Thread Number: 5141
getting my first Oreck 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 57407   1/2/2009 at 00:34 (5,585 days old) by vacuumfreeeke ()        

Hey guys. I've never used an Oreck before. I don't actually love them... I think they have a reputation for not being powerful and for being very loud (and over priced). But, I don't have any "light weight" vacuums (unless you count Vorwerk or DD Broom Vac) in my collection. I never see the Simplicity/Riccar Freedom/Supralite for sale used (I wouldn't pay a new price for most vacuums)... probably because people love them and they last so long that people don't get rid of them... but I did find an Oreck I like for 50 bucks. I'm going to get it tomorrow. I don't have any front mounted soft bagged machines in my collection, so I think this will be a nice contrast from the other things I have.

It's a color that I've not seen before. Kind of a blue green. It has the switch on the bottom... I prefer foot switches, and I don't like the loop style handle on the models that come with rocker switches. Do any of you have an Oreck? Which model? What do you think of yours? Anything I need to know about them, or this model in particular? This picture is of course from the add since I don't have mine yet. I almost didn't get it, but the girl who was going to buy it from the guy who has it today was a no show... so, good for me. I think that's a decent price for a used one.

Thanks!

Post# 57408 , Reply# 1   1/2/2009 at 01:33 (5,585 days old) by lux1521 ()        

What you have there is one of the older models. Probably has either a 2.8 or 3.2 amp motor and will not be as loud as the newer models which have 4 amps. At the moment I have a model 9000 (base model, white base, black bag, reg handle, no headlight), and a 9800 (mid range model, loop handle, headlight, all black), and a model 3500 full size canister, as seen below.

I think the uprights are ok for most carpets, especially when it comes to grooming, but they really work well on low pile carpet. They are also very easy to service, which makes them good for commercial applications. The plastic material they are made of is better than average, and the model you have should have a metal fan. The only concern I would have is the tendency to clog when you pick up larger objects like candy wrappers or even long strands of hair or grass.

Post# 57412 , Reply# 2   1/2/2009 at 07:23 (5,585 days old) by methodistbill ()        
Oreck Canisters

 I've always wondered if Oreck makes all its own products or if they sub out some of the things they sell -- e. g. their full size canisters. I noticed on their commercial website that they have a new upright that looks like a Eureka/Sanitaire vacuum. Does Oreck manufacture that model or is its design licensed to them by another manufacturer? My Mom had an Oreck about 20 years ago and hated it. It clogged constantly. With such small motors back then, I guess the suction and airflow would have have much less than those built today.

Bill

Post# 57424 , Reply# 3   1/2/2009 at 15:47 (5,585 days old) by swingette ()        

I have to admit these Asian-made Eureka's have some very appealing features. How in the world can they warranty the impeller for lifetime?? Love the option of a twill bag over the coated type.

Oreck has been selling rebadged machines for years. No secret.

My family has owned a classic XL for a few years now and ive rebuilt a couple of them. The high motor RPM presents some issues. The aluminum impellers on these machines can wear down dramatically over years of usage. The fins wear down to little stubs due to grit and hard debris. Replacement OEM fans are now made of nylon, which should be adequate. Has anyone had good or bag experiences with the new nylon fans?

Also, the bottom plate is kinda thin and can wear clear thru under hard use. The front corners wear first.

I dont recommend the classic XL series for heavy soil areas. The high brushroll RPM combined with the lousy airflow means dirt and grit will be ground deeper into the nap, rather than removed. The carpet will APPEAR beautifully groomed and clean. If you have thin carpet and vacuum daily you may be satisfied with the performance.

My comments do not apply to the new XL21 style. These machines have larger impellers.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO swingette's LINK
Post# 57425 , Reply# 4   1/2/2009 at 15:51 (5,585 days old) by swingette ()        
ps

 Ive owned a DD Broom Vac and currently own a Vorwerk 117. Both these models have better airflow than classic Oreck!

Post# 57426 , Reply# 5   1/2/2009 at 16:15 (5,585 days old) by ohio_tuec ()        
Vacuumfreeeke....

 Yours is a model 100C, from around 1984. It's one of my all-time favorite Orecks and the one I have the most of in my collection. I like the quieter 2.8 amp motors in these (compared to the new models with 4 amps) as well as the perforated vinyl outer bag which provides better airflow. Judging from the picture the one you are getting is missing the bumper guard (which you would need to create a good suction seal with the floor). Swingette is right, the DD and Vorwerk do have better airflow, however the Oreck has better deep-cleaning ability because of the high speed brushroll action. You'll want to check the condition of the roller brush when you get it, if it needs one they can be had for like $15. on eBay.

