how to value my tornado shop vac

tornado-dude · Sep 3, 2011

Any opinions on what its worth? Let me know what you think

twocvbloke · Sep 3, 2011

"how to value my tornado shop vac"

Generally you take the figure you bought it for (if applicable), add on some more, and there you have a value...

The thing about an items true value is it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, you just have to get one of those with more money than sense to make a packet out of it though...

tolivac · Sep 5, 2011

As in the other thread-what attachments come with it?Hose?What condition is the fan and bag in?How much wear on the motor brushes.Drop the price considerably-as on the other threead-and I might be interested in your Tornado vacuum.and is there any 'doco" with it-like the owners manual,parts list.

tornado-dude · Sep 5, 2011

this is it

What u see is what u get. No hose or attatchments. It shows normal wear but is in overall nice shape. There is minimal surface rust on the caster wheels. The motor is built like a tank. I cannot say how much wear is on it but I don't see any signs of it giving in soon. The absolute lowest I would take is $500. I'm not eager to sell it. And I do think with more research it will be proven valuable. I mean if u have something real old and interesting and working, that is from a company who's been in business 80 years and still sells top notch vacuums, and u can't find another online, then I suspect its a valuable piece of history.

brandon_w_t · Sep 5, 2011

Thats actually quite backwards logic.

If a company was short lived and not well known, its machines would be rarer and more sought after.

Hoover has been in business far longer than that, and their machines from 1920 and such are not being sold for very high prices unless completely original and in good condition, then it may fetch some money.

Your selling a machine at a high new in box price. You might want to do some research on it more. Its not really a highly sought after machine.

brandon_w_t · Sep 5, 2011

Also that machine design was patented in 1946. So assume late 40s to 1950s is the date.

tornado-dude · Sep 5, 2011

true true but...

I'm just saying I think its rare since I can't find another one. As I said before I challenge someone to find another. For fun. Also I agree that a shorter lived company with fewer productions could result in a more sought after vac, but its not completely backward logic. It could, and has gone, both ways. And as far as collectibility, it depends on a persons interest. Most of the vacs I see on here, actually all the vacs I've seen, are indoor carpet vacs and u guys seem to be pretty passionate about them. Some people like myself may prefer the garage or shop type vac because that's where I spend most of my time.

electrolux~137 · Sep 5, 2011

Sounds to me like this guy is just on a fishing expedition... "I don't want to sell it but I am sure it's priceless and you all have to agree with me!"

..."Not"...

There are people here who have been collecting vacuum cleaners for 50 or more years. If we're all agreeing that what he's basically got is an interesting old shop vac but with little or no value, "trust us."

If he doesn't believe us "experts," then let him list it on eBay with an opening bid of his pulled-out-of-a-hat value of $500 and see how many bids he gets. For that matter, let him list it on eBay with an opening bid of FIFTY bucks and see how many bids he gets!

We vacuum cleaner collectors do tend to look askance at folks who try to tell us that their vacuum cleaners that are in fair condition (and having to go on their word that the machines "run perfectly"), with no attachments or accessories, are "rare priceless antiques."

"I'm just sayin'"

http://www.1377731.com/value/

tornado-dude · Sep 5, 2011

haha!

Ok electrolux-137...man are you bad as mis-quoting me. I never said "priceless antique" or "runs perfectly" nor did I say "fair condition" nor did I say "I don't want to sell or but I'm sure its priceless and you all have to agree with me".
Now I don't mind constructive criticism and even a firm opinion but I don't need someone who's not even interested in the vac I have to spout off and call himself an expert. So let's keep it clean and lay off the slams. I've kept my mouth shut about a few things I've seen on these posts because everyone is entitled to their opinion.

electrolux~137 · Sep 6, 2011

Generally speaking, I was just speaking generally.

You'd be surprised at the number of queries collectors get about the value of old vacuum cleaners, both here in the forum as well as privately via personal web sites. There was a time when I was getting so many that that was why I wrote up that essay on the value of "Aunt Tillie's Old Sweeper."

Over the passage of time, the nature of such queries has changed in many cases from "I found a grotty old vac in my grannie's attic, if you want it you can have it" to "I found a rare vintage vacuum cleaner in my grannie's attic, I'm sure it's pretty valuable. Do you want to make an offer on it before I list it on eBay and retire from the proceeds of the auction?"

There are various reasons for this, chiefly among them eBay.

eBay has proven to be double-edged sword that cuts both ways: In the early days of eBay, wonderful vacuum cleaners were to be had for very little money because so few collectors were there bidding on stuff.

But as more and more collectors came streaming in, and more and more people began bidding, the bid amounts on some vacuum cleaners (in most cases, mint and complete condition) went through the stratosphere. And that continues to this day. Which is well and natural, and as it should be in a free and open marketplace.

I didn't say you specifically said any of those things that you said I said you said.

