Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air through a venturi. Wilton - Original Message - From: LWB250 lwb...@yahoo.com To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again without hesitation. Dan --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Diesel List mercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:06 AM Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streib str...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID: 1291471598.9250.1408627...@webmail.messagingengine.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt---it's all plastic and the motor doesn't look like much. Hotels use them because they are light and they vacuum every day---they never have to pick up a lot of deep dirt. For pure suction, I think our Kenmore canister has the Oreck beat by a fair margin. It's not as easy to use or nearly as light, though. Allan On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00 -0800, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding Labradoodle guide dogs, a high shedding retired black Lab, a Lhasa Apso, a Maltese and a few cats. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
The places that sell them do installations all the time, including existing houses. Ones I have see used 1 1/2 plastic Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
Yes, many. Usually, very easily; 'last one I retrofitted was the 3500 SF 105-year Georgian colonial revival (basement and crawlspace, 2 story, walk-up attic) house I've lived in for 22 years. I've often been able to find a chase big enough or, at times, the back corner of a closet. 2 thin-wall plastic piping; 10' lengths + all fittings, couplings, etc. Nutone is one brand I remember right now. 'Several other brands, too. Check building supply, Lowes, etc. 'Don't think my main supplier, Pullman, of 30 years ago does domestic vacs any more; they build lots of commercial, industrial vac equip. Is crawlspace near the access door tall enough for power unit, or is attic easily accessible enough for power unit? Power unit could also go in garage or utility closet. Wilton - Original Message - From: Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC,53310 meade.m.dil...@navy.mil To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 7:39 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air through a venturi. Wilton - Original Message - From: LWB250 lwb...@yahoo.com To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again without hesitation. Dan --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Diesel List mercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:06 AM Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streib str...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID: 1291471598.9250.1408627...@webmail.messagingengine.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt---it's all plastic and the motor doesn't look like much. Hotels use them because they are light and they vacuum every day---they never have to pick up a lot of deep dirt. For pure suction, I think our Kenmore canister has the Oreck beat by a fair margin. It's not as easy to use or nearly as light, though. Allan On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00 -0800, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding Labradoodle guide dogs, a high shedding retired black Lab, a Lhasa Apso, a Maltese and a few cats. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
Thanks Wilton - somehow I knew that the originator of the $2 oil sucker would have BTDT... -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:04 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Yes, many. Usually, very easily; 'last one I retrofitted was the 3500 SF 105-year Georgian colonial revival (basement and crawlspace, 2 story, walk-up attic) house I've lived in for 22 years. I've often been able to find a chase big enough or, at times, the back corner of a closet. 2 thin-wall plastic piping; 10' lengths + all fittings, couplings, etc. Nutone is one brand I remember right now. 'Several other brands, too. Check building supply, Lowes, etc. 'Don't think my main supplier, Pullman, of 30 years ago does domestic vacs any more; they build lots of commercial, industrial vac equip. Is crawlspace near the access door tall enough for power unit, or is attic easily accessible enough for power unit? Power unit could also go in garage or utility closet. Wilton - Original Message - From: Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC,53310 meade.m.dil...@navy.mil To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 7:39 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air through a venturi. Wilton - Original Message - From: LWB250 lwb...@yahoo.com To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again without hesitation. Dan --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Diesel List mercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:06 AM Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streib str...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID: 1291471598.9250.1408627...@webmail.messagingengine.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt---it's all plastic and the motor doesn't look like much. Hotels use them because they are light and they vacuum every day---they never have to pick up a lot of deep dirt. For pure suction, I think our Kenmore canister has the Oreck beat by a fair margin. It's not as easy to use or nearly as light, though. Allan On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00 -0800, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding Labradoodle guide dogs, a high shedding retired black Lab, a Lhasa Apso, a Maltese and a few cats. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
I did, many years ago. I ran the pipe for the second floor up through a closet on the main floor into a closet on the 2nd floor and then put the outlet through the back wall of the closet into the hallway. Pipe is about 2 inches diameter if my memory is right. Our 2 story house has a duct chase in one spot that permits heating ducts, plumbing etc to go from the basement to the 2nd floor. I used that as the spot for one of the main floor outlets. Our house has a full basement and the vacuum unit is mounted in the basement. Has worked well for about 25 years. Put a new motor in it a year or so ago. Think the old one just needs bearings and brushes so I kept it but SWMBO was very anxious to have it fixed and insisted we swap motors ASAP. It had become intermittent. Sometimes would not start. Ours uses the white pipe. I think if I had to do it over, I would use the clear pipe. I once had to find a blockage and cut it out to fix the problem. Clear pipe would have made it easier to do that. The blockage was a piece of dowel about 2 inches long from kid's toys. Got caught on a T and would not turn the corner. Randy On 07/12/2010 6:39 AM, Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC, 53310 wrote: Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air through a venturi. Wilton - Original Message - From: LWB250lwb...