Author Topic: Vacuum Cleaner? (Read 7621 times)

bigpook · « **on:** Sun, 18 January 2009, 09:37:14 »

This is way off-topic but I figure the people that post here might be able to help. My vacuum cleaner has finally failed. Its a regular vacuum, cleans floors and comes with attachments. I need a replacement and don't know which to go with. Being a geek, I am drawn to the dyson brand. I have read good things about them and they look well made. Anyone here have an opinion?

lexicon · « **Reply #1 on:** Sun, 18 January 2009, 11:03:14 »

We recently shopped for a new vacuum and discovered that many of the Dyson-type machines (all the major companies seem to produce knock-offs) tend to produce a lot of noise -- mostly a high-pitched whine like a jet engine. We didn't try an actual Dyson, but if you read reviews online, they seem prone to the same problem. Great pick-up, but give you an instant migraine. I'd make sure that you can easily return whatever you buy (i.e., not by mail). We tried four or five machines and ended up buying the same now-discontinued model we had had (new on eBay, a Sear Progressive cannister).

itlnstln · « **Reply #2 on:** Sun, 18 January 2009, 17:03:56 »

Check Consumer Reports. I remember them saying that the Dyson was not the best available. My mom has one, though, and really likes it. I have a Hoover Z-series, and it is pretty nice as well. I was watching a new program awhile back, and they said to get one with a bag (vs. bagless). They were commenting on how a lot of dust goes bak into the air whn emptying the bagless models. I mitigate this by emptying mine in the trash can in the garage.

cheater1034 · « **Reply #3 on:** Sun, 18 January 2009, 19:09:36 »

I don't know anything about vacuum's, but I know people with dysons and they hate them.

I hear they are built poorly, and pieces on it will easily crack and break. I think for that kind of money, there are probably better options.

bigpook · « **Reply #4 on:** Sun, 18 January 2009, 19:20:13 »

thanks for the feedback. I went to Consumer Reports to check it out. They recommend a Sears Kenmore; I guess I will check that out.
I have read some negative reviews on the Dyson's also. Same thing about cheap plastic that breaks. For the amount of money they charge you would think otherwise. Otherwise they look cool, and are supposed to suck really well.
I had an Eureka upright that lasted me about 12 years. I was pretty happy with it too.

We can call this thread VacHack..... : )

itlnstln · « **Reply #5 on:** Sun, 18 January 2009, 20:50:48 »

Quote

are supposed to suck really well

So many jokes, so little time.

From the reports, it seems Dysons really do suck...

gwanghoops · « **Reply #6 on:** Sun, 18 January 2009, 21:23:20 »

I went and did the Consumer Reports thing about vaccum cleaners several years ago and decided to get the Sears canister right after Black Friday for a couple of reasons even though it wasn't #1 in CR:

1. price -- never buy anything at Sears full price and these vacuum cleaners go on sale all of the time. don't think Dysons really get discounted.

2. parts availability -- Sears sells tons of vacuum cleaners so you can get parts anywhere, get web comments/reviews, and even has a semi-crappy website that has product breakdown diagrams so you can order even the tiniest of parts.

hope this helps.

iMav · « **Reply #7 on:** Sun, 18 January 2009, 22:15:39 »

I came home from work several years ago and my wife had been suckered in by a Kirby salesman. I was pretty pissed about it...but I have to say, that vacuum works well and has lasted quite a while. I think it may still be around and working well enough to itemize in our will.

itlnstln · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 19 January 2009, 06:53:35 »

I have always heard that Kirby makes a pretty good vacuum. I have seen people with Kirbys that last for years (30+)

bigpook · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 19 January 2009, 07:35:06 »

I think the Kirby are very expensive, from what I have heard.

itlnstln · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 19 January 2009, 07:37:14 »

Quote from: bigpook;18698

I think the Kirby are very expensive, from what I have heard.

