Engagement of Hoover and Electrolux

[laspirateur]

I feel like a traitor!!!

After receiving my first vintage Hoover Tool Kit, I am struck by how vastly superior the old Hoover above the floor cleaning tools are to the old Electrolux'es. I feel awful saying this, because I still respect the design and innovativeness of the Elux tools (and will still collect them) but, overall, in lightness, convenience and utilisation, the Hoover tools beat out the Electroluxes by far. I like their lightness, those insanely satiny aluminum wands are supple and featherweight, the hoses are also very light and not susceptible to the fraying that besets the Elux hoses. Also, the Hoover tools have a positive locking interconnection that compare very favorably to the feeble friction coupling of the Elux tools that puts them way ahead in my (and I guess CU's estimation). And even though the Hoover dust brush and floor brush are ordinary by design comparison to the Elux'es, they do the job.

Here's a question to you experts: is there any way I could adapt the Hoover tools to an Electrolux cleaner? Would their be a way to retrofit an Electrolux machine-end coupling onto a Hoover hose?? Have any of you done that? Miss Hamilton gave me great instructions for removing the hose ends from an Elux braided hose, but now I'm interested in replacing the machine end of a Hoover hose with a machine end of an Electrolux hose so I can use the Hoover tools with my cannisters? Any suggestions welcome.

 

[ian88]

Well as I say, Hoover pretty much invented the modern vacuum cleaner..leave it to the masters ;p

heh that'll ruffle some feathers.

Ian

 

[constellation86]

I have done it, sort of. I have a hoover hose that I put on a rainbow end. I used a hose from a spare front-end convertible hose. All I did was pull of the hoover end and screw the hose into the rainbow end. If the hoover hose was brown instead of white it might pass for original.
I also replaced a rotten electrolux woven hose with an extra rainbow hose I had. First I took the woven hose out of the end and then I pulled the metal cover off of the rainbow end. Then I just pushed the rubber that was left on the end of the rainbow hose into the electrolux end. It looks a little hokey, but it works. Not too much different than my bojack vinyl electrolux hose.
If you put it all together you could get one hose from three!
Or you could go with plan B: hot glue!
Nicholas

 

[constellation86]

Update!

I've done it! For real this time!
All you need to do is take an Electrolux machine end and remove the rotten woven hose. (I wouldn't want to ruin a good original hose.) Then take a Hoover hose from a convertible front converter. Just twist the hose and converter so that the tabs and hose are disengaged. Then push the Hoover hose into the Lux end. Fits like a glove. The friction fit holds it in fine; with no air leaks. I didn't even use any glue. This way you can put the Hoover hose back on the converter if you ever need to.
Nicholas

 

[myhooverco]

Hey...I had the same idea. I was talking to Buffalo Joe about this same situation. I just got as a gift from Jimmy (FilterFlo) this beautiful Lux 1205...now I know I am a Hoover guy through and through but nothing beats a Lux for quiet performance. Thank you Jimmy for this great machine. It runs very well just like it should. However, I have to admit...I do not like the Lux tools. So Buffalo Joe suggested a piece of "bojack" vinyl hose (non-electric) with a Hoover end. I will have to let you know how it turns out. I really only want a good strong canister for my hardwood floors. I like the Hoover floor brush. This way my upright Convertible and my Lux canister can share the same set of tools. I can also make the hose as long as I like too which appeals to me...I hate my Convertible hose it is so short for any serious job. Thanks again Jimmy for the machine and Buffalo Joe for the idea.

--Tom

 

[myhooverco]

Here is a close up of the cover...thanks also to Jimmy for this green, gold, and orange shag rug. It fits perfectly in the "display" room and is a lot of fun to vacuum. He told me that his parents bought it for their home in 1975 at Sokol's in downtown Akron, OH. It is in perfect shape...and did I mention that it is fun to vacuum???

--Tom

 

[myhooverco]

Here I am vacuuming it!

--Tom

 

[portable]

Stylin'!

Tom, that's might fine shag carpetin'. I used to clean house for a friend (with his D-a-M) and, each time before I left, had to rake the rug as I walked toward the door. His was green and blue. By the way, that is a gorgeous yellow and paisley Convertible behind you. (1070?) I've always wanted to get back the one I got rid of in the 70s. Such a beauty!

