Trying out my Air-Way for the first time

[petek]

Well I finally got around today and cleaned the schmutz of that filthy old Air-Way I picked up a few weeks ago. Didn't have a hose though and then when I was moving some vacs around I noticed the hose for my Royal Canister looked like it may fit and by golly it did, except it wouldn't lock which was ok. Noticed too that the on/off switch isn't working. I'll save that for another day. Anyways I'm very impressed with it, it really sucks. I think when Dave was here a couple of weeks ago it did the best or close with the Filter Queen, both of which were miles ahead of the competition. Actually what I like the best with it is that you can use it upright or on its wheels. Well here's a pic of me hunting for dust bunnies upstairs in a spare bedroom

 

[arh1953]

What year is that Airway?

 

[constellation86]

Wheels

I didn't know that Air-ways had wheels near the top. I thought they always had to be upright. I better be careful or I might start collecting those too.
Nicholas

 

[petek]

Actually I don't know what year it is LOL
It has one small rotating wheel on the front so you can pull it along like a cylinder vacuum but it's very stable in the upright position. To move it in the upright position you just lift slightly on the handle and you can wheel it around on the big wheels. I like it. If I was going to buy a new canister as my only vac this would be a serious contender.

 

[crevicetool]

Feeling the sting of the ....

slap in the face I might receive, ...are Air-Ways still made? Be gentle in your punishment boys, I bruise easily LOL

 

[petek]

Yes they are. Charlie W is a distributor I believe. They have possibly the worst company website though, here's the link
If the new ones are still built like this one as I believe they are, all metal, they are certainly worth the cost.

http://www.air-way.net/

 

[aeoliandave]

Lookin' good, Pete. Air-Ways are so well built and powerful.

Cue Airway Charlie to clue us in on the correct year's of manufacture for the 55, 66, 77, 88 Marks I through V and the rest.

55 bright blue ... 1945-50
66 bright blue ... 1950-54
77 jade green ... 1954-?
88 2 tone turquoise ...? Mark I?
88 turquoise/bone ... ? Mark II?
88 Centurion white/black ...?
88 purple ... ?
88 White/bannana yellow ...?

I know my 66 wand end only fits 66 latching floor tools and will not fit the 77 onward tools. Is that correct?

 

[hoover1060]

New Airway

the one pictured is the Sani Clean New Century, I have one, bought new in 2005.
Its a marvelous little machine, powerful, lightweight, and very well made. I've been using it at Michael's house the past couple of weekends, it does an awesome job on carpets as well as wood floors.
Our own Charlie(AKA Helen) is an Airway Distributor.

Pete, your Filter Queen comparision is right on, the motors for the Airway and FQ are pretty much the same.

 

[petek]

Dave did you find those Air-Ways locally?

I think we need a good history lesson here much like Charles did regarding Electrolux in the Spring and Summer issues of the VCCC magazine.
I also wish somehow that writings such as that could be archived here on the forum for future reference.

The plate on my says Airway Sanitizor div of Lamb Enterprises Toledo OH.
Now is that the same Lamb as makes the motors?

 

[aeoliandave]

Pete, I found the Air-ways in west central Pennsylvania aka Butler area. One of the green 77s was an ebay purchase because I wanted the Attach-a-carrier and duplicate tools to complete the other one. In the end I have both 77s with complete tool sets. I don't think 66s had a tool caddy, but since I have the 66 tools and wand that's why I say the tools & wands are not interchangable.

 

[ge1969]

Hi Guys! Actually, the 66 AirWay did have a tool carrier. It was a board covered in marroon vinal with little straps to hold the tools. I was real lucky to get one with mine. Oh, it also had little straps to attach it to the machine. Later, Trg

 

[air-waycharlie]

Air-Ways are still in production in Taladega, AL. There are three models: the Signature Series, the Centurion and the New Century.

Production dates are approx. and as follows:
55A: 1940--1949
66: 1949--1954
77: 1954--1958
77 Mark II: 1958--1972
77 Mark II "88": 1973--1980
Mark V: 1975--1981

The bag material was changed last year due to availablity of the original "wood pulp cellulose" paper that was used. The new paper is more of a spun fiberglass material and is considered excellent to superb by some of the VCCC testers.

Air-Way is a shadow of what it had been in years gone by. I'm not sure how long they will be on the map but any serious collector of vacuums should have at least one Air-Way, old or new, it doesn't matter.

The current top of the line model, the Signature Series, is wonderful. I would put it to test against a Miele, Bosch, Lindhaus, Sebo, etc., any day of the week and it will perform well, if NOT outperform, IMHO, the competition.

And, yes, the website it horrible. To appreciate an Air-Way you have to see it and use it.

Charlie W.

 

[charles~richard]

Are the motor mounts in all the 77 and thereafter the same? I love the look of the two-tone turquoise 88 but would like a more powerful motor in mine. Would a Signature Series motor fit? If so, how much would one cost??

 

[air-waycharlie]

Charles,

Yes, a larger Lamb motor will fit. I think they are available from ESSCO, (11 amp), somewhere around $60-65, wholesale.

The Lamb 12 amp is probably obtainable through Air-Way, but, I'm sure it would cost more.

I'll being seeing some VCCC folks this weekend and let me see what I can find out. We may be able to find you a used one that is in good condition for considerably less. The change out is very easy. Tania is a pro at it!

Stay tuned..................................