Seeking advice about generic tools for Tristar CXL and Electrolux tanks

[Sanifan]

As many of us know, not every used vacuum comes with its full compliment of attachments. If we are lucky, a used canister will come with a hose, wands, and a working power nozzle. You would be very lucky to find the full kit.

Well, I was lucky enough to get a Tristar CXL and a later model plastic body Electrolux tank, both with working power nozzles. I was not lucky enough to get other attachments with them.

So now I'm looking for inexpensive generic attachments so I can get full use out of my new machines. I have yet to test out the parts in my junk box, but I'm almost sure I'll find crevice tool and dusting brushes that may work. I'm not so sure about the hard floor tool, though.

Does anyone have any thoughts about what to get and what to avoid? There seem to be two styles of hard floor tool: one with just bristles, and one that also has a set of small wheels on the sides. I'll be using these vacs primarily on hard floors, so it's pretty important to find a decent hard floor tool. Some even articulate, but I don't know how well those perform.

I know I'll be avoiding the kind that has flip down brushes. I think this was designed to be a dual use head. Unusable both on carpet and hard floors. I have one that came with my Mighty Mite canister and it is way too cumbersome.

I like the Dyson hard floor tools and wonder if any of those will friction fit onto the wand of a Tristar CXL or Electrolux tank? Any insights are appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

 

[kenmore81]

Im sure most standard attachments will fit both ends, I like the electrolux bare floor nozzle, it has spaces in the front bristles so it doesnt "snow plow" most things. You can find the generic on ebay. I also like the Kenmore bare floor brush because the brushes are more in the middle as not to snow plow. Hope this helps a bit =)

 

[danemodsandy]

Go Original

Khoi:

First of all, your CXL has a lock button system on the wands. If you try to use tools that do not have the little shaped hole for the lock button, you're going to end up with tools that are hard to put on and take off the wand.

Genuine TriStar tools are not cheap, particularly the floor tool and the rug tool. Those two are heavy die-cast aluminum; the dusting brush, crevice tool and upholstery tool that are correct for your machine are clear plastic with glitter in the plastic. All of them have the shaped hole for your wands.

There is a satisfaction - and longevity - to genuine TriStar tools that you won't get with aftermarket tools. The floor and rug tools for your CXL are almost identical to the ones that came with my mom's 1954 C-2. Those tools lasted thirty-five years, and would have lasted longer if Mom took care of things. All the brush bristle inserts on them are replaceable.

New tools are still available from TriStar. If you have the patience, you could also try eBay. You will be much more satisfied with genuine tools than anything from the aftermarket - it's the difference between a Chevy Cavalier and a Lexus.

What you could do is to get a set of aftermarket tools now, but keep your eyes open on eBay for used original tools. They aren't cheap, but they're sooooooo nice to have. Plus, your CXL will be worth WAY more if you ever go to sell. My CXL is absolutely complete with all its tools, an extra set of wands (so I don't have to take the wands off the PN to use other tools) and an instruction manual, and if I ever sold it, I would not have to take $100 for it the way I would a beat-up machine with pieces missing.