TWO more antique Electrolux vacuums!

[ct77]

Well, apparently I AM collecting vacuum cleaners now!

I can't believe my luck! I mentioned earlier in another topic that I amazingly found a local vacuum shop, and the owner has a bunch of vintage vacuums which he was willing to sell. The last time I was there, I saw a really cool early Electrolux canister vacuum and I was seriously thinking about buying it. I went back today to get it. The owner showed me another one he had...and gave them BOTH to me for $50! He said he really wanted them to go to a good home. I had talked with him earlier about how I really liked antiques and have a collection of old vacuum tube radios and tvs I've restored. I'm definitely going to clean up the vacuums and take good care of them.

I think they are the "XXX" models and were both made in the 1940's or possibly early 1950's. I'll post a picture, and maybe someone here will know more about them.

The vacuums seem to be in very good condition, but they do have a few minor issues. One is missing the cloth bag (though I could probably find one on eBay). I also need to get a power cord for one of them. The other vacuum has a cord retractor, but it has a bad connection somewhere and there is no continuity with the plug. The motors work on both vacuums - the guy at the vacuum shop connected jumper leads on the plug input and tested it, and both vacuums sounded good.

I was wondering, would it be possible for me to open the cord retractor to find out what's wrong with the connections...or is a big spring going to pop out and go crazy as soon as I take the cover off? I've read warnings from people saying not to mess with cord retractors on old vacuums like this because the spring is dangerous, but I was hoping there is a way to just fix the electrical connection without tampering with the spring. On the Model G it's easy, but I don't know anything about these vacuums.

Also, it kind of looks like the cord retractor is a separate part you can add on to the vacuum. How do you take it off? I found screws, but they take off the entire back cover of the vacuum.

If anyone has any more information or suggestions about these really neat antique vacuums, I'd really appreciate it!

- Chris

 

[ct77]

An update. I've been working on one of the vacuums all day and late tonight. I cleaned it pretty thoroughly and cleaned the motor. Everything is looking shiny now! I figured out how to take off the cord retractor - it was just a little stubborn probably from being attached for decades.

I did open the cord retractor - if you take the cover off from the side that faces the vacuum, that gives access to the contact strips without disturbing the spring. After a LOT of tinkering and testing with a multimeter, I figured out that the problem was actually with the plug. There must have been a break in the cable somewhere near the end. I cut off a little of the cord from the plug (which I hated to do, but there was no other way) and tested the cable again...and now it had continuity. So I'll just have to replace the plug. I can get one from pretty much any hardware store though. Yeah, it won't be an "original" Electrolux cable anymore, but at least it will work!

I'm so glad I was able to figure out what was wrong with the cord retractor and I should be able to save it now. I really like how it looks attached to the vacuum.

 

[fantomfan57]

Congratulations,

looks like you are, a collector. You have been bitten by the VacCollect Fly.

Great hobby to have.

 

[thevacomaticiec]

Congrats on your find .

 

[jo]

Nice XXX’s

Those are nice XXX’s. Tt here are plenty of Genuine attachments out there for these on eBay. You should have no problem completing the vacuums into fully equipped sets and you got the cord reel going and you can get cords for these for the one without a cord reel. In the meantime you can use a short cord from an older percolator like the ones that came with the farberware percolators…or if you have an international set of cord adapters you can put the adapter between the vac and am extension cord. Attach an extension cord to the adapter and plug it in to the wall to power it up in the meantime until you get a full length replacement cord. Often the cords come up on ebay but they are usually at least $25 and a vac shop may be able to order one for you too.

The cloth bags are available on ebay. Someone makes a gray generic one but of course I always like to use genuine stuff if I can get it.

The attachments that came with these are very nice all metal and indestructible.

I have my Grandmother’s that she bought new in the 40’s and it is complete with everything standard that came with it when she bought it. It includes 2 stainless steel wands, a carpet nozzle, hard floor nozzle, dusting brush, upholstery tool, narrow space tool, and the sprayer was also standard. The companion tool caddy was an extra cost option. Oh and of course the hose.

