We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?


thanks,
fnord

I've got a Kirby that is probably older than you are and it still works
fine. It probably weighs 50 lbs, but that's the price of rugged. We
seldom use it, as my wife prefers the tank type. I'm looking for a
Tri-star to fill that slot as her 20+ yr old Electrolux is getting a
little long in the tooth, it still cleans OK, but is clumsy and a bit
inefficient compared to the Tri-star.

We are using my grandmothers mid 1970's hoover upright. All parts are still
available at a reasonable price. The vacuum never broke down until 2003. We
paid $40.00 to repair and have used it daily since. Don't buy an expensive
new fangled vacuum buy a good vintage one.

AZCRAIG

www.vintagetrailersforsale.com


"fnord" wrote in message
ps.com...
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?


thanks,
fnord

fnord wrote in message
om...
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?


thanks,
fnord


I swear by the Oreck XL2. Lightweight, cleans really well, and no
problems. At least that's been my experience.

Cheri

fnord wrote:
....
Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?

Kirby...first one went from 1949 (that's when folks got REA power )
to somewhere roughly 1995. It's replacement is now otoo 10 yrs and
counting...

On 18 Jul 2006 14:52:03 -0700, "fnord" wrote:

We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.

Wow!

Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out.

That doesn't tell us much.

We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?

I find vacuum cleaners of all designs in the trash all the time and
the only problem they have ever had is being clogged with stuff.
Not even disgusting stuff, just the stuff that gets vacuumed up.
After being unclogged, they work fine. This includes several
uprights.

This year I'd picked up some tweezers that are heavy duty and about a
foot long. I didn't know what I would use them for but they were
cheap. Turned out to be great for pulling stuff out of vacuum
cleaners. But could have done it without them also, like before.


thanks,
fnord

Charlie Morgan wrote:

On 18 Jul 2006 14:52:03 -0700, "fnord" wrote:


We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?


thanks,
fnord


Kirby.


I like the Hoover commercial model I bought at a bankruptcy sale.

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .

"fnord" wrote in message
ps.com...
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?

Try consumer reports. They rate this kind of stuff.
I have a canister type hoover vacuum for more than 10 years and it still
works. In my experience, vacuum cleaners don't break easily and if they do,
it is not hard to fix it yourself.

peter wrote:
"fnord" wrote in message
ps.com...
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?

Try consumer reports. They rate this kind of stuff.
I have a canister type hoover vacuum for more than 10 years and it still
works. In my experience, vacuum cleaners don't break easily and if they do,
it is not hard to fix it yourself.

IMO Consumer Reports rates all the stuff that doesn't matter much (if
at all) and very little of what does...

For upright, I'll reiterate Kirby. As someone else noted, they're not
light and dainty but they last and are very effective, especially for
w/w carpet.

Riccar. But you do have to take care of them.

--
Steve Barker


"fnord" wrote in message
ps.com...
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?


thanks,
fnord

Just about everything these days is junk.

What this is called is "VCR Syndrome" VCR's were the first disposable
electronic item, soon followed by Televisions small appliances and so on.
Now it's spread to larger items such as vacuums, fans, lights and that sort
of stuff. They say buy 2010 ovens, refrigerators,washers and dryers will all
be sealed so no repairs can even be done. That's progress!

Shop around and get several estimates on installation of a central vacuum
system for your house and garage. Usually best to buy from same company that
installs. They are definitely cleaner, more powerful and practically trouble
free. Easy clean up and no blow-back in the house.



