Thread Number: 30525
/ Tag: Recent Vacuum Cleaners from past 20 years
somebody really hates there henry |
[Down to Last] |
Post# 338233   11/28/2015 at 17:05 (3,042 days old) by citroenbx (england)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
2    
Blogger With A Cuppa 115 Us Brits like to hang on to outdated technology. This British made vacuum cleaner made by Numatic International needs HUGE updates as this 35 year old thing does NOT cut the mustard anymore. Other manufacturers are running rings round this now and simply making them pink and calling them "Hetty" is not only a lame way to boost sales but eventually these inefficient vacuums will be seen for what they really are. I like the Hetty even LESS as I see it as a sexist way to sell more to gullable people who will see it as "cute". Henry is powerful and reliable but that is just the motor. In fact Henry is inefficient as the power is never put down properly thanks to leaky hose and tubes. In particular is that stupid vent bit that everyone sellotapes closed. The head also is poor. it doesn't stay flat and the hair and bits just get stuck in the brushes. There is no carpet beater in the head and a tiny hole that often gets clogged. It has the perception of being powerful as the small hole sucks up the carpet, but no dirt. Henry is round, but will still get stuck and wrapped round anything and everything. Thanks to its fixed hard plastic edge it damages furniture and walls. In the work place this is extra annoying as time is money and along with other problems with Henry is COSTING MONEY. In the video I gave most of the problems and solutions. Henry does have the ability to be a robot Vacuum but the company has probably not even looked at this possibility. It bugs my how British companies trumpet on about their British credentials yet do very little to move with the times. This vacuum cleaney has bags of potential (pardon the pun) but the inferior changes over the years are going to lead to problems if they aren't already. |
Post# 338270 , Reply# 1   11/29/2015 at 10:29 (3,041 days old) by cuffs054 (monticello, ga)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Vacuum Humor! I love it! |
Post# 338280 , Reply# 2   11/29/2015 at 15:57 (3,041 days old) by citroenbx (england)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 338306 , Reply# 4   11/30/2015 at 15:16 (3,040 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Looks like the American version of a Silver King, or Filter Queen, but with the bare bones functioning of a typical utility vacuum/shopvac. I doubt Henry/Henrietta can filter dust and noise as well as a Filter Queen.
Either way, all of the above are not practical vacs by todays standards. Do they have a Eureka Mighty Mite at the local Asda or Tesco in the U.K. ? With a magic marker or peel and stick facial decals, one can put any type cute face on their vacuum, and have a superior vacuum that can kick Henry's round little butt out to the Thymes. |
Post# 338307 , Reply# 5   11/30/2015 at 15:41 (3,040 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
OK, after further research... Henry, it appears does not live alone in a nameless, faceless retail culture. No, Henry is part of an entourage of vacuums, apparently named after England's former reigning Kings. A concept I find rather enduring. Didn't find any Henrietta, though. At least not at Asda. |
Post# 338308 , Reply# 6   11/30/2015 at 15:47 (3,040 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
Alternatives to monarchy smiling at you from your hall wardrobe....
An actual Hoover bagless, Vax, or my fav... Zanussi. I really like the window vac. That is original. In America, we don't clean windows. When the windows get bad, we just tear down the whole building and build a newer, uglier building. All that tearing down creates dust for other peoples windows, then they tear down their building..... it's just a vicious circle here. |
Post# 338341 , Reply# 8   12/1/2015 at 09:07 (3,039 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 338347 , Reply# 9   12/1/2015 at 09:53 (3,039 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
2    
The "female" version is called Hetty, not Henrietta.
I don't think I can quite express the popularity of these vacuums here in the UK. They are EVERYWHERE. The majority of shops, restaurants, hotels, offices, schools etc usually have some form of Numatic in them. My office has faceless models branded Mitie (which are the contract cleaning company that maintain our building). On my daily walk from the train station to my office, I walk through the main shopping area of the city centre and can count at least 5 shops that are all out with Numatic's first thing in the morning getting ready to open. Until the late 90's, Henry et al were pretty much exclusively available for the commercial market and as a builders vac. However, a lot of electrical shops and catalogues like Comet, Currys and Argos started selling them around 97/98. Due to their popularity in the commercial market, Numatic branched into the domestic market for people wanting a very unfussy, reliable, reasonably priced and high performing vacuum. At around £100, they're probably the best you can get for that price here. My sister has had an AutoSave Hetty for about 5 years or so now and it's the one vacuum she hasn't managed to completely kill in under 2 years. Some of the alternatives you've suggested are horrendous choices. That Hoover in particular is absolute crap. Those are cheap, low efficiency bagless models with a very short life span. Numatic's are really the only vacuums worth buying under £100. |
Post# 338353 , Reply# 10   12/1/2015 at 13:03 (3,039 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Numatic are also the last of a dying breed truly made in Britain. Hoover's tat is made in China including copy floor heads from Wessel Werk that are not all that well thought out. Not everything Chinese is badly made but it seems to me Hoover aren't paying the Chinese enough to bring something out made of quality plastics and well thought out design.