But you DID say, quoting directly, "I'm not eager to sell it. And I do think with more research it will be proven valuable."

I said "fair condition" based on the photos and lack of any attachments. I did not say you said that. =I= said that.

And, if I do say so myself, I am an expert on vintage vacuum cleaners. I started collecting vacuum cleaners when I was 15 years old, and that was many moons ago. And yes, I do tend to "spout off" sometimes. My overheated spout notwithstanding, I was not "slamming" anyone --- but was merely stating the obvious.

tornado-dude · Sep 6, 2011

quotations....

Well for future reference, these are quotation marks; "bla bla bla". And when you use them, they imply the quotes of someone. Oh and I didn't ask you specifically for a quote or appraisal. It was an in general question.

electrolux~137 · Sep 6, 2011

<a name="start_14204.150538">"I didn't ask you specifically for a quote or appraisal. It was an in general question."
</a>

<a name="start_14204.150226">
</a><a name="start_14204.150226">You opened this thread with:</a>

<a name="start_14204.150226">"Any opinions on what its worth? Let me know what you think"</a>

That seems fairly specific to me. And since you did not direct that question toward any person in particular, the logical assumption would be that you were inviting all forum members to respond. And so I did -- stating, as I said, only the obvious.





<a name="start_14204.150538">"Well for future reference, these are quotation marks; "bla bla bla". And when you use them, they imply the quotes of someone."</a>

Not necessarily: A writer, when paraphrasing a person's remarks, would set even paraphrased remarks in quotes.

But enough already ... I've put my 2¢ in and don't feel the need to put any more in.

Good luck with your Tornado,

tolivac · Sep 6, 2011

Typically with industrial-commerical vacuums such as wet-dry ones-there are few survivors becuase the orig owners use the machines to their death.Like tanks corroded out,motors burned out.The one shown here lived a more sheltered life-a dust collector in a woodshop.So it would last longer.When "ReTool" was open in my area they got only a few wet-dry vacs-and they were pretty beat up.but in the case of the one shown-has no tools or hose.so it has no real value to use.I wouldn't spend $500 for a vacuum cleaner I can't use.The few that ReTool had at least had their hoses and some attachments.The price you want is half the price of a new one.And the new one has wet-dry capability,has the hose and attachments.Will keep looking on my end.

twocvbloke · Sep 6, 2011

I'm not exactly an expert in all things vintage, but frankly, given the appearance of the thing, I wouldn't pay 50p let alone $500, black tape on the cable, duct tape on the inlet, no tools, tarnished aluminium, stained bag, rusty wheels, it's not a collectable, it's scrap metal as it is, so it's value is what it's weight is worth at your local junkyard...

Clean it up, polish it up, rewire it, get some tools for it and maybe you might get some money, but not $500!!!

Heck, I know my Kirbys were sold for ridiculously high amounts when new, but, that doesn't mean that I'd sell them for £5000 just cos it's a Kirby so must be worth it's weight in gold, cos that's just stupid thinking... :&#92

Like I said before, an items true value is it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, and nobody is willing to pay what you're asking...

tornado-dude · Sep 6, 2011

.

Tolivac I appreciate your opinions and advice. I didn't clean it up too much because I wanted to show it as is. I can and will work on it and make it look much nicer so it can be seen in a better light. Also I can't help the fact that it has no tools or hose. However I have been searching for a replacement. I think it was a thick cloth covered hose and not sure about the attatchments.

tolivac · Sep 7, 2011

Tornado-dude-Try contacting Tornado-they are part of Tacony now.Or try Graingers.They are a Tornado dealer.they might have a replacement hose and tools for your Tornado vacuum.typically the ReTool shop type vacs sold for anywhere from $50-135.As one poster says-"Black tape on the cord"You may want to replace the cord and plug.for vacuum values--remember there are no "Blue Books" on vacuum cleaner prices.So,values are largely unknown.

filterqueenman · Sep 7, 2011

Perspective

This is a larger unit and has a hose starting bid 300 and did not sell. So Scott, clean it up and give it some glam shots and see what may happen. At the very least get a hose and fix the cord. Good luck!!

[this post was last edited: 9/7/2011-20:08]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tornado-Ind...666?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c7f15a42

tolivac · Sep 8, 2011

The tornado vacuum shown in the link is a compresssed air powered model.these are a diffrent critter.they are more expensive than the electric Tornado vacuums and require an air compressor to power them.the one in the link-25hp compressor-some may need 60hp.Couldn't find listings for electric Tornado vacuums-the air powered ones have sort of an advantage-the suction convertor on the lid doesn't have any moving parts.works on a venturi principle.

tornado-dude · Sep 9, 2011

thanks

Hey guys thanks for the info. I've been working on it. It's not finished but ill post pics tomorrow of my progress. I'll keep u posted.

how to value my tornado shop vac

Help Support VacuumLand:

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Similar threads