Thread Number: 34848  /  Tag: Recent Vacuum Cleaners from past 20 years
What fascinates us about vacuum cleaners.
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Post# 376096   7/29/2017 at 20:24 (2,434 days old) by MATTINLA (Burbank)        

Strangely, I have suddenly developed an unnatural interest in VACUUM CLEANERS. Just bought a Tri-Star MG1 that I drove 120 miles in the boiling desert heat to get (but it was well worth it at $60!) Here in Los Angeles, you can go cuckoo with vacuum cleaners, CL has 500 online any time you look. What is it about them that is so mesmerizing. Nobody collects electric can openers, toothbrushes, lawnmowers, lawn edgers, table saws, food processors or pasta machines. The only similar interest I have in other mechanical devices is in my vintage DRILL PRESS which was made in the age of American Sears 50's quality construction. Same fascination. They're almost like little people. Very weird. Somebody explain this.

Post# 376112 , Reply# 1   7/30/2017 at 03:50 (2,433 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Some folks do collect lawnmowers-they are on this forum!And I do have a collection of power tools-two table saws-or machines that can be made to work as a table saw,drill press,lathe,horizontal drill press,disc-belt sander-Shop Smith have a 500 model and a 10ERMy Dad had a Shop Smith 10ER got to use it on occasion.Have MANY portable saws,drill,sanders.Also have a small food processor collection-so I guess some folks collect them.Not as popular as folks that collect mixers-have some of those,too-from the late Kelly that was on the appliance forum.

Post# 376116 , Reply# 2   7/30/2017 at 07:18 (2,433 days old) by kenkart ()        
Ha...

I have over 400 mixers, around 250 blenders, probably 20 electric can openers, plus ice crushers, electric frying pans, deep fryers, waffle irons, griddles and around 650 or 700 vacuum cleaners!!

Post# 376118 , Reply# 3   7/30/2017 at 08:08 (2,433 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
collecting appliances

I think for everything out there, someone collects it. I like vacuums for a few different reasons. I'm a blind person, so I focus on sounds quite a bit, I'm facinated by all the different sounds of vacuums, that's one reason I don't like the trend that a lot of vacuums have gone, The trend now is that most vacuums use smaller motors that spin much faster, they are known as screamers. A vacuum that uses a larger two stage motor is very rare now, I have read that the screamers do produce as much cleaning power as the larger motors, but I would think motors spinning that much faster would wear them out faster as well. My second reason for enjoying vacuums is all of the different designs. Each vacuum is slightly different, I prefer canisters of all types, whether backpack, central vacuum, round, or tank type. Uprights just don't appeal to me which is why I don't have any in my collection, but it just shows that there's a vacuum out there for everyone. Kind of makes me wonder, has the quality of other appliances gone down the way it has for vacuums? You can still get good quality vacuums, but you have to either get it on line, from a vac shop or get one of the vacuums that is sold door to door. You won't find anything decent in the department stores now besides Sears perhaps. Has the quality of mixers, blenders, drills, saws and other appliances decreased as well? The problem is that no one is willing to pay for quality anymore, buy it cheap and replace it every couple of years is how many consumers think.
Mike


Post# 376122 , Reply# 4   7/30/2017 at 08:24 (2,433 days old) by kenkart ()        
The quality

Of ranges, refrigerators and most washers and dryers is absolutely abysmal, none have the beautiful fit and finish they used to have, rough edges, cheap paint instead of porcelain,no chrome, flimsy plastic handles...I could go on and on...

Post# 376124 , Reply# 5   7/30/2017 at 09:53 (2,433 days old) by wyaple (Pickerington, OH)        
I like testing them

wyaple's profile picture
and then posting the results. Some results surprise people and some don't.

Bill


Post# 376138 , Reply# 6   7/30/2017 at 12:32 (2,433 days old) by MATTINLA (Burbank)        
Quality long gone...

I have a TOOLKRAFT small 13" drill press from the early 50's and the quality is just incredible; plus it has a conscious design to it. I was trying to figure out what it would cost today to build something like this and I'm thinking like $1500 at the least. It sold originally for $75 bucks. I see the trend...everything is GENERIC now. One size, one design, one feature fits all, that's what you get.

