Re: Remember the Filter Queen Vacuum Cleaner's:

[SactoTeddyBear]

I've got an early 1960's Filter Queen Vacuum Cleaner, with a 2-Speed Suction Switch, if in case some of you aren't familiar with them, they have a Tank with a Cone-Shaped Paper Filter that covers that Motor area in the Dirt Tank/Container. It had all of the major Attachment's with it, for doing any and all household cleaning needs, also including a Rack on the top of the Cleaner, to hold the Attachment's and it is also used for winding the Electric Cord around underneath the Rack. The Cabinet of the Vacuum Cleaner is a Light Salmon Color and the Attachment's are almost the same color, but the ends of the Flex-Hose had to be replaced and the newer ends were a Medium Brown, but who cares, as long as they work.

I bought it for $40.00 at a Yard Sale, back in late 1974 and I had to have the Flex-Hose replaced, so I had it made longer, from a 5-Foot Hose to a 7-Foot Hose. I've also had to have the Brushes on the Dusting Brush replaced and the Attachment Holder, because part of it cracked, from old age and getting brittle.

I also later on, about maybe 6 to 8 years later, had it completly Overhauled, for about $60.00 and it has been the best Vacuum Cleaner I've ever used, except for not being the newer Model's with the Power Nozzle with the Revolving Brushes, like an Upright Vacuum Cleaner has.

Anyway, I've been able to clean out at least 4 very dirty Dryer's without loosing any Suction, or having to empty the Dirt Tank/Container and when I'm cleaning out near the Motor's, I can take the hose off and a cover on the Top of the Vacuum and use it as a Blower, to get the excess Lint out of the Motor Winding's, as well as with excess Lint out of the Venting Piping, going from the Blower to the rear of the Dryer's.

My Mother had bought a New Filter Queen Vac {same year as mine} and really didn't like it. One day an Electrolux Salesman came to our house and my Mother told him that she had the Filter Queen, but didn't like it and he told her that he knew of a Woman who had an Electrolux, with the Auto Cord Winder and the Auto Bag Pop-Out Sensor and the Slider's instead of Wheels and she didn't like it, but she liked the Filter Queen Vac's, so he did an exchange {no doubt with some kick-back on his part} between the Women and they "Lived Happily Ever-After" "The-End"

Peace and best to everyone, Steve

P.S. "BTW" I've still got my Mother's Electrolux Vac and it still works as well as it did when it was new. It has also had the Flex-Hose Replaced too. It has a Flexible Hose similar to a Swimming Pool Vac Hose.

 

[tolivac]

Yes I have several FQ machines in my collection and the newer model.The newer plastic tank models-actually have a slightly less powerful motor than the older metal dust tank models.I too like the machines.Another fun vac-you can open it and see how much you picked up-and even dump it if you wish.I would do that if I picked up something smelly or nasty.I would save the cone-use it for about a months worth of cleaning.Dry wall contractors love the machines-I have told them to use two filter cones to filter out the plaster dust and keep it out of the motor.The plaster dust will TEAR up the motor bearings.It also gets thru the disc type motor filter.I like the metal tank models best.The metal tanks are more durable.The only advantage on the newer translucent plastic tanks is you can actually see the stuff it picks up as you go-kinda like a Rainbow.But the FQ still won't pick up water.Also Vac techs like these machines-you see one or more OLD ones under his workbench for cleaning out consumers machines.The HealthMor company(build and markets FQ cleaners)still sells the all metal non-motorized carpet nozzles for these machines.Those are best for picking up large amounts or clumps of pet or people hair without the peices of hair twining around the roller brush.Another of the "Big Four" of DTD vacuums.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Filter Queen's and remembering the other Old Vac&#39

Does anyone remember the Lewyt or the older "Hat-Box" Hoover Vac's? I bought one of the "Hat-Box" Hoover's from I think it was Larry on the Club Site, that is still in real good shape. I bought a Lewyt on E-Bay, if I remember I got it for $45.00, that didn't have any Attachment's, but I found a local Singer Sewing Machine Shop that had "Generic" Attachment's that would fit almost any brand of Vac's, so I bought them for $19.00 and I believe it also needed another fitting put on the end of the Hose, to adapt the Attachment's. It is actually not very noisy for that era of a Vac and it still has quite a good Suction-Pull to it too.

The "Hat-Box" Hoover has a pretty good Suction-Pull to it still too. I haven't really used either of these at all, but if I remember I do need to replace the Flex Hose on the Hoover, because it had some small holes in it, that I found, checking it out as close as possible. It is exactly like a "Hat-Box" Hoover that I bought new for a Disabled Lady Friend quite some time ago and that was the main reason that I wanted it, was like a memory of her, because she Passed-Away a couple of years ago and I really didn't know about her Passing, until I saw the notice in the local Newspaper.

