constellation86
Well-known member
I just got this blue C-4 Revelation. All of the other C-4s I have seen are turquoise or pink. What other colors are out there waiting to be discovered.
Unusual Revelation
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constellation86
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Rating plate
constellation86
Well-known member
Here it is next to my C-6 Compact to show the color difference.
constellation86
Well-known member
It didn't come with any tools, only a newer hose and some bags.
Nicholas
Nicholas
suckolux
Well-known member
Pretty!
Why was the vac made with no wheels on the front?
Gary
Gary
ncovert
Well-known member
Gary. they probably did that to save money. Maybe because it was a lower end model?
suckolux
Well-known member
These were pricy machines,doubt saving money was it, but who knows.
hydralique
Well-known member
Wheels & Compacts . . .
Many early canister vacs had no wheels, even expensive ones often had runners instead. The concept was that you'd place the vac near where you wanted to clean and then use the hose to clean that area, after which you'd move the vac to the next spot.
The Compact wasn't originally designed for residential use but rather to allow for quick cleaning of the new big airliners that began to be produced in large numbers after WWII. Interstate Engineering was part of Howard Hughes' empire and the early vacs were made in El Segundo, right south of LAX and in the heart of the SoCal aerospace industry. For aircraft use two wheels were plenty as the vacs got carried about the cabin as crews cleaned during layovers.
By the late '50s more canisters had wheels so Compact dropped the front skids in favor of a single front wheel with the C-5 introduced about '60. Because Compacts were sold like Kirbys by door to door salesmen, Interstate was careful about any sales by vac shops - these were the machines branded "Revelation" and are rare. Most Revelations are C-3 models, I've never seen a C-4 Revelation. What's odder is that the C-5 was already out with the single front wheel: I have a 24th anniversary C-5. My assumption is that this Revelation must have been a way to use up some old C-4 castings left over once the C-5 came out. It's probably really rare. The C-5 itself only lasted a couple of years before the 4 wheel C-6 came out; that was made for many years.
Many early canister vacs had no wheels, even expensive ones often had runners instead. The concept was that you'd place the vac near where you wanted to clean and then use the hose to clean that area, after which you'd move the vac to the next spot.
The Compact wasn't originally designed for residential use but rather to allow for quick cleaning of the new big airliners that began to be produced in large numbers after WWII. Interstate Engineering was part of Howard Hughes' empire and the early vacs were made in El Segundo, right south of LAX and in the heart of the SoCal aerospace industry. For aircraft use two wheels were plenty as the vacs got carried about the cabin as crews cleaned during layovers.
By the late '50s more canisters had wheels so Compact dropped the front skids in favor of a single front wheel with the C-5 introduced about '60. Because Compacts were sold like Kirbys by door to door salesmen, Interstate was careful about any sales by vac shops - these were the machines branded "Revelation" and are rare. Most Revelations are C-3 models, I've never seen a C-4 Revelation. What's odder is that the C-5 was already out with the single front wheel: I have a 24th anniversary C-5. My assumption is that this Revelation must have been a way to use up some old C-4 castings left over once the C-5 came out. It's probably really rare. The C-5 itself only lasted a couple of years before the 4 wheel C-6 came out; that was made for many years.
suckolux
Well-known member
A friend of mine went to work for TWA in 72 and remembers still seeing them to clean the planes! New at the time I am sure.
Revelations were
Made in the C-4 style longer than the Compacts were...if anyone has a C-3, I would love to see it because as far as I know, there aint no such animal!, it went from C-2 to C-4, C-4s were made in two configurations, first with the flat ld, then they went back to the old style.
Made in the C-4 style longer than the Compacts were...if anyone has a C-3, I would love to see it because as far as I know, there aint no such animal!, it went from C-2 to C-4, C-4s were made in two configurations, first with the flat ld, then they went back to the old style.
danemodsandy
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Wheels vs. Glides
I grew up with a Compact C-2, and I own a TriStar CXL, so I've experienced both glides and wheels.
On the C-2, the wheels were at the rear, furthest away from the hose, so what you did was lift up on the hose a bit and that lifted the front off the glides, leaving the rear wheels free to turn as you then pulled the vacuum along.
On the CXL, you just tug on the hose and the machine begins to follow you.
I am absolutely amazed at my CXL, not because of the changes between that machine and earlier ones, but because of how FEW changes were needed to make a 1940s design fully up-to-date in the 1980s, when the CXL was made. The original Compact design was a masterpiece of engineering - strong, light for its time, simple and robust.
