Finally got a power head for my Eureka

VacuumLand – Vintage & Modern Vacuum Enthusiasts

Help Support VacuumLand:

'Wandering Wands' Update

So, I just checked tracking for the 'wandering wands', and I was totally surprised to see the package is now in my city, as of early this morning. Interestingly, no projected delivery date is given, but I suppose it's plausible it could be delivered as soon as tomorrow.

If the tracking history is to be taken as a linear narrative, the package showed back up in Philadelphia, its point of origin, ten days after last being scanned in Indianapolis, and then made rapid progress to North Carolina over the weekend. What isn't clear is whether it's the original package or the seller sent a replacement, reusing the same tracking number. Either way, this nightmare just might be about to come to a conclusion. I just hope I haven't jinxed it by posting this.
 
Epilogue...

Every saga worth its salt needs an epilogue, and I'm glad to finally be able to write one for this little story. After more than a month of waiting and rankling, the wands I ordered arrived today. Honestly, I've gotten things faster from China. They're not OEM Eureka wands, which I knew when I ordered them, but generic replacements. The most obvious difference is the cord retainers are only an inch long, versus the ones on the original Eureka wands that run almost their entire length. While the original design makes for a much neater look, the generic ones are much easier to assemble and swap. This doesn't worry me a bit. I'm more interested in functionality than originality, especially given the number of things that have been replaced on this machine.

In comparing my two Eureka Power Team canisters, I've noted a few interesting things. Both were sold new, and presumably serviced, by the same local vacuum shop, which amazingly is still in business at the same location, apparently catering primarily to commercial customers, judging from the machines in the front window. They both sport the same gray and black replacement hose. In both cases, the original hose would have been all white. They also both appear to have had their plugs replaced with the same heavy duty third-party plug. I say this because the 1279 would not have had a retaining clamp on its plug, since it was originally equipped with a Cordaway winder. Also, the 1749 has a black power switch pedal, while all the other plastics on it are white. None of this bothers me at all, given the age of both machines. I'm just fortunate they've received good care over the years so that they will likely give good service for the foreseeable future.

All of this leads me to the remaining question to be answered in this epilogue, which is whether putting the 1746 to rights, and unexpectedly acquiring the 1279, has allowed me to let go of the resentment I have felt toward my ex-wife, over having to give up my grandmother's Eureka Princess. I suppose time will tell, but at this juncture, I feel more peace around that subject than in the past. Since I began this project some five weeks ago, I've been far more focused on the here and now than on what transpired more than two decades ago. Forgiveness can be a relative term, but at least I'm at the point of not letting that incident have any further power over me. And that's progress, maybe not perfection, but definitely a huge step in the right direction.

I'll post some photos of the two completed machines together in the next day or so, when time permits.
 
All's well that ends well—congrats on getting your replacement wands! I can understand your frustration and would have likely felt the same, yet maybe the wait as heightened your enthusiasm. I'm also glad that it seems to have at least in part brought you some relief from your past emotions. Indeed, as the saying goes, "Harboring unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to be harmed."

That's something that both of your Eurekas have been serviced at the same local shop and are equipped with the same style hose and plugs. Incidentally, your "mix-and-match" reminds me of a trend some time ago—I think in the Sixties—with dinnerware. I recall seeing something about that in an ad. I do appreciate when accessories are matching, but the main thing is that your vacuum cleaners are usable. My 1514-A has a mis-matched dusting brush, so I speak from experience. If I can get a white Eureka one to match for a couple bucks at a thrift store that would be great, but I'm not losing any sleep over it.

Regarding the second generation-style wands, they were introduced circa 1976 according to what I have read, so that is what both of your canisters would have originally had. The early power heads, too, were different in that their bottom plates were not secured with screws, and the hose inlet attachment was different with a side latch incorporated into the inlet for securing/releasing the hose rather than the more common fit & twist arrangement with the button release on the hose. I have never used the first generation style cord, but really like the quick change convenience of the second's smaller cord tracks.

Euphoric Eurekaing!
 
Yes, it's good to have this project finally completed and for both machines to be fully functional without having to swap parts back and forth. When I was testing out the power heads, I didn't bother to snap the cords into the retainer strips on the 1279's wands. When I finally decided to put the 1279 back together, that was the hardest part, quite painful to my fingertips. I had forgotten that about the Eureka I'd had previously, which also had the full-length retainer strips. The one-inch retainers on the new wands weren't that much easier, but at least it was a quicker process.