@yahoo.com To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again without hesitation. Dan --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Curt Raymondcurtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Curt Raymondcurtlud...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Diesel Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:06 AM Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streibstr...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID:1291471598.9250.1408627...@webmail.messagingengine.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt---it's all plastic and the motor doesn't look like much. Hotels use them because they are light and they vacuum every day---they never have to pick up a lot of deep dirt. For pure suction, I think our Kenmore canister has the Oreck beat by a fair margin. It's not as easy to use or nearly as light, though. Allan On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00 -0800, Kevin Kralykr...@comcast.net wrote: They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding Labradoodle guide dogs, a high shedding retired black Lab, a Lhasa Apso, a Maltese and a few cats. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon _ ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
Sounds like my house will be a good candidate - there is a void from first to second floor with more than enough room for a 2 inch plastic pipe. Another home-improvement project to add to the list... -Max (who still has a shower out of commission going on four years - lucky we have two!) -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of R A Bennell Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 12:35 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I did, many years ago. I ran the pipe for the second floor up through a closet on the main floor into a closet on the 2nd floor and then put the outlet through the back wall of the closet into the hallway. Pipe is about 2 inches diameter if my memory is right. Our 2 story house has a duct chase in one spot that permits heating ducts, plumbing etc to go from the basement to the 2nd floor. I used that as the spot for one of the main floor outlets. Our house has a full basement and the vacuum unit is mounted in the basement. Has worked well for about 25 years. Put a new motor in it a year or so ago. Think the old one just needs bearings and brushes so I kept it but SWMBO was very anxious to have it fixed and insisted we swap motors ASAP. It had become intermittent. Sometimes would not start. Ours uses the white pipe. I think if I had to do it over, I would use the clear pipe. I once had to find a blockage and cut it out to fix the problem. Clear pipe would have made it easier to do that. The blockage was a piece of dowel about 2 inches long from kid's toys. Got caught on a T and would not turn the corner. Randy On 07/12/2010 6:39 AM, Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC, 53310 wrote: Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air through a venturi. Wilton - Original Message - From: LWB250lwb...@yahoo.com To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again without hesitation. Dan --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Curt Raymondcurtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Curt Raymondcurtlud...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Diesel Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:06 AM Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streibstr...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID:1291471598.9250.1408627...@webmail.messagingengine.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt---it's all plastic and the motor doesn't look like much. Hotels use them because they are light and they vacuum every day---they never have to pick up a lot of deep dirt. For pure suction, I think our Kenmore canister has the Oreck beat by a fair margin. It's not as easy to use or nearly as light, though. Allan On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00 -0800, Kevin Kralykr...@comcast.net wrote: They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
The pipe I got was not sized to match up with regular plumbing pipe. I under bought thinking if I needed a little more, a short hardware store trip would work. NOT. I had to drive 80 miles and I stocked up, 13 years later and I have left over's. I didn't know about the clear, but that would be the way to go. Thanks Harry - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I did, many years ago. I ran the pipe for the second floor up through a closet on the main floor into a closet on the 2nd floor and then put the outlet through the back wall of the closet into the hallway. Pipe is about 2 inches diameter if my memory is right. Our 2 story house has a duct chase in one spot that permits heating ducts, plumbing etc to go from the basement to the 2nd floor. I used that as the spot for one of the main floor outlets. Our house has a full basement and the vacuum unit is mounted in the basement. Has worked well for about 25 years. Put a new motor in it a year or so ago. Think the old one just needs bearings and brushes so I kept it but SWMBO was very anxious to have it fixed and insisted we swap motors ASAP. It had become intermittent. Sometimes would not start. Ours uses the white pipe. I think if I had to do it over, I would use the clear pipe. I once had to find a blockage and cut it out to fix the problem. Clear pipe would have made it easier to do that. The blockage was a piece of dowel about 2 inches long from kid's toys. Got caught on a T and would not turn the corner. Randy On 07/12/2010 6:39 AM, Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC, 53310 wrote: Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air through a venturi. Wilton - Original Message - From: LWB250lwb...@yahoo.com To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again without hesitation. Dan --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Curt Raymondcurtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Curt Raymondcurtlud...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Diesel Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:06 AM Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streibstr...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID:1291471598.9250.1408627...@webmail.messagingengine.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt---it's all plastic and the motor doesn't look like much. Hotels use them because they are light and they vacuum every day---they never have to pick up a lot of deep dirt. For pure suction, I think our Kenmore canister has the Oreck beat by a fair margin. It's not as easy to use or nearly as light, though. Allan On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00 -0800, Kevin Kralykr...@comcast.net wrote: They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
