Emdeko FILTEX this n that

[packardmanken]

Filtex Floor tool

Hi Kenkart! Beautiful machine. I have a pristine rug tool for this machine in stash if you would like to contact me. I have kept it for many years as the design is beautiful and its in such good shape. Just reach out thru the site if you are interested.
I do (or did) have paper bags that fit the old Electrolux XXX and just saw a bag of them at an old store.
LEt me know if you would like me to grab them for you.
Congrats!

 

[kenkart]

The rug tool ,

 That came with the machine, is less than perfect, but I have 4 or 5 of them and a couple are about new, I really appreciate you thinking of me, but someone else might need it more than I do, I found out that Eureka 800 bags fit perfectly, and I have a bunch of them., Hope to get down your way soon, we havent made our annual trip to Atlanta this fall, Mary Macs Tea Room is waiting!...

 

[packardmanken]

rug tool

Kenkart! Would love to see you when you get this way. YEs, MM's is a fun place. Familiar w the Colonade?
Didnt realize that you had a rug tool, must have mis-read the post. Great hearing from you though..
Ken

 

[kenkart]

Collonade

I love it too!  We have eaten at both of those, we also like Cowtippers.!

 

[beerad]

A beautiful Filtex!

How about a video of the Filtex?

 

[radiance]

Newbie

My partner and I just moved in together and he has one of these beautiful vacuum. Unfortunately he’s not the best at taking care of things and he never looked into replacing the filter parts. I discovered a mess. The fiberglass square is pretty full, I was wondering if anyone has every done anything to replace that? The cloth bag is also pretty gross, are those hand washable? I looked for the Eureka 800 mentioned in 2014 but I’m guessing the model is no longer in production. Has anyone tried those HEPA type filters that are cylindrical with the ruffles going around? I wonder if there is one that would slide right in and replace the other aspects. Or slide into the cloth bag? Any advice would be super amazing I’m so thankful I found this thread regardless, there’s been lots of helpful information.

Ruby

 

[dysonman1]

Hi Ruby:
If the cloth bag is very soiled and stained, hand washing it is the only thing you can do. But washing any cloth bag is not recommended very often. Sometimes the old fabric can just get holes in it. Just be gently and soak it more than scrub it.

If you need a new filter, the one Royal makes for the tank cleaner (and is included with a package of the HEPA bags) will fit and work.

I use my Filtex quite often. It was made in 1953. So quiet and powerful. The pics are my machine in my living room.

Congrats on a very nice, and rare, piece of history.

 

[huskyvacs]

Are Filtex related to Electrolux in any way? A lot of their attachments and styling looks really similar.

I have the Model 1 I bought off eBay from some guy that found it in the trash.

 

[lesinutah]

History

They were made by airvac. They are from Los Angeles. They sold high end vacuums gradually sold central vacs. They sold vacuums and motors to in 50s-60s. They were in businesses in the 80s selling motors for central vacs. There no longer in business.
Les

 

[huskyvacs]

Interesting, its unique they are made of some kind of fiberboard material, never seen a vacuum made of that before.

 

[dysonman1]

Filtex started life in Jackson, Michigan with their first cleaner in 1937. Mr. Hoppe was alive then. The machines were sold door to door and caught on quickly since the filtex tank was on wheels where electrolux was on runners. It used a Black and Decker motor (which would become Lamb).

After Mr. Hoppe died, his wife moved the company to LA. Still sold by door to door salesmen, the Filtex never quite got as popular as other tank cleaners. The first instruction manual talked about germs and bacteria and how the filter (fiberglass) could stop their spread.

The Filtex Company in LA made war items during World War II and got back into vacuums in 1946 like everyone else. They used a smaller amount of aluminum due to the cardboard tank, and had no problem going back into peacetime production.

By the end of the 1950's the lack of change to the cleaner combined with the rise of discount stores and the wariness of the housewife to door to door salesmen, plus the rise of "buying clubs" (which is what EMDEKO was) made sales slip. Interstate Engineering (Compact) and Filtex, plus White Sewing Machine made items to be sold by EMDEKO buying clubs.

 

[huskyvacs]

Thanks Dysonman for the info!

That's cool it has a B&D motor in it, I have a lot of their tools new and old.

 

[lesinutah]

Tom

You should write about the history of every vacuum cleaner company. I have researched a few companies and their information is written by you or quoting articles you wrote.
Thanks for the information on filtex. There is pieces together bits of information but not all in one place.
Les

 

[huskyvacs]

There was a vacuum cleaner history book written in 2012 - but I am not sure if just one author contributed everything or if it was a group effort by several people.

https://www.amazon.com/Vacuum-Clean...5522/ref=mt_paperback?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Les! Amazint that you would bring up vac history

We, who are now in charge of the newsletter of The VCCC(the one and only) ...only can be called old due to the fact that the VCCC is now over 30 years OLD, decided to print the histories of our beloved vacuum companies. Each newsletter WILL expound on the humble beginnings of these companies. Our first one, will be The HOOVER Company.Accurate, factual, true history will be in there.
We'll also focus on Eureka, Kirby, AND the rest.
It's an arduous task compiling correct info. Sure, there's a lot of info 'out there'. Some is incorrect. Some people, who are supposed to know true info have said, "They won't know the difference. I just make it up". We will post great info on the origins of these fine vacuum companies.
Next issue will be here this summer.

 

[dysonman1]

Huskyvacs

That book is a well written book that several people (myself included) contributed to.

The Air-Way and the Dial-A-Matic photo on the front cover of the book are my machines. They used a number of my machines for photos in the book.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

We have numerous "insides" for Kirby. And, of cours

of the Hoover info will be right at our fingertips. The "legend of Susan Hoover, Murray Spangler, etc" much has been incorrectly told, it has become a 'new truth'.
It will be exciting.

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

Knowing the book has creedance I shall buy it.
The newsletter sounds like it's going to be great.
Les

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Carroll Gantz wrote a book

indeed. However, there are numerous errors in said publication. Ann Haines, herself, made corrections to the Hoover facts, at minimum. But, sadly, all corrections never made it to print.Victoria Kasuba Matranga, an editor, historian, publisher, Fred S. , Mark Lawson, (no relation to Helen)also added to the book. Thus, the need for true facts is paramount.
This is how false info happens.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Looking at tthe publication right now,

the pages with some errors are marked. Eldin concurred.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

But, $35.00 for a book with errors??!!

I won't be buying another. Think I'll pass.

 

[dysonman1]

Les:

It's a wonderful book. You should read it sometime.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Although I can,

I wouldn't want to cast a spotlight on some of the mistakes in here. But, they are there.