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What's Dave working on tonight?

Was running the Fairfax and the Fax-A-Matic power nozzle was making a horrendous racket. Took it apart to find the motor had 'ovaled' out its rear bronze bearing. The motor is held in place with two screws through the top of the case, under the Fax-O-Matic stick-on top panel.

I knew I had in the parts bin a very similar power nozzle that has other issues like warping and cracks. Lo and behold, it's a Hoover branded Powermatic of exact same construction with an intact motor. Time for a motor swap. But the Fax-A-Matic has a three wire cord and plug.

6-19-2008-19-17-0--aeoliandave.jpg
 
Better yet tho is...both have a Hoover metal beater brush bar exactly the same other than paint color.

So, to the credit of Fairfax, with Hoover's help, the Fax-A-Matic will be brushing, beating and cleaning the carpets again tonight. :-)

Gawd, I luv these details and the thrill of learning something new.

Oh, the Hoover motor has a metal lug I can attach the green ground lead to. This Fairfax has a 3 wire system because it is also intended to be used as a wet pick-up vac with the optional manditory Water Valve you put in without a paper bag, which I don't have but appears to be a plastic cone similar to a Filter Queen. Anyone got one of those lying around available? I do have the Fairfax Wet Pick-up floor nozzle.

dave

6-19-2008-19-31-59--aeoliandave.jpg
 
Hi Dave!

The wands you have may be an earlier Interstate attempt at secured wands; I'm pretty certain that your machine is earlier than mine. My machine (a silver-and-black CXL produced between 1986 and 1989) has Kenmore-style lock buttons, with a blister at the end of each wand for the next wand's lock button to slide into. My wands also have a plastic cord retaining channel riveted to them; it runs almost the full length of each wand. The power nozzle cord friction-fits into the channel. A photo of the wands attached to the power nozzle is below.

So far as I know, TriStar only included one set of wands; you were supposed to remove the wands from the power nozzle when you wanted to use them with the rug tool or other attachments. I found an extra set of wands to use for those purposes, so that I wouldn't have to go through the nuisance of removing the power nozzle cord from the channel and then taking the wands off the power nozzle, every time I wanted the wands for something besides the power nozzle. Some vac parts sites have universal wands listed for both Kenmore and TriStar; it seems the same wand will fit both. These universal wands do not have the full-length cord channel, just a couple of cord clips like many Kenmore wands do.

The Compact C-2 I grew up with had friction-fit wands, not locking ones. They were the most solid steel and the heaviest chrome-plate you can imagine. The only problem we ever had with them was that the sandy dust here in Georgia caused them to stick together, making them very difficult to get apart for storage. The wands in your photo don't appear to be like the ones on the C-2, so maybe they're Compact/TriStar and maybe they're something else. I hope something in all this helps you.

The rug tool at the lower right of your photo is the one I'm looking for! I'd be very interested in one. Very interested indeed.

6-19-2008-19-38-42--danemodsandy.jpg
 
Dave: Earlier Compact Wands

Dave:

This picture of Robert Seger's gloriously mint C-2 shows the earlier Compact wand system very clearly. These are so heavy and well-made, I cannot begin to describe the quality. I don't know if anything came between this style and the current lock-button style, sorry.

6-19-2008-19-47-28--danemodsandy.jpg
 
Dave: Forgot to Answer:

"Is Cyclonic the only version with the button hole? Have you seen the later set with Interstate on it...in the States? Is the new tool on the website labeld Tristar?"

So far as my own experience and observation go, the later, button-hole tools all say "Cyclonic". I have never seen any button-hole tools that say "TriStar" or "Interstate". The new rug tools for sale on sites like TotalVac say "Cyclonic". I have the new tool, but it's in a painted finish that is not correct for my machine. That's why I'm hoping a classic, polished-finish "Cyclonic" button-hole tool turns up.

So far as I know, the "Interstate" designation is only on friction-fit tools, but that's based on my personal observation, so take that only as one person's opinion, not a proved fact.

