Filter Queen Model 350

[kirbylux77]

Hey Guys. I am a new forum member here. Just thought I would share one of my recent finds.....this Filter Queen Model 350 straight-suction.

I recently found this machine in July. I happen to be close with the owner of the local vac shop. In the late part of June, he had a lady come in with the vacuum & she was wanting to sell it. He said he had no interest in it himself, considering its age & that it was straight-suction, but he knew someone that might be interested & would pass on the info.

So, I get a call out of the blue one day from the vac shop owner with the lady's info. When I called the lady, she said it was her mother-in-law's vacuum & they were cleaning out her house as she was going into a nursing home. So, set up a time to go see the vacuum, & low & behold, I couldn't believe what I was seeing! The condition of the vac was AMAZING considering how old it is.

They originally wanted $50 for the vacuum, but I insisted on $30 & wound up walking away with a great find!

The only things that aren't original on this vac are the bumper on the swivel caster set- I kept the metal bottom with the casters, but the bumper was cracked & needed to be replaced. Also, the brush strip on the floor nozzle was worn right down to the nubs, so it got replaced. The dusting brush bristles were worn to one side, so I ordered a new set of bristles for it.

Enjoy the pics, guys!

 

[kirbylux77]

A few things I did not know before I found this machine....

When I found this Filter Queen, I thought for certain the dusting brush was a replacement. When you look at it, it's a normal busting brush made out of vinyl, with a metal adapter stuck in it to fit into the Filter Queen hose. So, I thought for certain, someone bought an adaptor & a brown dusting brush to fit. But, when I called a couple of Filter Queen distributors to enquire about getting a genuine bumper for the swivel caster set, sure enough they confirmed the dust brush was genuine & what was originally supplied with the vac.

Also, I was not aware that Filter Queen had ever made a straight-suction hose with a curved metal handle like this one. This is the first I have seen like this, so I have to wonder when this got phased out?

This is also the first Filter Queen that I have EVER seen, either in person or online that has a metal tool caddy.

 

[eurekastar]

Isn't it nice to find things that have been taken care of. Very nice find. Congratulations!

 

[suckolux]

Wow, what a great find.

 

[beerad]

beautifu!!!!

Can you make a video of that F/Q?

 

[kirbylux77]

Brad, I wish I could......

But I just have my digital camera, and it's just a $99 dollar Sanyo cheapie....so I highly doubt it would do a good job.

Oh, and one other thing too, that I forgot to mention.....this is an AMERICAN model! Or at least that's what I was told when I called FQ headquarters to get a local dealer's number, and also inquired as to how old it would be. So, who knows how this wound up here in Canada....

This model was made between 1949-1952, but couldn't get what year this exact one was made when I gave the FQ headquarters the serial number, as they no longer kept records for models that old.

 

[collector2]

Hey Rob:

That machine originally had a cloth hose too (see picture). In 1951 it sold for $119.45

Doug

 

[countryguy]

Hey Rob,

Welcome to the group. And nice to see another Canadian on here, especially so close by!

Gary

 

[kirby16]

I went fishing last year and we found one of those while walking to the creek. I almost picked it up.

 

[hygiene903]

Nice 350!

That's a beautiful Filter Queen, Rob, and welcome to the group! Your 350 looks much better than mine, and so does Doug's. I also think yours and Doug's are both older than mine, as they both have the 3 piece wand set (the curved piece attached to the hose is actually a short curved wand and is removable from the hose) but mine has two curved wands. Also, Doug has the old style demother pictured with his, and my instruction book shows the Jet Demother. I'm sure you've already found it to be a quiet, yet powerful vacuum.
Jeff

 

[westingman123]

You gotta love a queen!

I have two model 33's and various others and they are all so quiet and powerful. Engineering marvels, I would say. Enjoy!

 

[collector2]

Hey Jeff:

Just to answer a few of your observations. The two curved wands appeared with this machine at the end of its run so, yes, the ones pictured are older. As for the Jet Demother - To my knowledge that is a US exclusive. It was never sold in Canada. The only one we ever had (even to this day) was the silver one that fits the top of the machine.

Doug

 

[kirbylux77]

Jeff: No, actually, the curved wand can't be removed from the hose on mine. It is held in place with a brown rubber coupler, and permanently glued onto the coupler. When I read your comments, I actually tried to remove it, but when I gave it a good firm twist, it wouldn't budge at all. However, on Doug's example, it does look like it would be possible to remove the curved wand, but he could obviously tell you better than I could whether that's the case. I will post a pic of the hose with the curved wand so you can see what I mean.

Doug: Would it be correct to assume this hose is a later replacement then? What year did Filter Queen stop providing the cloth hose as standard equipment with their vacs?

Rob

 

[collector2]

Hi Rob:

The curved hangrip wasnt removable on my hose either.

Afraid I cant give you dates as I have found very few for Filter Queens but I do know that the model 450 (see below)that followed the 350 still had the woven hose but the model 31 that came after that had the plastic hose.