Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Carmine,

This will probably fall under your area of expertise and experience, but all are welcome to contribute. As I transition from being unemployed to being self-employed, I am looking for more specialized services to offer my clients.

There are specialized 'rug dusters' for sale which tap the accumulated dirt, dust, sand, and grit out of Oriental rugs by laying them face down over a grid which gives the debris room to fall. These cost upwards of 4,000.00! These have been developed as an alternative to the huge stationary 240 volt dusting machines. All of this to replace regular vacuuming with a Hoover 300, 700, or 150, the ones with the dual divergent agitator bars, with shorter agitator bars and bristle strips in between on each side.

The magic of the Hoover was that the 5,000 taps per minute during slow motion vacuuming set up a wave pattern that  vibrated the rug, dislodging the dirt, sand, and grit. It was not accomplished with tremendous suction, though the airflow was good, it was the balance of enough suction to keep snapping the rug up after each tap. The sand was not actually beaten out of the rug as much as the rug was pushed down leaving the sand in mid-air to be caught by the airflow generated by the fan, as explained by the laws of Newtonian physics.

My question is this: Short of finding and restoring a few 150 Hoovers, is there any alternative? Would any later model Hoovers accept the dual divergent agitator? How late? A current Guardsman, maybe, with some alteration perhaps?

A Kirby with a cloth bag has been suggested to me. A G series will not accept a full-fledged sani-emptor, and probably is too powerful to sustain the tap/snap action. A cloth bag would yield too much airflow, and a hepa bag too little as it fills. A Heritage I with a cloth bag seems the only other possibility. The Sanitaire Vibra-Groomer I is not sufficient, about the same as the standard Hoover agitator with just one strip of beater bar per side.

The idea of being able to restore neglected Oriental rugs with simple thorough vacuuming for good pay is very appealing. As I understand it, Hoover abandoned this configuration of agitator because as area rugs gave way to wal to wall carpet, it did not grab and hold the wall-to-wall carpet as well as the newer, less expensive to produce version, which had just the one spiral strip per side. Hoover could have ruled if they had stuck to being a status symbol. Imagine being able to switch out the roller and bottom plate to adapt the vacuum to whatever carpet/rug/floor needed to be cleaned. The mind boggles, while the Hoover just beats, as it sweeps, as it cleans...

Trebor

To All,

It is unfair and untrue to label anyone a basher of anything just because he/she does not share the same level of enthusiasm for it. Most of what I have posted here has been in the seeking of new information, or is based on my personal experience with vacuums. I prefer and use Passap and Superba knitting machines, but that doesn't mean Brother, Silver Reed, and Toyota are not valid options for those who prefer them. I've used Dysons, and didn't care for them. I have seen lots of them setting in vac shops needing extensive repair. But, for someone who is a fastidious housekeeper, and takes excellent care of their household equipment, Dyson could be a very satisfactory choice because for that type of individual it IS likely to last through the warranty without having any major problems. Like most expensive devices, Dysons have a bit of a learning curve if major problems are to be avoided. The only other thing I have ever said about Dysons is that they are marketed to those consumers least likely to learn to use them properly so they WILL last through the warrany period. That is not Dyson bashing. I won't even call it fact or truth, it is simple observation. The ones not in the repair shop are working, correct? And if they are working, people are using them properly, right?

Dyson is a vacuum cleaner, one choice among many, but still JUST A VACUUM CLEANER. I don't care if people buy them or not, but that does not make me a Dyson basher. I'm just tired of people treating Dyson like it's a religion and trying to convert everyone who doesn't share the same opinion, and calling people who are indifferent to them 'Dyson Bashers.' Dyson has made a ton of money, good for him, so has David Oreck.  I like Kirbys and Rainbows, and quite recently have developed an interest in very old Hoover uprights, but  I'm not trying to convince anyone that those are the only choices worth considering. I don't like oysters on the half shell, but if people like them and want to eat them, hey, why should I care? If you look back at my posts, when people start flying off the handle, I have tried to interject a note of rationality or humor to remind people this is not life and death we are discussing. Everyone sees through their own filters. A rational man acknowledges that his opinion is not the only one. An irrational man dismisses all disagreement as the babbling of infidels, and insists only he sees 'THE TRUTH".  I have opinions, but I am MORE than my opinions, and my self esteem does not depend on how many people I get to agree with me, or crucify for disagreeing with me. It's just a vacuum cleaner.

And, for the record, I am not suggesting that anyone accept another's opinion as their own, but simply not to antagonize someone else by telling HIM what his OWN opinion is.

Trebor

CarmineD wrote:

Let’s re-examine your constructive criticism (fuelled, of course, not by spite, but a true, heartfelt desire to help) shall we?

'There are nicks and scuffs on the chrome [sic].  Whovever buffed it out missed them and its very obvious.' - Yes, there are nicks and scuffs. It's an 83-year old cleaner that's given many years of faithful service, not something I just bought at John Lewis. Some of the scratches are quite deep, doubtless from being pushed repeatedly under a particular item of furniture by its former owner. No amount of buffing will remove them, and nor would I want to.

'Hope it's not my friend in NC.' - He’s no friend of yours, Carmine. He's a good person, and somebody worthy of being called an expert.

'The rivets holding the bumper are rusted and in need of a good cleaning and new coat of lacquer paint.'  - Again, they're showing their age, at 83. Granted, they could do with a light cleaning, but lacquer paint? Why would I add that - they wouldn't have been painted originally, although given your particular 'grasp' of Hoover history, I wouldn't expect you to know this. I'm sure your "friend" BOSS Hoover forgives you (he does this a lot, doesn't he? Thank heavens he was a man of God!).

