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Anyone interested in a Kirby Model 515?
A lady sent me an e-mail tonight saying she has one in good working condition with the original instruction manual, signed and dated August 16, 1955. I sent a reply to her, indicating I'd check among club members to see if any were interested and asking what price she wanted for it?
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Wednesday, December 31, 2003 at 20:11:03 (MST)
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Happy New Year.
Had an interesting health event in November. I now have two medicated stents in my left anterior descending coronary artery (the Widow Maker). I am too young for this! Anyway, everything else looks good in there. I feel like Jack Nicholson).
Here is a pic taken today of me in the tux and my G3 -- Happy New Year!
http://www.downtownbenson.com/newyear
Mark Goodall
Omaha, NE USA - Wednesday, December 31, 2003 at 13:14:02 (MST)
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Re my earlier posting about eBay crap, case in point: (And such a deal at $199.00)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2369250516&category=43524
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Saturday, December 27, 2003 at 12:19:53 (MST)
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Happy Holidays to all!!!!
To Louis: What a sharp looking newsletter!!! Thanks to you and to all the guys for the hard work put into it. It looks great!!!
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Friday, December 26, 2003 at 20:31:15 (MST)
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MORGAN, congrats on your AF find -- it's a really lovely vacuum cleaner. You may enjoy my web page on the AF if you haven't seen it -- check out http://www.137.com/af; and of course all my other vacuum cleaner pages listed on my web site portal at http://www.137.com.
In other news, eBay had "free listing day" today and it surely shows. Ton after ton of crap and junk have hastily been dumped into their site.
There's one person, apparently a vac shop proprietor, who has listed -- in ONE day -- more than 4,700 listings most of them duplicates of stuff like bags and belts. I'd sure love to be a fly on the wall to see the guy's "face get broke" when, after spending what surely must have been hours of work, eBay pulls all those auctions for violating their duplicate listing policy...
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Friday, December 26, 2003 at 18:35:50 (MST)
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Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
Santa was good to me. I recieved a Model AF Electrolux, LX Electrolux as well as a Royal Pony... or I guess that what it is. Model 401. Will be looking for someone to replace bearings and brushes in the Electrolux AF and some guidance on rebuilding the LX. The Bag ejector seems to be in working order. The motor sounds good on it.
Next I will have to buy a bigger house... running out of room...
Also just a note to Louis on a GREAT LOOKING NEWSLETTER!!!! Good things are always worth waiting for.
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Benton, WI USA - Thursday, December 25, 2003 at 18:46:59 (MST)
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Hello All!
Just wanted to take a minute and add my praise to Louis for a newsletter well done, it looks great!
I also hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Santa is a pretty sharp cookie, under my tree was a portable step-up transformer! I can now run my British and Australian Hoovers and not have to have my house re-wired! Since this is portable, I'll probably be bringing international Hoovers to the Convention. A British Hoover Senior may look like just another Convertible, but the sound and construction are MUCH better.
Merry Christmas from Chicago!
Jeff
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Thursday, December 25, 2003 at 17:47:35 (MST)
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Greetings Members
Ok, you may not remember the guy from columbus,ohio! I did enjoy the Convention and
have talked it up to friends and family. I am
not the person to be active in the forum but just
had to write when I heard about the Hoover collection in North Canton. I do hope there is
someone or something to keep it together. It is one
of my favorite Ohio places to visit. Oh! if we
could only have our own place to keep and display
and acquire all those vacs!
Having owned a Vacuum sales and service in the 80's
I have owned, rebuilt and repaired all of those
wonderfull Hoovers of the past! I grew up with
Kirby and Lux and gather them for my current collection (if only I could have stored all those
from my past!)
Currently acquired a Kirby Heritage II in perfect
condition-dose any one have an instruction book??
Your discussion of Hoover 27 and 28 bring memories
of my childhood, as several of my aunts had those models and I used to know every detail!
At any rate this appliance housewares show sounds
quite interesting, especially if it is going to be
in Lancaster Ohio (if I understand correctly) As
Lancaster is only 18 miles south of Columbus. So
if anyone is passing thru be sure to contact me.
I would like to visit with all of you again. I can
hardly waite for June and Chicago.
My best to all of you in the New Year!
Norm Brown
Norm Brown
Columbus, Oh USA - Thursday, December 25, 2003 at 16:23:19 (MST)
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Hello To All:
Thanks for doing such a great job Louis. The news letter was awsome.
To Bernie:
I notice in the pics you have your Kenmore Imperial up and Running that's great. Bernie if you don't mine send me a pic of it. Would love to see a close up pic of it.
To Everyone:
I'm wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. i hope 2004 is everyone's year.
Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Thursday, December 25, 2003 at 11:31:54 (MST)
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I'll add my accolades to Louis et al for the last newsletter. Great job! And RJ, your repair series is excellent. Very interesting and well done.
And now, may I say to all of you that I hope your holiday SUCKS!!! ;P
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Wednesday, December 24, 2003 at 16:54:12 (MST)
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Hello everyone! I got my newsletter yesterday and read it this morning and really enjoyed it. Louis did a great job! I enjoyed reading the story of Scott and Roger and I and our "mini-convention" back in July. We hope to get together again in March (when the weather is much better).
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you and I hope to see you in Chicago next year!
Michael
Michael Thomas
Phoenix, AZ USA - Wednesday, December 24, 2003 at 12:01:13 (MST)
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PS--I am almost certain that today is Fred Stachnik's 21st birthday. I'm not sure how often he reads the forum but on behalf of the club I wanted to wish him:
A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Boy, to be 21 again. (But only with what I know today).
Have a great day Fred and best wishes.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, nc USA - Tuesday, December 23, 2003 at 07:20:03 (MST)
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Charlie L. and Tom (and anyone who wants to jump in):
I have both the Hoover 27 and 28. It seems to me that the 27 is slightly quieter and easier to operate. It just hums along doing a beautiful job.
Now if memory serves me right, they both have the same motor with the same number of fan blades. Right? Could it just be previous usage that makes one more favorable than the other? Both have brand new original Hoover horse hair brush strips. The 28 has the original bag while the 27 has a correct Hoover replacement bag.
Any comments? I do prefer to use the 27 over the 28 because of it's quiet, gliding operaton.
Charlie W.
Charl;otte, NC USA - Tuesday, December 23, 2003 at 07:16:37 (MST)
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A very BIG thank-you to Louis and everyone else who had a part in the Newsletter. Mine arrived today and it was so much fun reading through it. All of you did a wonderful job of pulling this all together. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all of you out there a Very Merry Christmas. Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Monday, December 22, 2003 at 21:37:55 (MST)
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To Charlie Lester:
The biggest problem with the 150 Hoover's automatic height adjustment is that you were NOT supposed to have the machine running when the lever was pushed. The machine HAD to be OFF in order for it to work properly. Otherwise, the suction would pull the nozzle to the carpet and make the adjustment mechanism give a false setting.
To Jeff Parker:
Maytag also wants to close the North Canton plant permanently. They are NOTHING about history, only profit.
Whent the club visited the plant in North Canton ten years ago, they had a room called the 'vaults' that had not only all the hoovers, but also all the competitive machines they EVER tested against the Hoover (like a Frantz Premier), etc. I can't imagine that the historical center's vacuums would be 'thrown in the trash'. Tom Anderson would have a fit.
But I do believe that very soon, Hoover will have nothing but pictures of their 'old' models. The actual machine will either be donated to the Smithsonian or other museum (or perhaps put on Ebay). It's a really sad day for vacuum cleaener collectors when the 'best' vacuum from Hoover is the 'V2' failure. Almost makes you want to cry, doesn't it? At least my 1916 Old Style Special model will always have a home.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Monday, December 22, 2003 at 07:28:06 (MST)
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I was "chastised" in a private email:
=-> The 27 and 28 DID have a height adjustment lever; the 305 did not. The height adjustment lever for the 27 and 28 was located UNDERNEATH the machine at the rear wheels (just like on the model 61). The instruction book for both the 27 & 28 show the user, with the machine in operating position, pushing down on the back part of the hood (to raise the nozzle) and with the other hand reaching underneath the machine to turn the adjustment lever to lock the rear wheels into their proper position. <-=
-------
Well, I am the first to admit I am no expert on Hoovers --- I was only going by my experience with using these machines. I did not ever recall seeing the height-adjuster thing and never have had anyone show it to me.
I don't think it was TOO bizarre an assumption to believe that these models had, or purported to have, some sort of automatic height adjuster since there was none apparent.
I do hope that other people will please feel free to post corrections to the forum when I - or anyone else for that matter - have misspoken. That's how we all learn about old machines, especially ones that we don't particularly "specialize in."
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Sunday, December 21, 2003 at 16:38:45 (MST)
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It's a Eureka . . .
I forgot to mention that the maroon tank machine in the post below is a Eureka.
Jim
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Sunday, December 21, 2003 at 13:15:56 (MST)
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Holiday greetings from the Heartland!
This past week I acquired from a second hand dealer a vintage maroon tank type cleaner. It is a Model W-75, has two wheels under the tank near the back, and a body made apparently from cardboard. The machine has a cloth hose. The only attachments I got were a wand and a floor brush. Is this machine pre-World War II or post-World War II, say from the mid or late forties or early fifties?
On a Santa Claus note, I had the privilege this past Wednesday of serving as Santa Claus for a party for 125 Head Start and Even Start children. It was sponsored by the Lions Club I'm a member of and co-sponsored by the Retired Teachers Assn. and the Jaycees. It was very heart warming to have each of the 125 children sit briefly on Santa's lap. The Jaycees, Retired Teachers, and Lions provided a gift for each child. Many of the children, usually from age 3 to 5, were Hispanic. I speak a bit of Spanish and tried to speak some Spanish to each of those children. They seemed to light up when Santa spoke to them in Spanish.
Best wishes to all for a happy Hanukkah and Christmas season.
Jim Kirby
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Sunday, December 21, 2003 at 13:12:27 (MST)
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Some sad news here just in time for Christmas, and I may well go into mourning for this one: I recieved word this past week that as of January 1, 2004 The Hoover Historical Center, as well as all of the Hoover-owned land around it will be donated to Walsh University, whose campus is across Easton Street from the HHC. The property was not sold to the University, but donated by the "esteemed" Maytag corp. No word yet on the fate of the HHC(or its contents)only that the Center will close December 31 for the month of January. This is a normal event, as January is when the previous displays are taken down and new are set up. I can't imagine that a private university would want to try its hand at running a vacuum museum, but I could be wrong and stranger things have happened.
I feel sorry ofr those in North canton, Maytag didn't exactly have a banner year, and they've cut stuff all over. Hoover seems to have been hit especially bad, they've closed the Industrial Park plant and hung a FOR SALE sign outside. Now everything that is still made in Ohio(Canisters, Steam Vacs, Commercial Cleaners, and one Elite line) comes from the main factory.
Here's to hoping Maytag gets their S**T together in 2004, and that Hoover hangs around long enough to have a 100th anniversary in 2008.
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Sunday, December 21, 2003 at 10:18:26 (MST)
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=-> Hoover Model 28. You had them as twins Now I would like to find the owners manual...HINT HINT... <-=
Well, keep your eyes on eBay! I don't have a 28 manual myself or I would have included it with the set.
It's really a terrific vacuum cleaner isn't it. I am torn between which of the Dreyfuss early machines (150, 25, 26, 27, 28 & 305) I like better. The 150 is the most stylish, and had the "mysterious" housing made of the new wonder-material, light-weight magnesium.
But it had a feature that worked better in conception than reality and that was the automatic height adjuster wherein you'd start the machine, press a triangular-shaped lever at the rear corner of the base the machine that forced the agitator down onto the rug. When you let go of the spring-loaded lever, the idea was that the suction of the machine would be powerful enough to keep the rug plate against the rug.
However, it only worked on carpets of average thickness. A thin rug did not have enough pile to "grab onto" the nozzle and hold it down, and thick-pile rugs had too much. The machine would just bog down like a lawnmower in waist-high grass, especially on high speed, with its 12-blade fan!
Then, the 28 had no height adjustment at all -- another feature that was pretty much a flop. The idea was that the machine was balanced on spring-loaded rear wheels so as to ride at the proper height AUTOMATICALLY on any pile. Wrong! Again, it only worked properly on "average" rugs.
The only one of his machines that really worked on all piles was the 25. Its "active" (as opposed to passive) thumb-screw rug height adjuster made it a much more efficient machine, easier to use, but nowhere nearly as beautiful as its sisters, especially the 150.
(Saying this, I do keep in mind that I have never owned a 27 or 305 but I do believe that they also had no active rug-adjuster, probably in the interest of having no exposed knobs or levers.)
I also liked the original 150 bag. It was very big and fat and bulbous in the middle ----- a very "streamline" long-oval shape that's reminiscent of the Zeppelin, only fatter -- fatter, even, than the huge bag on the commercial 913! It really gave the machine a great look. It's hard to find an original 150 bag, now, of course. But you'll know it when you see it -- at the point of its largest diameter at the center of the bag, it's about a foot in diameter!
What I mean is, it was not a tapered or angular bag like the Kirbys and later Hoovers -- where the top part of the bat is actually square or rectangular shaped -- the 150 bag is fat, and rounded off at the top where the metal bag clamp goes on. Really, a fabulous-looking bag!
I am sure all the True-Blue Hoover Nuts in the club know all about this topic, far more than me ---- I'm really a Hoover lightweight in terms of knowing models and details. But I have, at one time or another, had several of the Dreyfuss machines (all except the rare 27 and the 305), and they are my favorite Hoovers ---- to me, they're most beautiful of them all. In terms of pure design aesthetics, it was downhill from the 29. (Now, I know I am gonna probably gonna get some heat for that remark ... easy up pals, it's just MY opinion and not engraved-in-stone gospel!!)
The 29, 60 series, and early Convertibles do have their own sort of visual appeal (some of these are also Dreyfuss designs) --- especially to 1950s & early 60s "baby boomers" who remember actually seeing them in action --- but it's more the over-the-top "space age" ("Populuxe") design concept as opposed to the more refined and genteel Machine age aesthetic. And, as regards Hoovers, the Machine Age cleaners are the ones that appeal to me the most!
How's that for a nice Hoover blab from an Electrolux/Kirby nut!! :)
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Saturday, December 20, 2003 at 22:40:29 (MST)
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Charlie,
Hoover Model 28. You had them as twins and I only purchased one. And very happy with it. The hose did not carry suction, so at the convention I was able to pick a vinyl hose that fit. So I can play with it. Now I would like to find the owners manual...HINT HINT...
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Benton, wI USA - Saturday, December 20, 2003 at 12:44:44 (MST)
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Hi Morgan,
Which vacuum of mine did you win on eBay? I've listed a fair number of them and don't recall. It's always good to know where they ended up; and I hope whatever one it was, you're happy with it.
Seasons Cheers to everyone!
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Saturday, December 20, 2003 at 11:07:11 (MST)
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Morgan,
I received the nice note from you in the mail yesterday. Thank you very much, I enjoyed meeting you this past June and I hope to see you next year in Chicago!
I hope everyone has a good holiday.
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Saturday, December 20, 2003 at 08:01:49 (MST)
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Charlie,
Thanks for you last Post to the Forum. I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and the Best for the New Year.
I joined this club knowing very little about it. Charlie Lester had a vacuum for sale on Ebay and he introduced me to the Club.
Then it was my great privilage to be able to come to the Convention in Milwaukee and get to meet some great new people. I made a lot of friends and learned a lot about a strong passion of mine,,, Vacuum Cleaners!!!
I again want to say Thanks to You and the Board and all the fine folks I met at the convention. It has been a great year for me and looking forward to a Great 2004 in the VCCC
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Benton, WI USA - Friday, December 19, 2003 at 21:23:03 (MST)
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Dave Olsen said,
=-> There were donations received which partially covered our costs of setting up the website, but NO continuing fund has been appropriated to pay the ongoing costs of the site. <-=
Right. Well, lest anyone labor under the misconception that this web site is sucking the treasury dry, the only ongoing expense, as far as I know, is the monthly hosting fee of $17.95 per month, and the annual domain name renewal of $35/ year (which, if I recall correctly, was registered for several years and will not become due anytime soon).
Once the initial site was designed, created and uploaded and I was paid a very competitive rate for my services, I have, since then, been donating any additional time and work entailed in maintaining the site. And there is a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes including answering email queries [more of them than you probably think...!], archiving old posts, keeping an eagle-eye on the forum, etc.
So, for these very moderate expenses, one would hope there is plenty of cash in the treasury to cover them.
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Friday, December 19, 2003 at 16:51:27 (MST)
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Dear Members and Friends,
Now with the holidays upon us I would like to take this time to wish everyone Season's Greetings and I wish you health, happiness and prosperity for 2004.
My goal for us in 2004 is to "spin to the positive". In spite of occasional negativity popping up, this is a wonderful group and it is a priviledge to be your President.
Let's focus on all the good things about the club, members and vacuum cleaners that brings us together in our unusual pursuit of vintage cleaning devices.
The club is a diverse group with so much talent, varied interests and a passion for collecting. Hopefully we can start the New Year with goodwill towards each other and peace.
Again, my best wishes to all.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Friday, December 19, 2003 at 13:03:28 (MST)
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Re: Vac Club Website Fund
There were donations received which partially covered our costs of setting up the website, but NO continuing fund has been appropriated to pay the ongoing costs of the site.
Dave Olsen, Treasurer
Dave Olsen
Palm Springs, CA USA - Friday, December 19, 2003 at 01:16:43 (MST)
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Memebers:
Thank you all for your comments. In the last 7-10 days it seems that club has become energized about the newsletter. Let's keep the energy going as it ultimately benefits our club.
Thank you to Louis for following through. I'll admitt, there was some question on my part, the Board and the membership at large as to whether you would deliver the newsletter. We can all now take a collective, "whew!", and again, say THANKS!
Also, thanks to those who jumped up to the plate to help out ie: Tom Gasko, David Mick, Jimmy Martin, David Olsen, Marty Rocha, Fred Stachnik and R. J. Vanik.
It was thought by the Board and myself that we would be doing a much needed newsletter and folks just named volunteered in a number of different ways.
The Board will be examining newsletter production and the roles of the yet to be re-formed "Newsletter Committee".
I thank all of you for your patience and again, say I am sorry that there was a delay. Many of us are working to make sure this gap between newsletters does not happen again.
With all of this said and a newsletter in route, we can all now focus and the joy of the holidays and good cheer to men and women.
I will keep you posted on future developments. Best wishes to all.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Wednesday, December 17, 2003 at 07:18:39 (MST)
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Thank you so much Prudence for saying it all so well!! I agree with you. We have so many great individual in this club and so many put forth so much for all our enjoyment. Congratulations Louis and everyone else who are working so hard on getting everything set up for the newsletter. This is no small job and I for one appreciate all your effort. Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 21:55:52 (MST)
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OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO MEMBERS IN THE OHIO AREA:
I rec'd the following email today ---
==================================
Hello Vacuum Cleaner Collectors:
I am the curator of an exhibit that will take place at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio in Lancaster, Ohio from May through Labor Day next year. The exhibit will be about appliances in Ohio. Working title is Ohio Originals: Artful Appliances. We will feature appliances of all types designed, manufactured, sold and used in Ohio. Ohio has a rich history in design and manufacturing. Altho focus will be on the decorative arts aspects of the appliances, we will also touch upon the history of manufacturing, social and economic changes in household technologies and products. Text panels, artifact labels and installation graphics will attempt to tell a large story with layers of meaning.
Collectors of fan and toasters are coming forward to offer products for loan.
As you know better than anyone, Ohio has been a center for vac production for the past 100 years. I'm a collector myself and have an AirWay or two I'll put into the display. The Hoover Company has been very helpful in providing photographs, videos and products. Other collectors have offered a few products by Apex. Many of you have no doubt been involved in exhibits in the past. I hope that you will be able to help me as I develop this concept. I am looking for items such as the following:
* Artifacts-appliances, furniture, room décor.
* Letters from individuals describing work conditions or appliances' effect on their lives
* Advertising ephemera
* Designer renderings, engineering plans, patent drawings
* Employee newsletters
* Photos of
- people working in factories
- people using appliances in their homes
- retail: sales people: peddlers, wholesalers, general stores
- factories, corporate buildings and streetscapes
- utility company displays at country fairs
- home service/home economist instructors
- consumer studies, product testing
* Documents: sales receipts, company records about sales or product development
* Maps
- Nodes of Ohio cities- immigration, industrialization
- Ohio manufacturers: who made what where when WHY-natural resources, labor pool
- Power grid: Spread of electricity in Ohio, Rural Electrification
* Room set of things made in Ohio: Anchor Hocking, Rubbermaid, textiles, dinnerware, pottery, cookware to amplify the context of a local kitchen in use.
* Media
* TV monitors showing industrial films, advertisements, oral histories
* Website and on-site interactives: journaling, oral histories, guessing games
* Handouts for general public
* Teacher's packets
Looking forward to hearing from your members. Thank you in advance.
Vicki Matranga
IDSA Design History section member, has been studying industrial design history for more than a decade. Since 1992 Design Programs Coordinator at International Housewares Association (Housewares Design Center, annual student design competition), author (America at Home: A Celebration of Twentieth-Century Housewares), lecturer, media spokesperson, independent curator. Industrial design consultant to The Alliance of Art and Industry: Toledo Designs for a Modern America, catalogue and exhibition at the Toledo Museum of Art in 2002; exhibit then traveled to Columbus, OH and San Francisco
Vicki Matranga
Design Programs Coordinator
International Housewares Association
6400 Shafer Court Suite 650
Rosemont, IL 60018
phone: 847-692-0136
fax: 847-292-4211
vmatranga@housewares.org
www.housewares.org
2004 International Home & Housewares Show
formerly International Housewares Show
New Dates: March 20-22
New Days: Saturday -- Monday
Same Location: McCormick Place, Chicago
register at www.housewares.org
==================================
Charles Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 20:36:04 (MST)
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Tom Gasko said,
=-> Our Website expense has been great - and has taken money from the budget we normally use for newsletters. <-=
Monsieur President, Esteemed Board Members ... Is that the case? I thought that a special fund was set up for the web site and that its costs were at least in part underwritten by special donations from certain club members.
