Here are all of the differences between the first OK vacuum brush, and what followed it.
Note: all OK vacuum brush cleaners used a sliding Bakelite switch. All models made later on(not under the OK name) used a standard toggle switch.
The first OK vacuum brush: No upper motor vents, wooden bag tube with grooves cut into it. Also used a non convertible socket plug. This model also uses regular screws as brush caps. A beautiful example shown here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/324729271473
OK Model A Vacuum Brush: Uses Bakelite brush caps, but I am unsure of when they stopped using socket plugs. Also, this model has upper motor vents and a metal bag tube. Example here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2308800094...u9FAlUiMY62IUEhgAaCcah1BFTlik81UaAsStEALw_wcB
OK Model B: The same as the model A, but with a wider head and brush roll. This model also uses the bag tube seen on later models, with a wider mouth for the bag. Example here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/836266052/ok-vacuums-vintage-hand-held-vacuum?ref=hp_rv-2
OK vacuum brush(no model letter): Same as model A, but without any model designation. Shown below.
Sweeper Vac Brush Vac 45: Uses almost completely new internals. It has a winding shield, cooling fan, different upper vents, a larger bearing oil pad, a cord spring strain relief, no oiling port on the bottom, a slightly more streamlined fan case, a one piece motor housing, a much more user friendly system of belt changing(the whole bottom opens, instead of just the roller and a nickel sized hole), sunken brush caps, and the wider bag tube and bag port. It also has an upgraded brush roll, standard metal toggle switch, and decals on the bag. This updated motor has a lower pitch sound to it, which is much nicer to hear. This model was also branded Arco-ette. Shown below.
Little Wonder: This is the same as the Sweeper Vac 45, but the model name escapes me.
Little Wonder The New Master AKA the De Luxe: These are the same model with different names. It is the same as the Sweeper Vac 45, but with a suction block to divert air out the front like a blower. This model could be gotten with red accents or black accents. Rough but complete example here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/154545855091?hash=item23fba69a73:g:RNsAAOSwwaZgWnH5
Sweeper Vac 49: The same motor as the 45, but a long, one piece fan case and bag tube. This model had a slightly different sound to it, I am unsure as to why. All models after this had the same sound. This model of course has a Bakelite handle attached to it as well. Also, due to the handle, there was no longer a need to wear the bag on your arm, so they updated the bag connector, added a wire support, and installed a zipper. Example here: https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?2962
Apex 617. The same as the Sweeper Vac 49, but with a Bakelite fan housing and bag tube, new color schemes, and an updated roller. This model uses a screw to keep the bottom plate closed. It was sold in both blue and red. Example here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254351460711?hash=item3b38874967:g:j4YAAOSw-0JdcFWt
The following handheld vacuums are similar, but not related:
Polar Cub. Uses their own motor, is way smaller, uses a stationary brush
Presto Jr Vacuum and Presto Vac Jr: Uses a wooden handle, disattached from the bag inlet. Also, their system for the roller brush and their motor are completely different.
Original Apex hand vacuum: Straight suction, different motor, no bag tube, has a handle similar to the Presto, attached to the motor.
If there is anything else to add, or any handhelds I have forgotten, please let me know!
My OK is missing the bottom belt cover, so I glued a plastic one in place for now.
Note: all OK vacuum brush cleaners used a sliding Bakelite switch. All models made later on(not under the OK name) used a standard toggle switch.
The first OK vacuum brush: No upper motor vents, wooden bag tube with grooves cut into it. Also used a non convertible socket plug. This model also uses regular screws as brush caps. A beautiful example shown here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/324729271473
OK Model A Vacuum Brush: Uses Bakelite brush caps, but I am unsure of when they stopped using socket plugs. Also, this model has upper motor vents and a metal bag tube. Example here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2308800094...u9FAlUiMY62IUEhgAaCcah1BFTlik81UaAsStEALw_wcB
OK Model B: The same as the model A, but with a wider head and brush roll. This model also uses the bag tube seen on later models, with a wider mouth for the bag. Example here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/836266052/ok-vacuums-vintage-hand-held-vacuum?ref=hp_rv-2
OK vacuum brush(no model letter): Same as model A, but without any model designation. Shown below.
Sweeper Vac Brush Vac 45: Uses almost completely new internals. It has a winding shield, cooling fan, different upper vents, a larger bearing oil pad, a cord spring strain relief, no oiling port on the bottom, a slightly more streamlined fan case, a one piece motor housing, a much more user friendly system of belt changing(the whole bottom opens, instead of just the roller and a nickel sized hole), sunken brush caps, and the wider bag tube and bag port. It also has an upgraded brush roll, standard metal toggle switch, and decals on the bag. This updated motor has a lower pitch sound to it, which is much nicer to hear. This model was also branded Arco-ette. Shown below.
Little Wonder: This is the same as the Sweeper Vac 45, but the model name escapes me.
Little Wonder The New Master AKA the De Luxe: These are the same model with different names. It is the same as the Sweeper Vac 45, but with a suction block to divert air out the front like a blower. This model could be gotten with red accents or black accents. Rough but complete example here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/154545855091?hash=item23fba69a73:g:RNsAAOSwwaZgWnH5
Sweeper Vac 49: The same motor as the 45, but a long, one piece fan case and bag tube. This model had a slightly different sound to it, I am unsure as to why. All models after this had the same sound. This model of course has a Bakelite handle attached to it as well. Also, due to the handle, there was no longer a need to wear the bag on your arm, so they updated the bag connector, added a wire support, and installed a zipper. Example here: https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?2962
Apex 617. The same as the Sweeper Vac 49, but with a Bakelite fan housing and bag tube, new color schemes, and an updated roller. This model uses a screw to keep the bottom plate closed. It was sold in both blue and red. Example here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254351460711?hash=item3b38874967:g:j4YAAOSw-0JdcFWt
The following handheld vacuums are similar, but not related:
Polar Cub. Uses their own motor, is way smaller, uses a stationary brush
Presto Jr Vacuum and Presto Vac Jr: Uses a wooden handle, disattached from the bag inlet. Also, their system for the roller brush and their motor are completely different.
Original Apex hand vacuum: Straight suction, different motor, no bag tube, has a handle similar to the Presto, attached to the motor.
If there is anything else to add, or any handhelds I have forgotten, please let me know!
My OK is missing the bottom belt cover, so I glued a plastic one in place for now.
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