CL Apex Canister Vacuum Find

[fantomfan57]

Hi all, this evening I picked up this Apex locally, but I have not had a chance to look closely at it's condition. I could, however, see that the hose end of the machine looks like the rim separated from the dome. The hose end seems fused in the hole and the hose itself has a repair using a screw clamp.
Looks like there is only one clamp to keep the front in place. There is a bag inside, but honestly, this vac is in bad shape.

I will know more in the morning and take some before and after the initial clean up.

The owner said a Photographer friend found it in an abandoned house in West Texas. More soon.

 

[fantomfan57]

UPDATE

Not good news, apparently it was lived in by a rodent. The bag had a huge chew hole and the rest of the cavity was packed with "bedding". The nose cone will not stay on, the ring that the skids attach to to the front, is 1/2 broken away. (missing).
The electrical cord is oddly supple but does have one crack. Chickened out on plugging it in, so I have no idea if the motor works.
Lastly, the inside of the bag chamber is rusted badly.

If anyone wants the skids, back chrome motor cover or the Apex badges, contact me. I will not ship the whole vacuum. After I strip the good parts, I will recycle the body.

This brings up the subject to working with these dusty old machines, you never know what is in the dust.

 

[kenkart]

Thats a tank

From your description, not a canister, I believe its probably a model 540, late 1940s , a good machine.

 

[fantomfan57]

Update 2

I can not figure out how to get the rear chrome cone with the motor, off.

I thought there were two tubes that would have contained screws, but the do not respond to slotted nor phillips screw drivers. Perhaps they are inside the vac cavity.

I will check that next.

 

[kenkart]

They are

Inside the bag chamber, their is or should be a filter in the bottom behind the bag also.