I can buy pipe and fittings for central vacs at Home Depot. It is not plumbing pipe but it is not unique either. I think all central vac pipe is about the same. Randy On 07/12/2010 12:46 PM, Harry Watkins wrote: The pipe I got was not sized to match up with regular plumbing pipe. I under bought thinking if I needed a little more, a short hardware store trip would work. NOT. I had to drive 80 miles and I stocked up, 13 years later and I have left over's. I didn't know about the clear, but that would be the way to go. Thanks Harry - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I did, many years ago. I ran the pipe for the second floor up through a closet on the main floor into a closet on the 2nd floor and then put the outlet through the back wall of the closet into the hallway. Pipe is about 2 inches diameter if my memory is right. Our 2 story house has a duct chase in one spot that permits heating ducts, plumbing etc to go from the basement to the 2nd floor. I used that as the spot for one of the main floor outlets. Our house has a full basement and the vacuum unit is mounted in the basement. Has worked well for about 25 years. Put a new motor in it a year or so ago. Think the old one just needs bearings and brushes so I kept it but SWMBO was very anxious to have it fixed and insisted we swap motors ASAP. It had become intermittent. Sometimes would not start. Ours uses the white pipe. I think if I had to do it over, I would use the clear pipe. I once had to find a blockage and cut it out to fix the problem. Clear pipe would have made it easier to do that. The blockage was a piece of dowel about 2 inches long from kid's toys. Got caught on a T and would not turn the corner. Randy ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
I've seen only grey PVC for vac systems; doesn't fit plumbing PVC nor electric conduit. Wilton - Original Message - From: Harry Watkins harry...@bellsouth.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 1:46 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners The pipe I got was not sized to match up with regular plumbing pipe. I under bought thinking if I needed a little more, a short hardware store trip would work. NOT. I had to drive 80 miles and I stocked up, 13 years later and I have left over's. I didn't know about the clear, but that would be the way to go. Thanks Harry - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I did, many years ago. I ran the pipe for the second floor up through a closet on the main floor into a closet on the 2nd floor and then put the outlet through the back wall of the closet into the hallway. Pipe is about 2 inches diameter if my memory is right. Our 2 story house has a duct chase in one spot that permits heating ducts, plumbing etc to go from the basement to the 2nd floor. I used that as the spot for one of the main floor outlets. Our house has a full basement and the vacuum unit is mounted in the basement. Has worked well for about 25 years. Put a new motor in it a year or so ago. Think the old one just needs bearings and brushes so I kept it but SWMBO was very anxious to have it fixed and insisted we swap motors ASAP. It had become intermittent. Sometimes would not start. Ours uses the white pipe. I think if I had to do it over, I would use the clear pipe. I once had to find a blockage and cut it out to fix the problem. Clear pipe would have made it easier to do that. The blockage was a piece of dowel about 2 inches long from kid's toys. Got caught on a T and would not turn the corner. Randy On 07/12/2010 6:39 AM, Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC, 53310 wrote: Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air through a venturi. Wilton - Original Message - From: LWB250lwb...@yahoo.com To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again without hesitation. Dan --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Curt Raymondcurtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Curt Raymondcurtlud...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Diesel Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:06 AM Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streibstr...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID:1291471598.9250.1408627...@webmail.messagingengine.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt---it's all plastic and the motor doesn't look like much. Hotels use them because they are light and they vacuum every day---they never have to pick up a lot of deep dirt. For pure suction, I think our Kenmore canister has the Oreck beat by a fair margin. It's not as easy to use or nearly as light, though. Allan On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00 -0800, Kevin Kralykr...@comcast.net wrote: They've been making
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
I think it's unique to vac systems. Wilton - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 2:53 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I can buy pipe and fittings for central vacs at Home Depot. It is not plumbing pipe but it is not unique either. I think all central vac pipe is about the same. Randy On 07/12/2010 12:46 PM, Harry Watkins wrote: The pipe I got was not sized to match up with regular plumbing pipe. I under bought thinking if I needed a little more, a short hardware store trip would work. NOT. I had to drive 80 miles and I stocked up, 13 years later and I have left over's. I didn't know about the clear, but that would be the way to go. Thanks Harry - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I did, many years ago. I ran the pipe for the second floor up through a closet on the main floor into a closet on the 2nd floor and then put the outlet through the back wall of the closet into the hallway. Pipe is about 2 inches diameter if my memory is right. Our 2 story house has a duct chase in one spot that permits heating ducts, plumbing etc to go from the basement to the 2nd floor. I used that as the spot for one of the main floor outlets. Our house has a full basement and the vacuum unit is mounted in the basement. Has worked well for about 25 years. Put a new motor in it a year or so ago. Think the old one just needs bearings and brushes so I kept it but SWMBO was very anxious to have it fixed and insisted we swap motors ASAP. It had become intermittent. Sometimes would not start. Ours uses the white pipe. I think if I had to do it over, I would use the clear pipe. I once had to find a blockage and cut it out to fix the problem. Clear pipe would have made it easier to do that. The blockage was a piece of dowel about 2 inches long from kid's toys. Got caught on a T and would not turn the corner. Randy ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
