So, I got something off Craigslist that REALLY sucks...

[redcarpetdrew]

Well, I guess it's time to join Vacuumland. First, the Hoover Celebrity Elite IV. Then I got the Kirby Omega. Now, well...

I responded to a posting about a 60's Hoover vacuum. I had a good idea from the usual mangled, out of focus picture with the subject barely in the picture itself what it MIGHT be. So, off I drove to Oakland (Piedmont, actually) where the poster said it would be waiting on the steps as he had moved out of the house.

I found this...

[this post was last edited: 12/31/2014-02:04]

 

[redcarpetdrew]

He said it ran but needed the hose repaired or replaced. Yeah, that's an understatement. Also not mentioned was the lack of attachments. It's ok, though, as Stephanie (Tennblondie78) was her usual awesome self and had researched lots of things like advertisements, Vacuumland threads and the like and emailed them to me before I got home. LOL! This is where I found out for the first time that these do not have wheels. They float on a cushion of exhaust air like a hovercraft!

I'm dying to find out a production date if possible. I plugged it in at home and turned it on. The bearings are in fantastic shape and, son of a gun, if it doesn't float. I had fun running it for a while just admiring it doing that. Stephanie also educated me on the multiple color combinations and that a version of it is still made today.

Cool! Now I have to find a hose and the attachments. This may be fun...

[this post was last edited: 12/31/2014-02:06]

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Now comes the rest of the story...

I called the poster and thanked him for it. I also thanked him for being a man of his word as he had other callers after me including a lady who tried to throw a bunch of money at him but he told them that I had called first. A rare thing on C/L. A poster with morals...

So we got to talking about my plans for the Constellation and I told him that I like this stuff as it is a welcome diversion from the stress of dealing with Dad's cancer. He said "Well, there's this vacuum in the dirt semi basement semi crawl space under the house I just moved into after the old lady who owned it passed away and the family sold it. I think it's a lot older. It's made out of metal. You can get it if you wish." Older? Metal? Hmmmm... Visions of another Kirby appeared in my head.

Of course I said "Please!" And drove over. And helped dig it out from under old boards and junk. Then, coughing from all the dirt and dust, took it outside into the light to see what I ended up with.

Hint: it wasn't a Kirby...

 

[redcarpetdrew]

It. Was. Better. Wwaaayyyy better!

Anyone recognize this?

 

[bluejay]

That is wicked awesome! Now I have something to keep an eye out for!

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Yes. It. Is!

If you guess an ancient Apex, go to the head of the class! I didn't know Apex made vacuums but now I know. Intact! Took it home, Again with Stephanie burning up the Internet trying to find info on it (there's not a lot out there. And fewer pictures of one on the hoof).

Had to fix the plug so I could try it out (will put a permanent one on later as the power cord is in great shape). Gave it a cursory wipedown. Admired how well it was built...

A model 600. Steph and I have our guesses. Anyone who knows these have any better ideas of age?

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Needs a belt as it's missing. Tried to figure out the brush roll with the different notches in the ends. I thought it might have something to do with the bar height. Then cleaned the mess off the plate underneath and saw that My guess was pretty close.[this post was last edited: 12/31/2014-02:31]

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Well, now comes the million dollar question...

Does it suck? Plugged it in and, with fingers crossed and circuit breakers ready, flicked the switch...

Eureka! Actually, Apex! Lol! She runs. Smoothly! Motor bearings are in awesome shape! Steph found a reference that these were so powerful that they would actually suck up the carpet. I tried it with a rubber mat and it actually did! Lol! This thing will suck the color out of the carpet...

And the light even works...

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Well. I saw an advertisement where there were attachments that plugged into the front thru a drop down door. Good luck on finding those. Or a replacement brush roll and belt. I can most likely fix up the roll and find a belt that will work.

The bag is in amazingly good shape with no tears or leaks. The paint will need redoing and the metal cleaned up a bit. The metal shaft where the belt attaches to the motor will need a bit of love but nothing scary. I have not decided if the Apex will continue to live with me. This might be someone's ultimate wish list find. Brian surprised me with my 906's so I might pay it forward... The Connie will be staying for sure. I just gotta find the hose and attachments. Bags are on the way as we speak along with the motor filter.

All in all, a nice Craigslist find. I'll even call it the 'Apex' of my vacuum collecting...

Ducking and running now...

RCD

 

[pulltostart]

Drew

Congratulations on some great finds!  I can't wait to see 'after' photos of these two.

 

lawrence

 

[iheartmaytag]

Notches

Not familiar with the Apex, but if it's system is like other machines.

Those notches are to compensate for brush wear.
Notch 1 is new
Notch 2 is as the brushes wear
Notch 3 is your last notch before replacement.

Royal and later Kirby used this same system. I actually prefer the adjustment screw that Kirby used to have where you had almost infinite control, but I guess this is easier for the casual user.

 

[tennblondie78]

Drew, you're really on a roll with vacuums! You're right, you must join Vacuumland now, too! Seems the vacuum fairies are smiling on you...