Eureka model M

[vacmadman]

I just unpacked this Eureka model M from around 1935 I'm not sure. It has a two-speed motor and runs well. I don't know anything about this vacuum but look forward to cleaning it up. I love the art deco styling of this old gem. If anyone can give me a little history on this model, I would appreciate it very much.

I did make an interesting observation about this particular model M that is not right, you might be able to find it in the pictures. Picture #2 shows it best. I will point it out later in this thread unless someone can point it out first.

I'm always a little nervous, and excited at the same time when starting work on an old vacuum that I have never seen or worked on before. I will take pictures after I'm done and some along the way.

 

[hoover300]

One of my favorites, have fun! if you need any advice in taking it apart or whatnot just ask. I am getting an original bag in about 2 weeks that I can take good pics of for you to recreate one. The little screw peg on the tag is not original however, it would just be a rivet that holds a piece of springy metal on the back end of the tag.

 

[eurekaprince]

Look! It's got a Dial-a-Nap height adjuster!!!

 

[vacmadman]

Kieran

Kieran,

Your right the belt cap has a broken clip on the back, so someone drilled a hole in it and drilled and taped a hole in the motor housing to add the screw to hold it in place. It just so happens that I noticed the logo had faded and found another model M belt cap on eBay and bought it.... what were the chances of that??

Pictured are the two belt caps you can see that the one on the right in picture 2 has a broken clip. You can also see that even though they are from the same model they are different. The one that came on it has two tabs on the top of it that the other does not. I tried to put the new one on, but it also will not stay in place.

Jim

 

[dysonman1]

The model M was advertised as "The Challenger". The ad said it would 'challenge' "any other cleaner at any other price" with a job at the Hoover 150 which didn't come out until 1936.

For all of the Hoover's sound and fury, the weak hose suction of the Hoover and the great hose suction of the Eureka, to me, makes the Eureka the winner of the challenge.

 

[vacmadman]

Thanks

Tom,

Thanks for the info and sharing your pictures nice. Thanks again. It looks like the belt cap I bought also is missing the very bottom of the clip as well based on the picture you shared so getting it to stay in place may be a "challenge"

Jim

 

[air-waycharlie]

Jim,
If you look closely at the ends of the nozzle, you will see two small holes that will accept an Allen wrench. The, "Model M Challenger", came with a small key under the rear wheels that was designed to fit those openings.

This allow longer use of the brush roll as you could change the, "angle of attack", as I call it, for the brush roll. By screwing the small screws forward, the brush could be adjusted for wear. This was before the end caps had settings, I, II, or III like Kirby uses or other models that had new or older setting on the end caps like Eureka or Apex.

I'm away from home at the moment but when I return, I will post pictures of what I am talking about. That Eureka is a great vacuum and a wonderful piece of vacuum history!

 

[vacmadman]

Charlie,

Thanks so much for the info and feedback. I haven't started on it yet, but I went and looked and sure enough it was still there....very cool! Thanks again Charlie.

 

[vacmadman]

So far so good.

[this post was last edited: 7/6/2022-19:17]

 

[dysonman1]

Look at that brilliant shine.

 

[vacmadman]

Before and after

Well, here are the before and after pictures. I used the bag off my Eureka model K for these pictures. I hope to get a bag for it soon.

Jim

 

[gottahaveahoove]

beautiful

job !!!!

 

[dysonman1]

I've got 3 totes full of old cloth bags I got from Stan Kann after he passed. There's one dedicated entirely to Eureka. I'll try to find one for you.

 

[vacmadman]

Thanks Tom

Thanks so much Tom, but I have this model m bag coming my way next week. Having said that it wouldn't hurt to have an extra one. Thanks again!!

 

[hygiene903]

Hey Tom,

While you're looking through those totes of old cloth bags, do you suppose you might have any pre-war style Electro-Hygiene bags in there? If so, let me know what you would need for it. The printing would look like what you see on the black patch on the bag of this model 94, with "Electro" in red and "Hygiene" below it in gold in smaller italic type with a couple gold lightning bolts next to it. Thank you,
Jeff

 

[kirbyklekter]

What a difference

Jim, I sure like the lines on this model. Wow. I have a model G and a model J, neither

restored yet. They don't come near as attractive as yours. Were there different trim

levels for these early machines? If so, I would say yours is TOL. Great job restoring!

Did you have to do much work "under the hood?" Billy

 

[hoover300]

There was no model J, do you have a pic?

The M was the TOL of the line, with the R as the mid range cleaner, and the motor brush model G as the BOL.

 

[kirbyklekter]

Model J?

It's in parts at my friends shop who is attempting to rewire the on/off switch.

Unlike the "G" model,which clearly says model G,the I.D. tag on this reads as

J2293675. The "J" is filled in with black paint and appears a little bolder than the following numbers which are merely stamped without color.

This tag is so worn down that any raised numbers like the patent numbers are almost flush with the black background. Above the serial number it says Universal type

Motor. This is a straight suction single speed. Two wheels front and two on back. ON the handle fork there is a wire on each side going into the motor.Didn't mean to hijack this thread,sorry. Billy

 

[vacmadman]

Thanks Bill

I didn't need to do any work under the hood. This was in wonderful condition with everything clean as a whistle and runs like a top. All I had to do was polish it up a little.

My father would say "if it's not broken don't fix it". I checked the brushes and that's about it. As you can see in this picture of the underside before I polished it. There was no dirt, grease, or grime at all.

Jim