My vacuums so far...

[westytoploader]

Since everyone else is sharing theirs, I decided to post pictures of my small vacuum collection.

Starting off...A pair of Hoover Power Drive Dial-A-Matics with the cleaning tools. This was taken a year ago, and I sold the orange machine on eBay recently (due to a bad handle release spring that wouldn't stay attached, but otherwise worked fine). I still have the blue machine and the cleaning tools; I am told that it's the last DAM version produced.

 

[westytoploader]

Kmart Eureka 630D & Hoover Junior U1025

 

[westytoploader]

Eureka 664A...after re-attaching the headlight lens

 

[westytoploader]

(Forgot to mention that the 664A is also a Kmart model)

1970 Hoover Convertible 1020, with NOS cleaning tools & outer bag assembly. I bought this machine all original, but it REEKED of stale smoke and the plug was loose, so I ended up replacing the cord (came from a Convertible 700, not in the best of shape) and outer bag (which converted it to top-fill). I prefer Type A bags anyway, as they are much easier to change and hold more.

 

[westytoploader]

Like-new Sanitaire SC899. Very powerful, but a little cumbersome (which is why I don't use it much).

 

[westytoploader]

Eureka "Super Power Cleaner" Stick Vac that Steve (toggleswitch) found during the Convention.

 

[westytoploader]

Lime-green Hoover Deluxe 2-speed Quik-Broom. I don't use this one much since it's in such good shape.

 

[westytoploader]

1998 Kirby G5 from Steve (SactoTeddyBear). The TechDrive makes it a breeze to push (and much more fun to use).

 

[westytoploader]

Kirby ComVac 1300 commercial machine. Either a 1982 or 1983 model.

 

[westytoploader]

And finally...Electrolux Model S! This one came from Scott (Scott55405); I found the hose, wands, and combination dusting brush/upholstery tool on eBay, and Al (Maytagluver) sent me the combination rug/floor tool (complete with Gleaner) from that period.

 

[hoover1060]

WOW!

Beautiful vacuums Austin, very nice!
Did you know that the motor in your 600 series Eureka uprights is the same as in the Eureka broom?
Those crazy cats at Eureka trying to save some money!

 

[air-waycharlie]

Great vacs!

Austin,
Love the pictures and text on your vacs! You have a great collection and it is nice to see another young collector. I like to think that when the older generation, (several of the posters here), including me, go to our, "reward", someone will be there holding the torch for old vacuums!

The commerical Kirby is very cool and I have never seen one like that before. The small head Kirby's are my favorite and I thought it was great when they brought that option back but evidently it was not popular enough.

The DAMs are really nice too. So many of the later models look like they went through a hurricane or worse. I have never been able to figure out what people do to them. Glad to see you have 2 nice originals or are they restored?

Charlie

 

[petek]

Nifty collection

Everytime I see new pics from someone elses collection I go "want wanna those" and "wanna those" LOL. I am partial though to the Hoovers firstly. The DAMs were always very intriguing I think probably since they were Hoovers first hard case vacuum and looked so modern when they first came out, and of course the modern color schemes.
The Junior you have, now that's very nice. I wonder if it was ever much of a seller though being on the small side.
And nothing screams 70's like a quick broom in Green, just about everyone had one or another make such as the Regina/Eurekas back then.

 

[spiraclean]

Hi Austin,
I love your collection of vacuums, you keep them in great condition.

All the best.
Hugh

 

[westytoploader]

Thanks!

Charlie, the DAM's were nicely kept originals, though the tool set has some wear which I can't figure out. I sold the orange one on eBay because of a bad handle release spring (which rendered the release inoperable), but I still have the blue machine (and plan to keep it since it's the last).

Jeff, very interesting information. That motor certainly had a variety of uses! The stick vac is MUCH louder than the uprights, probably because the motor's powering a smaller, faster fan rather than a large fan and Disturbulator at the same time. I wanted to try out the Vibra-Beat nozzle to see how it would work, but forgot to bid at the last minute (OY!). Next time I see a Eureka canister in nice shape with that attachment I'll get it! The stick vac has a different connector for its floor nozzle so I'm not 100% positive that the Vibra-Beat would work.

Pete, while the Junior is a small vacuum, it packs a lot of power for its size. Unlike the Convertibles, it has a horizontal-shaft fan and motor (I found that these perform better on bare floors than the vertical-shaft machines which tend to kick dirt back), and a metal fan and fan housing. I love using it...definitely a keeper for sure! The green Quik-Broom is another one of my favorites and unlike it's Eureka competitor, is very quiet on both speeds.

I wonder why Hoover brought back the Junior in the 1970's and then stopped selling them here?

 

[petek]

Not sure why they stopped selling, my guess would be that they weren't selling well enough either because they were considered too small for most people as a regular vac and too big as secondary vac when you could get an electricbroom for that purpose. Ideal for smaller homes and apartments though. Then too wasn't there a period when Hoover sort of ceased production on some models while they retooled for new models, in the meantime they brought over some UK models from Scotland to fill the gap? Think the vac guy (ex Hoover shop) told me something about that but I don't remember the time period. Memory like a sieve sometimes.

 

[deeptub]

We had a Eureka "super power cleaner" stick vac like that when I was a kid. It was my mother's favorite way to wake us all up on a saturday morning--those things SCREAM. I remember the motor torque would cause it to twist in your hand when you started it.
What syle bag does that take? And do they still make them? I'm trying to remember why we got rid of ours--I don't think it ever stopped working. Maybe mom couldn't find bags for it. It was better than most other stick vacs in that the dirt went to a paper bag and didn't pass through the fan.

T.

 

[tolivac]

Very interesting collection of vacuums.Esp like the Kirby "ComVac"-too bad they still don't make them-not only for commercial customers-but also as a "deal-closer"for stubborn DTD customers.Would make a great "second" vac for them.I specialize in Kirbys for the time being-but collect other vacs as well.Any vintage ones I am interested in.also have a Hoover 115(early Jr.)-great vac.I could see those still made and used today with the improved filter bags available.The horizontal fan would give better airflow with attachments.

 

[petek]

What's happening here

I'm out and about today, drop into the Goodwill and lo and behold these!!!! You can have them Austin if you want them. What surprised me is they're so small.