Phonoland

My 20 year old Royal (metal) vacuum cleaner started acting up a few weeks ago. After a bit of troubleshooting, I found that a set of replacement carbon brushes was all that was needed, but after visiting several vacuum cleaner shops, and searching online for several hours, I found the part was not available from ANY source. Instead, as one shop told me, the authorized repair facilities simply replace the whole motor now; individual parts are no longer sold. Since my vacuum cleaner's aluminum parts were dotted with corrosion from the harsh salt air environment where I live, I couldn't see investing a couple of hundred bucks to have it put in first class mechanical shape, which would have included a new brush and bag. But, since this thing ran trouble-free for 20 years, I wanted another just like it to see me out. (I've always viewed the Royal metal vacuum cleaner as the "Poor Man's Kirby.")

I started shopping around and found a great deal on a comparable new Royal model -- MRY8200 -- at a place a couple of miles from where I live. The mfg's suggested price is $669.95 -- http://www.royalvacuums.com/household/U ... rlast.aspx I got mine -- -- for $292.00, which included the trade-in of my old model.

Then, to assure myself that I had, indeed, gotten a bargain, I did some extensive web searches to see what others were charging. Turns out it was a bargain, but then, I spotted this video where a guy claims to have purchased the same model for $6.99 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyQzLgbIunw Looking over YouTube, I found that there are hundreds of "vacuum cleaner videos". (They all pretty much seem to follow the same format -- turn on vacuum cleaner, vacuum, vacuum, vacuum, vacuum.....)

I thought, who the #@!! would be interested in watching someone vacuum a rug? Apparently, quite a number of people. A little more online searching came up with this site: http://www.vacuumland.org/

I guess vacuum cleaner collectors are not out of the question, since EVERYTHING is collectable. Hate to think of having my place filled with hundreds of vacuum cleaners, though. This one -- http://www.bornrich.com/worlds-expensiv ... 00000.html -- must be a vacuum cleaner collector's dream.

JDS

Joe,
Go see Mike at the motor shop behind Gas station/"Burger King" in the alley (Natoma--maybe?) at 9th and Howard street.
He will either have brushes, or can tell you where to get them. If no luck there, try "Fredrickson's" Hardware, in the Marina--just off Union St, and/or Fox Hardware, on about 4th and Howard. Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Joe,
Go see Mike at the motor shop behind Gas station/"Burger King" in the alley (Natoma--maybe?) at 9th and Howard street.
He will either have brushes, or can tell you where to get them. If no luck there, try "Fredrickson's" Hardware, in the Marina--just off Union St, and/or Fox Hardware, on about 4th and Howard. Ron Rich

Too late for that now. As noted, I used the old model for a trade-in. But it's good to know for future reference. My new vac has a five year warranty covering everything but the belt, bag and (revolving) brush, so if the carbon brushes go during that period, I'll get a complete new motor--for free. Apparently, the casing has a lifetime warranty, whatever that means.

JDS

Eh, you bums with those overpriced heavy metal vacuums!

I'll stick to my older model Eureka's - Lexan housings and nothing to corrode.
Both are over 20+ yrs old and still SUCK great!
hahahaha!

Hi Matt:

I wonder how the new models (Eureka's) compare. So many of the modern ones now use plastic fan blades, etc.

BTW, I found out that the reason the old Royal I had corroded was because I never bothered to polish it, which I plan to do with the new one--going forward. What can I say. I'm a "sucker" for shiny metal. Case in point, one of my portable sound systems:




Oddly, Royal I bought only weighs about 15 pounds--far lighter than a short-lived Hoover I used to own -- but much heavier than those all-plastic things they sell today that look like robots out of Star Wars or Lost in Space or something....

Guy's,
"Lexan"--ah--that wonderful GE product. I once had a GE "in-jun-eer" stand right in front of me and state "Lexan will NOT warp, nor break"--I reached over and grabbed a "slug rejector" made from Lexan, handed it to him, and axked "is this Lexan"--he said "sure". I then reached over and grabbed another one that was badly warped and said "what about this ?" He just stood there while I un-snapped a piece off the rejector, held it in my two hands, bent it till it snapped--never saw that guy again ???
Ron Rich

Well Joe, to answer some of your questions...
I worked briefly for Eureka (customer service) back in 1988 - got laid off due to AB Electrolux buying into the company and downsizing. - my branch office was closed.
During my time there, I learned a good deal about "sweepers".

