 20:31 (2,201 days old) by Electroluxxxx (……)        

Adin
Apparently there was an issue with yours, you say it was loud and dusty, it obviously had an issue because if a thunder is working properly it is quiet and they have decent power so yours must have needed to be gone through. Not only that but I think we get that you can’t stand bagless, each time someone says something about a bagless vacuum you feel the need to put your two cents in when that piggy bank has already been filled with the complete understanding that YOU HATE BAGLESS VACUUMS. We all have our preferences but letting everyone know what you hate once is usually enough. Not trying to be rude but just giving a little blunt and friendly advice. 😊


Post# 388546 , Reply# 21   3/19/2018 at 20:52 (2,201 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)        

suckolux's profile picture
A fun text would have been going over the carpet again with the Dyson to see if it got anything then. Carpet, you never get it all.

Post# 388547 , Reply# 22   3/19/2018 at 20:53 (2,201 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        

myles_v's profile picture
Yeah if your Thunder was "fully functional" then it would've picked up a lot more than nothing. They're actually decent vacuums. I also tend to prefer bagged vacuums but I won't deny that good bagless vacuums exist.

Post# 388570 , Reply# 23   3/20/2018 at 07:32 (2,201 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)        

crazykirbydude's profile picture
I'm POSITIVE there wasn't an issue with mine. I understand that some people like them, and they do look rather cool. You are correct that I'm not the biggest fan of the bagless vacuums.

Post# 388617 , Reply# 24   3/20/2018 at 19:23 (2,200 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)        
Whole house cleaning

niclonnic's profile picture
Today I vacuumed downstairs with the Fantom Fury. I used the brush roll on the area rugs, then used the hose and floor nozzle to clean the laminate floors. The floor nozzle works well, but it is small, so it'll take a while to clean a large area. And the wand isn't the longest, so cleaning bare floors strains my back.

After I was done, I couldn't believe the amount of dirt that was picked up! When I went to empty the collection bin, some hair was stuck on the cone. I tried grabbing it, but it fell onto the vacuum's base, making a bit of a mess. I put that hair into the bin and dumped it in the trash. So I'll need to be careful with the collection bin when I remove it.


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Post# 388619 , Reply# 25   3/20/2018 at 21:20 (2,200 days old) by Lux_Luthor (Tennessee)        

That is an impressive looking amount of stuff picked up. I wish they still made these. I’d love to have a Lightning or Wildcat new. There’s not a current bag less line that I like or find interesting enough to try. I’ve had Dysons in the past but I think that since they do bottom empty that it causes more of a cloud throwback than one that empties from the top like the Fantoms.

Post# 389144 , Reply# 26   3/26/2018 at 23:44 (2,194 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)        
Metal polishing

niclonnic's profile picture
As I stated in my OP, I put a brand new lightbulb in the vacuum, and the headlight works. However, I noticed it was a little dim. On the inside of the lower base cover, I noticed that a metal piece which disperses the light was all rusted.

So today, I decided to try polishing that rusty metal part. After vacuuming the downstairs bathroom earlier, I took the vacuum up to my room and took the cover off. I found that the metal piece was attached with a Phillips screw. I removed the piece and tried washing it with soap and water. That didn't do anything. So I started looking for some polishing products around the house, and found some Goddard's metal polish. I tried it, but it didn't do anything.

But then, I found some Bar Keepers Friend cleanser and polish and tried that. It worked great! It took some elbow grease, but I was able to polish the piece. It didn't make the metal sparkle, but it looks better than it did before. I put the vacuum back together, and the headlight is a little bit brighter.

Here are some before and after pics, along with the products I used. The last pic shows the headlight in action.


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Post# 389147 , Reply# 27   3/27/2018 at 00:33 (2,194 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        
Good work

broomvac's profile picture
To make the plastic on my Fantom shine, I like to use Carnuba spray wax for car paint. It leaves the black ABS plastic nice and shiny!

Post# 389150 , Reply# 28   3/27/2018 at 01:07 (2,194 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Yeah that's just a normal sheet of polished tin with the surface pitted and rusted from humidity, you'd never be able to polish that out since it has already eaten into the metal. If you want, you can probably use a hobby knife and some foil HVAC tape that has a high reflective sheen on it and tape over the bezel. That might be an easy way out.


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