By not unique I just meant that all central vac pipe seems to be the same. I don't think the various brands of central vac machines use different pipe. Randy On 07/12/2010 2:02 PM, WILTON wrote: I think it's unique to vac systems. Wilton - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 2:53 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I can buy pipe and fittings for central vacs at Home Depot. It is not plumbing pipe but it is not unique either. I think all central vac pipe is about the same. Randy On 07/12/2010 12:46 PM, Harry Watkins wrote: The pipe I got was not sized to match up with regular plumbing pipe. I under bought thinking if I needed a little more, a short hardware store trip would work. NOT. I had to drive 80 miles and I stocked up, 13 years later and I have left over's. I didn't know about the clear, but that would be the way to go. Thanks Harry - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I did, many years ago. I ran the pipe for the second floor up through a closet on the main floor into a closet on the 2nd floor and then put the outlet through the back wall of the closet into the hallway. Pipe is about 2 inches diameter if my memory is right. Our 2 story house has a duct chase in one spot that permits heating ducts, plumbing etc to go from the basement to the 2nd floor. I used that as the spot for one of the main floor outlets. Our house has a full basement and the vacuum unit is mounted in the basement. Has worked well for about 25 years. Put a new motor in it a year or so ago. Think the old one just needs bearings and brushes so I kept it but SWMBO was very anxious to have it fixed and insisted we swap motors ASAP. It had become intermittent. Sometimes would not start. Ours uses the white pipe. I think if I had to do it over, I would use the clear pipe. I once had to find a blockage and cut it out to fix the problem. Clear pipe would have made it easier to do that. The blockage was a piece of dowel about 2 inches long from kid's toys. Got caught on a T and would not turn the corner. Randy ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
If you're building your own, you could use pvc plumbing pipe I'd think I guess the wall fittings might not mate up though. On Tue, 07 Dec 2010 15:00 -0500, WILTON wilt...@nc.rr.com wrote: I've seen only grey PVC for vac systems; doesn't fit plumbing PVC nor electric conduit. Wilton - Original Message - From: Harry Watkins harry...@bellsouth.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 1:46 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners The pipe I got was not sized to match up with regular plumbing pipe. I under bought thinking if I needed a little more, a short hardware store trip would work. NOT. I had to drive 80 miles and I stocked up, 13 years later and I have left over's. I didn't know about the clear, but that would be the way to go. Thanks Harry - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I did, many years ago. I ran the pipe for the second floor up through a closet on the main floor into a closet on the 2nd floor and then put the outlet through the back wall of the closet into the hallway. Pipe is about 2 inches diameter if my memory is right. Our 2 story house has a duct chase in one spot that permits heating ducts, plumbing etc to go from the basement to the 2nd floor. I used that as the spot for one of the main floor outlets. Our house has a full basement and the vacuum unit is mounted in the basement. Has worked well for about 25 years. Put a new motor in it a year or so ago. Think the old one just needs bearings and brushes so I kept it but SWMBO was very anxious to have it fixed and insisted we swap motors ASAP. It had become intermittent. Sometimes would not start. Ours uses the white pipe. I think if I had to do it over, I would use the clear pipe. I once had to find a blockage and cut it out to fix the problem. Clear pipe would have made it easier to do that. The blockage was a piece of dowel about 2 inches long from kid's toys. Got caught on a T and would not turn the corner. Randy On 07/12/2010 6:39 AM, Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC, 53310 wrote: Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air through a venturi. Wilton - Original Message - From: LWB250lwb...@yahoo.com To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again without hesitation. Dan --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Curt Raymondcurtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Curt Raymondcurtlud...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Diesel Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:06 AM Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streibstr...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID:1291471598.9250.1408627...@webmail.messagingengine.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
That's right; pipe, fittings, etc., for all brands of vac systems are the same and can be intermingled amongst the brands, but vac system pipe, etc., can't intermingled with plumbing pipe and electrical conduit (except by innovative and imaginative modifications, duct tape, etc). I can use vac pipe and fittings that I bought 40 years ago (yes, I have some) with pipe, fittings, power units, etc., on sale right now. Wilton - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 3:12 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners By not unique I just meant that all central vac pipe seems to be the same. I don't think the various brands of central vac machines use different pipe. Randy On 07/12/2010 2:02 PM, WILTON wrote: I think it's unique to vac systems. Wilton - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 2:53 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I can buy pipe and fittings for central vacs at Home Depot. It is not plumbing pipe but it is not unique either. I think all central vac pipe is about the same. Randy On 07/12/2010 12:46 PM, Harry Watkins wrote: The pipe I got was not sized to match up with regular plumbing pipe. I under bought thinking if I needed a little more, a short hardware store trip would work. NOT. I had to drive 80 miles and I stocked up, 13 years later and I have left over's. I didn't know about the clear, but that would be the way to go. Thanks Harry - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I did, many years ago. I ran the pipe for the second floor up through a closet on the main floor into a closet on the 2nd floor and then put the outlet through the back wall of the closet into the hallway. Pipe is about 2 inches diameter if my memory is right. Our 2 story house has a duct chase in one spot that permits heating ducts, plumbing etc to go from the basement to the 2nd floor. I used that as the spot for one of the main floor outlets. Our house has a full basement and the vacuum unit is mounted in the basement. Has worked well for about 25 years. Put a new motor in it a year or so ago. Think the old one just needs bearings and brushes so I kept it but SWMBO was very anxious to have it fixed and insisted we swap motors ASAP. It had become intermittent. Sometimes would not start. Ours uses the white pipe. I think if I had to do it over, I would use the clear pipe. I once had to find a blockage and cut it out to fix the problem. Clear pipe would have made it easier to do that. The blockage was a piece of dowel about 2 inches long from kid's toys. Got caught on a T and would not turn the corner. Randy ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