I grew up with a Compact C-2, and I own a TriStar CXL, so I've experienced both glides and wheels.
On the C-2, the wheels were at the rear, furthest away from the hose, so what you did was lift up on the hose a bit and that lifted the front off the glides, leaving the rear wheels free to turn as you then pulled the vacuum along.
On the CXL, you just tug on the hose and the machine begins to follow you.
I am absolutely amazed at my CXL, not because of the changes between that machine and earlier ones, but because of how FEW changes were needed to make a 1940s design fully up-to-date in the 1980s, when the CXL was made. The original Compact design was a masterpiece of engineering - strong, light for its time, simple and robust.
hygiene903
Well-known member
Revelation
Here's a pic of my C-2 Revelation. It was a gift from Norm Brown a few years ago when he was downsizing his collection. Thanks again, Norm!
Jeff
Here's a pic of my C-2 Revelation. It was a gift from Norm Brown a few years ago when he was downsizing his collection. Thanks again, Norm!
Jeff
constellation86
Well-known member
Did they ever make a Compact in this blue color?
Nicholas
Nicholas
fantomfan57
Well-known member
My new Revelation
Yesterday I responded to a CL ad for a collection of vacuum cleaners. I wanted the Eureka Empress II so I stopped by after being out of town and to my surprise, a very good condition Eureka and a Revelation. I also had to take the Hoover Port-a-power, a Red Hoover Hand vac, a Eureka Powerline Mighty Mite II and two boxes of attachments.
The Revelation is cleaned up and ready to move inside the house. The hose has strong suction (for a cloth hose).
My question is, what is that cylindrical attachment open in one end and holes punched in the other semi-tapered end. Mine looks like the last picture posted above and that attachment is shown to the front right.
Yesterday I responded to a CL ad for a collection of vacuum cleaners. I wanted the Eureka Empress II so I stopped by after being out of town and to my surprise, a very good condition Eureka and a Revelation. I also had to take the Hoover Port-a-power, a Red Hoover Hand vac, a Eureka Powerline Mighty Mite II and two boxes of attachments.
The Revelation is cleaned up and ready to move inside the house. The hose has strong suction (for a cloth hose).
My question is, what is that cylindrical attachment open in one end and holes punched in the other semi-tapered end. Mine looks like the last picture posted above and that attachment is shown to the front right.
luxflairguy
Well-known member
Pics would help!
Deleted member 1090
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Lovely vacuum i looove my C9 repainted in blue .
hygiene903
Well-known member
Hi Garry,
Congrats on some nice finds! Sounds like the Revelation you got is the same model as mine. The attachment you are asking about is a demother. You would connect the hose to the blower end of the cleaner, fill the demother with paradichlorobenzene moth crystals, and connect it to the hose. Then put it in the closet, seal the door, and let it run for about an hour or two.
Glad to hear the hose on yours is well sealed, mine leaks like a sieve! Did you get a full set of attachments with yours? Mine came with everything you see in the pic, except the dust brush, which I picked up later.
Jeff
Congrats on some nice finds! Sounds like the Revelation you got is the same model as mine. The attachment you are asking about is a demother. You would connect the hose to the blower end of the cleaner, fill the demother with paradichlorobenzene moth crystals, and connect it to the hose. Then put it in the closet, seal the door, and let it run for about an hour or two.
Glad to hear the hose on yours is well sealed, mine leaks like a sieve! Did you get a full set of attachments with yours? Mine came with everything you see in the pic, except the dust brush, which I picked up later.
Jeff
fantomfan57
Well-known member
Thanks Jeff, Greg and Antoine
Greg, no offense but, I directed everyone to the post above, described it and said where it was in the picture.
Jeff, thanks for identifying the attachment. After going through the box of attachments, I got the matching demother, the metal floor tool and the upholstery tool. I think the last tool is missing an insert. I would want a matching crevice tool and dusting brush, but I am sure I have something that will do.
I also got 2 paper envelopes of bags that look like originals. The pre-motor filter consists of a moulded rubber collar which holds a replaceable filter disk. Real interesting disk...has large wire mesh, filter material and a moulded frame. I have one more disk, but not as nice looking.
Antoine, every time I see the color you chose, I want to dig out my burgundy Compact and repaint it.
Thanks all for your responses.
