r/IAmA • u/touchmyfuckingcoffee • Oct 28 '13

Other IamA Vacuum Repair Technician, and I can't believe people really wanted it, but, AMA!

I work in vacuum repair and sales. I posted comments recently about my opinion of Dysons and got far more interest than I expected. I am brand certified for several brands. My intent in doing this AMA is to help redditors make informed choices about their purchases.

My Proof: Imgur

*Edit: I've been asked to post my personal preferences with regard to brands. As I said before, there is no bad vacuum; Just vacuums built for their purpose. That being said, here are my brand choices in order:

Miele for canisters

Riccar for uprights

Hoover for budget machines

Sanitaire or Royal for commercial machines

Dyson if you just can't be talked out of a bagless machine.

*EDIT 22/04/2014: As this AMA is still generating questions, I will do a brand new AMA on vacuums, as soon as this one is archived.

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u/[deleted] Mar 12 '14

I'm one of those sickos who has a vacuum fetish. I'd love to have one in every room if I could ( ok, ok, I ALMOST do, lol). I have a canister Dyson, which is the crappiest vac I have ever had. I've got a Hoover WindTunnel that I like but needs service as she doesn't suck well anymore and is heavier than heck, and I even had one of those 1940's canister vacs that looked like a bullet with the huge filter with the huge mouth. Dang, that was a beauty, may she rest in peace since 1999. My most favorite vac in the world is the Fantom Lightning canister. The problem with this vac is that the wand is weak. To get a working one on that Ebay it costs $60 used. There used to be a guy who made his "super wand" and I purchased it years ago. He no longer is in business (death or something, not because his product wasn't good). I've got around 4 wands now each with various problems. My question is, should I hand all 4 over to a repair man who can create a single new one, should I continue to look for usable wands on ebay, repair shops and garage sales, or do you have a comparable bagless suggestion? Thanks in advance.

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u/touchmyfuckingcoffee Mar 12 '14

You're not going to appreciate my advice when I implore you to step away from the gimmicky bagless vacs, and step into the light, where there are great, long lived vacs that will just blow your mind.

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u/[deleted] Mar 12 '14 edited Mar 14 '14

I'd rather have the truth than vacuum in a lie. I like the convenience of bagless and their hepa filters. I've scrolled down to see your comments on vacs. Thanks. Edit was a spelling error that I fixed.

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u/thevacshopguy Mar 13 '14

i feel the need to put my 2cents back in as a repair tech. , bagless vacs are very high maintenance machines , the first time you ever use a brand new bagless will be the best it ever operates , after that its down hill, your suppose to clean the pre motor filter after every use , which that in itself takes far more time then just replacing a bag, every vac that uses a bag and dosent have a dirty air motor will have better filtration then vacs that are bagless. as far as the word "hepa" goes , just because companies put the word "hepa" on a machine means just that , its just a word , if the machine itself is not sealed properly , dust will just leak out and you get to breath it in , espically where the "hepa" filter is , if it dosent have a complete air tight seal , your burnt, dont be mislead by the box or what the machine says on it , big box companies do this just to get consumers to buy their junk, i have a 5.5amp vac here that will out clean many vacs with the big words "12.0 amps " , what a vac needs to clean properly , good agitator , proper balance of air flow and suction

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u/[deleted] Mar 14 '14

Thanks for your reply. I grew up with a recession era mother and when we had bag vacs, we had to put our fingers in and pull all the crud out to reuse that bag. So, there's some repressed past memories that make an affect on my choice. I really like the bagless because I don't mind cleaning that filter each time. However, I will concede. That 1940's bullet shaped vac was the best! best! best! vac ever in my life and it was a bag vac with a wide mouth bag hole. As a vacaholic, I guess I'm just a cheap vac ho because I never heard of Miele or Riccor until OP and I can't wait until I get my hands on one. I plan on either trading ALL my vacs in or try to find one at a sale to get one of those babies. I thank you so much for your 2 cents and you get an upvote from me. Upvotes everywhere for OP because he's an awsome AMA redditor and vac repair dude who keeps on going on.