 

[timborow]

Lux

I have recently tried some different floor tools on my Lux Super J. I always thought that the original tool would be better, but have found that others do clean rugs better. The Lux floor tool I have came with the Super J when it was new. I wonder if the older tools that came with models E-L were better and cleaned the rugs better? If the Lux were my only cleaner, I would hate to know that I had to vacuum all the time using that flip over tool--I think it might turn me against vacuuming. Does anyone have a list of the best floor tools on vintage vacuums. I really like the GE tool that came with the Swivel-top.
Tim

 

[buffalo-joe]

We'll make it work....

Yes, I can make up a nice Lux/Hoover crossover hose. Its amazing what you can do with a roll of bulk vinyl hose, hose cuffs and the correct hose ends. Add a splash of Plummers Goop adhesive and You'll be Hoovering with that Lux soon, Tom.

Joe

 

[charles~richard]

Well, I think it's more a matter of personal preference

and experience than anything else. I like the Electrolux floor tool very much. The earlier version that came with the E, AE and early F was not as good as the later one -- the rug side was changed significantly and it did improve. But, granted, this nozzle doesn't do all that great job of cleaning rugs, but, really, what straight-suction nozzle does?! You really need a motor-driven brush to thoroughly clean carpets and rugs.

I do love using the old XXX rug nozzle because it's so pretty and I love the loud WHOOSH that it makes when you lift it from the rug. That particularly fascinated me when I was a kid.

I'd have to say, if I was using a Hoover tank or canister, or probably any other make, on any sort of long-term basis, I'd probably find myself doing the reverse -- figuring out a way to connect Electrolux tools to it!

One tool that I think no one will argue about is the Electrolux combo dusting-upholstery brush. It's just terrific, and to think it really hasn't been changed other than slightly in terms of aesthetics since it first appeared in 1954! Both sides of it work splendidly, although, here again, a motor-driven brush like the Sidekick etc. will do a much more thorough job on your sofa than any straight-suction tool.

I could give a list of the brands of tools that I hate, but that would probably start a food fight so I'll keep mum about that, hahaha!

 

[laspirateur]

on that note:

Well, this is why I wrote that I feel treacherous. But I'm getting tired of having some of the older tools for the Elux slip off of the hose connections and I find, in general, that the Hoover tools are very much lighter and more maneuverable than the Eluxes.and, again, I like the positive connectors on the Hoover tools that the Elux tools never quite got right. The Elux tools definitely have more style and I'm finding that as I collect them, I really would rather preserve the Elux tools and use the Hoover tools. Does this make me a bad person? Probably, but that's just that. Also, when I got my first CANADIAN Electrolux, and used its tools, I was impressed with how much better some of those tools were, like the bare floor tool and the upholstery tool. Interesting were the Canadian and American Electrolux tools converge and diverge. Patent issues, I would assume. Also interesting to note that the extendible wand on the Canadian model, which predates the 1205, is clearly its progenitor.

I read somewhere that the Electrolux double-duty floor tool (E, AE- onward) and the double-duty upholstery brush/dust brush were designed by the Eamses. Is this true??

...and damn you, Miss Crawford, get as mad as you want at that dirt but it stays right where it is!

 

[charles~richard]

"Does this make me a bad person?"

Not at all! At least, not to me. Part of the fascination and fun of "hobnobbing" with other collectors is talking about their preferences and their experiences. This is enlightening, educational and informative.

Before I met other collectors (before I even knew they existed!), I was a bit of a snob regarding Electrolux and Kirby. Why? Because those two makes were, by a long shot, what I saw most as a kid. I remember seeing only a handful of Hoovers and even fewer of other brands and really didn't care about those makes.

But meeting Stan Kann, John Lucia, and others, certainly was an eye-opener regarding the fabulous lineage of that company -- from the early quaint-looking machines that resemble farm machinery up to the sublime Convertibles, I have certainly come to appreciate that company's output.

