another Vorwerk in the family

[tommymilan]

Hello guys, when I woke up this morning I found a text from a friend telling me he had saved something for me, he told me it was an old "Folletto" with powerprush in very sorry condition, I obviously said ok, thanks a lot for the thought, looking forward to seeing it etc., so the day started very well. This evening he came and brought it. After dinner was over and all guests gone I decided to put my hands on it and give it a good cleanup. here are the pictures of pre-and after cleaning. This is a VK 117 with ET 20 powerbrush, from around 1978. Greetings to all from Italy.
Tommy

 

[tommymilan]

[No message]

 

[tommymilan]

after cleanup, no restoration yet

 

[tommymilan]

closer

 

[marks_here]

Damn fine job cleaning it up!!! It looks great!!! I have that same model, different ET power brush in the attic, it still works, just want to save it. Hope every things great in Milano Tommy!! Cheers!!! Mark D.

 

[tommymilan]

Hi Mark, I have all vorwerk models in my collection and... about 20 vk 117 but believe me , when I happen to find one I can't resist, I have to have it! Unfortunaately this poor boy seems to need a new motor but I should have some in my inventory. At least it is clean and in good shape so I like it very much and will bring it to a VERI nice full working condition soon. Also the bag is original and in good shape and I have the paint for the handle that has some scratches.I'll keep you updated. Think that at my mom's house there's still a vorwerk like this in the kitchen pantry always ready for use and anybody like to use it for any quick cleaning tasks, it is a very simple, powerful machine, a milestone in Vorwerks production.
Tommy

 

[marks_here]

When that model first came here in the states, my friends had it & I thought it was amazing how the head came off for the hose. I had never seen anything like that, then I found out Advanced made one called Mighty Maid. The Vorwerk was much more expensive & came with attachments. I was lucky here to have come across a VK122 ET340 but no attachments. They were listed on Ebay back in Dec. of last year but passed on them, now I wish I didn't but some more will come along with the electric hose & everything. That was the last model here you could only get in California and I'm not parting with it!!! They are great machines, built really good and from what I've heard the VK122 was the last good one they made. Congrats on your collection, I know it was fun collecting each one, wondering which one was next to get. Mark D.

 

[tommymilan]

thanks Mark
but it is not true that vk 122 was the last good they made. Following models were completely redisigned tomake of the "kobold" one of the bes claning systems available in Europe. a lightweight stick broom for everydays floor cleaning , a power head that is light but powerful and turrns into a dry cleaning carpet/rug/mattress cleaning machine, a polisher for hard floors that works also on unwaxed hard floors as a daily deep cleaner, , recently there is a very nice tool for vacuuming and mopping hardfloors in the saame time that works beautifully...and also a glass cleaning kit that is as simple as astonishing for how it works so...even the "Tamagochi" Vorwerks have their reason of life. Improvements, technical, design and everything, And Vowerk dealers are so nice and work hard and well and are always ready for any question or support. I have a 300 vacs collection but I love Vorwerks very much.
Last years I scanned and posted a coplete Vorwerk vk 117 mmanual, it must be in the Forum archives now. Search for it. it's very nice, there are nice pics of it in action
All the best, Tommy

 

[marks_here]

I just looked at it & I love it!!! You are right the vacuum is so versital no wonder people like them & hold onto them. I'm glad you corrected me on that with the VK122, because I was thinking why are they still making the Vorwerk all these years?? I know we here in the states can't get the new model that is out & even if we could from another country, there is the voltage difference. I talked to the Vorwerk place in Orlando Fl. To get a new brushes for the ET & they told me that we would not be getting anything new...what a shame. I have also a Lindhaus cylinder model but I like the Vorwerk better. I like getting vacuums from different countries at least with compatable voltage. Mark D.

 

[eurekastar]

Can the motor be serviced?  I think many Chinese made vacuum motors are riveted together.  Because of that I assume they aren't intended to be serviced. 

 

[marks_here]

It's a German built vacuum that is very serviceable.