Aren't these details fun?
 
More Cyclonic Lore:

Dave:

On late machines like my CXL, the clear/glitter plastic crevice tool and upholstery tool have "Cyclonic" silk-screened onto them in very small letters. These rub off pretty easily. The dusting brush doesn't have the "Cyclonic" designation on it, but then it's soft vinyl, not the hard plastic that the other tools are made of. The dusting brush looks the same clear/glitter combo as the other tools, but since it's not the same kind of plastic, that may have kept the "Cyclonic" from being silk-screened onto it.
 
Details fun & fascinating.

Your observations and opinions work just fine by me, Sandy. After all, you did have a shop.

Fax-A-Matic power nozzle restored to usefulness and all polished & washed clean.

Laid out the pair and their nozzles. Way groovy.

Lower Fairfax does not have a power socket and no Power Dome venting.

6-19-2008-22-00-14--aeoliandave.jpg
 
another chorusline...

This must be the Guy's side at the Cotillion, sizing up the Interstate gals across the room.

To the right of the Fax-A-Matic you can see the Hoover Celebrity II 'Estate' powernozzle - once again, same construction, different color combo. That's why they're hastily grouped together beside the Swiveltops. Oh, I must re-tape that Hoover hose with white tape...

6-19-2008-22-06-56--aeoliandave.jpg
 
Confusion?

"Your observations and opinions work just fine by me, Sandy. After all, you did have a shop."

Um, I'm not sure how that impression arose- I'm a magazine writer and editor, not a shop owner. I did work in the housewares biz back in the '80s, but that was in the kitchenwares end of the biz. My observations about Compact/TriStar stuff are strictly as an owner and collector.
 
Oops, I'm confusing you with someone else who's somewhere around the same age as us - apologies to that person. in Columbus OH? :-(

Well, it still works for me as that's how I deduce and confirm my opinions - observe, question, collect, compare, compare, compare.

Dave, working on unearthing a shiny Compact rug nozzle...
 
That is a nice tri star, really like the red. I have a turquise compact like yours it is an anniversary edition I think 25th but not sure the decal is pretty well worn off and the paint is wearing off too. Afterall it was a $5 fea market find that grandpap picked up in the late 80's for in the garage to clean the cars.Maybe Sandy can help me with what anniversary model I have and what year it is from.
 
Hahahahah

Dave:

Not to worry- after all, you confused me with somebody nice!

I really appreciate the photo of the rug tool, BTW- it's nice to have that to look at, and anticipate...
 
Sam (xraytech):

<i."Maybe Sandy can help me with what anniversary model I have and what year it is from."</i>

Sounds like yours could be a C-5, a C-6 or a C-7; all of these models were turquoise (not to be confused with earlier and later models that were blue). Does yours have two wheels in back, with two bumps at the front end of the bottom- the end where the hose attaches? Or is it three wheels- one in the front and two in the back? Or does it have four wheels?

With two wheels, you have a C-5, made between 1959-1960, according to the TriStar website. The three-wheeler is the C-6, made from 1961-1970. The four-wheeled C-7 was made from 1971-1972.

A "25th Anniversary" machine would likely be either a C-6 or a C-7. There are three ways that Interstate could calculate an anniversary date. One is the 1937 founding of the company as an aircraft manufacturer. Another is the 1940 date of the introduction of the first Compact, which you can see on Charles Lester's website, www.137.com. Another is the 1946 introduction of the Compact C-1; this was the first machine that really sold in substantial numbers (the 1940 Compact didn't really get off the ground before WWII disrupted production).

Anyway, counting 25 years from 1937 would give you 1962, which is two years after the last date for the C-5 (two wheels), so you can probably discount that one completely. 1962 would be a good fit for the C-6 (three wheels). Counting 25 years from 1940 would give you 1965, which would also fit the C-6. Counting 25 years from 1946 would give you 1971, which would fit the C-7 (four wheels).