Well, you could sell a few of your keyboards...

iMav · « **Reply #11 on:** Mon, 19 January 2009, 07:38:30 »

Quote from: bigpook;18698

I think the Kirby are very expensive, from what I have heard.

Hence the reason I was pissed.

itlnstln · « **Reply #12 on:** Mon, 19 January 2009, 07:42:17 »

Kirbys are the Model Ms of the vacuum world. Buy one, and you have an instant family heirloom that can take direct enemy fire.

bhtooefr · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 19 January 2009, 17:59:01 »

Find a company that's disposing of their janitorial-grade vacuums (due to going out of business, replacing them, or whatever.)

I've got one that... well, the current model probably costs somewhere around $900-1000 - they were charging the state of New Jersey (IIRC) $750 or so for one.

How much did I pay for it? $5 or so, IIRC, and it works perfectly. So what if it's 15 years old?

bigpook · « **Reply #14 on:** Mon, 19 January 2009, 18:03:16 »

Quote from: iMav;18702

Hence the reason I was pissed.

No doubt, but the kirbys last a long time so the overall cost should come down as time goes by. I think its just hard to spend so much up front for such a utilitarian device.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #15 on:** Mon, 19 January 2009, 19:58:54 »

Quote from: bigpook;18828

I think its just hard to spend so much up front for such a utilitarian device.

people should think about it in the opposite way. If you're going to buy something you'd use every single day or very often, then it makes a lot of sense to spend the extra money. Everything from keyboards, to vacuum cleaners, or pillows and blankets and mattresses, or office chairs and desks, etc. The more utilitarian it is, it seems to me, the more worthwhile it is to spend the money and time to find the best one you like.

I'd rather spend money on something i'm using every day rather than trying to justify the money for something I barely use.

bigpook · « **Reply #16 on:** Mon, 19 January 2009, 20:01:05 »

True, its just hard for me to get too excited over a vacuum. Yet I do want a quality vacuum and will spend a certain amount to get it. It can't get to jazzed over it like I do for other things. You know, like keyboards and mice : )

itlnstln · « **Reply #17 on:** Tue, 20 January 2009, 06:43:42 »

Just think, all the dust you suck up with that quality vacuum isn't getting into you keyboards and mice.

iMav · « **Reply #18 on:** Tue, 20 January 2009, 06:50:54 »

Quote from: itlnstln;18900

Just think, all the dust you suck up with that quality vacuum isn't getting into you keyboards and mice.

SOLD!!

wumpyr · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 23 January 2009, 16:25:26 »

fwiw, I've had a upright dyson for 10 years. Expensive, but worth every dollar. Whenever a friend moves house, I offer it up for them to go around before they move in. A couple of times I've had friends try their standard vacuum, then go around again with the dyson. It was like they never vacuumed in the first place. Typically a large amount is collected by the dyson, including a fine layer of what must be from under the rug pile.

Oh, and one of the generic dyson tools makes a great Model M cleaner

itlnstln · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 23 January 2009, 16:36:22 »

Quote from: wumpyr;19323

fwiw, I've had a upright dyson for 10 years. Expensive, but worth every dollar. Whenever a friend moves house, I offer it up for them to go around before they move in. A couple of times I've had friends try their standard vacuum, then go around again with the dyson. It was like they never vacuumed in the first place. Typically a large amount is collected by the dyson, including a fine layer of what must be from under the rug pile.

Oh, and one of the generic dyson tools makes a great Model M cleaner

My mom experienced the same thing when she got her Dyson. She vacuumed the floor with her old vacuum and then with the Dyson. The Dyson picked up tons of dust and dirt the other missed. I have a Hoover Z-series and experienced similar results. Everything I have seen personally says the Dyson is a great vacuum. I have not completely read the Consumer Reports article on vacuums to see what they did not like about the Dyson. I think somewhere in the thread, someone said CR rated a Kenmore better than the Dyson.

itlnstln · « **Reply #21 on:** Fri, 23 January 2009, 16:59:52 »

Quote from: webwit;19331

Urban legend. Same effect with reversed order.

