Thread Number: 35118  /  Tag: 80s/90s Vacuum Cleaners
Ran across some vacuums! Guess which one I bought.
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Post# 378433   9/14/2017 at 19:36 (2,386 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        

broomvac's profile picture
Hi all,

I went to some thrift shops today and ran across some vacuums. Overall, there was a semi-decent selection, and a couple of them stood out to me as desirable. One of them I purchased. Here's a game: You're going to have to take a random guess, but guess which one I bought. I'll put pictures of it up once someone guesses it.

Which one would you have purchased?

broomvac


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Post# 378436 , Reply# 1   9/14/2017 at 20:55 (2,386 days old) by vac-o-matic (Saint Louis, Mo.)        
The.....

Sharp Pure Power? That would've been my choice...

Post# 378438 , Reply# 2   9/14/2017 at 21:15 (2,386 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
I second the motion. That Sharp upright is probably the best of the bunch, not to mention being "library quiet" as Sharp use to advertise.

Post# 378447 , Reply# 3   9/15/2017 at 01:10 (2,386 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        

broomvac's profile picture
Hmmm...maybe I could have made a better decision? Lol

I looked at that Sharp and was intrigued...it did not seem like a very common machine to me. But, in the end, I passed up on it because it just didn't do it for me.

Thanks!

broomvac


Post# 378448 , Reply# 4   9/15/2017 at 02:29 (2,386 days old) by ryan1994jeep (Georgia)        

ryan1994jeep's profile picture
The Elite? Shame they write the price on it instead of a sticker.

Post# 378452 , Reply# 5   9/15/2017 at 08:22 (2,385 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
The Sharp is good but---

---I would pick the Hoover(& remove hose & tool rack)and the Sears(& find small attachments and add 2 standard wands)for a pair that would(if in good condition & with proper belts & bags)clean anywhere in any home.

Post# 378454 , Reply# 6   9/15/2017 at 09:12 (2,385 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        

dysonman1's profile picture
The Dyson is the only vac among that rusty, dusty bunch that's worth reselling. There are no Sharp parts, and haven't been in over a decade. The rest are plastic vacs fit for the dumpster (and I've thrown away thousands when those machines were all trade-in's on good vacs). So, I'd say the Dyson.

Post# 378459 , Reply# 7   9/15/2017 at 10:45 (2,385 days old) by toddk13 (Milwaukee, WI)        
Okay I'll bite

You bought the electric edger?

Post# 378465 , Reply# 8   9/15/2017 at 13:37 (2,385 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)        

panasonicvac's profile picture
What color was that Sharp? Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it was green.

Post# 378466 , Reply# 9   9/15/2017 at 14:19 (2,385 days old) by vacuumlad1650 (Wauponsee, IL)        

vacuumlad1650's profile picture
That hose on the Sears Kenmore canister is probably worth more than the whole vacuum. New hoses are over $100...

Post# 378470 , Reply# 10   9/15/2017 at 16:57 (2,385 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        
Nice tries!

broomvac's profile picture
Nobody has guessed it yet! If you guys can't peg it by tonight, I just give in and reveal which vacuum was the winner anyways.

ryan1994jeep & rugsucker: Close! The Elite II was my second pick. I strongly considered buying that cleaner because it was in great shape. The cream color on it was very appealing and I knew I could get all the sharpie off the hood effortlessly with some strong rubbing alcohol. However, I ended up passing on it because it is very similar to my C1403, just with tools, a headlight, and different colors/labeling. Both draw 5 amps and have a single row brush roll and a slide-top bag. Since I have very limited space for vacuums, I cannot afford to take in a near-duplicate of something I already have (unless that vacuum is a Broom Vac).

dysonman1: If I were to re-sell the vacuum, I might have considered the DC07. However, I passed on it due to its poor condition and the howling DCO7 root cyclone system isn't really "my thing"...I prefer my similar but newer DC33. Fun fact about that particular vacuum: I noticed someone snapped off the grill that goes over the end of the handle and replaced it with a champagne cork. That sounded like a great setup if your goal is to overheat the motor!

toddk13: That edger would have been great for grooming my carpet. I'll bet it has great "edge cleaning" performance! lol

broomvac


Post# 378474 , Reply# 11   9/15/2017 at 19:43 (2,385 days old) by fantomfan57 (Central Texas)        
My guess isss...............

The Red Eureka Powerline. Not sure, but it may just be a gut feeling or one of the pictures you took. From what I see, it looks cosmetically nice.

Post# 378514 , Reply# 12   9/16/2017 at 14:36 (2,384 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        
The reveal.

broomvac's profile picture
It is a Eureka, but not the Powerline. How about something that rhymes with "decision?" Yep, though some may call it a plastivac, I bought the Eureka Precision.

Vacuums with cloth outer bags interest me, especially those that were common when I was a kid. This vacuum fits those criteria, and because it was a "low mileage" unit for a good price, why not? Never before have I had a Eureka anything like this one, so I thought it would be fit to fill the last available "parking spot" in my vacuum closet.

The first thing that struck me about the Precision is that clearly it was designed to compete with the Hoover Elite, if not just blatantly rip it off. After spotting how the handle assembly is fastened to the base with a single long screw and how the attachments slot into the side of the cleaning head, I thought to myself "I wonder how Eureka had such original ideas?" The second thing that crossed my mind was, "Isn't the Precision supposed to be an ESP/Sanitaire style vacuum cleaner anyways?" Oh well, I like it nevertheless.

I'm quite pleased with the condition of the Precision, something I can't say for many of the otherwise desirable cleaners I come across. If a vacuum cleaner's bag is damaged (holes, rips, stains, fading, disintegrated logos, etc.), rarely will I go for it--outer bags tend to be NLA for most vacuums. If they are available, good luck getting one for anything less than what you paid for the vacuum to begin with! Thankfully, the bag on the Precision is in excellent condition. So is the rest of the machine, for that matter--the hood has minimal scuffing, the bristles have plenty of life left, and the motor sounds smooth. Even all of the original stickers still stand! The only damage I could spot is on the cord, which clearly got munched in the brush roll at some point. I was incredibly careful testing this thing out because there was a spot of exposed copper wire in one of the deepest gashes. Yikes!

I'll see if I can do some clear before/after shots for you all once I get to work on this thing.

Thanks

broomvac


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Post# 378516 , Reply# 13   9/16/2017 at 15:39 (2,384 days old) by Vinvac (Dubuque IA)        

vinvac's profile picture
Good choice,

I have always felt Eureka made the best uprights. Twice the air flow and better bag design and out-cleaned the competition upright with ease.

The Dyson would not intrigue me at all. I have had to fix a couple of them...I don't care what anyone claims...bag-less whether it is a Dyson, Bissell or Hoover are all worthless.

Any of the new stuff with flex hoses, crappy attachments just don't interest me.




Post# 378524 , Reply# 14   9/16/2017 at 17:10 (2,384 days old) by fantomfan57 (Central Texas)        
Almost got it.....

I hope others will post like this. I enjoyed playing.



Post# 378527 , Reply# 15   9/16/2017 at 17:51 (2,384 days old) by ryan1994jeep (Georgia)        

ryan1994jeep's profile picture
Many years ago you could call that 800 number and get a Eureka line up brochure mailed to you. I'm sure things have certainly changed.

Post# 378533 , Reply# 16   9/16/2017 at 22:56 (2,384 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)        

panasonicvac's profile picture
I use one that is just like yours but it's 9.2 amps and it doesn't have a headlight.

Post# 378537 , Reply# 17   9/16/2017 at 23:28 (2,384 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
Your Eureka Precision is actually a Eureka Bravo II. Precision is a model name originally used by Eureka on a fancier self-propelled cleaner with cord reel in the mid-1980's. The company often recycled model names many years after their original use on a different product - like Whirlwind and Roto-Matic and The Boss.

The Bravo was indeed designed to compete with the Hoover Elite. It is an excellent lightweight deep carpet cleaner, with a much larger bag than the Elite. The original Bravo had a much sleeker and more attractive motor hood. It was always a mystery to me as to why Eureka thought it was necessary to replace the nicer design with the uglier motor hood you see on this Precision and all Bravo Twos.


Post# 378542 , Reply# 18   9/17/2017 at 08:07 (2,383 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)        

suckolux's profile picture
Had one, cleaned well! LOUD I recall, neighbor had one and I knew when they were cleaning. Most I have seen had broken fan, not sure if they were more fragile or just stupid users. Cool find

Post# 378576 , Reply# 19   9/17/2017 at 23:36 (2,383 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        
Thanks all!

broomvac's profile picture
Vinvac: I noticed the same thing. That's one way Eureka one-upped Hoover; the bag on my Precision is much bigger than that on my Hoover C1403. No offense Hoover fans, but IMO Eureka ESP/Sanitaire style uprights outperform convertible-style Hoovers and their descendants for the same reason. For the same open system with all other variables equal, more filtration surface area will result in a decrease in flow resistance. That's fluid mechanics for ya! Notice I don't have any Hoover Convertibles or the like; I feel I already have that base covered by my 840W Sanitaire S661. I'd put it head-to-head with any Hoover with confidence.

fantomfan57: Yep, you almost had it! I had fun too. I drew inspiration from another member here (Forgive me, but I can't remember who. Sorry!) who did the same thing. I like seeing what other people find in the thrift shops, too. Vicariously experiencing the excitement of discovering new vacuums is fun.

ryan1994jeep: Want to try? lol

panasonicvac: I'd bet that 0.8 amp power difference does not make a noticeable difference in effective cleaning performance.

eurekaprince: Thanks for the info! I figured out soon after I bought the Precision that it was actually a Bravo II in disguise. Hate to say it, but I actually prefer the "ugly" hood.

suckolux: Thanks! I'd bet the broken fans were the result of a combination of both misuse and fragility.


Post# 378590 , Reply# 20   9/18/2017 at 09:58 (2,382 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        

kirbyvertibles's profile picture
I was going to say the elite but also thought maybe the eureka.

WHAT ESP better than Convertibles!!!! you should be horse whipped!! lol No actually I will say (and I'm a die hard Convertible man) yes the ESP just may be slightly better..... thanks now I have to wash my mouth out with soap.


Those Eureka Precision/bravo/bravoII/world-vac/mega boss/smart-vac things were very good cleaners even better than Elite. They just weren't made with the best of quality. Their motors failed badly unlike the Elites which also cheap lasted forever. The bearings would always fail first for some reason.


Post# 378753 , Reply# 21   9/21/2017 at 20:04 (2,379 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        
Bags, Belts, and Cord!

broomvac's profile picture
Bought some genuine Eureka parts for this vacuum today:

3 Style U "Premium Filtration" bags
2 Style EXT-U "Extended Life" belts
1 New-old stock Bravo/Bravo II/World Vac 30 foot cord E27535-1

This Precision is going to get some TLC very soon!

broomvac


Post# 378777 , Reply# 22   9/22/2017 at 11:43 (2,378 days old) by electrikbroomgu (Rome, NY)        
Eureka Bravo uprights

electrikbroomgu's profile picture
These machines IMO aren't as bad as some make them out to be. Yes they are noisy due to the dirty air design and exposed motor cooling. The lower amp units or higher end deluxe models were quieter and actually those deluxe units had some steps to deaden sound like a foam piece built into the handle and another foam/metal piece that sat housed in actual motor housing.

The single biggest failure item is the fan end roller bearing. This is especially true on the newer higher 11 and 12 amp models. I have saved hundreds from death by simply re-packing the upper and lower ball bearings when they start to sound dry or noisy.

The fans on the majority of these are actually cream colored nylon and last a long time unless one severely abused the machine and sucks up rocks etc. The wheels are held on with metal shafts and seem to last quite a while, especially if they are properly lubricated. The tool caddy was attached very well on the handle assembly and the outer bag is fixed into place with two upper torx screws and the bottom portion slides into two side clips and the one long screw keeps both the handle and bag from moving up and off.

Having worked on both many Bravos and Elites I would say they each have their weaknesses and strengths and both can be a good machine overall.

The Bravos have better original factory fans. Elites are almost always bad when we get them. The newer replacement fans
The Bravos have the attachment and bag assembly attached better than how the Elites did it with plastic clips on certain models
The Elites seemed to save more stout motors and bearings but they too are getting old and need re=packing often
The newer mid to late 90's Elites used plastic wheel shafts that wore quickly
Both Bravo and Elite's have fragile plastic fan housings that can develop holes easily if something sharp or hard is picked up
The Bravos in 11 and 12 AMP guise on certain models are louder than the Elites if they don't have the sounded deadening
As mentioned the Bravo has a larger capacity bag that is a bit easier to change than the side zipper on the Elites
The late 1980's Original non tool Elite was a pretty stout machine and is usually found with a light green hood and white outer bag but you're stuck with a short 18' cord unless it is swapped out
Both machines can have their power cords swapped out with longer versions and each use there own unique end that plugs into the motor housing with Hoover making two different styles for 12 AMP and lower amp machines
Hoover wins for attachments in the newer versions with the Bravos using the rather cheap combo brush/upholstery tool but the Bravo counters with a larger diameter hose on most models

Bother do a fantastic job cleaning the carpet assuming a fresh belt is installed and the brush strips are in good shape


Post# 378799 , Reply# 23   9/22/2017 at 18:32 (2,378 days old) by icee (Indiana)        
That kenmore tho

icee's profile picture
I am a sucker for those shape kenmore powerheads! I am like 80% upright, 20% canister, but those kenmores get me.

Post# 379019 , Reply# 24   9/28/2017 at 19:43 (2,372 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        
The result!

broomvac's profile picture
I appreciate the info, electricbroomgu. I made many of the same observations when I was servicing the Precision.

Aside from a cord, belt, and disposable bag, the Precision didn't really need anything. Underneath all of the dust, I discovered a very nice, low mileage vacuum!

Separating the upper and lower halves of the handle to replace the cord was a bit of an exercise, but I managed to finesse a thin butter knife under the tab to undo the fastener.

Thankfully, both motor bearings are still in great shape and aren't scratchy in the slightest. Although it sounds smooth, it's definitely the loudest vacuum I own. You all were not kidding when you said it was loud! I couldn't stand using it without hearing protection.

Finally, I had to compare the finished product to my Hoover "Elite." I know, the Elite II would have been a better comparison, but this is all I've got. Sorry! The similarities are hardly coincidental.

Anyways, enjoy the before/after pictures!

broomvac


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Post# 379022 , Reply# 25   9/29/2017 at 08:36 (2,371 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)        

suckolux's profile picture
Nicely done! Yes loud, but they clean pretty well

Post# 379033 , Reply# 26   9/29/2017 at 13:55 (2,371 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
Indeed...the Bravos were real screamers...but maybe that helped scare the dirt out of the carpet?????!!! 😀


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