History of vacuum Powernozzle's

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Interesting

Glad you posted those pics Charlie because when you were all talking about an early Eureka PN I wasn't thinking it was essentially a Eureka upright motor housing shape.

And those cellulose bags with the machine stitched seams. From the pics only the bags look to be quite thick almost cardboardy or are they actually quite thin?
 
I was referring to the on/off switch on the Eureka powerhead. I don't see one, unless that's it on the right side (with the machine facing front) by the handle bail. Did Air-Way produce their own motor hood for this nozzle, or did they just paint the Eureka hood in Turquoise? (On one of two Don Clark/Eureka powerhead-equipped Air-Ways I spotted on eBay, the P/N was painted yellow or gold to match the vacuum body. Was there a "Special Edition" 88 that was yellow?)

I would consider myself legally blind if I couldn't see the shiny chrome foot pedal on the front of an Air-Way...
 
Legally blind.......

Austin,
I love that!!!!!!!! Just verifying to make sure you did in fact see it and I guess you did!

Yes, the switch on the Eureka is on the left towards the rear. See photo. And Air-Way either painted the tops to the Eureka vacs or had Eureka do it as a "private label" for them. It is a basic model 1250 with a vibra-groomer I agitator with square ends, (I think).

The yellow was the Mark V with the matching Eureka power head. Fred Nelson has one of these and maybe we can get him to take a pic of that and post it. Air-Way like many vac manufacturers of the time sold models that were straight suction and for the additional price the upgraded unit with the receptacle for a p/n. Some were traded in and refurbished/updated and resold. Air-Way was known for telling it's customers that a revolving brush/agitator would shorten the life of a carpet, particularly orientals. My Grandmother was fed this line. (It is her 88 Mark II that is pictured.) Strange since Air-Way started had the revovling brush line in the 1930's.

Anyway, at some point the leaders realized they had to have a p/n to stay competative with everyone else and they were already behind the eight ball so it they played catch up using all those variations. The late 70's were really the beginning of the end of the glory days for Air-Way. It was during this time they moved to Taledega, AL from Toledo, OH and were under new ownership. The 1980s and 1990s have been stagnant and growth continues in a downward fashion.
 
Holy Wah............

Dear Charlie,

I just passed a stone. I cannot believe what I'm seeing but the proof is right there!!! A Complete SANS bag Eureka Upright hooked to an Air-Way!!!!!!!WOWWWWWWW

Holy moly....I can't Imagine nor would ever want to trying to push that thing around, nor what it would do to my Air-Way 88 Mark II.

In restoration, I did add a powernozzle outlet by using a white color Hoover Celebrity II Powerhead outlet grommet and had to cut the sheetmetal to fit using various tools. I then touched up the chipped paint around the new hole with a white automotive grade enamel that you can get at regualr car part stores. It looks okay but I would love to do a respray, but would loose the original logo on the front of the machine housing and I'm NOT okay with that.

Of course, to complete the installation, I had to drill a hole in the beltline motor support to allow the wires to go underneath to the switch and motor terminals and cord. I decided to go with a Douglas Built Powerhead, as that is still and was at the time of restoration the "approved" powerhead for the current generation of sanitizor. Also they were a shade cheaper, and readily available from ESSCO, which my company did buisness with at the time. From there I chose the non switch model (douglas) white, and used a then stocked (by my company) Electrolux wireset and hose clasps from a model G I believe, the turquiose cordset and clasps.

The hose on mine was LONG gone and held air about as well as a Firestone tire...LOL, So I ordered a brand new Compact hose as well, and using the original ferrules and turquoise plastic hose end grommets created an entirely new hose. Becasue it's the last of the braided hoses that were manufactured, It kept that "thankfully" vintage look. As far as I know..Compact, or their supplier has discontinued the braided hose entirely.

Mine also has all the original tools and so forth and has the Attach-A-Carrier. Mine of course looks NOTHING like yours as I use mine quite frequently, and it looks worse for wear than anything.

Excellent photo's BTW.

Chad
 
Hopefully a final Air-Way note....

THe main reason why I did the powerhead conversion, was because I hate the original wands supplied by Air-Way. I buffed them out, along with the swivel-dome on the canister and all of the attachments, and becasue their not protected and plated, they tarnish VERY easily, and furthermore TARNISH YOUR HANDS!!!

I used to have a very light carpet in my old house that while using the supplied carpet tool, gave a drity apparance after using it a few times. So therefore I decided while re-doing the machine a few years back I would upgrade and get a powerhead.

I forgot to add that I ordered wands for the setup from Air-Way about the same time I conversated with Mr. Tomeberlin.

It's true yes, that Air-way has faded quite literally into the fokelore of vacuum cleaners. That's a astute point. But then again...and I know I'm asking for it...

What would one do if they were in charge of Air-Way to upgrade the company to put it back on a more sound footing with the major's?

1. Would you upgrade your current products, or command with your underlings a fitting replacement for the Sanitizor?

2. Would you borrow additional capital to expand into the upright market?, and would you recommisiion the twin-motor series, or would you try something entirely different?

3. Would you try the door to door thing like Kirby and Rainbow and others, or would you try a different tack like putting them in fine appliance stores where people shop when price is no object, or finally would you stay with vacuum store (Indpendent) only, like they have been doing?