If this helps, please tell us which machine you have; it would help to know which one Interstate called the 25th Anniversary machine. The TriStar website only shows the left (emblem) side for most machines; their decals went on the right side, so there's no way to tell which was the 25th Anniversary machine from the website.
 
Just to Confuse Things...

...Here's how Interstate calculated their 50th Anniversary machine's date:

They took the 1937 founding of Interstate as their starting point, not any of the introduction dates for Compact vacuums. That gives a 1987 date (1937 + 50 years). But then they decided to begin production of the machine a year early- 1986! And they made it through 1989.

So, it's all kind of smoke and mirrors anyway.
 
Sandy,
I am going to make the Compact/TriStar history more complicated.
on the bottom the model number which was hard to see said C-6.
it has 4 wheels
on the left it has a compact electra badge on it
on the right it has silkscreened on the turquise crinkle paint a gold badge (about 1/3 of it is worn off)
what is left of the badge it says on the lt. side of the badge it looks like it says "As New As tomorrow" but part of it is worn off.
on the bottom of the badge it says "Another interstate Quality Product"
in the middle of the badge there is a picture of a globe of which part is worn off
on the right of the badge is "Anniversary Model" but the number which would be right above this is worn off.
and surrounding the globe and anniversary model are little black and white retro stars.
I hope this will help to figure out when it was made after I probably made this mor confusing.
 
Sam:

You have not made this more confusing.

You have helped point out problems with the TriStar website's historical chronology, which means that we have to take more of it with a grain of salt (we already know there are problems with red machines like Dave's).

Your machine probably represents a running change, where they introduced a new feature, but didn't yet change the model number.

So, it's starting to look like we need to begin working up our own chronology. Your pointing out the problem is actually helpful.
 
My C4 has 2 wheels in back
2 bumps in front

I found a site listing the models & dates once
Stupidy didn't bookmark it & ccan't seem to find it again

I thought it was part of the TriStar site

I thought the anniversary model he is speaking of was 67
I've seen a few of those
 
Christine:

The TriStar website for the United States is www.tristarclean.com . To access the model history, click the "About Us" button on the home page, then click on "History of Products" when it appears in a drop-down menu.

The TriStar Canada website is www.tristarvacuumscanada.com . The vac models are shown on the front page, but there isn't as much info as the U.S. site has (and the U.S. site doesn't have all that much).

If you want info, the U.S. site is better. If you want to order parts, I really recommend the TriStar Canada website over the U.S. one. TriStar Canada stocks parts for direct ordering. If you call TriStar in the U.S., they refer you over to a local authorised repair facility. My experience has been that the local facility has to order parts from corporate, and then ship them to you, which is very time-consuming. The Canadian system is way more efficient and faster. I got my parts order from them in about one week.

The Canadian site also has parts schematics in PDF format, which can be downloaded and printed for future reference. The schematics are only available for the EX-20 (same as the CXL and DXL models), and the current generation of TriStars. But they're very good, with every part and every part number shown, as well as a wiring diagramme.

Hope this helps.
 
thanks!!!!

been looking for that lil devil

So c4 is 54 to 58

nice to know
so it was made 4 years

Wonder how you can narrow it down to a year

Got to get bags n filter for it & get that baby back on the rug

LOL
 
Christine:

The serial number should narrow it down, if records still exist and if TriStar will give out the information. I've never asked TriStar for "privileged" information, but some of the direct-sales vac companies will not do a whole lot for anyone except the original owner. I understand that Kirby, for instance, wants proof of purchase before they'll do anything free.

Still, it couldn't hurt to call TriStar and see if they can help. Since Interstate sold TriStar to the present owners in 2000, the old Interstate records may or may not have survived the transfer of ownership. In the course of my work, I frequently find that corporate records have been lost, destroyed, put into inaccessible storage, or made "off-limits" for some legal reason or other. So, don't expect too much, and be very thrilled indeed if they can- and will- help you.
 
