firebirdman55
Well-known member
I'm currently at Goodwill and I just scored this Electrolux 50th for $7.50. Can anyone tell me anything about this vacuum? It's my first canister vacuum. I'm an upright guy. What style bags do I need for this?
Electrolux 50th?
- Thread starter firebirdman55
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suckolux
Well-known member
Style C all of them, Looks like a Golden Jubilee to me. Great machine, likely a leaky hose though, they break down inside.
human
Well-known member
Great score!
That's a great machine and you got it for an excellent price. It was made around 1974 and with just a little basic TLC, it will go on working for a long, long time. Some people love canisters and some people don't. I happen to be in the 'love 'em' category and Electrolux metal canisters are my favorites. Your 50th anniversary model is essentially a cosmetically updated version of the venerable turquoise 1205. Aside from the gaudy gold paint job, the most important improvement is a redesigned handle. The turquoise 1205's handle had a bad tendency to pull out at the back and break off. Yours won't do that.
A couple of specific observations about your particular machine:
• The pigtail cord that runs between the power nozzle and the wand appears to be missing. Fortunately, it is easily replaceable. They have a tendency to fall loose at the power nozzle. Electrolux actually came up with a metal retaining bracket but these are basically unbotanium today. An easy alternative, when you get a new cord, is to thread the cord through the upper shell to better hold it into place.
•Speaking of cords, The power cord for the vacuum appears to be extended outside the body of the machine, which may indicate the cord retractor is broken. There are plenty of threads on Vacuumland outlining the procedure to repair or replace the retractor.
• The PN2 power nozzle is, IMO, one of the best Electrolux ever made. If the bristles of your brush roll don't extend slightly beyond the bottom of the nozzle, open it up and flip the metal anchors around to the "used" position. If they're already set that way, it may be time to replace the brush roll. Again, they're inexpensive and relatively easy to find. Also, the aluminum upper shell will polish up nicely.
• The woven hose may well have developed leaks due to age. This is common. If suction is noticeably less at the end of the hose than at the inlet on the machine with the hose disconnected, then the hose is leaking. Just replace it with an OEM vinyl hose and you'll be fine.
Enjoy your new toy!
That's a great machine and you got it for an excellent price. It was made around 1974 and with just a little basic TLC, it will go on working for a long, long time. Some people love canisters and some people don't. I happen to be in the 'love 'em' category and Electrolux metal canisters are my favorites. Your 50th anniversary model is essentially a cosmetically updated version of the venerable turquoise 1205. Aside from the gaudy gold paint job, the most important improvement is a redesigned handle. The turquoise 1205's handle had a bad tendency to pull out at the back and break off. Yours won't do that.
A couple of specific observations about your particular machine:
• The pigtail cord that runs between the power nozzle and the wand appears to be missing. Fortunately, it is easily replaceable. They have a tendency to fall loose at the power nozzle. Electrolux actually came up with a metal retaining bracket but these are basically unbotanium today. An easy alternative, when you get a new cord, is to thread the cord through the upper shell to better hold it into place.
•Speaking of cords, The power cord for the vacuum appears to be extended outside the body of the machine, which may indicate the cord retractor is broken. There are plenty of threads on Vacuumland outlining the procedure to repair or replace the retractor.
• The PN2 power nozzle is, IMO, one of the best Electrolux ever made. If the bristles of your brush roll don't extend slightly beyond the bottom of the nozzle, open it up and flip the metal anchors around to the "used" position. If they're already set that way, it may be time to replace the brush roll. Again, they're inexpensive and relatively easy to find. Also, the aluminum upper shell will polish up nicely.
• The woven hose may well have developed leaks due to age. This is common. If suction is noticeably less at the end of the hose than at the inlet on the machine with the hose disconnected, then the hose is leaking. Just replace it with an OEM vinyl hose and you'll be fine.
