charles~richard
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2006
- Messages
- 3,021
(The following email conversation is self-explanatory.)
On 05/07/08, Charles P. Phillips wrote:
Dear Mr. Lester:
I enjoyed reading your history of the Electrolux machine, esp. the one I have, the early model F with the outboard wire winder. What a great machine: 49 years! It worked great until last week, when the motor shut off; I took it apart and found that one side of the motor windings shorted out on the steel armature 'plates'. Do you know of anyway to find parts or a replacement motor? I am in Jamaica now, so I'm thinking I may try to have the motor rewound, if possible. Thanks for any assistance.
==========
On 05/09/08, Charles Richard Lester wrote:
Hello, congratulations on having a wonderful vacuum cleaner! Unfortunately, I know of no source for replacement motors or parts. Call Aerus-Electrolux and all you'll get is a blank stare.
I would suggest watching eBay for an Electrolux of similar model but perhaps in poor cosmetic condition that you can get cheaply as a parts donor for a motor. The LX, E, AE, F, R and G motors are all interchangeable although the later models (F, R, G) are a bit more powerful.
Another viable alternative might be to join the Vacuum Cleaner Collectors Club forum (free) and post a query there. You just might find someone with a spare Lux motor. The forum address is www.vacuumland.org.
Good luck!
==========
On 05/29/08, Charles P. Phillips wrote:
Dear Mr. Lester:
I was able to get the motor coils rewound nicely here in Jamaica...the guy did a great job, and after putting the motor assemblies back together 3 times, I finally found the correct way, and the machine works like new! Thanks again for your recommendations and encouragement.
==========
On 05/30/08, Charles Richard Lester wrote:
Hello, and congratulations! That's quite a story!! If you have a digital camera, could you take a couple of photos of the Electrolux and email them to me? Thx!
==========
On 05/31/08, Charles P. Phillips wrote:
Dear Mr. Lester:
I DO have a digital camera, and will send a photo of the 1959 Electrolux. I'm a bit ashamed that since the machine had a very worn exterior when I received it about 20 years ago, I foolishly thought I'd brighten it up by painting it with aluminum paint! I know, it's now worth $3 on the Antiques Road Show. So...it's mechanically excellent, but is not in the beautiful condition that you've done with your several models.
Also, the removable cord winder became inoperable at some point, so it was removed and is now lost. The original hose and some attachments have also been replaced. (It has been in the family since day 1.)
Nonetheless, I am a fan of all the older, well-made machines, and really enjoy maintaining them. (I have 3 1960's all-metal fans that still work fine and are quieter than all the new plastic ones.)
I've learned that I'm in good company here in Jamaica: because Jamaica's an island, parts are not always availale (or affordable), so there are all types of repair shops, and some of these guys are amazing the way they can improvise. There are actually a dozen or so motor rewinding businesses alone in the Jamaica Yellow Pages! My former residence of Philadelphia, Pa. had lost most of these handy repair shops by the time I left 2 years ago...what a shame.
Anyway, it has been nice conversing with you and thanks too for your great website!
==========
Hi,
Well, as long as you hadn't planned to enroll the Electrolux in any beauty contests, you'll be fine, haha!
=========================================
And see photo below. It =will= never win any VCCC contests for "Most Original Condition" but what a great story, eh, that a man thought so much about his beloved old Electrolux that he would to to that extent to save it.
All together now, with a big smile: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!"
You know, I just had a thought... wouldn't it be nice if we collectors could send him some stuff for his machine -- a new cord and cord halo so he can store the cord properly, a new hose (vinyl would be preferred for hold-up value), some genuine Electrolux attachments, maybe a floor polisher attachment, and some bags.
I don't have any spare parts anymore, but I could throw some bags his way. I see he also has some sort of jerry-rigged on-off switch and front cover latch. Doubt the latch could be replaced, but maybe we could send him a switch assembly.
If anyone would like to send any of the above parts to me, please contact me ASAP and let me know. When I get all the stuff, I'll be happy to see to it that he receives it.
