Thread Number: 3860
Had to use ANOTHER Oreck !!
[Down to Last]

Vacuumland's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate vacuumland.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 43874   6/16/2008 at 01:10 (5,765 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
I was videographing a church slated to close in 2 weeks today. I discovered a Sanitaire, and an ORECK !! It was handed to me to clean the balcony prior to videotaping. The CURSED thing. As ye know, 2 weeks ago, I hurt my back with a cannister. Today, I used the upright. When I didn't hurl it over the organ loft...............

Post# 43902 , Reply# 1   6/16/2008 at 13:57 (5,764 days old) by sleepdoc (St. Louis, MO)        
Today I read another useless thread.

sleepdoc's profile picture
I think you've made your point.

Post# 43980 , Reply# 2   6/16/2008 at 17:45 (5,764 days old) by clarkecombi ()        
Excuse me......

You ought to not be rude like that.....Let the man talk about the orecks...thats what this website is for to talk about vacuums....Freedom of speech. If you dont like it Dont post on it....and i think it is USEFUL Infromation.

Post# 43981 , Reply# 3   6/16/2008 at 18:00 (5,764 days old) by filterqueen83 ()        
Hi

Ok I actually bought an oreck today and happen to think they are great for elderly people especially. I bought it to fix up and give to my grandmother. She has a silverado right now.

What are your thoughts and opions.

Thanks


Post# 43982 , Reply# 4   6/16/2008 at 18:16 (5,764 days old) by lux1521 ()        

Ok guys, if we want a civilized Oreck debate I'm ready for that. I'm perfectly willing to defend the Oreck brand in such a debate.

By civilized, I mean a conversation where real good points are made and design pros and cons are looked at and talked about.

Since I have ripped apart a few of these machines, and have the data sheets on some older models, and have a fantastic Celoc 3500 canister representing part of the companys past history, I feel prepared to come to such a conversation prepared with facts, numbers, and photos. This is something that did not happen in the last thread, and so far has not happened in this thread. If anyone is willing to debate the topic on this level, I am ready!


Post# 43986 , Reply# 5   6/16/2008 at 19:06 (5,764 days old) by hoover_elite_20 ()        
My opinion...

Here is what I think about ORECKS: they have many issues. They clog, they only have skids in the front so they scratch your floor, they actually weigh around 10 pounds after a good use,they leak at the base of the handle, they're a bit over-priced, they don't beat your carpet they just sweep the surface, etc. But they are light for the elderly.

Post# 43990 , Reply# 6   6/16/2008 at 19:28 (5,764 days old) by lux1521 ()        

Ok. Nice set of points there. I'll deal with each:

Clogging: It is true that the passage between the brushroll and fan case is a bit too small but should not be a problem for regular sized objects. Even when clogs occour, they are quite easy to deal with.

Floor Scratching: I have never experienced this but it is possible.

Handle Leak: This should not happen under normal curcumstances. I have seen it occour but it was related to other issues.

Lack of beating: I think the Oreck grooms a carpet very well. When people argue that the grooming just makes it look like it is doing a good job, the same could be said of any vacuum without beaters such as an Electrolux or Kirby. Both of those cleaners are know to do well and the don't beat the carpet.

Overpriced: Perhaps. Used ones are quite reasonable and easily attainable these days.


Post# 43993 , Reply# 7   6/16/2008 at 19:45 (5,764 days old) by filterqueen83 ()        
Thanks

I paid twenty dollars for mine and yes they will get really heavy when they are not emptied lol. I have had to unclog my mothers once and the thing is she is completly mechanically blond and can change her own belt and unclog it her self. Which is amazing in my opinion. she loves hers and it was actually mine at one time. As far as the scratching it does have wheels at the front too and the brushes will eventually wear out. Hers did after seven years of good use. I think they are fairly powerful I would love to have an older vintage one where the power button is on the base I like those.

Post# 43994 , Reply# 8   6/16/2008 at 19:46 (5,764 days old) by hoover_elite_20 ()        
The scratching:

look at a bottom of an ORECK that has been used on bare floors a good amount and you will find scratches on the skids. When you find scratches on the skids that means it is also scratching your floor, that is, if it is wood.

Post# 43996 , Reply# 9   6/16/2008 at 19:52 (5,764 days old) by hoover_elite_20 ()        
Also,

if you read the bottom, it says it has 3.2 amps, which is less than this little dirtdevil hand vac, which has 3.5 amps.

