This is topic What's the best vacuum cleaner for clean up? in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Fred L West (Member # 6038) on 04-02-2012, 08:12 AM:
Wondering what everyone is using for vacuum cleaners. We have wood floors under the seats and carpet on the walk way and lobby area. Have been using a home system from Sears and need something better but have not seen any on the market. Something more powerful and willing to pickup intact popcorn would be great.
Posted by Jeffry L. Johnson (Member # 453) on 04-02-2012, 11:12 AM:
If you cannot install a central vacuum system, I recommend a backpack vacuum.
For over fifteen (15) years in my carpeted projection room I've used a Castex Portapac with HEPA filter bags. Had it serviced several times.
Posted by Melanie Loggins (Member # 6454) on 04-02-2012, 11:45 AM:
We're using two donated Electrolux cleaners. One is red and has a longer cord. (Sorry I can't give more details, but it was donated do I don't have any more information!) Anyway, they're both fantastic at picking up popcorn. The only downside is that the bags are expensive. I've only replaced them a couple of times, though, in the our first year, because I just cut the bottom of the bag open, empty it, and duct tape it back shut.
Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 04-02-2012, 01:26 PM:
Backpaks are the way to go.
Posted by Richard Orsak (Member # 4472) on 04-02-2012, 01:26 PM:
The Riccar 8900 Series are incredible commercial vacuums that clean up and away the best out there.
There are 2 models - the 8920 and the 8925. The only difference is being the 8925 has onboard tools, and you can turn off the brush roller when you do hard surface cleaning.
The parts are easily replacable, and you can even replace the individual roller brushes on the stainless roller.
Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 04-02-2012, 03:47 PM:
My theatre is pretty small (153 seats) so this may not be applicable to a larger place, but I just buy "whatever is on sale" at the local hardware store, use it until it dies, then throw it out and get another one. My current vacuum is about three or four years old; it's a Dirt Devil upright that cost me something in the neighbourhood of $120, as I recall. It's a "bagless" model so I save money on buying bags, too.
I have considered purchasing a good commercial vacuum but I can buy six or ten of these for the price of one commercial vacuum.
Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 01-18-2016, 07:34 PM:
It has been 1386 days since the last post.
Posted by James Mays (Member # 9228) on 01-18-2016, 07:34 PM:
Just sharing my experience. I have a Bissell 86T3 Big Green.
I needed to clean the carpet in the house and I debated between buying this vs renting. In the end I purchased this because I figured in the long run I would use this often. The first time I used this, I was making multiple passes on the same spot and it was getting a lot of dirt out. I will say that the pass forward (push) seemed a lot more difficult than the pass back (pull). The carpet is now wonderfully clean and I do not regret this purchase.
Good thing I read some review sites before purchasing. I can still see this on top list of some review sites so if somebody is looking for the best brand, Bissell is the right choice.
Posted by Buck Wilson (Member # 5885) on 01-18-2016, 07:58 PM:
I believe those are designed to only be pulled backward. You roll it forward, tip it down, then pull it back slowly.
Posted by Rex Oliver (Member # 7593) on 01-19-2016, 01:44 AM:
Vacuum cleaner-I am a vacuum cleaner collector-So this is interesting to me.From the commercial cleaning equipment maker National Super Service-they claim their NSS M1 canister vacuum is a high choice among cinemas.They have one of their first models-that came from a movie theater in their lobby display case in Toledo Ohio-it slurped up popcorn and candy wrappers in the cinema for 50 yrs before they ere awarded a new M1 from NSS under a contest they held of the oldest M1 vacuum still in use.NSS will even gladly demo that old M1 if you want.No,I am not a salesguy for NSS just like their machines and have some in my collection.ProTeam is probably the best known backpack cleaner.I could see wheeled canisters as a problem in cleaning auditoriums-they would want to roll downhill!For the large areas of carpets-would suggest a wipepath metal Royal upright.This can clean a path to 18" wide.Another choice is a Powerflite widepath-they make two models-22" and 24".NSS also makes a Pacer series widepath upright.These machines can clean the large carpet areas-like a lobby faster and better than a backpack.The NSS M1 machine can be equipped to clean high up areas-like HVAC vents acoustic padding on walls and so on.
Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 01-19-2016, 03:24 PM:
Came with the place but rarely used as the building supplies janitorial service on weeknights. But very handy after a weekend BD party popcorn explosion. Also: A small Shop-Vac, a hand-held Dirt Devil, and a Rug Doctor (the older larger rental model, with the upholstery tool).
Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 01-19-2016, 04:53 PM:
The Temple Theatre in Saginaw, Michigan used a similar appearing vacuum cleaner and it was called "The Pig".
The most interesting cleaners are the ones where the trash does not go through the impeller.
Several of the old theatres had built in cleaners that were powered by a fan similar to the blower on the pipe organ. Those were made by the Spencer Turbine Company. There were capped tubes that led to the cellar where the trash was collected in a large tank.
