Patience and Persistence Pays off Again with Sanitaire S485

[cheesewonton]

I have been looking for one of these for almost 18 years. It's been on my Holy Grail list at least that long. Have never seen one in person though I have a couple of Eureka and Montgomery Wards branded sisters from the same litter. However I knew it existed from seeing it among the schematics on the Hesco website. This particular example showed up on ebay a couple of days ago starting bid $100. The auction just closed and I was the only bidder. I was prepared to go to the mat but nobody even bid against me. Not the correct power nozzle but in the fullness of time the right one will show up and I will be ready to buy it when it does.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/267508086901

 

[centralsweeper63]

You have had terrific luck with not-Eureka Eurekas.

 

[cheesewonton]

You have had terrific luck with not-Eureka Eurekas.

Luck is when opportunity meets preparation. I have been waiting for this for a long long time

 

[centralsweeper63]

Congratulation, BTW.

 

[hygiene903]

Congratulations on a nice find! Always great when you can check something off of the wish list!
Jeff

 

[vacerator]

It's basically a Eureka model 1279 with a new hose and powerhead.

 

[cheesewonton]

It's basically a Eureka model 1279 with a new hose and powerhead.

I think it is based on a 1700 series, like a 1749 or 1759. The hose is original. That is what they came with but I think they came with a Vibragroomer power nozzle ( though I could be wrong on that part as images of these are hard to find ---- Paul ??? ). The lid is either chrome steel or stainless steel, won't know for sure until I have it here.

Interestingly Koblenz made a very close copy of this vacuum called the A5500. Not as well made or as powerful and the lid is hinged from the rear instead of from the front like the Eureka. All steel though. I have one new and never used from a vac shop in Pennsylvania.

 

[cheesewonton]

Yo. I flapped my yap too soon. Here is a good image of one showing the hose and, lo, the Eureka Express ( aka Rugmuncher ) power nozzle.

 

[panasonicvac]

I'm also after one of those as well, wouldn't be surprised if my late friend sold one of those in his shop before. It's like the Electrolux AB version of the Commemorative Edition.

 

[cheesewonton]

I'm also after one of those as well, wouldn't be surprised if my late friend sold one of those in his shop before. It's like the Electrolux AB version of the Commemorative Edition.

It's not as advanced as a Vactronic but it's cool. Shiny metal lid, dark blue lower body, unique hose, black attachments instead of the usual white. Just different. Not something you see every day. And I happen to be really weird for this vintage of Eureka canister vacuums.

 

[paul]

Yo. I flapped my yap too soon. Here is a good image of one showing the hose and, lo, the Eureka Express ( aka Rugmuncher ) power nozzle.

View attachment 171735

I think it is based on a 1700 series, like a 1749 or 1759. The hose is original. That is what they came with but I think they came with a Vibragroomer power nozzle ( though I could be wrong on that part as images of these are hard to find ---- Paul ??? ). The lid is either chrome steel or stainless steel, won't know for sure until I have it here.

Interestingly Koblenz made a very close copy of this vacuum called the A5500. Not as well made or as powerful and the lid is hinged from the rear instead of from the front like the Eureka. All steel though. I have one new and never used from a vac shop in Pennsylvania.

From what I have seen, one of the differences between the Eureka 1260-1270 Sub-Series Power Teams and their successor 1700 Series in 1980 is that the latter's TOL model-types were equipped with covered Tool-Paks like your Sanitaire. I am in the process of assembling Eureka canister and Power Team photo displays by Series and Model-Types as I have done with the uprights. That will help you determine exactly which model most closely resembles your Sanitaire.

Please provide us with photo and text specs such as: ratings plate; exhaust type; cord length, 2- or 3-wire, insulation; bag-type; wheels/casters; et cetera.

 

[cheesewonton]

From what I have seen, one of the differences between the Eureka 1260-1270 Sub-Series Power Teams and their successor 1700 Series in 1980 is that the latter's TOL model-types were equipped with covered Tool-Paks like your Sanitaire. I am in the process of assembling Eureka canister and Power Team photo displays by Series and Model-Types as I have done with the uprights. That will help you determine exactly which model most closely resembles your Sanitaire.

Please provide us with photo and text specs such as: ratings plate; exhaust type; cord length, 2- or 3-wire, insulation; bag-type; wheels/casters; et cetera.

My 1749 and my 1777 Vactronic as well as the Monkey Wards Vactronic all have the plastic lid over the attachments.

 

[paul]

Cheesewonton,

You may want to add the Eureka commercial canister model 1625 to your wish list (looks like the 1791 residential model is in the running as a close match to your Sanitaire; although I'm quite sure that its hp is 4.0 rather than 40!):

 

[paul]

My 1749 and my 1777 Vactronic as well as the Monkey Wards Vactronic all have the plastic lid over the attachments.

It may be, then, that they all did. We'll see.

In one or more ads, it mentioned the "removable" dust cover (likely for more efficient retrieval while cleaning); which may be why I have seen some without as they may have not been reinstalled or may have broken in the process.

 

[cheesewonton]

It may be, then, that they all did. We'll see.

In one or more ads, it mentioned the "removable" dust cover (likely for more efficient retrieval while cleaning); which may be why I have seen some without as they may have not been reinstalled or may have broken in the process.

Most are broken and discarded. Same thing for those mid range 1970s square Kenmore canisters that had the attachments in notches molded into the bag lid. There was supposed to be hinged cover over most of those but most are long gone now. The hinges are really easy to break.

 

[vacerator]

Stronger motor than the model 1279. It's 9.8 amps. So probably 3.2-3.5 h.p.

 

[paul]

Stronger motor than the model 1279. It's 9.8 amps. So probably 3.2-3.5 h.p.

What Type is your 1279? I recorded from ads that Type A, or at least earlier ads (possibly Type B) stated 9.5A with 2.4 h.p.

 

[centralsweeper63]

I would love to see some 'commercial' variants. I would count the Sanitaire as commercial because, well, Sanitaire is commercial typically.