Cool Vintage finds including another lewyt style columbus toppy

[gsheen]

So we headed out to Calvinia again this weekend to visit Joanne's Aunt Betsie , and to celebrate Joshua , My eldest sons 12 birthday. Its a 4-6 hour drive depending on the road works they are doing and the amount of stop go stations because of it. It was a bit of a long drive after a busy week but appart from nearly getting wiped out by a Mercedes who was overtaking another car on a blind verge and in our lane we arrived safe and sound.


 


Last time we were here I was greeted by our family and friends finding my most sought after vacuum , My Electrolux 404 and a whole bunch of columbus polishers.


 


When we arrived I was told to take a walk to one of the garages, " Their are some things for you there." 


 


Well this is the sight that greeted me 

 

[gsheen]

To my surprise there was a box full of attachments for the machines.


 


Below is the Van Riebeeck ( another name for Columbus machines ) Toppy . Al its pipes and hosed present and all in all not bad condition for its age.  

 

[gsheen]

The Electrolux polisher is awesome. I nearly bought one for a $ 150.00 but I prefer to restore my own stuff so this will be a nice project 

 

[gsheen]

This Columbus B12 was a real lovely find. Not only do I not have this particular model but it came in with all its vacuum attachments and accessories bag. At some stage someone removed the motor and installed it incorectly.


 


Tomorrow I will clean them all up and post more pics

 

[gsheen]

So I tackled the Columbus first as I could work on it here. 


 


After having a good look at it I found its a 32 volt , for use on the farms in the old days when they used gen sets to run everything. 

 

[gsheen]

The motor , 32 volts still working well . Cleaned up the polishing base nicely too

 

[gsheen]

All polished up by hand, no sanding. will give it a nice machine polish when I am back home again. I fitted the motor the correct way around aswell. 

 

[gottahaveahoove]

excellent job!

Great that they had those waiting there for you. Enjoy!

 

[gsheen]

Here it is with the vacuum head on it. The vacuum attachments were never used 

 

[gsheen]

Here it is with its pipes, Note the extension wand still wrapped in plastic, Not bad for a machine from 1946. 

 

[gsheen]

[No message]

 

[gsheen]

Ok so after some time I took this lovely afternoon to dissasemble and have a look at the Columbus/Van Riebeek Toppy.

The bottom section is plastic but the top is all steel. Note the voltage on the rating label has been removed. This may be a 32 volt machine too

 

[gsheen]

Got the motor casing open. AAAh when Vacuum company's still took some pride in their motors design and apeal. It was a bit dusty

 

[gsheen]

Judging by the size of the copper windings this WAS a 32volt machine, Sigh but allas no more Some one must of plugged it into a 220v outlet as you can see from the scarred commutator

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Very nice

Love those Columbia machines we never had those type here in the US

DAN

 

[gsheen]

Thanks Dan. Tom has a columbus vacuum on display at the museum.

Here is the Electtolux polisher. Also a 32 volt machine. Here is is before.

 

[gsheen]

After some hard work

 

[sukething]

Ok...

This particular Columbus is in the museum ( I have it on loan there). What year do you think it was made? Just Wow to see all of the attachments..you were very lucky


David

 

[sukething]

Also..

Mine has a headlight, that must have been an option. Yours, after the polish looks incredible. Mine is a 120 or whatever is the standard for US electric. I am beginning to believe it might be from Canada because it has the Good Housekeeping seal of approval of Great Britain on the handle. I found mine in North Platte, NE, when I lived there for two years teaching. This was at one of the local vac shop's, owners garage at her home. I took it to the first VCCC meet at Alex Tabors' home. At that time none of the collectors had never heard of a Columbus, so I took it to that meet in '93. Now it is in the museum in St. James.


David