You COULD; plumbing pipe is a LOT heavier; wall fittings will NOT mate properly without some innovative mods. Wilton - Original Message - From: Allan Streib str...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 4:31 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners If you're building your own, you could use pvc plumbing pipe I'd think I guess the wall fittings might not mate up though. On Tue, 07 Dec 2010 15:00 -0500, WILTON wilt...@nc.rr.com wrote: I've seen only grey PVC for vac systems; doesn't fit plumbing PVC nor electric conduit. Wilton - Original Message - From: Harry Watkins harry...@bellsouth.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 1:46 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners The pipe I got was not sized to match up with regular plumbing pipe. I under bought thinking if I needed a little more, a short hardware store trip would work. NOT. I had to drive 80 miles and I stocked up, 13 years later and I have left over's. I didn't know about the clear, but that would be the way to go. Thanks Harry - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I did, many years ago. I ran the pipe for the second floor up through a closet on the main floor into a closet on the 2nd floor and then put the outlet through the back wall of the closet into the hallway. Pipe is about 2 inches diameter if my memory is right. Our 2 story house has a duct chase in one spot that permits heating ducts, plumbing etc to go from the basement to the 2nd floor. I used that as the spot for one of the main floor outlets. Our house has a full basement and the vacuum unit is mounted in the basement. Has worked well for about 25 years. Put a new motor in it a year or so ago. Think the old one just needs bearings and brushes so I kept it but SWMBO was very anxious to have it fixed and insisted we swap motors ASAP. It had become intermittent. Sometimes would not start. Ours uses the white pipe. I think if I had to do it over, I would use the clear pipe. I once had to find a blockage and cut it out to fix the problem. Clear pipe would have made it easier to do that. The blockage was a piece of dowel about 2 inches long from kid's toys. Got caught on a T and would not turn the corner. Randy On 07/12/2010 6:39 AM, Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC, 53310 wrote: Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air through a venturi. Wilton - Original Message - From: LWB250lwb...@yahoo.com To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again without hesitation. Dan --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Curt Raymondcurtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Curt Raymondcurtlud...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Diesel Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:06 AM Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streibstr...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID:1291471598.9250.1408627
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
You have to be careful with the PVC,(I'm not sure about other types of plastic) because it can build up a pretty (like REALLY) high static charge when stuff is flowing through it. Some people have used it for pipe in a central shop vac system, and have found that running a bare wire (like 14g electrical) along it (outside) and to a ground, taped down with the aluminum tape, helps keep the charge down, which could cause sparks and mayhem in a dusty environment. I even notice that in my roll-around shop vac when using a couple of hoses joined together, in the winter when it's dry you can get a nice ZAP off the thing. I don't know if that house vac stuff considers that aspect or not. --R On 12/7/2010 4:47 PM, WILTON wrote: You COULD; plumbing pipe is a LOT heavier; wall fittings will NOT mate properly without some innovative mods. Wilton - Original Message - From: Allan Streib str...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 4:31 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners If you're building your own, you could use pvc plumbing pipe I'd think I guess the wall fittings might not mate up though. On Tue, 07 Dec 2010 15:00 -0500, WILTON wilt...@nc.rr.com wrote: I've seen only grey PVC for vac systems; doesn't fit plumbing PVC nor electric conduit. Wilton - Original Message - From: Harry Watkins harry...@bellsouth.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 1:46 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners The pipe I got was not sized to match up with regular plumbing pipe. I under bought thinking if I needed a little more, a short hardware store trip would work. NOT. I had to drive 80 miles and I stocked up, 13 years later and I have left over's. I didn't know about the clear, but that would be the way to go. Thanks Harry - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I did, many years ago. I ran the pipe for the second floor up through a closet on the main floor into a closet on the 2nd floor and then put the outlet through the back wall of the closet into the hallway. Pipe is about 2 inches diameter if my memory is right. Our 2 story house has a duct chase in one spot that permits heating ducts, plumbing etc to go from the basement to the 2nd floor. I used that as the spot for one of the main floor outlets. Our house has a full basement and the vacuum unit is mounted in the basement. Has worked well for about 25 years. Put a new motor in it a year or so ago. Think the old one just needs bearings and brushes so I kept it but SWMBO was very anxious to have it fixed and insisted we swap motors ASAP. It had become intermittent. Sometimes would not start. Ours uses the white pipe. I think if I had to do it over, I would use the clear pipe. I once had to find a blockage and cut it out to fix the problem. Clear pipe would have made it easier to do that. The blockage was a piece of dowel about 2 inches long from kid's toys. Got caught on a T and would not turn the corner. Randy On 07/12/2010 6:39 AM, Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC, 53310 wrote: Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air through a venturi. Wilton - Original Message - From: LWB250lwb...@yahoo.com To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
