Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I got two "new" (used, but modern instead of vintage) machines this week.  They are both machines that I have been wanting to add to my collection, and that I have been wanting to use as a (cat owning mind you) consumer.

The first is an Oreck upright.  I know Riccar/Simplicity make a better machine with the Supralite/Freedom, but they are expensive and not easily found used.  The only things I had that could be considred light weight hitherto were my Dirt Devil Broom Vac (which I ADORE despite the way I feel bout dirt devil), and my Vorwerk upright.  I spent 50 dollars on the Oreck.  Not terrible as far as used Orecks on Craig's List in my area are going for.  I wanted the base model because I do not like loop style handles and I DO like foot switches opposed to handle switches.  Mine must be a step up from the base model, because it does have a headlight.  Actually, mine is the XL 100C from 1984, so it's kind of vintage (born the year after me, guess I'm vintage too!)... but still very similar to the machines produced today. 

<a href="http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p263/Aleroluver/?action=view&current=orck.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p263/Aleroluver/orck.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

As a consumer, there are some things about it I don't like.  Orecks are known for not being powerful, and for being loud.  This one is quite loud, but not as loud as bad reviews lead me to fear.  One thing I don't like is the hanging hole in the back of the handle.  It just isn't comfortable to feel when pushing the machine.  Another thing is that the wheels are too small... this thing would be a nightmare on thick carpet!  Another thing I don't like is that it requires a screwdriver to replace the belt.  And FIVE (not two, but FIVE) screws have to be removed to change the belt!   I was amazed to see how simple everything was inside when I changed the belt!  ALSO...  when they say you can vacuum under a bed with an Oreck, that isn't true.  It will fit under a bed, but when it is flat, the machine raises up off the floor and does not make contact with the carpet!  They leave that little detail out in their advertising.  Just ilke when they say that the Oreck has automatic height adjustment.  What is really has is NO height adjustment.... but they aren't the only company to make that claim.  There is no air filtration other than the bag, but that doesn't bother me at all.  It may bother people who have been convinced vacuums are machines that need to have the world HEPA filter printed in their bodies instead of machines to clean carpet.  Newer models do have better filtration in their outer bag...this one actually has a vinyl bag!!!

Onto the things I do like... and there aren't many, but I'm still glad to have the machine as a collector.  It picks up the dirt!  Even powder was taken up with only one pass.  It wisks cat hair and litter away in no time flat.  I also like the fact that the headlight shines onto the floor and not the vacuum itself.  I don't need a headlight, but a light and a ballooning bag are signs of "life" in a vacuum for me as a collector.  I also like the fact that there is onboard belt and bag storage (though they forgot to include a scredriver holder).   And that there are NO on board tools to get in the way and fall off!  It seems to groom my one medium pile area rug nicely, though the rest of my carpet is flat /low pile so I can't tell for sure. 

I do have some questions though.  Firstly, is this vacuum supposed to have a quick release cord?  My upper cord hook has two srew holes, but only one screw is in it.  It looks like the previous owner actually removed one of the screws that should be in the cord hook to have a "make shift" quick release cord.  Also, why did Oreck put two separate wheels on each side of the back?  Why didn't they just use one big wheel on each side?  Do two separate ones offer some kind of benefit?


The next machine I got just yesterday at a flea market.  It is a Miele power nozzle canister that I paid a grand total of (drumroll please) 15 dollars for!  I almost had a heart attack when I saw the price on this thing.  It was sitting in the grass by an antiques table.  I plugged it in and both the machine and power nozzle ran fine.  I didn't even hesitate.  I almost offered the lady 100 dollars because I felt like I was stealing it for 15!  LOL.  This is the Miele Plus S251 with the SEB213 power nozzle.  What a nice machine!  It is still a current model and goes for 569 new!

There are a few things I don't like about it.  Many of these things are fixed on the top of the line models, but this is a low-mid range Miele, so I guess they had to leave some features off so the high end machines sell better.  Firstly, this machine doesn't come with a dusting brush!  No, mine isn't missing it... this model simply doesn't include one!  An almost 600 dollar vacuum doesn't have a dusting brush, come now!  And, my other machine's dusting brushes will not fit on it (I've tried Kirby and Dyson heretofore).  Also, the cord for the power nozzle isn't direct connect.  It is a separate wire that gets in the way and must be unplugged when one needs to use different attachments, or change the bag.  Though, I could just remove the hose to change the bag.  Because it isn't direct connect, the power nozzle isn't quick release.  I guess we're spoiled by high end Kenmores/Panisonics.  Also, there is no height adjustment on the power nozzle.  Another annoying thing is that the power nozzle does not stand up on its own accord.  I guess that's OK, because most of the ones that do fall over anyway, and they have integrated a power nozzle parking system into the machine.

There are two things that might bother some people that I actually like.  One is that the power switch is on the machine itself and not on the handle (just the brush roll on/off on handle).  Also, it does not have a gas pump or loop style handle.  I don't like those! 

What I do like about it.  Well, it's beautiful, powerful, and very quiet.  The parts fit together nicely.  The adjustable suction is really nice.  The retractable cord is awesome.  I've had machines were you actually had to help the cord back in.  The Miele just slurps the cord in quickly, all the way, every time.  I LOVE the 360 degree swivel wheels.  I have a small apartment with a lot of tight spaces, and I don't like using canisters because I have to turn the whole machine around all the time when the back wheels are fixed.  I can push this thing any which way and it just glides wonderfully!  Though that's annoying when trying to pull the cord out.  I love the park and storage transport clips that hold the power nozzle/wand assembly onto the machine so it doesn't fall down.  I love the rubber wheels on hard floors.  I love the fact that I finally own a Miele and got it for the price I did!

