Attention Eureka Canister experts

[minnow]

Good evening,
I recently acquired a handsome little Eureka 616D, with 1 peak HP, off of Ebay (late 70's or early 80's is my guess). As I await delivery, burning questions develop:
-Are the attachments fairly universal between all the Eureka canisters, or do they change with each model, decade, size?
-I see a lot of Eureka "upright conversion sets" on Ebay. Will the attachments (like the dusting brush) fit on the end of the hose of my 616D canister?
-I see some Eurekas have up to 4 HP... Is my 1 HP sufficient to do the job? (This vacuum has no "power head")

Thanks very much, I really appreciate any input.
Mike

 

[eurekaprince]

To answer your questions....

1. Yes, most Eureka attachments have had the same diameter and profile over the decades from at least 1955 to 1995.
2. The common 60D upright attachment set has tools that would connect to all the Eureka hoses and wands of those 4 decades. But the hose will only connect to the pan converter for use with Eureka uprights only.
3. The 616 model number indicates one of those Eureka budget models made to sell in KMart stores, I think. I would not expect it to clean more than surface dust and dirt on all household furnishings. If you have carpeting, best to team up your little canister with a matching Eureka Dial-a-Nap upright to deep clean your carpets.

 

[gregvacs28]

Picture please

picture ? of your 616D

 

[minnow]

thanks, and here is a photograph

Exactly what I needed to know. I already own an old Hoover Decade 80 upright to get the carpet with, so I am covered. Kinda wish I had a big-rig vintage Eureka power head canister, or a Wards... which leads me to another important question: are the Eureka power heads belt driven? I am not much enjoying the hunt for (Hoover convertible) belts that hold up reasonably well, and, ultimately, would like to acquire a power head canister vacuum that is not belt driven.

thanks, Mike

 

[gregvacs28]

Looks great

Thanks for sharing.

That looks like it's in terrific shape for it's age. It would be good to see pics on the bottom and inside as well.
These are prone to rust if not taken care of. Over the years, if people scratched these accidentally, the scratches could get rusty. Then there are those that stored them in damp basements and they start to rust ..... anywhere.
But your's looks almost new.

A pn that doesn't use a belt? There may be some new stuff.....
Traditional stuff, at least a period power nozzle that Eurkea made when this vac was made would use a non-geared belt, unfortunately.

Getting a power nozzle that uses a geared belt is the way to go. You could possibly even try adding a pn to this canister, but you'd have to put a small plug on the front, get a hose with electric wires (or attach a hose cord to the hose), and chose your power nozzle.

Would you be open to a geared Kenmore from around the same time this Vac was made? How about a Hoover Quadraflex, though it's not geared, it's reconditioned?

 

[minnow]

really helpful input, thanks (+ more pics)

Intriguing idea... hmmm! However, I have become totally devoted to Eureka in a very short time. I like everything about them. This vacuum cleaner interest started only a month ago, when the belt on my Hoover upright broke. I started looking at brand new vacuum cleaners at Target. NO THANKS. They are all plastic junk, really sad. I started pondering the good ol' brown WARDS power head canister vacuum my old girlfriend had in the 80's, and how much abuse it took from a houseful of kiddies, cats, etc. and kept running (I am the only one who ever used it). I now realize it was made by Eureka. I'd really like to hold out for one like that. Maybe I am trying to bring back my youth or something, but I really want one.

 

[gregvacs28]

Gem

Wow, that is so clean.

"...Maybe I am trying to bring back my youth ..." I think we've all been there.

I respect your wanting to be official.

Here's on on Bonanza. The hose may need some work, though that's not impossible.
They also have it listed (for less) on Ebay

I also saw a rotomatic power nozzle and hose that would fit your current vac. Just plug and play, shall we say. It would need a serious bath and possibly some maintenance, but for less than $100.....

https://www.bonanza.com/listings/Vi...AqEiwAHWsNVcMjk1ROTI_wepKKUmd8oVc_qjhba_YLMzC

 

[minnow]

and... HERE IT IS... "big brown" Eureka1756B

I was looking at that brown one earlier, Gregsvac, but then I found a slightly newer one that is spot-on like the one in my imagination. As I wrote my last post, the Ebay seller went for my "best offer" of $80.
This big brown rig is going to be mine. (what am I doing buying all these vacuums??? No, I don't regret it; I just don't know how I am going to EXPLAIN it)

Click the link and scroll down to see the original eBay ad

wow, I hope it makes it in one piece





https://www.ebay.com/itm/Eureka-175...eaner-with-Roto-matic-Power-Team/323408348681

 

[gregvacs28]

even better still


Looks great. Has a headlight which would be a requirement for me.