Post# 376143 , Reply# 7   7/30/2017 at 13:26 (2,433 days old) by Dysonman1 (the county)        

dysonman1's profile picture
I think the reason people collect vacuum cleaners is because the design has not been finalized. Every electric dryer you've ever seen looks identical to every other one, and they get the clothes dry. Vacuum cleaners are different. They are the only appliance that was ever sold by door-to-door sales methods. And the design of the machine quite measurably affects its efficiency. With a clothes dryer, dry is dry. Vacuum cleaners do not get all the dirt out of the carpet. Many factors affect their efficiency including condition of the bag, condition of the belt, and condition of the brushes.

Post# 376147 , Reply# 8   7/30/2017 at 14:20 (2,433 days old) by Real1shep (Walla Walla, WA)        

I think for everything out there, someone collects it.

 

Absolutely and unless you collect rocks/minerals.....people collect everything man made. I have a neighbor that collects antique toothpick holders and goes to a national toothpick convention every yr. And some of those TP holders go for over a thousand between collectors. Even books written on the subject.....I find that bizarre, but harmless.  

 

So really, nothing would shock me as far as collectors/collections. And lets face it, the traditional stuff to collect like cars & furnishings are sky-high and so people search for alternatives that they can afford.

 

I have lots of 'mini' collections....I realize the folly in going further with them. When I cease to be amazed and don't enjoy them, I stop. I don't have to have every model and iteration....like they say, one man's junk is another man's treasure.

 

Kevin


Post# 376153 , Reply# 9   7/30/2017 at 17:29 (2,433 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
collection limits

When it comes to collecting vacuums, since I really don't see what they look like, I usually limit what vacuums I get based on the motor they use, there are some exceptions, if a vacuum was really unique or a very good model I may get it even if it uses a motor that I already have. For example, I have a Miele C1 olympus, all of the current Miele models use the same motor so would have similar performance, therefore I would probably not get another one. Similarly, I have an Electrolux Olympia, so I probably would not bother getting a Super J because it uses the same motor.
Mike


Post# 376156 , Reply# 10   7/30/2017 at 18:29 (2,433 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

alexhoovers94's profile picture

I have asked myself this question so many times in the past, it is just as confusing as wondering what life its self is about!

I really couldn't say why I like vacuums or where the interest came from...I think in all honesty, I wouldn't be who I am if I didn't have the interest, vacuums have been such a large part of my life for as long as I can remember, I know that sounds odd! Lol.

I don't think the interest will ever go away, however, I have met some really good friends via the vacuum collecting community...

I often wonder what my life would of been like, had I not found an unusual interest (borderline obsession) in vacuum cleaners...Heck, I would have a lot more space and money, Sometimes, things are not always so black and white, you have to just accept them for what they are...

As they say "some mysteries are better left unsolved" It may be some sort of curse! Lol.


Post# 376158 , Reply# 11   7/30/2017 at 19:03 (2,433 days old) by Real1shep (Walla Walla, WA)        

Well, in the chainsaw collector's venacular it's called CAD (collectors addiction disease). We don't know how else to explain it, but it drives us to collect the damn things. I have no less than four forums of 'lost souls' that hit the 'Buy' button on eBay without reason. I was able to pull in the reins on this hobby only because I lack the space these days. If I still had my farm and all that storage potential, it would be pretty bad. 

 

I was a logger in my 20's in the PNW so I kinda have my own reasons for collectiong and I still use a lot of the saws for work. Vacuums on the other hand....I can't give a reason other than working on small electric motors. I have uprights and not even a rug....PN's and not even a rug.....weird. Been ages since I've had wall-to-wall carpeting.

 

Kevin


Post# 376159 , Reply# 12   7/30/2017 at 19:14 (2,433 days old) by Real1shep (Walla Walla, WA)        

Similarly, I have an Electrolux Olympia, so I probably would not bother getting a Super J because it uses the same motor.

