In and Out of the Vacuum Closet

[sireluxomatic]

Hello all. I've been a "lurker" (sounds quite sinister, in a way) for some time now, and decided it was time to get more involved. As my user name implies, I'm a huge fan of the Electrolux 88 and 89 Elux-o-matic models (about which more I'd like to say in the present Electrolux thread), as well as having an interest in Canadian and American Electrolux generally. My collection is modest (6 machines, all Electrolux, 3 of them Elux-o-matic) but will grow, while I doubt my vacuum obsession could possibly get any bigger. I hope to have many interesting conversations here.

See what you think of my 3 friends.
Bob

 

[petek]

Hi Bob and welcome. The Canadian ranks are growing. My partners a newfie and is currently back there visiting his dad up near Clarenville and sis in St.J.
Do you have a good assortment of the attachments for those machines? I can never seem to find them all intact and have to piece meal them together over time.
What other 3 machines do you have?

 

[sireluxomatic]

80 series attachments

Hi Pete. Thanks for the welcome. I have a fairly complete attachment set for the 89: carpet nozzle, floor brush, crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool, green telescopic wand, PN III (which needs a new motor), and PN IV. Unfortunately, I don't have the tool caddy. For the 88, I have the same as above, minus the crevice tool, hose, wrap-around cord, and PN 1. Thankfully, the 80 series attachments are interchangeable, so I can use the 88 with the 89 attachments.

As for other machines, I have a Diplomat (recently gifted to my sister whom I hope will take good care of it), a white and grey Epic 6500 (used by my folks), and a cute little made in China Electrolux "Tabby" (see picture). This latter is small and plastic, but has been going strong for several years now and has good suction. I'm presently working in China and the dust tends to pile up.

Of course, I'm always on the lookout for more machines.

Bob

 

[aeoliandave]

Howdy Bob and another big welcome. Gosh, they look so purty lined up like that.
Now, this is pure personal taste...but the 80 series is a pleasing rug hugging elegant and sleek design, dare I say it, not quite as awkward looking as our fine American friends' models E thru L. Oh, I know I'll catch hell for that but in terms of pragmatic engineering the vacuum gauge doesn't lie about sheer c.f.m. power.
I believe the main reason attachments appear to go missing is the Keeper of the Housework hangs onto the favorites when it's decided it's time to replace the vacuuming machine. Perhaps the crevice tool becomes the dog's favorite chew toy...

Dave

 

[sireluxomatic]

80 series design

Dave:

Thanks for your welcome. I have to agree with you about the design of the 80 series machines...almost like a sleek, aerodynamic train. As for the suction power, its a pity that this gets lost with the leakage through those beautiful old hoses. I'd love to find a new vinyl hose with the old style trigger/pistol grip handle.

 

[ian88]

Working in China eh? good call.

I've heard some stories about their economy and it is INSANE, Marx said that Communism would grow from Capitalism, it seems it has happened in reverse...the irony is delicious.

Ahem, lovely vacs too I am surprised at how long the Tabby has lasted..my Mum had a Electrolux Boss upright made in China and we had it 2 or 3 years and it just spontaniously combusted in the end lol

Ian

 

[sireluxomatic]

Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics and Vacuum Cleaners

Ian:

Insane is exactly the word for the growth of China. It seems that some new glass and steel monstrosity springs up every day in Beijing, and about 300 or so new cars are added to the roads every day...I believe the total in Beijing is about 4 million vehicles and counting. All in the name of free market competition, I suppose.

The Tabby is a surprisingly good little vacuum, but of course I doubt it'll outlast my 89 or 88. It actually takes a cloth bag, which I thought went out of style years ago.

 

[countryguy]

Hi Bob, welcome from another Canadian here in Ontario. I also have a lux 89 complete with all the attachments. I love that machine and wish also that I could find a vinyl hose with the old style trigger/pistol grip. The trigger grip is one of my fav things about that machine....besides how quiet it is I've had but no longer own - a AP280, 6500SR and Guardian. I'd take an 89 over a guardian any day.

Gary

 

[ian88]

Of course mate, I still prefer the Japanese business styles, it just seems to work better imho.

Cloth bags, I prefer them tbh..I don't like cyclones, and I don't like having to buy bags, an old Vax wet and dry machine of mine used a cloth bag, and it happens to fit my 1975 junior upright (bottom fill, an old uk Hoover, as you no doubt know) like a glove.

Us collectors are going to have to get quite resourceful if, god forbid, the spares run out

 

[sireluxomatic]

Hi Gary. The trigger handle is indeed one of the best things about the 89 hose. I find it much better than the new style Epic/Renaissance hoses with the on/off switch. Those, along with the new wands, are the clunkiest and most ungainly things I've ever used. Also, you can't beat the quiet sound of the 80 series...the power nozzle is twice as loud as the vacuum.

As for cloth bags, Ian, I guess its a matter of what I'm used to. The Tabby was the first vacuum I ever owned with a cloth bag, and I actually lost it during a move. Trying to track down another wasn't easy (i.e. with limited Chinese), so I take your point about resourcefulness.

 

[countryguy]

Hi Bob,

I agree with you regarding the new hose handles and wands. They are fine if all you do is vacuum floors and rugs but if you do any above the floor cleaning they are very cumbersome to use. That's one of the reasons I got rid of my 6500 and 9000.

Gary

 

[electrogirl]

Hello Bob

Welcome to vacuumland....I am new to collecting and I have a soft spot for all things electrolux. The people here are so knowledgable and friendly. I will be joining their club soon and hope to attend the 2008 convention.

You have a great collection, simply lovely. I don't know too much about the diffenerces between Canadian and US Luxes. Is Canada and the US on the same power source? I would not mind collecting Canadian machines if they work here.

 

[petek]

Hi Electrogirl. Same power and plug ins in Canada as the US so whatever works here works there and vice versa. We're the only two countries using the same electrical outlets and plug-ins, maybe Mexico and possibly Japan. Anything else from around the world has to be adapted somehow.

 

[sireluxomatic]

Gary:

Not to go on and on about the 80 series machines and drive everyone else nuts, but I believe they are much more pleasant to use than the newer ones. Besides that, how many real changes (other than cosmetic ones, obviously) have been made on the newer machines? The only real improvements are the L-shaped power nozzle and the Sidekick...but of course this is debatable, and anyway, you can use both the L-shaped power nozzle and Sidekick on the 80 series machines. The new vinyl hoses are, I admit, more user friendly than the woven ones (but think how beautiful those were, and how they gave the machines a bit more "personality").

Thanks, Electrogirl, for your welcome. Thankfully, Canada and the U.S. share the same power, so I can get a G. Actually, I'm interested in getting one example of all the variations. If you can ever find a Canadian Z86, Z87, Z88, or Z89, I'd highly recommend getting one.