I hope the hose is as good as it looks.

Keep us up to date once it arrives.

 

[minnow]

one more question

Please look at this auction; these would fit, right? Is it normal for the crevice tool to be notched like that?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Eureka-Can...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055359.m2763.l2649

 

[gregvacs28]

yes, thats to keep from starving the vacuum of suction .... and causing the bag to explode.

 

[gregvacs28]

also just FYI


The wand with the bend in it shown in the sale of the vacuum, is not part of that vacuum.

 

[minnow]

interesting

Thanks for all the education, it certainly cleared up the questions that were keeping me awake last night.

Will post pics as soon as the machines start rolling in

 

[eurekaprince]

The upholstery nozzle is missing a brush strip. If you are looking to buy one of those Eureka upright attachment kits to get some new tools, be sure to get the later pure white attachment set to match your Princess canister. Some of the earlier sets from the early 1970’s have cream coloured or beige attachments.

Your canister also has a spot to store a bare floor brush on board...you may need to do some hunting on EBay, but a white Eureka bare floor brush with integrated neck can be found to complete your tool set.

The typeface used for the brandname on the handle would date this green Eureka to about 1985. It’s unfortunate that the plastic Eureka used at the time can turn yellow over the years...as is evidenced by the discolored carpet nozzle and hose handle. These would have originally been pure white plastic. If you get a brand new in box upright 60D tool set, you may be able to easily screw on a new white hose handle from the set.

 

[minnow]

brush strips

Drat. Was eyeing with suspicion that brush-less upholstery tool; now I know the score. Thanks. I have seen so many "naked" used Eureka upholstery tools on eBay that I was starting to think some were just manufactured that way.

Are brush strips to be had anywhere? Do they glue in, or slide in? We have two vac shops in town, I wonder if they could pop something in. Or maybe I could fabricate something from the hardware store. It is important to me to have a good upholstery tool, with a brush on the stiffer side. Indeed, dusty upholstery is one of the main reasons I am switching over to a canister-style vacuum.

Enlightening about the floor brush... (you are referring to the green 616D, I take it.) I assumed that the on-board space was to put the regular floor tool in. Can the regular floor tool that comes with the 616D be used with success on bare floors?

 

[eurekaprince]

The slot can be used either for the carpet nozzle or the floor brush...it’s a place to store one while you are using the other. I’d recommend getting the brush for floors as the carpet nozzle does not have any wheels to prevent it from scratching bare floors.

Indeed, I think the brush strip for the upholstery nozzle just snaps in...but why bother when you can get a brand new set of white Eureka tools on eBay for about $20? Look for Eureka Attachment Set 60D.

Some old vac shops may also have old stock of original Eureka attachments....try calling around!

Pretty Princess you got there! Enjoy!

 

[rugsucker]

"The upholstery nozzle is missing a brush strip."

This would have been correct on basic models.As Eureka went from standard to deluxe models features were added such as-- bristle on upholstery nozzle,floor brush added,tool racks,dusting from round to square,longer cords,cord wrap hooks,cordwinders,check bag signal,suction control on hose or vac,blower connection,etc.
Upright attachment kits are a great way to find many of the canister atts with little or no use.

 

[minnow]

ah, so missing bristles not necessarily an act of vandalism

Maybe no bristles was the Kmart corner-cutting. Who blames them? Think it's a neat concept: a budget, yet 1st class all-the-way, little steel machine.

Is she technically a Princess? I will have to learn about Princesses. I like it because it looks like my beloved late granpa's '73 Buick Electra: exact same metallic green with a white Landau top.

I bought the set of tools that I linked to in reply #9... looks ok, and the price was good. It includes floor brush, and I spy the brush strip peeking out of the upholstery tool. Yes, the floor brush will be quite useful to me. Strictly speaking, these tools are destined to ride on the 1756B I have coming, but they can be switched on to the 616B if the need, or mood, strikes.

now, the waiting
616 won't be here until October... seller is on vacation
1756B may come next week
ah, the suspense

 

[fan-of-fans]

That's a very nice Eureka. Love the shimmery green color, reminds me of a watermelon! I'd have a hard time modding that one, in such good original condition.

Eureka had some very nice power nozzle canisters in the day, seen a few turn up around here. I'd try to find one of those instead, they're more higher end and will make for a nicer experience if you want a PN machine. Although I did find it cute when manufacturers would offer a very small BOL canister mated with a power nozzle.