Posted by Rex Oliver (Member # 7593) on 01-20-2016, 12:43 AM:
The "Pig" is the patented name that has been given to the NSS M1 by them.This machine could be considered a "hybrid" canister vacuum.Heavcy items like coins,nails,pebbles,nuts,bolts stay in the snout section of the machine.Lighter debris-such as popcorn,candy wrappers,dust go thru the robust suction fan and into the top mounted filter bag.However one of my "Pigs" cleaned up after a beasement remodel and was surprized what was in the bag-many conduit box slugs-bent over by the fan and a peice of 6" long Romex cable!The fan was undamaged.It blades are almost quarter in thick!Glad to see a "Pig" here-they are popular with the vacuum collectors.For the most part even at home the NSS Pig is my "go To" vacuum along with a MD Silentmaster central unit.Another is a Kirby Avalir.
Posted by James Wyrembelski (Member # 9037) on 01-20-2016, 01:37 AM:
Funny, I collected them too for a time.
I no longer do, but have a pile of old Kirbys stored in various spots. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
As far as for work. Can't beat an all metal type for the smaller locations. Used Royal metal uprights can be found on the cheap and they'll last forever.
Posted by Brian DeCiancio (Member # 1422) on 01-20-2016, 01:47 PM:
I have had good success with this:
http://www.thinkvacuums.com/commercial-vacuum/sanitaire/sc899.php
More metal than plastic. If you don't beat them up (like some cleaning services), they are a good machine as long as you aren't looking for HEPA filtration. They have a reuseable shake-out bag and strong pick-up.
Posted by Rex Oliver (Member # 7593) on 01-21-2016, 12:17 AM:
Oh yes-Don't forget Sanitaires.These machines are probably the most popular commercial vacuums-both the uprights and commercial "Mighty Mite" canisters.Often the Mighty Mites are bought by building contractors to use as a "disposable" machine to use for final building job cleanups after a shop type vacuum.The Sanitaire uprights can be used with outer bags that have the new "ST" Filtrete disposable bags where clean air is impostant-like in offices.The ST bag replaces the older "F&G" bags.Sanitaire uprights indeed perform well-not fancy and very easy to service.Fans,rollerbrushes,belts are easily and quickly replaced.Their motors can be replaced quickly as well.Seen strange things picked up in these-A machine that was owned by a resturant-half of a mouse in the fancase-other half in the cloth dump bag.The roller and fan chopped the mouse in half!Me and the vacuum shop man that worked it figured the mouse was picked up ALIVE!Other times,coins,hamburgers,nails,and so on.Interesting finds when I help the vacuum shop man!
Posted by Steve Moore (Member # 4753) on 01-21-2016, 04:53 AM:
Well at my cinema for years we have used "Henry", the vacuum that everyone loves to hate. He blocks up all the time and spends 90% of his time on his side or upside down and you shout obscenities at him, but all he does is looks back and smiles and then you love him all over again!
Below and image of mine from New Years Eve, after my last show of the day; I think he had been on the booze a bit early!
Posted by Rex Oliver (Member # 7593) on 01-21-2016, 06:08 AM:
The Henry vacuum cleaner-have one of those-yes,if you pull the hose in a certain way-Henry trips over.Out my way bought one from another collector.Their bags are not real common here.In the meantime using a Kirby Filtrete HEPA bag in mine.It works OK when Henry stays upright and is not "drunk"He is a pretty sturdy little fellow!Some of the commercial cleaning suppliers sell them in the US.
Posted by Buck Wilson (Member # 5885) on 01-21-2016, 06:50 AM:
That is the cutest thing I've seen all week!!
Posted by Steve Moore (Member # 4753) on 01-22-2016, 03:29 AM:
Buck, if you liked that... here I am with my little friend again!
Sorry, not the clearest of selfies here!
Posted by Rex Oliver (Member # 7593) on 01-22-2016, 06:20 AM:
I do like the manual cordwinder on the Henry-no springs or other things to break!Like the moptop Henry!Use him as a mop,too?
Posted by Steve Moore (Member # 4753) on 01-22-2016, 06:34 AM:
No I just thought he might like to have a head of hair; didn't want him feeling cold....! I fear we are going off topic, about the best cleaner.. though generally they have served us well and are really easy to replace the cable if it gets snagged and get spares for too.
And best not mention that they got a bit naughty when we played 50 Shades of Henry, last year!
Posted by Buck Wilson (Member # 5885) on 01-22-2016, 07:11 AM:
HAHAHAHAHA ![[sex]](graemlins/sex.gif)
That. Is. Fantastic!
Posted by Steve Moore (Member # 4753) on 01-22-2016, 09:29 AM:
Thanks ! It's the daft things like that, which get me through the day now, since the digits took over and spending less time in the projection room!
Posted by Buck Wilson (Member # 5885) on 01-22-2016, 05:49 PM:
Tell me about it. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)