Why we collect the vacs we collect???

[DesertTortoise]

Jaker15, my Electrolux purrs along wonderfully now. No permanent damage. When I find a suitable floor brush (the one component that didn't make it to the Salvation Army, darn it) it will be able to do all of my indoor vacuuming. For the time being it works carpeted areas only.

I was just saying that it is the one and only Electrolux anything I have ever encountered, before or since, and working on something so completely unfamiliar is part of the adventure of refurbishing vacuums. Getting it back together right and seeing that it works good is even better! It has an unusual (to me) tone and the floor brush sounds very different from what I'm accustomed to. Makes for a different feel when using it.

Same thing with the Singer DLC/Ryobi/Kenmore thing, only I can't enjoy using that one until I find a bag for it. Cheap and nasty as it is in many ways, that vac is one of the more interesting designs in my small collection with the bag on a drawer that slids out of the front of the vac and a peripheral discharge motor. A very unusual layout. I almost didn't buy it. It lingered for many months on ebay before I contacted the seller and negotiated the price down. I'm glad I did.

 

[super-sweeper]

Hey D.T, those traits aren't bad ones! I'm fine and happy living with my dated everything! 

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

D-T,


 


I too sort of slid into this. Inherited and Electrolux XXX,  and Olympia One, a Hoover Constellation and a Lady Kenmore all in one year (well nobody else wanted them and I've always had an affinity for mechanical objects). The Electrolux vacuums were the first I tore apart and put back together as the Connie worked very well. The Kenmore was beyond my skills and interest at the time, would love to have her now. Slowly added a few more and then started repairing machines for friends and family. Next thing I knew old vacuums would appear on the porch with a note... most were too far gone, but some became art projects/custom 'rat rod' vacs and some were given a full restoration and some were so nearly pefect that they still sit just as they came, albeit a good deal cleaner. I've sold some, given away many and still the collection grows. As a grumpy old man, I am much more picky about what I keep... but I do still enjoy the odd 'rat rod' vac customization.  I also have collected a few other items along the way, sewing machines, irons and toasters for the most part. And now Michelle (Luxy1205) has got me looking at MixMasters and chainsaws in a new way.... 


 


Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I could write a whole epic about

this too. Tom...... why not post a nice pic of yourself? You are intriguing.

 

[sukething]

I liked vacuums...

Ever since I was a child and grandmother paid me a nickel to touch it. I was afraid of loud noises as a kid, since I was toddler and lightening hit our house right above my bedroom window, I flew out of that crib to my parents bedroom.

When grandmother did that it was like a new and exciting experience and wanted to vacuum every bodys homes I visited or they were bbsitting me, yes I do remember what everybody had, it was a variety of machines.

My first vacuums in my collection were the 1948 GE Deluxe, Hoover 700 and a 1949 Kirby, I was in the 6th grade. I can remember my mother telling me just don't bring any bugs or 4 legged critters into her home..LOL That was about it until I found out in 1991 that there were others across the US that collected as well and then I kicked off by going out and seeing what I could find. The first guys I spoke with were Roger P. and Alex T. Charles Richard, Stan K. Of course my friendship grew and grew with new guys to talk to,

Of course I found many vacuums to have in my collection and with the new friends I made through the vacuum group at that time we would trade vacuums and talk shop always. That was also when long distance was not cheap, like it is these days.

 

[compactc9guy]

reply

I started getting interested in vacuum cleaners at an early age . The first vacuum i used was a Hoover Celebrity IV powermatic in light blue , afther that iwas hock .
The vacuum i collect are compact , electrolux . I would love to find more vintage kirby i used one once a classic 3 at a local trift shop could not take it home it had no attachements and it was allready sold the next day .I did manage to save an Electrolux Discovery 2 from the trash it was on sale in a yard sale so i ran away and took it home short of speak afther paying 20 $ for it . People tought i as nuts for taking it home but i told them its a lux shell be purrin like a kitten in no time at all . I like older Kenmores and shop vac also beaucause thats what i grew up whit .Electrolux Compact Tristar Hoover and Shop vac is what my famaly use trought out the years . I own a Compact IEC Electra C9 , my rescued from scrap Lux discovery 2 whit a full rebuilt , an Electrolux Floor Pro polisher whit all the brush paid 1086 for it from a lux sales man he was very nice . I guess i got hoock on old vacuums beaucause to me they were odd looking sound diffrent perform better and i like them .Like some people say if you can save it from the trash bring it home .You cant beat vintage vacuums they last longer .