I do have a question about it though... The power nozzle does have a cogged belt.  But, I don't see an overload reset button.  What if I suck up my cat and the brush roll stalls?  Is it as simple as turning the machine on and back off again?  Also, the metal strip under the hand grip... is that to reduce static electricity?  How does that work? 

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I think I'm going to post flyers in my apartment complex offering a free vacuuming service just so I can play with my machines more... though I do feel a little guilty for forsaking my vintage machines for such modern ones lately.  Maybe my tastes are changing.  Well... thanks for reading this and for any responses.

CarmineD wrote:

And a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you also Carmine.

Now, please share all of your knowledge with a novice.  We have an Oreck with a new belt and bag.  Presumably no obstructions and It will not pick up powder.  Forget that the brush may or not be working properly.  The brush can and should be turned off on better machines so no big deal if it isn't working.  Who gives a $#%* if it is 1 year or 25 years old?  No reason not to pick up powder.  BTW, we are discussing a simple test on a real product that should be easily picked up on a hard surface.  The old bissel rotating brooms would do this easily. 

I still leave the kapoc in my life preservers.  My home is not so filthy that anything in or on the carpet resembles kapoc.  How does one live in such filth if it does resemble kapoc?

Hello HARDSELL:

You're no novice. But you fell asleep at the wheel with the new ORECK.  Are you still asleep?  Or just dreaming?  Simple answer my friend.  The brush roll for the ORECK is an integral part of the suction power created on both floors and carpets for cleaning and pick up.  Hence the reason it does not have/require a brush roll shut off.  This particular 25 year old ORECK is probably 3.5 and/or 4 AMPS.  Current full size uprights are 12 amps.  The equalizer for the ORECK upright is and always has been the brush roll which revolves at a speed of over 6500 RPM.  Stroke of ORECK genius.  He recognized over 45 years ago that a brush roll is as important to cleaning as suction power.  Maybe more so.  Some still don't get it!

Pet hair my friend is how homes get so filthy that vacuum makers/sellers use kapoc for demo purposes.  Over 74 million 4 legged furry friends natiowide.  During peak shedding periods, the homes of these pets are in dire need of good vacuums which make the EXCELLENT grade in a single pass.  Kapoc is the ideal substitute for pet hair for several reasons.  In a kapoc rug cleaning match between the vintage 25 year old ORECK [with a new bag, belt and brush] and a new dyson DC07/14, dysons choke.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

I found the below from May 2008.  Notice the red statements in today's post and in your older one.  You seem to be contradicting yourself from a few months back.  Yeah, I know.  Carmine shuffle.  Looks like the genius's low amperage wasn't as good as you previously stated.  What was that about OL Dave being green and the others catching up.  Sounds as if Oreck is trying to catch up with increased amps.  You are both red with embarassment.

CarmineD wrote:

Thank you HARDSELL.  Proves my point then and now.  ORECK's stroke of genius over 45 years ago when some vacuum makers today still don't get it.  It's not about AMPS, air-watts and suction power alone for rug cleaning.  It's about the brush roll too for effective rug cleaning and grooming.  The proof is in the kapoc test.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Wow.  You blamed low amps on the 25 year old Oreck's inability to suck up powder.  Then you state that modern Orecks have higher amp motors to level the playing field. Almost a year ago you said Oreck used low amps and others didn't get it.  Now Oreck increases amps.  What were the others not getting?

We were discussing hard surface cleaning and not carpet.  Stay alert and on topic.  We all know about your pay toiled shuffle.

Hello HARDSELL:

Here's the point [again]:  It's not about AMPS alone.  It's not about suction alone.  It's the brush roll too EVEN for barefloor cleaning.  HELLO HS!  Are you awake yet?  

Add a new $22 ORECK brush roll to the 25 year old XL C100, which a user can install in a few minutes, and the vintage ORECK performs as well [if not better] on floors/rugs as your fave brand new DC07 and/or DC14 costing 10 times more with 12 AMPS.  Easy as 1-2-3 to understand.  The new ORECK-s are only 4 AMPS.  But, the new ORECK-s [save a few] use the exact same brush roll now as then.  Less my friend is better.  It's as true 45 years ago, as 25 years ago as today.  That's what they mean when they say "classic" and "icon" in reference to ORECK-s and Dave.  True for all times and ages.

Carmine D.

Well, I got a new brushroll for the Oreck for around 20 bucks.  It has the red bristles, and is supposed to come with the end caps.  Wonder how this will affect the perfermance if at all. I will try the test again and see if the results differ.

Excellent.  Just a reminder to set both end caps on the "new" position when you install.  Please let me know if the vintage ORECK cascades across the barefloor by its own momentum when on and in the upright position.

Carmine D.

Bobby:

I'm curious about the condition of the vintage ORECK cord.  In the pic, it looks almost new.  I have always been impressed with the quality of the thick guage of the ORECK cord and the molded plug.  What's the vintage ORECK cord/plug like after 25 years?

Carmine D.

The cord is fine... no cuts or gashes at all.  It isn't even dirty like the textured cord on my Sanitaire.  There's one stain on it, but the entire length of cord is pretty white.  I just can't believe Oreck wouldn't build a quick release cord into their machine. 

I actually didn't want a vintage Oreck... the one in the picture looks modern.  At least the colors do to me.  If I had known that this vacuum was only 1 year younger than me, I don't think I'd have gotten it.  I want vintage for some things (Hoover Concept/Convertible/Celebrity, Eureka upright, Electrolux Canister), but I wanted a newer Oreck.  At least now I know how to tell the date from the serial number.... but I shan't be buying another one as I'm not quite head over hills for this one.  I thought the brushroll might come today (it's only coming from GA to FL), but it didn't so I don't get to test it out yet!