Vintage Central Vacuums

[dirtfinder1]

Just curious but does anyone on here collect or have a few different vintage central vacuum cleaner systems. I know they started making them as early as the 1920's but it doesn't seem anyone ever discusses them?

 

[briankirbyclass]

Good question, ive been meaning to ask the same thing. Does anyone have any old literature, pics, ect you could post?

I remember several neighbors having Beam Central Vac in their homes in the early 1970s,,,evidently its what was sold in the area at the time. I remember one neighbor having a Sears Kenmore Central Vac, where the wall inlets had a little silver/metal foil like pad where you had to touch to turn the vac system on and off.
The long hose had a cord with straps to power the PN, which was also an early 70s Kenmore,,im pretty sure the hose,PN, and attachments were all white, and the attachments came in a little plastic carrier, (that looked like the top of their cannister vacs of the time,,had a handle on it the same as the handle of their cannisters). The attachements all tucked into their place a certain way in the carrier. The PN had its own built in non detachable wand, and the attachment kit came with its own chrome wands.
Have always wondered if this was their (Kenmore's) first version of a Central Vac System,,,would have been around 1971-72. Anyone know for sure?

 

[compactelectra]

I am a Central Vac Fan

Here are some shots of the Filtex System - my first. They were great machines. Not quite from the 20's - these are from the 70s - you'll need to check in with some other members for those.

 

[compactelectra]

I have a couple of sets

Of Filtex Central tools - they are amazing. They work beautifully with new central systems.

 

[compactelectra]

One Last One

The extras.

 

[compactelectra]

Here is a shot

Of one of my metal inlets - attached to a new MD Silent Master system. Check it out on the left. Greg Nunn now has the Com Vac.

 

[dial-a-nap]

"Greg Nunn now has the Com Vac"

...and he's going to make Terry clean with it real soon! ;-)


That Filtex electric power nozzle looks just like the Oreck version you have, Fred. It was also available for a backpack vacuum (Lil' Hummer) about ten years ago. I had it but it was horrid on commercial carpet - sucked itself to the floor and stayed until you turned off the vacuum. Plush carpets were a lot better.

 

[compactelectra]

Actually

That is an Oreck power nozzle. Can you believe how long they have been in production? I just got that power nozzle from Hesco. Probably some left over stock. The metal Filtex tools were the only ones Filtex made. Otherwise, they got accessories from other manufacturers. I remember buying my first Filtex unit at the address on Divison street above. BTW - better get Terry to work right away! We'll be there with the white gloves on Wednesday.

Fred

 

[luxg]

White glove ready Fred, you know Greg is always ready!! Can't wait to see you.

 

[andy]

hold tight David

I have some 1920's-ish material on central vac systems. I'm housesitting for someone right now, but I will be back tomorrow night and try to get them scanned and posted for you.

I'm CRAZY about old central vacs. Fred Nelson can tell you. I was in heaven when I visited his house and got to play with his pristine Filtex attachment set. What a treat.

Not to toot my own horn, but I also wrote a series of columns in the VDTA magazine about old centrals, mainly Spencers. I'll see if I can dig those up and scan them.

 

[compactelectra]

I Was Going To Mention

That Andy Weter is probably our best resident vintage Central Vac man. He loaned me some materials from the 20's about Spencer Central Vacs. Glad you chimed in Andy. Let's get this thread going!

Fred

 

[compactelectra]

Here's A Picture Of Andy

Using my central vac with a very contemporary Aerus Centralux hose and power nozzle. The beauty of a central vac is that you can use any tools you want.

 

[compactelectra]

I Just Bought a New Hose

For the central vacuum. The old style Electrolux. 35' I'll be able to use the Lux PN 1 - 6. Love it.

 

[briankirbyclass]

Thanks so much for scanning these pics,,,how cool! I love the remote control for the hose,,haha, those were the days!
Do they still make the inlets with the lights and push button?
Wow, i would sure love to have a set of Filtex tools for my Central System!
I just replaced a 20yr old Beam Central Vac, with a new Honeywell,,,the new Honeywell isnt as quiet as the Beam, but is OK. Also got a Vac Pan, and a new Chrome Beam style inlet(for a new room addition ive built on the back of the house.)

Andy, or anyone that knows,,on Central Vac Inlets,,there is a mounting plate that goes on the back of the inlet, attached at the wall stud, that holds the PVC tubing in back of the drywall,, and the inlet is installed at the front of the drywall, and the 2 then screw in together,so that the inlet is flush to thew wall,,is that right?

I think my contractor did not install the inlets correctly,,darn it! May have to rip out and replace some drywall, but hate to, if not required,,,please advise!
Thank you!

 

[briankirbyclass]

BTW, is this company the same "Filtex" that manufacturered a clunky tank type cleaner back in the 1940s, or 50s?

 

[collector2]

Hi:

Actually central vacs go back to about 1904 when BVC (British Vacuum Cleaner Corp - later called Goblin) started to produce them in England. We have a number of homes here in Moose Jaw that had "Stationary Cleaners" in them when they were built in 1912. The biggest difference is that usually they only used a 15' hose and had more outlets in the home. Personally I find that alot easier to use than the 30' ones now in use.

I'm including a picture of my 1930's Goblin Stationary Cleaner.

Incidentally Brian - I install central vacs and you are correct. The mounting plate goes behind the gyprock and the valve infront. If its a new installation the plate is hooked to a stud. In an existing home it is often not hooked to anything but the valve as you would have to do gyprock work otherwise. As well they should always be connected by a short 90 elbow. This is the ONLY place short 90's should ever be used as it allows any larger objects to be trapped where they can be removed. If it passes through the short 90 it will have no problem passing through the rest of the sweep 90's.

 

[compactelectra]

Brian

Indeed, the Filtex Company started by a woman in LA in the 30's I believe, was the predecessor to the Filtex Central Vacuum Company. The only thing that was left were the tools. Thank goodness, they are great. When I went into the distributors office in LA in 1980 to buy a unit for the new house, he still had a banner with the old portable unit on the wall. Interesting history.

 

[compactelectra]

Light and PushButton Inlets

Those were discontinued about 1978. They required special relays and wiring. They were neat. I had a set in Chicago. My inlets shown above are about the same, but without the buttons and lights. You can get them from www.builtinvacuum.com

 

[andy]

The Spencer Turbine Cleaner

Here is the first brochure for the Spencer Turbine Company. This would be in the 19-teens, since the motor units were still vertical. More to come tomorrow.