The Great Vacuum Debate

Ok, you guys saw the pictures of our 519: www.vacuumland.org/TD/THREADS/VIN...

We have a few more vacuums (although not quite as glamorous) to share, and our current dilemma of which one(s) to use and what to do!

Below you will see Exhibit A, which we intend to replace with a nice vintage vacuum. This Simplicity 4800 dates to 1994 and it has been in constant use. We "modded" it right from the start by lining the bottom of the inside cavity with a HEPA filter (since replaced 3 or 4 times).

Other operations and mishaps over the years include: (1) several re-tapings and patchings of the hose, (2) whose plastic swivel cover at the back of the vacuum was long broken and must be manually placed when you don't want to use the attachment, (3) leading to an empty plastic bag from the vacuum bags duct-taped to the front door of the machine to keep the plastic cover handy along with the attachments, (4) a power cord that needed taping in several locations as well as (5) a transplant of the actual plug end itself from an unused VCR (if you look closely you can see the bump near the base of the plug where the splicing and surgery took place ... with plenty of electrician's tape! But you have to be very careful about stretching out the plug because you can (and I have!) pull the wires loose and short it.

Since moving to our "vintage" it's been our main vacuum, but as I mentioned in the other thread we wanted a vintage vac to match the vintage home. We ran out of bags for the Simplicity and we'd just like to retire it and find the right answer. I'm thinking a Kirby would do nice, but I want one that has an attachment to use disposable bags as mentioned before.


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Post# 60531 2/15/2009 at 14:51 (5,541 days old) by moderncleveland (Cleveland)
Checkrate/Likes Ok, you guys saw the pictures of our 519: www.vacuumland.org/TD/THREADS/VIN... We have a few more vacuums (although not quite as glamorous) to share, and our current dilemma of which one(s) to use and what to do! Below you will see Exhibit A, which we intend to replace with a nice vintage vacuum. This Simplicity 4800 dates to 1994 and it has been in constant use. We "modded" it right from the start by lining the bottom of the inside cavity with a HEPA filter (since replaced 3 or 4 times). Other operations and mishaps over the years include: (1) several re-tapings and patchings of the hose, (2) whose plastic swivel cover at the back of the vacuum was long broken and must be manually placed when you don't want to use the attachment, (3) leading to an empty plastic bag from the vacuum bags duct-taped to the front door of the machine to keep the plastic cover handy along with the attachments, (4) a power cord that needed taping in several locations as well as (5) a transplant of the actual plug end itself from an unused VCR (if you look closely you can see the bump near the base of the plug where the splicing and surgery took place ... with plenty of electrician's tape! But you have to be very careful about stretching out the plug because you can (and I have!) pull the wires loose and short it. Since moving to our "vintage" it's been our main vacuum, but as I mentioned in the other thread we wanted a vintage vac to match the vintage home. We ran out of bags for the Simplicity and we'd just like to retire it and find the right answer. I'm thinking a Kirby would do nice, but I want one that has an attachment to use disposable bags as mentioned before.

Post# 60532 , Reply# 1 2/15/2009 at 14:55 (5,541 days old) by moderncleveland (Cleveland)
Checkrate/Likes Now here is Exhibit B, a nice Regina Electrikbroom that seems like it was barely ever used. We picked it up at an estate sale for $2! What we love about it is that the mustard-yellow color matches the linoleum and color scheme of our kitchen and laundry, which is where we've been using it. We also thought we could use it in the finished basement. My husband remembers one of these growing up. The only "con" about it is that you have to empty out the bag which gets real messy and dusty.

Post# 60533 , Reply# 2 2/15/2009 at 15:00 (5,541 days old) by moderncleveland (Cleveland)
Checkrate/Likes Here's an addendum to Exhibit B, a closeup of the Regina. Such a nice little vacuum! Needless to say, we definitely have got the vacuum "bug" now! The great debate remains. We feel that the Simplicity ought to be quietly retired, but the Regina is only good for small jobs or daily spot cleaning in the kitchen and laundry area. (We also have, not pictured, a vintage dust mop in the laundry, too!) My husband wants to get another Kirby for daily use -- one that can be easily modified to use new disposable bags. We need something that can be transported up and down the stairs and that's good for all over the house -- wood floors, carpets, corners, what have you. We'd prefer vintage. I'm still thinking about using the m.i.b. 519! Marie

Post# 60534 , Reply# 3 2/15/2009 at 15:10 (5,541 days old) by petek (Ontario)
Checkrate/Likes No, you don't want to use the minty vintage one when there are scores, no hundreds and more nice vintage vacs out there for the taking for next to nothing. Guaranteed that once you start looking around with that in mind you're going to start seeing these great deals everywhere you go. They've always been there it's just that when it's not in your mind you don't see them and pass on by. That's how we all end up with so many in the collection, they're everywhere really and cheap. I never try to spend more than $20 and most I've gotten have been that or less. Only a few times have I spent more than $20 and not by much.