Air-Way 66 day

[williamr1248]

All the new vacuums are nice but sometimes it is just nice to get my folks old 66 out and give her a run. I brought her up from the basement and put a new Sani-bag in (thanks to Tania)and away we went. Kind of nice to hear that old unique GE motor sound. Most of what you hear is just the air rushing in the tube. Very, very quiet compared to todays vacuums.
I enjoyed using the felt polisher on the hardwood floors, the slotted sofa tool and the Vee Brush on the blinds. The $92.50 was a lot of money back in 1952.
I am using the original hose today but she has had a blue replacement back in the 60's and was serviced by Air-Way in 1970.
I just don't believe we will see many plastic vacuums of today around and still working in 63 years.

 

[williamr1248]

air-way 66 day

Back in those days all the tools were unique design to Air-Way (like Electrolux and Hoover).The trim ,cord, hose were all color matched.
At some point a new lower wand and rug tool were purchased from the Air-Wayman as my folks had added wall to wall carpeting and the original rug tool had a metal comb designed for wool rugs.

 

[electrolux137]

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever."

How wonderful that you have one of the very same vacuum cleaners from your childhood. That's uber-nostalgia!

 

[williamr1248]

air-way 66 day

Charlie,
I know you appreciate the old cleaners like the Electrolux XXX and E. They all had their own very unique sound.
Now all we have are screamers and Hoovers without any beater bars. My new Rainbow does have a unique sounding motor with the brushless motor. It still is not that nice sound of the rushing air like the old Lux's and Air-Ways.

As you posted years ago-how much power do we need to move some dust and dirt!

 

[dysonman1]

Stan Kann once said "a vacuum cleaner only needs enough suction to get the schmuttz into the hose".

 

[jade_angel]

As we've known for a while, agitation > airflow > suction... And design matters a lot - hence why the old Air-Ways and Filter Queens are still so good, or why Royals have always been great carpet cleaners.

 

[compactelectra]

What Fun!

I remember seeing that machine at your home and being amazed at how beautiful it is and so enjoyed the story and history.  Indeed, to have a machine like that in that condition to pull out is wonderful and must bring back some great memories.  Your machines are all pristine!


 


Fred

 

[williamr1248]

air-way 66 day

Fred,
What I find amazing is how it survived years and years of use, then I took it with me to use when I was in apartments during my college years and it has was borrowed by many people over the years.
Thanks to Tania I have a crevice tool and a new motor sound suppressor. The attacha-carrier straps have finally broken so it looks strange to me without the carrier on the back of the machine storing the tools.
Love your new remodeling. It looks great!

 

[air-waycharlie]

Many thanks................

to Tom Gasko and Tania Voigt. Because of them, I became the only authorized Air-Way dealer in Charlotte, NC, (that I am aware of during a certain time frame)

My paternal grandmother had several Air-Ways in her 98 years. She had the Super Chief, a 66 and the last was a 88 II without the power nozzle but wired for it. She absolutely felt that a revolving brush would ruin her oriental rugs. I now have it with an upgraded 12 amp motor and Quiet Series telescoping power nozzle.

After many conversations with Tom, (about 15 years ago, I think!), and learning about Air-Way, I upgraded the Mark II 88 with a Douglas power nozzle which is what Air-Way offered at the time.

I was such a believer in the true cleaning ability of the Air-Way vacuum, the filtration being the BEST in the industry, the superior design of the tools and other features, that I became the Air-Way dealer for Charlotte.

I sold many Centurion Signature Series, (the purple model), in Charlotte and the state of North Carolina. I also sold a fair amount of Saniway, (Century 2000), models as well.

Times have changed. When former customers needs bags, I sold Air-Tech bags for several years. Now, I am completely out of the vacuum business and refer my customers to Air-Tec directly.

I am glad to have been part of the Air-Way sales force. I am the fortunate owner of pristine models of the Green Goddess, Chief, Super Chief and DirtMaster. All work beautifully and many of you have seen them at the last VCCC convention in Milwaukee. I acquired Stan Hagen's Green Goddess this month.

I can go to the grave a happy man!

Tania has been an invaluable source of information along with Billy Lipman, Duane Taylor, Mike Rogers and many others. Extra special thanks to Don Clark, who was the National Sales Manager and Regional Sales Manager for his expertise and support. Don was the person that introduced the power nozzle to Air-Way. Albeit somewhat late in the game due to Electrolux, Whirlpool and Lewyt.