"fnord" wrote in message
ps.com...
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?


thanks,
fnord

"fnord" wrote in message
ps.com...
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?


thanks,
fnord


I had a Hoover recommended by Consumer Reports. It died. Dug into it and
discovered the motor brushes were pretty chewed up. I cleaned them up and
reinstalled. Within a few minutes, they were toast again. Seems the
spindle has got a gouge or something on it. That was after light use over
about 2 years. I then went with a Eureka Boss and it's worked pretty well.
But I've actually gone one step further and just removed all the carpeting
from the house. It's nasty stuff anyway and wood floors/saltillo look
better IMO. I've got a few area rugs that still require the vacuum but by
and large, my $4.99 broom keeps my floors clean (except for the odd
washing). It only cost me about $3k to get there!
Cheers,
cc

Don't buy from big box,department or "vacuum cleaner" stores. They sell
the cheapest lines they can get. The planned obsolescence theory in
action!.
Go to A real custodial supply store and look over the commercial vac's
they sell.Ask to try them out.
Commercial grade Hoover,Oreck,
Minuteman,Sanitaire Etc. are not cheap! You will pay in excess of 300
bucks but they will last.
I have run commercial cleaning crews for over 20 years and I have A
Hoover that was an old machine when I took over the crew. Still runs
well. Only the beater bar,belts,bags and motor brushes have been
changed.
To make A machine last empty or change the bag often. My crews are
instructed to change or empty bags every week or sooner if they vac up
drywall dust. Blow out the motor 2 or 3 times A year. I blow out every
motor every month in the 15 to 20 vacs we use. Don't overtax the motor
by setting the beater bar too close to the carpet. That's why the vac
has setting for height. Use them properly.

Good Luck
H.R.

I got a Dyson Animal (the purple one) in January and LOVE it! It picks
up our Lab's hair like you wouldn't believe - and I have to vacuum at
LEAST once a week, sometimes 3-4 depending on how bad she's shedding. I
got a refurbished one for $400, free shipping, from an online place in
Chicago. Can't remember the name of the site.

fnord wrote:
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?


thanks,
fnord


I did a fair amount of research about a year ago, looking for a good
carpet upright. After reading enough opinions to make my head spin, I
ended up buying a Sebo. My wife just loves it. Reasonably light weight.
"Commercial" motor. Easy bag changes. Folds down for easy vacuuming
under beds, etc.

I can't testify to longevity myself, but many other people talked them
up as being very long term reliable.

Manufacturers's page he

http://www.sebo-vacuums.com/frameset.htm?dir=Products

"Steve Barker LT" wrote:

Riccar. But you do have to take care of them.

How so?

wrote:

Go to A real custodial supply store and look over the commercial vac's
they sell.Ask to try them out.

What abt the commercial model Eureka Sanitaire sold at
Sam's club?

newsreader wrote:

I did a fair amount of research about a year ago, looking for a good
carpet upright. After reading enough opinions to make my head spin, I
ended up buying a Sebo.

How much?

In article om, "fnord" wrote:
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?

Does it absolutely *have* to be an upright?

I'm still using an Electrolux "Automatic G" canister vacuum that my parents
bought new in 1961. This model is still available, occasionally, on eBay.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

"fnord" wrote in message
ps.com...
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?



Electrolux

With Kirby, you will be paying for it. They are quite heavy, but they have a
good reputation. I use a Vax x3 which you can get from Best Buy. I like the
fact it is bagless. And, it is pretty powerful. Only 1 thing, pay attention
to how tight the hinges are. I've seen a couple of the vacuums where the
hinge was a tad too tight, preventing the automatic adjustment for the head
working properly. Had to return one because of this problem, and saw another
on the floor with the same issue. Fortunately, the salesperson let me put
the replacement together and make sure this wouldn't be a problem.

"Charlie Morgan" wrote in message
...
On 18 Jul 2006 14:52:03 -0700, "fnord" wrote:

We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?


thanks,
fnord

Kirby.

Been here, done this. I had (and still have) a Kirby...it does OK.

However, I also have a SEBO vacuum...and that one does a helluva better job
than the Kirby, and the Kirby is good.

The SEBO has an automatically adjusted beater-bar/brush that automatically
adjusts to the carpet height....why is this important....it keeps the
correct amount of suction so that the dirt is "really" vacuumed.

I vacuum with both, and always feel the Kirby is the better of the two. And
get this, it costs less than a Kirby...I paid about $600.00 for the SEBO.
Good luck


Mark


"fnord" wrote in message
ps.com...
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?


thanks,
fnord

fnord wrote:
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?


thanks,
fnord

I think you need to review your vacuum cleaner use
rather than looking at vacuums. How often and for
how long a period do you use the vacuum and do you
use the correct settings for the floor? Is some
one using the vacuums on long extension cords or
great distance from the main with too small wiring?

