WhatsTheBest-Vacuum.com
Vacuum Cleaners HomeVacuum Cleaners Buying GuideFeatured ProductsVacuum Cleaners ForumVacuum Cleaner ReviewsAbout Us

- Featured Products


What's the Best
- Vacuum Cleaners
- Contact Us
- Privacy Policy


 
Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register.
Home Help Search Login Register


Pages: 1 2 3 ... 5
Send Topic Print
"Mini-Mate" attachment (Read 63 times)
Tri-Star_Vacman
Junior Member
**


I love YaBB 1G -
SP1!

Posts: 48
"Mini-Mate" attachment
08/16/06 at 7:56pm
 
I can't believe in a 6 yr period I've gone thru 4 "Mini-Mate"s b/c they keep breaking down.  I've got electric & turbo brushes to clean the cars & upholstery & they dont work so well after many uses (lasts to a yr).  Are they REALLY worth buying cuz I know they clean uphostery & vehicle int. very well but last for short time.
Back to top
 
 
Email   IP Logged
dualcyclone
Ultimate Member
*****


I love YaBB 1G -
SP1!

Posts: 1240
Re: "Mini-Mate" attachment
Reply #1 - 08/17/06 at 10:53am
 
Mr. Dyson had the same problems with the turbo brushes available, so he invented his own.  The Dyson-built Mini Turbine Head works flawlessly, year after year.  Mostly because the dirt does NOT pass through the turbine blades (unlike any other turbo head).  I have an adapter to use the Dyson head with other 1 1/4 inch wand cleaners, and have used it with great success on most of my cleaners in the collection.  The Dyson-built turbine head for the car (included in the car cleaning kit from Dyson) actually spins the brushes FASTER, the harder you press down.  Again, the dirty air is NOT drawn through the turbine, so picking up rocks and coins does not bother the Dyson Mini Turbine Head(s).
Back to top
 
 
  IP Logged
Mike_W.
Moderator
*****


HERE TO HELP!

Posts: 1318
Re: "Mini-Mate" attachment
Reply #2 - 08/17/06 at 1:12pm
 
I would have to wonder what you are cleaning up and what brand(s) of mini turbo/electric nozzles you are purchasing.  Lasting only a year is not good.
 
I really do not care for the cheaper mini turbo attachments under such names as Eureka, DD, HOOVER, because there is not much to them.  I have used and continue to use the Rug Rat mini turbo attachment.  I purchased this in the late 80's and this thing is still going strong, even after cleaning out vehicles and the weekly furniture vacuuming.  I was first introduced to this attachment when Kirby used it under their name and colors of the Kirby Heritage.
 
The Rug Rat does a great job.  It has better bristles compared to many of the cheap mini turbo nozzles out there.  You would have found the RR under other names such as Simplicity, Riccar, Beam, etc.  This nozzle will cost alot more than the $20 Eureka nozzle, but it is worth it.
 
Everyone who has one, should make sure that they take care to maintain their mini nozzle.  Check the turbine of the turbo nozzle.  Also check the brushroll and the ends.  Remove any hair that might lodge itself.
Back to top
 
 
Email   IP Logged
Tri-Star_Vacman
Junior Member
**


I love YaBB 1G -
SP1!

Posts: 48
Re: "Mini-Mate" attachment
Reply #3 - 08/21/06 at 12:59pm
 
turbo "mini-mate" that I have are Hoover & SMART (the kind that comes with most central vac systems NOT Rugrat)
Electric is RainbowMate & Sears (but the logo came off due to heavy use for car cleaning)
Back to top
 
 
Email   IP Logged
johncainltd
Senior Member
****


been collecting
vacuums since I was
3. Owned 76+

Posts: 129
Re: "Mini-Mate" attachment
Reply #4 - 08/21/06 at 8:16pm
 
I've actually had good luck with the Lux Sidekick units. I also modified one of them to fit on my Bosch Premium. The only down side is the noise from the squeaking belt.
Back to top
 
 
  IP Logged
vacuuman
Ultimate Member
*****




Posts: 528
Re: "Mini-Mate" attachment
Reply #5 - 08/21/06 at 8:35pm
 
I don't generally care for mini turbonozzles, the electric ones seem to be better built and I know they clean better.
Back to top
 
 
compactc9 compactc9   IP Logged
Mike_W.
Moderator
*****


HERE TO HELP!