And I had never seen any of the Machine Age beauties such as the Premier Grand, Singer R1, R2 and R3, the Kenmore Imperial, etc., until I met Stan. Another eye-opener and now I have about a dozen machines from that era.

And so on.

It -is- true that the early Electrolux floor and rug tools can have a tendency to slip off if you don't attach them securely. This issue was finally addressed in 1956 with the AE.

As to Eames having designed the combo tools, I dunno but I kinda doubt it for two reasons. 1, in all these years I have never heard this; 2, Eames as far as I know did not do any other work for Electrolux - so why would they have hired someone of his stature to design two lowly attachments?!

The only "brand name" industrial designers who worked for American Electrolux [that were ever given credit, that is] were Raymond Loewy and Lurelle Guild.

Some European designers (Sixten Sason, etc.) did work for European and Swedish Electrolux but none of these did any work for American machines.

 

[countryguy]

Lux telescopic wand

Was the telescopic wand only available on Canadian models? When did Lux stop making them? I know by the time I bought my first lux - an AP280 - in 1981 the wand was no longer telescopic. I remember first seeing it when my mom had a lux ZB89 demonstrated to her back in the late 60s. The hose did not have the built in wiring but instead was attached with clips. My dad wouldn't buy the vacuum because it was $275 (including power nozzle) and he said there was no way he would pay that much for a vacuum cleaner!

 

[charles~richard]

Lux Telescoping Wand

The second American 1205 had the telescoping wand. (The first 1205 still had the PN1 with the long, permanently attached plastic wand.) However, the "catch" that locks the telescoping wand in place is flimsy and is easily broken.

Some friends gave me a 1205 a few years ago that was practically flawless, except for the wand - the telescoping version. The catch was broken and the wand was all taped up around the middle to hold it in place.

Before I got that 1205, I had never seen that type of 1205 wand so I asked around about it and found out why it was discontinued -- because of the defective locking catch.

The next version was the one with the steel wand covered with the plastic sheath. This wand is very heavy. I have never much cared for that type of wand. It's tiring to use for a very long period of time, especially if you use it with one of those short, woven electric Electrolux hoses. I guess Electrolux was trying to get America in shape by making it a physical challenge to vacuum, haha!

 

[countryguy]

Lux Telescopic Wand

The catch still works great on my telescopic wand. Sometimes how long something lasts is very much dependent on the user. Obviously whoever owned my Lux before me took good care of it.

 

[charles~richard]

Telescoping Wand

True, how long something lasts has a lot to do with how people treat it. I've told many times about how my mom, after vacuuming with her Model AE, would just open the hall closet and throw the whole thing in, not taking apart the hose and attachments and not even winding up the cord. Her reasoning was, "I'll be using it again in 2 or 3 days - why take it all apart when I'll just have to put it all back together again? That she went through, oh, maybe a half-dozen or so hoses in the time she had it says it all.

But with the 1205's telescoping wand, its design was apparently defective enough that the catch would break even in some cases with people using reasonable care. Not my assessment but Electrolux's, given that they changed the wand after a very short time. 1205s with the telescoping wand are quite scarce. I've only ever seen a couple of them since the first one I found.

 

[countryguy]

Telescopic Wand

What year did the 1205 no longer have a telescopic wand? I remember my aunt had an AP280, bought in the mid 70s I think and it still had the telescopic wand.

 

[charles~richard]

I am not sure exactly

how long the telescoping wand lasted on the 1205 but it couldn't have been for very long. As I said, I never saw one until many years later, but when the 1205 first came out I still lived in a rural area of Virginia where the Electrolux man still regularly made his rounds.

He came by one day to show Mama the new 1205, but since she had just gotten the tan G a year or so before, she was not interested. I am certain that it had the sheathed wand because I remember seeing the cord coming up from the power nozzle to the back of the sheath where it was connected, and I thought it looked kinda tacky. (What does a 13-year-old know?!)

This would have been in 1969 or early 1970, as we moved from there to Annapolis, Maryland in the spring of 1970.

There was an Electrolux branch office in Annapolis where I had a most unfortunate encounter with a very unsavory Electrolux man. 'nuff said about that. But the point is that the 1205 was of course still the "model of the hour" and the machine in the front window had the sheathed wand.