Charles Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 20:28:01 (MST)
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Congratulations, Louis! It sounds like a real labor of love, and it will be much appreciated.
Like many members, I joined the VCCC because of the great people I'd met who are part of it--notably Charlie Watrous, Michael LaBue, Tania Voight, and of course, the endlessly talented Chuck Chatham. I'd give a lot to have a fraction of their goodwill and élan vital, and bet a Bosch that deep down, some other folks here would, too. I don't want to see fellow club members maligned or insulted, most especially those who have stewardship of the club. I post this in their support and defense, and hope that the spirit of the season can get to the Midwest real soon and spend some quality time in a certain sweeper store there.
Peace & kreplach,
Prudence
Prudence McC.
Le Stix, PA USA - Monday, December 15, 2003 at 23:19:03 (MST)
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To all club members!
Good things are worth waiting for! The newsletter is being mailed on Thursday, December 18. I am not even going to acknowledge or comment on any of the negative comments below about the newsletter. This a major undertaking and I had encountered several problems with the template both early on and during the process. For some reason or another, many of the pictures became corrupt and likewise corrupted several spreads which had to be re-worked. It also took many hours to sift thru tons of pictures. Some were not usuable and I had to sift thru pictures of people's feet, stomachs, and you name it! I have taken care of the glitches and the hiccups! So, wait until you receive the newsletter before you pass judgement.
I realized fairly early on in the process that it was not going to be easy to "route" the newsletter in all it's phases to those who had offered their help. There was simply no easy way to track the changes that would have been made by all interested parties. So, I had to bear the burden alone. And I did not mind. That being said.
Now that the template is built, I will anticipate your articles and points of interests for the next newsletter which I am about to begin.
Charlie W. and I will discuss a cut off date for pictures and articles for this next newsletter. The materail that doesn't make the cut off will appear in the next newsletter. Please remember that when writing an article use simple language, avoid parenthesis, use simple/common fonts, write in complete sentences, and, etc.. I think you all get the picture.
Happy Holidays to all!
Louis
Louis R.
Madison, CT USA - Monday, December 15, 2003 at 23:00:08 (MST)
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To Chuck C.:
You are obviously ill-informed and 'out of the loop'.
The newsletter committee formed at the last meeting. I, Mark Tomey, and Louis R. were to put together the newsletter. I wrote my articles and sent them to Louis - who dropped the ball for everyone. Don't know if Mark ever did write an article or not, never heard from him.
The newsletter is currently being put together in order to get it mailed and out to members BEFORE Christmas. It will be a large, double issue with articles, pictures from the past convention, cleaning contest results, vacuum cleaner puzzles, etc.
Jimmy Martin has written several articles for the current issue - so you need not lose sleep over fretting whether or not he will contribute anything.
Since the members WILL - in fact - Receive a double issue of the newsletter THIS year (2003), we should all (including YOU) concentrate on getting our 2004 dues into the club treasurer by the end of January. Our Website expense has been great - and has taken money from the budget we normally use for newsletters.
Of course, if you wish to write an article for the newsletter, please do so. It does need to be on vacuum cleaners (as opposed to flower arranging, for example).
tom gasko
festus, mo USA - Monday, December 15, 2003 at 10:22:50 (MST)
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Members,
Just so expectations are clear and there will be no disappointments, the January issue will be a "standard" issue. Black and white versus color was disucussed at the Milwaukee convention and the costs to the club.
Dues will continue as always: $25.00 from calender year starting January 2004 to December 2004. Every attempt will be made to issue and mail 4 quarterly newsletters.
Anyone who would like to step up to the plate as "managing editor" is welcome by all. Anyone who would like to cover the cost of color is too, welcomed by all.
When pointing a finger of blame at someone, remember, 3 fingers are pointing toward the accuser.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Sunday, December 14, 2003 at 08:57:24 (MST)
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Dear Members
My, My, My, Those last few posts about the newsletter (or lack of) are quite something. Why is it that some feel the need to lynch the president? We had someone volunteer to do the newsletter, and for whatever reason that has not happened.... SOOOOO now the board, directed by President Watrous, is putting together one for early January. Maybe the reason we have not yet seen one for the Fall/Winter, is lack of articles provided by members!?!?!
I will be submitting an article, and trust that we will see one from Festus, and also from Elizabethton! Should I call to remind anyone else?
Could we discuss the "Dues" at a later date, as I need to get busy with my newsletter article, trim the house, shop for gifts, wrap those gifts, do the food shopping, wash some laundry, assist customers, check incoming inventory, finish some vacuum repairs, and "have a life"..... OR we can do it now.
Have a GREAT holiday,
Chuck
(VCCC Board member)
Chuck Chatham
USA - Friday, December 12, 2003 at 22:45:01 (MST)
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Jimmy Martin, a long-time member of VCCC and a good friend, asked that I post this memo from him.
Jim Kirby
To President, Board, and Members of VCCC:
It has been interesting to see that, to put it simply, this newsletter has bewen miseed and now there will be another. However, it seems to me that a new attitude toward the newsletter has developed in recent months that needs to be examined.
It seems that some seem to feel that, since some members do not have a computer, the club will have to endure the time, trouble, and expense to put information on paper, work with printers, and go to the post office.
Maybe we should consider how different the homes with computers are from those without. When a computer comes into a home, are all books discarded? Does a home with a computer no longer have magazines on the coffee table about cars, architecture, history, or other subjects of interest? Does a member with a computer no longer look at a real newspaper for information about his area? Does a home with a computer no longer have art on the walls? After all, with a click of the mouse, one can view art works from around the world. Have the members with computers discarged their school yearbooks after converting them to the latest microchip? Why would a member with a computer even want more than one real vacuum in his home when he can see images of vacuums on his screen?
I feel that a more correct attitude is that all members want a newsletter on schedule in addition to the website. These newsletters should continue to have information on club events, members and collections, items to sell and trade, but mostly on a variety of vacs and different periods of their history with illustrations.
One thing that should be covered now is one of the highlights of the Milwaukee meeting. We were fortunate to see three wonderful yet different collections.
At Stan's we saw many uprights and hand vacs from the 20s, 30s, and 40s. This showed how the vacuum went from primitive beginnings to more modern times.
Tania showed a variety of canisters from the 50s, which may have been their finest era.
At Fred's we saw a collection focusing on Hoovers of the 60s, which most of us remember well.
These members deserve recognition such as two pages of color pictures. With the current bank balance, this should be possible. Anyone who was not there deserves the chances to hold a newsletter, turn the pages, and see words and pictures describing this.
I feel that every member has felt that the newsletter was important and, whether they have received one or a dozen, has kept and field them with original vacuum literature.
To sum up, the two ways of looking at this issue are--
1. Because a few members are too ___________ _______________ (fill in word of your choice) to have a computer, we will have to mail something.
2. All members want a newsletter delivered in a timely manner with vacuum history and information.
Perhaps when we decide which of these most accurately describes the feeling of most members, we will have a better newsletter and a better club.
As always I can be found by licking a stamp or touching the phone buttons.
Jimmy Martin
520 East E Street
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Phone: 423-543-7900
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Friday, December 12, 2003 at 17:04:07 (MST)
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To Charlie W.:
I'll assume that members who are current on their 2003 dues, will not be asked to pay additional dues for 2004 until AFTER the double-issue of the newsletter is received. We, the normal club members, expect 4 newsletters per year (with the exception that there can be a DOUBLE issue for the fall/winter) and that's what I'll assume all club members who pay their dues expect.
Looking forward to seeing the double issue in January and THEN your instructions for paying our 2004 dues.
tom gasko
festus, mo USA - Friday, December 12, 2003 at 11:58:41 (MST)
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Dear Members:
I know most, if not all of you have been wondering where the newsletter is. I have too!
Due to some unexpected editorial problems, the board and myself are taking over publication of the next issue which should be sent in the first half of January 2004.
In that issue, in my column, I will address what we have decided to do about the newsletter and how you, the members, will be able to help us.
The newsletter will continue to be published and sent to all dues paying members. Many of our members are not online and this is their connection to our club.
I apologize that you have not received a fall or winter issue. As in any organization or club, things do not always go as planned and then contingency plans must be put in place until the problem is "fixed".
Thank you for your continued patience. We WILL have an issue to you after the holidays. It is in the works even as I write this. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at the email address provided.
Best Wishes,
Charlie Watrous, President VCCC &
The Board of Directors
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Thursday, December 11, 2003 at 20:15:11 (MST)
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Hello all,
I was wondering if you could give me information on how to get a tape of the Hey Remember shows. My 5 year old watched them both and I am sure he would love to be able to watch them at any time. It would be a great Christmas gift for him. The only things he wants for Christmas are two vacuums. He turned down dinner at one of his favorite places, so that he could watch the sweeper shows!
Thanks!
Pam
Pam Evans
Tuscola, IL USA - Thursday, December 11, 2003 at 08:33:01 (MST)
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Hi All, just a brief and friendly reminder to please review the Forum Posting Guidelines from time to time.
Some recent postings caused all sorts of Alarms and Red Lights to go offf ---- so I am just reminding you all, in particular, to be sure and input at least your first and last name and a valid email address, as required in the Guidelines. See http://www.vaccc.com/membersonly/forum.html for further clarification if necessary.
Ever upward & onward---
Charles Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Sunday, December 07, 2003 at 23:17:58 (MST)
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Marty R:
Your hospital model G is GORGEOUS. Absolutely beautiful. Had no idea they existed that far along.
Looking at the photos is like looking at pictures of B M W's No one notices the model gesturing toward the car, they just see the car (well, maybe they take a 'peek' at the model too). Your tan Hospital G is to die for. I'm so happy there is one in the club. It's like our Commemorative Edition Electrolux - thank GOD there is one in the club for us to enjoy. Please try to bring it to the next meeting in Chicago.
As a point of personal reference, I saw pictures of myself from the last meeting, and realized I looked 'big as a house'. I think it's those damn cameras doing it (smile).
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Sunday, December 07, 2003 at 07:34:06 (MST)
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Marty, you look just fine. Trust me.
Charles Lester
Hollywooooood, CA United States - Saturday, December 06, 2003 at 16:05:03 (MST)
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Charlie,
I enjoyed the hosp G story and the pix But oh my word! I look big as a house!! I'm going on a diet IMMEDIATELY!!! BTW, my other Lux G that i call the tan G is not brown but actually the bronze color that you describe. It looks like the one in your last picture.
I'm color blind too. Good Grief!!!
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Friday, December 05, 2003 at 22:39:33 (MST)
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Hi Everyone,
I m looking for Rexair Model A and B and C and D with rexair and rainbow also Greenish one too in mint condition/almost as new to buy for my collectors/Musuems must everything be orginal. I will pay top dollars for this pieces. please email me.
Merry Christmas !!!
Joseph
Joseph
San Diego, CA USA - Friday, December 05, 2003 at 16:45:43 (MST)
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p.s. re the tan hospital G, yes I am beyond myself with joy because I too know how rare it is. I had in fact not even known that such a marvel existed until I saw Marty's. I have put some photos of this rarity:
http://www.137.com/tan_hospital_g
btw, some people might wonder why I publish my "sweeper stuff" on my own site instead of here on the Club site.
Well, the thing is, I have had my own web site for almost nine years - since January 1995. Yes, I guess I am an Internet pioneer! I had my own web site before a lot of people even had home PCs.
Not meaning to "brag" about it -- that's silly and no big deal, just explaining that I have had an Internet presence for many years now. So it would not make sense at this point to start scattering my web pages all over the place.
However, there ARE ... MANY ... club members who do not have their own web sites ..... and those people are WELCOME to post submissions for the "Members Only" section of our Club site --- especially photos of your collection. Just another little nudge from Unkie Charlie!!
Charles Lester
Hollywooooood, CA United States - Friday, December 05, 2003 at 15:33:58 (MST)
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Hi Tom, thanks for the nice comments. I would love very much to make the club meeting but the economic hardship is far greater on me than just the meeting costs - registration, airfare, hotel, etc.
The bigger problem is that, being a church organist, and in fact playing now for two different churches, I have to work pretty much every Sunday of the year.
At one church I do have two paid Sundays off a year but those are on specially designated Sundays that never coincide with the convention.
I have just started playing at the other church and they don't yet offer any vacation.
So, if I take another Sunday off it means having to hire a substitute and paying them out of my own pocket, in addition to missing the income myself -- and that's assuming a decent substitute is to be found. It's getting harder and harder to find good organists for substituting, especially in my situation where the musician has to be "multi-cultural"-friendly.
Really, I'd be looking at a thousand bucks, or more, to attend a convention. So for now, I have to enjoy them vicariously through the web site, forum, word of mouth, photos, and newsletter.
Say, speaking of newsletters .... is another issue ever gonna come out??! I have to say, I have heard quite a bit of grumbling about this, especially by people who do not have Internet access. For those people, the newsletter is really the only connection they have to the rest of the club.
Charlie Lester
Hollywoooood, CA USA - Friday, December 05, 2003 at 13:37:49 (MST)
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To Charlie Lester:
Congratulation on getting an EXTREMELY rare vacuum, you Electrolux Hospital Model G in Tan. I've ONLY seen them to match the turquoise G and assumed that they were 'done for' by the time the tan G was launched in 1966. You are truly a lucky man. Yours and Marty Rocha's are the ONLY two I know to exist.
I do hope you'll decide to start a 'meeting fund' and sell a few duplicates on eBay to finance a trip the convention. Would love to see you again. Haven't seen you since the convention in which Bob Taber lost his bid for President of the Club. I think that was Allentown if I'm not mistaken.
If you can't attend, I sure do hope Marty brings his Hospital G (in tan) to the Chicago convention.
I think I speak for ALL your club friends when I say we really miss your wit, smile, and personality at the conventions.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Friday, December 05, 2003 at 10:20:46 (MST)
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OKAY, OKAY no tacky comments about where the heck has LaBue been. He's back.
Anyway just wanted to say HI to all my old freinds from the club. Hope you all have had a fun Holiday season so far.
RJ. I owe you a call or two. My weekends have gotten away from me.
Till Then
Michael
Michael LaBue
New York, NY USA - Wednesday, December 03, 2003 at 13:47:42 (MST)
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To Reggie:
The first power nozzle used on the Fairfax (after the air-driven Preco nozzle) was made for Fairfax by Air-Way. Air-Way also sold their power nozzle to Water-Matic. 1972 through 1980.
The lady swinging from the Fairfax stuck to the ceiling (on the "Hey, Remember" show) was the lady who hosted the show.
It was stuck to my living room ceiling. That's how Fairfax would demonstrate it's "power" by holding the salesman's weight while 'stuck' to the ceiling.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at 06:46:07 (MST)
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I thought that it was very interesting too see the old Eureka commercials, but the vacuum that I liked the most was the Fairfax with the metal power nozzle. I thought that the first power nozzles that Fairfax used where the Eureka ones.
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 23:10:13 (MST)
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Happy turkey day to all my other nut/collector friends hope the coming Christmas season puts a new/old machine under your tree.
ron jones
rockingham, nc USA - Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 19:51:42 (MST)
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I am looking for the pink(salmon?) colored dusting brush and upholstery tools for the infamous pink(salmon?) colored General Electric canister vacuum with the hose that rotates from the top. I hope one of you would be willing to steer me in the right direction! I need these two tools to complete the most recent addition to my collection/sickness/addiction. Please be an enabler......Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!
Robert Azar
Omaha, NE USA - Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 17:47:07 (MST)
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To Marty:
Thanks for the kind words.
The Eureka ads for the "Hey, Remember" show were provided by Eureka. They have a whole reel of them.
Next time we see each other, I want to hear the story about how your old girlfriend wound up with the Eureka canister.
To Morgan:
I have both shows on video tape. Thought I'd bring them with me to the next meeting. I can make you a copy. Just email me with your address.
I live in the 'sticks' too. Desloge, Missouri is like, in the middle of nowhere. DirectTV solves that problem.
To Evan:
That wasn't a Kirby commercial for television. It was a short movie (14 minutes) that the Kirby Company put out when the Heritage II was the new cleaner. They lift the Kirby up, and it's sealed to the top of a huge plunger, which sucks up the volkswagon (minus the motor and transmission, of course). This lifts the car. Big deal. Orecks suck up bowling balls but can't pick up dirt.
The Hoover Company provided the film on the demonstration of the Model 0. Now that would be something to see... They only used a second of it.
Notice though, it was filmed in the Hoover house (which became the museum).
To Everyone:
Have a great holiday. I'm going to deep fry a turkey for the first time. Wish me luck.......
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 06:59:26 (MST)
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Tom Gasko:
I saw the repeat of Hey Remember last night and thought you were great. I always enjoy listening to you talking about vacs. My favorite parts of the piece were the old Eureka clips. I especially love the Eureka canisters from the 60's and 70's. One of the vacs we had growing up was a Eureka canister that used S bags and had the 5 cleaning selection buttons on top. It was orangy yellow. the power nozzle had a head light. That was a great cleaner and i used it all the time. An old girlfriend wound up with it ( longstory short, haven't seen either of them in years) so i bought my Mom a Hoover convertible which she liked better because she didn't have to pull it around behind her. Hope you have a great holiday!!
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Monday, November 24, 2003 at 21:50:22 (MST)
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Whoops--make that safe instead of sage! Guess I was already thinking of the dressing/stuffing.
Charlie W.
Charlotte, USA - Monday, November 24, 2003 at 15:36:38 (MST)
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Dear VCCC Members and Friends,
I am leaving tomorrow for the Thanksgiving Holiday and wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy, healthy and sage holiday.
Thanksgiving is generally a time for being thankful for all the blessings in our lives. I have many people in my life that I am thankful for and have been blessed with. This club and it's members are included. I have been thanked repeatedly for all the things I have done for the club, but I want to thank you folks for all you have done for me.
Again, best wishes to all and if driving be careful. I will be motoring to IN in my 1965 Olsmobile "98" Town Sedan so I feel relatively safe! Till later,
The Pres
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Monday, November 24, 2003 at 15:35:26 (MST)
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To Tom Gasko:
I saw the Hey Remember show last night about vintage vacuum cleaners. You did a great job as host! However, I have a question: Of the several tv advertisements that were shown, there was one for the Kirby Heritage II. Did Kirby used to advertise on tv? I have never seen a Kirby commercial on tv before.
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Monday, November 24, 2003 at 15:22:23 (MST)
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To Marty Rocha-
If I remember correctly, the lever on the Sunbeam Challenger locks the wheels, to keep the machine from rolling (like when cleaning stairs). The first machine I ever remember seeing with locking wheels was the Hamilton Beach tank (model 26, I think) though there may have been others before that. It's such a good idea to have that feature (especially if you have stairs), I don't know why ALL manufacturers never grabbed on to the idea.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 21:33:21 (MST)
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Hi all!
i was wondering what the little metal lever is next to the rear wheel on the Sunbeam Challenger. I recently found one in off white and with the wood grain sides. I don't remember what the lever is for.
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, CA USA - Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 20:30:31 (MST)
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Hello,
Just wondering if someone could record the TV program. We people that live in the sticks in WI can not get that station. I would also like to see the last video from the Morning Show.
Thanks, Would be more thant willing to pay for the tape and mailing and your time..
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Benton, WI USA - Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 11:28:37 (MST)
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HI EVERYONE, HOPE YOU ALL GOT TO WATCH THE VACUUM CLEANER SEGMENT ON H/G TV LAST NIGHT.IT WAS VERY WELL DONE. AND AS USUAL, OUR FORMER CLUB PRESIDENT, TOM GASKO, DID AND EXCELLENT
JOB AS HOST. IT WILL BE REPEATED SUNDAY EVENING AT 7:30 EST.
Michael Hays
Greenfield, OH USA - Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 05:12:19 (MST)
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I rec'd the following information (a conglomeration of several emails).
Sounds like the guy may have some real treasures that, if I read correctly, are all up for grabs at no cost for the first person who shows up with a truck. Please contact him directly at the email address supplied.
Wish =I= could get a big truck and drive out there, but it's a little far from Los Angeles!
I am, in deference to my fellow club members, posting this exciting announcement here first, to give you-all a "leg up" on others. Then, in a few days I will also post it to one of the Yahoo forums.
Hope someone can take advantage of this --- and send me some exciting Kirby treasures!!
HERE IS THE MESSAGE:
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
I have around 50 vintage Kirby vacuums (1940's-1960s) that my late uncle either repaired or was going to repair. Can you tell me where I can find someone who may be interested in some or all. I would hate to scrap them just for aluminum or metal.
There are also many original boxes of attachments and more parts for Kirby, Hoover and Eureka -- a lot of parts! Also, Hoover NOS including: plastic top covers, cloth bags, springs, light lenses or covers, brackets that hold the body and the handle together and countless disposable bags still in the packages.. (It would probably take a pretty good sized truck for everything, that is if one person took it all.
I am located 25 miles east of Pittsburgh, PA in a town called Export which is near the Rte 22 & Rte 66 junction. I'm also close to I-76, (PA turnpike) about 8 miles from the Pittsburgh (Monroeville) exit and 18 miles north of of the New Stanton, PA exit. And, I-376 (Parkway East) 8 miles.
The vacuums & parts are actually located in Pittsburgh ... if anyone's interested, I'd be glad to meet at either location.
Much thanks
John Parrendo
UnwoundUSA@aol.com
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 23:35:16 (MST)
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Morgan and Forum,
Sorry, the FQ items went right away to a club member that contacted me. The good thing is that they will stay in the club with a member that will take care of them.
I'm glad to see we can use the forum to buy/see/trade or give away things.
Best wishes.
Charlie W.
Charlotte, NC USA - Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 12:48:43 (MST)
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Dear R. J. ~
Thanks for the speedy reply! I was pretty sure that the "C" bag is the proper one for my #1348, but I just wanted to be certain since Hoover makes so many "specialized" bags.
Thanks again.
B.C.
Brother Chris Lambert
St. Louis, MO USA - Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 20:32:35 (MST)
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Charlie,
I would be interested in the Filter Queen equipment if no one else is.
Thanks
Morgan
Also in anyone has a Royal tool set with hose or a hoover convertable I would be interested..
