Universal Upright vacuum cleaner.

[crevicetool]

Well, as I was pulling into the driveway today there was a huge box sitting next to the front door. What could it be?

Alright - I knew what it was - Alex Elliot (Kirbyotronic) had found me a Universal Upright vacuum on one of his thrift store adventures.

You'll get to see the machine - but you will have to suffer through one of my usually long winded stories first.

(That cage is to prevent the puppy from escaping when the door is open. Rear end of said puppy is pictured at bottom of photo).

 

[crevicetool]

Seems Alex forgot to send the machine - just a box full of those damned peanuts and a black curved stick!

 

[crevicetool]

Ta - Da!!!!

Arrived unscathed!

 

[crevicetool]

Have no idea what model number it is....research pending.....

 

[crevicetool]

Seems to be complete except for a rug plate and one of the clips that holds it on. Might be missing a bumper too. Both of which after I get a photo of them I can fabricate to match original specs.

 

[crevicetool]

Previous photo........uh huh......peanuts. Alex used ninety seven pounds of peanuts to pack a twelve pound vacuum in.....

 

[crevicetool]

One rear swivel caster.

 

[crevicetool]

Really odd (but complete and working) height adjuster system. There are two of these, one for each front wheel, and it looks as if the wheel sits outside the rug plate (?) The brush roll spins quite freely and is surprisingly in good shape. Looking at this picture, perhaps there isn't a rug plate - just a bumper that's missing - gonna have to figure that out.

 

[crevicetool]

Switch, with remnants of the original cloth twisted/lead cord. When asked if it ran when he found it Alex answered "I don't know - didn't want to burn the house down trying to find out".

Good call Alex.

 

[crevicetool]

Test leads easily connected - LF&C knew that in seventy or so years, I might come along and want to see and hear this thing run, therefore, they provided this convenient hook up.

More ratty original cord showing....

 

[luxg]

YAY!!!!

The Universal Upright has arrived! Looks like she is going to need a good visit to the "Winkler Spa"!!! I am betting that there wasn't a plate that went over the brush roll but that is just a guess. Congratulations on getting a very rare machine.

Terry

 

[crevicetool]

Money shot!!!!

and it does....the bag spewed out little dirt as the motor fired up with out the least awkward sound. No vibration, so bearing noise....smooth....and sufficiently loud to perhaps indicate a good strong suction. That lamp cord is what the previous owner taped on to replace the cotton cord.

I had the bag off on the second run, and it blows a good strong stream of blower air.

 

[crevicetool]

I can't be more pleased. Thrilled actually. I didn't know if I would ever get one of these early Universal uprights. Can't wait to get started on it.

Alex, thank you ever so much for getting it to me.

Rick

 

[crevicetool]

Terry, you will be dealt with later for interrupting.....

 

[luxg]

I'll be waiting!!!

 

[a007kirbyman]

If I may kindly interrupt as well..

Hello Rick.

I ditto the sentiments regarding no rug plate.

Nice acquisition Rick.

Cheers & hagd all,

Bill


Ps: So where's that email Rick?

 

[DysonAnimal]

Congratulations, Rick - a very rare cleaner in the best home it could hope for! I'm guessing it must date from mid-1920's? Presumably post-1925, since it has a motor-driven revolving brush...

I'd assume it's missing not a true rug plate, but a wire rug guard, like this Sweeper-Vac:

 

[petek]

Very nice Rick and Alex.

I wished I'd known sooner you were wanting one of these so badly because I had a NIB one sitting down here in the basement for like ever. Nobody wanted it, Dave nor Chad etc I even tried to hide it in Daves Subaru b4 he left town one time cause he'll take anything but he saw it and tossed it onto the lawn whilst spewing profanities so I ended up taking it to the Goodwill donation box up by the highschool and it's prolly gone by now.

 

[arh1953]

Oh, it's a vacuum cleaner

I thought it was a cheesecake.