 

True, but they are vacs made within specific time periods. And the Super J inspite of its lackluster color scheme, is an historical vac from the CT factory due to the retooling and expense of that larger motor/canister...

 

It would be very easy to get sucked into 'timeline" Lux collecting. I'm almost there except I don't have a Oly 1 or a Silverado. You know, pick two vacs; one early and one late and collect everything in between.  I'd do it if I had the space.

 

The sad thing is that if I have friends that move into a new carpeted dwelling or have their own vac break down, they call me. They know I won't 'lend out' but will vac their place.....and have fun doing it. Sad that I'm used that way and like it...lol.

 

Kevin


Post# 376164 , Reply# 13   7/30/2017 at 22:04 (2,433 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
Mike, May I ask?

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
Were you always blind, or did that happen later? My father was blind, (well, for several years), so, we were all very well aware of how to deal with that. Before it happened, he'd plant VERY vibrant, colorful flowers in the yard, so he could still recognize them. His other senses were VERY strong. He also had a fierce ear for music.
I
I've also taught blind students, (both children AND adults).
I, too, LOVE the sounds of the older vacuums. There's nothing like the hum of a vintage Hoover. I was always good w/ the old Electroluxes, too.


Post# 376167 , Reply# 14   7/30/2017 at 22:37 (2,433 days old) by texaskirbyguy (Plano, TX)        

What has fascinated me about vacuums is the looks – bright polished aluminum, a no-nonsense classic style, great power. Kinda like what draws me to Harleys! I had grown up using Kirbys and this is what I had seen. And after using Kirbys for over 40 years, I am fascinated even more at the quality. Restoring my daily driver opened up a new interest!

As for collecting stuff, almost everything is collected by someone, for whatever their reasons.
I say put your time, effort, and money where your passion is.
Everyone is different and have different interests, and have different things that make them happy. And in life, we need to do what makes us happy, as long as it is legal and moral and not causing a total headache for themselves or family members... Collecting is just one of those things. Many people I know collect different things - shot glasses, beer bottles, wine bottles, beanie babies, antiques, clothes, toys, washing machines, and so on. It only becomes a real issue if you are short of money or space to feed the addiction or where almost anything can be added to the collection.

Personally, I have been a collector of many different things, but all vintage. Seems like every 6 months I would collect one thing, then move to another. At least this has kept them as ‘mini collections’.... First it was tools, then nautical stuff, then ship parts, then bottles, then old radios, then vintage phonographs, then records, then console stereos, then 80's boomboxes, then chrome kitchen appliances, then old fans, then clock radios, then old Kirby vacuums... Luckily when I got most of this, I restored each item after getting it and then displayed it for use. I wanted all of it to be working as best possible to make my own museum of the past. Knowing most of it is in top shape makes me satisfied for keeping it, as it is usable, or worth something to a new collector. I have some junk for parts, and it is out of sight - have to have it though! I just discipline myself to know what or what not to get, as my space at home is limited and will be moving in about 5 years. I am doing pretty good.
My ladyfriend is on the edge of the other limit though. She collects teddy bears & stuffed Easter bunnies, and vintage (80s-90s) fancy clothing. However she has been doing so for 30+ years with little discipline! I did not mind the bears and bunnies as they are cute and are arranged in decorative ways. However the clothes are out of control, as she has started on the #4 closet, which is the last. I have been doing my best this year to help her control it and get ‘more picky’ at what she gets. I love how it looks on her but here is where space becomes an issue. The root of the problem is that the stuff is so darn cheap it is hard for her to resist!


Post# 376170 , Reply# 15   7/30/2017 at 23:40 (2,433 days old) by Real1shep (Walla Walla, WA)        
Totally agree......

Rob! It really is about personal discipline. It's really easy to see where people go overboard.....especially the poor hoarders who have stacks to the ceiling and paths through their junk. I have been accused of being a hoarder by my youngest son. I invited him to watch the TV shows that illustrate real hoarding.

 

But he made a relevant point; all my stuff to him is just junk. So I need to make arrangements for disposal when I'm gone because he's not going to take the time to liquidate anything properly.