|
Post# 338360 , Reply# 12   12/1/2015 at 15:51 (3,039 days old) by Vintagerepairer (England)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Meant to say female versoin of the Henry, not Hetty. |
Post# 338381 , Reply# 13   12/1/2015 at 20:31 (3,039 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
It looks like Numatic Corp. has really been propagating Henry and associates. Henrietta or Hetty, is busy entertain kids with toys and stuffed versions, providing office workers with mugs and other memorabilia, in addition to providing a gender appropriate match for users who's sexual identity hang-ups are ever present. In all fairness, if there's going to be a male version of an otherwise ambiguous product, than there should also be a female version. |
Post# 338383 , Reply# 14   12/1/2015 at 20:52 (3,039 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Does anyone know if the desk vac ACTUALLY works for sucking up stuff?
Here's my American version of a Henry. I'm thinking of getting some peel and stick facial features to match his big nose..... but I realize, he'll never be a Henry. I call him Frank, I shouldn't but he reminds me of someone I knew named Frank. I bought this shop vac in like 2004 for about $28, if I remember right. It hasn't been used that much, but it's always worked as it should when needed. The thing is the exhaust air shoots out of 2 small holes at the back and if the holes are aimed at anything that will be blown about, it will make a mess. It would have been better to have the air exit up, or be defused. I like this, compared to other shop vacs because it is lower to the floor and fatter, so it doesn't tip. Most shop vacs try and be tall and thin. This is roughly 17" wide and the same tall. Also, if need be one can get the larger diameter shop vac hose and it will fit the intake port for vacuuming larger items. You can use this with the bag, which I always have, with the filter around the motor (which is messy to clean out), or remove all bags and/or filters and use it to vacuum liquids (which I've done a few times). Right now, its kind of dirty because I've been using it to clean up some really gross stuff (dead mice, mouse nests, leaves, and dead bugs), but when that's done, I'll clean him/it up with soap, water and a sponge, rinse it both inside and out, let it dry, and put it back together all fresh and ready to be used again. I would never think to treat my Frank badly for his short comings. Yeah, he's not perfect- he blows things down, won't look me in the face like Henry, doesn't smile, and isn't part of some exclusive group; but I still respect him for the lowly position he holds, and the good deeds he does. I could be wrong but I think our angry Graham Norton-esque friend who made a video ripping Henry a new one, might want to give Henry a break. After all, Henry knows people ........ there's no telling what could happen if a gang of Henry's teamed up ...... casters spinning dutifully, rubber hoses in a defensive position, and angry frowns replacing the otherwise happy faces....... NO ! It could get ugly in a certain London neighborhood, and I don't want to be there when it happens. This post was last edited 12/01/2015 at 21:11 |
Post# 338384 , Reply# 15   12/1/2015 at 21:13 (3,039 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
2    
I doubt the Henry vac is anything like your ShopVac other than the fact that it has a black top and a red body with a motor on the top, but good try and a nice name - maybe you should get stickers for the front of it. If I were you, I'd even go as far to adding fake stick on feet!
Henry is different. For starters the filter inside the Henry is a basket that covers the entire surface area in which the dust bag underneath can be found. Castor wheels underneath elevate Henry with two large wheels on the back. Choose the commercial version and you get yourself a big apron. Henry is versatile; he can be used without a bag even if the mess is a resulting mess which will need to be poured out and of course the basket will have to be brushed clean unless it is a washable type, which is also available from Numatic. But unlike so many canister tub vacuums, Numatic's Henry and associated models have a bowler hat with a windable hand crank style cable. The James model which is my favourite has none but an open top in which tools can be placed; the cord has to be wound around manually though Numatic have since fitted a removable grid on top. The desk version only really sucks up a few crumbs; that's really what it is designed for, rather than dust behind a computer keyboard; same with those cute pet animal crumb vacs, of which I have one and it does the job not too badly; the desktop Henry is more of a novelty than anything else.