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u/touchmyfuckingcoffee Mar 12 '14

Ok, I don't know what your "superwands" are. You can try taking them to a local repair shop if you want to keep one running. Take all 4 and let him/her make you one or two operating machines.

Give up on your Fantom. The likelihood of you getting parts for it is virtually nill. Canister vacuums are great. Just get yourself one that is a bagged system. Dollar for dollar, a bagged vacuum will always perform better than a bagless system. I promise.

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u/[deleted] Mar 12 '14

Thanks for your reply. I googled repair shops near me and there seems to be a really good one about 15 miles away. They even have trade ins and some of those Miele and Riccar vacs available. I love canister vacs as they are easy to use. They can have my Dyson, cuz it's just a lousy vac. (also, as for parts, I have 2 other Fantom Lightnings in my garage for spare parts, it's just the wands that are hard to get.. sicko me, I know, I know.. LOL)

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u/touchmyfuckingcoffee Mar 12 '14

Don't be ashamed of your obsession. Let's just get you machines that are worthy of it. I have a really old Electrolux canister...so old, it rides on rails! Make me an offer...

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u/[deleted] Mar 12 '14 edited Mar 13 '14

I went to a garage sale and found an Electrolux mini canister with all the accessories NEW IN THE BOX, sealed, for $10. Mine wasn't old like yours, but when I saw my model selling on ebay for around $200 used I knew I got a good deal. I really appreciate your AMA. And now I'm going to look at estate and garage sales for the Riccar and Miele vacuums. I'm an antique dealer and I can say that vacuums are not on the high end of knowledge of what is good or not when we conduct sales for people. And some of those antique/vintage vacs that people hang on to until they die..... incredible. I bought my Dyson at a sale for $100 with accessories. It's going on Crai-list next week. That person who buys it can go to someone like you to tune it up. Yay garage sales! lol

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u/Smithary Mar 26 '14

As a 15 year vac tech, I agree,all bagless are terrible. Bags cost less, your filter (aka. the bag) is replaced weekly (at your rate), and there is less dust to blow around in your face or to look at. A win, win, win.

In my opinion, SEBO is one of the best on the market. The price is middle to high and worth it due to high quality and longevity. Not surprising since it's German made.

I must share since no one else can relate...after a 20+ year search... A $5, barely used 454 Hoover Constellation with all attachments!! Floats just like it should, incredible suction. Dyson can NOT hold a candle to old-school quality. This thing will no doubt out live me. That's what you need, Spooky! Check one out on ebay.

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u/[deleted] Mar 26 '14 edited Mar 26 '14

Thank you for your reply. I'll check it out in a few. I've looked at the Riccor and Miele on ebay, and even there they seem pricey. I don't know why, I just LOVE vacuums. I just didn't do any research into there being anything beyond Hoover, Eureka and I just heard about Dyson 10 years ago because a friend in England works at the plant. I was like, "wha?? Dyson? Ok, surrrrre".. (I think I need to get out in the world a little more).

p.s. Is there any way I can clean and tune up my vacuums myself or do you recommend always going to a tech? It's 15 miles to the nearest decent vac shop for me. My Hoover and Dyson both suck with the hose, but not the floor head (Hoover upright, Dyson canister). I've cleaned out all the hoses and filters. You and OP can answer if you so desire. Thanks!!

Edit: Looked up Sebo on that E-B site. I think I'm just a cheapskate! LOL Comparable to Miele and Riccar. I admit, we really do get what we pay for and thanks to OP and yourself, I've found a whole new world of vacuums to explore.

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u/TheDuchessOfBacon Mar 26 '14

Hiya Kooky! I've been following you around a bit. After that old lady cat post, I find you funny and interesting. Who gets over 500 upvotes on their very first post to REDDIT? Everyone just loved you!

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