would people recommend Numatic Henry Vacuum cleaners?

[amandaeb]

It seems that I'll need to buy a new vacuum cleaner. I like the idea of bagless, but have read a few read good reviews of Henry. I'd rather sacrifice baglessness for reliability. It would be mostly used on hard floors.

I just wondered what people's opinions were on here regarding Henry. I also read on their website that you can get a Henry with a Turbo head, does anyone know what this is?

However I also read that people have used Henry without the bag. Is this ok? Or is it detrimental to the life of the machine?


Many thanks

Amanda

 

[PTH]

Any machine designed for use with a bag should never be used without it - the motor will be damaged very quickly.

Numatic machines are fine but a bit over priced in my opinion. The Clarke range from Machine Mart seem to survive building site conditions fairly well which must be some indication of robustness and reliability - cheap as well.

Domestic vacuum machines these days all seem to be designed to the same standards as hi-fi, a bit too delicate, they don't like being bashed into door posts or dropped down the stairs.... and the more you pay, the more gadgets and flimsy bits of plastic get added on.

Rant over...

Choose the one that will fit in the cupboard under the stairs along with all the other junk that is there already!

 

[amandaeb]

LOL! Have you been round to my house when I've been out? Else how do you know about the mess in the cupboard.

Funnily enough I saw an advert for Machine mart in the local free paper. Are the machines heavy though do you know?

I know what you mean about flimsy bits of plastic. My cable rewind button and 'awkward places sucker attachment' have both broken in the last month.

Thank you

Amanda

 

[ChrisR]

Lots of builders use Henry's with no bag for years. I have one and I only use the bag for things like soot. There's a fairly fine cloth screen apart from the bag, which presumably is why it works- ie doesn't wreck the motor.
It's okay, no better. Not terribly powerful, the hoses are all separate - sliding would be better, and to use just the bent metal bit of hose with a small end fitting, you need ANOTHER little plastic bit. Pain.
It's fairly light and quiet though, with a decent length cable which winds in.

 

[breezer]

the reason vacuum cleaners have a bag is to stop dust grit etc getting into the motor, by not using a bag the above will happen, but also as a henry has a "nylon secondary filter" if no bag is used this second filter will over time block, so reducing the effectiveness, but as it will be slow and gradula people who do it do not notice

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

Hi Amanda

for a good robust machine, you can't go far wrong with one of these...

Click me!

It's a 'Wet and dry' bagless cleaner. I have one for work and is very powerful but a little loud! But being wet and dry is very useful. Also, you can connect the hose to the exhaust and use it as a blower! Fantastic!

It doesn't come as standard with a cartridge filter, you have to send away mail order for one (about £5) but well worth it.

Only down side is the length of hose is a bit short, but I think you can buy a longer one???

 

[PTH]

Amanda,
That Earlex machine recommended by MMJ looks great value.
The Clarke ones are no heavier than the equivalent Numatic - they do quite a large range.

I don't have one of these myself, although I have used them on site quite often, so I can't vouch for the durability of the attachments. At home I use an ancient industrial machine with a steel case that weighs about 1/2 ton but will lift floorboards if I'm not careful!

You could try taking a bag off fine sawdust with you to the shop and tread some into their carpet then ask the machines to be demonstrated!

I used my psychic powers to look in your cupboard - oh, and I know about the out of date yoghurts at the back of your fridge as well.

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

Here's another cheap option...

Click me

 

[amandaeb]

Thank you everyone for your replies.


PTH- the yoghurts are not too out of date, only a week or so! Bet you didn't know about the half lettuce congealing at the bottom of the salad drawer though.

Thank you PTH, Chris, breezer and janitor for your opinions and recommendations. I'm undecided at the mo. The present cleaner was cheap, Daewoo, but I'm gradually trying to replace the cheap stuff I've bought over the years with better quality stuff where it matters.

Janitor I hadn't previously considered a wet and dry, it sounds really tough. I imagine blowing would be useful. Do you know if its very heavy? And does it perch on the stairs?

I'll look at the machine mart ones when I can get over there. I wouldn't have thought about industrial type ones. So thank you again. I'll look at Henry too, theres a shop that specialises in them thats very local.

Amanda

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

your welcome amanda!

To answer your question - No, it doesn't perch on the stairs and like I said the hose is short, so thelong hose would be essential for that particular use.

With regard to quality - you don't always pay for what you get. Sometimes you pay for quality branding and advertising... Direson...

My little Earlex - I paid £35 has sucked up more glass, diesel, toilet waste Eeeewwww and general rubbish than I care to think about... Well, the toilet bit anyhoo!

Did you check out the other link I posted? £20, can't be bad!

Good luck

wow, I didn't make any rude comments about blowing etc...