Air-Way beater-bar problem

[truckerx]

To all Air-Way experts: I am losing the beater-bars on my twin-motor.
I think that I may have had the height setting to low (further away from the floor surface). Chattering resulted losing two of the rubber mounted beater-bars, given the rubber is old and perhaps dry-rotting as well.
Has anyone experienced this and is there a known remedy short of trying to fashion some new rubber mounts?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Photo attached.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Bernie,
I lost a beater on my DirtMaster and basically don't use it at all other than for conventions or guests that visit. And, then only just to turn it on and off.

When the brush roll is going around, the rubber stretchs and causes the beaters to bang against the housing. Ultimately, they get knocked off and trying to find any replacements is really impossible. As you know, the rubber dries out over the years and it's composition changes.

A former member suggested removing them from the agitator. I have them on the Chief and Super Chief. Fortunately, they still work very well under controlled conditions. Tania used the Super Chief in March at my home and vacuumed much of the second floor with no issues. I do not use any of those vacuums but still run them fairly regularly.

I tried using super glue to repair the one on the DirtMaster but it does not work. Just hope to find another brush roll and use it for spares. Until then, I would minimize using the one you have.

Charlie

 

[truckerx]

OK Charlie - I guess that does it! I'll run with those suggestions. I figured if anyone would have an answer to an Air-Way problem, it would be you. Thanks, bud

BTW - would you happen to know the date range in which the Twin-Motors were produced?

 

[trebor]

Armor-all...

is supposed to re-hydrate and recondition all manner of rubber and plastic. What could a good soaking hurt? Thoughts?

 

[air-waycharlie]

Robert,
You could re-hydrate the rubber to some degree but getting a broken off beater to reattach, (frayed rubber to frayed rubber), is near impossible. It would have to be able to withstand the force of revoling at a fairly high speed and the friction created when put against a carpeted surface.

I've even thought of using fine wire and sewing the rubber together like surgical stitches. But, there comes a point when I realize these vacuums are over 70 years old and the practicality of using them is................well, not too realistic.

I just look at mine and turn them on and off to keep the motors in good running order. At this point they are pieces of art to be admired for their design and advanced engineering. I do vacuum very small areas on a limited basis and have correct orginal bags for them.

Bernie, I believe, (without looking at the owners's manuals or the, "Air-Way Indicator", the company newsletter), that the Chief and Super Chief were manufactured circa. 1936 to 1938. During that time the DirtMaster, (single motor, twin fan), was also in production--for a small period of time due to the Hoover lawsuit. The Green Goddess was also being made.

I have read accounts of another model, the Zephyr, that never really saw the light of day. I know nothing about that one. Due to the lawsuit, Air-Way ceased production and then WWII started. When Air-Way launched again post WWII, it was with the model 55.

The era of the Air-Way upright was over--forever.

 

[aeoliandave]

I'm impressed that 70 year old rubber has lasted this long under such 'abusive' rug-banging conditions but not surprised. My experience with player piano tubing and hoses is that excellent rubber from the era can stay solid right to the present day. It was the introduction of clay fillers to the mix in the 40s as well as modern chemical substitutes - neoprene - that causes short life expectancy.

Having seen a few of these beater bars I would think it not too difficult a task to replicate them. They do unbolt from the bar and a good machinist could make new ones...at a cost.

It looks that the rubber can be extracted from the metal bar after knocking out the rivets.
Oh wait, there are no rivets - they are locking keyholes which secure the rubber after squeezing the bar around the softer rubber.
I would spread the bar ever so slightly and make up a new rubber core from Car Tire rubber or even better, cord-reinforced heavy duty rubber belting of the correct thickness.

Dave...musing on the possibilities.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Here is a picture that I posted a few years ago of my Air-Way treasures!

 

[brandon_w_t]

Oh my! I love these pictures. I have never seen an airway brush roll up close. I have wondered how they worked. I didn't realize they were part rubber. Very unique.

Charlie, I would just adore to see a video of the 3 machines turned on! There is so little documentation on these incredibly unique and rare machines!

 

[trebor]

Is the one to the left...

in the picture the legendary Dirtmaster?

 

[air-waycharlie]

The vac to far left is, indeed, the legendary DirtMaster. The other two, going left to right, are the Super Chief and the Chief. Sometimes the Chief is referred to as the, "Scout", but that is incorrect.

The DirtMaster has only one motor with large twin fans at the base of the handle. The suction for above the floor cleaning is not very good but for regular vacuuming it was very effective. The brushroll on the DirtMaster is configured differently from the Chief and Super Chief in that the beaters are ONLY in the center part of the brushroll itself.

I hope to bring all three to Milwaukee for next year's convention and hope to do a little, "Show And Tell", to demonstrate the features and differences of the vacuums.

 

[truckerx]

Charlie - The machine in question is just like the one in your photo with the black bag on the opposite end of your Dirt Master. Can you tell me the model name and maybe pinpoint the production year(s)?

Per your suggestion, I removed all of the beater bars - a simple operation as it turned out requiring only a 3/32" hex wrench. The machine runs beautifully now. The remaining brushes in the brush roll actually create quite a vibrating sound on their own.

In summary, I believe the beater-bar problem may have been the result of oiling the brush motor, allowing it to spin faster than it ever had before.
It was amazing (shortly before the explosion)!
My guess is that increased centrifugal force may have caused the old rubber mounts to expand beyond their limits - striking the inside of the rug nozzle, thus separating with quite a clatter. You had to be there. ;-)

Now on to fashioning a rubber bumper. As always, thanks much for your help.

 

[truckerx]

Photo attached

 

[air-waycharlie]

The Air-Way Model 35

Bernie,
Here is a nice photo of when the model 35 debuted in, "The Air-Way Indicator", from the November 1934 edition.

It was available in 1935 and the Super Chief came out in 1937 I believe.

 

[air-waycharlie]

The Air-Way Model 40

Here is some a page of literature on the model 40, known as the Super Chief.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Can't leave out the............

legendary DirtMasteR!

 

[brandon_w_t]

My friend has the model 35.

 

[air-waycharlie]

More.....

on the DirtMasteR.

None of the these pictures from some of my literature have ever appeared in a newsletter or on this site. Maybe it is time to do a newsletter this year with a feature on these Air-Way vacuums.

(Hello Jay.........are you the new newsletter editor?)

 

[air-waycharlie]

Original Bag!

Wow Bernie! Those original bags are almost non-existent! Take good care of that one. Typically, over the years they begin to just sort of disintegrate.

VERY nice. I'd post some pics, (glam shots), but I am taking to the air very shortly and heading up to Minneapolis for a layover. I will be seeing Robert and Fred tomorrow.

When I get home, I will post some pics and the attachments as well.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Brandon

VERY nice as well. Make sure your friend takes good care of the vacuum. Don't let him pick it up by the handle. Lift at the neck to avoid and breakage!