New Arrivals & Returns From The Spa!

[air-waycharlie]

Here is a group shot of some new arrivals in the last year or so. I've been meaning to post a pic for a while but just did not get around to it.

From left to right: a Lux Renny that I acquired from ebay last month. Yes, it is too new for this category but I wanted to keep her in the group shot. The hose is perfect and relatively new and it has a new filter and brush roll. All tools present and accounted for.

Then we have a Kirby 1CB according to the plate on the bottom. It was a birthday gift from Tania Voigt and Terry Lattz. I received it in Jan. of this year. It was all original but I wanted to use it so I put on a replacement bag, (I had the Kirby patch sewn on), added a zipper, mini-emptor, fill tube, 4-strip brush roll and presto-chango, I have a daily driver. Duane Taylor did some mechanical work and Tania had it buffed out. Stunning Kirby with a disposable bag.

Next is a NIB Filter Queen 31 that my spouse got for me for my birthday. The purchase was before my birthday but I wanted it so here it is. This came from Ruth Hollander in St. Louis. The tool ring has been replaced with one that will hold a floor brush instead of the felt pad. A floor brush was acquired and is being spa treated at Ken Wagman's.

Finally, is the Kenmore Saturn with a power nozzle. All original including the owner's manual. Everything works. The wands are correct replacement courtesy of Tania and the vacuum was a birthday gift from Fred Nelson. Nice gift! It has all the attachments and a supply of bags thanks to Dan Pontow.

[this post was last edited: 6/16/2011-16:30]

 

[air-waycharlie]

Closer Views..........

Here is the Renny and Kirby a little closer both up and running with their dirt finder headlights glowing.

 

[air-waycharlie]

The Filter Queen 31 and the Kenmore Saturn.

 

[air-waycharlie]

A closer look at Saturn Power Nozzle. It appears to be lighted only on one side. It is just the way the bulb fits in the socket.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Spa Treatment!

For a pair of Eureka's! The older one, (model number unknown), from the 1930's(?), and the brown 250A both went to the Taylor Treatment Center in Mequon, WI, for some light work and then Tania took them to her buffer friend in Racine, WI.

Finally back home after a 6 month trip but well worth it.

 

[air-waycharlie]

"I'm ready for my close-up".

 

[air-waycharlie]

Turned on and ready to clean. Both have 2-speed motors. The earlier design is sans a headlight.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Another close shot running.

 

[air-waycharlie]

If you show one, you have to show the other to keep peace in the family.

 

[air-waycharlie]

An Air-Way Rarity.

I may have posted pics of the Super Chief before but I don't think I ever included the attachments so here are some glamor shots of her. The Super Chief was my birthday present to me, 2 years ago.

Here it is with the hose, wands, original boxes, tools, bag, disposable bags, cord, etc.

Differences from the early model, the Chief, are: the handle is now metal and no longer bake-a-lite, the power cord from the main vacuum to the power nozzle is rubber not metal, the power nozzle has an on/off switch instead of pulling the plug to turn it off, a headlight has been added and the power nozzle is slightly wider. The required amperage is the same and the motors are the same as the Chief.

 

[air-waycharlie]

The tools:

 

[air-waycharlie]

Tools/Attachments closer and clearer.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Dust Indicator Swivel Dome

Pointing towards the handle so the suction is directed to the hose for your above the floor cleaning needs.

On/Off toggle switch can be seen at the very top on the right.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Dust Indicator Swivel Dome

Pointing towards the rug nozzle so the suction is directed to the rotating brush. Ready for your carpets and throw rugs.

The dirt finder head light will lead the way. No dirt, grime, filth, deadly germs or the like will escape containment from the wood pulp cellulose bag.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Problems with tight spaces?

Not anymore! You can use the crevice tool on the wands with the hose or direct connect to the end of the handle and lift the lightweight Super Chief to get any corner, radiator, furnace duct or tight space clean.

 

[air-waycharlie]

The supply of bags needed to keep your house germ free.

 

[vac_whisperer]

Kirby

The Kirby is actually called a Classic Omega. (Note the sign on the handle, belt lifter, and bag patch.)

PS: Call me crazy but how did you get the patch off of the original bag? I got Classic 1-CR and it had an Omega bag on it, so I wanted to take it off.

