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Thread Number: 197
Sebo canister or Air-way |
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| Post# 1743 9/26/2006 at 22:45 (6,419 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York) | ||
I'm looking to purchase a new vacuum but im not sure what to buy. I am a former member of the VCCC and have always loved vacuums since I was a little kid. I was always a huge fan of Electrolux but their current machines do not have enough power. I love my Kirby Diamond Edition but its loud and I having 75% bare floors its not the ideal vacuum for my house. I also have a Miele Red Velvet and Blue Moon. I like these machines but their power nozzles just dont seem strong enough for american homes with pets and they are awful when it comes to manueverability. I loved my Electrolux Ultralux that i had years ago and since the Air-way Centurion has a similar design and more power i thought this might be a good choice. I am also interested in the Sebo C3.1 canister. The Sebo is supposed to be well made and an excellent cleaner. I also would like to check out a Rainbow, but they are not popular in my area and im not sure if i want to have a machine that requires so much work to use it. All you need to do is plug in the mieles and you are set. Please let me know what anyone thinks about both the Air-way and the sebo. The Air-way sounds like a great machine but I never heard of them until i was part of the VCCC. Thank You! -Steven
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| Post# 1745 , Reply# 1 9/26/2006 at 22:57 (6,419 days old) by swingette () | ||
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well, the sebo got excellent marks in CR, and has an excellent powernozzle. if its as well-engineered as the sebo upright... good thing. ive always wanted a sebo canister, or a sebo *felix*. CLICK HERE TO GO TO swingette's LINK | ||
| Post# 1749 , Reply# 2 9/26/2006 at 23:24 (6,419 days old) by compactc9 () | ||
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What power nozzle are you using on the Mieles? If you are using the SEB217, then you might want to get the larger one with the headlight. Otherwise, I personally ould go with the AirWay, its a great vacuum that is built to work well and last. | ||
| Post# 1753 , Reply# 3 9/27/2006 at 00:26 (6,419 days old) by dualsanitronic (Omaha) | ||
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The AirWay is the very best of its type,bar none! | ||
Post# 1761 , Reply# 4 9/27/2006 at 10:13 (6,418 days old) by air-waycharlie  (USA) |
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Air-Way
I always tell people that inquire about Air-Way........after you get tired of trying 2 to 3 different vacuums and they are unsatisfactory for whatever reason, you will want to purchase an Air-Way. It's designed to last a life time and longer. Hand assembled, made of lightweight metal, the finest in filtration, the power nozzle is now "Quiet Drive" and built in the USA. An Air-Way is the last vacuum you will need to purchase. I still use my Grandmother's Mark II 88 from 1973. I would put it's cleaning ability against any other manufacturer and it's filtration against any other manufacturer. | ||
| Post# 1762 , Reply# 5 9/27/2006 at 10:18 (6,418 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York) | ||
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I have the 236 power nozzle (the largest one with a head light) on the Red Velvet. Its the standard nozzle that comes with it. On the Blue Moon i have the 226 i believe, it was the largest power nozzle prior to the models with the head light. They are very good, but not great. Does the airway power nozzle have a beater bar? Is the Centurion a quiet machine like the mieles? How does the rainbow compair to the sebo and airway? Sorry for all the questions, lol, but i know that you all you're talking about so this is the best resource for me. -Thanks! | ||
| Post# 1764 , Reply# 6 9/27/2006 at 10:24 (6,418 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845) | ||
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I LOVED MY AIRWAY!!! that is the brand i would suggest.... I have the Miele Red star(before the Red velvet) and I love it it is so quiet and powerful but yeah you are right the power nozzle sucks)and not in a good way)) oi !! | ||
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Post# 1778 , Reply# 7 9/27/2006 at 13:39 (6,418 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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More on Air-Way
The Air-Way canister is a 12 amp vacuum so there is a moderate amount of noise. It is not as quiet as the Miele. However, the modest noise difference is well worth the difference! About 2 weeks ago, I was with Jeff Parker and Fred Nelson in Chicago and we looked at Miele's in a variety of price ranges. I could not believe for the $$$$ how cheap the hose was! And, IMHO, I thought the power nozzles looked like something from "Barbie's Dream House." The Air-Way power nozzle is made by Cen-Tec Systems. It has a 4 position height adjuster, headlight and is V belt driven making it very quiet. The beater bar was changed to a 4 brush strip brush roll--quadraflex type. It is very effective and the customers that have purchased from me really like them. I have received many unsolicited testimonials from customers. I have had no personal experience with SEBO so I can't comment. The newest Rainbows have much improved suction--as they should for a $2300 suggested retail price. I've tried to "like" Rainbows but I find them SO labor intensive to use. And, for that price, I would prefer it NOT be made out of molded plastic injection. I also think that Mieles are frightfully costly for all plastic bodied vacuums. Air-Way is all metal, hand assembled and well under $1000 dollars. Seems to make far more sense to me. | ||