On 05/07/08, Charles P. Phillips wrote:
Dear Mr. Lester:
I enjoyed reading your history of the Electrolux machine, esp. the one I have, the early model F with the outboard wire winder. What a great machine: 49 years! It worked great until last week, when the motor shut off; I took it apart and found that one side of the motor windings shorted out on the steel armature 'plates'. Do you know of anyway to find parts or a replacement motor? I am in Jamaica now, so I'm thinking I may try to have the motor rewound, if possible. Thanks for any assistance.
==========
On 05/09/08, Charles Richard Lester wrote:
Hello, congratulations on having a wonderful vacuum cleaner! Unfortunately, I know of no source for replacement motors or parts. Call Aerus-Electrolux and all you'll get is a blank stare.
I would suggest watching eBay for an Electrolux of similar model but perhaps in poor cosmetic condition that you can get cheaply as a parts donor for a motor. The LX, E, AE, F, R and G motors are all interchangeable although the later models (F, R, G) are a bit more powerful.
Another viable alternative might be to join the Vacuum Cleaner Collectors Club forum (free) and post a query there. You just might find someone with a spare Lux motor. The forum address is www.vacuumland.org.
Good luck!
==========
On 05/29/08, Charles P. Phillips wrote:
Dear Mr. Lester:
I was able to get the motor coils rewound nicely here in Jamaica...the guy did a great job, and after putting the motor assemblies back together 3 times, I finally found the correct way, and the machine works like new! Thanks again for your recommendations and encouragement.
==========
On 05/30/08, Charles Richard Lester wrote:
Hello, and congratulations! That's quite a story!! If you have a digital camera, could you take a couple of photos of the Electrolux and email them to me? Thx!
==========
On 05/31/08, Charles P. Phillips wrote:
Dear Mr. Lester:
I DO have a digital camera, and will send a photo of the 1959 Electrolux. I'm a bit ashamed that since the machine had a very worn exterior when I received it about 20 years ago, I foolishly thought I'd brighten it up by painting it with aluminum paint! I know, it's now worth $3 on the Antiques Road Show. So...it's mechanically excellent, but is not in the beautiful condition that you've done with your several models.
Also, the removable cord winder became inoperable at some point, so it was removed and is now lost. The original hose and some attachments have also been replaced. (It has been in the family since day 1.)
Nonetheless, I am a fan of all the older, well-made machines, and really enjoy maintaining them. (I have 3 1960's all-metal fans that still work fine and are quieter than all the new plastic ones.)
I've learned that I'm in good company here in Jamaica: because Jamaica's an island, parts are not always availale (or affordable), so there are all types of repair shops, and some of these guys are amazing the way they can improvise. There are actually a dozen or so motor rewinding businesses alone in the Jamaica Yellow Pages! My former residence of Philadelphia, Pa. had lost most of these handy repair shops by the time I left 2 years ago...what a shame.
Anyway, it has been nice conversing with you and thanks too for your great website!
==========
Hi,
Well, as long as you hadn't planned to enroll the Electrolux in any beauty contests, you'll be fine, haha!
=========================================
And see photo below. It =will= never win any VCCC contests for "Most Original Condition" but what a great story, eh, that a man thought so much about his beloved old Electrolux that he would to to that extent to save it.
All together now, with a big smile: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!"
You know, I just had a thought... wouldn't it be nice if we collectors could send him some stuff for his machine -- a new cord and cord halo so he can store the cord properly, a new hose (vinyl would be preferred for hold-up value), some genuine Electrolux attachments, maybe a floor polisher attachment, and some bags.
I don't have any spare parts anymore, but I could throw some bags his way. I see he also has some sort of jerry-rigged on-off switch and front cover latch. Doubt the latch could be replaced, but maybe we could send him a switch assembly.
If anyone would like to send any of the above parts to me, please contact me ASAP and let me know. When I get all the stuff, I'll be happy to see to it that he receives it.
