You guys know anything 'bout vacuums?

[WaTaGuMp]

Buy any from Costco, lifetime warranty.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Consumer Reports ratings for bagless uprights:
1. Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Rewind Bagless UH70120 $130.

Prices will vary and may have been replaced with newer models. We got the Hoover UH70120 on a BF sale last year from Walmart for <$100. My wife likes it. Only complaint is that it likes to eat belts.

I'll second the recommendations on the Hoover Wind Tunnel series - You can check the Hoover site as they sell direct and sometimes have 30-50% off price deals.

Should last 3-4 years.

 

[z1ggy]

So, last night I did a mini experiment to try and find root cause of the problem. I kiiiind of find it hard to believe the motor is the reason. I made sure the roller brush wasn't messed up via tangles from hair/carpet, and that all the airways were free. I took out ALL filters. Turned it on... HOLY SHAT it was so loud and powerful sounding, it was like a new vacuum.

Since I removed the air filter it did initially spit out a giant cloud of dust, so I put that back in. So, my initial hunch here is that the filters are just completely saturated with shit (even though I cleaned them every so often) that it was messing with suction.

I ordered replaced filters off Amazon for $10. If that doesn't work, I'll probably order one of the Shark or Hoovers you guys recommended.

 

[blankslate]

If you use them wrong sometimes you end up at the emergency room....


______________

 

[dullard]

it was so loud and powerful sounding, it was like a new vacuum.

Since I removed the air filter it did initially spit out a giant cloud of dust, so I put that back in. So, my initial hunch here is that the filters are just completely saturated with shit (even though I cleaned them every so often) that it was messing with suction.

Vacuums generally don't break. Usually something is just clogged.

If you have any suction at all (like you said in the OP), then your vacuum is working but you are blocking the air flow somehow. Replace the bag, the incoming air filter(s), the HEPA filter, and you will solve 75% of vacuum problems. The rest of the problems are usually a worn belt or clogged up roller with hair/string. All are cheap fixes.

Then learn to use a shop vac for fine particles that clog regular vacuums. You really need both a shop vac and a regular vacuum, especially if you work with anything fine like drywall dust.

 

[z1ggy]

Yeah I used scissors to cut any debris wrapped around the roller. Not quite sure how to get at the belt in this vacuum, but that isn't the issue. Based on my little test, it's likely the filters.

 

[BarbeQueGuy]

My wife wanted a Dyson so I got it and thought it was an over-hyped vacuum. We did a house remodel and i used the Dyson instead of a shop vac. I was amazed at how much abuse it took so I was sold on it.

 

[smitbret]

Bought this a month ago so I can't vouch for longevity:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/14237599?ref=myacct
http://www.amazon.com/Hoover-WindTu...qid=1452097584&sr=1-1&keywords=hoover+uh70120

Bought it largely based on the Consumer Reports rankings and that it cost less than $150. The hose attachment for cleaning upholstery actually has a rotating bar like the main vacuum which makes it great for animal hair. I like that the cord rewinds into the vacuum itself, too.

 

[z1ggy]

I actually had that as my first vacuum out of college. It ended up breaking after a while, but I suspect it might have again been really clogged up filters. I was using it to vacuum up cat litter that was on the floors so that was probably one of the reasons. I now do that duty with my shop vac.