Tempted by an Epic

[human]

I don't remember the last time I saw a vacuum cleaner that even remotely interested me at a thrift shop, but a little while ago, I came very, very close to pulling the trigger on an Electrolux Epic 3500 upright. I had run out for some Chinese takeout and pulled into Goodwill on the way home and saw this particularly pristine Epic 3500. It looked like it had had hardly been used. There were no accessories with it and the store had taken out the electrical outlets where you used to be able to test stuff so I couldn't check to see how it ran. They wanted $35 for it, which wasn't totally outrageous, but having just shelled out a a few thousand on a new roof for my house, I wasn't really into making a discretionary purchase.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Get it! i have one, its terrific!!

 

[suckolux]

They are tough guys!

 

[human]

Well, I'm gonna sleep on it and I may go back after work tomorrow and see if it's still there.

 

[packardmanken]

Trying to contact you!

Human! How do I contact you? You responded to one of my posts recently and I would like to talk with you!
Thanks!

 

[delaneymeegan]

 


 


I switched, around 1996 from Electrolux Olympia to Electrolux uprights.  I had 3 of them at one point.  The final one had a head light.  They are good machine.  Easy bag change.  Can get an electric hose for using a motorize upholstery cleaner attachment.   light enough in weight. and a two motor system.


 


$35 is reasonable.

 

[human]

Contact info

Ken,
I'm sending you an e-mail with the subject line "Human from Vacuumland". Why Vacuumland doesn't have a private message function is beyond me. Most other forums of this type to which I have belonged do.

 

[human]

After seeing what they want for those machines on eBay, $35 is indeed reasonable. I'm going to swing by there on my way home this afternoon. If it's still there, it'll be mine. If not, then it wasn't meant to be and I'm okay with that.

 

[countryguy]

Vacuumland DOES have a private messaging function. Just pay the $12 annual membership and you will have access to it Note however that you can only private message other members that have also paid the annual fee. This is shown by the E in a square box after the profile name.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

I recommend it! Mine came to me, no tools, 50 bucks! I got the tools from the vacuum shop I work at for free

Here are some pictures

Also, Edgar, do you mind sending me an Email? i would be interested in buying your Electrolux PN-5

Andy Rousonelos
[email protected]

 

[human]

It got gone...

I swung by the thrift shop on my way home today and the Epic was gone. Oh well, I guess if I had really wanted it, I shoulda grabbed it last night. Just wasn't meant to be.

 

[human]

#Vacuumlad

I just shot you an e-mail with the same subject line I used for the one I sent Packardman Ken.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Thanks Edgar! If you see another one of these, Grab it! I love mine!

 

[packardmanken]

Sent you an email

Human: Sent you an email.
Thanks, Ken

 

[human]

Got a second chance...

Every now and then, the universe allows you a second chance. Today was one of those days. I stopped in at a Salvation Army thrift store I'd never visited before and what do you think I found?

It wasn't an Epic but it was an Electrolux upright, A Discovery Plus, to be exact. I guess the "plus" indicated the built-in tool holders, which unfortunately weren't holding any tools. Overall, the machine was pretty much in comparable condition to the Epic I'd spotted earlier in the week and it was $10 cheaper. After my experience losing the Epic, I did not hesitate to buy it.

Other than a few scuffs on the sides and on the bumper around the nozzle, it's in great shape and seems to work fine except for a loose connection where the removable cord attaches to the body of the vacuum cleaner. The only downside I see is it doesn't have a power connector to allow me to use my SideKick with it. It also lacks the Epic's headlight.

My initial impression is it works well, although it takes a bit more effort to push around than my G series Kirbys with their Tech Drives engaged. I'll have wait to do any more extensive testing since the bag is completely full. I've ordered some replacements (Walmart doesn't stock them) and they should be here the first of the week.

 

[vacerator]

Yes, tell it Edgar! Nice find.

I did the same today, and had been looking for a Eureka vibra beat rug tool for a while. Just to have as a novelty. There was a Hoover Concept one with a plastic bag hanging on the handle. Inside was the owners guide, and a vibra beat tool in ivory color. I don't even have to paint it. The Hoover ran, so I grabbed it for $10. It's not even very dirty. Power drive works also.
I connected the vibra beat to my central vac, and it even picked up white lint and fuzz off the carpet. I also felt it suck down to the nap.
Everyone says they only make noise.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

The discovery II did not come with a headlight or sidekick hook-up. Very nice cleaner! made 1986-88. The Epic was 91-2000

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Whoops, my info is the discovery 2. Maybe a picture of the discovery plus? I cant see it in my mind

 

[human]

Yes, I'm very happy with my purchase. I just spent a few minutes going over it with a Walmart generic version of a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and some L.A.'s Totally Awesome, which is a dollar store product similar to 409, and got rid of almost all of the scuffs. Then I started poking around in my parts box and came up with a combo dusting/upholstery brush that appears to be designed to fit the accessory holder on the front of the handle, even though the plastic is more of a dove gray instead of the Discovery's oatmeal gray. Then I went down to the storage barn in my back yard and dug out a pair of wands and a crevice tool that went to a crappy old shop vac I was planning to donate. After cleaning them up, I test fit the combo brush onto the end of one of the wands and it snugged up real nice. The crevice tool also fits onto the tool holder like it belongs there. The only thing I'm now missing is the hose and I have put in a "best offer" for one on eBay (there's something quite satisfying about playing that little game and chiseling a little more off of an already acceptable price). If that goes through, I'll be in business.