I've also got a late 1940's or early 1950's GE Upright Vac, that has a weird Attachment Nozzle that you have to put in place of the Revolving Brush Head, in order to use the Attachment's. It was my Grandmother's Vac and I asked my Father if I could have it after her Passing, so I would have that as well as some other memories of her. It has the older Cloth Bag on it too.

Peace and best to everyone, Steve

 

[tolivac]

I am looking for Lewyts-Esp the "big Wheel" models.So far I just have a carpet nozzle for a Lewyt.Found it in the misc Attachment box at the vac place near me.I sort of remember the "Hat Box" Hoovers.Some freinds of ours had one-didn't use it-just saw it at their house.

 

[westytoploader]

Hi Steve,

Is the "hat box" Hoover you're referring to the Celebrity? I had the wonderful experience of owning one for a year in 2002-2003--a bright red-orange Celebrity III from the late 1970's. Being a lower-end straight-suction version, it didn't have any wheels, which was even more fun because it "hovered" across the floor like the Constellations! Had an appearance similar to a "flying saucer"; not the ugly "domed-top" Celebrity Hoover introduced later on, in the 80's.

I liked using it--it picked up EXTREMELY well and had strong suction--great at picking up pet hair on floors. It had a small hole in the hose and some surface rust in the bag chamber but otherwise worked great--liked the sound it made too. Not the deep "WOOOOOOOOOOOOO" sound familiar in canisters from the 1970's--80's, but more like a Eureka "Mighty Mite".

I now regret selling it on eBay...now I'm out to find another one! You won't know what a "fun" vacuum is until you use a Celebrity!!! And for those of you who have--there's nothing comparable to it, IMHO!

--Austin

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Hey! Austin & tolivac:

Hey! Austin, I know that Model Hoover Vac that you are talking about. No, this Hoover Vac looks like a Hat-Box {square} and is a 2-Tone Green. It has Wheels on either side of the Rear and a small Swivel Wheel on the Front, to guide it "Forward and Side to Side/Left or Right" while pulling on the Hose during your Vac task's.

Hey! tolivac, Yes, that Lewyt Vac if like a tall Square Box-Shaped Unit and it has large Wheels on the back and a small Swivel Wheel on the Front, as with the Hoover, to Guide it while doing the Vac Task's. I also got the Filter Bag's for the Lewyt at the Singer Sewing Shop too. I was lucky to locate a place to get these item's, since it didn't come with them.

Thanks Guy's for your quick and wonderful addition to my Post and for some more memories of the "Good Ol' Day's" of all of our neat Appliances that just aren't made like they used to be made, or as durable as the older Units.

 

[tolivac]

I think it would be so Kool if the old style Big wheel Lewyt was reintroduced to the modern market.It could even have a powernozzle.Thought the originals were sold DTD.At one time years ago Filter Queen sued Lewyt over Lewyt using a cone shaped disposable filter in the Lewyt vac.I would have to figure that is why Lewyt went to a bag type filter.The machine you described(SactoTeddyBear) is the one I was looking for.Think they were popular in the '50's.I wonder about the wheareabouts of Lewyt today.Think it should be resurrected.In the meantime I am looking for the "Big wheel" unfortunately in this area I live in homes don't have basements.And folks here don't always save old things.
WestyToploader:You seem very familiar with Hoover machines.Did they build a Celeberty model with a powernozzle?If they did bet it was a very nice machine.At present I have two Hoover uprights.A model 31 and a 105.Both work well.

 

[westytoploader]

Steve,

Here's a Hoover Portable system from the 1960's or 70's; it's the rare "big wheel" version, so it might look a little weird. Is this the machine you're referring to? It was made from the late 1950's to the 1970's.

Also, there's a Hoover "Slimline" similar to this, except only the brush, crevice tool, and upholstery nozzle are stored inside the machine in a special caddy (located in the bag chamber actually, not above the bag chamber like in the Portable...). The hose connects externally, and it has two low, wide wheels in the back, as well as a small swivel caster in the front. Also referred to as the Model 2001. I'll try to look for a picture on one of the Yahoo vacuum collector groups. Hope this helps.

Yes; I collected only vintage Hoovers for a while, then opened up to all brands recently. Hoovers are the easiest to work on in my experience and are great for beginners; especially the Convertible machines.

--Austin

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Hoover

Hi! Austin, do you have any access to searching Model's for the year Manufatured? My Vac's Model is #S3013 and it is a
2-Tone Green Cabinet, similar to the one in the Photo that you referred about on E-Bay {Flea-Bay}.

{tolivac} are you real interested in a "Big-Wheel" Lewyt Vac?

Thank you Guy's for all of your info and updates about all of these Vac's. I would gratefully appreciate any other info that anyone has about the "Good Ol' Day's" Vac's.

