Eureka Whirlwind Lite (410)

[justjunque]

Hi all,

I had previously mentioned this little guy in an older thread that I revived, where we were discussing replacement filters.
Turns out, they are discontinued. And, when you can find them on the secondary market, they’re rather spendy.
With much cringing, I’ve purchased two such filters since acquiring the vacuum. That’s where I draw the line. As little as I will be using this vacuum, two filters should last forever. I’m assuming (and hoping) that they can be tapped clean and reused every so often. Please forgive my ignorance. I’m not a bagless vacuum person. I bought this one for $10, because it was cute, cheap, ran perfectly, and it was complete. Well…except for the filter.
Just out of curiosity; is this an uncommon model? Eureka discontinued the filters. Nobody makes an aftermarket replacement. I can’t find a single video on YouTube of this model. Even used parts on eBay seem to be limited to one seller who has parted one out.
I thought I’d share a couple of pictures.

 

[dysonman1]

I sold lots and lots of them about 20 years ago. Filter clogs quickly but since I sold it, I taught people to keep it clean. It was a great vacuum for a "little old lady" and I sold them to every old lady who needed a new sweeper. Had very little problems with them. Solid performer.

 

[luxlife]

I had the bagged Sanitaire version

I loved that little machine. I'm sorry they discontinued it.

 

[justjunque]

dysonman1,

That's good to hear!
Would you be willing to share how to keep the filter clean, and hopefully make it last longer?
I believe the original filter was foam. The replacement ones that I was able to find are both pleated paper. Would it be effective to just tap it against something to knock out some of the fine dirt? I don't imagine they can be rinsed out, considering they're paper.

 

[eurekaprince]

You should really just download a User Manual for the Eureka 410….it will tell you how to maintain the filter. See the link below from Manuals Online….

http://homeappliance.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/eureka/410_series.html

 

[justjunque]

Brian,

Thank you for the link.
But, you gave me a “Boy, am I an airhead” moment. Since I got the vacuum from, I believe, the original owner, he also gave me the owner’s manual!
Second airhead moment; I forgot where I put it.
Then, I remembered, and checked the section on filter maintenance. Since the vacuum originally came with a foam filter, it just tells me to take out the foam filter and wash it. But, the replacement filters I’ve acquired are pleated paper.
Something I did find interesting is the copyright on the back of the manual. It’s copyright 2000, White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
I don’t think I knew that Eureka is/was/had been a part of WCI. If I did know, I had yet another airhead moment and forgot.
Maybe I’d better go turn in. It’s past my bedtime!

 

[eurekaprince]

At some point in the early 1990’s, Sweden’s Electrolux acquired the American White Consolidated Industries company - maker of White Westinghouse major appliances - and for some reason decided to corporately move The Eureka Company to be under the umbrella of WCI. At some point after that, Eureka started selling some vacuums branded as White Westinghouse….

 

[kirbyklekter]

Foam filters

I'm wondering if you could buy a piece of foam similar in density to other vacs you have,and fashion a filter yourself? You can buy a little more time with the paper filter by tapping and then using another vac with a dust attachment or shop vac. Some can be hand washed in sudsy water. I used a hair dryer to speed up the drying time.The filter to a Hoover I have sells for about $14ea. Can be washed about 6 times before retirement! Billy

 

[huskyvacs]

Does it take those little square filters that look like brillo pads? Or is it a HEPA cartridge? The reason why they tell you to never wash the hepa cartridges is because either the filter media will dissolve and fall apart, or the fibers will collapse and clog up the filter material and make it useless, or block airflow, which both are bad.

i always use OEM parts in my restorations when possible. sometimes parts just aren't available anymore. i am not sure if there is a way to bodge the filter cassette and put new pleated medium inside it and reseal it when needed. they are usually heat sealed with a single bead of plastic.

But don't forget to check thrift stores often, I get all my bags and belts and filters from Goodwill, for a myrad of different random vacuums.

 

[justjunque]

I can't get a picture of it at the moment. But, if you look up a Eureka DCF-6 filter, that's it. Or, that's the replacement.
The original was sort of a cone shape, with a foam insert. The replacement version is pleated paper. I don't see how the pleated part could be replaced. It seems like you have to replace the whole assembly.
I know I won't be using this vacuum a lot, so I'll probably be fine with the two new ones I have, even though they cost quite a bit. I'll tap them out when I do use the vacuum, and vacuum them out with a dusting brush.