How old would you say this Eureka Commercial Vacuum is?

[phoenixman2014]

How old is this Eureka Commercial Vacuum Cleaner? I found this on ebay. It looks really vintage, I would say 70s. Though I can't tell, because most commercial vacuums look the same.

 

[vintagevaclover]

I would probably say some time from the 70s too

 

[eurekaprince]

Check the model sticker on the bottom of the vac. If it says "Eureka Williams" the vac is from before the end of 1974. If it says The Eureka Company, it's from 1975 onward....Sweden's Electrolux bought Eureka and changed the name sometime in the middle of 74.

 

[phoenixman2014]

There is no model sticker, except a serial number.

 

[MikePdx]

I would venture to say mid late 70's to very early 80's because of the dial-a-nap. Later ones didn't have "shag" IIRC.

 

[briankirbyclass]

I remember our local Holiday Inn back in the 70s used these exact Eureka's. They were on the maid's cart.

 

[marks_here]

Late 70's

They came in different color schemes, that color, Crome top red metal base, those 2 I think had a 3.5 amp motor, the grey hood, orange plastic base had the 4.0 amp. From there is when they changed to the maid saver which had the red hood, black base with 2 height settings. I remember being at a hotel they had eureka commercials, Crome hood, vented on the side orange plastic base with 2 height settings orange bag that was 6.0 amp motor. That was right before the quick cleans made the scene. There were so many variations of the commercial line from Eureka & Sanitaire it was had to keep up. I also remember those flimsy tiny motors the next maid savers had with the vent top but they had 4 height adjustment with hardly any suction. Those quick cleans were all the rage back in the early 80's they couldn't keep them stocked. Cheers!!! Mark D.

 

[phoenixman2014]

I ordered this Machine off ebay for an offer of $100. I am hoping it sounds like a traditional Sanitaire. I also wonder if this machine has a plastic motor with a plastic fan or a metal motor with a metal fan. I am hoping it sounds more like Link B.

Link A:

Link B:

 

[phoenixman2014]

I am hoping it does NOT have this kind of motor:

 

[marks_here]

It is going to sound like

Link A with a metal fan unless it was changed to plastic. Even those are a 3.5 amp motor, they are strong like the 6 amp ones are. Also check the brush roll, it should be the metal one, not the chrome or wood ones. You can still get just the brushes for them too, they are easy to rebuild too. Best of luck with it. Cheers!!! Mark D.

 

[phoenixman2014]

The brush is a Vibra Groomer I. The user told me he got it at an estate sale. It looks like it was hardly used. Probably if he put in the description and in the title that it was Vintage or renamed it, Vintage Eureka Commercial Vacuum, probably someone would have bought it instantly, like after a few hours of it being up. These vintage commercial vacuums are very rare, as well as Montgomery Wards Vacuums.

I was hoping it would sound like Link B, but Link A is still good.

Also, how old is a Sanitaire 643? When were those made?

 

[marks_here]

They were all made in the 70's sometime. I had used the grey hood orange base grey bag at the holiday inn back in 1978 with the 4 amp motor. They worked great motors were the same ones they used for the house hold. Those vacs lasted 10 years with being properly rebuilt at the hotel, their maintenance department was excellent! There is a 643 now on ebay similar to the one I used but I think that one is older.

 

[phoenixman2014]

I saw that one. It's all beat up, not really worth it. This one I bought is similar to that on ebay. There was also another 643 a few weeks ago, but someone bought it. That one did not have any words on the bag. I have never seen one though with the grey hood and grey base. Or a Vinyl bag with words. The other 643 I saw had a vinyl bag with no words on it.

 

[marks_here]

Both Sanitaire and Eureka had different colour schemes. I think there was a Kent back in the day with a light blue base, chrome hood and grey bag. The bags were different colours probably weren't original that came with the machine, a lot of the replacement bags we had were different due to where we ordered them from. If it's the one at the top of this post, it's in great condition.

 

[marks_here]

That one your talking about isn't that bad, because of the base being metal, it can easily be sanded down, printed & painted red and clear coated, the chrome hood can be polished up & you get a decent vacuum. I know the adjuster isn't the correct one, the one supposed to be on there is round not a triangle, but that's only cosmetical. I had the chance of getting that same vacuum from the people across the street for me years ago but declined for some reason. I waited then got her Electrolux Silverado instead, had to replace the braided hose for an updated hose which worked out better, she was mad because she bought in the meantime a Ambassador III the light blue one.

 

[phoenixman2014]

The one at the top, those pics I posted are pics of a Eureka Commercial Vacuum I bought. I do not think it's a 643, because it is not a Sanitaire. The bag for sure is original to the vacuum, because it's vinyl. Unless it originally had a grey bag, which I have never seen on 70s Eureka Commercial Vacuums. And I do not think they make the red vinyl bags anymore. It is in excellent condition. It looks like it as only used very little. The scratches are probably from bumping it on the wall. I think it also has a metal fan too, which is what I have been looking for, for a very long time. The metal fans are the best. The plastic fans break easily. This is replacing The Eureka Boss.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Eureka stopped using metal fans in their uprights after 1978.

~Ben

 

[phoenixman2014]

I wonder if the cord is original on this. I have a feeling it is original, but I can not tell.

 

[marks_here]

Everything on that vacuum is original except for the vinyl bag, that is aftermarket, the original was a red cloth dump bag, not the new tietax material they are using now.