4. Would you do advertisements like Hoover and others? Would it be internet adverts like Oreck does? Or would you stick to Mags tv and radio?

5. How would you raise the capital to make the Air-Way again what it once was "famous for innovation".

That's my post for now......

Good Luck

Chad
 
Saving Air-Way

Chad,
I'll answer your numbered questions by the order they are in and thanks for your posting. When I have polished any items, I usually test the rug/floor tools with a white bath towel for tarnish and the same for the wands. I've never had a problem with my hands or rugs but maybe I was just lucky! You did a great job modifying your Sanitizor for a p/n. After my Grandmother died many years ago, her 88 Mark II came my way and it was not quite as clean and shiny but with just a little buff up and TLC it looks fairly fresh. I rarely use as I prefer the Signature Series.
Now to your quetions:

1.)Time for the Sanitizor/Centurion/Signature Series to go and I thank them for their wonderful performance for decades.

2.)I think the twin-motor upright retooled would make a fabulous come back. New lightweight materials will make it lightweight. New technology can provide a 11/12 amp motor and it does not have to be like monstrosity that Royal came up with. The hose still can go into the handle and wood pulp cellulose bags could still be used.

3.)I would launch the new look on QVC and HSN for a reasonable price and also do 30 minute infomercials that we see all time for different products. After the initial launch and bringing it to people's attention, I will take it right away to the big box stores since they seem to be the place to do the business. If people spend $400-$600 for Dysons there, they will for this new product too.

4.) I'd have a marketing company figure out the best way to advertise a new product from an old company that almost no one knows of. It would be worth the investment.

5.) I know of several different sources of private funding that would be interested and those sources would be able to find additional investors.

6.) However, at this late date in MY life, I would never take on such a project. The risk is terribly high and the satisfaction is questionable. And, the bottom line is, does the world need yet another vacuum cleaner? And if your answer is yes, please tell me why.

PS-Glad you liked the pics. More can be found at:
http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?dir=/COLLECTIONS/AIR-WAYCHARLIE
 
OK Charlie - Here it is!

Per your request here is the yellow Mark V Airway with the monster Eureka power nozzle. Thanks (I think) Don Clark. These are truly unusual and a vac collectors dream, very rare.
 
Celebrity

That is a Wheeled - Top of the Line - Celebrity. Those were the first power nozzle-equipped Hoovers. And boy, were they powerful and effective. Beater bars and incredible brush rolls. The most powerful suction yet. Hard to beat until the Dimensions. I bought that very orange machine at Polk Brothers in Chicago and still kick myself for giving it away. Had to have another one, but, alas, it is used. Still a great machine.
 
Peter - You wanted some Connies?

Here is the original a perfect 82! The wheels are added. A perfect match for the classic Hoover 63 upright. A fabulous cleaner.
 
Fred were you saying the wheeled Celebrity was the first with a power nozzle because I bought a new floater Celebrity about 1977 as a housewarming gift to a friend which came with a power nozzle. The nozzle though did not plug into the machine but to a wall outlet which kind of made it finicky with two cords. but it did come that way in the box.

What on earth are those wheels doing on the constellation?
 
Those Wheels?

I must admit, I kind of altered the machine. The first Constellation did not float (not until the next one-the 84) I love this machine except for the fact that you either drag it or carry it. A Filter Queen Princess caster set is almost a perfect match-in color and size. So I popped it on the caster set and Voila! a easily rolling great operating Model 82. I know the purists are just having a fit, so if you want, I will take another picture without the casters.
 
whew

I was thinking you weren't thinking and you might have destroyed it by drilling in wheels..lol

What I like about the connies naturally is the design shape, don't come much bolder than a ball even if they don't float that well over carpeting. Plus the sound is that nice real vacuum motor sound that isn't high pitched and annoying.
 
So I wasn't dreaming...

Great pictures...thanks for sharing Fred! That yellow Air-Way Mark V with the Don Clark P/N is really cool...saw one on eBay a few years ago for sale by a collector and I remember it being yellow...I wasn't dreaming after all!

I too had a "floating" late-70's Celebrity in Orange...was a powerful and fun machine...loved the way it just hovered across the floor. Could kick myself for selling it. Mine was the Celebrity III, probably the lowest-end model since it was straight-suction.

Your Constellation Model 82 is gorgeous...looks brand new! My favorite Constellation has to be the Pink Model 84, with the wheeled floor nozzle. Next has to be the Model 87 in Avocado, with the rare on/off switch in the hose grip. When were these produced? I've seen 2 on eBay so far (and almost had one...) so I know it wasn't just a rare prototype. However, both, I believe, had modified switches on the body of the machine.

--Austin
 
I posted this before a while ago, but here are my 3 vintage Shop-Vac machines I have so far. The one on the left is like new; the other two are used, but I have given them a thorough disassembly and cleaning. From what I've seen, the history of the Shop-Vac is little known and I'm itching to know more. All I know is it originated in Hackensack, NJ sometime in the 1960's and went from there.

Left to right: Aqua-Klean 8-gallon (1976), 600 5-gallon (1980), 600C 5-gallon (approx. 1989). They work great and are much more powerful than anything you see today (probably because of the top hose inlet), and I can use any of them with the wide 2 1/2" hose. Right now I'm using the 600 as the "laundry shed vacuum"...but when everything's all done I'll give them a good cleaning and put them on display.
 

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