The Completely Complete TriStar (for Completists)

[danemodsandy]

Hello All:

I finally resolved my digital camera problem (by getting a new one), and so I'm at long last able to post pics of my "new" TriStar CXL. The machine was purchased from Nathan ("Electrolux-Dude"), who provided:

- The canister
- The power nozzle
- Two wands
- A floor tool
- A rug shoe (clips to the bottom of the floor tool for using it on rugs; it's the clear plastic piece you see near the floor and rug tools)
- A dusting brush
- A crevice tool
- An upholstery tool complete with the rare, elusive grille (which never survives).

Nathan also included an original ICC box, not shown.

I have since added:

- A genuine TriStar hose
- A genuine TriStar rug tool (the rug shoe attachment for the floor tool is something of a kludge; it's tricky to attach in a way that doesn't bend the bristles of the floor tool, and it likes to come off when you pick the floor tool up off the rug during vacuuming)
- A second set of wands (so I don't have to fiddle with removing the wands from the PN when I need wands for use with say, the floor tool)
- New dusting brush insert
- A genuine TriStar tool caddy (clips to the wand)
- An original manual
- A new afterfilter basket (the old one had one mounting tab broken; though it was still perfectly usable, I replaced it just for the sake of having things "just so").

So, I now have a very complete and original machine, thanks to Nathan and all the help I've received here. Thanks, everybody!

 

[danemodsandy]

Attachment Shot:

Here you can see the rug and floor tools, along with the rug shoe attachment for the floor tool.

 

[danemodsandy]

Canister Close-Up:

With the cord out of the way, so that you can see the entire canister...

 

[danemodsandy]

Last Shot:

Canister with the cord wound onto the cord-winder bracket, as it's usually stored:

 

[danemodsandy]

Anyhoo:

This machine brings back a lot of memories, since it's an updated version of the Compact C-2 we had when I was growing up. That C-2 lasted my mom (who is not, shall we say, easy on appliances) for thirty years. That machine was purchased in 1954, brand new, and came with a demother and a Polish-Aire floor polishing attachment. Alas, the Polish-Aire hasn't been made for many, many years. Robert Seger (Unimatic1140, owner of Automaticwasher.org) has a C-2 that is the twin of the one we had, except for one of the tools.

 

[arh1953]

That is a beautiful piece of equipment, the lines remind me of a Studebaker, who had many handsome designs.

 

[camelotshadow]

Space age design

I wouldn't mind having that myself
sure is a beauty

 

[danemodsandy]

Thanks!

What I'm enjoying about this CXL is that due to the great start Nathan gave me by including so many HTF pieces, I've been able to put the machine back into complete condition. I have never seen a complete CXL, DXL, or EX-20 on eBay- they're all missing stuff, even the nicest ones.

 

[filterqueen83]

I had one

I had one of these way back in the day never had the power head to it so I used and old hoover one. The hinge are finally broke on it one day and that was all she wrote. I really miss it. I am thinking this may be my next endeavor.

 

[xraytech]

That is a beautiful machine.
It reminds me alot of the green Compact electra Grandpap had out in the garage for cleaning the cars. It was a yard sale find for a few dollars in the mid 1980's but he used it until he died in 2003 and it is still in garage haven't used it but a few times.

 

[danemodsandy]

Matthew:

If you want a Compact or TriStar, Nathan here ("electrolux-dude") may be able to help. He sold me the basic machine you see in this thread, and his prices and service are always great.

Also, if you ever have trouble with a Compact or a TriStar, they still make most parts for the older machines. A broken hinge would be very fixable.