It does not appear to be an issue. One normally runs a wire along with the pipe anyway as it is part of the switch on the outlet setup that automatically turns on the vacuum unit when one inserts the hose end into the outlet. If there was a need for grounding, one would think they would provide a bare wire to run along with the low voltage switch wiring for the unit. We installed ours in about 1983 and apart from having one obstruction years back when the kids were little and playing with toys, and one change of motor in the unit last year, it has been fairly flawless. We did have to replace the carpet sweeper unit once too. Ours is the type powered by the airflow and not an electric unit with a cord. We added on to the house in 1987 and I tapped into the existing system to provide a couple more outlets and that was fairly easy too. Randy On 07/12/2010 4:52 PM, Rich Thomas wrote: You have to be careful with the PVC,(I'm not sure about other types of plastic) because it can build up a pretty (like REALLY) high static charge when stuff is flowing through it. Some people have used it for pipe in a central shop vac system, and have found that running a bare wire (like 14g electrical) along it (outside) and to a ground, taped down with the aluminum tape, helps keep the charge down, which could cause sparks and mayhem in a dusty environment. I even notice that in my roll-around shop vac when using a couple of hoses joined together, in the winter when it's dry you can get a nice ZAP off the thing. I don't know if that house vac stuff considers that aspect or not. --R ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
Discharging static electricity reminds me: A favorite trick in the B-52 alert facility at Kincheloe AFB, MI, (near Sault Ste. Marie in the UP - very cold and dry winters) was to quietly shuffle feet on carpet while easing up behind somebody in the hall and ease your finger toward his ear lobe until it was close enough for a HEALTHY spark to jump the gap. ;)) Wilton - Original Message - From: Rich Thomas richthomas79td...@constructivity.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 5:52 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners You have to be careful with the PVC,(I'm not sure about other types of plastic) because it can build up a pretty (like REALLY) high static charge when stuff is flowing through it. Some people have used it for pipe in a central shop vac system, and have found that running a bare wire (like 14g electrical) along it (outside) and to a ground, taped down with the aluminum tape, helps keep the charge down, which could cause sparks and mayhem in a dusty environment. I even notice that in my roll-around shop vac when using a couple of hoses joined together, in the winter when it's dry you can get a nice ZAP off the thing. I don't know if that house vac stuff considers that aspect or not. --R On 12/7/2010 4:47 PM, WILTON wrote: You COULD; plumbing pipe is a LOT heavier; wall fittings will NOT mate properly without some innovative mods. Wilton - Original Message - From: Allan Streib str...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 4:31 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners If you're building your own, you could use pvc plumbing pipe I'd think I guess the wall fittings might not mate up though. On Tue, 07 Dec 2010 15:00 -0500, WILTON wilt...@nc.rr.com wrote: I've seen only grey PVC for vac systems; doesn't fit plumbing PVC nor electric conduit. Wilton - Original Message - From: Harry Watkins harry...@bellsouth.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 1:46 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners The pipe I got was not sized to match up with regular plumbing pipe. I under bought thinking if I needed a little more, a short hardware store trip would work. NOT. I had to drive 80 miles and I stocked up, 13 years later and I have left over's. I didn't know about the clear, but that would be the way to go. Thanks Harry - Original Message - From: R A Bennell b...@mts.net To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I did, many years ago. I ran the pipe for the second floor up through a closet on the main floor into a closet on the 2nd floor and then put the outlet through the back wall of the closet into the hallway. Pipe is about 2 inches diameter if my memory is right. Our 2 story house has a duct chase in one spot that permits heating ducts, plumbing etc to go from the basement to the 2nd floor. I used that as the spot for one of the main floor outlets. Our house has a full basement and the vacuum unit is mounted in the basement. Has worked well for about 25 years. Put a new motor in it a year or so ago. Think the old one just needs bearings and brushes so I kept it but SWMBO was very anxious to have it fixed and insisted we swap motors ASAP. It had become intermittent. Sometimes would not start. Ours uses the white pipe. I think if I had to do it over, I would use the clear pipe. I once had to find a blockage and cut it out to fix the problem. Clear pipe would have made it easier to do that. The blockage was a piece of dowel about 2 inches long from kid's toys. Got caught on a T and would not turn the corner. Randy On 07/12/2010 6:39 AM, Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC, 53310 wrote: Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
Vac pipe, fittings, etc., available at vacdepot.com and many others. 'Even noticed an adapter coupling to sched 40 pipe. Wilton - Original Message - From: Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC,53310 meade.m.dil...@navy.mil To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 7:39 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Anyone ever retro-fit a house with central vacuum? My house is two story, has crawl space easily accessible and attic as well. I've fished various wires down the walls from above - what size piping is required for central vac? -Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of WILTON Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:39 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air through a venturi. Wilton - Original Message - From: LWB250 lwb...@yahoo.com To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again without hesitation. Dan --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Diesel List mercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:06 AM Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streib str...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID: 1291471598.9250.1408627...@webmail.messagingengine.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt---it's all plastic and the motor doesn't look like much. Hotels use them because they are light and they vacuum every day---they never have to pick up a lot of deep dirt. For pure suction, I think our Kenmore canister has the Oreck beat by a fair margin. It's not as easy to use or nearly as light, though. Allan On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00 -0800, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding Labradoodle guide dogs, a high shedding retired black Lab, a Lhasa Apso, a Maltese and a few cats. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
