Pair Of Vintage Clarke Shop Vacs

[bluecube448]

Showing off my two Clarke brand shop vacs on here as there is VERY little information on both the models or even the brand itself. I've had the silver one (model 600A) for quite some time, while the red one (model WD-6) I just got recently in an eBay auction. Both of the machines are INCREDIBLY well built made entirely out of metal and are really heavy duty. I actually use one as my full time bench vac. Looking if anyone can give me a bit of info about these machines or the brand as there seems to be almost none online

 

[lesinutah]

Commercial

Kent Clarke makes these commercial vacuums. I'm not positive if it's NSS known for making the pig vacuum.
There used at schools usually have a cart with wheels or they have wheels to move them around.

 

[bisonian]

Clarke

Clarke was one of the big two American commercial equipment makers ( along with Advance) for many years. Started in the 1930s as a manufacturer of floor sanders. The company went through several owners over the decades, including McGraw-Edison and Gravely.

Currently owned by Danish cleaning equipment Nilfisk, which also owns Advance.

 

[bisonian]

I Stand Corrected...

on the timeline and first product.

Here's the company history from the Nilfisk website:

https://www.nilfisk.com/en-us/clarke/

 

[huskyvacs]

I seen that one on eBay - it's been relisted for months on end. I didn't get it because I already have one (albeit a different unknown model - mine is missing the center nameplate cap)

I got mine for using to vacuum out the car. The seller had found it in a barn and they were advertising it to sell off as a metal-working project like making it into a Star Wars droid or a Dalek from Dr. Who. lol I couldn't let that happen so I saved it.

Mine still has the hose with it, what I presume is original. It's a stiff kind of rubber hybrid hose and the end of mine is torn off and it's got like some kind of fibrous cotton-like material tufting out of it.

I have no idea about these vacuums either - I presumed it was a vacuum that connected up to a sanding machine of the same vintage and it followed along with the sander and sucked up the sawdust as you pushed it.

Mine has a homemade cord hook screwed into the side with drywall bracing irons and I have cut my leg open 3 times walking by it, that will have to be addressed.