Urban Legend? The CR Report, or the vacuums sucking up dirt that another missed? If the latter, how would that happen? Certain vacuums "specialize" in picking up certain types of dirt?

(I'm not trying to sound like an a*s, but I am not following your comment.

)

bigpook · « **Reply #22 on:** Sat, 24 January 2009, 18:10:06 »

FWIW, I went with the dyson dc25 ball model. That vacuum sucks bigtime. I cant believe what it picked up off of the carpets. cool beans. Oh, post 1000 : )

bigpook · « **Reply #23 on:** Sat, 24 January 2009, 18:12:30 »

Quote from: wumpyr;19323

fwiw, I've had a upright dyson for 10 years. Expensive, but worth every dollar. Whenever a friend moves house, I offer it up for them to go around before they move in. A couple of times I've had friends try their standard vacuum, then go around again with the dyson. It was like they never vacuumed in the first place. Typically a large amount is collected by the dyson, including a fine layer of what must be from under the rug pile.

Oh, and one of the generic dyson tools makes a great Model M cleaner

that generic tool is a crevice/brush device that comes with.. when I saw the brush I thought the same thing. lets clean some keyboards.

lam47 · « **Reply #24 on:** Sat, 24 January 2009, 19:32:46 »

The Dyson is kind of a national treasure over here as it was designed by a chap in his shed. He has since made millions out of it.
However everyone I know who has one has cracks in it or some pieces have fallen off.
The original concept was good but the quality control and material choice let it down.

We had a Hitachi for 15 years! It only had to be fixed once when the brushes on the motor wore out.
It eventually got thrown out as my older brother sucked some milk into it and it stank.

I am currently using a Hoover upright from the late 70s early 80s. It still works grand.

bigpook · « **Reply #25 on:** Sat, 24 January 2009, 19:39:57 »

The dyson has alot of plastic to it, but then again, so did the last one I had which was a erueka. It has a 5 year warranty which is nice, hopefully the plastic bits will hold up.
I am impressed with the suction of this vacuum. It really did a great job of getting stuff up and out of the carpet.

ashort · « **Reply #26 on:** Sat, 24 January 2009, 19:50:15 »

I guess it depends on the plastic and the design. We have a 7 year old Hoover that is as far as I can tell, all plastic body. We've had it for 7 years. Still works great and all I've done is the occasional belt replacement and filter cleaning and/or replacement.

cchan · « **Reply #27 on:** Sat, 24 January 2009, 21:37:47 »

Quote from: lam47;19520

We had a Hitachi for 15 years! It only had to be fixed once when the brushes on the motor wore out.
It eventually got thrown out as my older brother sucked some milk into it and it stank.

Eww...

Anyway, we have one of the original DC07s. The only problem with it is that the brush tool broke. We've not had any other problems and it still sucks like day one I think. Bags are a way more hygienic disposal method though. I end up hacking on the swirling dust produced when I dump the bin contents.

ashort · « **Reply #28 on:** Sat, 24 January 2009, 21:58:28 »

Anyone ever use a "Rainbow" vacuum cleaner? I saw a preso on one of those once and always wondered if they were worth the money. Kind of like a bong, really, the filter is a tank of water that is supposed to trap and hold the dust. Emptying it is a dust-free endeavor, you empty the tank of mud into your toilet and flush!

roaduck · « **Reply #29 on:** Wed, 30 September 2009, 15:09:32 »

Try and get a second-hand Kirby - they're bombproof.I bought a 1979 Tradition - (the blue one and it's not even had new motor bushes yet.)

The motors in Kirbys are high torque, industrial compressor motors.They have 8 inch fans compared to a Dyson's or other plastic "innovative" designs - 2 to 3 inch fans.

Replacement motors for Dysons - £17 - replacement motor for a Kirby - £400 because they last.