Morgan T. Frazer
Benton, WI USA - Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 16:03:39 (MST)
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To Brother Chris-
Type "C" is the correct bag for ALL the Hoover Juniors EXCEPT model 115, which used a cloth-dump bag. The US Junior models ussing type "C" bag would be 12, 14, 1330, 1340, 1348, and U-1025.
R. J.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 09:36:04 (MST)
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Dear Forum,
If anyone is interested in the hair dryer and massage attachments in MINT condition for a Filter Queen 30 series for FREE, (shipping only!),
please let me know or I am tossing them.
They do not sell for much on ebay and I would rather a member have them if they want them. Please let me know at the email address shown.
Thanks!
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 07:33:30 (MST)
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A question ...
Does anyone happen to know which is the proper bag to use in a Hoover 1348 (the newer, lighter-weight "Junior")? There is currently a "C" bag in the one I have, but I was wondering if there was a specific model designated for that model. I appreciate the collective wisdom of the group!
Thanks,
Brother Chris
Brother Chris Lambert, OFM
Saint Louis, MO USA - Monday, November 17, 2003 at 20:50:18 (MST)
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Dear VCCC friends:
Yesterday a second hand dealer here called to tell me he had a Presto, Jr., hand vac for me. I won't see it until tomorrow. I understand it is from the 1920's. If any of you can tell me about the Presto and its history, please do so. Also, if you have one, please tell me about yours.
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 14:20:27 (MST)
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I need new motor brushes formy Electrolux model L.
I am also looking for a Miracle Head and Handi Butler for my Kirby Classic 3. If anyone has any of these parts that they could send me, let me know.
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 12:03:59 (MST)
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To the Club:
Has anyone seen this new TV show on "The Home and Garden Network" called "Hey, Remember"? It's on Friday nights with repeats on Sunday evenings. It's about vintage collections of 'things' from the past. There's a vacuum cleaner episode with regular and hand held machines on November 21, with a repeat on Novenmber 23.
I've heard that the Hoover Company supplied a vintage film of a Model 0 being demonstrated. Did they even have film in 1908?
As to Eureka's "Retro-Vac", when I first heard that Eureka was going to do a retro-vac from the 1950's, I'd hoped they would bring back the Roto-Matic. Alas, they just 'brought back' the upright, and not even in a 1950's color. Honestly. I don't know of any 1950's vacs done up in turquoise and chrome with a black and grey striped bag.
The whole "Elecctrolux" / "Eureka" thing at Lowes is already starting to take it's toll. Have had many people comment on the advertisement, saying they have seen the 'new' electrolux cleaners at Lowes. Most of those customers are going to be people who think they are buying a "REAL" Electrolux, and it will make serving bag customers infinately harder. Customer's don't know they have an Oxygen by Eureka when asking for bags. They'll just say it's a canister Electrolux and then go home with the wrong bags. What a nightmare this will become.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 15:44:12 (MST)
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R.J and Marty:
I also saw the Electrolux cleaners when I was at Sears this past Saturday. I was shocked when I saw the prices. I would have hoped that they would have dropped the prices since the quality of their products has declined even more, but I guess that didn't happen.
To Reggie: I received the Kirby safety switch from you yesterday. Thank you very much for sending it to me.
To the forum: I am still looking for a cord and bag for my Kirby 560, and also a belt lifter lens (or better yet, a complete belt lifter), and an extension wand and crevice tool.
Also, I am in need of a green rug renovator tray for a kirby D80 if anyone has one. I would also love to get my hands on ANY other D80 tools and/or accessories if any one has any.
Please let me know.
Thanks
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 14:25:41 (MST)
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Hi All:
For those of you who read the Wall Street Journal, there is an article in the Personal Journal Section (Section D) front page today regarding modern vacuum cleaners. They review 4 uprights: the Dyson DC07, a Miele upright, the Eureka Whirlwind and the Sebo. Interesting article.
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, Il USA - Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 12:53:37 (MST)
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GE Vacuum parts needed:
Hi all,
Was at the swap meet and i found a GE swivel top cord reel vacuum. It was all dusty and sad in this beat up old box. Most of the parts were in the box. I asked "How much?" and the guy selling it said, " a buck takes it home with you!" ???? well okay!!! It works fine and cleaned up really well. Now i'm looking for a carpet nozzle. It is a shade of green that is neither aqua or avocado. If anyone was at the Louisville convention and saw Ken Wagman's beeeutiful swivel top, it's that shade of green. I'm also looking for the attachment tray that fits in the back of the cleaner. I will gladly pay for these parts if anyone has extra.
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, CA USA - Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 20:16:33 (MST)
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To Marty R-
I agree, $399.00 is steep for an all-plastic, suction only machine. When I first glanced up and saw the display, I was kind of startled by it (it was before i saw your posting). On closer inspection, I was thinking they should have branded the machines "Eurekalux", since they're a far cry from the Electroluxes that we knew growing up. However, I'm sure that Lowe's is counting on some "brand name recognition" to help fuel sales.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue , WA USA - Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 18:41:07 (MST)
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A salute to another good friend and club member, who is a veteran: Mike Hays. Mike served his country in Vietnam. Like the other Mike, you're a great guy; and we appreciate your service to our country.
As most of us know, Mike had a serious heart attack last summer and is now retired and enjoying the Vortec (Vortex?) Force he just bought on e-bay and cleans better than his Kirby G5!
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 14:47:43 (MST)
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A salute to all in our club who are veterans!
One member who served in the armed forces is Mike Rogers, who manages a Henry Co. store in a Chicago suburb and lives in Calumet City. As I'm sure all who know him will agree, Mike is, in every respect, a first-class individual. Thanks to Mike and all our other veterans, whom we honor today on this 50th anniversary of Veterans Day, which originated in Emporia, KS!
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 14:33:34 (MST)
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Electrolux at Lowe's
Oh RJ, it's funny that you said that because i've actually been toying with the idea of getting the Oxygen model. I know it's just a Eureka, but i still want to try one out. I need to see the floor brush and the attachments first though. They didn't have those lying around the display. The attachments on the Harmony cannister looked interesting. They store on the handle, and the dusting brush looked like the old Lux 2 in 1 tool. I think 399.00 is alot of money for a suction only machine. They should at least include a turbo brush for carpets don't you think?
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs , Ca USA - Monday, November 10, 2003 at 22:05:50 (MST)
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While wandering through Lowe's today, I stumbled across a display of 3 Electrolux cleaners; an upright and 2 canisters - must be the same 3 that Marty R refers to in his earlier posting. Unique in their color scheme, they're almost a copper-red, which is a refreshing change from Eureka's "bumble bee" colors of black and yellow. Interesting to look at, but I don't think I'll be paying their asking price any time soon.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Sunday, November 09, 2003 at 17:23:15 (MST)
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To Marty:
I've tried the new bagless Windtunnel canister, its not bad... the cansiter runs pretty quiet and it has decent suction. However the tools are crap, and the power-nozzle is flimsy.
Charlie Lester:
Check out ebay, there's been one of those alleged 95th anniversary Eureka uprights on there for $180 for the past couple of weeks with no takers. From the pictures and descriptions I've read its the old Eureka Boss just done up in chrome, black and Jadeite green. There is nothing on Eureka's website about it yet, but I have been told the motor used in this model is the 5.0amp one thats now used in the cheap Sanitaire models.
Of course, Eureka's 95th anniversary isn't til next year either, but I guess they want to celebrate early.
I had also been told Hoover would have a 95anniversary model this year too, but given the state of Hoover these days I could do without a 95th anniversary V2 Windtunnel.
Just my thoughts...
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Saturday, November 08, 2003 at 19:55:12 (MST)
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Well, has anyone see the "new" Eureka upright model 1950A, called the "RetroVac" and billed as their 95th anniversary model which is a bit premature since, if I recall correctly, the company was founded in 1909 (+95 = 2004).
From the photo I have found of it, I have to say that from an aesthetics standpoint I am underwhelmed. You'd think such a "landmark" machine would have something more to offer.
Sometimes, though, photos don't do a machine justice. But as far as I can tell, this is just a standard Sanitaire "tricked out" in a gaudy outfit with a black striped bag and turquoise and chrome base -- looking rather cheap and tawdry! The machine would probably look a lot better with some other color & pattern on the bag.
SRP is $199.95 which, I believe, is a bit less than the Sanitaire isn't it? And isn't the new Sanitaire all plastic, done up in a hideous yellow/black scheme? (Looks like everyone's jumping on the "Let's make vacuum cleaners look as gaudy as we possibly can" trend, started by Dyson!)
Here's a link to a photo of it:
http://store1.yimg.com/I/patsplace_1764_3000659
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Saturday, November 08, 2003 at 00:58:16 (MST)
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Ramblings:
Was at Best Buy last week and was looking at the Hoover windtunnel bagless canister. Has anyone had any contact with one of these? Do they work well? I like the wand and the hose on these. They are just like that of the Kenmore Magic Blue. Not big on the dinky attachments though!
Just opened the Lowes circular i found on the kitchen table and there are now Electrolux (Eureka) vacuums "new at Lowes" ,A amall canister , an upright and the Oxygen cannister! i think i will go see them up close tomorrow!!!
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Friday, November 07, 2003 at 22:36:00 (MST)
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Per President Watrous' posting, I personally am fine with submitting stuff for the newsletter on CD but know that this will surely lock out a lot of other members --- especially those who don't have a computer at all, let alone having a CD burner.
We have trouble enough as it is soliciting submissions; I'd think we would want to go in the other direction of being as accommodating as possible [like, messenger pickup of submissions!!] rather than discouraging people from contributing.......
Just my 137˘' worth...
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Friday, November 07, 2003 at 19:17:17 (MST)
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Dear Members,
Louis Rescigno, the new newsletter editor called me today to let me know the 3rd/4th quarter newsletter will be out in about 7/10 days. This will be the last newsletter of 2003.
The Spring 2004 will be a larger issue now that the new formatting has been completed.
Any pictures for upcoming articles should be sent on a CD ONLY! All inqueries regarding future articles should be sent to Louis directly at Les1@aol.com
Thanks for your patience and we hope you enjoy the new issue. Have a great weekend!
PS-Reggie Ridlen, if you are reading this, I need your new email address. Thanks.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Friday, November 07, 2003 at 16:53:04 (MST)
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To Chuck C.:
The Air-Way model 55 was purple. The 55-A also came in purple, and was later changed to blue.
Do you remember Tania's purple Air-Way at the meeting? It was a model 55 (no 'a'), had a Two-Piece serial number plate (one plate had the watts, model, etc. and one had the patent numbers). Both rating plates were round, rather than rectangle. There was four wire 'feet' rather than eight 'knobs' at the bottom, and there was NO ring of metal just up from the switch. There was no air-evacuator assembly inside. There was no swivel for the rug and floor tools (the swivel was separate). In the VERY first 55, there was no 'holes' in the bottom of the bag compartment, the filter sat on three 'legs' that kept it from touching the top of the motor. If you reached your hand down, you would touch the top bearing of the motor's bearing bridge.
All these things were 'corrected' within two years of launch.
The improvements came very quickly to the model 55, and in 1939, it was called the model 55A. The first model 55 came out in 1937. I have all three purple Air-Way examples (one '55' and two '55A') plus the two blue '55A' examples in my collection.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Tuesday, November 04, 2003 at 11:37:32 (MST)
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Hi Gang......
First I must tell you all about the great time had this past Saturday. A friend of mine, Matt, who is a Lux collector, and still has not yet joined our group, had made arrangements to go to Bernie Mehlbaums. Bernie has a HUGE pile of old vacs, parts, attachments.... you name it. Bernie wanted some help sorting through all this, so we went to help out. We started by pulling everything into the yard, and sorted by make. After that we matched up tool sets, created complete machines, and some partials, Then we boxed and labeled everything
Bernie has a great collection of early machines that have been beautifully restored, and now some are even more complete with tool sets etc.
Matt and I were each "gifted"some FABULOUS items for helping Bernie.I recieved a near mint rug tool for my Hoover Aerodyne, have looked for about six years for this item... THANKS BERNIE!!
NOW, The big question of the day. I know far less than many other collectors, and was under the impression that the purple Air-Way was the model 55, and the blue was the 55-A. Part of the stuff I brought home was 4 Air-Way cleaners.. 2 purple, and 2 blue, the bottom plates match the color of the machine BUT the plate showing model#, serial # etc all say Model 55-A!! What is wrong with this picture??
Anyway, we had great time, and I know Bernie is looking to sell off some stuff, so keep him in mind. Also keep in mind that he has more than Air-Way. There is Lux, Lewyt, Hoover, some GE... The list goes on.
Hope everyone is well!
Chuck
Chuck Chatham
USA - Monday, November 03, 2003 at 17:53:47 (MST)
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Chalie Lester
Thanks for a great job. This website is a valuable part of this club and you have done a wonderful job with all of it. Keep up the great work.
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Benton, WI USA - Sunday, November 02, 2003 at 19:11:33 (MST)
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Hi all,
As promised, I have now moved all of October 2003's postings to the October 2003 archive.
Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween. It poured down rain here which was great in terms of the raging brush fires but not so great for the Trick-or-Treaters!
"Happy Hoovering" ---
Charles Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 23:25:20 (MST)
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My compact has the electric hose.
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 18:18:53 (MST)
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To Reggie:
The C-9 was the last model called a Compact. It lauched in 1981 and came in both yellow and electric blue versions. My personal favorite is the blue one as it is a unique shade.
Is your hose the electric hose or straight suction?
I have several Eureka-built power nozzles for Compacts in my collection, some are duplicates.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Saturday, November 01, 2003 at 07:33:48 (MST)
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I'm loking for a attachment set for my Compact C-9. I have the hose and dusting brush, does anyone have any of the other attachments aor a power nozzle tat I could have?
Reggie
Parker, CO ÝUSA - Friday, October 31, 2003 at 22:20:07 (MST)
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Hi, iam looking for the chrome top rug nozzle for the Hoover Aerodyne model 50, does anyone have one for sale?
Thanks!!
Michael Hays
Greenfield, OH ÝUSA - Friday, October 31, 2003 at 06:22:36 (MST)
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Dimension 1000
Any club members looking for a Hoover Dimension 1000 that needs some TLC? I saw one at a local thrift store lately & snagged it thinking that some collector might want it. It's model S3283-040. Main motor, PN and electric hose all work. Tools are mis-matched, but it has the electric hose with the remote-control switch and rheostat. Matching power nozzle needs a belt, among other things. I was thinking about restoring it, but then I looked at the pile of unfinished projects on my workbench and thought I'd give someone else a shot at it. My cost ($10) plus shipping and it's yours.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Thursday, October 30, 2003 at 21:01:53 (MST)
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Dear Members,
I hope you all have a safe and fun filled Halloween. Remember, if your costume is that of a Hoover, get the lettering right as you never know when the Hoover police will show up as they did in Louisville. (A certain Vice-president, Hoover policeman that is!)
Hve a great weekend.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC ÝUSA - Thursday, October 30, 2003 at 06:37:17 (MST)
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To RJ:
Thanks RJ for the infor on the bags.I'm sure there are some at Walmart here.
Charlie Thanks for the email today.
Well I hope everyone has a nice and safe Happy Holloween.
Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La ÝUSA - Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 19:30:50 (MST)
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Charlie:
I guess my e-mail address must be confusing. There is no letter r in my e-mail address. It is R3beeze@aol.com, NOT R3breeze@aol.com.
I hope this helps
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA ÝUSA - Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 15:05:39 (MST)
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Long Story with a Short Question:
Last summer I had an email forwarded to me from our own webmaster Charlie Lester. It came from a woman who had seen the rerun of the "Swept Away" segment on the CBS Sunday Morning Show. She was trying to locate "R. J. in Seattle" and sent an email to Charlie L. in hopes of finding me.
Well she found me. It seems she had recently purchased a home in Tacoma (about an hour's drive from me) fully furnished, that had not been occupied for 35 YEARS!!! Among the treasures there was "an old vacuum" that she thought might interest me. It wasn't for sale, but she wanted to GIVE it to someone who might appreciate it. (She thought of me because of the nearby location)
So I called her IMMEDIATELY and made an EMERGENCY drive to Tacoma that afternoon (before she had a chance to change her mind).
The "old vacuum" turned out to be something on my "wish list" that had eluded me for a long time - a GE C-3; the coral colored swivel top with the removable dolly. Other than a bit of surface dirt, the machine was in amazingly good shape. Both wands were there along with the flip-over rug/floor tool. There was a bit of tape on the hose, but still usable. We turned it on and it purred like a kitten.
While I was there they showed me their "daily driver" (a Hoover 344 that sounded like a thrashing machine & the cloth bag leaked like a sieve). I told them it needed a new lower bearing and a week later I went back and serviced their Hoover, including a new type A bag assembly & the lower bearing as a "thank you" for their donation. I also feel like a made some new friends in the process.
When I got the GE home I washed and dried the cloth bag and installed a new paper bag, and was impressed with the power.
Now the question: The 3 small tools (crevice/upholstery/dusting) were missing in action. Tania Voight was kind enough to send me a matching crevice tool. Does anybody have a dusting brush and upholstery nozzle in the matching coral (pink/orange) that they would like to sell-trade-donate to the cause to complete this classic beauty? Ken W? Marc T? any other GE fanatics?
R. J.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 10:50:02 (MST)
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Folks,
I'm all set with Reggie Ridlen but now I don't have the correct address for:
Roger LeQuea relequea@theriver.com
Any info is appreciated!
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, ÝUSA - Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 09:24:37 (MST)
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Dear Members,
I sent some updates for you today. I can use your help on email addresses. The following are not good for whatever reason so if you are in contact with any of these folks, please have them email me with their correct address. Thanks!
Evan Rogers R3breeze@aol.com
Michael Baute alwaysjuke@aol.com
Peter Vidou www.pvidou@aol.com
Alice Ridlen (Reggie Ridlen) mrkirby@aol.com
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC ÝUSA - Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 09:11:21 (MST)
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Dear Santa,
all i want for Christmas is a hoover aerodyne and a Airway 88 mark II ive been a very good boy
ron jones
rockingham, nc ÝUSA - Monday, October 27, 2003 at 09:14:46 (MST)
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Thank You Charlie:
For all the great work on this website. If it wasn't for your effort and Charlie Watrous' vision, we wouldn't have this site.
tom gasko
desloge, mo ÝUSA - Monday, October 27, 2003 at 06:52:06 (MST)
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P.S.:
I forgot to mention that when you click on any of the archive links, either at the top or the bottom of this page, the link will automatically open up in a new browser window. That will make it easier to return here simply by closing that window when you are done.
"Ever Onward & Upward"
Charlie Lester
Hollywood, CA USA - Monday, October 27, 2003 at 03:29:08 (MST)
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Hello fellow Vacccers ---
As you can see, I have finally organized this forum a little better by archiving past months' postings.
At the end of October, I'll move any subsequent October posts into the October archive.
Then, hopefully, I will be able to keep on top of this month by month instead of having to sit here for nine hours at one stretch [it wasn't pretty...] doing a marathon clean-up, as I have had to do so today!
Enjoy!!
Charlie Lester
Hollywood, CA USA - Monday, October 27, 2003 at 02:14:16 (MST)
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To Skip-
No spare tools for Juniors at this time; as far as bags, all the US Juniors (except model 115-cloth bag) took a type "C" bag, the same bag as 63, 63, 634, and all the early convertibles. Type "C" Hoover bags should still be readily available at almost any vac shop.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Sunday, October 26, 2003 at 08:02:22 (MST)
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Hello To All:
Well I won the last night for the vintage pontiac canister vac. It is identical to the Hudson canister that I like.
I bought a new Dell computer which is awsome, it sure beats my old compaq preserio for sure.
RJ I know you have some hoover Juniors Do you have any extra deposible bags or a extra set of attachments that you could sell me?
One thing I noticed about the american Junior verus the UK model. The cord is much shorter on the American model then the Uk model.
Thanks Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Sunday, October 26, 2003 at 07:24:29 (MST)
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Marty Rocha: I received the D80 handlegrip along with the surprise instruction book that I was THRILLED to have! Thanks again.
Reggie: I'm interested in the safety switch you offered me for my Kirby. I'll be in touch.
Thank you
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Saturday, October 25, 2003 at 06:44:31 (MDT)
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My legal assistant just emailed me this Halloween riddle. At first I wasn't going to post it presuming that vacuum cleaner jokes aren't released to the public without VCCC prior approval - so I figured you had all heard it. But if that is not the case, her 'tis:
QUESTION:
Why do witches fly around on broomsticks?
ANSWER:
They tried vacuum cleaners, but they couldn't get those suckers off the ground.
Mark Goodall
Omaha, NE USA - Friday, October 24, 2003 at 14:46:47 (MDT)
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To Morgan-
It's tough to find accurate dates for many Royals, since Royal never botheres to keep the kind of historical records that Hoover, Electrolux, Kirby and some others did. Your best bet for documenting Royal dates is through advertising. Some Royal magazine ads over the years identified specific model numbers in the ads; and if you know when the ad was printed, you're in luck. Specific Royal models that I can document through advertising are:
260 cylander-1948,1949
290 cylander-1950
290A cylander-1951
259 Upright-1949
279 Upright-1950, 1951
Maybe someone else who knows more about Royal history can help out? Can anyone identify a date for the Royal model 210 or 701 cylander?
R. J.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Thursday, October 23, 2003 at 23:10:29 (MDT)
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Charlie,
I would not miss the convention for any reason. I have belonged to a lot of groups in my lifetime and this one gives me the most pleasure. Your leadership and the board of directors is wonderful.
Thanks for the advice on the cleaning the bag. I had considered hand washing as well. I may contact Mark Thomas as I don't want to ruin the Golden Crown on the bag.
Would anyone have a list of models and their ages for Royal Vacuums. I can not find any info in cyberspace.
Thanks again for the advice, AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Benton, WI USA - Thursday, October 23, 2003 at 21:47:39 (MDT)
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Morgan,
P.S.: Member Mark Thomas can work magic with restoring color and lettering to bags. He may be able to assist as well.
He may be reached at toonetta@aol.com
Charlie W.