Greg, no offense but, I directed everyone to the post above, described it and said where it was in the picture.
Jeff, thanks for identifying the attachment. After going through the box of attachments, I got the matching demother, the metal floor tool and the upholstery tool. I think the last tool is missing an insert. I would want a matching crevice tool and dusting brush, but I am sure I have something that will do.
I also got 2 paper envelopes of bags that look like originals. The pre-motor filter consists of a moulded rubber collar which holds a replaceable filter disk. Real interesting disk...has large wire mesh, filter material and a moulded frame. I have one more disk, but not as nice looking.
Antoine, every time I see the color you chose, I want to dig out my burgundy Compact and repaint it.
Thanks all for your responses.
Deleted member 1090
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My Compact was repainted in engine enamel blue .You vould repaint yours in a dark red it would look lovely .My C9 Compact performs as well as it looks.
Manual
I just received my brand new c80 manual today. It's rather sweet. The demother is made by Kirby royal/electro hygiene/ health mor/ rainbow/ Hoover/ basically every vacuum company made one. I'd dare say there setup and usage is the exact same.
Les
I just received my brand new c80 manual today. It's rather sweet. The demother is made by Kirby royal/electro hygiene/ health mor/ rainbow/ Hoover/ basically every vacuum company made one. I'd dare say there setup and usage is the exact same.
Les
Deleted member 1090
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Lee the one in the picture isa C4 the manual you have isa C80-2 1981 vacuum the revelation was base on the first compact of 1938 the C8 C9 C80-2 was 1977 to 1985
hygiene903
Well-known member
Demother
Not only did most makes have a demother for their cleaner, but many of them had different names for it. Hoover had the Mothimizer, Lux had the Vaporizer, Lewyt had the Snufficator, Kirby's was the Crystalator, Regina made the Reginarator, Filter Queen made the Jet Demother, and AirWay made the Whirl-Away Insector. I'm sure there were more, but that's about all I can think of right off hand.
Jeff
Not only did most makes have a demother for their cleaner, but many of them had different names for it. Hoover had the Mothimizer, Lux had the Vaporizer, Lewyt had the Snufficator, Kirby's was the Crystalator, Regina made the Reginarator, Filter Queen made the Jet Demother, and AirWay made the Whirl-Away Insector. I'm sure there were more, but that's about all I can think of right off hand.
Jeff
Deleted member 1090
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Anytime Lees , Yes my Compact Model C9, is pretty in enamel blue the key to my shine: was the canister was left in the shed whit door closed on a hot summer day to (quote :bake the paint on like they do for cars .There for , yes it came out good.)PS Seeing the manual photo makes me so glad i have my compact booklet now . Yes compact are some of the most powerful vacuum only Filter Queen comes close i think.
Deleted member 1090
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Lee can you email or post your c80 manual id love to print it and add it to my vacuum book collection ty i have the c8 book but a c80 book sure why not ty
Hey
I have it in my black binder with my royal model sheets 880 sales manuals, 505 4 page advertisement, 505 manual, and it's with them. I'd get it tonight but I've been told at night I. Like an ox in a China closet. My wife doesn't like getting woke up especially over vacuum things. I have tomorrow off. I'll post it on this thread tommorow.
Antoine um my name is Les it's short for Leslie go figure. Just because you have a deep voice and a super sweet compact doesn't mean you can forget my name. I have a sweet green and a sweet yellow compact. The colors aren't as cool as yours but my green c8 has a 50' cord and 2 7' hoses. I literally can do entire 2000 square feet without unplugging it.
Lol I'll post it in the morning. Is it me or electroluxx vacuums make me feel idiotic and they look like station wagons. That is all
Les
I have it in my black binder with my royal model sheets 880 sales manuals, 505 4 page advertisement, 505 manual, and it's with them. I'd get it tonight but I've been told at night I. Like an ox in a China closet. My wife doesn't like getting woke up especially over vacuum things. I have tomorrow off. I'll post it on this thread tommorow.
Antoine um my name is Les it's short for Leslie go figure. Just because you have a deep voice and a super sweet compact doesn't mean you can forget my name. I have a sweet green and a sweet yellow compact. The colors aren't as cool as yours but my green c8 has a 50' cord and 2 7' hoses. I literally can do entire 2000 square feet without unplugging it.
Lol I'll post it in the morning. Is it me or electroluxx vacuums make me feel idiotic and they look like station wagons. That is all
Les
