Does Anyone Know About A 1912 Tuec -

[brandon_w_t]

Yea I know why cant someone go up there and ask for a private tour of the house and ask to see the vac system! I bet it is mint.

2 questions though- What do the tools look like?

And is that picture that compactelectra took of the tuec for sale? how did you find such a vacuum?

 

[brandon_w_t]

LOOK WHAT I FOUND!

A working TUEC!!!!

 

[brandon_w_t]

400 pounds

It weighs for hundred pounds!

 

[shag]

It almost looks like a gas meter on the top.I have that carpet sweeper beside it.

 

[brandon_w_t]

210?

I think this one says 210 on it. Hard to tell. Looks identical to the one above.

 

[collector2]

Hey Brandon - Where is the one you found?

 

[brandon_w_t]

here

this is where I found it





http://www.trailend.org/tef-virtualin.htm

 

[centralvacs1928]

Andy - I was glad to find out what the model number stood for. I have an old 1916 TUEC catalog that shows models from 170 to 1200, with corresponding motor sizes and max. simultaneous operators, but makes no mention of suction/airflow. Now it's more clear. From what I've heard these systems operated on a maximum of about 30" waterlift, and used a 1 3/4" hose so as not to choke off too much airflow.

Given that, using one must have been a lot like an NSS "Pig" with 50 feet of hose. Probably picked things up OK, but didn't have an impressive amount of suction like a modern central vacuum.

Has anyone ever been able to use a TUEC system? I'd be curious to see what it was like, as opposed to a system based on the opposite design principle for 1910s central vacuums (narrow hose, lots and lots of suction, low CFM -- Arco Wand, for example). Betcha the TUEC actually ended up cleaning better.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

What was the system that was used in the Fox in St. Louis?

 

[cleaningbuff]

central vac at the Fox

Spencer system

 

[brandon_w_t]

The fabulous fox???

Do you mean the fabulous fox???!!!! The best theatre in the world. And has one mighty wurlitzer TPO in it!

 

[cleaningbuff]

Spencer central system

YES,,,,
THE FABULOUS FOX

 

[brandon_w_t]

Stan kann!!!!!!!

You have to guess.... the organist of the fox, Stan Kann, and Vacuum collector, Knew something about this!

 

[centralvacs1928]

Here's a picture of the Spencer that serves the St. Louis Fox Theater. 3 operators can use the system at once. The large horizontal part to the left is the multistage turbine vacuum producer. The vertical part on the right is the cyclone dirt collector. Dirt gets shoveled out the removable door at the bottom.

The piping is all threaded cast iron, the largest being 4" I believe. The system exhausts up a chimney to the roof.

 

[brandon_w_t]

Oh thanks!

THAT THING IS HUGE!!!!!! Looks like fun!!! I wonder how often Stan used it.

 

[centralvacs1928]

Stan personally? Probably not very often. But I do believe the system is still in regular use, just not for the whole theater. I think they find it easier to use backpack vacuums than to work that long hose in and out of the rows of seats. I know I would still be using the Spencer for everything, but then...I don't clean movie theaters for a living

If you ever get the chance to hear the thing run, you'll be amazed how quiet it is. Very little noise or vibration, just the sound of the air moving through the machine and the dirt swirling in the separator.

What amazes me is to contemplate the fact that this piece of equipment has been in use for eighty plus years (minus the years the Fox was vacant) with nothing but a new motor and starter twenty some years ago. AND, that you can buy the exact same system today, down to the inlet valves and accessories.

 

[andy]

Hi Owen

If you can, you should scan that catalog and post it! Thanks for putting the pic of the Spencer up!

 

[centralvacs1928]

Hey Andy,

I will have to get a flatbed scanner but once I do I'll be happy to post it.

I also have a little flip book thing put out by Spencer Turbine sometime in the 'teens which goes into proper piping installation, unit sizing, electrical requirements (down to the way the control switches should be mounted!), etc. Fascinating, for me at least

Check this link out, too: http://books.google.com/books?id=Qk...mp3nDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result

There's a book that's referred to a lot in early central vacuum literature. I did a Google search for it out of curiosity, to see if it was up on eBay or one of the used book websites, and look what I found! Someone took the time to scan every page and digitize it for all to see! I actually printed it out (before I discovered it was 250-odd pages; that was a mistake) and read it. Goes into filtration systems, types of vacuum pumps, hose lengths, etc, etc. I think you've checked this book out of some public university library before, right? I remember you saying the old systems used 100 foot hoses (!) and that's what this book says too.

Cool stuff. BTW call me sometime.

 

[clarkecombi]

wonder if u could attach a big 20inh power nozzle. LOL

 

[KKKinney]

Does anybody know about a 1912 TUEC (Feb. 2009)

A number of people posted comments to this thread. I recently gave a tour of my 1912 home to a friend who was fascinated by the old motor for my mother's 1912 TuEC that is languishing in my basement. This friend researched the old vacuum for me and sent me a copy of this thread from 2009. I now have a contract for sale on my home, and I need to find homes for a number of things, not the least of which is this old vacuum relic. Does anyone have a suggestion for how I would go about finding a home for this 400 pound motor? I no longer have the hoses or attachments. My mother used the vacuum until about the end of WWII when she could no longer get household cleaning help. The hose was heavy and all the debris collected in the bottom of the motor and had to be brushed out by hand which was a dirty job. She loved her new electrolux that could be pulled along like a puppy and had disposable bags. I would appreciate suggestions for a new home for this collector's item. I can send photos if it would help. I also have a 1936 Maytag Mangle with instruction papers that needs a new home. Thanks for any suggestions.