Newest Member of my Sunbeam Family

[vinvac]

It amazes me how Lux, Kirby and Hoover..other big names got so much attention, when vacuums like this really were more powerful and actually built equally as well if not better. Cleaned very well and were probably less expensive. The turbo tool for its day was an awesome invention. Look how most central vacs today use a tool that looks almost the same..the Turbo Cat...


Morgan

 

[aeoliandave]

The brilliance of the early air powered floor polishers and brush rolls (Electrolux/Sunbeam/Filter Queen/Compact/etc) lies in the heavy metal horizontal turbine that doubles as a flywheel. Early small vertical turbines in the neck of the airstream such as the Preco (which was rebadged for several brands) were also cast from metal for the inertial flywheel effect. Once up to speed and often with reduction gearing they power through any resistance, unlike today's plastic poor excuse with a small flimsy turbine turning a toothed belt on a ridiculously small brushroll that rely on screaming suction levels over 100"...and still bog down. The best of these I think is the Kirby rotary upholstery brush (the name escapes me) because of it's engineered superior multi-vane turbine design adapted from Hydroelectric Fluid Dynamic turbines.

Of course, once power hoses became a 'perfected' standard, for it's size nothing is better suited than a powered mini brushroll like the Kenmore or Electrolux Handi-mates that fit so nicely on carpeted stair treads.

Nothing will ever beat the sound of a big wheel turbine winding up wisking debris off the floor or low pile carpet.

 

[ohio_tuec]

Yeah, the Kirby Zippbrush is an excellent tool, I prefer the early ones. Although I must say, I know many were disappointed when the new Constellation only came with a turbo tool, for what it is, it's nothing to sneeze at. It does a nice job grooming my low-pile carpet. Just out of curiosity Morgan, how well does the Sunbeam turbo tool work? I have one of these Sunbeam hatbox canisters with a magnet above the motor housing to hold the lid on. Sadly the motor bearings are shot. Back in the day, Sunbeam made a hell of an electric shaver as well ;-) Even as late as 2004 (when Remington stores closed), customers would still occasionally ask if we had screens and cutters for Sunbeam shavers.

 

[thevacuumman]

reminds me of a hoover celebrity in a way

 

[colovacman]

Nice Morgan!

That's the same model I had growing up...I remember being fascinated by it and following my mother around the house while she cleaned the house. My favorite part was the slow pitch of the motor turning off...it was very long process and I would wait until the last purr before it was put away for the day.

I tried to get a similar NIB one on Ebay a few years ago but it went for way more than my budget would allow. It's the only machine from my youth that I haven't replaced.

 

[hygiene903]

Nice Sunbeam, Morgan!

What a beautiful machine, and so complete! Wasn't that one the first "hatbox" model? I know the blue ones and green ones were later.
Jeff