Enjoy your new toy!
firebirdman55
Well-known member
THank you both for your replies and information. I really do appreciate it. It's a neat machine. I'm sure it needs a little TLC, but for the price, well worth it.
human
Well-known member
You're welcome
I just realized I left something out about the pigtail cords for the power nozzle. There are actually two styles of pigtail cord for the PN2. The original version is very skinny front to back, barely larger than the socket into which it fits. This is the reason it falls out so easily. Fortunately, you can work it up trough hole in the top of the shell, which will hold it in place nicely once you screw everything back together. There's also a re-designed version that has a bigger, chunkier plug that goes into the power nozzle. It's shaped sort of like a Mayan pyramid and is much more stable. I'd look for one of the latter type, unless there's a big price difference.
Keep us apprised of your reconditioning efforts.
I just realized I left something out about the pigtail cords for the power nozzle. There are actually two styles of pigtail cord for the PN2. The original version is very skinny front to back, barely larger than the socket into which it fits. This is the reason it falls out so easily. Fortunately, you can work it up trough hole in the top of the shell, which will hold it in place nicely once you screw everything back together. There's also a re-designed version that has a bigger, chunkier plug that goes into the power nozzle. It's shaped sort of like a Mayan pyramid and is much more stable. I'd look for one of the latter type, unless there's a big price difference.
Keep us apprised of your reconditioning efforts.
jashields83
Member
Missing the attachments
Looks like you need attachments for the vacuum cleaner and I would get a vinyl hose a electrolux one not a after market one I have one for my electrolux plus I would get the combination rug floor tool two metal extension wands for the rug floor tool and the crevice tool and the combination dusting brush and upholstery tool and I would get the sidekick power hand tool
Looks like you need attachments for the vacuum cleaner and I would get a vinyl hose a electrolux one not a after market one I have one for my electrolux plus I would get the combination rug floor tool two metal extension wands for the rug floor tool and the crevice tool and the combination dusting brush and upholstery tool and I would get the sidekick power hand tool
real1shep
Well-known member
None of those attachments are 'period' correct with the Anniversary model. The Sidekick came out shortly after the Diamond J. Depends what you wanna do with the vac....keep it period correct, or just use as your DD.
@Nate; At that price, you can do about whatever you want....lol. The Super J was introduced at almost the same time as the Anniversary model. Still the bland color scheme, but a much more interesting motor and a million dollar plus retool at the Connecticut plant behind it.
Kevin
@Nate; At that price, you can do about whatever you want....lol. The Super J was introduced at almost the same time as the Anniversary model. Still the bland color scheme, but a much more interesting motor and a million dollar plus retool at the Connecticut plant behind it.
Kevin
Firebirdman, Congratulations on your bargain. I think you'll enjoy the Model 1205 50th Jubilee cleaner, because of its performance and that it's an Electrolux USA classic. When it was introduced in 1974, it was the only gold one in the line; in order to give it extra significance as the anniversary cleaner—the only time Electrolux Corp. ever did that; the others were all teal. Some months after the Super J was launched in October 1975 the whole line was painted in honey gold. Regarding performance, I just talked with someone else who chose it over the Super J, because its suction and airflow were adequate for his needs and the motor will likely last longer due to its lower rpms. He really likes it as a showpiece and for usage.
As for the colors I—along with others—like the honey gold & harvest gold of the 1205 50th Jubilee, 1401 Super J, the L, & the CB. The metallic color, of course, was to honor the 50+ years of Electrolux Corporation's existence; a great feat considering all its competitors that had come on the U.S. scene earlier and were more popular. The hue is also reminiscent of the '70s when golds, oranges, browns & greens were fashionable appliance colors.
The first photo, posted in another Vacuumland thread by aeoliandave showing the Model 1205 50th Jubilee cleaner and its accessories (the metal gooseneck hose grip was short-lived and was replaced by the ivory-colored plastic pistol hose grip). Btw, the brush plate on the floor/rug tool is painted the same color as the Jubilee cleaner. In addition, the PN-2 power nozzle is lacking the Jubilee decal and has an ivory "elbow", so it's from an early Super J because the PN-4 came out about six months later. Notice how the 2-piece wand can be taken out of the sheath and disconnected for storage.