Post# 43998 , Reply# 10   6/16/2008 at 20:02 (5,764 days old) by lux1521 ()        

Amps is not a direct measure of vacuum performance. I have a Hoover 725 (with 750 motor)from 1929 (motor from 1932) that uses only 300 watts (about 2.5 amps if I calulated correctly) and it cleans better than many cleaners on the market today. It is also agreed by many collectors that many of the best carpet cleaners like older Royals, Kirbys, and Hoovers used less than 4 amps and power usage above that is excessive.

Post# 43999 , Reply# 11   6/16/2008 at 20:04 (5,764 days old) by clarkecombi ()        

I like the XL21 and their Hotel Vacuums.....Real good for quick pickup or for Rug Cleaning.

Post# 44000 , Reply# 12   6/16/2008 at 20:09 (5,764 days old) by riccarlover ()        
Personal Choice

Now I perfer the Riccar SupraLite over the Oreck but it is all personally choice and if people really like the Oreck, then that is their choice and let them be. This is a good site and club and lets not ruin it.
Clayton


Post# 44001 , Reply# 13   6/16/2008 at 20:11 (5,764 days old) by hoover_elite_20 ()        
I choose the Riccar...

.

Post# 44013 , Reply# 14   6/16/2008 at 22:04 (5,764 days old) by kirbyultimateg (Troy Ohio 45373 USA)        

I much prefer the Oreck XL Commercial upright over the Classic/Deluxe/Ultra/XL21. The Commercial upright weighs 8 pounds and costs $250.


Post# 44016 , Reply# 15   6/16/2008 at 22:12 (5,764 days old) by swingette ()        
Had to use ANOTHER Oreck !!

sorry to hear that, better luck next time!!

today I used this Supremacy (by Hoover) Cleaner. the classic Beats, as it Sweeps, as it Cleans agitator makes a distinctive buzz sound on my moms padded berber wall to wall carpet. I call it the sound of clean. I selected the Supremacy as the daily driver for moms house cause my family doesnt vacuum as often as they should, so I need something that gets the deep, buried dirt. it cleans flawlessly, and is stylish as well!

ps: it looks better than in this photo in person.


Post# 44042 , Reply# 16   6/17/2008 at 06:37 (5,764 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Gottahaveahoove:did you use the newer commercial Oreck that has the noisey EAR SPLITTING motor?Asked the janitor here at my worksite that has one-asked him if the sound hurts his ears--he says"I am used to it"The machine does pick up OK.Older commrcial Orecks weren't so noisey.Oreck is using a newer noisey motor.

Post# 44112 , Reply# 17   6/17/2008 at 21:29 (5,763 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
Well, first to "sleepdoc"

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
My humble apologies for upsetting you so much. I shall expound: I have use 4 of these cleaners, now, because I had to. One was brand new... used it to clean a mess in a sick friend's house. It was fair... and loud. The other uprights DID scratch a marble floor, (I didn't do it). They both clogged, leaked dust (the bag promises to be super clean), It was heavy, didn't pick up that well, (and were used on thin commercial carpeting commony found in churches.
As you know, I am HOOVER all the way. However, i"ve always supported those who like others. I'll show pictures of some of my cellar dwellers (Kirbys, GE, etc. I tend not to bash anyone or their preferred machines. So, Sleepdoc, I shall not upset you anymore. Peace to you.
John


Post# 44119 , Reply# 18   6/17/2008 at 21:42 (5,763 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
I ust add:

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
I've always heard how great, light, clean they were. I was just very surprised to be so disappointed. For that money, I expected more."I" was personally underwhelmed. I'v met some great people in here, and look so forward to meeting in person in N Canton. Again, Mr. Sleepdoc, so sorry.

Post# 44121 , Reply# 19   6/17/2008 at 21:51 (5,763 days old) by vacuumkid3 ()        

I'll chime in a little bit here...

I am a vacuum collector. I don't use many new vacuums. To give you an idea of my newest vacuum in my collection, it's a 1990s Riccar that was given to me as a gift. It's great for a beat-up vacuum to get quick messes and with a hose and on-board tools attached. I can't say I use my vacuums terribly much since we do have a cleaning lady that comes quite regularly. She uses some piece of "you-know-what" vacuum that I have never cared for. I am rarely around when she comes, as most of the time my mother likes to leave the house for her to clean, uninterrupted.

