Today I went to my favorite Salvation Army and came out with a Miracle Mate vacuum with power head, Electrolux Diamond Julbilee with matching powernozzle and powerized upholstry tool, Sunbeam Powerplus mixer and a Cuisinart Burr Coffee grinder. Then I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and used a gift card to buy a Kitchenaid Architect Hand Mixer. I am cooking for a funeral dinner and making pies for 300 so I'll keep everything I own busy that mixes.
Lucky Strike
- Thread starter mixfinder
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I'll say lucky. You don't find those Miracle Mate vacuums around too often and they're expensive new. And of course can't go wrong with the elux either.. are they both in good condition. Must must see pictures.
My last good vac find was an electrolux 2100 with the extra wide L shaped power nozzle in near near new condition. I got it for $3.99 at the Sally Ann.
My last good vac find was an electrolux 2100 with the extra wide L shaped power nozzle in near near new condition. I got it for $3.99 at the Sally Ann.
vacuumfreeeke
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 276
Good heavens, you were lucky. My Salvation Army has junk only, and they want a fortune for stuff they would have to pay people to haul to the dump. You'll like the Diamond Jubilee... the power nozzle is loud and whiney, but a fun vacuum indeed... don't know much about the miracle mates though.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
I Have...
...A Lux Diamond Jubilee, presently in storage, that will be coming up in the Spring. You will look a long time to find a vacuum with better suction. Vacuumfreeke is right about the PN noise; Lux didn't seem to put much effort into making quiet ones for a long time. Both my Diamond Jubilee and my L are "blessed" with noisy ones, and yes, they've had the attention they needed with bearings and brushrolls and belts and whatnot.
One tip about your Lux's hose; if you can swing it, it's a good idea to get a new hose for "go" and keep that irreplaceable woven hose for "show." Its rubber carcass (underneath that woven covering) will crack and split if you use it, making it leak air. Those hoses are now more than 25 years old (the Diamond Jubilee was Lux's 1984 model), so they can't hold up much longer. There is a method of fixing cracked ones with liquid latex, though; you can search the archives at Vacuumland for more info. What I did was to buy a new Aerus replacement hose for use, keeping the original for show.
The Miracle Mate is a Compact/TriStar clone, using the same "cyclonic" principle and the same bag system. I have not personally used one, but I do own a TriStar CXL, and it's a terrific vac, my favourite in fact. A pic is below.
Sounds like you had a great afternoon's thrifting, mister! Congratulations.
...A Lux Diamond Jubilee, presently in storage, that will be coming up in the Spring. You will look a long time to find a vacuum with better suction. Vacuumfreeke is right about the PN noise; Lux didn't seem to put much effort into making quiet ones for a long time. Both my Diamond Jubilee and my L are "blessed" with noisy ones, and yes, they've had the attention they needed with bearings and brushrolls and belts and whatnot.
One tip about your Lux's hose; if you can swing it, it's a good idea to get a new hose for "go" and keep that irreplaceable woven hose for "show." Its rubber carcass (underneath that woven covering) will crack and split if you use it, making it leak air. Those hoses are now more than 25 years old (the Diamond Jubilee was Lux's 1984 model), so they can't hold up much longer. There is a method of fixing cracked ones with liquid latex, though; you can search the archives at Vacuumland for more info. What I did was to buy a new Aerus replacement hose for use, keeping the original for show.
The Miracle Mate is a Compact/TriStar clone, using the same "cyclonic" principle and the same bag system. I have not personally used one, but I do own a TriStar CXL, and it's a terrific vac, my favourite in fact. A pic is below.
Sounds like you had a great afternoon's thrifting, mister! Congratulations.
About those Lux hoses as Sandy mentioned above... you can order a vinyl replacement longer length and it makes such a difference having that extra foot or so. Lux hoses were always too short I thought. Plus some of them have an on/off brushroll switch on the pistol grip instead of you having to use your foot on the floor nozzle switch.
No Miracles on 54th Street
I dropped the Miracle Mate off at a local vac shop. The owner said he had never seen one before. I told him I thought it was a Compact in a Prom Dress. He laughed and said he'd take a look. When I got home from weekend soiree there was a phone message saying he couldn't figure out how to get the switch cover off and so he was sorry but couldn't repair the vacuum. Anyone have any experience or clue how to to get the blue plastic surround off the switch?