Peace and best always, Steve

 

[tolivac]

Austin:-I have the Hoover #31 convertible-even has the hose and a couple attachments.A neighbor that lived down the street from me had it and the older Hoover 105.The Hoover 31 used "C" bags but I use F&G bags instead-converts it to top fill.They will fit with a little folding.Hoovers are pretty straightforward-and the round belts sold today fit even their older vacs(105).I specialize primarily in Royals and Kirbys.At some point will expand my Hoover collection-all I have been able to find lately is Bagless and bagged Windtunnels-Trade ins for TriStars.Pass those on.
SactoTeddyBear-Yes I am interested in a "Big Wheel" Lewyt.Any ideas?I can't find any in my area.Left word with all the DTD vac distributers here.Lewyts aren't common here.Some of the vac places never heard of 'em.Had to describe it to them.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: To: tolivac:

Hey! tolivac, do you have any Filter Queen Vac's with the Power Nozzle's {Revolving Brush} and with all other household normal/typical Cleaning Attachment's?

What approx. year and what shape are they in?

Peace, Steve

 

[tolivac]

Steve: Yes: I have a few models with powernozzles.Two of them are not in the best of shape-1970's model-has a rough motor.and a new model that has a bad hose.The newer one is about 3-4 years old.Both were trade ins for TiStars.The newer one also has a plastic tank.I also have a 1950's model that doesn't have a powernozzle. Someone tried to modify it to use it with one though.this came from a FQ dist that closed down.The closest FQ dealer to me now is in Raleigh.The 1950's model also didn't have its orig hose or attachments.the other machines do.The older powernozzles I have need new roller brushes and belts.The FQ place in Raleigh makes it harder to get the parts.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: tolivac, Filter Queen Vac's:

Hi! tolivac, thank you for the reply. How far is Raleigh, from where you live {time}? The newer Model with the bad Hose, does the Electric's for the Power Nozzle clip onto the Hose, or is it inside the casing of the Hose? I was wondering if the Hose of a Model like mine {that doesn't have the Power Nozzle} could use its Hose and the Power Nozzle Unit, if the Wiring Clips onto the outer area of the Hose?

We do still have some FQ dealers around here, but I'm not too sure about how they are, as far as helpful with older units, or $$$ expenses for Part's/Repair's.

Peace and best, Steve

P.S. Check your E-Mail's too "BTW" OK?

 

[tolivac]

The newer one I have uses the "pigtail" connectors and the older powernozzle-with the flat belt.The newest powernozzles and FQ hoses use a different connector for the attachments.They also use a diffrent power connection as well for the powernozzle.Its been completely redisigned.It doesn't have the headlight.But it has a filtred power nozzle motor air intake,and a cogged belt. The new design Powernozzle is also lower in profile.The only pigtail connector on the new hose is on the end of the hose that connects to the intake of the machine-the connector still plugs into the motor powerdome.The power switch is diffrent on the newer models as well-a single 2 posiotion rocker switch that selects hi or lo motor speed.the old "paddle switch" is gone-Loved that.The new ones also have a plastic exhaust cap with a non-replaceable filter.the older metal exhaust cap was better-you could replace the filter pad.-and it was more durable.
Raleigh is about 2 hrs from me and the traffic there is terrible-even worse than Wash DC-I avoid the area.also don't know the dist there.On the one I have that has the bad hose-its the connector for the PN that is broken.A word of warning about FQ dealers--they may be more willing to try to sell you a new machine than fix your older one.But you could try them though for parts.They also sell a retrofit PN "kit" that has a new hose and attachments and powernozzle for older machines.Unfortunately its about $500 though.The older attachments won't fit the newer hoses.

 

[drmitch]

Power nozzle

Hi Rex and Steve. You guys know SO much about vacs! I joined the vintage vacuum site on Yahoo but their posting is a little to complicated for me. I have a Electorlux LXI that works really well and would like to add mw PN1 power nozzel for carpet. Any ideas on how to go about this. I had thought about the power supply cord mounted on the out side of the model E and a few others but I havent found one. I Guess you could cut the hose connector out of an old 1205 and install it but it would be a lot of trouble.

 

[tolivac]

Don: I joined the VCCC-its pretty good-their magazine is pretty informative.The older 'Lux machines also don't have the proper connector on the front of the machine to accomidate 'Lux electric hoses.You could try to get a non-motorized powernozzle such as a "Rug-Rat"Beleive they are still available.The company makes a floor type version and a handheld one.Its a suction-turbine powered unit.I have a few of the handheld ones and they work pretty well.The hand one used to come with Heritage Kirby vacs.I would be afraid to modify an older machine-would destroy its future collector value.You might try to rig a cord to a powernozzles conncter Yes the two cords would be cumbersome-but it is something to experiment with and you could use such a rig with any canister vac.I have a PN for my National Model M that works that way.I rigged it so I could use it with my "M"s that don't have a power connector.Its one of those you had to "strap" the PN cord to the wands and hose.I just have straps on the PN wand.