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  • 1.  HEPA Filter Vacuum Recommendations

    Posted 02-19-2019 11:23
    What do people recommend for HEPA filter vacuums for collections? We are in the market for a new vacuum to help with our collections, specifically our textiles, but one that could be used for other items in our collections, especially new items as they come in. We were looking at the Nilfisk museum vacuum (through Gaylord Archival) but it is quite expensive for our budget, especially with the replacement cartridges. We have also been looking at the Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction w/ HEPA Filter. We are trying to steer clear of those that use water filters because of the setup of our collections department with stairs. Any other suggestions? Thanks! 

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    Norah Schneider
    Collections Manager
    Falmouth Historical Society and Museums on the Green
    Falmouth MA

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  • 2.  RE: HEPA Filter Vacuum Recommendations

    Posted 02-19-2019 15:54
    Norah, I haven't tried the Miele, but when this question came up on the Conservation DistList a few years ago, someone else did recommend it. I can speak personally for the Nilfisk and the Tiger-Vac (also sold by Gaylord) as expensive but durable options - our ~25-year-old Tiger-Vac is still going strong, and in a previous job I used a similarly-aged Nilfisk that was just beginning to decline.

    Other options I wrote down from the previous DistList thread were the Fein Turbo 2 Variable Speed, a 3M electric canister, and a RIDGID wet/dry vacuum with the regular filter replaced with a HEPA - but I don't know details about these, i.e. if people liked them, if they are all variable speed, would need separate micro attachments, etc.

    Also after having looked into buying a new vacuum a few years ago, I would say that once you decide what you want, comparison shopping with vacuum specialty vendors may be worth the time. 


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    Rebecca Smyrl
    Assistant Conservator for Special Collections
    UNC Chapel Hill Libraries
    Chapel Hill NC
    (610) 659-7792
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  • 3.  RE: HEPA Filter Vacuum Recommendations

    Posted 02-20-2019 16:19
    I have a Nilfisk hip vac and a Miele canister with variable suction. I prefer the Miele because its so quiet!  And the variable suction is great. I love the Nilfisk for ladder work, and big projects but the variable is only by trigger switch and that kills my hand after a while. And, it can't do micro attachments without overheating. 

    Many Thanks,

    Julie Bly DeVere

    Head Curator & Collection Manager
    Historic Filoli Estate
    86 Cañada Road
    Woodside, Calif. 94062
    (650) 421-7326 (Direct Line)
    (650) 364-8300 x 205


     

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  • 4.  RE: HEPA Filter Vacuum Recommendations

    Posted 02-20-2019 10:51
    Hi Norah

    As a textile conservator in private practice who works with many smaller institutions on a budget I highly recommend the Miele C1 line of vacs. The line features a sealed system, variable speeds, and uses hepa filtration. They are lightweight,  well-priced, and have attachments for additional objects in your collection as well as micro- attachment kits. I use one in my conservation studio and when I travel for client work. As a member of the Costume Society of America's Angels Project we also provide  a Miele C1 vac, using grant funding from that project, for each year's awardee. That's how much we believe in them.
    You can contact me privately if you have additional questions/concerns at info@conservetextiles.com. My conservation studio is nearby in Scituate, MA.

    Marie Schlag
    Textile Conservator 
    The Studio for Textile Conservation 
    https://conservetextiles.com 
    781-710-6658



    Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone



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  • 5.  RE: HEPA Filter Vacuum Recommendations

    Posted 02-21-2019 10:12

    Hi Norah,

    We recently needed to buy three Nilfisks for a large scale cleaning project, we found that Talas had the best price for the vacuum.

    https://www.talasonline.com/Nilfisk-Vacuum-GM80

    Additionally we were going through brushes at quite a quick pace and most archival suppliers charged quite a bit for the attachments, but we found that on amazon the micro tool kits were really inexpensive, which allowed us to buy multiple sets for a reasonable price.

    Hope this was helpful,

     

    Sara Frankel
    Collections Manager

    Harvard University | Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments
    1 Oxford St, Science Center 250a, Cambridge, MA 02138
    sfrankel@fas.harvard.edu
    http://chsi.harvard.edu/

     




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  • 6.  RE: HEPA Filter Vacuum Recommendations

    Posted 02-21-2019 16:26

    Hello,

     

    We used this device to repair the broken variable speed unit for our Nilfisk.

    https://www.amazon.com/MLCS-9400-Standard-Router-Control/dp/B001JHQ3G8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1550773135&sr=8-9&keywords=variable+router+control

     

    One could also use this on any other standard vacuum, even a Shop-vac. In fact, this is the identical unit Nilfisk installed on their vacuums for a time.

    And it's only $32, compared to what they charge.

     

     

    Loran Berg

    Collections Manager

    Mountain Heritage Center

    Western Carolina University

    176 Central Dr. #240

    Cullowhee, NC 28723

    LBerg@wcu.edu

    828-227-3190

     




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  • 7.  RE: HEPA Filter Vacuum Recommendations

    Posted 02-20-2019 11:36
    Hello Norah,

    I highly recommend the Nilfisk museum vacuum because of the variable suction speed. We are on our second museum attachment, but our original vacuum which we bought 15 years ago. So, it is a good investment for the long-term.

    Granted, we primarily are a glass and objects conservation company, but I can see how it could be applied to other disciplines.

    Good luck!

    -Ariana Makau

    Ariana Makau | President & Principal Conservator

    AIC Professional Associate

    Board Member of SGAA

    @nzilani_glass

    www.nzilani.com

    NZILANI GLASS CONSERVATION, INC.  -"Be Safe. Have Fun. Do Excellent Work!"

    3246 Ettie St #4, Oakland, CA 94608

    CA Licensed & Bonded Contractor #1010577 

    tel:+510.821.2742

    Recipient of the 2018 California Preservation Foundation Craftsmanship/Preservation Technology Award 




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