 

Kevin


Post# 376172 , Reply# 16   7/31/2017 at 01:46 (2,433 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

KenKart has to be the champion appliance collector-HAS THEM ALL!Collecting chainsaws-well a tool variant.I collect guns,ammo and yes have a small mineral collection-and seashells!Instead of a house one of my friends says I need to move into a castle!Oh yes-my collection of lights!portable or fixed.Mostly HID,LED.

Post# 376198 , Reply# 17   7/31/2017 at 19:39 (2,432 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
blindness

I've been blind since birth, it was genetic, although no one else in the family has it that we know of. I'm also a music lover. There are certain vacuums that I really like the sound of, the Electrolux 1205 and Olympia are very nice, I also like the sound of the two stage motor that was used in the Electrolux plastic vacs, I'm not sure if all of them such as the advantage, diplomat, embassador etc. all used the same motor but they sound similar. I also love the sound of the Ametek motor that was used on many of the canisters from the late 1950's through the 1960's, that one and the 1205 sound similar although they are totally different motors. I will use the high pitch screamers, I have several canisters that have those motors, but the sound just has a cheaper quality to it. I also like the sound of the Sirena and rainbow. Even though I'm not an upright person, there was a particular upright at the museum that I really like the sound of, the motor in it actually sounded like a canister, it was either a Riccar or Simplicity 8000 or something similar, if I was in to uprights, I would have tried to get one of those although I don't think they are made anymore. Another motor I really like is the motor in the 1950's Kenkarts, a very soft gentle sound but quite powerful for the time.
Even though I only have a couple area rugs, I also have all of the major power nozzles in my collection, mainly because I find it interesting to compare the sound of their motors as well, and you never know when you may be able to help someone out by cleaning their place. I don't like the sound of the turbine nozzles, very annoying and they don't clean anywhere near as well as an electric nozzle anyway.
Mike


Post# 376208 , Reply# 18   8/1/2017 at 02:32 (2,432 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

alexhoovers94's profile picture

There is difference between hoarding and collecting...

Collecting is a passion for and recognition of ones items, a collector takes care of their collection and tends to keep it is some sort of order and knows a lot about their pieces.

Hoarding is holding onto objects...Anything and everything, to try and fill an empty space in their life, which is a mental issue...Hoarders often have a hard time letting go of their "stuff" unlike a collector.

It is a fine line between the two, but is enough for them to be totally different and hardly related at all, when it comes down to it.


Post# 376226 , Reply# 19   8/1/2017 at 12:59 (2,431 days old) by DrSnuggle (Sweden Stockholm)        
I love vacuums because....

drsnuggle's profile picture
I have been healty all my life. I turned 39 years some years ago and as I never had kids so I decided to buy two cats. So what, you might say. Well, my vacuum started to leak air, a Philips performer, the air went around the Hepa-filter. I slowly got sicker and sicker. It started with sneazings, lika a hundred a day when I was at home of work. Then I a got problems breathing when at home. The doctor said it was dustmite allergy and the cats did not help :-( speading the dustmite feeces (where the allergien is) everywhere.

I looked for a new vacuum and watched a lot of YT videos by ibaisiac and madabouthoovers and decided on a Miele C3. Cleaning became a hobby from not caring at all. Thats how it started for me. Filtration is the most important thing for me in a vacuum. I started to realize that different vacuums did different things and that is what I like to explore.

Mike: wow being blind and loving vacuums. Sorry to ask, but how do you vacuum? (I haven't checked all comments so I hope you have not answered this one).

Here is my last buy. A Miele U1!:
Here is a link to a video I did on it. Love (only watch if you think it is ok to post link to your own videos. Otherwise do not watch, I do't know if links are appropriate).







  View Full Size
Post# 376227 , Reply# 20   8/1/2017 at 13:15 (2,431 days old) by Sebo4me (Cardiff)        

sebo4me's profile picture
I am exactly the same. My interest came about because of a dust mite allergy.

I learnt about Miele from watching Rogers videos and purchased a Miele S5 and my interest in the design and workings of the vacuum.cleaner grew from there.