I know what you mean about mix-n-match tools. The set that came with the 1279 included an Electrolux-branded stubby four-inch crevice tool and one set has a square-headed dusting brush, while the other one's is round.

In pulling those two Eurekas out onto the deck for the quick photo shoot below (I had to sneak it in between thunder showers), I discovered that all three of my Eureka branded vacuums, including my Eureka 2091 upright were sold and serviced by the same local vacuum shop, although the upright still has its original plug.

Enjoy the photos...

human-2025051408003800597_1.jpg

human-2025051408003800597_2.jpg

human-2025051408003800597_3.jpg

human-2025051408003800597_4.jpg

human-2025051408003800597_5.jpg

human-2025051408003800597_6.jpg

human-2025051408003800597_7.jpg

human-2025051408003800597_8.jpg
 
As much as I love Eureka, I was very dissapointed with the hose handles these Power Teams had. The original 1973 Roto-Matic Power Teams had a molded rubber hose handle that gave the user a safe and comfortable grip to hold on to while vacuuming. A few years after these cleaners debuted, Eureka got rid of that hose handle and replaced it with the cheaper set up you see on these machines. The only safe way to hold the handle on these is grasping the small plastic part at the end of the hose itself - the part where you plug in the power nozzle wire. If you grasp the handle further down on the metal part, it’s uncomfortable because you have to hold onto the electric cord at the same time.

It’s unbelievable that Eureka spent so much time on designing the rest of the vacuum but completely ignored how to make it comfortable for the user to grasp the hose handle. The problem would not be solved until 1985 when the Eureka Express arrived on the scene with its user-friendly gas-pump hose handle.
 
You'll never guess what showed up in my mailbox today. Another set of wands! Apparently, the ones that arrived Tuesday were the original pair sent out. One corner of that package, just a plastic envelope, had gotten torn and taped up, and the word "tape" was hand written on the shipping label. I still don't understand why that delayed delivery by ten days but this is USPS we're talking about. The package that arrived today had the same tracking number and date, so the seller reused the shipping label. I'm surprised they got away with that, but it explains why I didn't get a new tracking number.

@eurekaprince: I agree the Eureka hose handles from that era aren't the best design. It's really hard to improve on the Electrolux pistol grip handles that came out in that same time frame. That said, I don't find them particularly uncomfortable to hold onto. What I find most bizarre is the four-inch pigtail that the 1279 has. There's just no excuse for that when it would have been simpler, and doubtless cheaper, to simply equip the power head with a cord that's a few inches longer. The only thing I can figure is it was some sort of transitional design and the pigtail was a way to use up some existing power heads.
 
human said:
So, I just spent a little quality time with the Eureka Power Team I bought last night, and it's actually in better shape than I thought. I cleaned it up and replaced the headlight bulb. Luckily, I had one on hand that would work. The cord winder is definitely dead, but I can live with that. I'm also going to need a new belt for the power head pretty soon. The one that's on there is cracked and likely not long for this world.

One interesting oddity is the cord on the power head is a couple of inches too short to reach the hose handle, so it has a four-inch pigtail extension. I'm not sure why Eureka didn't just make the cord a few inches longer, which is exactly what they did on the power head I got for the other Eureka.

In other news, tracking shows the tools I ordered for the other Eureka are out for delivery and will arrive today instead of Monday; however, the wands are still MIA. I guess I could start calling them the wandering wands.
Click to expand...
Hello. How did you remove the lens to change the bulb? I have a 1784B Power Team with a dead bulb. I’m afraid to pry on the lens since it is probably quite brittle. Thank you!
 
MerkurMike said:
Hello. How did you remove the lens to change the bulb? I have a 1784B Power Team with a dead bulb. I’m afraid to pry on the lens since it is probably quite brittle. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Noooooooooo! Don't pry the lens off! You'll break it. Turn the power head over and unscrew the two screws on the underside to remove the sole plate. Once you do that, everything is easily accessible from the underside of the unit. I replaced mine when I had it apart to assess the condition of the belt. It's funny, I just used this machine yesterday. It works great and is almost as quiet as an Electrolux canister.
 
Last edited:
human said:
Epilogue...