So...what does this mean? Well...I don't get a chance to use too many new vacuums. I prefer my older vacuums, like my Kirbys and Air-Ways. I also love to use my Electrolux G because of the cord winder, as well as the AE for the same reason. Unwind, plug in, vacuum, unplug, and wind it back in! Easy as that! Only one person I know (as far as I know) owns an Oreck. She loves it, because it's lightweight, and it does a good enough job. She only has a little carpet and a few rugs, which is why I am surprised she doesn't own a canister, but who knows; maybe she hates dragging or rolling something around! When I have used this vacuum, I found it to be easy to handle and automatically adjusted to the carpet height. I have not used it on the hardwoods, as I don't think it's necessarily meant to. It'd make more sense if it had a Duster-Buffer! :-) But it doesn't...and I digress...I think she enjoys it, so I am happy for her. I don't care for many newer vacuums. I often use my own if they are available. But since I rarely do the vacuuming except in my own room, I suppose I have a limited opinion on what the best vacuums are and how good a vacuum is. I'll always prefer a metal vacuum over a plastic one, though!

~~K~~


Post# 44158 , Reply# 20   6/18/2008 at 11:25 (5,762 days old) by kirbyboy1 ()        

The way I look at this. How many of you think that a 80 year old can use a kirby. I cant think of many. Yes kirbys are great vacuums and so are hoovers. But to many people they cant use these. This goes to any new vacuum. IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM THEY WILL LAST. When we bought our fantom the salespersopn at kmart said that not to buy it because it would break in like 6 months. Our fantom lasted for 9 years. We took care of it. Thats why. If you take care of a oreck it will last. I know people who have had there orecks for 12 years and never had a problem becuase they dont suck up water or a shirt and they change the belts and the brushes often as you should. I think orecks are great for people that cant handle a vacuum like a kirby or hoover. They work well. Now my aunt is lucky she owns a oreck and I come monthly with a hoover concept two and really clean. Also at churches most people cant fit in a kirby head into the pews. Plus with a compact canister you can clean both in an instant and u dont have to remove the rug head. I have cleaned many churches and most of the time I have to use the kirby hooked up wtih tools the whole time. I cant get under anything. Just my 8 cents
Evan


Post# 44161 , Reply# 21   6/18/2008 at 12:35 (5,762 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
Oreck

thunderhexed's profile picture
My grandmother on my fathers side had debilitating rheumatoid(sp) arthritis and had extremelly crippled and disfigured hands, feet, and joints. She used a Kirby Heritage for close to twenty years until the May 3rd Tornado of 1999 ripped apart her house. After rebuilding, she then gave me the Heritage and moved on to a Hoover Windtunnel self-propelled model. She had a self-propelled dial-a-matic before the Kirby and loved it. My aunt talked her into dropping $900.00 for the top of the line Oreck that she used for two months. She went back to the Hoover cuz she said she didn't like that the Oreck didn't go in a straight line when she pushed it across her carpet. She also didn't like that you had to use a seperate vac for above floor cleaning. I have used a couple of Orecks myself and thought they were OK. If I had a small aparment and desperately needed to save space, I would look into a used one before I'd go to Wal-Mart or Target to buy a vac...

Post# 44339 , Reply# 22   6/19/2008 at 23:06 (5,761 days old) by xraytech ()        

In my opinion I was not impressed with the oreck. At the resturant I worked in for 4 years they replaced a Hoover convertible(from early 60's don't remember model except it was pink) with an oreck XL21 it lasted not even a year and it had to be rebuilt. And it was not sucking up food or drinks, I used it to clean throw rugs in the main entrance, bar entrance, take out hall way and a carpeted hallway infront of restrooms, just regular dirt and dust tracked in just like at home, I changed bags and belts, The owner was the only other one to use it. It just didn't seem to last as i thought it should have and at times it was extremely hard to push on the berber carpet. They had it rebuilt and bought me a Kenmore Progressive and it lasted for the last 3 years I was there and they still have it and I quit 2 years ago. The oreck was rebuilt and taken upstairs for my boss to use in their home(they live upstairs in 9 rooms) She likes it because of it's weight, she is 82 years old with arthritis and very kyphotic from osteopirosis. The Kirby she had rebuilt a few times since she bought it in the mid 50's was too heavy for her. So In my opinion I was dissapointed but for someone who cant handle a larger vacuum they may be very satisfied with it even though I found it to be a total dissapointment.

Post# 44344 , Reply# 23   6/19/2008 at 23:50 (5,761 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
thank you

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
for saying all of that. Perfectly put !


Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

Woops, Time to Check the Bag!!!
Either you need to change your vacuum bag or you forgot to LOG-IN?

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy