Thread Number: 36858  /  Tag: Recent Vacuum Cleaners from past 20 years
Dream vac acquired, the sequel!
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Post# 394238   7/2/2018 at 20:41 (2,095 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        

broomvac's profile picture
Hi all,

Excited I am to share with you all my latest treasure: a Fantom Cyclone XT!

Cyclonic vacuums of Dyson origin have always been a interest of mine. In particular, I have a very strong liking for Fantom vacuums, so I was very pleased to find my first Fantom, a Thunder, last fall. I love the Thunder, but there is another model I have always wanted even more: the Cyclone XT.

Since I have never seen one of these listed on Ebay for the past year I have been searching, and it seems very few here have them, I always considered the Cyclone XT pretty much unattainable, until yesterday. On craigslist, I found this one advertised for $35. Of course I went for it!

First impressions: I must have good luck. Physically, this vacuum is in incredible condition. Not a thing is broken, which is close to a miracle for a Fantom. I do not think this vacuum has seen much use at all. There is not a scratch in the plastic, and that is not an exaggeration. I can actually see my reflection in the piano black ABS. I found little dust in and around the HEPA filter and all decals are mint. To my surprise, this vacuum came with all the attachments, completely unused. Both motors sound healthy. This vacuum is in even better shape than my Thunder is.

Why do I like the Cyclone XT more than the Thunder? There are several reasons. Primarily, I like that it has two motors. This makes using the attachments much more convenient--I do not have to worry about my vacuum doing a "burnout" on the carpet while I use the hose. Additionally, the cogged belt and larger wheels should cope better with my plush carpeting. The fact the Cyclone XT has a finer pre-motor "filter" is a big plus for me, too. Sure, it doesn't stop dust but at least it'll stop hair. Sometimes I worry that hair might slip by the catcher in my Thunder and wind around the motor shaft.

Emptying the Cyclone XT is easier and doesn't get dust all over the machine. The handle is more comfortable and the hose can be released without undoing the cord. It's clear that the Cyclone XT was designed with all of the lessons learned from the Thunder in mind.

The only downside is that the original owner was a smoker. No worries, though; I have tricks for de-smoking vacuums. I've done it before.

The picture below shows the machine after only a light wiping down. I'll do a deep clean in the future and will post better post-restoration pictures.

Advice, questions, and comments welcome!


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Post# 394246 , Reply# 1   7/2/2018 at 21:58 (2,095 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

fan-of-fans's profile picture
Nice find it does look like new. The bin looks very clear and plastic all shiny new.

I never knew these had two motors or a cogged belt, very interesting.

Honestly I never paid as much attention to these as I did the earlier models.

I do like the idea of an upright where you can shut off the brush; whether it's with a separate motor or a manual clutch.


Post# 394305 , Reply# 2   7/3/2018 at 21:55 (2,094 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        
Thank you!

broomvac's profile picture
Yep, it has a cogged belt and a separate motor all right! The icing on the cake is that the brush roll motor in this is virtually the same as the ones used in Dirt Devil hand vacs, Broom Vacs, and many other power nozzles. I have loads of experience working on these motors and have lots of spare parts should this one ever give me troubles. I doubt it will, though; they seem quite robust.

I do need a bit of help. Does anyone here know how to get the HEPA filter housing on the side to come off?


Post# 394413 , Reply# 3   7/5/2018 at 19:44 (2,092 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        
All clean now!

broomvac's profile picture
The resto was completely uneventful. Now she's all shined up! I'm feeling very thankful to own this dream machine.

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Post# 394537 , Reply# 4   7/8/2018 at 19:54 (2,089 days old) by Electroluxxxx (……)        

I had one of these about 6 years ago and loved it, a friend of mine wound up with it. About a month and a half ago I wound up with another in mint condition and complete. Here is mine, pardon the dirt in the bin I had just gotten done using it!

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Post# 394538 , Reply# 5   7/8/2018 at 20:01 (2,089 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        

broomvac's profile picture
Very nice! They are twins.

The picture you posted startled me because both the vacuum and the house look the same as in my picture! Your house looks like my landlord's! What a weird coincidence.

Thanks for sharing!


Post# 394543 , Reply# 6   7/8/2018 at 21:42 (2,089 days old) by Electroluxxxx (……)        

Lol they kinda do look similar don’t they?!


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