And I kind of wanted to sew it on my jacket.

VW

 

[air-waycharlie]

And............MOST IMPORTANTLY..............

Keeps your motor greased![this post was last edited: 6/16/2011-16:49]

 

[air-waycharlie]

Kirby Manufacturers Spec Plate

My Kirby is a Classic hence the model number: 1CR. It would have brown trim.

The Kirby Omega was a 1CB and the trim was Rosewood.

The patch was one that I got years ago most likely at a convention. The bag is a genuine Kirby replacement bag from ESSCO, purchased several hears ago. You can sew an Omega patch on a bag and put it on a Classic--I've seen it done many times. Or you can sew a Classic patch on a bag and put it on an Omega.

The Kirby I have is considered to be a Classic.

The 2CB in red is the Classic III and the 3CB in blue is the Tradition.

 

[brandon_w_t]

Oh my lord. Charlie these machines..... They are just so.... Perfect.


I am blown away by the eurekas kenmore and airway. They are just supreme examples of some not to often seen machines. What beautiful restorations too to top it off.

 

[air-waycharlie]

I got an old bag that was in terrible shape from ebay. I used a razor and removed the patch and washed it. Then I bought a bag from ESSCO, (years ago), that was a genuine Kirby replacement bag for the Classic or Omega as this was the only bag they offered at the time, and had my tailor sew it on.

I saved the bag for a long time and finally it has come to good use. It looks great on the vacuum and by adding a zipper, sewing closed the scraper from the inside and adding a strip of cloth to hold the fill tube, makes it suitable for daily use. The Omega has a more powerful motor than the Classic if I am not mistaken. With the improved brush roll and belt it is a wonderful cleaner and I love the sound of the original metal fan.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Thank you Brandon for your kind words. You are relatively new to us, (the club/forum that is), so you have not had a chance to see some of these vacuums.

Those that have been around for a while have seen some of them at conventions or in pictures posted in previous web sites.

Again, thank you for your comments. I don't have a large collection but what I have collected is somewhat rare, all the vacuums that have a special meaning and I have tried to restore them either by myself or with the help of friends to nearly new factory specifications.

Sometime I'll post more!

 

[kenkart]

FABULOUS!

But That Saturn and Eureka 250 are the STUFF!!!!

 

[luxg]

Wow Charlie, you have been busy!  Just beautiful.  Those two Eureka's are stunning, but then all of your machines are.  Thanks so much for sharing with us.  


 


Terry

 

[vac_whisperer]

Thanks for the patch how-to.

PS: The polish is absolutely stunning! What brand of polish did 'ya use?

VW

 

[air-waycharlie]

When I do my own polishing, I use Flitz, Brasso, car wax, Pledge and shoe polish. All produce different results on different surfaces at different stages of the polish process.

Not all machines need all of the above. Not all surfaces need all of the above. You learn over a period of time what works best for each. Black rubber bumpers look great, (for the most part), if you go over them with back paste shoe polish and buff it off. Then if you use just a touch of Pledge on a cloth and go over that, the shine is even better--most of the time. Most paste shoe polish is oil based and the rubber will benefit from it. Sometimes Armor All does the trick as well.

It is a process of testing to see what works best. Most painted surfaces look wonderful after a treatment of ColorX by Meguiar's car wax. A second treatment can even produce better results.

Just play around with what is out there and available and you will find what works best for you on whatever you are working on.

 

[air-waycharlie]

One other thing different about the Super Chief from the Chief, is that the brush roll turns towards the machine----meaning the dirt collected from the carpet is sent to the suction more efficiently.

On the earlier model, the Chief, the brush roll turns, "backwards", similar to the early Singer R models and the Premier Grand.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Wow, Charlie!

Thanks for sharing pictures of your cleaners! They are incredible... I didn't realize you had some of those. The logo on the AirWay bag is delicious (how many of those AirWay disposable bags do you have?! Those are rare as hen's teeth!), and I love that 50's Eureka. Such a smooth and glamorous look! You definitely have some real gems; I hope I can come and play with them again sometime!

Fred

 

[vac_whisperer]

How well are those compared to Nevr-Dull or Mothers?

VW