For those of you that have Air-Way vacuums, you own a piece of true vacuum history and don't EVER get rid of them. For those of you that don't..............pity.

"Sanitation To The Nation...........Air-Way Vacuums".

Charlie[this post was last edited: 10/17/2013-22:41]

 

[dysonman1]

Here's a few of the 'old girls'. 50 years ahead of their time.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Another.........

glamour shot of the, "old girls". The other competitors should have hung their heads in shame at the time! The Green Goddess arrives later this month this month.

The outer bag for the DirtMaster was replicated to the manufacturer's specifications for the vacuum. The outer bag for the Chief was enlarged to better fit the original Air-Way 14 layer paper bag that was nearly twice the size of the outer bag and the air flow is incredible. The Super Chief has the original outer bag.

 

[pinkge]

Rob...

Now you know why,I like my GE roll around (pinky).The sound of that GE motor and the air going through the wands and floor nozzle,does take one back to the days of well built machines.Having seen your Air-way 66 it is a work of art and beauty.And being your mom's makes it even better.Thanks for sharing.
Michael

 

[pinkge]

Charlie...

Thank you,for showing the girls.Would it have been wonderful if Airway produced the Dirt Master.We would have another wonderful and well made upright for our home cleaning and memories.Thank you,for bring them the the convention and sharing.
Michael

 

[dysonman1]

Air-Way did produced two models of the DirtMasteR. First vacuum with two suction fans (Singer claimed to have invented it with their "S" series, but they did not). There were, in total, five motor-driven brush uprights, the Chief (backwards revolving brush roller), Super Chief (with Headlight and brush on/off switch), Zephyr, Chrome DirtMasteR, and black painted DirtMasteR. The Chief, Super Chief, and Zephyr are all twin motor models, the DirtMasteR models used a single motor with two belts, one to drive the double suction fans, and one to drive the beater brush. I have Stan Kann's Zephyr in the collection along with his DirtMasteR. The other ones pictured were mine. They are some of the most popular cleaners at the Vacuum Cleaner Museum. I have one of every model Air-Way ever made.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Tom............

You probably already know this, the owner's manual for the DirtMasteR showed both the black painted and chrome throughout. That was when I learned of the two different models. Both are beautiful. And the sound they make...........a slice of heaven!

Charlie

 

[hygiene903]

AirWay!

Those are some beautiful AirWays you guys have! The model 66 was the first AirWay I ever used, while we spent Christmas with my Aunt Mary & Uncle Red in Lisle, IL when I was 9 years old. My Dad had passed away in September of that year and they invited us, knowing it would be good for us to get away for a while. This was the same aunt & uncle who were introduced by another uncle while they were selling Electro-Hygiene in the late 40's, but by this time (1965) my aunt had an AirWay 66 and I got to use it several times while we were there. I also got to see an Electrolux G for the first time during that visit, as Uncle Red was selling Electrolux at the time and did the complete model G demo for us.
I'm happy to now have a 66 in my collection, along with a 55A and a 77. Here's a pic of my 55A, my most complete AirWay.
Jeff

 

[caligula]

Hi Air-Way Charlie, and Tom Gasko.

I've been interested in the Dirt Master for years, but never saw one up close. Could one of you please post the instruction book, I'd love to read it.

Both of these went into storage, and the bags are beyond repair, could either of you tell me how to locate outer bags? I also need an Indicator cover if you have one to spare.

Thanks,
Alex Taber.

 

[rugsucker]

Great Airways above!!

Some features you may not notice or be familiar with include the lighted AW name over headlight in the manner of the Hoover 825 and Kirby Sanitronic.I first saw this in Stan Kanns basement thanks to Tom.As above the Dirtmaster belt drive means the only thing connected to the motor is the shaft and belt pulleys.(Anyone know of anything similar?)Also the Dirtmaster hose connection was as easy as the much later Dial-a -Matic.--Great Vacs!--We can only wonder what could happen if some companies did not have drastic changes in ownership and management.

 

[normvac]

Charlie and jeff

Charlie
I have the air way 66 that you sold me back in 200? something.
It is a prized vacuum in my collection. As it was the one my
dad bought for my mom, Christmas 1953. It is still going strong.
As well as getting an occasional use. I did keep a 77 brushed bottom
rug tool. As it does a great job on my apartment carpet. Also kept
a 77 double row floor brush for the hard floor. Hard to believe it
is 60 plus years old and going strong.
Jeff was that pictured model 55 Air Way the one I gave you back about
4/5 years ago when I had to down size ?
Norm