View Full Size
|
Post# 338386 , Reply# 16   12/1/2015 at 21:49 (3,039 days old) by sensotronic (Englandshire)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 338388 , Reply# 17   12/1/2015 at 21:57 (3,039 days old) by sensotronic (Englandshire)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Here's a few more Numatic reviews. CLICK HERE TO GO TO sensotronic's LINK |
Post# 338395 , Reply# 18   12/2/2015 at 03:33 (3,039 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
That's not entirely true. In more recent years, the James-Henry-Hetty-Charles-George line up has been advertised online and in brochures as the "homecare" range, whilst the commercial machines are "cleancare". There's definitely a change in marketing to angle Henry et al towards the domestic market, whether it was intentional or not initially.
|
Post# 338396 , Reply# 19   12/2/2015 at 03:35 (3,039 days old) by Vintagerepairer (England)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
In all my years I have never seen Henry as a shop-vac. If anything I thought it was a more powerful and sturdy version of this: CLICK HERE TO GO TO Vintagerepairer's LINK |
Post# 338452 , Reply# 22   12/2/2015 at 19:24 (3,038 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
To answer your other question regarding the Mighty Mite - no we don't get them in the UK. I think the last time we got them was in the early 1980s or 1990s under the Boss brand.
The Electrolux models we tend to get are all models made in China and are no longer sold with the Electrolux brand name, but rather brand names such as Zanussi and AEG. |
Post# 338491 , Reply# 23   12/3/2015 at 05:14 (3,037 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 338537 , Reply# 24   12/4/2015 at 02:14 (3,037 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I had a Mighty Mite about 10 years ago. I liked it because its lite weight and easily stores, on end, on a shelf next to a standard iron. I always hung the hose on the door. The problem was, which in retrospect I could have fixed, that it didn't have the best seals, and would leak dirt. I also added a power plug to the machine, a cord to the hose, and used my Electrolux power head and sidekick with it. I use the side kick for cleaning stairs and the car. |
Post# 338538 , Reply# 25   12/4/2015 at 02:32 (3,037 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Let's call him Chuck.
Was looking through my local classifieds for vacuums, as I frequently do. Now I live in central Midwest U.S. This sure looks like one of Henry's cohorts. Either he/it's been banned from her majesties shores, or...... and I really believe this...... he's working behind the scenes, as an informant for those stealthy Brits. He may have his face covered so as not to be recognized, but I know that color scheme, and that black lettering. And this guy doesn't even hide the fact he's from England But where did the power mate and hose cord come from? It looks very BOL like that. There was a time when one could buy a cheap canister with a power mate, and they were attached with either a plastic or a non-electrified hose and had to have a hose cord sloppily attached, but not anymore. It's just unseemly, and with the demise of canisters since the 90s, well..... I don't know how old this one is since it has a flat top, and the flex appears static. It doesn't look like its in too bad of shape. He's an ex-pat and perhaps is feeling down and out and wouldn't mind a plane ticket (or just a big box with a prepaid label) back home. He's only about 45 minutes from me. Let's call him Chuck. He looks most like a Charles, but.... |
Post# 338544 , Reply# 27   12/4/2015 at 03:47 (3,036 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I see "Harry" apparently is the same as Henry, only a different color AND has what appears to be a turbine carpet brush groomer. Is that what you're referring to?
Harry (hairy), by the way, would that not be just a fitting and typical British play on words for a vacuum better equipped to deal with ...... pet fur?
By the way, I encourage everyone, who is not already contributing, to check the thread titled "Help me to understand smaller....." for further discussion of Henry and his prevalence. understand smaller... |
Post# 338547 , Reply# 28   12/4/2015 at 03:56 (3,036 days old) by Vintagerepairer (England)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
No, Harry is Harry. Henry Hound is just that. I am not sure if it is still in production. There was a red standard version of it, and then the green hound which had a carbon filter too.
View Full Size
|
Post# 338553 , Reply# 29   12/4/2015 at 05:26 (3,036 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 338557 , Reply# 30   12/4/2015 at 06:04 (3,036 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Delaney - Numatic offered sporadic models to different cleaning companies resulting in other names such as Basil. The Numatic that you found to which you refer as the BOL models were the original Numatic design before the roller cable winder was added and the bodies had tough metal based versus PVC plastic.