A kirby can suck right through an eight inch mattress and the Dyson is left in the dust.Kirby's can be used just with the huge, washable cloth bag - Dysons need expensive filters and if the cyclone gets blocked, which happens, they are pig to unblock.Plus you can't attach power tools (drill,polisher, sander) special heads (hard-floor buffer) directly to a Dyson ala kirby.

What this effectively means is a 500 watt Kirby has more suction than a 2300w model.Yes they are heavy but the virtually unchanged from the 30's design is tried and tested.The door to door salesmen suck more than the bleedin' cleaners!
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Hofy · « **Reply #30 on:** Wed, 30 September 2009, 16:08:50 »

The only vacuum I own is a Ridgid 12 gallon 5hp shop vac. All my floors are hard wood with throw rugs.

d4rkst4r · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 30 September 2009, 16:22:58 »

Quote from: Hofy;121821

The only vacuum I own is a Ridgid 12 gallon 5hp shop vac. All my floors are hard wood with throw rugs.

I'm beginning to dislike carpet in favor of wood flooring. My year old carpet is packing down, bad for my allergies, and prone to staining with any little spill. And of course, the cats love it for sharpening their claws.

Wood's very expensive, though.

d4rkst4r · « **Reply #32 on:** Wed, 30 September 2009, 16:57:21 »

I'd take the Samsung Silencio on looks alone. I'm not sure if they ever made these for retail or if it was just a prototype.

Rajagra · « **Reply #33 on:** Wed, 30 September 2009, 18:29:58 »

Quote from: d4rkst4r;121838

i'd take the samsung silencio on looks alone. I'm not sure if they ever made these for retail or if it was just a prototype.

roaduck · « **Reply #34 on:** Wed, 30 September 2009, 21:18:25 »

Vacuum Cleaner?

Why do we need to vacuum so much in the first place?

It is impossible to get a wall to wall carpet clean.I know because I'm in the Hot Water Extraction cleaning method industry.The Chinese, Persians, Turks, Arabians designed carpets to be portable and washable - whoever said we need edge-to-edge carpet? - The big weavers and sheep farmers.

It's stupid; traditionally, everywhere but the US and UK have had tiles or bare floorboards covered with rugs which makes sense especially when it takes one weaver 2 years to make a rug by hand and were always considered a luxury that could be taken from house to house.

itlnstln · « **Reply #35 on:** Thu, 01 October 2009, 07:52:33 »

I would like to have wood flooring. It'll be expensive to remodel, though.

bigpook · « **Reply #36 on:** Thu, 01 October 2009, 07:56:13 »

Most of the house is tile but the three bedrooms have the original oem carpet that came with the house.

Depending on how it goes, I want to rip it up and put down some laminate flooring. Until then I am using a dyson which really sucks up the dust and dog hair.
Generally speaking, carpet sucks. I don't think it can ever be really clean.

InSanCen · « **Reply #37 on:** Sat, 03 October 2009, 16:00:57 »

Quote from: itlnstln;75391

I have always heard that Kirby makes a pretty good vacuum. I have seen people with Kirbys that last for years (30+)

Quote from: bigpook;75401

I think the Kirby are very expensive, from what I have heard.

Yes, they are great, and yes, they are expensive. The are intended for people who run hotels and the likes. However, you should never need to buy another vacuum cleaner again.

They are heavy, so somewhere with stairs will need careful consideration.

I love mine, but I didn't pay for it (Got one when my dad sold his hotel, and was told to take the "Old Hoovers" if he wanted them. At £1300 each, for free, less than a year old, still under warranty, he took em). Think of it like a decent Model M compared to a $5 rubber dome. The cost is initially high, but factor that over it's projected lifetime.

Dyson are good, if you're mechanically minded. Spares are plentiful. I still have a DC01 here, good as new. Needed a few belts and filters, but they are consumables.

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Author Topic: Vacuum Cleaner? (Read 7621 times)