Charlotte, NC USA - Thursday, October 23, 2003 at 07:27:42 (MDT)
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Morgan,
Greetings! (By the way it was greet to meet you at the convention and I hope you will plan to attend in Chicago in 2004) Re: the bag and cleaning it................at the risk of being terribly chastised by other members, (so what else is new?), I have washed bags that are on older vacuums that are really for display and not practical application.
Some of older vacuums that have shake out cloth bags that I rarely, if ever use, have had their bags hand washed. I turn them inside out and use a DROP of Woolite and rinse carefully immediatley to minimize color loss. No spin drying or wringing--just block dry like a good wool sweater. I have also had them dry cleaned.
If you have a good dry cleaner that will run them through separately at the end of the day or week, whenever they are about to change/filter their cleaning solution, in a sweater bag, (one of the fishnet things that you can zip the bag into), again turned inside out, it will turn out nicely as well.
When I have washed them, I realize that the poracity(?) of the bag is forever changed. Since most cloth bags spew dust, who cares? The color is nicely restored and they smell much better. After the bag is thoroughly dry, I also run it in the dryer for about ten minutes on low heat to "fluff" it a bit. I have always removed all metal parts and use COLD water.
I'm sure you are going to be told otherwise which is fine. I'm just relaying what I have done with good results.
Good Luck and best wishes.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Thursday, October 23, 2003 at 07:24:46 (MDT)
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Hi Everyone,
I need some help. One of my co-workers were cleaning out there grandparents atic and brought me to Royal Vacuums. A model 189 and a model 801.
I am wondering what years they were made. I have cleaned up the model 189, it is beautiful. The red and black bag. The front plate doesn't not have the adjustorite but rather a gold and red and black face plate. Very pretty.
Also the bag is a little fadded and dirty, is there a good way to clean it. I have used another vacuum and cleaned it that way.. I don't want to wash it.. any suggestions.
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Benton, WI USA - Thursday, October 23, 2003 at 05:54:39 (MDT)
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Hi All,
Just some advance warning that soon -- probably this weekend -- the Forum will be down for a day or so. I need to break the postings up into smaller chunks, with links to the older postings grouped into separate pages. I have needed to do this for quite a while but with so many plates in the air already, I just haven't had time to do it. But when this page starts taking a long time to load even with my hotrodded Mac and DSL connection then I know that this chore is well past-due.
Charlie Lester
Hollywood, CA USA - Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at 11:05:29 (MDT)
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Evan
The safety switch that I have is the right one. If you want it, let me know.
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Monday, October 20, 2003 at 17:15:05 (MDT)
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Evan
I might have a safety switch foryour Kirby, but Ineed to see if it is the right one.
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Sunday, October 19, 2003 at 23:13:09 (MDT)
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To the forum:
Yesterday, I received a Kirby 560 with all the accessories and tools in all the original boxes. many of the attachments have never been used. However, the bag is an aftermarket sanitronic bag, and the cord is green from a D-80. The plastic lens that covers the Kirby logo on the belt lifter is cracked. The safety switch (1 speed) cuts out and doesn't always work. I have all the attachments except for the red straight wand, and the crevice tool is only in so-so condition.
I am also wondering about the belt lifter on the floor polisher. The belt lifter on the rug nozzle is the triangular one, but the belt lifter on the floor polisher is the older style round red one. The floor polisher has never been used, so i'd be surprised if it was replaced, but i'm wondering.
If anyone can help me with my question, or any of the parts I need, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you.
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Sunday, October 19, 2003 at 19:22:29 (MDT)
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Saturday, I was talking to a club member who is not on-line and thus not privy to any of the discussions that go on in the Forum. He said that he, and some other non-WWW club members, are feeling a bit left out of the action now, especially since a newsletter has not come out in so long. (He said the last one came out in May. Is that correct??!)
I guess it is easy for us who are on-line to forget how insular the WWW can be. Especially since, now, so many people ARE on-line.
Just a suggested "now discuss" topic to see if anyone has any ideas of how we can bridge the gap between on-line and non-on-line members. Besides the obvious, that is -- of everyone getting on-line! Some people can't, some people won't, for various reasons.
Charlie Lester
Hollywood, CA USA - Sunday, October 19, 2003 at 15:35:48 (MDT)
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Hi To All:
I just purchased an American Hoover Junior Model 1348. I was wondering if any one has any extra bags and also if any one has an extra set of attachments for it.
I'm still looking for the Coronado canister Model V222 or her sister vac the Viking.
If any one can help me out it will be truly appreciated.
Thanks Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Saturday, October 18, 2003 at 16:18:49 (MDT)
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Hoover Dial a Matic:
Hi all, i bought a Hoover DAM at the swap meet last week. It is model 1100. Is this the first DAM? How old is this? The brushes and beater bars spirl in the other direction than my other DAM's.
Evan,
I was at my folks house today and i now have the handle grip that you need. I will send it on Tuesday. I'm going to be at work for the next three days. It's motorcycle weekend here in Palm Springs! Thousands of people on bikes! YIKES! We'll see how many of them end up in the hospital. Ugh! I can't wait....
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, CA USA - Friday, October 17, 2003 at 21:02:49 (MDT)
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Hi Marty.
I don't need the screw and cord hook, but since you asked, I would be happy to have them too. I might need them in case I ever lose a screw.
Thanks
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Tuesday, October 14, 2003 at 16:25:08 (MDT)
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Evan,
The bag on this Kirby is very scary.It's a red Classic 3 bag but it is so full of dirt it looks almost inflated. It has been rained on at some point so the bag is also kind of hard. A real big "ick" factor. But you are welcome to handle grip. Do you need the screw and the cord hook set up , let me know.
Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Monday, October 13, 2003 at 21:34:02 (MDT)
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To Charlie Watrous:
Only a REALLY good serviceman could get an Oly motor into a DJ. You'll also need the Oly's bag cage to make it work.
Plus a lot of cuss words as you try to get past the four built-in motor mounts on the DJ. But, as you have proved, it CAN be done, and quite well too.
I have a wand off a Model G PN-1 that RJ can have for his Tan G.
Tom g.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Monday, October 13, 2003 at 07:48:23 (MDT)
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Marty: Thank you very much for being so generous with sending me parts lately. I really appreciate it, and i'm glad you can help me with the handlegrip I need. I'll assume the bag is either missing or not original, since you didn't mention it.
Thanks again
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Sunday, October 12, 2003 at 19:36:22 (MDT)
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Evan,
I have an extra kirby D80 that my sister found along the road and she dropped it off at my parent's house. It does not work but it can be parted out. I'll send you the handle grip.
Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Sunday, October 12, 2003 at 18:38:18 (MDT)
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Marty: I don't need the entire handle fork, just the green handlegrip. Mine is in two pieces, and is taped together at the moment. If you have a handlegrip that you're willing to part with, please let me know.
Thanks.
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Sunday, October 12, 2003 at 18:32:12 (MDT)
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Forum:
I am so p___ed at the moment! I sent to R.J. Vanik my tan G that his friend Richard bought from me for R. J.'s birthday. Many of you saw this vacuum at the Milwaukee convention and know how beautiful it is. I am a seriously thorough packer of vacs when shipping via Fed Ex.
Somehow, the Fed Ex folk managed to break the plastic wand, (if I understand R. J. properly), and now I want to find another for him so it will be fabulously correct. I had even replaced the b/r and belt with genuine parts!
So, if any of you out there know the whereabouts of the plastic sheath wand for the Tan G with a p/n 1, please contact me.
If this is not totally correct, R. J. please fill our members in.
Let's get this right for our Vice-Prez R. J.! Thanks for your help.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, USA - Saturday, October 11, 2003 at 15:18:52 (MDT)
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Evan, On the Kirby D80, do you need the whole handle or just the grip?
Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Saturday, October 11, 2003 at 12:59:39 (MDT)
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Correction to my post below: the town I live in is Concord, not cocnord.
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Friday, October 10, 2003 at 23:15:39 (MDT)
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Happy Birthday R.J and Mark!
To the forum: There are a few parts that I am in need of that I forgot to mention on my never ending list of parts that I need.
I need a bag and a handlegrip for a Kirby Dual Sanitronic 80. I would also love to have a set of D80 tools if anyone has them.
I need a cord and a bag for a Kirby 509. I also need the crystalator, and the curved and straight wands (grey).
I also need a green bag for a Hoover 1030 convertible.
If anyone has any of the parts I need, please let me know.
Thanks
Evan Rogers
Cocncord, MA USA - Friday, October 10, 2003 at 23:12:41 (MDT)
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To: RJ and Mark
Happy Birthday to the both of you, Hope it was a great day for you'll.
I'm wishing you'll many more to come
Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Friday, October 10, 2003 at 22:19:36 (MDT)
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Members:
Please help me wish the happiest of birthdays to members R. J. Vanik, Vice-President, today, 10/9 and to Mark Thomas, (on his 39th?), tomorrow, Friday the 10th.
Our best to you boys and many happy returns of the day! You are both wonderful members of our club and good friends as well. My best to you.
Everybody have a great weekend.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, USA - Thursday, October 09, 2003 at 18:03:51 (MDT)
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Ok, nevermind...a big collosal joke played by two collector friends.....now i feel stupid...:D
:D :D
Cya guys later
James Wyrembelski
Beaverton, MI USA - Thursday, October 09, 2003 at 18:01:21 (MDT)
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hi
Ok, ive been hearing rumours about a PLASTIC kirby being sold in stores like sears? and i hear about a plasic canister vac? WHY, if they are, would kirby EVER do that....can anyone clear this up?
James Wyrembelski
Beaverton, MI USA - Wednesday, October 08, 2003 at 21:21:47 (MDT)
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Tom G.:
Thanks for pinning down the time period the HB 14 was sold for me: 1938-41. I was also interested to learn that Stan Kann had just acquired a 14.
About a year ago I got a HB Model 8 from Charlie Watrous but didn't realize that the Model 8 came out in 1930.
Bernie M. and Martin R., thanks also to both of you for sharing thoughts and info on the HB 14 and 8.
Ben Clayton, Ewing, NJ:
It was interesting to visit with you the other night and to hear about your large and diverse collection.
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Wednesday, October 08, 2003 at 18:37:27 (MDT)
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Tom,
Thank you for your information re: the Mark II 88 and Eureka powerhead. I have done some playing with the powerhead, (I'm on vacation and you know us vacuum nuts............), putting it on the Silverado, the current Signature Series, a Diamond J and tomorrow........the Dyson. It is interesting to note the noise difference with the different cannisters based on amps and air flow. I always use brand new empty bags, (genuine of course!), to have optimum air flow. The Silverado works very well with the "unit"--(Don Clark speak).
I have berber throughout so my testing is limited on some level. The powerhead when I got it had a CWP beater bar. The correct b/r for the Eureka was a Vibragroomer 1 with square ends. I replaced the CWP with the correct original b/r and the difference was totally noticeable right down to the sound! Instead of whinning, it purrs.
I'm looking forward to attaching it to the Dyson and the Rowenta I sold on QVC. I used that in the monster vac competition in Portland with a Eureka VGIII and won that year. That Rowenta is quite a fantastic compact canister. It sure will make the Rug Rat scream!
One last thing I think you will get a kick out of---yesterday I was replacing the motor of the Diamond J with an Olympia 1. Everyone I know said that the motors were interchangable. Guess what, THEY ARE NOT! The motor in the Diamond J is smaller, lighter, with a smaller fan and cover. The area between the motor and bag cage is shorter, requiring the extended bag cage. Furthermore, the welded in motor "mount" that holds the motor via the 4 nuts, has a different shape than the Olympia motor. The Olympia motor is of the Silverado and Super J ilk but not of the latter Diamond J.
However, through some clever metal maneuvering and a lot of cuts on the hands, I got the Olympia motor in the Diamond J,replaced the cage, creating a one-of-kind, (as far as I know), Diamond J! I did a total "make over" on the outside and it is going as a surprise birthday/x-mas gift to Tania. She told me that she always wanted one. So now, she will have a custom model!
Again, thanks for your info. Hopefully we can talk before too long. My best to you and yours.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, USA - Tuesday, October 07, 2003 at 18:16:53 (MDT)
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To Charlie Watrous:
When the Signature Series Air-Way was being developed, I had the opportunity to spend a few days at Air-Way's factory in Alabama. They have a small room where they have test rigs for vacuums. Steve Tomberlin and I tested many styles of power nozzles before settling on the RugMasteR from CenTec.
We did remove the fan from the old style Eureka upright/power nozzle and tested it. The fan (and the air flowing through it) put a drag on the motor (as does the belt and brush roller). Without the fan (and without the drag), the motor turns MUCH faster, too fast for the brush to be efficient.
We did use two fiber washers to make up for the space where the fan would have been.
The Eureka upright/power nozzle isn't as good an idea as Don Clark thought (but who wants to argue with him). The airflow out of the fan chamber of the upright is restricted by the smaller air-way bag (in an upright, the bag is far larger, resulting in more surface area for the air to esacape). As the bag clogs with dust, the airflow through the Air-Way is reduced to the point where the fan from the upright is actually pushing fine dust out of the suction control ring.
In a canister vacuum, you have great pressure (water lift) with lower air-flow than an upright. In an upright, you have great CFM (airflow) but low water lift. By combining the two machines, in truth, neither will work as they should alone.
Lets face it, when the air flow is restricted through a canister due to a clogged out bag, having a fan trying to 'push' the air into a machine that cannot accept it, just results in high pressure within the hose and wand. This pressure is released, somewhat, through the openings (like the suction control ring) or through the swivel joints, resulting in dust escaping at those places.
IF the system were totally sealed from the back of the upright, through the wand and hose, to the cleaner, the fan in the power head would just spin in space without doing anything. The fan in the upright CANNOT force air into the canister IF the canister cannot accept and disperse the higher airflow. Ultimately, the airflow through the upright power head would be identical to the airflow through the head IF there were NO fan at all. The fan in the upright head ultimately makes no difference at all ONCE THE BAG IN THE CANISTER BEGINS TO CLOG.
I'll be happy to prove this at the next convention using a clean bag in the Air-Way and a partially filled bag.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Tuesday, October 07, 2003 at 07:30:30 (MDT)
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Hey everyone!
Even though i know this is pointless to ask, does anyone have a bag for a 505? Someone is giving me thier 505 for free and it has a Sanitronic bag on it. He said the only other thing that it needs is the black bumper on the headlight, does anyone have black colored bumpers or know where i could possibly get a new one? Thanks
James Wyrembelski
Beaverton, MI USA - Monday, October 06, 2003 at 20:20:00 (MDT)
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R.J.,
I know that you can operate the Eureka powerhead as such with the Mark II 88. But, keeping in mind, the fan is blowing the dirt up the handle with tremendous speed since it is in it's own right a Eureka upright that would have taken an F & G bag inside of a cloth outer bag.
So here you have this Air-Way 7 amp vaccum trying to accept the dirt/debris being essentially blown into it's hose by the Eureka. I want to question Don Clark about this in Chicago in 2004. Does it really make sense?
Remember in the "Monster Vac" category in 2002 in Louisville, when you, (I think), or me even, put the Hoover 29 with the fan intact on the Air-Way 88 and lost because the fan of the powerhead was defeating the purpose of the "mother" Air-Way vacuum.
Does this make sense? I would like to bring the Air-Way 88 with the Eureka powerhead to Chicago next year since most members have never seen this combo and this will be the first time it can be entered in a ligit category due to changes that the members are crying for.
Thanks ahead for your input and as always my best to our Vice-President!
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Sunday, October 05, 2003 at 21:48:57 (MDT)
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Does Tri-Star sell power nozzles and attachments for Compact vacuums? Also, is there any way to put new locking button on the ends of GE Swivel Top hoses and wands?
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Sunday, October 05, 2003 at 18:09:47 (MDT)
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To Evan R-
Yes, either one of those waxes would be safe on painted surfaces, plastic/bakelite hoods, and even on vinyl/rubber bumpers. Jubilee may have been discontinued, but if it's still available it should be in the household cleaning aisle of the grocery stores. Turtle wax works just as well.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Sunday, October 05, 2003 at 09:20:23 (MDT)
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R.J: Thanks for your help on the Hoover/Eureka belts. If you have ever tried to use a Hoover belt on a Eureka, it is very tight. However, I have done so in a pinch, but it helps to stretch them out first like you said.
I picked up some Turtle wax. I used it to wax the hood on my Hoover 28. This stuff works extremely well. I was very impressed with the results. I am assuming that it is safe to use on bakelite/plasic? I couldn't find the Jubilee kitchen wax. Its quite possible that it isn't sold here in MA.
Thanks again for your help.
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Saturday, October 04, 2003 at 22:17:36 (MDT)
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To Evan R-
You're right on target - the Eureka/Sanitaire belt is the belt of choice for the pre-convertible uprights (with a few exceptions): model 425 took a unique flat belt, and models 102, 105, 541, and 543 will do better with a stretched out (used) Eureka/Sanitaire belt.
To Ron J-
That blue & white Penncrest tank was indeed made in Britain by Hoover Ltd. It's squared cylander shape was reminiscent of the model 415 Holiday. It was part of Hoover's introductory line-up under the Penncrest label introduced in 1964. If it's model 1190, it came with the stretch hose, standard Hoover-style rug/floor tool (only in place of the "Hoover" logo there was the "P" logo), 2 (non-telescoping) wands, the furniture brush and the crevice tool. That was the budget-priced offering of 3 canister models for JC Penney, and the last (cylander-style) tank Hoover ever made for the US market.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Saturday, October 04, 2003 at 20:39:31 (MDT)
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a great find, today was riding along and found a penncrest tank cleaner white with lite blue it looks like some sort of Hoover tank but on its belly says made in Britain it has the famous Hoover flex hose and floor tool. its dirty needs some paint in other areas but that didnt stop me from slamming on brakes and flinging it into the truck of the Park Avenue, havent treid to run it yet
ron jones
rockingham, nc USA - Saturday, October 04, 2003 at 15:29:54 (MDT)
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Evan
I measured it, and there is a longer distance between the brusroll, and the pulley om my Hoover28, but it was less than 1/2inch. But my Eureka had a much longer dintance than my 28. The Hoovers are close enough that I don't think that it would putting very much more stress on the bearing.
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Saturday, October 04, 2003 at 14:59:50 (MDT)
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To R.J: Thank you very much for the information on the 115 and the wax. I'll pick up some Turtle Wax later today.
To Reggie: Actually, if you look at a Hoover round belt next to a Eureka round belt, you will find that the Hoover belt is smaller. If I heard correctly, the the distance from the belt pulley to the brushroll on the pre Convertible cleaners is longer. If this is correct, you would want to use the Eureka belt because the Hoover belt would put more stress on the lower bearing. I could be entirely wrong on this though.
To Morgan Frazer: Thank you so much for your offer on the brushstrips and the attachment set. I'll be in touch. I don't have a spring clip for your Eureka to spare at the moment, but it shouldn't be all that hard to find one. I'll let you know if I come across one.
Thank you
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Saturday, October 04, 2003 at 07:29:40 (MDT)
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Evan,
I have a brand new set of brushes for a Hoover Model 28. Contact me if your interested. Also I have a Eureka Rotomatic as well and I am in need of the spring clip that hold the hose in place. If any one out there has a spare...
Evan, I also have an extra attachment set for the Model 28 if your interested. It would not include the hose but is is a full set.
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Benton, WI USA - Saturday, October 04, 2003 at 06:25:58 (MDT)
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Evan
I don't think that there is any differenc between the Hoover and Eureka round belts. I put a Hoover one on my Hoover 28, and I don't think that it is causing a problem.
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Friday, October 03, 2003 at 22:14:00 (MDT)
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To Charlie W-
I'm thinking you could remove the fan if you wanted to, but I can't understand WHY you would want to, other than just to experiment. I'm also guessing that in it's place you may have to put a spacer or several washers to fill the void between the lower bearing and the belt pulley.
To Evan R-
Yes, there was a color change during the course of the 115 production. The earlier ones had a wrinkle finish; the later ones used the hammertone finish.
As far as wax for restored machines, I know several collectors who use car wax (like Turtle Wax, available at most auto parts & hardware stores) and I often use Jubilee kitchen wax (available at most grocery stores).
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Friday, October 03, 2003 at 21:51:41 (MDT)
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To the forum:
I have a few questions. I would greatly appreciate anyones input.
At the convention this past June, I got a Hoover 115 from Stan Hagan. It has a tannish-copper colored hammertone finish. I have seen other 115's that had brown wrinkle finish paint that were the same color and finish as a model 28. Did Hoover change the color/finish of the 115's paint later on in it's production run? Or has it been repainted in a color that is not the original?
Also, I have been told by several members of the club that you should use a round eureka upright belt on all the Hoovers made before the Convertibles. Is this true?
I am also wondering if anyone can recommend a brand of wax to use when polishing machines after they have been restored. Fred Stachnik told me to get some SC Johnsons paste wax, but I can't find it anywhere in MA. Does anyone have any experience with a product that works well? Let me know.
I am in search of a few different parts, so I would be greatful if anyone can help me out.
I am looking for a set of brushstrips for my Hoover 28, as well as a cord. I also need a floortool, rugtool, dusting brush, and a cord for a blue and white Eureka Roto-Matic 860A. All the tools for the machine are blue. The rugtool is really beat up, and the floortool and dusting brush are missing. The cord that is on it is black, and clearly not the original. I am guessing that it originally would have been blue.
Thanks in advance for anyone who can help.
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Friday, October 03, 2003 at 20:12:44 (MDT)
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Forum:
I have a question. I have an Air-Way Mark II 88 with the matching Eureka powerhead. If you run the powerhead with the fan, there is tremendous air flow going into the Air-Way hose. After all, the powerhead is just a Eureka upright in Air-Way tourquoise drag. The Air-Way which has a 7 amp motor does not create enough suction to work efficiently with the powerhead.
Here is the question: If I remove the fan from the Eureka will that damage the motor? By removing the fan, it will be a true "powerhead" as it will then just be a revolving brushroll will all the air flow created by the Air-Way vacuum. With the fan out, could the motor operate at a higher rpm and cause the motor to burn out?
