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Unimatic1140

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I've been meaning for a while now to ask you vacuum experts about this estate sale purchase I made a while back. I only have Electrolux vacs except for this Regina Electric Broom. I thought it was cool because it was the oldest Regina I had ever seen. Do you guys/gals know when this was from? Is it rare at all? Should I be wearing an apron whenever I use it?
 
Regina model 1

Robert,

Well, first off, yes, I do think it is rare as it is model 1 of the electrikbrooms made by Regina and they were sort of pioneers in this area. I'm going to guess the age as in the early to mid 1950's. Somebody correct me if I am wrong. It could go back as far as the late 1940's.

I've only seen a handful in my days of vacuum collecting that are that old in the electrikbroom lineup. Now I'm guessing, that the roller makes it easier to use under beds, tables and other furniture and I say that based on the way the nozzle fits on. Once again, correct me if I am wrong! This type of vacuum is not my forte'.

About wearing an apron when operating---not required, but usually makes the event far more festive and can create an aura that is fetching to the eye of any observer.

Charlie
 
Wow Robert, what a find!! Those early Electrikbrooms (or any electric Regina machine for that matter) sure are rare...I've only seen one other Model 1 and it was on eBay. If I remember, Chad (programcomputer) wanted one of these in the worst way!

I agree with Charlie, the roller could have been used to vacuum under beds. Although based on experience I find it quite easy, and my two stick vacuums lack the special roller! Unless this machine is very heavy, or was made for the dainty 50's housewife to clean push around with minimal effort. However, I noticed something else. In order for the machine to work effectively under low-lying furniture, the nozzle would have to be on a swivel extension or lie flat against the rug. Very puzzling...

--Austin
 
Charlie and Austin thank you for the info, it's cute and doesn't take up much space so the little Electrikbroom stands guard in my office, ready for a quick cleanup.

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Since I won't have time to make either one of you pancakes in the morning, I'll be vacuuming with my Regina, both of you get to pick a delicious breakfast cereal.
 
broom date

That goes back to 1946 I believe. Regina had wanted to launch that pre WWII, but had to wait til after.
Kinda like having a Hoover model O!
 
Oh that is nice

I'd guess mid to late 40's, could always enter the patent numbers on the patent website to see the latest date.
I think that roller might be for hanging the vac on a special hook, is it sort of like a spring loaded clip?
Anyways it looks great against the turquoise.
 
Yes, I too wanted a Regina ElectriKbroom Model 1....

Austin,

Yes you are right I have wanted one for quite some time, but as time and life have progressed for me it has become less and less of a possibility, due moving in to a new house and starting a new career in the vacuum industry.
However, I do wish to say that the one that you have Robert is beautiful and perfect. The first time I saw in the periodicals of the day for this particular make/model of cleaner was March or April of 1948 in Good Housekeeping. Better Homes and Gardens didnt start running ads until that fall.

I'm unclear however as to how long Regina offered their full size upright cleaners after they introduced the Electrikbroom, although I do believe that they were gone before WWII. And besides polishers, which were teemed along usually with the EB thru the 1950's those I believe were their only products.

MOst people know about the Oreck like cleaner that Regina introduced about 1963 called the Brush & Beat, according to my new boss, the owner of the buisness I work for now Arbor Vac, he had one in an old storage facility since the late 1970's when it was traded in for a new Miele, which is the main brand that we carry.

He said rather sheepishly to me after hiring me , that there were MANY old cleaners in that storage facility that were just "THROWN AWAY" after the structure was damaged by a bad storm that rolled thru the area early this year. He also stated as I winced that he believed that there was probably 60+ vacuum cleaners mostly built and sold before 1970. If I named them out it would only cause pain...It migraines the brain for me just so you know.

Anyway, that's all for now...

Chad
 
Interesting! I've always wondered how the Oreck debuted...I saw a few 1970's examples in the VCCC President's collection but never knew that Regina made the first one! Does anyone have any pictures? I've seen a few early Orecks (the XL4000 I believe) on eBay, but most of them have bad motors and either run loudly or not at all. It's a shame since that orange color is way cool. I haven't seen one red pre-DutchTech canister either, which surprises me! They were always advertised in the Oreck brochures I looked at, and had that cool L-shaped power nozzle.

Yes, I know I'm going to get slapped for this, but I think it's time to hit eBay for another Oreck as well. They weren't the best on carpets, but great on bare floors based on my experiences with one (a 1995 XL9100). Commercial models ONLY, though.
 
