I'm new to the forum, but not the passion of repairing antique appliances. I lost my collection in a house fire, so I'm trying to find our some information to repair a Universal e720 upright that was in my shop. It s a really nice looking machine, but I need an armature and the round front bearing housing. It looks like the bushings froze, and someone tried to take a hammer to it to get it apart. The armature is dated 1924. This model does not have a beater bar. It's too nice not to repair, and I reckon what I need to know is if there are any other names that universal went under that I could buy for the parts. I figure I would be happy to spend 50-60 bucks for the parts, or a whole unit, even if it means the unit won t be worth 15 bucks. It's kind of like a phoenix rising from the ashes for me.
New member looking for Universal info/parts
- Thread starter chad
- Start date
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crevicetool
Well-known member
Parts...
Unfortunately, it is not likely that you will be able to find parts for your machine but may be able to find a complete unit. They do pop up on auction websites on occasion - but are by few and far between. The E720 Super Straight Suction Vacuum was the company's first model with production beginning in 1919. The scans below are from a 1928 company issued catalog (which is very thick and cannot be disassembled - thus the poor images), and was the only model offered until the introduction of the 125B Hand Vacuum, followed by the Motor Driven Brush/Ball Bearing Cleaner #'s E580, E585, E585B. The E720 must have gone out of production by the time my 1937 catalog was issued because the straight suction cleaner was now #E435 and was identical to the 580 series except lacking a brush roll.
As far as other names for the company's uprights - I have only seen one example where they did not use the "standard" trade mark, that being Whirlwind. The company's tank cleaner offerings were an entirely different story as they made machines for different department stores, sewing centers, and vacuum shops. President, Super Chief, Super Dynamic, Modern Housekeeping(I think), Whirlwind (oddly enough), Atlas, even Regina.
Tank and canister models made by the company to be sold through "their" dealers were: RotoVersa, Clean Air Cleaner, Jet99, Landers, (a lower-tier model), and the the "Univ....." Super Dynamic (I believe the name is - I have only seen one example of this machine - similar to a Royal or Saniway)...
The 720 has a very unique handle attachment system whereby when the handle is assembled to the motor unit the electrical connection is automatically made eliminating a separate plug or other electrical connection.. A brilliant engineering feat, and very much so overbuilt to last. The two machines I have incorporating this handle are still very much intact and show no signs of wear. I have a E720 and a Whirlwind E610 - both employ this method.
The E720 and other machines offered by the company did have an alloy (bronze I think) sleeve bearings and they did seize up quite readily. However, they can be "massaged" apart, and reconditioned to original condition and operate very well. I have done this several times - if they previous owner of your machine didn't destroy the unit, you may be able to make necessary restorations using the parts you have.
See the scans below - notice that attachments were available, also see a link to a recent auction - (this brand does show up from time to time - and rest assured - I have twenty examples representing the entire line offered by the company, so it's not likely I will be bidding on any that do....).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-UNI...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Unfortunately, it is not likely that you will be able to find parts for your machine but may be able to find a complete unit. They do pop up on auction websites on occasion - but are by few and far between. The E720 Super Straight Suction Vacuum was the company's first model with production beginning in 1919. The scans below are from a 1928 company issued catalog (which is very thick and cannot be disassembled - thus the poor images), and was the only model offered until the introduction of the 125B Hand Vacuum, followed by the Motor Driven Brush/Ball Bearing Cleaner #'s E580, E585, E585B. The E720 must have gone out of production by the time my 1937 catalog was issued because the straight suction cleaner was now #E435 and was identical to the 580 series except lacking a brush roll.
As far as other names for the company's uprights - I have only seen one example where they did not use the "standard" trade mark, that being Whirlwind. The company's tank cleaner offerings were an entirely different story as they made machines for different department stores, sewing centers, and vacuum shops. President, Super Chief, Super Dynamic, Modern Housekeeping(I think), Whirlwind (oddly enough), Atlas, even Regina.
Tank and canister models made by the company to be sold through "their" dealers were: RotoVersa, Clean Air Cleaner, Jet99, Landers, (a lower-tier model), and the the "Univ....." Super Dynamic (I believe the name is - I have only seen one example of this machine - similar to a Royal or Saniway)...
The 720 has a very unique handle attachment system whereby when the handle is assembled to the motor unit the electrical connection is automatically made eliminating a separate plug or other electrical connection.. A brilliant engineering feat, and very much so overbuilt to last. The two machines I have incorporating this handle are still very much intact and show no signs of wear. I have a E720 and a Whirlwind E610 - both employ this method.
The E720 and other machines offered by the company did have an alloy (bronze I think) sleeve bearings and they did seize up quite readily. However, they can be "massaged" apart, and reconditioned to original condition and operate very well. I have done this several times - if they previous owner of your machine didn't destroy the unit, you may be able to make necessary restorations using the parts you have.
See the scans below - notice that attachments were available, also see a link to a recent auction - (this brand does show up from time to time - and rest assured - I have twenty examples representing the entire line offered by the company, so it's not likely I will be bidding on any that do....).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-UNI...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
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bnsd60m9200
Well-known member
chad where do you live in texas? i may be able to point you to some vacuum shops that carry older motors and field coils for antique vacuums. the shops arent in texas, but have some good rapport with various owners to help you start over with your collection. i restore vintage vacuums here in dfw as a collector since 2011.
texas
Some very good information there. Yes, mine has the cordless attachment at the handle. Unfortunetly, the previous owner took a hammer it looks like to the armature on mine. My armature is completely messed up, and the front bearing support is busted. Other than that, it is a really nice machine. Mine doesn't have a roller nor beater bar, and it is dated 1924 on the armature. I live in Dayton, Texas, which is East of Houston.
Some very good information there. Yes, mine has the cordless attachment at the handle. Unfortunetly, the previous owner took a hammer it looks like to the armature on mine. My armature is completely messed up, and the front bearing support is busted. Other than that, it is a really nice machine. Mine doesn't have a roller nor beater bar, and it is dated 1924 on the armature. I live in Dayton, Texas, which is East of Houston.
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