Once you have a cord I like to wrap it around one of the bottom glides.

The XXX has a rich history with millions made and sold and it was designed by the famous designer Lurelle Guild who designed many art deco household items. One of these is even on display at the Smithsonian.

The cord reel was an extra cost option and yes, it is removable purposely to access the back end blower port as it is made to attach the hose into as well.

If you are on Facebook you may wish to join the Electrolux Vacuum Group USA Facebook group. Lots of collectors and knowledgeable people there that can help.

Lowes sell a decent all rubber black plug end that has a good antique look. I had to replace the end on my cord as well. It still worked but the outside of the cord was cracking and was weak so for safety’s sake I replaced it. I just didn’t want to put some cheap plastic tacky end on that would look out of character.

The XXX is my favorite straight suction vacuum. It’s quiet and lightweight and durable!

My Aunt did have to replace the hose in 1983…the original had collapsed and creased by the handle. She bought a new one from Electrolux and the man at the store threw away the old one. Back then the vacuum was in my Aunt’s house as the vacuum for the house, she inherited the house after my Grandmother passed away as she never married and always lived there. She passed away in 1984 at which point I asked my Father for the XXX as they were dismantling the house to sell it and that’s when I got it.

Hoses are best in the rubber instead of the old braided design as those fall apart from the inside out and leak compromising suction power.

Jon

 

[ct77]

It's working!

Thank you for all the great information, Jon!

I love how the vacuum looks like a miniature jet engine!

I found a plug in my spare parts. I don't know if I quite like the look of it, but it's a good sturdy plug and will work for now. The vacuum works great! It's VERY strong...I can't believe how strong the suction is! All the cleaning I did definitely paid off, it doesn't smell at all and there didn't seem to be any dust at all being thrown out of the exhaust. The motor also seems to be running pretty cool, even after I played around with it and ran it for several minutes. I'm so happy with how it turned out!

It even SOUNDS like a turbine engine...most of the noise is from rushing air, not the motor!

Now I just need to clean up the other one!

Jon, I was wondering if you (or if anyone else here) might know where I can get an exhaust filter? One of the XXX vacuums is missing the cloth bag and the filter. I found some bags on eBay, but I haven't had any luck finding filters there or on the other websites I've tried looking on. Do you have any spares by chance? Or, if I have to, do you know of any filters for other vacuums that might fit or could be modified to work?

- Chris

 

[paul]

Congratulations, Chris, on obtaining several vintage Electrolux USA "Air purifiers & cleaners" - as they were originally marketed. And welcome to collecting vintage floor & surface cleaners (including shampooers & floor polishers); it's a good, clean hobby!

The air filters are listed from time to time on eBay, but you may want to check out longtime vac shops like the one you've already patronized, too.

In case you haven't noticed the front metal band around the bag compartment opening is stamped on top with the uncoded 2-letter series and 5-digit production number, and on the bottom with the specs.

The medium gray leatherette and undercarriage paint on your tanks suggest a production period of 1945-52.
Also, I believe the exhaust louvers were changed to the saloon door style circa 1948. If you want to attempt to determine the exact production year remove the back cover and look for a month/year stamp on the switch casing (unless it was replaced).

 

[ct77]

Thank you, Paul!

I did notice a year on the switch of one of the vacuums while I was cleaning the motor. I'm pretty sure it was 1950. Ha, I should have wrote it down! I'll have to take another look sometime. I really like how easy it is to work on the XXX.

Now I just have to start collecting the attachments that went with it! I did buy a small metal Electrolux upholstery nozzle on eBay, which I'm pretty sure would have been included with the XXX. Actually, it looks pretty cool with the Model G too. I wish companies still made things out of metal today, instead of cheapy plastic!

- Chris