I dropped the Miracle Mate off at a local vac shop. The owner said he had never seen one before. I told him I thought it was a Compact in a Prom Dress. He laughed and said he'd take a look. When I got home from weekend soiree there was a phone message saying he couldn't figure out how to get the switch cover off and so he was sorry but couldn't repair the vacuum. Anyone have any experience or clue how to to get the blue plastic surround off the switch?
ronhic
Well-known member
Sandy..
....the Sunbeam mixer in the pic above with the distinct 'V' shaped beaters....
Are they the same beaters/bowls that were used in the Sunbeam Electronic Food Preparation Centre from the 1980's?
I have one, but the turntable appears to bind on the underside so doesn't turn particularly well...
Any ideas as these were both not very popular and expensive when new?
....the Sunbeam mixer in the pic above with the distinct 'V' shaped beaters....
Are they the same beaters/bowls that were used in the Sunbeam Electronic Food Preparation Centre from the 1980's?
I have one, but the turntable appears to bind on the underside so doesn't turn particularly well...
Any ideas as these were both not very popular and expensive when new?
ronhic
Well-known member
Oops..
....That should have been 'Kelly' not Sandy...
....That should have been 'Kelly' not Sandy...
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Kelly:
I've never worked on a Miracle Mate, but something about TriStars may be of use here:
Getting into a TriStar baffles a lot of people, because they can't find any screws. The screw heads are up inside the wells for the wheels. If you don't know, it's not likely you'd guess.
My hunch here is that the Miracle Mate - being a TriStar clone - might have the same arrangement, and if it does, you'll probably find the secret to the switch mount inside the vacuum's housing.
I've never worked on a Miracle Mate, but something about TriStars may be of use here:
Getting into a TriStar baffles a lot of people, because they can't find any screws. The screw heads are up inside the wells for the wheels. If you don't know, it's not likely you'd guess.
My hunch here is that the Miracle Mate - being a TriStar clone - might have the same arrangement, and if it does, you'll probably find the secret to the switch mount inside the vacuum's housing.
One and Same but Different
Chris the beaters for the Power Plus are the same as the Electronic Food Preparation Center. There is a large center grommet on the bottom of the turntable and if the rubber feet are missing from the stand it rests on the counter. Under the dish shaped turntable is a plastic ring of bearings for the turntable to ride on. It is possible its MIA.
Chris the beaters for the Power Plus are the same as the Electronic Food Preparation Center. There is a large center grommet on the bottom of the turntable and if the rubber feet are missing from the stand it rests on the counter. Under the dish shaped turntable is a plastic ring of bearings for the turntable to ride on. It is possible its MIA.
Miracle Mate vacuums are indeed the same operating principle as the Compact-TriStar vacuums.Another in the family is Vortech Force.I own examples of each in my collection.The TriStar CXL series machines are indeed their best.The "Lux" style they use now isn't as good.The Miracle Mate vacuums have a slightly diffrent bag than the Compact-TriStars and Vortech Force-the Miracle Mate bags have closed tops.When the lid of the machine is opened the dust intake hole in the bag seals-its not completely open.Another vertical bag canister is the Patriot vacuum-it has an open top bag-and a special plastic body like the Vortech Force.All open by screws in the wheel wells.The top part of the body then lifts off allowing you to get to the motor and switch.I beleive the switch handles on miracle Mates,pops off the actual switch.When you put the machine back together just make sure the gasket between the body halves seals properly or the vacuum will lose suction power.
Is it my imagination??
...or did I see Shirley Jones posing with the Power Plus mixer?
...or did I see Shirley Jones posing with the Power Plus mixer?
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Yep, Shirley!
Shirley Jones was Sunbeam's celebrity spokesperson for part of the '70s and '80s. The slogan was, "Love Their Quality!"
Shirley Jones was Sunbeam's celebrity spokesperson for part of the '70s and '80s. The slogan was, "Love Their Quality!"
panthera
Well-known member
Kelly,
We have a Miracle Mate in working condition. It certainly cleans well and is quiet. It also weighs several million pounds.