Posts: 1318
Re: "Mini-Mate" attachment
Reply #6 - 08/22/06 at 5:57am
 
Quote from vacuuman on 08/21/06 at 8:35pm:
I don't generally care for mini turbonozzles, the electric ones seem to be better built and I know they clean better.

 
This all depends upon the mini nozzle.  The Rug Rat is built just as well as mini power nozzles.  I will say it again, I have had my RR since the late 80's.  Not every brand has a mini power nozzle.  Hook up a good quality mini turbo attachment to a strong vacuum and watch the nozzle go to town.  You could not tell that it was turbo and not electric.
Back to top
 
 
Email   IP Logged
johncainltd
Senior Member
****


been collecting
vacuums since I was
3. Owned 76+

Posts: 129
Re: "Mini-Mate" attachment
Reply #7 - 08/22/06 at 8:59am
 
Vacuuman, I agree with you on turbo nozzles. Besides, their effectiveness is in direct proportion to the power of the machine or the fullness of the bag. Oh sure, the Rug Rat works really well. Some people even say they've "owned one since the 80's" , but the thing is about as loud as a leaf blower. It's louder than my Lux Sidekick with a noisy belt! It even looks like it came from the 80's.
Back to top
 
 
  IP Logged
Mike_W.
Moderator
*****


HERE TO HELP!

Posts: 1318
Re: "Mini-Mate" attachment
Reply #8 - 08/22/06 at 12:54pm
 
Quote from johncainltd on 08/22/06 at 8:59am:
Vacuuman, I agree with you on turbo nozzles. Besides, their effectiveness is in direct proportion to the power of the machine or the fullness of the bag. Oh sure, the Rug Rat works really well. Some people even say they've "owned one since the 80's" , but the thing is about as loud as a leaf blower. It's louder than my Lux Sidekick with a noisy belt! It even looks like it came from the 80's.

 
I do believe that I have addressed the points mentioned by original poster.  
 
I do not believe that we should toss something, because it "looks" like it came from a different era. BTW, the RR design is actually older than the late 80's.  If it works, keep it.  Look at different products on the market today.  Eureka's Sanitaire uprights "fan-first" design has been around for years.  It is a great design, that does a great job of cleaning carpeting.  There is no reason to get rid of it.  There are still people who will buy it.  Eureka has even been using it under their own nameplate.  Do not chuck it, or put it down, because it is an older design.
 
Not all vacuum cleaners have a mini power nozzle.  There is no reason to stay away from the purchase of a vacuum cleaner, because it does not have a mini power nozzle.
Back to top
 
 
Email   IP Logged
old-timer
Ultimate Member
*****


I love YaBB 1G -
SP1!

Posts: 1223
Re: "Mini-Mate" attachment
Reply #9 - 08/22/06 at 7:58pm
 
Wasn't the rug rat introduced by h.p. vacuflo, then kirby had h.p. make a version that was put on the heritage series vacuums in a different color combo, these work very well on high cfm portables and central vacuum systems,  
 
as far as the electric mini nozzles go it's very hard to beat aerus/electrolux sidekick and sidekick 2, just because of the geared tooth belt, all the rest of the electric mini nozzles had flat  belts, the rainbow version did not work as good as the lux piece because of the flat belt.
ditto for the kenmore electric minihead.........
 
  O.T.
Back to top
 
 
  IP Logged
Pages: 1 2 3 ... 5
Send Topic Print
Home - Buying Guide - Forum - Reviews - About Us
Copyright 1998-2007, Whats The Best, Inc. All rights reserved.