Louis Rescigno and I talked about it today and he seems to feel it would be just fine. Sometimes I like to hear several opinions and this is one of those times. Thanks!
A great fall weekend to all.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Friday, October 03, 2003 at 08:57:13 (MDT)
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To Reggie-
Yes, Vorwerk attachments will fit the Advance Mighty Maid.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Friday, October 03, 2003 at 07:02:41 (MDT)
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To Tom G.
Thanks for the offer of the Roll Easy bags. I would like them very much. I think it was you that was wanting some Sunbeam Challenger bags but i'm not sure. I was at my folk's house today digging around in the "vacuum room" and i found a bunch of bojack Challeger Bags. VCB brand or something like that. Let me know if you are interested and i will send the to you.
RE: Jim Kirby's Hamilton Beach
I myself have an HB no.8. I have no idea how old it is but the lettering on the red bag is very deco. When i bought my GE roll easy recently, there was a cardboard flyer for directions on using the DeLuxe attachments for HB models 8, 12, and 14. The set is no.120.
Sort of makes me think there may have been more than just the Roll Easy in the garage at that estate sale. Hmmmm!
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Thursday, October 02, 2003 at 22:11:06 (MDT)
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Does anyone have a good brushroll for a Advance Mighty Maid (Vorwerk). Also, would Vorwerk attachments fit this vacuum?
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Thursday, October 02, 2003 at 21:04:07 (MDT)
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Bernie,
Thanks for your quick reply to my question. Haven't turned the HB on yet but am going to before turning in tonight.
Best regards.
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Thursday, October 02, 2003 at 20:41:18 (MDT)
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Jim,
With regard to your HB 14...I would guess that your 14 might date from the 40's. Reason being, I have a 12 that is definitely art deco that I would date from the mid to late 30's. Also, have a complete 14 here if you need parts.
Bernie
Bernie Mehlbaum
Hbg, PA USA - Thursday, October 02, 2003 at 17:42:07 (MDT)
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Greetings from the Heartland:
Just bought a Hamilton Beach upright Model 14 Champion from a vac shop in Topeka, KS, yesterday. It has the original bag and is in good shape.
Actually I had spotted it this past Sunday afternoon. As I drove into the parking lot of this vac shop, I could see the handle of a machine that appeared to be from the forties and could see that it had a royal blue cloth bag. I parked and looked through the window of the shop to get a better look at the vac. It appeared to be a Hamilton Beach.
Monday I called the vac shop, and the owner told me it was a Model 14 Champion. We agreed on a price, and I told him I'd pick it up after a funeral I'd be attending on Wednesday.
Now a question: Is the Model 14 pre-
World War II, from, say 1940 or the late thirties?
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Thursday, October 02, 2003 at 15:41:03 (MDT)
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Hi Tom,
I bought another G-3 today from a brand new pawn shop that just opened. There were 2 of them both for $99.00. I pick the one that was all original, The other one had another plug on it not a Kirby plug.
The one I picked also was in super mint condition and has a good transmission. The other has a bad transmission. I will use my old one as a parts vac now.The new has no paint loss or any rust of any kind.
To all Members:
I went to the Pawn shop a block from my house just to see if he had any Kirbys. This is after I bought my G-3. To my surprise They have a Kirby G-4 there are no attachments that I saw. It looks like it's in pretty god shape. They are selling it for 99.00. That's is really a good price because they are more expensive on ebay.
If anyone of you'll are interested in it let me know. I can always ship to anyone.
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Monday, September 29, 2003 at 21:57:42 (MDT)
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Tom,
I believe I just need the standard attachments for the Royal.. I have a model 1048 and a 3something..
I would be interested..
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Benton, WI USA - Monday, September 29, 2003 at 17:42:21 (MDT)
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To James W.:
Kirby still makes a brush roller for the 1952 model 512. You want the brush bristles to extend 1/16 of an inch past the stainless steel rug guard on the nozzle. It's impossible to measure this by eye, so use a card ( a playing card is fine ) and lay it across the opening. Move the card back and forth and if the brush bristles 'snap' the card, they are extended correctly.
To Morgan F.:
Which Royal vacuum do you want attachments for? I have a spare hose coupling for the Royal Standard and Super models.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Monday, September 29, 2003 at 13:59:17 (MDT)
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To Tom,
I will have to buy me another G-3 I opened it up It was caked in rust I'm thinking the old house was too humid and it even maybe rained on it because there was even mildew on it. I should have never stored them in there but I thought it would have been ok.I think I can get one from the pawn shop for 99.00 without attachments but I have everything with mine so I just need the upright it self.I will use my old one for parts there are still some good parts on it.
To Marty:
Well I'm glad Ken is sending you the cord for your rolleasy. Marty I bought some Chrome polisher from Walmart It's called Maas polishing cream and it did a really good job on the Kirby's it was in the cleaning supplies section by the Johnson's paste wax.
Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La. USA - Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 22:45:10 (MDT)
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Hi everybody
Umm, well, i did a no no to my Kirby 512. I need a bag for it now. The one that came with it is absolutely fine, but the logo kind of well sort of came off.....(its still legible) If anyone happens to have one to sell im ready to buy! Also, anyone know how to work the beater bars on the old things? I cant get it properly height adjusted! Do they still make brushes for them???thanks
James Wyrembelski
Beaverton, MI USA - Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 21:01:44 (MDT)
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Hi Everyone.
Just wondering if anyone out there has an attachment set for a Royal Vacuum and a Hoover Model 706. I would like the Hoover set to be the deluxe set with the floor brush. With both I would need the hoses as well.
Looking forward to next years convention!! And I hear it is close to Wisconsin again..
Thanks
Morgan T. Frazer
Benton, WI USA - Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 16:11:42 (MDT)
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Greetings All!
Martin, I do have an excellant new cord for your newly found GE roll easy! I will send it out to your PO address. Good luck finding the hose--but, you never can tell! Happy hunting.
Ken Wagman
Ken Wagman
Capron, IL USA - Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 08:47:26 (MDT)
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To Marty:
I have a couple of spare disposable bags for the Roll Easy if you need any.
Good luck with your search for a hose and wands.
To the Forum:
Does any one have a spare base plate (soleplate) for the Hoover 305? I have a 305 that Frank Morgan gave to me, but it's missing the soleplate. I would really appreciate it if anyone has a spare.
To Skip:
Are you sure the G3's transmission is really bad? Many times the handle pivot's control know gets pulled out of the linkage that tells the transmission to go forwards or backwards. You can check by removing the top cover (two screws in front, two in back under the white plastic scuff plate). More than likely, the knob is 'outside' the linkage so its not telling the transmission to go in either direction. Abrupt lifting by the handle will do this sometimes.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 08:33:55 (MDT)
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Hi Skip,
Nice to meet you in print. Thanks for the info on the GE cord. I've known Ken for some time now so i will contact him. Thanks for considering me.
On those Kirby's, I've always had good results with Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish. You can get it at WalMart where the car polish is kept. Good luck with the Kirbys!!!
LOL!!! I'm starting to sound like a spokes person for Mother's Mag Polish!
Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 23:33:49 (MDT)
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HI Marty,
You can email Ken Wagman. He does have an extra rolleasy cord because he was going to send it to me but I don't need it. Ken's Email address is Kaw6657@aol.com.
Marty Ken is a real busy man so he might not answer your email right away but he will answer it. It might take him a couple of days to answer your email but he will.
Marty I think the hose might be hard to find unless maybe Tania or Mark might have an extra one.
Well I finally went into my old storage house and got my other vacs out of there and they all run.They were put in there in 1997. I thought my kirbys wouldn't have run but they do. I'm kinda disappointed My G-3 runs but I do need to change the fan on it, but the transmission isn't working anymore.
So i was going to remove the bottom plate to see what is wrong and 2 of the screws are rusted bad. I tried to take them out but they won't budge so I think I might just try to find me another G-3 in good shape at one of the pawn shops and use this one for parts. I'm hoping I can fix it but don't know if I can.
I'm cleaning them all up and I"m polishing the chrome on my Kirbys.
Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 22:31:29 (MDT)
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Marty R.,
If you don't hear anything from our forum, you may want to try Tania, (she does not have a computer), as she has quite a few Roll Easy parts and/or access to them. Also, Marc Turbyfill has been known to have Roll Easy items. He has not posted here that I am aware of so I wanted to let you know. Good luck in finding the cord!
Charlie Lester, what happened to my picture? Did someone spill acid on our database? Are the sharks circling?
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 14:12:20 (MDT)
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Correction:
My email is actually: mdanielps@aol.com
Duh!! Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs , Ca USA - Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 13:25:23 (MDT)
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Hi All,
I have to say someting about a ebay hoover currently on auction. Sorry Charlie but this isn't bad. In June i bought a Hoover 300 from Tim Fuller at the convention, and took the best parts from this machine and one that i already had. I ultimately kept the one that i bought from Tim and just three weeks ago donated a bunch of vacuums to the thrift store,the Hoover 300 i had previously owned among them.
Well as i was surfing through ebay last night, i was surprised to find that 300 listed! Someone must have found my old 300, bought it and listed it. It is item #2348783674. The only reason i mention this is that when i donated it, it had a broken belt pulley. Unless the seller fixed it, it may still have a broken pulley.
I thought i would let you all know in case one of you decide to bid on it. It works fine otherwise.
GE CORD SEARCH:
I was at two estate sales this morning and at one i found Hoover portable upright. The lady at the estate sale said "I have another vacuum in the garage. Do you want to see it?" Turned out to be a turquoise GE Roll Easy R1!!!! After a few palpatations that required a nitro tab, I said, " I'll take it!!!"
What i am looking for now is a cord. The cord for this machine is so frayed at the female end that bare wire is showing. Also, i need the copper wands and a turquoise hose. The wands i have now are steel and the hose is a white woven hose. If anyone has any of these items for sale please let me know. My email is below.
Thanks, Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 13:18:53 (MDT)
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I just got a Vorwerk vacuum, but its called "Advance Mighty Maid". It needs a new brush bar. I don't know very much about these vacuums, or where to get parts and attacments. Do they have them at vac shops, or do I have to order it?
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Friday, September 26, 2003 at 12:08:10 (MDT)
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Hey Everyone--
Just a note to all of you Hoover Floor Polisher fans out there--
I little birdie told me that the current models (F2300-just the motor, and the F4300-motor and dispensing tank) are being discontinued for good.
Its sad, yes. So, if anyone wants one 'last' Hoover floor polisher, go find em now.
The F5300 (a.k.a. Floor-a-Matic, Scrub 'n Vac Shampoo Polisher) was discontinued about a year ago.
Thats all for now.. Happy Polishing
Fred Stachnik
Milwaukee, WI USA - Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 20:23:37 (MDT)
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Hi everyone! How are things. Well, i started my new job Monday. I couldnt wait either... i HAD to see what vacuum cleaners id be cleaning with. Turns out its a Sanitaire and a Kirby. Just thought id tell you the condition! Its heart breaking!!! Lol, anyway. The sanitaire had been used with no belt!!! And the back was LITTERALY rock hard!! GROSS! The kirby's hose into the saniemptor was SOLID full of dirt. And the beater bar could no longer move! ACK, so i took them home and they work great now! Its unbelieveable what condition these things are found in eh?? And especially how easily the repairs are!
Well, i also come in search for my kirbys! I have found everything i need for my kirbys. Ill just write a short list! I will pay, trade, or do whatever i need to so i can get parts so just ask
I need a: DS 50 saniemptor and bag. A sanitronic VII bag, ANYTHING for a 518, and a gray cord for a 512. Im also looking for manuals!
Just email me if you have something youd like to get rid of! Also, if any of you Kirby nuts want to talk, just add me to your yahoo messenger or MSN messenger! Or email me! I love to talk with fellow collectors!
Have a nice day!
James Wyrembelski
Beaverton, MI USA - Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 17:53:33 (MDT)
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Dear Reggie,
I am Charlie Lester, the webmaster for the VCCC Forum.
I just want first of all to welcome you to the Club and to our Forum, and second of all want to apologize if I sounded like I was jumping on your case about your postings about eBay.
I did not know, until one of the other members told me, that you are both a new member and a "junior" member. So you probably don't know that a lot of people tend to get their "knickers in a knot" when other people start posting stuff about what's being listed on eBay.
Exceptions would be "advertisements" for things you are listing, or to poke fun at some of the incredibly stupid things that get listed ---- you know, the "raer vintege anteek soler-powwered sweaper from King Tutts' toomb" sort of thing!
But with listings for old cleaners, there does sometimes get to be a certain amount of competition for them and it's generally best not to post "hints" or URLS about things you have seen. "Discretion is the better part of valor" as the old saying goes.
I gather you like Kirbys, as do I. Since we are from different generations the machines that appeal to us are likely different as well, but that's the way it usually works out. I have found that we collectors tend, as a general rule, to be most interested in the machines we remember from our early childhood.
I mostly like the Kirby 500 series, both the early and late versions, but I tend to have a softer spot for the 513 through 515 because I saw so many of them when I was a little kid. My father is a retired minister, and my mother a retired organist -- so we did a lot of visiting with people in the various churches where my dad was the pastor.
I would inevitably make a beeline for the host's vacuum cleaner, to the terrific embarrassment of my parents! In those days, there was not a club of vacuum cleaner collectors, and furthermore, it just wasn't "proper" for little boys to go running around using the sweeper --- that was considered "women's work" and it did raise a few eyebrows!
It got to the point where, whenever we'd be driving to someone's house to visit, my mom would turn around from the front seat, glare at me, waggle her finger and admonish, "And YOU stay AWAY from their SWEEPER!" Of course, that command fell upon deaf ears ........ the allure of the vacuum cleaner was just too great, and it was never long before I had found it and had it out and using it, usually to the delight of our hostess who did not seem to mind a little boy taking care of their housework for them!
Even as a toddler I knew quite a lot about vacuum cleaners and could immediately tell if there was something wrong. I would go to the lady and tersely announce, "Your sweeper has a broken belt and that's why it is not picking up any dirt." She would smile nicely, thinking, "what does that little kid know" ... then I guarantee you the minute we left, she'd pull the vacuum out of the closet, turn it over, and see to her amazement that I was right!!
I even said once, to a lady's great embarrassment, "If you would put a new bag in the sweeper it would pick up that dirt under your couch, and it [the machine] would not smell so bad!"
And I saw a lot of vacuum cleaners IN churches! One favorite place was a big old church in Virginia where my mother played the organ -- the Head Custodian, an older Black man, had made friends with me because I was always hanging around him to "help" him vacuum --- at three years old!!
The church had some kind of old ancient vacuums, at least two or them, don't remember much about them except they looked like farm tools! I don't think they were major brands, because I have never seen any like them since. All I remember is that they were probably straight-suction because the nozzles were very narrow, they had very long plain wooden handles, and brown-colred bags that looked like big feed sacks!
But one day when I went over there with my Mama while she practiced on the organ, I saw the custodian. He was grinning from ear to ear and said for me to come with him, he had something to show me. He took me down the hall to his room, you know, where all the cleaning supplies were stored, opened the door, and there, lined up against the wall were two brand-new Kirbys! This was in 1960 or 1961, and they were 560s or 561s -- I clearly remember the gold-burst belt lifters on the machines!
A lot of people in our area had various red and gray Kirbys, including my Aunt Dabney who lived nearby. She had a very old Kirby -- I never was able to figure out the exact model because it apparently had been rebuilt several times and did not have "consistent" trim and accessories, but I think it was a 2-C. It had the very old type of rear axle that was a separate piece, but it had a speckled gray bag, grey cord, grey and red trim, and gray attachments. AND it had the newer-type metal handle (instead of metal and wood) with a red handle grip.
I was TERRIFIED of that thing because it made a terrible racket. There was something wrong with it (in retrospect, a broken fan blade) and it made a horrific ROAR when she used it ----- it just would scare the daylights of out me!
She often baby-sat me and if she wanted to keep me outside and out of her hair, she would take the Kirby out of the living-room closet where she kept it, and set it out on the front porch. I would not go near the thing! Whenever she was using it while I was there, I would watch her --- from a safe distance outside, peering in through the screen door!
I also really like Electroluxes because, again, so many people had them. The local Electrolux man must have been very industrious because almost everyone I can think of that lived in our area had one.
I remember XXXs, LXs, Es, AEs, Ss, Rs, and Fs from my early childhood -- my parents had an AE, and a next-door neighbor had an E. Then when the G and L came out, a lot of people got those too.
Well I won't talk your ear off, I just wanted you to know I felt kinda bad about "biting your head off" and hope you understand it's just because I am very protective of the Forum. We have had a lot of difficulty with bad people trying to cause trouble there and that's why the forum is limited to club members only.
There was SO MUCH trouble at one time that it has caused the Board Members and myself to have "hair triggers" about what's posted there. But please don't feel like you have to be censored ...... just in terms of eBay in particular, think about how you would feel if you were "secretly" watching an auction that it appeared no one else had found, and all of a sudden someone comes in and splashes an announcement about it on the forum!
Happy vacuuming!
~
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Charlie Lester
Oh, P.S., I almost forgot to mention, I have a huge website with many vacuum cleaner pages, including a very comprehensive review of the 500-series Kirbys, a project I had wanted to do for many years. There are still a few loose ends on it but it's pretty nearly complete. If you go to my main website portal at http://www.137.com and scroll down the page, you will come to the "sweeper" section. Enjoy!
[P.P.S.: I tried to send this to your email address that we have for you, but it bounced back ... please provide us with your current email address, thx.]
Charlie Lester
Hollyweird, CA USA - Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 11:43:28 (MDT)
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Just "FWIW" .......
It is generally considered in bad form to get on the various vac forums and give out links or "clues" as to things being auctioned on eBay.
eBay is very competitive in our little world, and it's really not very charitable to post information about auctions YOU are not particularly interested in (*) but that someone else may be watching.
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(*) If "you" were really interested in a given auction, come on now, "can we tawk" ... would you really give out information about it?!
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Trust me, if it's on eBay, most of us have found it. If we haven't, then too bad. But by providing these "helpful" announcements, it only fosters greater animosity and greed as people get into a frenzy of auction-grabbing. There's no law against it, just know that most people do not think too highly of it.
And on another note .......
About sniping, I have already "confessed" that I have very reluctantly been doing it in some cases. I do NOT like doing it, I think it's dirty-pool and low-down.
And, yes, of course, those whom I have "taken to task" for sniping have been quick to jump up and shriek about what a hypocrite I am ..... until I politely remind them that it is only because of THEM, and people LIKE THEM, that I, and other formerly more-polite and considerate eBay patrons, have ultimately resorted to sniping.
THE THING IS.......
Number one, there are certain people ("you know who you are") who watch what others of us bid on as a way of finding auctions that otherwise may slip thru the cracks because of misspellings, improper category listings and so on.
Number two, it seems there are certain people who have an uncontrollable urge to trot in and place their little 2-cent bids on every auction that someone else bids on, whether or not they are really interested in the auction ------- just the way dogs have to stop and "mark" every tree, bush and hydrant that they pass.
And Number Three, placing early bids on stuff can tip others off that you're interested, and that will just encourage THEM to snipe YOU. Why leave yourself wide open for a sucker punch?!
By waiting til the last minute to snipe-bid, you can avoid most of these annoying and bad-mannered pests.
Again, in a perfect world this wouldn't be necessary. We'd all go on eBay and behave as gentlemen and gentlewomen instead of going out of our way to be a bunch of greedy-grabbers, double-crossing and trying to out-wit our fellow collectors. Kinda the way the club USED to be, when there were only a dozen of us. Growth does have its disadvantages.
Charlie Lester
USA - Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 22:25:16 (MDT)
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I have a problem, I was just on Ebay, and I can't decide what to bid on. I decided to bid on either a new set of Royal attachments, or Electrolux model T with attacments.
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 21:07:10 (MDT)
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To All Members,
Do any of you all have any extra polishing brushes for a Electrolux model B-8 polisher?
I aquired one today from My local Kirby Dealer and it only came with the shampoo hrushes and I need the polishing brushes for my Hard wood floor.
Thanks to anyone who can help me out.
Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Monday, September 22, 2003 at 19:35:11 (MDT)
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To James W.:
There's no need to go into a bidding war on eBay. We had our own version of a 'sniper' who was a former member of our club. He made tons of folks mad at him and alienated himself from the group.
If you really want to win, go to www.robobidder.com
and you'll discover that you can get things far more reasonably.
To Reggie:
The Bison Centurion is the machine only. No tools. It's been on the sales floor in this particular shop since 1981 and no one has purchased it (weighs a TON and there are NO replacement/repair parts available). Bison went out of business in 1982.
Dick Shaefer, President of Bison, set up MANY distributors over the years they were in business. Most people with Bisons would have had trouble locating any repair parts and it's likely that used Bisons would need some repair before being able to work properly. Many would have traded them in on other sweepers long ago. Still, we see them from time to time, used, in the trade-in room of the Rainbow or Kirby sales offices, going for between $5 and $10 each.
To Skip A:
Jason Davis is someone who used to belong to the club. I remember the first meeting he attended in Allentown, PA. His father was ready to leave and Jason threw an absolute fit. Told everyone he was going to jump out of the plane because he didn't want to leave. And he was 19 at the time.
He has a Cadillac that I gave him, straight suction machine, pre-war. The upright you were speaking about would have been among the last Cadillac cleaners made, they were still using the old formula of a Kirby or Royal type machine. Failure to change with the times is why Cadillac (and Clements Manufacturing) didn't make it to the 1960's.
To Brother Chris:
It was so good to see you today. Had tons of fun with you and Stan Kann. If St. Peter was the 'rock' on which Christ built his church, Stan's collection is the 'rock' on which the Collector's Club is built. There must be a begining, and Stan's collection is it!
Next time we visit Stan, we'll drag the HUGE Hoover 972 upstairs and run it over Stan's beautiful oriental rugs. It was made for cleaning that type of carpet. The sound of the agitator as it beats the carpet is music unto itself. The huge 32 blade fan creates tremendous suction, even more awesome when we remember that it was a 1926 model.
