Lewyt Big Wheel

[countryguy]

I went to the local 2nd hand store at lunch time today looking for a plant stand and what did I come across but a Lewyt Big Wheel. I had only ever seen one once in person when I was about 10 years old. This one looked so tiny - I guess everything looks bigger when you are 10 years old LOL. Anyway there was no hose or wands or floor/rug nozzle - only the dusting brush, crevice tool and upholstery nozzle. There was no price on it either. I don't know what model it was - it did have the power dial but not the see through window, the switch in front was a toggle switch with a red plastic cover and there was the attachment caddy on the rear. It even had a bag inside...the bag compartment even looked smaller than what I have seen from pics on here. If there had been a hose, I might have bought it.

Gary

 

[petek]

Yeah they're quite a lot smaller looking in person than the impression you get from a picture.. Did you grab it?

 

[countryguy]

If there had been a hose with it then I probably would have gotten it.

Gary

 

[aeoliandave]

Seems odd that the hose is missing if the tools are there - surely the hose must be in the store somewhere? Why else would it be offered for sale?

The Lewyt Big Wheel hose and connectors are specific and unique to that machine alone. As such, a hose-less Big Wheel is next to useless and you should get it for free, since it won't sell and will be consigned to a dumpster.

Depending on its cosmetic condition (picture? it sounds like a vacuum a collector would retrieve and then find a hose for, or the end units for a transplant, at least.

The model number is cast on the outside lid hinge plate.
Each Big Wheel model had a specific colour combination, sometime two-tone. What colour is it?
Would it be at all convenient for you to re-visit the store and snap a picture for us? Then you could assess the condition, the integrity of the cord and perhaps whittle down the price if it it hose-less.
What is the asking price, Gary? I might be interested myself depending on the Model No. and condition, because I love Big Wheels (and my Big Wheel lineup display area is far from complete.

There are, I believe, 10 different regular Big Wheel models spanning 1955 to 1961, with 3 versions of the Electronic, for a total 13 original Lewyt Big Wheels to be had.

I could come to Astorville for a weekend micromini meet before mid April and bring my hose relining latex kit for your Eureka Empress...hint.

In fact I have a 4th Lewyt parts machine that Pete rescued for me - green & gray Model 88 - in terrible cosmetic shape with a rotten cord and crushed cracked bojack hose but it does have excellent wands with blue rubber and of course, the hose ends. You may recall that I used its tool carrier fitting to replace the broken one on my much better Model 88.

They may be small but the design is so elegantly engineered they are a pleasure to use. They generally pull at least 70" and my 1961 Model 120 pulls 75" easy. The big square bag holds more than an Electrolux cylinder, I think.

Red tab on the toggle switch? this just gets more and more interesting...

Dave

 

[countryguy]

I looked all around the store and there was no hose, wands,rug/floor nozzle to be found. Maybe I'll go back tomorrow and see if any of the parts have shown up. There was no price. As for colour well that is hard to say since I am colour blind LOL But to me it looked to be a bluish/grey. They also had an electrolux shag rug nozzle for sale.

A mini meet would be fun and of course getting my hoses latexed would be an added bonus

Gary

 

[petek]

Hose or no hose I'd still grab it,, hose ends will show up somewhere

 

[aeoliandave]

I'm gonna have some fun with this in analytical sleuth mode...no, not that.

Well, the first 77 (1955) is blueish gray but it has a foot paddle switch like a 44/55/66 tub Lewyt, no 3rd caster wheel or tool rack posts, so it's not a 77.
UNLESS THE TOOL CADDY HAS A POCKET BIN for a floor nozzle AND IS OBVIOUSLY A CLIP/SNAP ON ACCESSORY in which case...go get it IMMEDIATELY!~!!

The 88 (1955-56) is green with a silver base and lid.

The 90 )1957) is all green with a white lid. Known as The Golden Lewyt.

The 93 is all green. It has a simple top handle that looks like a kitchen cupboard handle, and no Power Dial on the lid.
Lower tier model?

The 95 is all gray blue with the same simple handle and no Dial.

The 97 (1957-58) is all bright blue with a silvergray lid and the Power Dial returns.

