My stuff is home!

[caligula]

Finally, at long last, the Whirlwind, and all my vacuum cleaners are home, and in a holding unit.

They are not in storage, but a place where I can sort through everything. The room is not organized, that happens this weekend, then I'll sort out the machines that need the most work. The next few weeks will let me evaluate the degree of restoration. Time was a factor, and pictures of the pods were not possible. Yes, before and after pictures will be taken, but that also comes in a few days. Finally I can get a good night's sleep, then back to work.

Alex Taber.

 

[beko1987]

Great news! Would love to see some pics along the way!

I'm patiently awaiting the day when all my machines can come out on display, must be a good feeling knowing soon yours will be sorted.

 

[KirbyLux]

Awsome news!

When I was about 13 or 14, my family and I moved from Cleveland back to our little home town in Kentucky. Only half of my collection would fit on the truck, so the rest was stored at a family members house. When we went up to visit a few months later, I knew it was a prime oprotunity to retrieve the missing half. It was all gone. No one really knew what happened (so they claim) to my vacuums. So this story here is a very happy one. I will look forward to reading (and seeing) the progress as it unfolds! I'm glad your collection is home!

 

[caligula]

Hi KirbyLux

I began collecting vacuum cleaners in the early 1970's, and they were showplace quality. In May of 1995, I moved from Naperville, Illinois to San Diego, and my collection was professionally packed, and shipped by Allied van lines. Again, my collection was museum quality. The problems started in November of 2006, after my partner Charles died, and I planned to relocate to Sacramento. My collection was put into Public storage for what I expected to be a few weeks while I got a new house. That plan fell through, I ended up in Northwest Indiana instead, and everything I owned was in Sacramento. In May of 2010, I brought my stuff to Indiana, and two weeks later, I ended up on assignment in Bloomsburg, Pa.!

The storage unit in Indiana was not climate controlled, and the vacuum cleaners were not packed, therefore, they are in need of a good cleaning. Fortunately, there is no mildew (as I stated earlier).

Since I have no place to store the vacuum cleaners here at the house, I taken another unit a mile away which will serve as a holding, and processing center. In the spring I plan to build a display room, and have another museum. Between now and the time the display is ready I'll restore every vacuum cleaner to it's original condition.

While I'm chomping at the bit to get started! I've decided to take this weekend to rest.

Alex Taber.

 

[KirbyLux]

I don't blame you for wanting to take a weekend off. Moving is an awful strain. But I understand the eagerness to get started. I also have a storage unit and while I don't have any vacuums in there, I have some vintage electronics (another hobby) that are partialy restored. I hate to have them in there but the apartment just won't hold them. I look forward to updates on your collection. 

 

[caligula]

Last phase of the move.

Now that the move is over jetlag has set in. I find it hard to concentrate! My mind has been in overdrive for so long that I'm completely out of it! In addition, my mom who is 88 came home with me to see our house. Tomorrow she goes home to Indiana via Amtrak, and after I get back from the train station I hit the holding unit and go to work. I'm rested but still a bit foggy in the head.

Alex

 

[caligula]

U-Haul Pod.

Now that the entire process is over, I can tell you how easy U-Haul made it for me. Aside from the loading and unloading, which was my job, U-Haul did it all! They provided me with the pod(s), packing boxes, and a driver who got the pods from Chesterton, Indiana to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. I loaded the pod on Saturday October 5, extra vacuum cleaners and so on went into the back of the truck, and the staff at the U-Haul warehouse in Elkhart, Indiana packed them into a second pod for me. On Tuesday, October 8, the same day my mom and I headed for Pa. via Amtrak, the truck was on it's way, and got here on Friday the 11th. It was all done with one phone call, and a series of emails. As for the boxes and packing materials, I got those at a U-Haul office. I got the 1-2 bedroom kit, and had them pack the Whirlwind for me. U-Haul suggests that you buy more boxes than you need, and they buy the unused boxes back at full price. Can you rent a pod and drive the truck yourself? yes! and that would have saved a small amount of money, but as I don't drive, that added expense was well worth it. So, I strongly recommend this form of transporting your collection, it's worth every penny.

Alex Taber.

 

[portable]

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">Congratulations, Alex. The Kids are finally home!  </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">John</span>

 

[kenmore81]

Thats great news Alex

 

[caligula]

Thanks John.

While the 'kids' are still in their holding room, the whirlwind is in my bedroom! Tonight it was treated to a bath with Scots liquid gold, and a soft cloth polishing. It will never be in storage again!!

A very happy Alex Taber.

 

[caligula]

Now that the kids are home,

I will lean on those expert in restoration to tell me which products are best for removing light rust, and so on.

As stated earlier, I will surface clean everything first, then restore each machine. Thank you Charles Richard, I will go with the vinegar solution per your suggestion. I need to replace two outer upright Air-Way bags for model 1, and the Chief. Also a bag for a Vacuette, and many more. I'll compile a list after I check the conditions of the machines.

Thanks.