Newly Acquired Elux Model L

[mercuryman]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum. I thought I'd introduce myself by sharing a short video I made of my newly acquired Electrolux Model L vac, which I found in my travels. I don't have any attachments for it yet, and I am thinking about restoring it. Anyone have any suggestions or advice on how to get this thing into tip top shape? Thanks for looking!

Brian

 

[compactelectra]

Welcome Mercury Man!

Here is my L (one of them.) I bought a Gold L brand new back in 1977. I love how light and powerful these machines are. The L had a long run as the cheaper step sister in many colors. Mine is blue and found pretty much in mint condition. Attachments are easy to find and these are easy to work on. You have good taste in vacuums. Mine is shown with the machines in the line up of the time. the B-8 polisher in blue along with the deluxe 1205. I am sure you will find this place a good source of information to restore that machine to pristine condition.

 

[mercuryman]

Impressive!

Your Model L and 1205 look pristine! The "aqua" blue machines were always my favorite. My mom had a gold Super J that my dad bought for her as a "housewarming gift" when our new house was built in 1977. At the young age of four, I remember hanging on every word that the Electrolux salesman ("Mr. Harvey" was his name) used to describe that machine. There was many a morning I recall getting ready for school and hearing the very distinct sound of the Power Nozzle being "fired up" in the living room as my mother dutifully put perfect tracks in the living room carpet before we all left the house for the day. It was then that I found myself to be a lifelong fan of Electrolux vacuums.

Cut to over 30 years later, and having been given two Electroluxes, my interest in them has sort of been "rekindled".

Thanks for sharing the pic!

 

[a007kirbyman]

Welcome Brian...

I'd like to welcome you as well, Brian.


Cheers & hagn all,

Bill


(See link below)

http://www.vacuumland.org/TD/THREADS/SANDBOX/9917.htm

 

[eurekastar]

Brian, I used to have that same exact Model L. In fact, it was the very first vacuum I ever owned on my own. I had the power nozzle but no tools for it. My grandmother found it at a garage sale for $5 and gave it to me right after I graduated from college back in 1982. I used it for a few years and ended up throwing it away when I moved into a new house with new carpet. I kick myself now for doing that! I now have the earliest Model L in cream and aqua with the cord winder. They are very good machines. Congratulations on your find!

 

[1926700]

heres some of my luxes......

mine arent as nice as compactelectras but there what makes part of my collection...

enjoy

View attachment 9-8-2010-09-56-58--1926700.jpg

 

[1926700]

pic 1

pic1 again (my computer made a bo-bo)

 

[1926700]

pic 2

some later square tanks...

 

[1926700]

pic3

my version of the 1968 line of turquoise...

 

[1926700]

pic 3

and something from my birth year of 1988

 

[mercuryman]

Update!

The Model L you see in the picture at the top of this thread is exactly how I found it...although aside from some visible scuffs, it had some other issues I needed to fix as well. (It gave off a VERY musty odor when running, and it also made a whining sound).

Last night, ambition got the best of me, and I found myself completely disassembling the machine. I literally took every single piece apart. I completely sanitized the inside body and the bag compartment and removed all the white scuffs from the outside with a Magic Eraser. I then blew all the dirt out of the motor with compressed air, checked the carbon brushes (which looked hardly worn down at all), cleaned and lubed the bearings, cleaned out the blower, and put it all back together. I then gave the outside a final detailing to make sure all the dirt was removed from every crevice.

When I powered the machine on after reassembling it, I couldn't believe how much healthier it sounded! Air was blasting out of the blower in front, and I attached the hose from my newer Elux (a Diamond Jubilee), and even though the hose doesn't fit this machine properly, it had a healthy amount of suction.

I think I am going to get some attachments for this little baby and use it as my "work-a-day" vac!