'But, on a positive note, the MIELE in the background looks pretty and perfect' - It's a modern machine which has only been used lightly. Since I prefer uprights, I’ll be trading it soon for an S7. Did you have a point here, or are we playing 'I spy...'? 

'And I love the words on the bottom of the 700 bag, "empty after each use." ‘ - If you look at the photo again, you'll see it actually says, 'Empty each time used'. Good try, though.

'Tho if I recall correctly in another picture from another view, the bag had a botched stitch job.' - The "botched" stitch job is certainly not my work. When I repair bags, they're patched unobtrusively from the inside, so the repair doesn't show. The stitching (actually on the bag of my Model 800 - I know, these "Greater Hoovers" all look the same to the untrained eye), was in fact the work of the machine's former owner, a housewife of the make-do-and-mend era. Why would she pay money for a new bag, when she could just darn the small tear herself? No, it's not a neat job, but one borne out of frugality and practicality on her part. I'm sure the resultant aesthetics of the task were far from her mind. However, it's part of the history of the machine, and adds a certain charm to it. I chose not to repair it. You may feel differently, but that’s the great thing about opinion.

'Very amateurish for a rebuilding job of such a fine specimen of vacuum history.' - I can assure you, yours is decidedly the minority view here. It's easy to sit at your computer and make snide remarks about other people's work. Why don’t you offer us some of your own, so others can offer you ‘constructive criticism’? Or perhaps you don't have any actual experience to share?

'Another pet peeve of mine.' - You have so many "pet peeves", Carmine, it's a wonder you ever get out of bed.

I hope you can sleep easier tonight, now I’ve graciously answered your good-natured concerns.

Hey guys,

Adamant xxx that I am about some things -- and ready to stand toe to toe with just about anybody if I feel I'm right -- isn't some of this stuff, especially if it's going to get personal, better served by PMing each other? Nothing is being helped.

You all have tremendous talents and perceptions plus loads of personal experience that have served many of us well. Continued jibes and obligatory retorts regarding issues that are, were and still will be debatable are clouding the view of all that.

Best,

Venson

Trebor wrote:

Hi Trebor:

You'll recall for many many years that all HOOVER vacuums carried the inscription:  "HOOVER makes rugs last longer."  Which all the major rug makers wholeheartedly agreed with.

Carmine D. 

Venson wrote:

Hi Venson:

I'd put you on the short list of the gentlemen and scholars who post here.  And high atop the list.

Carmine D.

Model2 wrote:

Before I opened my business, I was a professional vacuum rebuilder for the trade.  My rebuilts, sold for new door-to-door, by salemen with larceny in their hearts, who couldn't make the $deal for their own brand.  Of course wheh I learned this, I opted of the arrangement and went into business.

WRT the old HOOVER models, like you pictured, all the accoutrements like the name plates and even rivets [in black] were available from HOOVER and generic parts suppliers for rebuilders like me.  And were for many many years.  Never skimped on these small details because they gave the vacuums that like new look, despite their age and previous use.  Scuff marks, even deep, were no match for my high powered buffing wheel, fabricated from an old washing machine motor, and assorted rouges and of course my attention to detail.

Carmine D.

Model2 wrote:

Touching story.  But I'd never let her touch one of my rebuilt bags.  A stitch in time saves nine is fine for socks and stuff not cloth vacuum bags.  I used a heavy duty sewing machine, surplus sale from the military, for repairs and refurbs on cloth bags.  Worked like a charm.  I was the first to add colored leather cuffs to the frail and faulty bags spots for reinforcement.  Lasted years.  Added a nice flare and fancy too.  When the HOOVER branch office in East Orange NJ, just a stone's throw down the road from my store location in Bloomfield, learned about it, it farmed its bags out to me for repair.  Not all customers could spring for a new bag.  But a repair job, that was better than new, by all means.

Carmine D.

Model2 wrote:

What is "worthy of being called an expert?"  There are alot of people with their own unique skills, knowledge and abilities in and around the vacuum industry past and present.   They're called "experts."  Are they "craftsmen."  "Experts" may/may not be.  A craftsman takes an old, beat up, junked up vacuum out of the rubble and turns it back into the pretty and perfect specimen it was back it's it day.  Regardless of its current age and past use.  That's what some of the independent vacuum store owners/operators do who post here.  That's one of the things, I did.

Carmine D.

Model2 wrote:

Excellent series, "I Spy."  Bill Cosby was wonderful.  But right now I'm thinking more "Get Smart."  Did you get that one on BBC?  Do you recall the introductory clause:  "Would you believe............."  It comes to mind now.  But not in the same farcical way, in fact just the opposite.  I'm proud to say that thanks to me and a handful of other US citizens, Aldrich Ames, the most notorious traitor and spy in the annals of CIA history, was put permanently behind bars.

Surely, when I get to Heaven my friends and family, BOSS HOOVER included, who could not thank me in their lifetime, will do so in the next.

Carmine D.

Model2 wrote:
CarmineD wrote:
God whispers inventions into mans ears so to better life.  If TTI were good stewards (growth via honest means and building better mousetraps) God would be pleased.  The Book describes in no- uncertain terms how He loathes thieving, lying, unfair gain, etc.  God calls men like this evil.  TTI’s greatest attributes are... taking ideas from others (stealing) and selling them cheaper than those who birthed them.  As well, they are by definition... a monopoly.

DIB

*Some called it intuition or a feeling or a [flash of genius] eureka moment.

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