Glad you got Stan to play a mini concert for us. His neighbors must have thought they lived next door to the Symphony. When Stan gets back from Detroit's concert series (two weeks) he wants to come out to visit me. Perhaps you and Stan could ride together...But this time...don't forget your wallet...you might run into a traffic cop who wants to see it. (smile). It really was great to see you again. You were like a child in a candy store, standing among Stan's magnificent collection.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 22:58:21 (MDT)
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Hi everyone!
Well how many of you have tried to beat the annonymous Oren69? Well i had a bidding battle with him/her at the last minute (litteraly) on a Kirby Model 512 (all original) And for the seventh time ive tried to outbid him i DID. For once ive beat him!
Ive heard from another member that some people have been having problems with him/her and bidding rediculous amounts!
The Kirby is Awesome! Or at least to me! Its mainly all original! It has the Carpet fluffer/floor buffer. Original hose and attachments all in the box (buffer too) and instruction manual! the bag is orignal and appears to be in great condition. The only thing im looking for is a gray cord for that model...the cord on this one is red! Anyone have one? Like i said i have a couple hoover motors and bags! A trade off maybe?
Have a great day!!!!!
James Wyrembelski
Beaverton, MI USA - Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 18:12:14 (MDT)
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What shop is it at? I definately want it, I almoost had a new one for $150 on ebay, but I didn't meet the reserve. I was also wondering what extra attachments it would come with.
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 14:41:58 (MDT)
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Hi Charlie,
I am thankful that you asked me that because I never did get great typing skills. But it does make sense what you were saying. Again Thanks
Charlie I have a question for you. Are the coronado's and the Vikings a rare vacuum? I saw them on Doug Smith web page and the coronado model V222 realy caught my eye. I really like the way it is made.
I saw where Viking made the same 2 models of the coronado model V222. I would sure like to acquire one of those vacuums.
Thanks Again
Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La. USA - Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 13:39:16 (MDT)
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To Skip,
I enjoy your postings and enthusiasm, but may I make a gentle suggestion .... unless you have some kind of weird keyboard, you do have a "RETURN" (or "ENTER") key on it, that you can use to divide your thoughts up into paragraphs ... Please use it!
Your long posts are very hard to read without any break for the eyes to follow. Take it from one who loves to make long-winded, rambling posts myself....... people will be far more likely to read them if they are divided up into small "digestible" chunks!
To our friends & family on the East Coast, hope all is well. I have LOTS of family all along the East Coast, from Maryland all the way down to Florida. Some fared better than others.
The Annapolis, Maryland area was pretty hard hit -- the downtown historic district was under water deep enough that people were paddling canoes around State Circle.
And I have a friend who lives in a rural area outside Annapolis and she said her back-yard deck -- almost 5 ft. off the ground - was just submerged in water.
Another couple of inches and their house would have been flooded. But she's taking is in stride, and with a sense of humor. She said, "I always did want waterfront property."
Hope all in the club are well, I can't say so, 100%, for myself. After having had a pretty good period this year, economically speaking, all of a sudden the "schmidt" has hit the fan and I am really in a terrible financial bind. One of the worst ever.
There are several people in the club who are waiting very patiently for me to send them payments for various sweeper acquisitions ... in no one instance is it any great amount ... but the total outstanding debts have really overwhelmed me, and I just ask you to be a little more patient with me ... (y'all know who y'all are) ... until I can get through this terrible dry spell.
I hate to "wear my heart on my sleeve" this way, but on the other hand I am sure some people are wondering what's going on and I'd rather come clean about my situation than to just keep hiding out. I really am having a hard time all of a sudden.
Thanks for understanding, thanks for listening, and "Happy Hoovering" one and all...
~
~~~
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Charlie Lester
Your Humble
(and very poor)
Webmaster
Charlie Lester
Hollywood, CA USA - Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 01:26:57 (MDT)
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Reggie, Did you see where Tom was telling me about a brand new Bison Centurion still in the orignal box for $250.00. If you don't have one or want one I would jump on the one Tom is talking about you won't be dissapointed I promise you. I got mine in July from Ken Wagman brand new with the attachments for $400.00 and I don't regret a penny of it.I use it on a daily basics and it does a super job. I like the features on it better then a Kirby especially when changing from power nozzle to the hose or even to the buffer nozzle it's much quicker to do then on a Kirby. I will be wiling to bet I'm the only one in Louisiana to have a Bison. We never had Bisons,Verwecks,mieles,silver king in Louisiana and another one was the hoover Juniors, we had all other hoovers here but the Junior. I have 2 Hoover Juniors now but they are from the UK. I had to buy a transformer from Radio Shack so I can run Them.Reggie I do think down the road I would like to get the Bison Mark II also. But I did want to tell you that you would really like the Bison Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 21:27:14 (MDT)
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Are there really a lot of Bisons in the Denver area? Parker is close to denver, but I've never seen any Bisons at vac shops around here, or in Denver. Are there any that would be more likely to have them than others?
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 19:14:21 (MDT)
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Hi All,Boy is Ken going to regret giving me my password to the forum I'm writing something everyday.Well on my prowl today looking for vacs I drove by this vac shop outside on the side of the building was a perfectly good Kirby buffer nozzle, so I pick it up and went home to see if it fit my 511 but it doesn't so I measured the hooks on the back of the nozzle It is close to 3 and a half inches apart I look for a model number on the nozzle and there is none, so am not sure hat model kirby it is for. It's in really great shape and the belt is still in tack the brushes and roller are in great shape as well, So if any of you'll need it for your Kirby you'll are sure welcome to it. I can ship it to whoever needs it.
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 18:43:04 (MDT)
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Hi Tom Thanks so much for the information about the cadillac, I will have to ask my friend Jason Davis to send me some pics he has one but I think it is chrome. Also if any of you members are looking for a certain Vacuum cleaner let me know I have two leads one from Ohio and one from Tennesse that looks for vacuums for me and if they find them I pay what they paid plus shipping so just let me know what you'll are looking for.My lead in tennesse tells me they have about every kind available and he usually pays from 2.00 to 5.00 for them complete. Well hoping everything is going ok for everyone Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 08:28:25 (MDT)
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To Reggie:
You'll need a new armature. The tiny blue sparks should just be at the trailing edge of the brush, but should NOT circle the armature. Surprised that the vac shop didn't tell you that. I'll assume that you have seated the brushes after you removed and reinstalled them in the motor. If not, that could be the cause of the sparking, but its unlikely. Most probably, the armature has a bad segment in the commutator. A model L armature is different than others that were out at the same time (a model G armature would not fit). There have been many model L's with nice armatures that you'll run into where the cleaner looks like hell but the motor is good (even if it has bad bearings). If you can't find an armature or don't know how to replace it, bring it to next year's meeting and I'll fix it for you. I run into model L's with good motors all the time.
To Skip A.:
The vac you are thinking of is a Cadillac. Made in the late mid to late 1950's. Yes, it was painted and yes, it looked like a Royal (also Electro-Hygiene).
The Mark 1 Bison has green, did NOT have a belt cover on the nozzle, and had a power take-off port on the side for the shoe polisher and handi-butler attachment.
Mark II was green, had no power take-off port, had a belt cover on the nozzle, and a solid state speed control.
The Centurion was brown but in all ways identical to the Mark II.
Bison was started by a Baptist Preacher who was also a Kirby salesman. As my friend Clay Floyd actually met him - there's several stories Clay has recounted about this guy. Seems that they did start out to make a 'better kirby' that didn't have the belt lifter to contend with. However, his racist ways soon came to aggrevate Clay. He once told Clay (and this is word for word) "I better never find out that Bisons have been sold in trailer parks, or to n*gg**s" Of course, this statement made Clay so mad, he quit a short time later. He ended his association with Bison on a sour note.
However, during his time with Bison, from the Mark I machine to the Mark II, they (Bison) solved the problems with the belts and with the flexible coupling (the white plastic piece that connects to the motor's drive shaft). On a humorous note, Clay sold his remaining inventory of new Bisons to Mexican people in the Denver area. Mexican people tend to share an expensive vacuum with family members - meaning they are used harder than the average person does. The Bison service center that followed Clay had all kinds of problems doing warranty work for people who (for the most part) didn't speak English.
Consequently, there were lots of Bisons traded in (over the years) in Denver. So Clay had quite a few of them before he moved to North Carolina. That's how I got my Mark I.
I know where there's a brand new Centurion at a vac shop. They've had it since 1981 - but they either want $250 for it or they won't sell it.
To Charlie Watrous:
Did you know Dyson's U.S. headquarters are in Chicago? Maybe we can get Dyson to be a 'corporate sponsor' and pay for our Box Lunch on one of the convention days. If you think it's a good idea, I'll speak to them about it. Maybe they could get some media coverage for us. After all, James Dyson did give us the Special Edition model to use as our State of the Art machine for the contest. It would be good publicity for them as well as us. Electrolux did that years ago when we went to the factory (they fed us AND had the media there).
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Friday, September 19, 2003 at 22:56:16 (MDT)
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I am having problems with the armature for my Electrolux model L. I think that the commuttaor is messed up because it makes huge sparks, ant the motor sounds bad. I took it to a vacuum store, but it comfused them too. Does it need a new armature, or can i do something to this one to make it work?
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Friday, September 19, 2003 at 15:51:18 (MDT)
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Hi Tom Thanks for your kind words, you really make me feel welcome to the club.Tom getting to the Bison I love it so much, to be honest with you in my opinion the Bison is a far better machine then the Kirby, but in the same breath I love all of my Kirbys. I have a kirby G-3 I need to change the fan on it.I one day hope to get a G-5 I love the color of it.Tom I saw in email today about Fred getting a new Bison in the box like I did(which is my best investment so far)It just makes me wonder how many Bisons are out There still new in the box. When I was informed that I could buy a Bison brand new still in the box especialy the centurion I liked to have Flip, I jump on it as fast as I could and then getting everything with it make it so much sweeter. When I started buying vacs from ebay I saw a Bison on ebay, at first I just looked at it but it didn't hit me right away after about the 3rd one on ebay I decided I wanted one so it took me about 8 months to find one, Which I'm glad I got the one I did because it being brand new and having all of the attachments with it, I admit it wasn't a cheap investment but I don't regret a penny of my investment. Tom What is the difference between the centurion and the Mark III, looking at the pics of the Mark III it looks just like the centurion to me but it is chrome and green color instead of brown.Tom did you see where I mention about that upright from the early 60's being a cross between a Kirby and a Royal, I would love to know what upright that is. Did they make a tan and yellow(cream color) Royal from the late 50's early 60's, I know for sure it isn't a Kirby I still wished I would have looked at the name of it, I do remember the light cover being very narrow like the royal I also remember the rug nozzle being tan as was the light cover the motor housing was yellow (cream color) the middle of the handle was cream and the hand grip and bag were tan, like I say it is racking my brain whatkind that it is.Thats the only one I ever saw. I used to go to all the neighbors to see what kind of vacuum cleaner and buffer they had and there mixers as well. This was in the early 60's(60-64) one neighbor had a Ge rolleasy but like 5 neighbors at the pink Ge canister, There were like 4 of them with the Kirby 560. probably about 8 of them with the compact.Tom thanks for giving me the airway that will be a very nice piece to add to my collection. Take care Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La. USA - Friday, September 19, 2003 at 13:34:17 (MDT)
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Dear Members:
Well, hurricane Isabel has come and gone and Charlotte was relatively unaffected.
Good news! I have secured the hotel for the 2004 VCCC convention. It is the Holiday Inn in Itasca, IL, an area of Chicago. As you may know, greater Chicago is made up of lots of little communities. Itasca is near O'Hare and has a shuttle bus to and from the airport. Jeff Parker recommended this property along with others. Thanks to Jeff!
Fred Nelson and I did a thorough inspection of the property and rooms. This is probably the nicest property that the VCCC will have had their convention in. And the Sales Manager could not have been nicer. I know there were concerns about this year's hotel, so we went through with a fine tooth comb.
Dates: (MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDARS NOW!) Arrive Thursday, June 17, 2003. Ends on Sunday, June 20th. Details later about rates, (registration and hotel room), and schedule of events.
More good news! Don Clark is probably going to be back as the guest speaker at the awards dinner on Saturday night. Ask anyone who attended this year about his presentation. You could have heard a pin drop in that room! I am going to ask him to be out guest for the entire convention he is interested.
After Fred and I checked out the hotel, we then motored to Milwaukee to meet up with members, Tania Voigt, (board member), Fred Stachnik and Mark Thomas. A great, fun filled vacuum weekend. Tania took us to Kewascum, WI, where we went through Jim Jaeger's vacuum and sewing business. He had been in the same location for over 40 years and Tania had befriended him some years ago. We made a good haul, the best probably being Fred Nelson purchased a brand new, in the unopened box, brown Bison! You can imagine how much stuff there was.
More on this trip in the winter newsletter. Also, I will be sending, information on the convention. Forms will be in upcoming newsletters as well as the agenda of events. Some neat things are planned for 2004. Start saving $$$$$ so you can attend!
Have a great weekend and my best all.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Friday, September 19, 2003 at 09:19:14 (MDT)
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To Skip A.:
I hope you will attend the next convention (in Chicago - next June).
You MUST have an Air-Way for your collection, and I will give you a model 88 Mark II with attachments (no cost). NO vacuum collection can even begin to be complete without one. There wouldl be no dispoable bag in any vacuum cleaner without Air-Way.
Club member (and my best friend) Clay Floyd was a Bison dealer in the early 1970's. He ran a dealer organization and also a repair center. They sold thousands of Bison cleaners in Denver. He gave my a green 1968 Mark 1 Bison. They are very cool machines. Now, set the Generation 3 Kirby next to the Bison and tell me what you see????
The VCCC went to the Kirby Company years ago (when the G5 first came out) and we got a chance to visit he Research and Development room. Saw the prototype Kirbys they've never launched - like the model with the Dirt Sensor in the headlight hood and a variable speed motor (like a Bison).
And what do you think was sitting in the middle of the research room? A Bison. There's enough room behind the Bison motor for a transmission, and notice the curves of the headlight hood and the fan case. It's a G3. John Lackner (head of research) at the Kirby Company admitted that they did copy the Bison design for the Generation series.
Did you know that when Jim Kirby met Mr. Scott and Mr. Fetzer that the Scott and Fetzer Company was making guns? The salesmen would later need them to get people to sign the contracts for a new Kirby (just joking).
Jim Kirby's first electric vacuum cleaner was made in 1911 and was NOT a Kirby. It was called the Frantz Premier. He wouldn't meet Scott and Fetzer until the middle of World War 1.
There's a whole world of Kirby cleaners in our club, made before the model 505 (like Charlie Lester's "R" (for retail) model Kirbys - Scott and Fetzer Sanitation Systems, etc.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Friday, September 19, 2003 at 07:13:32 (MDT)
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Hi All IT's just me again. I just wanted to say a little bit about myself. I have been fasinated with vacuums,mixers And floor polishers since the age of 4 yrs old. I am now 47 and started my collection back in 1994 but wished I would have started earlier.But went full force like about 1 and half years ago. I joined ebay to buy a second computer that was in nov. 2001. In feb 2002 I started buying vacs, mixers and buffers from ebay.Then around May of 2003 Bernie answered my email from the vintage dust collectors about me wanting a rolleasy and directed me to Ken I bought a rolleasy from Ken then bought one from ebay and have since bought another from ebay I now have a 1956 copper rolleasy and also 2 of the 58 models( one of the 58 model is my parts machine). I do have to say a great Thank you to both Bernie and Ken because with out them I wwouldn't be where I'm at with my collection.Bernie My friend Robert is still trying to locate the kenmore bugeye That I promised you. Ken and I have swapped a few vacs with each other, also without Bernie and Ken I wouldn't be a member of this fine group. I have right at 60 plus vacs and I have about 45 mixers and probably 15 buffers, I have compacts,tristars,kirby's,vintage Ge canisters,I have a 1945 GE upright,I have a 1930's Euerka model m upright with all the attachments,1956 hoover lark,2 hoover Juniors from the UK,1 filter queen,a 1957 Lewyt,Rainbows,Vorweck,Electrolux auto Upright,electrolux model 89, Euerka canisters,royal canister 4500,1950 universal canister,2 hoover constellions,a 1980 Bison Centurion with attachments,1949 Singer upright,1959 Singer golden glide canister.There are a few others that I have.I guess the first vacuum that really tickled me was the compact and then the Kirby,and all others soon followed,Growing up the first vac I remember my mother having was the vintage westinghouse bullet styled canister, Then she had a vintage Kenmore horizon with the high back and handle,Then she had the grey and orange Hoover dail a matic, Then it was the 1968 Kirby Santronic,Then I bought her a 1974 kirby omega for her birthday which she had until her death in 1985. There is a vacuum that is racking my brain crazy. We had a neighbor that had an upright a cross between a kirby and Royal that was light yellow and tan color I never noticed the name of it which is a great regret on my part because I would love to know what it was and would love to see one again. This was in the early 1960's. I ran everyone of my vacuums to keep them in shape. I use my Kirby 511 and my Bison as my regular vacs to keep my house vacuumed. I'm really impressed with the Bison, I'm probably the only one in my state that has a bison. Down here there aren't alot of Different vacs here like up north, We never had Bisons,silverking,meile,vorweck,lewyt,airway and several others. We have tristar, kirby,rainbows, panasonic,Dysons now,electrolux,hoovers, euerkas,GE,royals, thermax thats all I can think of right now. Well enough said I hope all is well with everyone Skip
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 21:27:16 (MDT)
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HI! I just got a new job as a janitor for a laundromat. I need a good eureka sanitaire for the job! I dont really want to use my kirbys. Anyone have one they want to get rid of? Just email me if you want to get rid of one or to sell. Thanks! (btw im 15)
James Wyrembelski
Beaverton, MI USA - Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 20:41:34 (MDT)
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Hi Charles sorry I took this long to send you my correct email address as I just got my name and password fom Ken as I join back in June I think. I never thought to get my password til now. My correct email address is Skip4ula@aol.com.I do have a question I was looking at Doug Smith's collection from Canada There he has a coronado model v222 That I really loved one I have never seen one before. Is that a very rare vacuum or there many around I would sure love to add one to my collection. In louisiana people here throw out the old vintage vacs they are hard to come by here.I got a few of my vacs from a friend in Alexandria louisiana but most are from ebay and Ken wagman. I have a friend in eastern tennnesse that he looking for some vacs for me. He buys vacs for 2.00-5.00 complete. I wished I could do that here in louisiana. So if any one knows about the coronado please let me know Thanks Skip
Stanley ( skip) Aultman
Lafayette, La. USA - Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 17:36:27 (MDT)
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Hi vereyone. I just joined the club. Ihave about 60 vacuums, my favorite is my Royal 883. I started collacting vacuums 10 years ago, when I was 5.
Reggie
Parker, CO USA - Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 14:55:16 (MDT)
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To Chad C.-
If you can wait until your next VCCC newsletter arrives (in the next 2-3 weeks, I think) that's EXACTLY the topic that will be covered in the latest installment of "Mr. Fix-it," complete with step-by-step photos.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 13:48:15 (MDT)
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Hi,
I have a Royal Commercial metal upright that I'm trying to fix up. The motor makes a weird sound which I believe is the fan banging around because it is loose. So I am trying to take the motor apart but I can't seem to figure out how to the get the fan off the motor. Is there some trick to it? I'm used to Kirby fans and know how they come off and I figured the Royal would be similar. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Chad Cunningham
Chad Cunningham
Overland Park, KS USA - Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at 20:47:02 (MDT)
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Hi!
Thanks for the welcome! Its nice to see nice people welcome me to a great club! From another member i know, the next convention is close to me? So, most likely ill be there!
Tom: No, ive never seen any kirby model below the 505. In my collection i have 2 Dual Sanitronic 50's, 518,Tradition,Heritage II,Classic Omega, and a Sanitronic VII. I would at least like to add one model before the 505 to my collection! it seems hard enough to get a 505! Im a bidder on a few vacs on ebay frequently, my ID is kirbyvacguy so some of you might have seen me around! Ive seen Charlie Lesters web site and i must say im very impressed and hope to have a great collection like his someday! its hard to get machines fully rebuild...only two of mine are ALL original...all of his look original! So thanks for replying to me! Talk to you guys later!
James Wyrembelski
Beaverton, MI USA - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 19:45:08 (MDT)
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To Evan Rogers:
I put those brochures in the box for you to have. I still have some instruction books and brochures from my teenage years. They come in very handy now. I look at them and realize that prices have actually gone DOWN on vacuums since the late 1970's.
Glad you enjoyed them.
To Mike Hays:
I remember when you got a brand new G5 (when the G5 was the current model) and how beautiful it was all shined up. Glad to hear your current G5 is back to factory showroom condition.
You know Mike, you really have a VERY beautiful collection of vacuums. We should have a convention one year in Ohio near your hometown, so all the club members could get a chance to see your vacuums.
I still can't believe I have a complete Royal pre-war upright collection because of you. Once the carbon brush leads were on the correct brush holder, it runs like a dream. Actually has 'almost' as much suction as the Royal Standard. Thank you again for the model 1. For a 1910 vacuum, it's not too bad.
To James W.:
Welcome to our vacuum club. There were twelve of us at our first Club meeting. We've had hundreds of club members since.
Some of my favorite Kirby cleaners were not even called Kirbys. Have you ever seen a Scott & Fetzer Sanitation System? Or a Keystone? We have several resident club experts on Kirby (our Web-Master Charlie Lester comes immediately to mind).
Hope to see you at the next convention.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 16:27:08 (MDT)
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Hello forum.
I haven't had much time to read the forum lately because I have been so busy with school, but I am really enjoying reading the posts on this forum.
Marty Rocha:
I received the box of parts from you in the mail today. They were in even better shape than I expected! Thank you very much.
Tom Gasko:
I got the Filter Queen from you today. I also noticed that there were a bunch of assorted brochures in the box. I don't know if you put them in the box by accident, or if you meant to send them to me, but i'm enjoying reading them. Thanks again for sending it to me.
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 15:53:05 (MDT)
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Welcome, James Wyrembelski!
Given my name, I must admit that I also like Kirbys although I like a number of other makes also. In my vintage vac collection, I have a Vacuette, Scott and Fetzer Sanitation System, Model C, 505, and some others of the 500 series.
