Mid 1920's Eureka Special

[aeoliandave]

Well, here it is and I must say it is in better condition than I was expecting. The only piece that seems to be missing is some sort of turny clampy thingie (like on a Kirby) to keep the hinged nozzle plate fastened snug at the top. But the spring and original screw post are there with large washers to keep the plate closed - you have to unscrew the post to get at the fan chamber, which is surprisingly clean.

It was found in a 135 year old farmhouse attic the man bought as a retirement residence for next year. His brother had tossed it in the dumpster when they were clearing the house for renovations. John is an industrial graphic designer and saved it because it looked so neat but has not the wherewithal to restore it. I got googled again. And so pleased I did...

The black cloth braided cord is crunchy & stiff from who knows how many decades in the Canadian heat and cold of the attic. I won't apply power until I am sure there are no shorts - best thing is to apply test power directly to the two exposed posts in the motor.

The motor spins nicely by hand with no nasty noises and there's no rust I can see.

The detachable nozzle brushes are in excellent shape and actually contact the carpet.

It weighs in at a mere 11.4 pounds without the bag.

 

[aeoliandave]

I don't know enough to know if it is a re-furbished Model 9 but is sure does have some nice features. As to year, the last patent date is 1925. Does this make it older than the Air-Way Green Goddess?

 

[aeoliandave]

The double brushes detach from the nozzle. Wheels are in perfect shape and spin nicely.

Two bale wires bolt directly to the motor.

 

[aeoliandave]

The bale yoke has a sprung ball catch that clicks into an upright position or, the bale has a sliding catch that locks the handle in the extreme down position. For hanging on a wall hook or slightly more compact stowage in a shallow closet?

 

[aeoliandave]

fan chamber.

 

[aeoliandave]

The bag has seen better days and has some sewn repairs but is not horribly stained - just filthy. It did not tear from rot when I vacuumed it inside out. a few rips but fortunately they are at the edges and can be sewn around to preserve the shape of the bag almost original. The left corner has torn away where it fastens to a hook on the motor casing - again, an easy cosmetic repair.

The golden yellow lettering looks quite nice with no missing patches or flaking silkscreening so I have my fingers crossed that a gentle hand washing will spruce the bag up.

 

[aeoliandave]

Even the clamp lever on the bag inlet is intact.

 

[aeoliandave]

Handle is painted an aluminum gray and the switch toggle works but appears to be missing something or is chewed around the edges. Yup, that's a black cloth cord but will have to be replaced for safety. Love the wood knob.

All in all, an excellent find that will clean up nice and benefit from a thorough repaint.

Dave

 

[petek]

Hey did you see it has Universal type motor , <grin>

 

[aeoliandave]

Look what I found on eBay.

Enough visual reference to tell me the switch is right as are most of the tell-tales that would date it as a model 9 originally.

?

Dave

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370374277796&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[portable]

And, by the way, Mr. Dave -

Eureka had several models over the early years that were named "Special". I don't think you're looking at a refurbished vacuum. I think it's an original. I will dig in my archives (may take me a few days). I think I have something about the early Eurekas. Congratulations on a nice save.

 

[aeoliandave]

Oh, I look forward to that, John, when you post.

This Eureka really impresses me, right down to the grommet in the left corner of the bag that hooks to the fan casing, to keep it aligned in use when puffed up and keeps it from flopping sideways at rest.

Once I've got the bag washed, air-dried and patched I'm going to sew up a new inner bag of moleskin to keep the original puffed up but suffering no further deterioration when used...which it will be. The grommet, tho torn from the bag, was still caught in the motor hook.

I'll lose about 1" at the bottom of the bag when I re-sew across the torn edge and inlet tube to keep the bottom of the bag mimicing the original seam line. The inlet has a secondary fabric internal up-tube integral with the side seam about 10" long to keep grit from falling back down into the fan. So smart.

There were no treasures sifted from the bag contents - just dust & carpet fibers.

Dave

 

[hooverbaby]

Nice find Dave!

I like the old Eureka models and became interested in aquiring one after coming across adverts illustrating them and describing their features.

I struggled to find one in the UK and ended up importing two similar machines from America, one of which still has the clip-on brush attachment. I also found that the wiring was dodgy and in fact, on one of them, the leads going to the motor had been cut to facilitate transport. I replaced these, since they were of an unusual construction, almost cloth-like and of a large diameter. I then rewired the inside of the handle, as well as changing the main cable.

The electrical leads going to the switch seemed to leave a bit to be desired; they were tied onto the metal work with bits of wire IIRC!

 

[a007kirbyman]

Hello Dave...

(Temporary hijack)

I sent you an email Dave. I hope it is of benefit to you.

Cheers & hagn all,

Bill

 

[aeoliandave]

The bag is washed and hanging to dry.

 

[portable]

Hi Dave

As soon as I can get my wireless scanner to identify that it is ALREADY connected to the internet, I can scan the pamplet I found. Indeed, the Eureka you have here IS the original Eureka Special, and the bag IS the original bag that came with this model. I have a pamphlet showing this model. There was the Eureka Special and the Eureka Standard. I think the Standard had a slightly larger motor.

Scans coming soon....or I throw this scanner/printer/copier right out the window.

Side note: It's a new Kodak wireless. The problem is that half the time it cannot find the wireless signal (which comes from your internet connection). Normally, turning the printer off and on does the trick, but THIS time, it's being a stubborn jerk...)