Post# 57449 , Reply# 6   1/2/2009 at 23:20 (5,584 days old) by vacuumfreeeke ()        

Thanks for the responses. I got the machine. It has the bumper guard, btw, but it blends in with the rest of the machine. Maybe it is not the original. The first two numbers of the serial number are 84, so you must be right, Ohio_Tuec... not that I doubted you for a second!

It seems to run well. It picks up OK (I have flat carpet, so it will be fine). Not as loud as I feared, so that's good. I certainly don't love it, but I'm glad to have one. I took the base plate off, and WOW is it simple inside! Everything is right there! It really does seem like a power nozzle with a bag attached, as I've heard someone else remark in the past. I wish the bag inflated more firmly.

Have some questions about it though. First, why is there a round hole in the back of the handle? Is that to hang it up? Also, would it be easy to find a replacement outer bag? This one has a couple holes/cracks in it. One of my rear wheels actually has two wheels on one axle... the other one is just one large wheel. In looking on Ebay, I noticed other Orecks also have this... some have two wheels and some have just one big one. What's that about? When I push the machine while it's off, I hear a clicking sound coming from the rear wheels! The handle detente isn't very sharp... it doesn't take much pressure to make the handle fall. If I got a new base plate for it, would that fix the problem? Do all Orecks take the same bags/belts?

Thanks... I really am new to these things.

Post# 57459 , Reply# 7   1/3/2009 at 10:06 (5,584 days old) by ohio_tuec ()        
Oreck 100C

 Okay, I will try and answer your questions in order. First, yes, the hole in the back of the handle is to hang the machine up on a hook, something you can't do with models that have the "helping hand" handle. As far as the outer bag goes, yes you can find a new generic outer bag on eBay for about $20.00. For your purposes, I think that'll do just fine. As far as the rear wheels go - originally your bottom plate had two wheels on each axle. The one with just one big wheel somebody replaced at some point. As far as replacing the bottom plate - don't! The new bottom plates do not have the detente clip anymore. Also, being that the new machines have a wider fan housing, it will not line up right on the bottom of your machine. What I would suggest is take off your bottom plate, remove the detente with a pair of pliers, and try to bend it so it exerts more pressure to hold the cleaner upright. Also, if you have an Oreck dealership by you, I'd see about replacing that one big wheel with the two smaller wheels like the other side has. Hope this helps....

Post# 57460 , Reply# 8   1/3/2009 at 10:11 (5,584 days old) by ohio_tuec ()        
Add to my last....

 Yes, all the Orecks use the same belts, and as far as the bags go, your machine will take any of the upright bags (with the exception of the XL-4000 bags which are no longer produced) I would suggest using the blue non-hypo allergenic outer bags, or the Enviracare knockoffs. Unless you are susceptible to fine dust and allergens, it's just a better value.

Post# 57499 , Reply# 9   1/3/2009 at 18:07 (5,584 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        

kirbyvertibles's profile picture
Those upright commercial Oreck's are really made by Perfect I believe.

Post# 57534 , Reply# 10   1/3/2009 at 20:56 (5,583 days old) by timborow (Georgia)        
My Oreck

 I took my Oreck apart to clean the fan and the housing today. It was really dirty. After I got it reassembled, it sounds like the fan is hitting the fill tube when I turn it off. It never made that sound before. What could I have done wrong? How can I fix it?
Tim

Post# 57629 , Reply# 11   1/4/2009 at 09:56 (5,583 days old) by vacuumfreeeke ()        

Thank you so much, Karl! What great information you have provided.

I do have a couple more questions though... Why would they use two wheels in the back on each side instead of just one big one? Does it give some kind of benefit?

Also, when I was looking at the machine last night, I noticed the rubber end caps on the brush roll say "new" and "old". What does that mean? Do they actually do anything, or is it just a reminder? I oiled the brush roll ends with sewing machine oil... didn't know when the last time they were lubbed was.

Thanks :o)

Post# 57643 , Reply# 12   1/4/2009 at 15:06 (5,583 days old) by ohio_tuec ()        

Glad I could be of assistance :-) Like I say, when it comes to Orecks, the 100C has to be my all-time favorite. The reason I say switch both sides to two sets of wheels is because I like things to be as they came from the factory. You could use the bigger single wheel if you like. In terms of functionality it really doesn't make much of a difference. As far as the brushroll - if yours has the rubber end caps, it's definitely the original. As long as the bristles are still good, you should be fine. Unless it's in like-new condition, I would definitely insert the brushroll so the "old" setting is showing. This positions the brushroll slightly closer to the carpet when it is worn.


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