Interesting
Hi guys and gals,
I suppose I should divulge the real story behind this Electrolux Model L vacuum cleaner. As a recently joined member of this forum, I didn't want to seem like a crazy person and pour my heart out before you all got to know me.
Ok...this particular Model L here I did, in fact, refurbish on my own. Though some of this story might seem off-topic, it will tie up nicely in conclusion, I promise.
Not too long ago, I was laid off from a pretty good job as a Store Manager of an Ace Hardware store. The company I was working for was suffering from some financial difficulties because they chose to open a few new stores during a time when sales were up in their established stores, but not enough to absorb the cost of opening the new locations (which were getting NO traffic).
The owner of the company (who had started the company in 1972) made the mistake of hiring this awful woman who lived in Columbus, Ohio who was the core operations manager for the Ace franchise. She came in, and wreaked havoc on our small little company. She loved me until she discovered what my annual salary was. Without getting into detail, I lost my job.
Now, I don't know if any of you are spiritual, but...I believe that those who are spiritual are protected from devastation.
I got a job in the interim, doing website development for a small Moving and Storage Company, with which my aunt (my mom's sister) has been a long-time employee. I've been maintaining my living expenses quite nicely in spite of the job-loss.
Now...let's talk about my vacuum interests. One afternoon, while returning to the office of the Moving and Storage place, I happened to spy not just one, but TWO Electroluxes sitting in the rafters.
The ORIGINAL owner of the Moving and Storage company is a 94-year-old man named Alfred Conklin. He STILL reports to work EVERY DAY.
I asked Alfred what the story was with those two vacuums sitting up in the rafters.
He said, "You want 'em? Take 'em."
One was a 1985 Diamond Jubilee, and the other was the '67 Model L.
So, I took both vacuums home.
Since I thought the "L" was a cute little vacuum, I completely disassembled the entire machine. I washed the bag compartment, took a Magic Eraser to the outer body, and blew all the crap out of the motor.
It just so happened that the crappy Eureka vac I bought at WalMart had recently crapped out...not motor-wise, but the cheapo plastic attachments fell apart.
Maybe in the wake of losing a job and successfully restoring a vacuum has made me feel better about myself in spite of my circumstances. Also, having a hobby in which I can exercise my mechanical skills has given me a better sense of value. I enjoy fixing and working on computers, too...but I suppose working on vacuums reminds me of my childhood and when I was "starry eyed" for my future.