The make most represented in my collection is probably Hoover, but I also have a number of Premiers, Eurekas, GEs, and Electroluxes.
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 14:56:06 (MDT)
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TO TOM & MARTY: THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE INFO ON MOTHERS MAG POLISH. MY KIRBY G-5 LOOKS LIKE IT JUST CAME OUT OUT OF THE
BOX NEW.
Michael Hays
Greenfield, OH USA - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 05:20:07 (MDT)
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Hi! I just recently logged on for the first time and read all of the recent comments! This seems like a great place to share our vac interests! I hope all goes well! Im a total Kirby fan! I have 7 in my collection so far. I do have a couple hoovers that i want to get rid of (hint hint):)
Anyway, i live in a little town in the middle of michigan. I play 5 instruments in the band! I first heard of this club on the CBS news website! The movie they had was VERY interesting to me since i was looking for a place like this! I hope everyone has a great day!
James Wyrembelski
Beaverton, MI USA - Monday, September 15, 2003 at 17:15:07 (MDT)
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Hi all,
I have a TON of old Electrolux and Air-way parts that I must get rid of; some are NOS. There are many other old complete vacs, parts, and hoses available for those looking for hard to find parts. Will sell, give, trade, whatever, to clear my porch. Prefer items to be picked up, if possible. I live near Harrisburg, PA. Thanks
Bernie
Bernie Mehlbaum
Hbg, PA USA - Sunday, September 14, 2003 at 08:19:03 (MDT)
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Mike Hays:
I'm polishing and restoring a Kirby G3 for my good friend Patrick Dawson. I always wash the aluminum pieces in the dishwasher first, and when the final rinse has drained, I take out the very hot pieces and begin to polish them. You'd be amazed at how much more easily they take polishing when they are both totally clean and very warm. I use Wenol metal polish (but I also like Mother's a lot) because it's available when I order vac parts from the suppliers.
Stan Kann swears by a product that he has only been able to find on the west coast (in LA at a hardware store of all places) it's called Tarnite and it's in a yellow can with a picture of a knight in shining armor on the front. I've never used anything that's as easy as Tarnite. But I can't find it in St. Louis (although they still make it). Maybe Charlie Lester can find some for us...
To Brother Chris and Jim Kirby:
Are we still 'on' for a visit this week? Stan can visit with us any day but Thursday - he rehearses at the Fox Theater on Thursdays. Last time I went to rehearsals with him, I ended up vacuuming the lobby with the Spencer Built-In. It's made for three operators to use it at once, but with only Stan and I there at the time, that baby really had the suction. Could hardly move it over the carpets. Hard to believe it was built in 1928 (the vacuum AND the Fox Theater).
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Sunday, September 14, 2003 at 07:20:33 (MDT)
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Mike:
I'm polishing a Kirby 519 right know with Mother's mag and aluminum polish. I have used Flitz which works okay and Never Dull ( which i call Very Dull ). I like Mother's the best. You can get it at WalMart where the car polish is.
Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Friday, September 12, 2003 at 20:13:58 (MDT)
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R.J.:
Seeing your post about AARP magazine, "Modern Maturity," reminds me that I need to renew my AARP membership. I'm afraid I've been a member for 16 years. You'll enjoy the hotel and car rental discounts even though you'll need to wait a few years to order discounted meals!
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Friday, September 12, 2003 at 20:00:33 (MDT)
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Hi gang, just purchased a G-5, and it needs poloishing. What is the best prduct to use?
Thanks,
Mike
lewyt4@webtv.net
Grenfield, OH USA - Thursday, September 11, 2003 at 17:14:37 (MDT)
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To Charlie W-
Thanks for the premature birthday wishes; mine's almost a month away yet. I know of 2 other club members that have October birthdays (there may be more). Jim Cowardin is (I think) October 8, I'm October 9, and Mark Thomas is October 10.
I won't say how old, but in another 5 years I can order off the "senior" menu at Denny's. I'm expecting my first AARP magazine to show up any day now.......
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Thursday, September 11, 2003 at 15:00:18 (MDT)
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To Brother Chris,
Just wanted to say thanks also to you for a great time on Saturday night, both Jason and myself really enjoyed the dinner and the conversation. Maybe next time you're in Chicago you can stop by here, as Jack's feeling a little left out. I should also have the Hoover cubes that Mike gave me put up, so things downstairs will be even more like normal.
It was also Jason's idea to display the Golden Hoover in the living room, its pretty much the first thing you see when you walk in the front door.
Take care for now, and we all look forward to your next visit!
Jeff, Jason, and Jack
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at 21:43:40 (MDT)
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Hi all!
I've been cleaning out the collection of the newer plastic stuff and while i was at the thrift shop donating, i found a box of Hoover dusting tools! The tag on the handle if the cardbord holder says model 2700. and it cost $16.50 back in the day !!! The wands are alunimum but the attachments are all plastic, maybe bakelite? Even the converter is this material. Can anyone tell me which upright these are for? I'm thinking 26 or 27.RJ, you have to know this one!
Evan R. There is a box in the mail headed your way!
Mark Tomey, I love, love, LOVE the Lewyt!!!! Here's a funny story. When i left L.A. I stopped along the way to alot of thrift shops that i know . In Pomona, I found a Hoover Special Convertible 32 but with no bottom plate, i still bought. In San Bernardino, I found a carpet nozzle ... for the LEWYT 55!!! How great is that? Next stop in Beaumont, among other things i find ....a bottom plate foa a HOOVER CONVERTIBLE!!!! ( que the Twilite Zone theme please ) And them when approaching the desert, a storm blew in, dumped rain on everything and a TORNADO touched down in Joshua Tree!!!! Weird day for for weather in Southern California, great day for vacuum finds!!
Charlie Lester, I was in your neighborhood recently and i didn't call you! I'm BAD!!!! I will call soon to see what your schedule is before i come to L.A. the next time!!!
Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at 17:24:34 (MDT)
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Tom Gasko:
The GE portable cleaner is grey. The instruction booklet that accompanies it was printed before the postal system started using zip codes.
The Lux 1205 is still in may car, and I haven't examined it closely yet.
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at 14:37:59 (MDT)
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VCCC MEMBERS:
A quickie note so you can get out those cards:
Tania Voigt's birthday was 9/4, Chuck Chatham's was 9/9 and Vice-President's R.J. Vanik's is right about now too! Sorry, I don't have the date so I say collective,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TANIA, CHUCK AND R.J.---MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY AND THANKS FOR BEING GREAT FRIENDS AND GREAT MEMBERS!!
I look forward to seeing you soon. Best wishes,
Charlie
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Tuesday, September 09, 2003 at 20:13:15 (MDT)
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Greetings from Brother Chris ~
I just returned from a rather fun weekend. First, I visited with Mike Rogers at his shop in northern Indiana ~ he took care of a couple of small repair jobs for me. After the store closed, we were joined by Jeff Parker and his friend Jason and we all went out for a delicious Italian dinner (lasagna!). Jeff has pretty well gotten his basement back together following the recent "flooding" ~ except that he's keeping his triple-crown winning Hoover Golden Anniversary Convertible upstairs in the living room! (I had to attend a funeral, so I didn't have time to visit Jeff at home and see his collection, but hopefully next time ....)
On Sunday I drove up to Milwaukee to visit Fred Stachnik. After brunch, he and his friend Joe and Fred's Mom (Wendy) invited me to come along with them to the Milwaukee Art Museum (just seeing this new building was worth the trip!) for the last day of the exhibit on Brooks Stevens, the revolutionary design engineer who left his creative mark on more than 3,000 household and commercial products. Most interesting! It was a pleasant weekend of visiting with amiable sweeper folks.
While not a personal visit, I appreciated the recent exchange of e/mails with Evan Rogers (who is busy navigating the waters of freshman year of high school!) and Tom Anderson (who, with wife Heather, is enjoying some vintage auto meets in his area).
Though not sweeper-related, I must mention that, while I was in Chicago, I attended a surprise birthday party for a musician friend (which somehow actually turned out to be a surprise!). I wish you could have heard the spontaneous 8-part harmony rendition of "Happy Birthday" that we concocted. Since the windows were open, neighbors in adjoining apartment buildings applauded! Musicians are *almost* as much fun as sweeper folks!!
I trust that all of you are well. Thanks for the great information that you take time to post on our website -- I get such an education reading it! Enjoy these beautiful late summer days.
B.C.
Brother Chris Lambert, OFM
Saint Louis, MO USA - Monday, September 08, 2003 at 16:16:13 (MDT)
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To Jim Kirby:
What color was the GE canister?
Is the Electrolux 1205 one of the early models with the receptacle for the power nozzle under the intake opening? Does the electric hose have the standard metal end or does it have a pistol grip?
The 1205 is one of my all time favorite Electrolux models - it was a very beautiful machine when it was new. The polished aluminum top trim made the machine gorgeous. And I'm a fan of the color blue, especially the 'electric blue' color of the later 1205's.
Tom G.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Monday, September 08, 2003 at 07:34:33 (MDT)
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To the forum:
This week I acquired three additions to my collection: A mid 60s GE upright with automatic cord rewinder and attachments in original box, a MV-1 mid 60s GE portable in excellent condition with instruction booklet and all attachments, and a Lux 1205 in good working condition. A used furniture and second hand store friend who goes to estate auctions got the GEs; a lady at this week's Lions Club meeting game me the 1205. It had been her mother's It was missing the crevice tool.
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Saturday, September 06, 2003 at 15:30:11 (MDT)
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Brother Chris & Charlie,
Don OConnor's correct e-mail address is:
doconnors@neo.rr.com
Hope this helps.
--Bernie
Bernie Mehlbaum
Harrisburg, PA USA - Wednesday, September 03, 2003 at 11:50:20 (MDT)
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Brother Chris,
Don O'Connor has done many rebristlings for me and does excellent work. He also has a lot of vintage "New Old Stock" parts. I bought a new old stock brushroll and brush strips for my Hoover 150 that you saw at the convention.
He can be reached at: 330.782.6602. The email we have for him is either changed or not correct. If you can get his current email and post it here, I will add it to the club roster. Thanks and good luck!
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Tuesday, September 02, 2003 at 08:02:57 (MDT)
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To Tom Gasko:
Sorry that we haven't chatted in a while -- my few attempts to call you at your shop were ill-timed, so I'll keep trying. I'm excited about Jim Kirby's visit next month and the get-together with Stan Kann!
In an earlier posting you mentioned that "Don O'Conner can rebristle Hoover brushes (or really, any revolving brush." Can you tell how to get in touch with him?? Thanks.
I hope everyone is enjoying the Labor Day weekend!
B.C.
Brother Chris Lambert, OFM
Saint Louis, MO USA - Sunday, August 31, 2003 at 08:07:05 (MDT)
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To Charlie Lester:
At our last club meeting, Mike Rogers brought a Royal PowerCast upright for us to see and play with. It's a nice sweeper, but VERY heavy. More so than a Kirby. And, we discovered it is NOT all-metal. In fact, the handle and bag compartment are chrome plated plastic. It uses a Dirt Devil type U bag, along with a Dirt Devil suction motor. Very nice machine, but extremely heavy and bulky. It's nice to look at, but it would be very hard to push around the house, especially with stairs. And for all its weight, the tools are NOT on-board.
It did clean VERY well. We tested it like all the rest, but just for fun. It removed the second highest amount of dirt from the test carpet (only Jeff's Golden Anniversary Hoover removed more).
Our club owns a Dyson that Mr. Dyson gave to us. It picked up more dirt over the days of the convention than any other cleaner, mostly because it was always being used and it was the 'standard' machine for the contest - cleaning the rug after each contestant. It had just as much suction AFTER three days and many pounds of dirt had been picked up, as it did when it arrived. I agree the colors are rather jarring, but they are there to help highlight the cyclones and show WHY the machine is different. It's form and design comes from function and it is purely a raw, extremely high powered machine. I've never cared what color something is, as long as it works better than anything else.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Sunday, August 31, 2003 at 07:28:08 (MDT)
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I read the article on MSN and found it to be quite amusing and informative, and it did raise a couple of questions for me (read on). I did find the ubiquitous "sucking" references a bit irritating. Aren't people -- especially grown-up journalists -- over it already?!
I think the writer was pretty much spot-on about her observations of what went on in the forums, and she could have gone a lot further with them had she really perused them. And Thank God, on that count, that the VacWeb forum is gone. Can you imagine her raised eyebrows when reading the unchecked insanity that went on in there?
(Don't misunderstand me, though --- although I did not patronize vacweb, I am very sorry it is gone because I know a lot of people did enjoy it. It's just a damn shame that, primarily on account of one selfish little psycho in our midst who did not know how to behave as a gentleman, it was closed down. I only mean I am glad it is gone within this context, of the article on MSN. But I digress.)
Then my question is, just what IS IT about the Dyson machines that people consider to be so "beautiful?" I can't argue the merits of their performance but I personally think they are all just ghastly looking.
The colors are garish, the design-lines are all kludgy and klunky looking, and, well, I guess I still just have a personal aversion to plastic sweepers. Especially in such hideous colors and color-combinations. (Clue: Yellow and Gray do NOT go well together.)
They look like something from one of those awful Japanese anime cartoons that's the stuff now being shown to impressionable kiddies on Saturday mornings (instead of Popeye, Micky Mouse, Bugs Bunny etc). Saaaaay, maybe THAT is the very attraction--- hmmm......
On the other hand, one new metal-body machine that, again, I don't know how well it works, but that I think is absolutely beautiful, is the Royal Powercast series in three models -- 9000 (blue trim, entry model), 9100 (maroon trim, midline model) & 9200 (gray trim, top of the line).
If you haven't seen these machines, check 'em out! The only site I have found that shows all three is this one. The photos are not the clearest, but you can get a general idea:
http://aaavacs.com/category/royalpowercast9000/
This machine is the absolute epitome of streamlined 1930s Machine Age design! If Loehy, Dreyfuss, et al were alive today, this is the sort of stuff they'd be doing!!
Charlie Lester
Hollyweird, CA USA - Saturday, August 30, 2003 at 14:32:57 (MDT)
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Tom, Fred and members:
I have viewed the article. I consider it to be really nothing of any importance. Lets not overreact like we have in the past over silly things.
Unless Fred's friend had sent him the URL, no one would have been the wiser. The club is never mentioned by name and whole chat board talk is very vague.
If you choose to read it, take it with a grain of salt and lets move on. Remember, the meanspirited forums no longer exist. However, the VCCC does and is stronger than ever.
Have a great holiday weekend!
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Friday, August 29, 2003 at 07:43:16 (MDT)
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Fred:
I think they were talking, in the article, about reading the ivacuumcleaners.com formum (remember Christopher Nash and all his trash-talk).
Or, it could be the vacweb forum that was being read, and quoted in the article. Still, all in all, they were pretty well dead on. The Oreck is about the least efficient machine on the market today, and they nailed it to a board in the article. Interestingly, I remember writing the quote about the Dyson on the ivacuumcleaners forum MANY months ago "get rid of the bag, get rid of the problem". I say that all the time.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Friday, August 29, 2003 at 06:02:08 (MDT)
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Hi Y'all-
So, I was talking to a friend of mine online, and he said that he read something and immediately thought of me...
I think I should share it with you, seeing as how we are pretty directly mentioned... and not in the best of ways...
Its an article that appeared on msn.com within the past few weeks.
http://slate.msn.com/id/2086689/
copy and paste the above into your browser
I think its interesting... what do you think??
Fred Stachnik
Milwaukee, WI USA - Friday, August 29, 2003 at 01:09:52 (MDT)
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Apologies for the typos in the post below. Should have proofread!
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Saturday, August 23, 2003 at 10:41:33 (MDT)
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Another independent vac shop0 closes:
This past Thursday I was in Manhattan, KS, to give a talk about the orphan trains and my mother to a club there and planned to visit a vac shop a friend of mine had opened there in March.
Before giving the talk and while eating lunch with the members, I asked the lady next to me if she knew of A-1 Vacuum. She said that she did, had recently bought an Oreck there, but learned the shop folded August 1.
The young man who had opened it was very knowledgable and was quite enthus and had opened the shop because he had been laid off from his job at a vac store in Topeka. I understand he is selling vacuums, such as Filter Queen, on the internet and at high prices. He had also been doing what while operating hnis vacuum shop.
Jim Kirbu
Emporia, KS USA - Saturday, August 23, 2003 at 10:37:22 (MDT)
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To Evan Rogers:
I'd be happy to send you the filter queen. It will make a nice start for that part of your collection. The Golden Monarch model was the first machine MADE by Health-Mor. The Health-Mor upright, model 200 Filter Queen, and model 350 Filter Queen were designed and manufactured by Royal Appliance in Cleveland. Starting with the Golden Monarch model 500 in 1954, Health-Mor became a full-time manufacturer as well as a direct sales organization. Contrast that to Modern Hygiene, which was JUST a direct sales organization with a Private-Labeled machine to sell.
To Marty:
Charlie is right. Use the grey, smooth belt for the pre-Classic Omega models.
It will not put as much stress on the front bearing.
To Charlie Lester:
I wondered if you have ever seen an all-steel Model 30 Electrolux? In 1941, Aluminum was VERY hard to obtain in the U.S.A. due to the manufacturing of war materials. I received an Electrolux 30 that is very unique. The front cover is chrome plated steel, the runners are chrome plated steel. The attachments (like the rug tool and floor brush) are chrome plated steel. The upholstery tool has a bakelite bottom (I used to call this piece the 'drapery tool'), and the dusting brush top is also steel. Even the motor has no aluminum in it. The fans are steel and the entire back end of the motor is bakelite with the bearing, field coil, and armature being surrounded by bakelite. In all other pre-war XXX Lux, I've seen the motor mounting ring make of bakelite, but never the motor casing. Have you ever seen an all-steel model 30? I used S.O.S. pads to clean up the chrome and it looks brand new. It is heavier than regular model XXX's, because its all steel.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Saturday, August 23, 2003 at 06:27:57 (MDT)
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Marty,
I was told by several knowledgeable members that on the older Kirbys it is better to use the smooth belt. I use the ribbed belts starting with the Dual 40 and newer.
Maybe someone will tell you differently? Have a great weekend and thanks for the pictures and magazine that you sent to me. I'm off for a 25 hour layover in Las Vegas. I've heard there is great thrifting there.
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Friday, August 22, 2003 at 15:06:23 (MDT)
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Hi Tom.
I was away staying at my summer home when you posted. I'm home for the weekend and then going back.
I received the Hoover Dustette from you, but have not been able to thank you until now since I was away. It works great. Thank you very much.
I do not have a filter queen in my collection. I would LOVE to have the Filter Queen that you mentioned if you still have it.
Please let me know.
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Thursday, August 21, 2003 at 16:29:44 (MDT)
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Hi All, Here's a dumb question.
Are the new kirby belts that are ribbed inside okay to use on the real old Kirbys like the 509, 510 and the sanitronics? Do they put too much stress on the belt pulley? Please let me know. Thanks, Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Thursday, August 21, 2003 at 12:59:37 (MDT)
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To the Club:
Anyone notice an Electrolux tank cleaner on Bravo last week? His mother must have given it to him. At least Jay Leno's set looks a lot better now. There's an idea for next year's meeting. Our own version of the "Fab Five" can do a makeover on an old Hoover.
That would be funny AND a learning experience.
I have a Filter Queen model 500 Golden Monarch to give away.
Evan?
Do you have a Filter Queen in your collection yet?
To Jim K and Brother Chris: I'll call Stan tomorrow and find out what day we can go see him. One can never see Stan's collection too often. I really would like to find a way for his collection to be preserved for our club for all time. As more and more young club members join, it's vital, absolutely vital, that they get to see and be allowed to appreciate the cleaners that Stan has.
I believe that every club member should have the opportunity to use a Hoover 972. It's like a right of passage. I've never seen anyone use a 972 and NOT be impressed, smiling ear to ear as they push it. Jim, you know exactly what I mean. Chris, you are about to find out. I have no problem with whatever day we get to visit. Part of the luxury of owning a vacuum store. I get to leave when friends come by...
tom g.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Saturday, August 16, 2003 at 15:07:55 (MDT)
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To Jim Kirby and Tom Gasko --
Thanks for the information about the change of plans to the week of September 15th. This would work so much better for me since I'm occupied with meetings nearly every moment of the previous week. Keep me posted as plans develop.
Thanks, Tom, for your note about Stan Kann. I'll be in touch with you real soon.
~ Brother Chris
Brother Chris Lambert
Saint Louis, MO USA - Friday, August 15, 2003 at 19:36:19 (MDT)
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Tom G. and Brother Chris:
In visiting with Father Bruce recently, I learned he can't come to St. Louis the week of September 8 but can the next week. We would probably arrive on Monday, September 15.
Father Bruce's mother is having serious surgery this month--about the third week of August, I believe. However, he believes her recuperation from surgery will be sufficient to permit him to come over to St. Louis the week of September 15.
Let me know if this change of schedule will work out. I know Brother Chris has a very tight week of September 8. Hopefully the week of the 15th will work out better.
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Friday, August 15, 2003 at 18:59:29 (MDT)
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To Brother Chris:
I just realized that you've never had the pleasure of meeting Stan Kann. I spoke with him this afternoon and told him all about your trip to Milwaukee. He would like to meet you and have a chance for you to see his collection. If nothing else, the Hoover model N from 1915 will be fun to use. Of course, the HUGE 972 from 1926, with its Westinghouse-built motor and 32 blade fan is ALSO fun to use. We really MUST get down there to see Stan, and I also miss seeing you. I enjoy talking vacuums with folks from the club, and always enjoy the chance to visit with my friends.
Jim Kirby is going to visit St. Louis the early part of September, along with Father Bruce from Tennessee. I'd like to get everyone together for a trip to Stan's and also the Fox Theater. You really HAVE to see the 1928 Spencer Built-In.
Call or email when you have the chance. I'd also like for you to meet another club member, Dr. Patrick Dawson, who also lives in St. Louis. And my very good friend, Andy Weter, will drive up from Springfield the same weekend we all get together.
Tom G.
tom gasko
festus, mo USA - Thursday, August 14, 2003 at 15:04:00 (MDT)
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Hi everyone, just received a mint condition brown Bison!!
