I'm Back!! With a Thread for Rexair Collector

[ge1969]

Hey All! It's me again with another thread dedicated to a fellow vac collector.This time, it's for our own Robb C. aka Rexair Collector. First up, one you've probably seen before, my Rexair Model B, complete with boxes, manual, etc.

 

[ge1969]

Next, what could be another repeat, my Rexair Model C, again complete with boxes, manual, etc.

 

[ge1969]

Next, the classic Chrome Dome we all know, with all tools, hoses, power nozzle, etc.

 

[ge1969]

Last, but not least, another Chrome Dome that I've been told is sort of a rare bird, in that it's chocolate brown instaed of the lighter color that we're all used to seeing. He has all tools, hoses, and pn as well.

 

[aeoliandave]

Really nice to see such beautiful examples of the Rexairs, Toby.

For years I never gave Rexairs much of a thought, never having seen one up my way, until I found a D3 on a curb...then I found 3 more different models and well, that's how it goes. I love the streamlined modernity of my pn'ed Chromedome D with coppertone quad-pod base. No choice for me now but to obtain an early 'Jules Verne' model like the A, B or C to round out the lineup...and a Golden Rainbow someday. That's how it went with me over Air-ways 'way back when, when I found a complete 66 at a local flea market looking like no vacuum cleaner I had ever seen...

Dave

 

[crevicetool]

Hey Toby!

Once again you've come up with a nice thread. OK, so I attempted to sell Rainbows for about fifteen minutes way back in the olden days....you would have been maybe twelve. Anyway, I can't remember, why the two hoses? Please es'plain. I think Robb will get a kick out of this thread.

Rick

 

[ge1969]

Well Captain Crevicetool, the two hoses thing is quite simple: one with a wire on the outside and a button lock for the power nozzle, and one with no wire and a friction-fit end for the straight-suction tools. BTW, keep me posted on another visit from you. Later, Trg

 

[luxg]

Toby, I know that Robb has always been a big Rainbow fan!! It is amazing that you have orginal boxes for a couple of your machines. How do you like cleaning with a Rainbow?

 

[williamr1248]

Im back!!! With a thread for Rexair collector!!!

Thanks for the pictures. I will never forget my first vac convention where a vac collector showed us its the air flow that moves the dirt not just suction and beater brush.
I love the brown and the chrome top Rexairs. I will have to say it's the only vac I have in my collection that never smells or leaks dust back in the room.
Did you notice they call the tools the "renovating utensils" on the box. If I had mostly hardwoods and tile floors I am sure the Rainbow would be my vac of choice. Thanks for sharing your Rexairs!Rexair was the original sweeper that didn't lose suction and didn't move the dirt from the rug to the furniture,blinds and other surfaces.

 

[williamr1248]

I', back !!! With a thread for Rexair collector!!

Has anyone seen the clever built-in screen that comes with the H20 water vac? My H20 (the later redesigned red model) has a screen that allows you to dump the water down the drain but reatins the large debris and dirt that can then just be thrown in your trash. You don't stop up your drain and at the same time the dirt and large particle are "wet" so you don't have any cloud of dust. Just dump the rest from the screen into the garbage.I wish Rainbow would come out with such a system. It makes getting rid of the dirt so easy and QUICK.

 

[rexaircollector]

Hey Toby!

Thanks for dedicating this thread to me! You are a wonderful person and a great friend. Naturally, I have all the models you have shown, in addition to the all gold Rexair model D. These machines are permenant fixtures in my collection. I do not have the cloth hose with my model C though, only the gray rubber one. I think it is a nice gesture for you to do the dedications on the forum. Hope to see you soon!

Robb

 

[ge1969]

Here's my gold Rexair. I ment to get a pic yesterday, but was too tired.

 

[collector2]

Can I add a different model C to the thread too? Chrome instead of grey (no the kit isnt original - I made it)

 

[camelotshadow]

I have that rainbow bronze rack/shag attach in pic 3
did it orig come with those tools.
Come to think of it it came w some tool I bought but can't remember if it was a odd one w filterqueen attachments or it came w my older alum rainbow attachments

I can't use the big floor tool as it seems to need to attach to some extender/coupling piece I don't have

interesting
I have a D3 fun to pic up water & freshen rugs

 

[briankirbyclass]

Years ago, i was told by an OLD Kirby salesman (who now owned the distributorship), that the Rainbow really will do everything they say it will, BUT, what they (the Rainbow salesmen)dont tell you is that the water has to be changed at least every 15 mintues while vacuuming, in order to keep the water wet,(and not turned to mud),,and you cant pic up any kind of material that is impervious to the wetting action of water,,such as talcum powder, suet, fireplace ash, ect., because it will all go right out the back of the Rainbow.
He also said that they had never seen a Rainbow with a clean motor in over 35 years (they repaired all makes and models of vacs back then),,,the motor of every Rainbow they had ever taken apart had a dirty motor, caked in dried mud,,at least to some degree or another.

All the more reason to trade it in on a new Kirby, of course!
(wink)

 

[jennifer]

1930's rexair series A

I wanted to tell you all what I have. I have a Rexair series A No. 105786. I have the box, manual and all attachments. The two tubes (attachments) have been contained by two old cotton knit stockings. I also have the original receipt showing vacuum was sold for $84.75 to Woltz funeral home, Royal center Indiana, on May 25, 1939. It was sold by G M Watts, in Ft. Wayne Indiana. I have this vacuum because my grandmother was married to Mr. Jesse Woltz, funeral home owner. He died and funeral home was sold in 1950. My grandmother kept the vacuum, and now I have it. It is in great looking shape. The chord appears to be somewhat dry rotted. Please let me hear about what I have ...I do not have any idea of value etc. Thanks for any info.

 

[dysonman1]

Hi Jennifer:
The Series A sold from November 1936 until April 1940. The first ones sold in 1936 through the middle of 1937 did not use water. Yours, of course, does. Two quarts. There is a filter in the exhaust end which has to be cleaned regularly. You can get to it by unscrewing the screws that hold the top latches in place. It's cloth (called a "muffler") and you can rinse it out. It catches the non-wettable materials. Always store it OFF the pan and clean the separator after each use.

My Series A was made in December 1936 and was converted to use water around the middle of 1937. I have all the original parts, and the original hose actually is completely sealed.

 

[real1shep]

Growing up......

we had radiant heat on the concrete floors with dogs. The first Rexair we had for those floors was an early model bought in he 50's. It was then replaced by another Rexair in the late 60's. That one lasted until I went to college....not sure after that.

The water was NOT changed every 15 minutes of vacuuming. Interesting comment about that above by Brian. Basically, they just attacked foot dirt and dog hair. The floors were mopped too. The rest of the house had carpeting in places taken on by Hoover Convertibles. There was a new addition added on in the 60's that was all slate flooring.....not radiant heat, but forced air. Mop & Rexair for that too.

Not sure why I don't own a Rexair....don't like hearing about their limitations though.....

Kevin

 

[kirby519]

That is one down side to a water trap vacuum there are some things you would commonly find in a house the that can't be trapped by water as it doesn't absorb water fast enough to be stopped in the water like common house dust can.

I'm still old school and prefer a bagged vacuum no mater what anyone else believes.