I suggest that you look at archive threads on here by Googling and adding words such as Numatic Henry & Vacuumland. That way you'll learn a lot more if you are interested in this brand and model range. See www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-... for example. |
Post# 338565 , Reply# 31   12/4/2015 at 09:20 (3,036 days old) by Sebo4me (Cardiff)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Citreonbx video did make me laugh think he's being a bit harsh though.
If he used the Airo turbo Brush he would get better results. Personally I think Henry is best suited for commercial use. Do you need a 9 litre capacity in most UK homes? I'd say not. Why don't Numatic introduce a compact 4.5 litre model for domestic use and call it "Compact Henry" |
Post# 338567 , Reply# 32   12/4/2015 at 09:35 (3,036 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
Hi Paul,
Welcome aboard, and may I say what excellent taste in floorcare you have! I actually think the large capacity works in Numatic's favour. A friend of mine swaped her Miele S5 for a Henry as the bags were filling up too quickly and costing a lot to buy. However, a compact model sold alongside would be a good idea, to give the buyer the option. But then again, Numatic seem to take more of a no-nonsense "less is more" approach to their vacs. Chris |
Post# 338569 , Reply# 33   12/4/2015 at 09:58 (3,036 days old) by Sebo4me (Cardiff)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Thank you Chris.
Do you think the Henry is a bit bulky and at 9kg a bit heavy for some? If you compare that to aa Miele C3 at just over 5kg and the excellent new Sebo E series weighing 5.2 kg. One of these two would be my choice for a cylinder cleaner. You can pick up a C3 powerline extreme 1600w motor for £129 online right now. |
Post# 338571 , Reply# 34   12/4/2015 at 10:32 (3,036 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Welcome again Paul
I have a D2 as well as the E1, X1 and a few others. The D series is like a step UP from Henry in my opinion. All the others you mention are sledge style vacs with smaller cord lengths and hoses, which is no comparison to Henry. Henry is the best budget buy compared to both Miele and SEBO; a factor that I think was the reason to why Miele brought out the S2; same capacity as the S5/S8 but in a more basic version and short cord. |
Post# 338574 , Reply# 35   12/4/2015 at 11:43 (3,036 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
Hi Paul,
That's a difficult point to debate really as Miele & Numatic have quite a different target market. I'm using Henry at home quite a lot at the moment what with pulling the Christmas decs out. We've got 2 flights of stairs in our house but I'm not finding the Henry particularly heavy. I think it's main drawbacks are storage rather than weight but for the price you pay, there has to be some sacrifice. The Miele won't be that price forever. I also find, in comparison, that the Miele is fussier than the Henry. More expensive consumables, more maintenance required and you have to be more careful about what you pick up. This is also reflected in its design with the Miele being more "fancy" in appearance and features. Henry is a much more "tough and tumble" kind of vacuum. |
Post# 338579 , Reply# 36   12/4/2015 at 12:22 (3,036 days old) by Sebo4me (Cardiff)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 338587 , Reply# 38   12/4/2015 at 14:02 (3,036 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Benny, check out this link. Sure to bring back some memories for you! Lots of old Numatic brochures and pictures, including the David you mentioned above. CLICK HERE TO GO TO Turbo500's LINK |
Post# 338619 , Reply# 39   12/4/2015 at 21:56 (3,036 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
....been around since early 80s. Wow, impressive.
I thought these were a throw-away trend, like cheap crank ice cream makers, or bread machines. |
Post# 338753 , Reply# 41   12/7/2015 at 00:23 (3,034 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Yes Benny, I thought the whole named vacuum trend, aka Henry and his pals, was just something started in about 2000. Here in the U.S., Henry would have long since been buried in favor of some other vacuum trend, dug up and reincarnated, and then quickly buried again.... sadly.
I'm just floored with all the literature and adverts from the early 80s. I didn't really take it seriously, but have since checked. Henry was conceived the same year Prince Charles and Lady Diana were married, so I'll remember that. I'm even considering adding him, in one form or another, to my growing collection of canisters. |
Post# 338759 , Reply# 42   12/7/2015 at 05:02 (3,033 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
They're certainly handy vacuums to own, especially for messy jobs as a garage/DIY vac.
Below is a link to the Henry "Hound" powernozzle model, listed on ebay UK. I don't think these are in production anymore. CLICK HERE TO GO TO Turbo500's LINK on eBay |
Post# 338900 , Reply# 43   12/8/2015 at 22:38 (3,032 days old) by delaneymeegan (Mary Richards lived here)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|