Where does the Oreck's exhaust go On 12/5/2010 1:26 AM, Kevin Kraly wrote: SNIP Oreck, and it doesn't exhaust the dust back into the room. Even with it's filter which is NLA, the Sharp would still spew smelly, dusty exhaust while under way. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon SNIP ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
The oreck uses the paper bag as the filter; the new ones are made so that the bag has a guillotine that closes when you pull the bag. The older ones can be retrofitted. Btw almost all of the Orecks use the same bag (all the non retrofitted old ones use the old style bag and all of the rest use the new style. You can also get the bags in a type that is more allergy-friendly. The bags are pretty big and take while to fill. Iirc the 21 yr warranty one has a beefier motor and a significantly larger impeller. -- John W Reames jwrea...@comcast.net Home: +14106646986 Mobile: +14437915905 On Dec 5, 2010, at 6:00, Peter T. Arnold pm7...@comcast.net wrote: Where does the Oreck's exhaust go On 12/5/2010 1:26 AM, Kevin Kraly wrote: SNIP Oreck, and it doesn't exhaust the dust back into the room. Even with it's filter which is NLA, the Sharp would still spew smelly, dusty exhaust while under way. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon SNIP ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
I still like our old bagged Kirby, it has a personality that newer vacs lack. :) Walt On Dec 5, 2010 6:00 AM, Peter T. Arnold pm7...@comcast.net wrote: Where does the Oreck's exhaust go On 12/5/2010 1:26 AM, Kevin Kraly wrote: SNIP Oreck, and it doesn't exhaust the dust back into the room. Even with it's filter which is NLA, the Sharp would still spew smelly, dusty exhaust while under way. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon SNIP ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
It's much the same way with an old Mercedes. It's not just another appliance, it has soul. I hang on to the old 1984 Kirby vacuum still at the ready with a new bag and belt. My wife figured that she would throw out the 20 year old vacuum (at the time), but I gave it new life with a belt and a new brushrole. The Hoover Foldaway kept clogging, and it was sold to the next door neighbors at the apartment complex when we moved. The Kirby was top dog until we bought the dyson. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt---it's all plastic and the motor doesn't look like much. Hotels use them because they are light and they vacuum every day---they never have to pick up a lot of deep dirt. For pure suction, I think our Kenmore canister has the Oreck beat by a fair margin. It's not as easy to use or nearly as light, though. Allan On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00 -0800, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding Labradoodle guide dogs, a high shedding retired black Lab, a Lhasa Apso, a Maltese and a few cats. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streib str...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID: 1291471598.9250.1408627...@webmail.messagingengine.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt---it's all plastic and the motor doesn't look like much. Hotels use them because they are light and they vacuum every day---they never have to pick up a lot of deep dirt. For pure suction, I think our Kenmore canister has the Oreck beat by a fair margin. It's not as easy to use or nearly as light, though. Allan On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00 -0800, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding Labradoodle guide dogs, a high shedding retired black Lab, a Lhasa Apso, a Maltese and a few cats. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again without hesitation. Dan --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Diesel List mercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:06 AM Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streib str...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID: 1291471598.9250.1408627...@webmail.messagingengine.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt---it's all plastic and the motor doesn't look like much. Hotels use them because they are light and they vacuum every day---they never have to pick up a lot of deep dirt. For pure suction, I think our Kenmore canister has the Oreck beat by a fair margin. It's not as easy to use or nearly as light, though. Allan On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00 -0800, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding Labradoodle guide dogs, a high shedding retired black Lab, a Lhasa Apso, a Maltese and a few cats. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
I've been using central vacs for 42 years; 'even designed and installed systems in IBM, ATT and DuPont labs at Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, etc., while I was off active duty from USAF and playing boy-student '68-'71. Power unit for the system I've been using here for 22 years is one I made using an old Sears shop vac tank with a Lamb motor/fan assembly left over from one of the RTP jobs after I converted the RTP system to operate VERY well and nearly maintenance-free by shooting compressed air through a venturi. Wilton - Original Message - From: LWB250 lwb...@yahoo.com To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:10 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Central vacs are definitely the way to go. While the initial upfront cost is high, the convenience and efficiency of a central vac system blows (sucks?) away any portable vac. Not to mention not having to empty it out buy maybe once or twice a year... We have built a couple of homes with central vacs, and I would do it again without hesitation. Dan --- On Sat, 12/4/10, Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Diesel List mercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 10:06 AM Central vac beats them all, we've got a cheap one and it'll put a drunk sorority girl to shame... Get too close to one of those plastic grocery bags and *sluurrpp* its gone! I also like that we only need to empty the thing once a year, no bags either... -Curt Date: Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:06:38 -0500 From: Allan Streib str...@cs.indiana.edu To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners Message-ID: 1291471598.9250.1408627...@webmail.messagingengine.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii We have an Oreck. It's a good vacuum, better than the Royal it replaced, but I don't think they really live up to the legend. Open one up to change the belt---it's all plastic and the motor doesn't look like much. Hotels use them because they are light and they vacuum every day---they never have to pick up a lot of deep dirt. For pure suction, I think our Kenmore canister has the Oreck beat by a fair margin. It's not as easy to use or nearly as light, though. Allan On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00 -0800, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding Labradoodle guide dogs, a high shedding retired black Lab, a Lhasa Apso, a Maltese and a few cats. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