Post# 376229 , Reply# 21   8/1/2017 at 14:06 (2,431 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        

myles_v's profile picture
I have no idea why but I've always been interested in vacuum cleaners. My mom vacuumed daily while carrying me as a baby, and the first thing I walked to ended up being the vacuum cleaner. I have literally no memory of ever not being interested in vacuum cleaners, my parents have told me that when I was really little I had lots of toys but kept going back to the vacuum instead. The only toy I remember playing with was my Easy Bake Oven, besides that I was just into vacuum cleaners. All of my elementary school teachers were very aware of my interest, and I even brought a Roomba to show and tell in the second grade.

I normally had 20-30 vacuum cleaners at a time until I started high school. I got rid of all of the vacuum cleaners, moved in with my mom, changed schools, and decided I would be "normal" and I was. It stayed like that until my senior year when a relationship I had been in since freshman year ended and I started to date other guys. My current boyfriend found out about my past interest in vacuum cleaners and he has encouraged that I get back into it if it makes me happy.

The issue that I've been having now is that I'm very torn on what I should do. Part of me wants to continue the interest but another part of me has just lost interest. Some days I'll want to collect vacuums again, and other days I'll feel really stressed out feeling like I have too many vacuum cleaners over the relatively small number of vacuums that I have. Most of my machines are at my dad's house, so my boyfriend and I only have 4 vacuums at our house (not including our Neato robot vac or our central vac that we don't use). The thought that I should get rid of at least 2-3 of them crosses my mind every day, but I still scour Craigslist for good deals on machines I don't/haven't owned yet.

Being so open about my interest as a child caused people to be very hurtful because of how strange it was, and that has caused me to question whether I'm really interested still or not. At times I've wondered how else it has affected my life, if it was perhaps caused by my feminine tendencies combined with a lack of "girly" toys when I was growing up or somehow related to my sexual orientation in some way.

To put it simply, I've always been interested in vacuums, I don't know why I've always been interested in vacuums, and for most of my life, I've really wished that I were never interested in vacuums. It's as if I just can't help myself to not be interested in them.


Post# 376230 , Reply# 22   8/1/2017 at 14:27 (2,431 days old) by DrSnuggle (Sweden Stockholm)        
Comfort myles_v

drsnuggle's profile picture
Hi.
I hope your not a troll. Honestly I have a few tears in my eyes right now.
When I see my cats doing certain things, like making muffins (treading), they do that because it makes them feel comfort as they used to feeding with their mom. This is deep, I know (that is why I hope you are not trolling) but you probably trying to experiance the same warm cosy feeling you had being carried as a child.

This is not collecting vacuums for interest, but trying to satisfy an early need you had in your life, I think. Sorry for the deepness, but this is what I believe.


Post# 376249 , Reply# 23   8/1/2017 at 22:50 (2,431 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        
DrSnuggles

myles_v's profile picture
I don't think it's really about that, I don't remember being carried by my mom while she vacuumed or anything so my knowledge of that is just from her telling me about it. Interesting interpretation of that though, and I am definitely not a troll.
I believe that my interest may be partly from being around the vacuum so much, which was why I mentioned my mom vacuuming while carrying me.


Post# 376252 , Reply# 24   8/1/2017 at 23:22 (2,431 days old) by DrSnuggle (Sweden Stockholm)        
Virtue of waiting...

drsnuggle's profile picture
Sorry. I was just so moved by your post at first. I should just have let that passed and then made a comment (or not) which would have been different.

Post# 376280 , Reply# 25   8/2/2017 at 12:04 (2,430 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        

myles_v's profile picture
No need to apologize!

Post# 376424 , Reply# 26   8/5/2017 at 03:59 (2,427 days old) by electromatik (Taylorsville, North Carolina, U.S.A.)        

You are incorrect about other collecting appliances. People do collect just about anything... Kitchen appliances too... Particularly electric can openers since they are fading out now.

Vacuum cleaners are the ultimate gadget. They are on wheels and they roll. They have a motor inside. They have a hose. They have lights (usually). They have tools that you can attach. They make what's in front of them vanish. What's not to like??



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