My 30 year old vacuum just died - I weep

[Bundbuster]

Trusty, loyal Eureka cannister, would snake around anything...horrible, grinding, screaming, agonizing death, smoke everywhere... Oh the humanity! As when my 15 year old golden retriever had a fatal heart attack at my feet, I thought I was prepared for this, but I'm not.

In lieu of condolences, flowers, or donations, please post your recommendations for a suitable, reasonably-priced replacement for my departed love. I cannot face shopping at a store full of heartless machines - may have to order online with your assistance. <tears on keyboard>

[david_vincent]

1. I wish I had your problems

As Gogol said, "Sometimes all one can do is spit and shake one's head."

[Fridays Child]

2. I feel certain that there's a haiku in there, somewhere.

But I'll be damned if I can find it.

[Bundbuster]

6. There is a haiku, Mary Pat

you who sucked so long

dirt dervish against all filth

rest now in cleanly peace

[Fridays Child]

13. Beautiful.

I am deeply moved! :cry:

[Nlighten1]

24. I love haiku poetry

And that was indeed very nice.

Thanks for sharing and welcome to DU.

[kainah]

3. My condolences, Bundbuster

But let me reassure you. Whatever you replace it with will only last about 2-5 years & you will never again be forced to suffer this appliance grief. No one makes anything anymore that lasts long enough to engender it.

[Alexander]

4. Did you know

That after the Great Depression, manufacturers rigged equipment so that it would fail if used for long enough?

They did this because earlier, when machinery wasn't falling apart, no one would have any reason to go back to the manufacturer and buy anything else.

[librechik]

5. Take it to the vacuum cleaner repair man and have it fixed

Eurekas can live forever and are irreplaceable--new plastic vacuums don't suck! (as it were) and don't work nearly as well.

I have 2 Eureka uprights from the 60s-70s. Parts are available at Bed Bath & Beyond to replace just about every bit that breaks on them, even the old ones.

But a motor problem (probably) needs a repairman unless it's a belt. The smoke symptom makes me think it might be a belt problem. (an object stuck in such a way that the belt quit turning and melted down and broke. But a broken belt might have wound up burning out the motor.

I really only like old Eurekas as replacement. Eureka online or Ebay might help.

[Bundbuster]

8. thanks, librechick - I fear it's the motor

The motor's been replaced once, and this one's been through a flood, but I'll try again.

It's amazing how important a vacuum can be in one's life, especially if you're an anal/obsessive compulsive neat freak. I now feel incomplete, almost impotent.

[Gingersnap]

11. look into getting a Rainbow

I am obsessive about vacuuming and I found vacuum bliss a few years ago. I got a Rainbow. They are very expensive, but with maintenance can last forever, so you should be able to find a used one. They use water instead of a vacuum bag and don't end up blowing dust around everywhere. I couldn't live without mine.

[Twillig]

16. could be the motor brushes

sometimes when they go there's some electrical arcing, and smoke. Easy replacement for a repairman. (Or it's a belt as stated.)

A repairman could just be the ticket. If his primary job is not sales...

[Blue-Jay]

7. That sucks.

erm...or doesn't suck, I suppose.

Get one with a hepa filter. I'm not sure what a hepa filter actually does, but I hear it's the latest rage. When I become president, I promise a hepa filter in every pot!

[Bundbuster]

9. When I become president

I promise legalized pot in every Hepa!

[Bronco69]

14. How about a

pot full of hemp? :-)

[wryter2000]

10. Condolences

Last week I almost lost my 1982 Subaru 1600DL with 215K miles on it. I was in a major funk. Luckily, the greatest mechanic in the world was able to revive it.

[Bundbuster]

12. Has anyone bought one from the old guy on TV

You know - The old inventor guy on late-night who promises it's the best vacuum ever, will give you orgasms, etc. or your money back. Anyone hear anything about that one?

[pstokely]

30. Oreck, they advertise on Oxyrush

but I have seen their ads in Mother Jones

[Rainbowreflect]

15. I think you mean, My 30 year old vacuum just died - I sweep.

;-)

[Bundbuster]

17. LOL!

That's what I'm afraid of, being in a cash crunch.

[pansypoo53219]

18. if you wanna go new-go electralux

boy do they suck and their canister SUCKS UP THE CORD LIKE OLD ONES. iactually bought one at an estate sale for my mom. she loved her old 'trapezoid' 70's vacuum. found an even jazzier looking one. course my granma loved her kirby.

[Old and In the Way]

19. Actually, it is not as bad as you think.

A long time ago, I fixed vac's.

The problem is the carbon brushes are shot. You can get them replaced and reseated. They should clean the communtator with an abrasive stick to clean up any arcing. Honest to goodness, it'll be as good as new.

For the record, I think the old Electrolux Vac's are the very best machines. The Lam motors they used were extremely well built. If you can find a Model G, buy it!

[Bundbuster]

21. Thanks - amazing what can be learned here in the Lounge

I'm feeling much better, and will try that fix.

Now tell this Red Sox fan since 1954 how to erase the curse. I was in Fenway for Ted Williams & Yaz, and this year's abortion was THE WORST - even worse than Bill Buckner. Forrest Gump playing wimp manager - sheeeesh.

[Old and In the Way]

23. Alas, there are some things mere motals will never be able to comprehend

Our beloved Red Sox, sadly, are one of those things.......

[flamingyouth]

20. I say, celebrate its long life

Nothing is built to last like that anymore. That is one amazing run for a vacuum.

We bought an all-metal Kirby a few years ago, built in the USA (Ohio, I believe). It's very heavy, but that is one well-built machine, and it sure does work well on our pet hair problems. Good luck! :hi:

[UrbScotty]

22. Are you planning cremation?

Oh, I guess it cremated itself!

[Bundbuster]

25. If the vac. doctor cannot rescue it

it will be buried in a vacuum bag...or would that be a transfer tube?

[morningglory]

26. My condolences about your beloved dog, but is all good news about

the vacuum cleaner. They are making more strides than the tooth brush engineers. Cool features at good prices.

[LoZoccolo]

27. I hear those Oreck ones are good...

...if you're keen on spending $299.95+ on a vacuum cleaner.

http://www.oreck.com/oreck-xl-upright/index.cfm

(I have no idea if it is worth it or not. They have little dedicated stores with trained salespeople where they demonstrate them.)

[Liberal Christian]

28. Hoover Wind-tunnel

I've had a Hoover Wind-tunnel for about the last six years. I got it when my dog was still alive and shedding about 87,000 pounds of hair a day. The suction is great. Even my cleaning service folks preferred it to their own. However, my back is a wreck, and the last time I vacuumed, I ended up at the chiropractor's three days in a row. So I save the Hoover for occasional use and stairs.

I got one of those Roomba robot vacuums for the rest of the time. It probably doesn't do deep suction like the Hoover does, but it gets all the surface stuff pretty well (ok, it doesn't do so well the shreds of paper left after the shredder tips over).

Just my two cents.

[Bundbuster]

29. "The suction is great"

OK, who besides Monica Lewinsky has made news with that line lately?