| Post# 1786 , Reply# 11 9/27/2006 at 16:48 (6,418 days old) by andy (Boston, MA) | ||
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Hoses The Airway hose is a lightweight crushproof style, but it is the common 1-1/4" diameter variety which facilitates less airflow than Miele hoses. | ||
| Post# 1789 , Reply# 12 9/27/2006 at 18:33 (6,418 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York) | ||
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New Mieles
I was just looking at the new Miele S5's and they look nice. However the power head is the same as the one i have on the red velvet. Is the Red Velvet vortex motor the same as the one in the s5? I like that they have improved the hose handle on the top of the line model and how the hose doesnt swivel at the canister end (i cant stand the swivel on mine). I dont know about the new floor brush, but i will tell you that i absolutly HATE both the smooth floor brush and combination brush i have for mine! They both get clogged with hair and just push the dirt around the front of the bristles. They kirby bare floor brush from my diamond edition is my favorite! Anyone know how the length of the cord on the Airway compares to the Mieles? I do think that the mieles are over priced for a plastic machine and i loved my all metal ultralux. Thanks!
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| Post# 1794 , Reply# 14 9/27/2006 at 19:31 (6,418 days old) by andy (Boston, MA) | ||
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Floor brushes Miele has addressed the issue of hair getting caught up in the bristles by making the brush out of a combination of natural and synthetic fiber. Just try this new floor tool, trust me, you'll be hooked. | ||
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Post# 1799 , Reply# 15 9/27/2006 at 21:16 (6,418 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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With due respect to my fellow posters, I will only add at this point, that a prospective buyer should really just try out the vacuums they are considering and see what feels/works best for them and their pocketbooks. I think we all have our favorites for a variety of reasons which is what makes this club and site so much fun. I'll admit that I am partial to Air-Way and grew up with them as well as Electrolux and Hoover. So, I'm probably always go to recommend them and I've arrived at this point in life, (mid 50's now....gosh that scary!), that I really believe in putting American made money back into the hands of American workers. And, yes, I drive an American made car. Okay, go ahead and shoot me now! Seriously, I'm glad we can have a discussion of this sort on a site like this and I stick with what I said. It's like buying a car.......take a test drive, or vacuum if you will, and determine what is best for your and your needs. I've always let my customers "play" with an Air-Way if they have any hesitation as part of being successful in the world of selling vacuums is putting the right machine with the right buyer. I do sell several other lines as well. | ||
| Post# 1802 , Reply# 16 9/27/2006 at 21:27 (6,418 days old) by andy (Boston, MA) | ||
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Charlie Do you have a pic of that powernozzle with the new brushroll? I find this very interesting. | ||
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Post# 1825 , Reply# 18 9/28/2006 at 09:47 (6,417 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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Andy, I should have said "Hi!" to you long ago and congrats on your store and I have followed your articles regularly with great delight that appear in the VDTA magazine. We missed you in St. Louis! Any chance for Omaha? Back to business, UPS just delivered several packages from Air-Way while I am writing this. Upon opening the power nozzle box, it is the original power nozzle but with a chevron brush roll and no beater bar. They did tell me they were going to go back to this but never gave a time frame. I'm going to check the other boxes and see what power nozzles are in them. A Quiet Series was sold to Fred Stachnik and several other non-vacuum people but regular customers. You may want to inquire Fred about pictures of that model. Air-Way, as you know, has made several changes including the bags and as I mentioned here, the power nozzle. The Quiet Series was used starting this year and now it seems to have reverted back. Pictures will be forthcoming here later today or tomorrow. | ||
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Post# 1827 , Reply# 19 9/28/2006 at 10:10 (6,417 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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New Info RE: Air-Way
Okay, I just got off the phone with Air-Way and here it is direct from the factory: The housing for the most current power nozzle is just like the one used when the Signature Series was introduced as modified by Tom Gasko. The brushroll is a chevron design using the V belt and motor. It is considered a "Quiet Drive" series because of this. It still has the 4 height adjuster, headlight, quick connect/disconnect and "cord management" holder at the hose end for direct connect to the hose. I will do pictures later. | ||
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Post# 1830 , Reply# 20 9/28/2006 at 11:23 (6,417 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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P/N | ||
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Post# 1831 , Reply# 21 9/28/2006 at 11:24 (6,417 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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Post# 1832 , Reply# 22 9/28/2006 at 11:25 (6,417 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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Post# 1833 , Reply# 23 9/28/2006 at 11:26 (6,417 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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| Post# 1837 , Reply# 24 9/28/2006 at 17:46 (6,417 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York) | ||
