LEWYT Model 120 Big Wheel

[aeoliandave]

"What's in the box, George? Huh George, huh?"

 

[aeoliandave]

Yup. my first Big Wheel LEWYT. I am so thrilled to finally have one. It's a Model 120, according to Doug Smith, the final version of the Big Wheel from 1960/61.

Doug's colorful 'Wall Of Big Wheels' is a sight to see, btw. I suspect he has them all...almost.

 

[aeoliandave]

A number of packing labels are still on the machine. Such as this 'All Metal Construction' one on the lid. The slight depression on the right side has been bumped back out. The remnents of the floor tool label are also there and I'm gonna keep it this way.

 

[aeoliandave]

Sublime compact styling imho.
The cord is in great shape and even the segmented grommet extension is intact.

 

[aeoliandave]

Motor screen with red cloth filter removed. Clean except for those dust bunny stowaways from Nebraska.

 

[aeoliandave]

65" !!!

That's with or without the airtight hose.

Small package - big performance.

 

[luxg]

That is a very nice machine!! Love the "power window". Also love the fact that on the lid it tells us that it's a vacuum cleaner!!

 

[aeoliandave]

Tools.

The dusting brush on the right came with it and may very well be original to 1961...but the bristles are nylon or plastic tangled and shriveled into a course useless mat. I have substituted a usable gray rubber brush from the parts bin.

Can someone tell me if that brush on the left is a Lewyt piece or generic? It has no name on it but the rubber body does match the other tools.

 

[aeoliandave]

Haha. Maybe if it didn't say Vacuum Cleaner it would be mistaken for a stylish garbage bin on wheels.

I don't 'get' the power window as all you see is the paper bag, which holds its inflated shape when the vacuum is turned off. ??? Again, maybe it's to remind you when there's no bag in it? certainly it doesn't give a clue as to how full the bag is.

 

[aeoliandave]

The Full Monty shot.

With two big wheels on bronze bearings and a single caster the vacuum rolls after you easily.

 

[aeoliandave]

Blower port in the base. The plug when in directs the exhaust through felt filtered vents halfway up the body sides below the bag cavity. I need a new rubber plug as this one is crumbling.

The Power Dial on the lid simply opens a slide valve that lowers the bag chamber vacuum to 40", allowing room air to enter through the fiberglass filter stuffed lid cavity . The hose has no relief valve.

I'm lucky the rest of the vacuum isn't bashed up like the bottom.

 

[vacuumkid3]

Hey Dave!

The Power Window is for original Lewyt Speed-Saks (bags), which also have a plastic viewing area so you can see just how much dirt is in there.

I think that brush is a Eureka. You sure got a nice Lewyt though!

~~K~~

 

[aeoliandave]

Thank you Kyle. I forgot about those style bags. Now I'm going to have to find me a vintage pack. LOL

 

[eluxomarty]

Dave

The dusting brush with the mashed bristles is a Eureka dusting brush. The gray one is a generic fit all attachment. Dusting brushes for Lewyt had the name Lewyt embossed on the front of the nozzle. Nice machine!

I may have an extra, will have to look in my parts bin.


Marty

 

[aeoliandave]

Thanks Marty. I get so confused rummaging through the orphaned parts boxs. I figured the dusting brush would have a Lewyt logo.

Sometimes we have a vacuum missing a tool and sometimes it's aa tool waiting for a vacuum. LOL In this case I had an original unopened bag of Big Wheel dust bags waiting for a Big Wheel to come along...

Its obvious dusting brushes were a favorite and much used accesory. You know how a dusting brush has been so well used the bristles have worn to an acute angle or are thinned out. I've renewed many a dusting brush by exchanging the bristle ring from generics.

Those nylon bristle brushes are horrificly scratchy - only thing I'd use them on is arborite, never real wood finishes.

Dave

 

[collector2]

Hi:

Re: Doug's colorful 'Wall Of Big Wheels' is a sight to see, btw. I suspect he has them all...almost.

I wish - I have about half of them and only one of the electronic machine (111 but no power head for it) I'm still looking, however. Anyone have a model 81, 93, 95, 103, 107, 115 or 121 They'd like to trade for a Canadian Electrolux? LOL