There are very few metal vacuums out there these days. My parent's Oreck has lasted 10 years and shows no signs of quitting despite it's chassis' all plastic construction. I guess we'll see how long the screw holes last with disassembly and reassembly for cleaning and belt replacements over the years. The Oreck is half the weight of the Sharp, and does a better job, especially on my parent's thick pile carpet. I like the fact that there aren't any filters to replace in the Oreck, and it doesn't exhaust the dust back into the room. Even with it's filter which is NLA, the Sharp would still spew smelly, dusty exhaust while under way. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
The oreck vacuums aren't bad (they keep on sucking!), and you can still get parts for a 30-some year old unit! -- John W Reames jwrea...@comcast.net Home: +14106646986 Mobile: +14437915905 On Dec 2, 2010, at 22:10, Bob Rentfro azbob...@gmail.com wrote: yes...those are nice...like an air squeege Bob R On Thu, Dec 2, 2010 at 6:20 PM, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: I've heard of their fans, but never got my hands on one. I did get my hands IN one of the hand dryers that blows air from a slot on both sides, and your hands go down the middle. They are very efficient! He sure can come up with some innovative products. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
I traded in an older Sharp vacuum who's parts are NLA, and got a $50 credit on a gently used Oreck deluxe XL for $129. He threw in a pack of 8 bags, a $18.99 value. My parents and I have been going to this vac mech for years, a good local business. I got The dyson back together and sucking as usual, and it will once again take its place downstairs. That thing vacuumed up dirt and dog hair in my parent's carpet even after using their Oreck, so I'm going to see what else it can pick up before taking it home tonight. It's very thick pile carpet, so the dirt can really hide in there. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding Labradoodle guide dogs, a high shedding retired black Lab, a Lhasa Apso, a Maltese and a few cats. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
I am curious about the Dysons and to whether or not their claims are legit. A vacuum is not the sort of thing you can adequately test drive IMHO, so I have always viewed them with some trepidation. So do they truly suck as much as they claim? Dan --- On Fri, 12/3/10, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: From: Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net Subject: Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Date: Friday, December 3, 2010, 9:00 PM They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding Labradoodle guide dogs, a high shedding retired black Lab, a Lhasa Apso, a Maltese and a few cats. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
I have always thought of the simple hoover and the electrolux as the 123 of vacuums, one canister and one upright for carpets. I have an electrolux that is probably 60 ot more years old, and I had a hoover for years that was old when I got it and is probably still working. BTW, parts are available for both. the Hoover model 33 is probably 60 years old too. They've been making Orecks with the same basic design for 47 years, man that's a long time! The new one has a LED light on the front, hepa outer bag and hepa filter bags as well. We'll see how it stacks up to the Dyson DC14 and the old Kirby Heritage II Legend. We have plenty of a challenge for any vacuum with two low shedding Labradoodle guide dogs, a high shedding retired black Lab, a Lhasa Apso, a Maltese and a few cats. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
Maybe, it's the W124 of vacuums. The simpler bagged vacuums are even more easily serviceable. The Dyson, though it seperates into a few different parts, is straight forward to put back together after a thorough servicing/cleaning. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
They say, nothing sucks like electrolux! I prefer a box fan, some castors, a broom handle, and a pillow case. Walt On Dec 3, 2010 9:45 PM, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: Maybe, it's the W124 of vacuums. The simpler bagged vacuums are even more easily serviceable. The Dyson, though it seperates into a few different parts, is straight forward to put back together after a thorough servicing/cleaning. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
I KNOW Those Dysons are simple. They suck like mad. Easy to clean. I've had mine for almost 8 years and it still works as well as the day I bought it. They are indeed the W123 of vacuums. I'm thinking of springing for one of their handhelds, if they ever go on sale. Have you seen their cool fans? They cannot keep them in stores around here. Bob R Looking for a diesel On Thu, Dec 2, 2010 at 12:46 AM, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: I was getting frustrated with the low suction performance of my expen$ive Dyson DC14 vacuum cleaner when I thought, What Would Jim Cathey Do? Of course, he would plunge head long into the job and take apart every little piece to find the root of the problem, DIRT Once I found the model number, I googled the repair info for it, took a deep breath and a Torx screwdriver in hand, and I dove in! I'm amazed at how simple it is, and how easily it comes apart! Little did I know that the cyclonic chambers build up with gunk over the years (I've owned it for three), but it breaks down into 4 pieces for easy cleaning. A long handled paint brush or bottle brush does a good job of getting down into the nooks and crannies, and hot water and soap is all that's needed for cleaning. I may bleach it out to deodorize it before letting the parts dry overnight. Hopefully, the results are good once it's back together tomorrow. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
I've heard of their fans, but never got my hands on one. I did get my hands IN one of the hand dryers that blows air from a slot on both sides, and your hands go down the middle. They are very efficient! He sure can come up with some innovative products. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] The W123 of vacuum cleaners
yes...those are nice...like an air squeege Bob R On Thu, Dec 2, 2010 at 6:20 PM, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: I've heard of their fans, but never got my hands on one. I did get my hands IN one of the hand dryers that blows air from a slot on both sides, and your hands go down the middle. They are very efficient! He sure can come up with some innovative products. Kevin in Hillsboro, Oregon ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