In my honest opinion, the older Eureka models were the best of the breed, mainly because of their sturdy construction, reliability, and power.

Periodically we performed suction/performance tests on various brands and the Eureka's topped them all - I saw the results with my own eyes.
The system we used was a "water lift" arrangement consisting of a 1 inch tube 120 inches long with the bottom end in a container of water.
This tube also had a scale on it in one inch markings.
From the top of this tube ran a hose to the testing base that a vacuum was connected to.
Once secured to the base, the vacuum was turned on - the suction pulled the water up the tube/scale to indicate how well the machine pulled suction, lifting the water against gravity.
While pretty non-tech, this system was reliable, since water weight and gravity were a fixed commodity.

Some Eureka models actually lifted to 100 inches, the most of any brand.

The Eureka uprights of the 60's-90's were built of Lexan, and of course we know how durable that material is.
They also went to lexan fan blades from the older aluminum ones, mainly because if a blade broke, it wouldn't cause motor bearing destruction due to out-of-balance vibration resulting from a blade missing.
This kept motor replacement/repairs down. - a smart move for the company.

Overall, the build quality of these Lexan models were great, but sadly as the 90's left and the bagless age crept in, I'm not so sure about the current stuff out there.
I see a lot of broken vacuums out by the curb these days.
The Bagless vacuums are crap in my opinion - just a marketing ploy, and not as reliable.
Even those fancy Dyson models are trouble-prone and not worth the money.

So if you can fine a nice older Eureka, you'll get good service from it.
The Sanitaire "heavy duty/commercial" line by Eureka is also a top choice IMO.
I recommend the older canisters as well, they're built to last.

The two uprights I have are a commercial model C2094 and the "Boss" 2034, custom-built by me when I worked for Eureka.
I modded the Boss with a deluxe package consisting of a solid aluminum beater-brush, a higher powered motor, metal handle, and polyester outer bag, along with a longer cord.
Still running like a champ after 25 years!
I paid "cost" price for the machine as an employee - $80, equivilant to a $300 commercial machine, and don't plan on buying another one - ever.

Matt,
Does Electrolux still own any part of Eureka ? My Grandpa sold Electrolux in the 20's-30's ?
Ron Rich

Hi Matt:

Thanks for the info. It sounds like you know your vacuums.

Along this line, I've always felt that vacuum cleaners are a "guy thing," in spite of the fact that they've been traditionally marketed to women--probably because they're the ones stuck with doing most of the vacuuming.

As collectibles, back to my original post, I can see the appeal, and can understand why there are clubs, museums ( http://vacuummuseum.com/ ), forums, etc. I guess the average spouse would throw a hissy fit if her husband would take up 80 percent of their living space for his collection.

Joe

Riley,
"Hoarder" ??
My wife has two or three around here, one, a Dyson with a broken "Plastic" (Lexan ?), hook for the cord--I have a "shop vac"
Ron Rich

Okay, I have to admit it. If I were into collecting vacuum cleaners, for the sake of collecting, THIS is the one I'd want:

Wireless Vacuette -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNWxzg47g8

(How cool is that?)
JDS

IMHO--WAY "cool"--probably "picks up" as much dirt as new ones today--
Cute-quick story about a vac--
30 or so years ago, we had a 28 year old exchange student from China. She spoke ZERO English, and we spoke no Chinese.
One of her first days here I happened to be standing in the kitchen along with her, when my son turned on the vacuum.
He was being punished, and was required to do the whole house--well, upon hearing it start, the student was frightened--I could tell from her face--so I put my hands up and waved "calm down"--which she understood. As our son passed by the kitchen with the vac., heading further down the hall, she went over to him, pushed him aside, grabbed the vac. and did his whole "punishment"--and every day there after, for the year, or so she lived with us--she did it again--even after we could explain why he was doing it that day--she laughed, and said she "loved" doing it--Ron Rich