Sunbeam

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Dual Deluxe...

Was introduced in 1958, 89.95! It was equal to the Apex Strato cleaner in power, nothing else on the market even came close, its main problem was that it had so much power that fine dust had the tendency to make the bags burst, thus they are rare today..The airflow on these is about what a top of the line Miele is today, the sealed suction somewhere aroung 85 to 90 inches.Another problem was that it drew around 12 amps, no problem today, but back then a lot of houses were still wired to 1920s standards, so you were constantly blowing fuses.Consumer Reports commented that it might not be suitable for older homes because of the high current draw.This was a single fan motor, the fan was shaped like a flying saucer.
 
Oh YES!!

MUCH more!!!The Compacts used a lamb motor, 7 amp, model 4750, good for about 75 or so inches of waterlift, but the big difference was airflow, the single fan in the Apex or Sunbeam meant less restriction, a Baird Airflow meter like used by Kirby for demonstration is the real test, both the Apex and the Dual Deluxe pull the indicator back as far as it will go, nothing else on the market in the 50s or even in the 60s or 70s even comes close.
 
Sunbeam

Great info.I worked at store years ago that only carried Sunbeam vacs. Anyone know when the uprights and brooms came into being?
Chan
 
I have several Sunbeams in my collection. I will try to take some pictures and share them here.

I would agree with Hans. All of the Sunbeams I own have superior airflow to the counterparts of the time.

One of my dream machines would be a Sunbeam Challenger, wood grain, with powerhead.....

Part of my collection is a Sunbeam Electric Broom with a headlight...the Deluxe Model. Has an attachment port on the back. I have never seen the attachment set....wondering what it included.

Morgan
 
Dual Deluxe vs. Electrolux

Hans is very right on this.An Electrolux manager that started in the early 50s told me years ago that a furniture store owner told him in the late 50s that he sold a vac that had more suction than the Elux.He did not believe him as the Elux,at the time S & AF,was very popular but was proved wrong.Those AFs would have lasted longer with good quality of bags,etc.The later Sunbeams were not the same.--Most of the broom atts would have a hose with 2 'legs' with rollers,1 wand and dusting,upholstery and crevice tools with possible vinyl storage bag.
 
Once I saw a Sunbeam canister at the thrift store. It was round, blue from the early 70s and was called a Touch N Lock, as the lid locked in place with a magnet. Very neat machine. I probably should have gotten it.
 
Early Sunbeam vs Late...

The first Dual Deluxe models, had a very well built cast aluminum frame motor with two ball bearings, rated at 900 watts, and a very thick power cord, later the motors were cheapened to a stamped frame and one ball and one sleeve bearing.power consumtion was lowered but im not sure how much.
 

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