Antique sweeper - Torrington Model X

[kestinfox]

Howdy friendly folks!
Found this antique sweeper on ShopGoodwill and thought someone might be interested in it. Doesn't look like it has the handle, but the brushroll is intact. Looks like a handsome machine!

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/109463531

 

[huskyvacs]

I've seen this one. Hoping it will get relisted again when I have more money.

They just used standard broomsticks for a handle that was either press-fit and tacked in with a nail, or twist on poles like today, so no big deal. This is what would have been a "premium" model sweeper in those days, it has both suction and brushing capability to get all sizes of debris large and small. Likely has a big bellows in it actuated by the offset axle, usually they come apart at the seams or need sewing after an entire century of disuse. I have a couple early 1900s pneumatic sweepers, they are fascinating to operate and look at how they are constructed but mostly useless today, I don't think the suction was that impressive even when new. Back in those days everyone was inventing things and the best way to sell an invention was make people think they needed it, so this being the alternative to a dustpan and broom, people did buy them. lol

 

[hoover300]

Thank you!

Its a model K. I have been looking for this, I have the Upright and Utility(regular sweeper) versions, would be awesome to complete the lineup.

 

[hoover300]

Hmm

Actually, I think I'll pass. $31 is a little too much for me at the moment for something with no handle or bumper. But,if you get it and ever want to sell it in the future, let me know! lol

 

[hoover300]

Well, its over, did anyone here win it?

 

[huskyvacs]

Wasn't me.

 

[kestinfox]

I got it!

Sorry for the suspense! I've been away for a bit.

I was the one who won this one! It showed up in a pile of dirt and spider skin, but after a quick vacuuming with my Eureka, it looks pretty good! The rope bumper is coming off in some places, but the cloth dirt bag inside seems pretty good, no holes. But lots of very fine black dirt everywhere. Maybe soot?
The roller wheels for the sweeping mechanism are shot, but they spin. Not well, but they do move.
The vacuum mechanism seems to work really well. The bellows are intact and I don't see any holes. It rolls pretty well for how old it is!
I found that the generic mop handle I had picked up worked, but I have a different handle I bought that I want to try and modify to fit. Seems like it should work out pretty well.

 

[huskyvacs]

Cool find! Yeah the black soot was likely fireplace ash. This thing probably hasn't been used since the Model T was a new car.

They really are fascinating pieces of engineering when you start looking into how they operate. Useless at picking anything up other than fine dust, but interesting nonetheless.

I do believe you can cut up some old ruined vacuum belts and glue them down to the wheel hubs to replace the tread, knurled belt textures might work best. Not sure if you can buy replacement hard rubber tread anywhere that fits that diameter.