I'm not over fond of it, if you need pics of where screws are or how to disassemble it, I'll be happy to try. Can't promise I'll figure it out, but I've wondered what's in it a few times myself - so heavy!
The powerhead, by the way, is the only wide one I have ever used which actually cleans along the entire width.
We have a Miracle Mate in working condition. It certainly cleans well and is quiet. It also weighs several million pounds.
I'm not over fond of it, if you need pics of where screws are or how to disassemble it, I'll be happy to try. Can't promise I'll figure it out, but I've wondered what's in it a few times myself - so heavy!
The powerhead, by the way, is the only wide one I have ever used which actually cleans along the entire width.
Excellent finds, Kelly. You'll love both of those vacs, I was using both of mine (Diamond Jubilee Lux w/Sidekick and Tri-Star CXL) this weekend. The Lux was for cleaning and the Tri-Star I was using for a few Space Bags while organizing the storage closet. The Sidekick on the Lux is my all-time favorite attachment (for a vacuum) as it makes upholstery cleaning, stair cleaning, etc. a breeze. When your hand/arm goes numb from the vibration, your couch is clean!
ronhic
Well-known member
Ok...
.....Well then Kelly, I may need your help.
It is basically impossible to get hold of older Sunbeam parts here and anything older than 5yrs is considered 'old'
The plastic ring of bearings is missing from memory, but I have it in storage so can't check.
My question to you is are you able, or do you have, the parts to sort out a turntable on one of these? If so, I would happily pay for any postage or costs to get them to me....
Cb
.....Well then Kelly, I may need your help.
It is basically impossible to get hold of older Sunbeam parts here and anything older than 5yrs is considered 'old'
The plastic ring of bearings is missing from memory, but I have it in storage so can't check.
My question to you is are you able, or do you have, the parts to sort out a turntable on one of these? If so, I would happily pay for any postage or costs to get them to me....
Cb
Kelly-hope the vacuum technician can get into your MM after the info on how they come apart-all of the vertical bag canisters come apart in that manner.Once inside the motor and switch are easily serviced or replaced.MIXERS-Remember my Mom,Stepmom,and grandmother had Sunbeam mixers.The only sunbeam that I knew of that survived amongist these was my stepmoms-remember it sitting on a dusty shelf in the basement-she uses some kinda cheapie hand mixer-and the Sunbeams bowel-becuase the Sunbeams speed govener doesn't work.I have asked her to send it to me.She would say you turn it on and it goes full speed.Would like to have it and fix it back up-put it to work.I don't bake often-haven't this year becuase of overtime at work.And sometimes helping a freind sell vacuums(TriStar)
At present have a small collection of newer mixers-one old Hamilton Beach G I got from a yard sale.It works well.The timer on its base is missing the knob.I have Kenwood style mixers and two KA's.I don't know what the deal is-I seem to live in an appliance dead zone for vintage machines.The Salvation Army store closed here-but they do take away donations.Yard sales have mostly baby stuff.The swap shops here have newer washers and dryers from the 80's to present.No older machines at all.Ask them and they say something like"Haven't seen those in years""We don't get machines that old anymore-if I run into one will give you a call"For washers-m,ostly see DD WP,KN and some BD WP,KN.You can also see GE and Maytag-But NO Speed Queen,or Norge.Vintage small applainces are hard to find here too.I just keep lookin--Same with Magnavox Hi-fi consoles.
At present have a small collection of newer mixers-one old Hamilton Beach G I got from a yard sale.It works well.The timer on its base is missing the knob.I have Kenwood style mixers and two KA's.I don't know what the deal is-I seem to live in an appliance dead zone for vintage machines.The Salvation Army store closed here-but they do take away donations.Yard sales have mostly baby stuff.The swap shops here have newer washers and dryers from the 80's to present.No older machines at all.Ask them and they say something like"Haven't seen those in years""We don't get machines that old anymore-if I run into one will give you a call"For washers-m,ostly see DD WP,KN and some BD WP,KN.You can also see GE and Maytag-But NO Speed Queen,or Norge.Vintage small applainces are hard to find here too.I just keep lookin--Same with Magnavox Hi-fi consoles.