Here's my theory

Not that I know anything about it. But when did that ever stop me?

Maybe the roller's so you can lay the vac down like a canister and attach a hose and wands. The roller would help avoid "drag around tragedy."

Oh, and definitely wear the apron. Something with ruffled edges and cherries on the fabric. Post pic.

veg
 
OOOHHHHH AUSTIN!!!

My mother tried an Oreck after 34 years of Hoover Convertible-ing.
She said: "I could get more dirt off my floors with a shovel"
Save your money...
I don't know the exact story of Oreck, but there were several versions in the 60's one even marketed commercially with the WHIRLPOOL name on it.
I have a Regina Brush & Beat from the late 60's. Its a neat machine and fun to play with. Believe it or not, the Oreck's paper bag fits in it perfectly!
I'll post a couple of pics...
 
underneath

With the baseplate removed...Regina later used this as their powernozzle on their DUO-Power canisters in the 1970's
 
Regina Roller

Your Regina is missing some parts.

The roller is not for vacuuming under beds. This vacuum was made to also be used with attachments, as a canister. The vacuumer would extend the wheel on the handle, then attach a caster set, on a bar, on the lower vacuum cleaner. The set would be attached to the inlet neck. The Regina would now be ready to roll around the room. The rug nozzle would then be removed and a hose would be attached in its place. Now the Regina can move about; cleaning the furniture, lampshades, etc like a canister vacuum cleaner. When you were finished, you would remove the hose, attach the rug nozzle, then remove the caster set, and lastly rotate the upper wheel parallel to the handle shaft. How's that for a very long and narrow canister vacuum cleaner.
 
Yeah, yeah, it's a nice vacuum

But I want to see pictures of Unimatic's kitchen!!! Is there a thread with pics of the kitchen somewhere on this site? If so, can you point me to it?
 
More Dream Machines

Thanks GE Swivel, now the roller makes more sense.

Chad if this is one of your dream vacuum that you've wanted for a long time, just email me your address, consider it yours, I'll drop it off at the UPS store. I thought it was cool, it was only $2 at the estate sale and I'm not attached to it in any way. Making dreams come true is half the fun of this club. I'm an Electrolux boy anyway.

Mike, post 2970 in the Super Forum archives has pictures of my kitchen post re-do.
 
Thanks Veg

I viewed this kitchen before in another thread. I'm still having trouble connecting all the dots and placing names with threads and stuff.

You did a beautiful job Robert. I covet your Fridge. I have the identical Spartus clock hanging in my bedroom. I love that clock. I have it in a couple different colors but only hung the turquoise one. I took a short break from cleaning the fridge yesterday to hang a different turquoise spartus clock in the laundry room. I love old spartus clocks. I have a bunch. I wish I knew how to fix some of the.

But anyway, great job. Your kitchen looks awesome.
 
Regina Brush & Beat

Looks like this particular vacuum may still be in production, albeit under a different name. I *knew* it looked familiar, then I remembered where I saw it.

http://www.rawlins.co.uk/floor_cleaning_catalogue_1.asp?category=5&cat=2892&id=4396
This one is sold for commercial use, although to date I've never yet seen one in the flesh, so I'm thinking it can't be particularly popular here. Most commercial users in the UK stick to canisters and clean air uprights in any case, with Numatic and Sebo leading those fields respectively.

Cheers,

Kirk
 
Kewl Broom!!!

Nice looking broom there Robert...problem is "Nothing Sucks Like Electrolux"... as the UK advertising of the 80`s said...

Wouldnt be much use with Gladys on full moult!!!

AND Guys n Gals...beware of nice boys baring gifts....

I came to the first convention with one vac ( Kirby Trad)and was presented with a LUX XXX (Pride n Joy) from Robert ...which then started me with the bug....now its 80+ vacs & many laundry apps....lol

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ch...g.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chestermikeuk/my_photos
 
Hi Mike, Great picture of your Electrolux. I have never seen an Electrolux floor nozzle like the one you have there. Is it a carpet or floor tool? Would love to see a shot of the front of it. Hope that you are doing great!! Terry
 
Too cool!

Wow, thanks Kirk, that does bear a striking resemblance to the Brush & Beat, even down to the front-mounted bag and power switch! If they ship worldwide, I'm definitely going to think about it! That would be great if parts were available for the vintage Brush & Beats over there as well!
 
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