I've never seen any vacuum that didn't last at
least 5 years and most seem to last 10,15, or 20
years. Even our first cheap role around is still
being used in my garage and to vacuum cars and it
is 30 years old. That said, our current Hoover
(was top of the line) is more than 5 years old and
ours works perfectly as well a friends down the
street and the MIL's (all the same model).

AJDupree wrote:

I got a Dyson Animal (the purple one) in January and LOVE it! It picks
up our Lab's hair like you wouldn't believe - and I have to vacuum at
LEAST once a week, sometimes 3-4 depending on how bad she's shedding. I
got a refurbished one for $400, free shipping, from an online place in
Chicago. Can't remember the name of the site.


I have 2 friends that rave about their Dyson's, because of their pets.

Since I don't have pets, I recently bought another Eureka for 2 reasons
however. No. 1) I refuse to pay %600 for something I hate to do; and 2)
Eureka Boss Model 4870 was rated Consumer Digest's Best Buy at $150-$165.

Plus my last Eureka upright had worked for 10 yrs., until my daughter got a
hold of it recently. :\

Guess it depends on what you can afford, and prefer in features/accessories.
Good luck...
bj

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?

Yep, Kirby. We have an old one bought for $400 (used) about 20 years
ago. It works great. Of course it gets plugged up once in a
while....learn how to take apart the carpet head to clean the brushes
yourself or to put on a new rubber band to drive the roller. Or take
it in to a Kirby vacuum repair place and let them go through it and fix
stuff (may need new brushes in the motor etc.) The Kirby's are
guaranteed for life. If you bought one new you would never have to buy
another. My son is selling Kirbys for a summer job. New they are veddy
veddy expensive. But they last a lifetime because they are so well
made. Find a used one and buy it. It comes with a hose and tools to do
wood floors, upholstry, refridgerator coils etc.

Cheri wrote:
[..]


I swear by the Oreck XL2. Lightweight, cleans really well, and no
problems. At least that's been my experience.

How much did you pay for it? How long have you had it?

peter wrote:
"fnord" wrote in message
ps.com...
We've been through 4 or 5 vacuum cleaners over the last 6 years.
Hoovers, Kenmoores, some other brands as well, with no luck. They last
6 months to a year, and then just crap out. We take them in for
repairs, and they come home still broken. I'm at the end of my rope.

Does anyone have experience with an upright vacuum cleaner that will
actually last 5 years or more?

Try consumer reports. They rate this kind of stuff.

I have a canister type hoover vacuum for more than 10 years and it still
works. In my experience, vacuum cleaners don't break easily and if they do,
it is not hard to fix it yourself.

Which stores sell canister type Hoover?

I've heard good things abt Simplicity and Riccar
vacuums

Anyone have one of those?

They are sister brands I think

I haven't looked at the one's at Sams Club as I am not A member but you
should be able to find out at the manufacturers web site the model
numbers and if they are the same you should be good to go. would be
cautious of numbers that were "almost" the same though as they might be
pulling the trick that H.D. does with Lincoln welding machines. The
numbers are "almost" the same as the ones at the welding supply stores
but you can see they are built cheaper than the real pro models.
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but I am home only on my days
off. I live 85 miles from work so I stay in town on work days.

H.R.

We went through about 5 $80 vacuums like Kenmore, Hoover, Eureka, etc. in
about 2 years ($400 wasted). We bought an Oreck for about $250 2 years
ago. Included about 20 free bags, a free powerful small canister type
vacuum with attachments for getting in tight places (great for cars too),
and a free cordless clothes iron. The Oreck is wonderful. It's VERY
powerful. It sucks up a ton of gunk, so you'll be changing bags more
often. And it's lightweight. Stay away from all the shiny hunks of
plastic vacuums at Target, Kmart, etc..

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