The second photo, from eBay, shows the optional harvest gold & ivory Rug Washer of the period.
The third, posted on another Vacuumland thread by xtraytech, shows the manual (second version with the pistol hose grip) and sales slip.
The last, from eBay, is the customer demo/supply request postcard ('Deluxe' was used from the '60s to the early '80s. For vacuum cleaners it meant that it came with a power nozzle; and for the 3-Brush cleaner (model B-8) it meant that it came with all accessories—polishing & shampooing).
As for the colors I—along with others—like the honey gold & harvest gold of the 1205 50th Jubilee, 1401 Super J, the L, & the CB. The metallic color, of course, was to honor the 50+ years of Electrolux Corporation's existence; a great feat considering all its competitors that had come on the U.S. scene earlier and were more popular. The hue is also reminiscent of the '70s when golds, oranges, browns & greens were fashionable appliance colors.
The first photo, posted in another Vacuumland thread by aeoliandave showing the Model 1205 50th Jubilee cleaner and its accessories (the metal gooseneck hose grip was short-lived and was replaced by the ivory-colored plastic pistol hose grip). Btw, the brush plate on the floor/rug tool is painted the same color as the Jubilee cleaner. In addition, the PN-2 power nozzle is lacking the Jubilee decal and has an ivory "elbow", so it's from an early Super J because the PN-4 came out about six months later. Notice how the 2-piece wand can be taken out of the sheath and disconnected for storage.
The second photo, from eBay, shows the optional harvest gold & ivory Rug Washer of the period.
The third, posted on another Vacuumland thread by xtraytech, shows the manual (second version with the pistol hose grip) and sales slip.
The last, from eBay, is the customer demo/supply request postcard ('Deluxe' was used from the '60s to the early '80s. For vacuum cleaners it meant that it came with a power nozzle; and for the 3-Brush cleaner (model B-8) it meant that it came with all accessories—polishing & shampooing).
real1shep
Well-known member
I take issue with the statement about the 1205 motor outlasting the larger, Super J motor. Providing you didn't get the serial # range that had the outsourced armature (due to the assembly line fire at the plant), there is absolutely no evidence that the 1205 motor can normally outlast the Super J motor.
I have seen Super J vacs that have sucked up every conceivable detritus non-stop for over 40 yrs. The machine is a virtual mule. The 1205 motor is great too, but not the equal of the Super J's.
Kevin
I have seen Super J vacs that have sucked up every conceivable detritus non-stop for over 40 yrs. The machine is a virtual mule. The 1205 motor is great too, but not the equal of the Super J's.
Kevin
Settle Down, Kevin
I didn't knock the performance of the Super J nor did the person to whom I referred.
He happens to be a longtime vacuum cleaner repairman (nearly 40 years) and is very mechanically-minded and knowledgeable. It stands to reason that a motor that runs faster will LIKELY (operative word) wear out sooner.
I didn't knock the performance of the Super J nor did the person to whom I referred.
He happens to be a longtime vacuum cleaner repairman (nearly 40 years) and is very mechanically-minded and knowledgeable. It stands to reason that a motor that runs faster will LIKELY (operative word) wear out sooner.
real1shep
Well-known member
Well, on average the Super J's have lived 30-40+yrs. All the old Electrolux's have outlived any projected lifetimes from back in the day.
Faster motors don't necessary wear out quicker if they have beefed up armatures, bigger bearings and reinforced frames.
<h1><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In my mind it's therefore moot to argue whether a 1205 motor may last a tad longer than a Super J motor....since both have proven to last longer than anyone thought they would.....lol.</span></h1>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Kevin</span>
Faster motors don't necessary wear out quicker if they have beefed up armatures, bigger bearings and reinforced frames.
<h1><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In my mind it's therefore moot to argue whether a 1205 motor may last a tad longer than a Super J motor....since both have proven to last longer than anyone thought they would.....lol.</span></h1>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Kevin</span>
jashields83
Member
Still looking for the owners manual for my 50th jubilee
