Universal brand Vacuums

[unpavemypath]

Hi! New here. First of all, thank you all! I recently bought an Electrolux LE from an estate sale and I never would have been able to break it down and clean the canister, motor, cord winder, and the power nozzle and reassemble to make it my dedicated downstairs vacuum without the help of this forum.

My problem is I’ve apparently caught the vintage vacuum bug because there’s a Universal VC6702 at another estate sale near me with no bids and the auction ends in 8 hours and I know this auction house and they will absolutely send it to the landfill if it doesn’t sell. I’d hate for it to go in the trash but I can’t find any documentation about its parts, repairability, bags? and I really don’t like clutter so I’d rather not take it on if I can’t actually use it. But It would work wonderfully as my upstairs vacuum…if I can figure it out. Any advice? It has attachments AND the storage box so I really don’t want it to go to a landfill.

 

[centralsweeper63]

I would say to buy it and see if you can fix it.

 

[unpavemypath]

I would say to buy it and see if you can fix it.

It’s likely that it will come to that it’s entirely possible that it’s still operational as it’s been in that storage box and a $5 gamble is probably worth it.

 

[paul]

Hi and welcome to VL.

I located newspaper ads for it from 1947 to 1950; attached are a couple of them including a closer view and a 2-part one due to its large size. The VC6702 was Landers, Frary, and Clark's Deluxe cylinder model at the time with all the bells and whistles. Other vacuum cleaners marketed alongside it were its upright models VC5702; VC5706, and VC5708; and cylinder-type models VC6700 and VC6702.

Check out this archived thread for a bit more information on Universal:

https://vacuumland.org/threads/universal-vacuum-cleaners-info.27269/

Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landers,_Frary_&_Clark

 

[unpavemypath]

Hi and welcome to VL.

I located newspaper ads for it from 1947 to 1950; attached are a couple of them including a closer view and a 2-part one due to its large size. The VC6702 was the Deluxe cylinder model with all the bells and whistles. Others marketed alongside it were its upright models VC5702; VC5706, and VC5708; and cylinder-type models VC6700 and VC6702.

Check out this archived thread for a bit more information on Universal:

https://vacuumland.org/threads/universal-vacuum-cleaners-info.27269/

You guys are awesome! I’m just gonna bid on it. I feel confident that we can save it

 

[cheesewonton]

Hi and welcome to VL.

I located newspaper ads for it from 1947 to 1950; attached are a couple of them including a closer view and a 2-part one due to its large size. The VC6702 was Landers, Frary, and Clark's Deluxe cylinder model at the time with all the bells and whistles. Other vacuum cleaners marketed alongside it were its upright models VC5702; VC5706, and VC5708; and cylinder-type models VC6700 and VC6702.

Check out this archived thread for a bit more information on Universal:

https://vacuumland.org/threads/universal-vacuum-cleaners-info.27269/

Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landers,_Frary_&_Clark

Paul to the rescue ! Amazing.

 

[paul]

In addition, here is a 1947 Universal vacuum cleaners magazine ad image from a current eBay listing:

 

[unpavemypath]

Well guys, I am the proud new owner of this vacuum. Let the adventure begin!

 

[centralsweeper63]

Photos please!

 

[unpavemypath]

It’s an absolute mess and I’m so excited to clean it up! It still runs but I didn’t go too wild before I could get to the motor to inspect. I’ll definitely take process shots on the clean up!

 

[paul]

It’s an absolute mess and I’m so excited to clean it up! It still runs but I didn’t go too wild before I could get to the motor to inspect. I’ll definitely take process shots on the clean up!

Please take some before, during, and after photos for us. Your efforts to bring it back to a cleaned, polished and usable condition will make your Universal extra rewarding to you. Congrats!

 

[paul]

The information in this archived thread regarding the hose may be useful to you:

https://vacuumland.org/threads/repairing-woven-cloth-hoses.22656/

 

[centralsweeper63]

I have been digging for that post for a while. Thank you.