andy
Well-known member
18
Vintage Central Vacuums Pt 2-The Sturtevant
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andy
Well-known member
I left some of the pages out on this one because they were just full of mathematical stuff and graphs.
Still more to come
Still more to come
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
Thanks for posting these Andy,,,really enjoying it!
akabent
Well-known member
FASCINATING!!!
I really enjoyed that, Andy!! Thanks for sharing.
Rick
I really enjoyed that, Andy!! Thanks for sharing.
Rick
collector2
Well-known member
I wonder if this machine is an older Sturtevant. I took the Pictures in 1988 at the Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon. The vacuum was still in use and was installed when the hotel was built around 1910. Not sure if they are still using it but I suspect they are. It just roared when it ran and the suction at the valves was way better than anything now. I dont recall seeing a name on it (but then thats 20 years ago too)
You'll notice that all the valves also had a two prong twist lock plug next to them which leads me to believe that they had some style of electric powerhead too. Sadly none of the original parts were still around.
You'll notice that all the valves also had a two prong twist lock plug next to them which leads me to believe that they had some style of electric powerhead too. Sadly none of the original parts were still around.
portable
Well-known member
Thanks
Andy and Doug -
Fascinating! John L.
Andy and Doug -
Fascinating! John L.
aeoliandave
Well-known member
This picture has me scratching my head in wonder, Doug.
All the splendid brochures we have seen would indicate that the upright cylinder is the dust collection container.
That grey unit to the right is definitely a Spencer suction plant, as evidenced by the gray color & unique Spencer shape of the shroud rim around the motor. I had to look twice to realize it wasn't a Spencer OrgoBlo - because if it was an OrgoBlo that hotel would have a rather large pipe organ. I estimate this unit has at least 6 fans !
It may even be a Spencer model specifically configured for suction vacuum cleaner use - judging from the number of fans and the smaller take-off pipe - in place of the original suction plant, being connected in reverse...
I say this because one has to wonder why the piping between dustbin and blower takes such a long path to the far end intake, when all the brochures show a short path, with the electric motor at the far end. ?
You can trace the air path in the photo - a large diameter pipe is entering the top of the Dustbin from the ceiling. The horizontal pipe runs from the top of the dustbin over to the 'blower', angles down and enters the intake at the front of the blower. Toward the motor end is the blower exhaust takeoff connected by the orange collar to another vertical pipe probably exhausting to the outside. If it was an organ blower there would be several take-off pipes for different wind pressures.
Just musing. Dave
Here's a snap of my bud's OrgoBlo. A small two fan unit for a medium size pipe organ.
All the splendid brochures we have seen would indicate that the upright cylinder is the dust collection container.
That grey unit to the right is definitely a Spencer suction plant, as evidenced by the gray color & unique Spencer shape of the shroud rim around the motor. I had to look twice to realize it wasn't a Spencer OrgoBlo - because if it was an OrgoBlo that hotel would have a rather large pipe organ. I estimate this unit has at least 6 fans !
It may even be a Spencer model specifically configured for suction vacuum cleaner use - judging from the number of fans and the smaller take-off pipe - in place of the original suction plant, being connected in reverse...
I say this because one has to wonder why the piping between dustbin and blower takes such a long path to the far end intake, when all the brochures show a short path, with the electric motor at the far end. ?
You can trace the air path in the photo - a large diameter pipe is entering the top of the Dustbin from the ceiling. The horizontal pipe runs from the top of the dustbin over to the 'blower', angles down and enters the intake at the front of the blower. Toward the motor end is the blower exhaust takeoff connected by the orange collar to another vertical pipe probably exhausting to the outside. If it was an organ blower there would be several take-off pipes for different wind pressures.
Just musing. Dave
Here's a snap of my bud's OrgoBlo. A small two fan unit for a medium size pipe organ.
collector2
Well-known member
HI Dave:
I wondered why it was positioned facing that way too. It could have something to do with where the exhaust had to go. Or just a quirk of the installer.
Incidentally the original motor has been replaced on that machine (Gee it gave out after only 60 some odd years of service - try that with a modern one)
Doug
I wondered why it was positioned facing that way too. It could have something to do with where the exhaust had to go. Or just a quirk of the installer.
Incidentally the original motor has been replaced on that machine (Gee it gave out after only 60 some odd years of service - try that with a modern one)
Doug
Had to dig up this old thread
To share this photo, which I believe solves the mystery of the strange electrical outlets beside each vacuum inlet in Doug's photo! I thought of it as soon as I read this in an electrical trade journal from 1918-ish. Took me a while to find this thread again.
Doug, what do you think?
-Owen
To share this photo, which I believe solves the mystery of the strange electrical outlets beside each vacuum inlet in Doug's photo! I thought of it as soon as I read this in an electrical trade journal from 1918-ish. Took me a while to find this thread again.
Doug, what do you think?
-Owen
Hans
You must come visit sometime I've got a little collection going of these old machines.
Here's the set of Spencer tools I use in the house sometimes, and a shot of the 1912 TUEC 210 after its first coat of paint. You can see a few Spencer machines in the background, too. The tall black one immediately behind is a 1.5 horsepower model from 1914 waiting its turn for restoration. Runs beautifully though! Cleaning power far and away better than anything else made at the time.
You must come visit sometime
I've got a little collection going of these old machines. Here's the set of Spencer tools I use in the house sometimes, and a shot of the 1912 TUEC 210 after its first coat of paint. You can see a few Spencer machines in the background, too. The tall black one immediately behind is a 1.5 horsepower model from 1914 waiting its turn for restoration. Runs beautifully though! Cleaning power far and away better than anything else made at the time.