Every saga worth its salt needs an epilogue, and I'm glad to finally be able to write one for this little story. After more than a month of waiting and rankling, the wands I ordered arrived today. Honestly, I've gotten things faster from China. They're not OEM Eureka wands, which I knew when I ordered them, but generic replacements. The most obvious difference is the cord retainers are only an inch long, versus the ones on the original Eureka wands that run almost their entire length. While the original design makes for a much neater look, the generic ones are much easier to assemble and swap. This doesn't worry me a bit. I'm more interested in functionality than originality, especially given the number of things that have been replaced on this machine.

In comparing my two Eureka Power Team canisters, I've noted a few interesting things. Both were sold new, and presumably serviced, by the same local vacuum shop, which amazingly is still in business at the same location, apparently catering primarily to commercial customers, judging from the machines in the front window. They both sport the same gray and black replacement hose. In both cases, the original hose would have been all white. They also both appear to have had their plugs replaced with the same heavy duty third-party plug. I say this because the 1279 would not have had a retaining clamp on its plug, since it was originally equipped with a Cordaway winder. Also, the 1749 has a black power switch pedal, while all the other plastics on it are white. None of this bothers me at all, given the age of both machines. I'm just fortunate they've received good care over the years so that they will likely give good service for the foreseeable future.

All of this leads me to the remaining question to be answered in this epilogue, which is whether putting the 1746 to rights, and unexpectedly acquiring the 1279, has allowed me to let go of the resentment I have felt toward my ex-wife, over having to give up my grandmother's Eureka Princess. I suppose time will tell, but at this juncture, I feel more peace around that subject than in the past. Since I began this project some five weeks ago, I've been far more focused on the here and now than on what transpired more than two decades ago. Forgiveness can be a relative term, but at least I'm at the point of not letting that incident have any further power over me. And that's progress, maybe not perfection, but definitely a huge step in the right direction.

I'll post some photos of the two completed machines together in the next day or so, when time permits.
Click to expand...
I haven't tried making the swap but I am about 90% certain you could replace the original Eureka cord winder with one from a Miracle Mate Mk 1. They look the same and have the same style plug. It that scabbed on hardware store plug ever starts to grind your gears this may be your solution.
 
human said:
Noooooooooo! Don't pry the lens off! You'll break it. Turn the power head over and unscrew the two screws on the underside to remove the sole plate. Once you do that, everything is easily accessible from the underside of the unit. I replaced mine when I had it apart to assess the condition of the belt. It's funny, I just used this machine yesterday. It works great and is almost as quiet as an Electrolux canister.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
human said:
..., I spotted a Eureka canister model 1279D with a matching Rotomatic power head, model 1231D, a set of three brushes, and a second set of wands for the princely sum of $20. Once I plugged it in to verify that it worked, I knew I was not leaving without the store without it, especially when the whole kit cost me less than I'd paid for that set of wands.

It's a pretty dark maroon (brandywine?) color ...
Click to expand...

I think that's the same as the one I posted in this thread: https://vacuumland.org/threads/offe...l-1279-minneapolis-mn-twin-cities-area.46505/

The one you found is in better condition. Mine did have the plastic attachment holder mounted on the canister, but it broke over 20 years ago and in my ignorance, I through it away.
 
lazzlazz said:
I think that's the same as the one I posted in this thread: https://vacuumland.org/threads/offe...l-1279-minneapolis-mn-twin-cities-area.46505/

The one you found is in better condition. Mine did have the plastic attachment holder mounted on the canister, but it broke over 20 years ago and in my ignorance, I through it away.
Click to expand...
Yes, I feel fortunate to have found that burgundy machine in that condition for such a low price. I knew as soon as I saw it that it was coming home with me. It's amazing how cheaply vintage canister vacs go for around here, compared with uprights of the same age. Now that it's been fitted up with a new belt, it really is a joy to use.
 

Similar threads

L
Offering free Eureka Roto-matic Power Team model 1279, Minneapolis, MN (Twin Cities area)
Replies
6
Views
669
cheesewonton
C
R
Need help identifying where this part came from on my Electrolux PN6 power head
Replies
13
Views
462
redneckchinadian
R
vintage_vac.fan
Question about Eurekas and rarity
Replies
2
Views
202
cheesewonton
C
human
I think I've reached 'peak vacuum'...
Replies
8
Views
728
huskyvacs
huskyvacs
A
INFO: Replacing your Eureka/Sanitaire Lower Bearing? Read first!
Replies
4
Views
285
huskyvacs
huskyvacs

Latest posts

Back
Top