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New Air Way power nozzle
One of the things that stuck out in my mind was that the Air Way still had a beater bar on its power nozzle. I thought that it may be what the power nozzles on my other machines were missing to make them good and not excellent. Why would they change to a chevron brush with no bar? Is the beater bar power nozzle a better cleaner? Are their any canister that have a beater bar anymore? Thanks -Steven | ||
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Post# 1839 , Reply# 25 9/28/2006 at 18:51 (6,417 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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This is my opinion ONLY.........I think to stay competative, Air-Way had to reduce the noise of their vacuums. The only way was to reduce the noise of the power nozzle as the main canister is not the loud. Smooth belts and V belts are much less noisy than geared belts. The power nozzle with the beater bar used a geared belt. Not only did you have the vibration of the beater but the whiney noise of the geared belt. To me is was no big deal to others they would claim it was damaging their hearing. If they had kept the beater bars with the V belt, it probably would have been too much drag/friction for that type belt making it stretch out too fast or even break. The beater bar was very effective and I'm sorry to see it go. However, much of today's carpeting just really does not need a beater bar any longer. Royal discontinued using the beater bar nozzle as far as I know on their canisters and I'm not sure Kenmore is using it any longer. The brushes are so aggressive and well made, that in conjuction with the chevron design are quite effective. I've used the new nozzle on my berber, which is one of the most difficult to get really clean, and it seems to work fine. Customers that have purchased the Air-Way with the new nozzle have had no complaints to me but only sing praises of their vacuums. | ||
| Post# 1842 , Reply# 26 9/28/2006 at 20:04 (6,417 days old) by normvac (COLUMBUS, OHIO) | ||
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New Air Way Charlie I am a major fan of Air Way (I have your old 55 and 66). I have been watching for a decent 77 to collect. You just don't see them here in the columbus, ohio area. Can you post a picture of the new/current machine. I would like to have a visual of the difference between then and now! Thanks | ||
| Post# 1869 , Reply# 28 9/29/2006 at 23:56 (6,416 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York) | ||
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Air-Way
I am still waiting for product material to arrive from Air-Way about their machines so can check them out. I dont think that there is a dealer in my area, since i had never heard of them since Tom G. told me about them when i joined the VCCC a while back. Is there any place online that has more detailed info, since the AirWay site has very limited info? I also noticed while checking out one members pictures online that they have the purple Centurion, and it has the newer style (kenmore like) centec power nozzle. Anyone know if that is what the Anniversary Edition power nozzle looks like? What is the price of these machines? All I know is that they are less than the $1200 that the Red Velvet lists for. Has anyone tried the new Windtunel? I bought a new self propelled one and then quickly returned it about 6 months ago because it was loud enough to make a person go deaf and it was sooo clumsy! It was however a pretty decent performer. Are the new ones any quieter and easier to steer? -Steven | ||
| Post# 1880 , Reply# 29 9/30/2006 at 12:36 (6,415 days old) by ahzeks () | ||
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Riccar/Simplicity Cannisters? How to the new Riccar/Simplicity cannisters compare to contemporary Miele, Aerus and Air-Way machines? Does anyone have any experience with them? CLICK HERE TO GO TO ahzeks's LINK | ||
| Post# 1999 , Reply# 30 10/3/2006 at 21:47 (6,412 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York) | ||
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Central Vacuum instead of AirWay
Ok, so I bought a new VacuFlo unit model 566Q instead of another canister. I have a large german sheppard and I just cant deal with how my machines smell after a few uses. My housekeeper cant stand it either! She also hates that my Miele Blue Moon and misses the Lux Epic 6500. Its not practical to change the bag after two or three uses and I will not buy a portable bagless vac. I figured this is the best way to go, no smell since its vented outside and constant power. I purchased the Hayden Superpack with the machine since my vac dealer said it has a much better hose than the Vacuflo. It has almost the same power nozzle as the Air Way. It should be completely installed tomorrow and i cant wait to see how it works. Does anyone have one of these units and are you satisfied with them? Thanks -Steve | ||
| Post# 2007 , Reply# 32 10/4/2006 at 01:32 (6,412 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York) | ||
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Central Vac
Do you like the Riccar? My dealer sells Riccar and Simplicity vacuums and speaks highly of them. I have never used one, but they sell only the VacuFlo as their only central vac line. I was looking at the Riccar but I didnt want a filter or a bag to change. Do you like your system and its power nozzle? Did you install it yourself? I have a colonial splanch so it should be easy to install it myself. Only thing that may be a slight problem is wiring the direct connect valve. Ill know tomorrow if i bit off more than i can chew.