The 105 (1959) is back to all silverblue with a brighter blue lid.

No picture of the 115 (1960)

The 120 (1961) is silver gray with a darker gray base and introduced the Power Window in the lid for the see-thru Speed Sacs. It has plain aluminum wands with no rubber collars or rubber hand grip on the hose.

Then we have the 3 Electronic models with the pn:

The 107 (1957) has a sky blue lid and body with a dark gray base. The matching blue PN is a 115 VAC unit with a long cord clipped to the hose, that plugs into the base under the switch.

The 111 (1959) is a less bright all over blue with a silver white lid, matching blue PN and has the electric hose and wands that carry low voltage to the brush motor. This is the one that could shock the user.

Finally, the 121 (1960) is again pale blue with a silver lid and silver PN. It has very decorative and striking gold anodizing around the hose inlet plate, and on the raised cast handle frame surrounding the Power Window. The lid is modified with a stamped raised panel for the Power Dial that meets up with the inlet plate, like a hood meeting a car's upright radiator.

I don't know this for a fact but it seems the red plastic toggle switch was easily broken off and many switches were replaced with metal toggles?

All this is gleaned and saved from Doug Smith's former site. I'm sure he can fill in the blanks I have missed.

My 120:[this post was last edited: 3/8/2011-23:04]

 

[aeoliandave]

Fred's 121 Electronic showing the modified lid detail.

 

[countryguy]

From your descriptions I am guessing that it was a 97 or 105. I'm going back at lunch today to check it out.

Gary

 

[collector2]

Hey guys:

If it has a red switch and no bag window its probably a 105 (but the 107 is a possibility but I think their switch was black). I may have a spare machine end for the hose. Will have to look. Keep me posted.

Doug

 

[countryguy]

Well I got the vac for $5.00 ....it is a 105. Unfortunately the upholstery nozzle was gone so I only got the dusting brush and crevice tool. Still no hose, wands, floor nozzles to be found. I searched high and low and asked but to no avail.

Gary

 

[kenkart]

You will!

Find hose ends etc, I have a 120 that is a wonderful cleaner!

 

[powernozzle]

Gary!

Is tha cool or what?


Congratualations!

 

[arh1953]

Well, the price was right!

Surely, there is someone on this site who has the hose, tubes, and tools for it!

 

[funvacfan]

I just love

happy endings!

Guy

 

[aeoliandave]

Pictures from all sides, please...including under the lid.

(But first - Happy Birthday, ANDY)

Hooray! Another Big Wheel saved. Slowly but surely the missing bits will be found.

What condition is the cord in? original plug?

I wish you had enough parts to begin using it now; I hope between Doug, myself and anyone else with spare orphaned parts you will be soon.

 

[countryguy]

The cord is in good condition and I believe that it is the original plug. The suction is pretty good also but I think it would be even better if I put a new rubber seal around the top of the bag chamber.

Gary

 

[vac_whisperer]

Pics...?

VW

 

[aeoliandave]

Gary, it's our lucky day!

Scrounged around in the attic and came up with these spare bits to donate to the cause.

A blue/gray hammertone floor nozzle with gleaner clapperbar intact. Fairly decent sprung brushbar, too. Has a few dings, a bit of rust and clots of vintage rugdust packed around the brushbar...but it will clean up real good.

a pair of aluminum wands with a few dings - blue rubber collars in great shape.

Best of all, the hose that came with the 88 parts machine that Pete found. The hose itself is a woven thread 'universal' replacement on Big Wheel ends.

The sealing collar - that butts up against the inlet when connected - has a perished edge ring but that is easily bridged with a certain type of fat rubber O ring (available at any TSC farm hardware or 'other *wink* specialy' store. In a pinch a too-large soft rubber ring can be cut down and spliced together.

The hose is stiffening up so has taken a spiral set but is still flexible enough to be pulled out straight. It still passes the thump test retaining an estimated 80% suction. It is also a decent length measuring 86" from coupler to hose handle end. You can see the gray rubber Lewyt joint collars and hand grip are intact. The DIY handyhusband masking tape repair is unfortunate but we're lucky to have the ends, right?[this post was last edited: 3/9/2011-20:59]