Tristar

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Eureka PNs

Those were made earlier than the PN that would be on a DXL or EX-20. There are two late TriStar PNs - the 2-102 (smooth drive wheel on the brushroll and smooth belt) and the 2-101 (cogged drive wheel and belt).

Both are essentially similar, except for the drive wheel and belt. The important thing is to be sure they're complete with all their little spacers and dust seals.
 
My CXL:

Eric:

Just thought you'd like to see my CXL. This was the model before yours. You can see both the floor and rug tools, as well as the owner's manual. There is an extra set of wands, so I don't have to remove the wands from the PN to use the floor or rug tools. On the wands, you'll see the tool caddy, which holds the dusting brush, crevice tool, and upholstery/drapery tool.

2-27-2009-21-40-52--danemodsandy.jpg
 
Eric:

It will. All it takes is a little work. Mine was not as complete as yours is when I got it, although Nathan did a great job putting the motor back in good shape and included a lot of tools. I had to buy a hose, a rug tool, a new bristle insert for the dusting brush, the tool caddy, the extra set of wands, and the owner's manual. That was last year. This year, I rebuilt the PN with a new motor, new belt, new brushroll, new spacers, and new dust seals.

It sounds like a new machine, and it does not have any dusty smell when you use it. Carpet fluffs up like new with the PN.
 
I will tell you I used a Compact for years to clean empty
houses, apts. and condos in the 80's here in Columbus, Oh.
It was the only machine other then a Kirby that could take the
new plaster and building dust and never loose suction. Plus
cement dust in new basements and garages.
So it will be a great machine for regular house hold cleaning !
Norm
 

danemodsandy

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 27, 2007
Messages
1,701
If Ya Got It, Flaunt It!

If you have the machine already, please share pics!

P.S.: You're right about the power; TriStars really can dredge out the dirt.

Congratulations.
 
**UPDATED PICS**

So as I said in a previous post, I saw Scott today and he gave me a VGII to go in the Tristar. Now I have made a "MAN" out of my Tristar. HAHA Ref Eric's video! I got the VGII for 10.00 at Scotts store and then the Tristar with all these tools all for 30.00 on Craigslist! Find of the Century, I tell you!

3-6-2009-19-50-38--ericaustin.jpg
 
long-time happy owner

My family bought a new Tri-Star in 1985 + it outcleaned the other vacs until the motor burned out after 22 yrs of HEAVY USE. Got out ALL dirt the Lux left behind then used Turbotool rug washer + no hair on shampooer. We even used it as a garage vac (when cleaning out/replacing shop vac filter) NOT EVEN MY RIDGID WD-1670 blower/vac can match the Tri-Star's power!
 
Becomming common as the dirt it is more than a match for.

Boy oh boy, those mottled silver Tristars are popping up like Spring crocus' tese days. That's what, 4 that have been featured in these forums in 4 weeks?

Love mine and of course took it to the MiniMeet. Then found a second PN & wands at the Junqutorium. :-) that plus the spare one that came with the first one means a PN for every pn enabled Compact/Tristar I have in the Compact Compound.

Dave
 
Original After-Filter...

I've made some headway on the original after filter design (the massive wart looking thing)

If you have the original filter element, you can actually revive it to near-new condition by running it through your washing machine on the gentle cycle. I tried it last night and both the washer and the filter came out unscathed! The filter still has a grayish cast to it, but it breathes like new and you can see light through the paper.

If you actually want to replace the filter, I found a K&N air filter that is the exact dimensions as the original filter element. It is a custom size, but the part number is a K&N E-3220.

I've been unable to find a paper element that's still made that will fit, but the K&N is the EXACT same size as the original. It costs $30, but you'll NEVER replace it again. I'm tempted to try it...

http://www.4filters.com/Custom-Air-Filter-5-58OD4-12ID2H_p_0-2345.html
 
Brilliant sleuthing, Eric. Thank you for the link & info. I gave mine a blast with compressed air at work and only a mere puff of dust came out. But then Compacts do run so clean anyway. The only time I find the cloth bag gets slightly dusty is when the paper bag is old, over used or torn.

The Skylon Warthog looks best, and appropriate, on an older Compact with the vertical exhaust port, imho.

Dave

4-6-2009-22-02-55--aeoliandave.jpg
 
Sandy is right!

Well, Sandy is right about the brushroll. I placed an aftermarket brushroll on my Tristar power nozzle and it did ok. However, I just installed a genuine Tristar brushroll and I can honestly say that its performace is far superior to the aftermarket item. First, it is much quieter. Second, the brushes are stiffer and do a noticeably better job of grooming the carpet. Third, carpet vibration is more noticeable too, so I know it's doing a better job of cleaning.
 
The factory brushrolls are definitely better than the generic aftermarket models. That said......carpet vibration? I've got 2 TriStars and neither one vibrates my carpet even one bit with the original brushroll. Now with that VGII.......that's in a league of it's own!
 

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