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| Post# 2016 , Reply# 34 10/4/2006 at 13:38 (6,411 days old) by swingette () | ||
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nothing comes close in power and cleaning ability ...except a Hoover upright (on rugs)! | ||
| Post# 2042 , Reply# 37 10/5/2006 at 09:13 (6,410 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK) | ||
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Michael.... It could be something or nothing- carbon brushes would be a good place to start looking :). Seamus | ||
| Post# 2044 , Reply# 39 10/5/2006 at 09:43 (6,410 days old) by ahzeks () | ||
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Carbon brushes... Seamus, How easy is it to locate and examine the carbin brushes on the 1060 motor? And, being a novice, what should I look for once I find them? (How do you tell if they are in need of replacement?) Are replacements readily available? | ||
| Post# 2072 , Reply# 41 10/5/2006 at 20:53 (6,410 days old) by compactc9 () | ||
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I have their best power nozzle, the same as the one sold with their most expensive canister, but with a nicer looking (to me) blue hood. The link has the picture of the hose and p/n. CLICK HERE TO GO TO compactc9's LINK 
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| Post# 2073 , Reply# 42 10/5/2006 at 20:54 (6,410 days old) by compactc9 () | ||
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There is also a much better picture of teh unit in there too, I didn't realize this picture was soooo small. | ||
| Post# 2096 , Reply# 43 10/5/2006 at 23:21 (6,410 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York) | ||
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Central Vac Muffler
Ok, so I didn't finish installing my central vac. I ran into a few problems running one of the inlets but hopefully I will be done tomorrow. One thing im not sure about is how do you put the muffler on the unit. My system vents outside, does the muffler slide over the exhaust tubing, or does the exhaust tube get cut and the muffler attached between the tubing? I think that if it is attached to two ends of tubing that it will get all cloged with dirt from the exhaust, but im not sure how the muffler really works. Thanks! Steven | ||
| Post# 2100 , Reply# 44 10/5/2006 at 23:46 (6,410 days old) by compactc9 () | ||
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The muffler is installed by connecting the pipe to each end, like any other fitting, just glue the pipe into it. | ||
| Post# 2152 , Reply# 50 10/6/2006 at 21:37 (6,409 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York) | ||
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Muffler
Ahzeks thank you so much for the info and the pictures! They are a huge help! I just need to run the exhaust line outside tomorrow, connect the wires, and Im all done with the installation. I have to say it was alot more work than I thought. Im not the do-it-yourself type (im only 22), im more of a pay-someone-else to do it for you type. Anyway, it wasn't extremely difficult to do but it is time consuming! I'm glad i put it in myself and learned how to run the pipes, but in the next house im having someone do it for me! Thanks Again! -Steven | ||
| Post# 2286 , Reply# 52 10/9/2006 at 19:06 (6,406 days old) by normvac (COLUMBUS, OHIO) | ||
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Red/Beige Filter Queen The machine is made by filter queen but (owner correct me if I am wrong) made for sale in retail, usually a Vac Shop. At a lower price point than the door sold model. It is called a princess! I was approached back in the 80's to be a dealer! | ||
| Post# 2294 , Reply# 53 10/9/2006 at 21:15 (6,406 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York) | ||
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Central Vac
So I finally got my VacuFlo unit up and running and I LOVE IT! I am waiting for the 110v to be wired into the inlets this weekend and I'm very anxious to see how well the power nozzle works. I love the power of the machine! Its so quiet! Even if you stand next to the unit down in the basement, its not very loud at all. VacuFlo claims its 60Dbs, which is great! I used it to clean my cat's two cat condos with the upolstery nozzle and it got the hair right up! Its usually much more difficult to get it all up and very time consuming. I must say that I am a little shocked at what is in the container so far and I haven't even used it on the carpets yet. I thought my house was cleaner. Scary!
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| Post# 2310 , Reply# 54 10/9/2006 at 22:47 (6,406 days old) by compactc9 () | ||
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You will about faint when you see what it gets from the carpet. I was shocked the first time that I used my central vac on our carpet that was only a few weeks old, and had been vacuumed daily since we moved in. | ||
| Post# 2506 , Reply# 55 10/14/2006 at 20:34 (6,401 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York) | ||
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Air-way PN and Hayden PN | ||
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