I don't expect they'll have that detailed info from the 50's
Don;t think I'd even try

Just was curious

Still, someone must have compounded it thru trial & error
& from accounts of owners like us
who are trying to piece the timeframe together

That stuff was all on paper wasn't it
filed away somewhere
Boxes in a warehouse somewhere caked with dust

don't expect someone to try to go look for it

LOL

Would be nice if they compiled something & stored it on computer like approx serial numbers for the years & models

Guess will happy to marrow it down at least by model number

& its pretty old

Well maybe not that old
just a lil older than me

LOL

For the record
I think this is the serial number
its inside the lid & just printed on with a plastic strip
no tag not etched & I;d say very easily lost

So just for for sake of ?

Serial # 1089338

Wheels attached with a carter pinned
Don't look incredibly strong design not like the first ones which had nut & bolt
 
Sounds like alot of vacuums in say 10/15 years

The number could also be an inspection sticker #
its below the good housekeeping sticker

Then I don't see a serial number for the unit

Shouldn't they be etched in or plated on esp in those days
didn't think they'd use a thin plastic sticker
 
More Compact dateingtconfirmations

Pawing through the User manuals file I came up with two Compact manuals, one for the 1956 C-4 and the other for the 1964 Electra. Both manuals have copyright dates but more telling, they have sale dates inked inside.

So, first we have a Model C-4 sold on October 28, 1958 in Williamsport PA.

Second, we have a Compact Electra sold July 19, 1965.

The illustrations are large clear photographs which make it easy to identify certain features of the year. Also helps me identify which woven hose goes with which machine, by pattern.

The 1958 Compact comes with two tapered end friction fit wands with one rolled rim,, no buttons, dimples, slots or holes.

The 1965 Electra tho' has the wands I showed up above (mine's lost its knob & has been replaced with a wingnut). That is, one tapered tool end wand with a slot cut into the center of a dimple at the blunt-cut opposite end.

The hose wand has a corresponding protruding bolt with a knurled knob, that engages with the slot and you tighten the knob to lock. This hose wand has a rolled rim to accept the hose handle.

Both vacuums illustrated have the side rear angled heat vents. The C-4 manual has pages on using the MagicDisc and the Polish-Aire. It shows the C-4 with two knobs instead of ball casters yet features the gorgeous 'spinning disc speed lines' graphic, same as my beater turquoise has.

The 1964 manual shows the 'world globe' side graphic, which I believe my good turquoise has partially worn away. Yet both my turquoises are clearly stamped C-6 on the bottom. Mmmm...

I'm at work but would be more than happy to scan & post both manuals after midnight, if anyone likes.

Dave
 
I have that swirly logo on the left front
Has a orange G in it

Yep thats mine 2 gray bumps in front
C4 was 54 to 58 Wands are friction as are attachments
my hose think is a replacement


c5 59/60 one year so they will be pretty much the same
so anything after 60 would be the C6 which went for wuite a few years & some of them were anniversary

The C6 on is confusing with dates with the anniversary models

6-20-2008-20-19-30--camelotshadow.jpg
 
Wow!

So your wands are really Interstate issue, Dave. Good to know, and yes, some scans would be great info if and when you get the time.
 
Now that we're talking pre-1980 Compacts, should I start a new post for the full manuals?

Here's the parts page for the 1956 Model C-4 sold on October 28, 1958. This one has the two knobs up front

6-20-2008-23-27-26--aeoliandave.jpg
 
Parts page for the 1964 Compact Electra sold July 19, 1965.

See the locknut knob on the top wand. However the manual shows the bottom wand in a reverse position. The lady is pictured with the wands assembled correctly - note the knobbed wand has a rolled top end but the lower wand does not.

Checked the beater Compact and it's a duplicate model 6 with anniversary decal but both are unreadable now. I have this hose courtesy of Doug Smith.

6-20-2008-23-39-40--aeoliandave.jpg
 

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