Does anyone have a set of attachments for sale?
Thanks
P.S. What a great forum!!
Michael Hays
Greefield, OH USA - Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at 12:47:15 (MDT)
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a friend called me over the weekend and she had found a Hoover 825 at a flea market and had gotten it for me its in fairly decent sahpe runs well, bag click, string is broken brudh roll looks new and also the bag
ron jones
rockingham, nc USA - Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at 09:45:25 (MDT)
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Greetings to everyone!
I have been on the road for the past couple of weeks, so I've not had a chance to report on some of the fun things that happened during that time.
Around the time of the convention, Tom Gasko** offered me a Hoover 62 with the attachments and owner's manual and bill of sale in the original box. An elderly lady in suburban Chicago wanted it to have a good home now that she is preparing to move out of state. Since I needed to be in Chicago on other Franciscan business, I offered to pick up the machine in person instead of her having to pack and ship it -- which I did. Later in the day, while Mike Rogers and I were waiting for Jeff Parker and Tom Anderson, Mike all but renovated the entire sweeper along with cleaning and polishing the hood and chassis!
** By the way, you haven't had fun until you've ridden for 800 miles in a closed car with Tom Gasko, as I did traveling to and from the convention! Besides enjoying him reading "Fabulous Dustpan" to me while I drove (and his commentary which enhanced the text), I learned how little I really know about sweepers in general as he amazed me with his instant recall of the most minute of details covering nearly a century of vacuuming. He sure made that trip speedy and enjoyable!)
Although I had corresponded with Tom Anderson in the past, I finally got to meet him when he came for a visit with Jeff Parker, which happened to be same weekend I was in Chicago. (He was also delivering a Hoover 150 that I bought from him on e/bay.) The four of us (plus two other club members whose names have completely slipped through my beleaguered grey matter -- sorry) met up at Mike Rogers' store. Mike took us to the infamous "warehouse" where the six of us literally climbed on mountains of old vacs scavenging for parts and even whole machines (and we have pictures to prove it!). Mike also broke out boxes of owner's manuals (he even had one for that nearly-brand-new Hoover 918 that I recently bought) and let us rummage through stacks of advertising materials from many years gone by. After all that merriment we paused for dinner and then went back to Mike's shop -- where at 1:45 a.m. we were STILL repairing, rebuilding, cleaning, testing, and comparing various machines. I couldn't believe how gracious and hospitable Mike was to everyone -- it was a great day!
A few days later my business took me up to Racine -- and since I was so close, I arranged to get together with Fred Stachnik -- truly the host with the most! I was fortunate to get a "private tour" of Fred's collection plus a peek at some of his work in progress in his workshop. Both the 62 and the 150 mentioned above eventually made their way into Fred's collection where I know they'll have a good home.
The weekend prior to all of this, I visited with John Young at his home in Florence, Kentucky. I had purchased a Hoover 28 and 29 from John and I was finally getting around to picking them up. (Boxing up cleaners for shipment can be a real bear -- it's more fun to pick them up in person so that you can also see the person's collection.) John has some really dandy pieces in his collection (including a Hoover 29 with an original bag [!] that he's almost finished restoring). I also enjoyed meeting Charlie, the avuncular neighborhood black cat who feels equally at home in everybody's house on John's street!
I recently augmented my Filter Queen inventory with an Empress which I got at a yard sale for $20.00 -- Mike Rogers also gave this machine a thorough going-over for me and pronounced it good-as-new. (He's also working on the front bearing of a charming little Hoover 1348 -- the "Junior" -- that I recently found.) Now that I don't have to be on the road for a while, I hope to have some time in the evenings to finish up some restorations that I have in the hopper.
BAGS, ANYONE?? I recently bought some "assorted" Hoover bags on e/bay, some of which I can't use. Looking for a good home: one 3-pack of Hoover original "F" bags (the "long bag") for the Quik-Broom and Handivacs), one 3-pack of Hoover original "L" bags (for the Electronic 1000), and one 4-pack of "Shop Rite" bags (without a letter designation) for Convertible Cleaners and also models 12, 14, 63, 64, and 634. (They look just like Hoover "C" bags.) If anyone would like to have some or all of these bags, just e/mail me your mailing address to me at .
I always enjoy reading the postings from various members -- I check them pretty regularly, but often when I'm too tuckered out to write anything, so I hope this makes up for those omissions. I always enjoy the camaraderie and the wealth of information that folks share in the postings!
Do hope you're all making the most of these beautiful summer days! Warm regards to all.
~ Brother Chris
Brother Chris Lambert, OFM
Saint Louis, MO USA - Monday, August 11, 2003 at 21:53:06 (MDT)
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To Russ:
I do believe we are ALL Hoover collectors in this club. In same way, shape, or form, I do believe EVERYONE has at least one Hoover in their all time favorite collection.
Some of us, like R.J. and Fred S., have an exceptional Hoover collection and are considered Experts In the Field. And we do have Stan Kann, considered one of the greatest minds in our club with respect to pre-war Hoovers.
Another big one for most of our club members is Air-Way. Because its spans 83 years, it makes for a nice machine to have (and it certainly was unique in so many great ways).
Electrolux, of course, is honored by being in the collections of almost everyone I've ever known in the club. By the way, Billy Lipman's model Five from 1924 is mint, mint, mint. Down to the metal, flexible hose.
Charlie Lester is considered an expert on Electrolux, and as he will be the first to tell you, one can never know it all about Electrolux. They did soooooo many things, and made soooo many changes over the years, we are constantly surprised. Who knew Electrolux made a non-electric carpet sweeper?
Clay Floyd is considered our club expert on Rexair.
He's a very detail oriented person.
We have some very talented people in our club, Don O'Conner can rebristle Hoover brushes (or really, any revolving brush). R.J. is a master at restoring cleaners and at fabrication of obsolete parts (like cloth bags).
All I can say is Welcome To The Club.
Tom G.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Monday, August 11, 2003 at 13:50:49 (MDT)
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To Evan R:
Yes, there will be another installment of "Mr. Fix-it" in the coming newsletter. When I submitted the idea originally, I committed to 3 installments, each on a different machine or topic. I was hoping that by the third installment, other club members would have contributions that they would want to submit. If you (or others) want to make a contribution to "Mr. Fix-it" PLEASE DO!!!! They can be sent directly to Louis Resigno (LRES1@aol.com). I'm sure that it would help him greatly to have some "backlog" of "raw material" to start formatting future newsletters as soon as the current issue is put to press.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Monday, August 11, 2003 at 07:41:16 (MDT)
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Terry & RJ,
Thanks so much for sending the photos taken at Milwaukee.
Bernie
Bernie Mehlbaum
Harrisburg, PA USA - Monday, August 11, 2003 at 03:14:54 (MDT)
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Hi Tom,
Thank you for the Info,on the Electrolux Hose's.
I picked up a Green Electrolux 89, model-88 made in Canada. Works great, w/ all green attch.
I'am Hoover collector
mostly. I have a few of other vacuum cleaners for my collection.
Thanks Russ
Russ Meninno
Easton, Ma. USA - Sunday, August 10, 2003 at 17:36:22 (MDT)
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To Evan Rogers:
Your Hoover Dustette was mailed to you on Thursday.
I do hope you enjoy it. I'm always amazed at that machine, everytime I use one.
Did you know that the Dustette made its launch in the late 1920's? It was the first of its type, with what Hoover called a 'silent motor'. Although far from silent, it features a motor 'in the path' of the dirty airflow from the suction fan. Apex would use this same design on their full line of post-war uprights. Apex called it a 'windtunnel' effect in their ads (a prime example of the 'stealing' of names, designs, etc. that goes on in the vacuum industry).
The first Dustette was made in North Canton. One could purchase a set of attachments for their (for example) model 700 OR get the Dustette. Hoover would soon add the Duster to their lineup - and flaunted the fact that they had "all three ways to dust" under one nameplate - Hoover : upright attachments, or the Duster, or the Dustette.
Hoover soon put their plant in England to work building the Dustette for America - ceasing North Canton production of the machine. The Dustette had a VERY long production run. The late '20's was the launch of the black Dustette - by the late '30's the English-built model would appear - turning brown (like the upright cleaners) in the '40's, adding a removable nozzle and short cleaning hose in the '50's, and becoming the Pixie (with disposable bags) in the '60's.
The motor in the Dustette is extremely well built. I don't believe I've ever seen one that didn't work.
Hoover was smart to put a metal guard over the nozzle intake. I don't believe I've ever seen a broken Dustette fan (although I have seen broken Pixie fans because a hose could be used and large, hard debris could be inhaled).
There is a wire inside the cloth bag. It's put there on purpose. It keeps the bag in the correct postion when the machine is off. BUT, it makes it hard to clean the bag out because you cannot turn it inside out. A dusting brush on the Air-Way hose end - and you'll soon have it clean.
Hope you enjoy it. Jim Kirby won a blue ribbon with his very early Dustette in one of the club's early competitions involving hand vacs.
To Jim Kirby:
I thought of you last evening (Saturday) when I was cleaning the rugs. I had the house to myself (a rare occurance) and decided to move all the furniture out of the living room on the middle floor - and I used my Premier Duplex Master Model to clean with. I used the Electrolux 1205 to do the dusting and the kitchen floor. It's been a long time since I've used vintage cleaners to do that much work. I believe the Premier ran for close to an hour. When I was done, I turned the Premier bag inside out and used the 1205 and dusting brush to clean it.
By the very end of the bag cleaning, the Electrolux 'popped' open. With the dusting, the kitchen floor, and the dirt from the Premier bag, I had filled a new Electrolux bag.
Who says the vintage machines don't pick up any dirt? (smile)
When I was finished, and had a chance to sit back down on the clean furniture in the clean room, I suddenly realized how really odd it would seem to 'regular' people if they were to have seen how much fun I was having using some very old vacuums. "Regular" people go out on a Saturday night and have fun - I had just as much fun running the old Premier that I hadn't used in years. I know I'm very strange, but I also know you can definately understand.
Tom G.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Sunday, August 10, 2003 at 08:21:45 (MDT)
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Charlie L., Tom G., and Russ M.:
The information about the Lux 1205, 1205 Golden Jubilee, and Super J was very interesting. I have a 1205 but haven't paid a lot of attention to its details; now I will!
Jim Kirby
Emporia, KS USA - Saturday, August 09, 2003 at 15:24:00 (MDT)
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To Russ:
The 1205 always had a blue hose with white tracer. The Golden Jubilee (which was designated a 1205 but really was a separate model) came with the PN-2 and a white hose with blue and gold tracer. It had the simple metal curved end and the electric wand still had a pigtail cord to connect back of the hose handle.
The Super J reintroduced the concept of a pistol grip direct-connect hose end. Along with a new armature which turned much faster, creating more suction (but shorter armature life) - the first Super J's had the PN-2 power nozzle. It took Electrolux almost a year to come out with Super J's with the PN-4 power nozzle. The hose of the Super J was also white with blue and gold tracer until 1978, at which time it was changed to gold.
It was 1978 that the gold Model L launched.
The pigtail electric hose for the blue model L changed color with the deluxe model's electric hose. You'll see model L's with a blue electric pistol grip hose; or a blue electric simple grip hose; or a white hose with simple grip; or a white hose with pistol grip; or a gold hose with pistol grip. As long as the power nozzle matches the hose type, it would be correct (important information for future competitions in the 'original' or 'restored' category).
I really enjoy Electrolux history. Has everyone seen the first model Electrolux on Charlie Lester's website? It was a round, canister machine.
The model V (or "5") that we know from 1924 was NOT the first Electrolux model. Very interesting stuff.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Saturday, August 09, 2003 at 07:17:38 (MDT)
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To the forum:
Does anyone plan on submitting anything to the "fix it" section of the newsletter? I think that many of us could benefit from it?
I don't mean to be rude, but i'm just wondering.
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Friday, August 08, 2003 at 19:50:15 (MDT)
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Hi, Tom
Thank you for the info, on the 1205's Electrolux
vacuum Cleaners.
I have another question, When did the White power Hose w/ blue + gold stripe show up. All i see around is the Blue Power Hose, w/ White stripe ?
Thanks, Russ
Russ Meninno
Easton, Ma. USA - Friday, August 08, 2003 at 09:16:47 (MDT)
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To Jeff Parker:
I'm very glad you didn't lose any of your vacuums to the water. In 1993, we had a flood in my town, and the Kirby Company of Festus went under. They lost several model C Kirby cleaners and one Vacuette Electric. I was planning on getting them the following week. But that's luck for you. Hope your place dries out and that everything will be OK.
Brother Chris is certainly a delight. I had the good fortune to ride with him to the meeting in Milwaukee. We had a blast. I read from the bible ("The Fabulous Dustpan" by Frank Hoover) to him and then did a sermon on what I'd read. We had a lot of laughs and I really came to like and respect Chris a lot. I'm glad you got a chance to get to know him better.
To Charlie Lester:
The Silverado model BEFORE the launch of the Diamond Jubilee had the Electrolux-built motor (like the Olympia One and Super J). At the very, very end of the Silverado run, they introduced the PN-5 with the L-shaped head. Then, the Diamond Jubilee came out, with the redesigned motor (YUKK!) that burned up during the demonstrations. Three months after the launch of the Diamond Jubilee, they reintroduced the Silverado with the D.J.'s motor (hence the difference in the bag cage). The D.J. motor was smaller, that's why they needed the tube from the back of the cage to the fan case of the new style motor.
I believe we were told they had like 25,000 of the Silverado reissues and then they were gone. I remember selling a few of them around that time, as I didn't like the D.J.
The Special model was first launched with the Olympia One in order to get away from the pigtail electric hose (it used the same hose as the deluxe model) and to be a model change from the long-time model L. Interestingly, the Special Model's motor is different from any other Lux motor and you can't interchange parts.
The Special Model was made in three colors, brown to match the Olympia One, grey to match the Silverado, and cream to match the Diamond Jubilee.
It was about the same time that the Silverado Reissue was winding down that Electrolux introduced the Hi Tech 2100 from Canada (a piece of s::t) to take its place as a lower end, automatic model. We had three models at that time, D.J., Hi Tech, and Special. Very soon (1986) they would stop production of the Special and made a non-automatic Hi Tech in plastic. This was because in 1986, Consolidated Foods sold Electrolux to the company Executives who only thought of money, not customers. So, within a few years, we had all-plastic Electrolux's and they were have REGINA private label the Electric Broom as an Electrolux. Talk about the end of an era.
I love Electrolux history though. I know you do too. My favorite 1205 model was the very first, without the electric hose.
There's something about that beautiful blue color and polished aluminum top trim that really makes it look space age and high tech.
Tom G.
tom gasko
desloge, mo USA - Friday, August 08, 2003 at 06:01:05 (MDT)
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Charlie,
The Golden Jubilee is labeled model 1205 on the inside of the bag door. Mike LaBue ( Hi Mike! )recently informed an Ebayer that the "1205" that they were selling was actually a Golden J but they emailed him back saying that it was a 1205. Mike then posted this exchange on the now defunct vac web. It was at that time i went and took a closer look at my Golden J and lo and behold, model 1205 in printed on the inside of the bag door. I'll show you when you come visit. Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Thursday, August 07, 2003 at 22:14:39 (MDT)
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Duh-uhhhh, in my last post I said "Silverado" when I meant to say "1205" --- !!
Charlie Lester
Hollywood, CA USA - Thursday, August 07, 2003 at 12:27:56 (MDT)
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p.s. on the Silverado, while the later versions had a better hose and power nozzle, I prefer the appearance of the earlier ones, with the smooth, lighter-blue body. It's a much more subtle and elegant color than the garish "in your face" turquoise of the krinkled-metal finish that came later.
I have one early 1205 that's something of an oddity -- the back end of the cord winder is painted in "Electrolux Factory" Hammertone blue! I mean to say, it's not spray-painted Hammertone that was the work of some fixer-upper, it's the genuine baked-on Hammertone used for the trim of the later LX as well as the late XXX and factory-rebuilt XXXs, and then the E and AE. The hammertone finish looks really nice with the "gun metal blue" body.
Charlie Lester
Hollywood, CA USA - Thursday, August 07, 2003 at 12:21:08 (MDT)
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Hi Tom, enjoyed your comments about the 1205. One little nit I would pick is about the model number designation for the Golden Jubilee. Wasn't it called the 1210?
Funny, when the 1205 first came out I thought it was really ugly. And a lot of people, including one of my aunts, complained that its flat face got caught on table legs, etc., because of its flat and angular lines that made a hard edge around the side of the bag cover, whereas the smooth face of the G and all earlier machines glided right past such obstacles. Especially the models with front bumpers, the G and late F.
Plus, I had some bad memories of a traumatic experience involving the 1205, with a creepy Electrolux salesman that for a long time tainted my thoughts about the 1205 ---- but I am over that now, thanks to the passing of time and a lot of therapy! ;P In retrospect, I now think the 1205 is a beautiful machine. I like the colors and the sleek, very "late 1960s Swedish Industrial" design aesthetic. It really is a pretty thing.
Of all the "modern" (post G) Electroluxes, though, in terms of overall appearance and performance, I'd have to say that the Silverado is my favorite. I love the gray color scheme, and it's a great machine.
There were two variations of the Silverado as well, which many people don't know about. Cosmetically they are identical but one version [I assume the later version??] has a larger motor and a differently designed bag cage that makes it a much more powerful machine.
In one version, the bag cage has a neck about 2" long that connects to the motor, so the bag part of the bag cage was further away from the motor if you know what I mean.
On the other one, the larger motor takes up the space of the bag cage neck, so the bag cage is right up against the motor fans giving you a more direct blast. It measures significantly higher both in terms of lift and air velocity.
I would also assume that this is what the difference is between the so-called "Silverado" and the "Silverado Deluxe," no? Then there was the Silverado Special with a plastic halo instead of automatic cord winder and, I think, no automatic bag popper-opener.
I like the 75th Anniversary model too, from its historical standpoint, and it has a nice color ensemble, but don't think it's as pretty as the Silverado.
Before the Renaissance came out, when I saw pre-release photos and designs of it, I got quite excited about it. I really liked its 1930s-inspired sleekness and I stated to a lot of people that if a designer had sat down in 1937 and drew out what an Electrolux would look like in the 1990s, he'd probably have come up with something that looked very much like the Renaissance.
Then, when it came out and proved to be such a "turkey," technology- and performance-wise, it was a big disappointment.
And *yuck* -- all that PLASTIC!! Oh, excuse me ... it's not made of "plastic," as an Electrolux representative tersely corrected me --- it's made of "space-age lexan, the same high-impact polycarbonate that the hull of the Space Shuttle was made of and that is used for bulletproof windows." Or something along that line. ["A rose by any other name..."]
Charlie Lester
USA - Thursday, August 07, 2003 at 12:14:26 (MDT)
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Hey Everyone,
I don't get in here too often, but wanted to take a minute to say thanks again to Brother Chris for a wonderful Saturday evening. Tom Anderson was visiting from Ohio, and we all met up at Mike Rogers place for an evening of vacuums. It was a great time.
On a more serious note, Tom and I headed off to one of the local flea markets on Sunday morning. We weren't gone 45 minutes when I recieved a frantic call from home...a sudden thunderstorm had come up and really pounded the daylights out of the place. I was told to get home as fast as I could.
When we arrived home we found the street under water, Jason & Jack shivering on the front porch, and an inch of water in the basement. Jason had managed to move most of the vacuums upstairs before things got really bad. I lost the Hoover display cubes, and a couple of cleaners got a little wet, but everyone survived. I was lucky too. My neighbor two doors north had water knee deep.
My collection is now scattered throughout my house, awaiting the basement to dry.
I'm really glad Jason was here, and I am hoping this summer does not repeat itself weather-wise...
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 21:27:41 (MDT)
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To Russ:
There were several variations of the model 1205. Electrolux introduced the machine BEFORE they were sold to Consolidated Foods (but only a few months before). The first 1205 had a metal handle, a smooth blue body, the double ports for the power nozzle (the outlet UNDER the opening, and the cut-outs IN the opening). This was because you could buy only the non-electric hose at the time, with the cord that ran along it. The electric hose was coming but not at first. The first 1205's had a power nozzle with an attached plastic wand, like the model G's. It also did NOT have an attachment clip, had red outlines along the word "Electrolux" on the side, and had NO screen between the bag cage and the motor fans.
Also, the serial number was stamped at the rear, not on the raised pad between the front swivel wheel, as they would do when Consolidated Foods took over.
The second design still had the smooth blue body, but it now had a plastic handle and a screen between the fans and the bag cage. It came with the option of the electric PISTOL GRIP hose, and TELESCOPIC wand. Towards the end of the run of this design, they added the attachment clip.
The third design is the one with the different color body and different paint design. More of a 'rough' finish. It had the 'simple electric hose' that had a metal curved end, the new electric wand that did NOT telescope and had a pigtail to be connected back of the electric hose handle.
The last change was to the PN-2 power nozzle, which was done right before the end of the 1205's run. Interestingly, the Golden Jubilee was just a 1205 painted a new color and with a new top and handle. The model number of the Golden Jubilee IS 1205 also.
From my research, the 1205 was launched in October of 1967. By mid 1968, Consolidated Foods had not only bought Electrolux, but made the first major change to the machine (the addition of the electric hose and telescopic wand).
The first 1205's owners book shows the machine with the straight suction hose, the cord running along the hose, and the power nozzle with the attached white plastic wand. The hose cord was plugged in under the suction opening. No mention in the book was made of the electric contact cut-outs in the suction opening, but they were pictued in every picture in the book of the machine body. The Consolidated Foods owners manual showed the on the book cover, just the suction opening and front end of the cleaner. This would change two more times during the run of the 1205.
tom g.
tom gasko
festus, mo USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 08:53:05 (MDT)
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Hi, All
I came across two 1205
Electrolux Vacuums. They are not the same ? One has lighter blue color,Red out line around side bumper guard, no clip for two way tool, and two ways for a power nozzle, all factory. The factory hose is odd looking to.
The other one has Gold out line around side bumper guard w/ clip for the two way tool. Would one be older than the other ?
Thanks, Russ
Russ Meninno