Thrift-Store Catch of the Day

[gadgetgary]

Actually it does not smell like fish, but a little bit like it came from a smoker's house...

$4.99

Five dollah, definitely make me hollah!

Funny how the dirt does not show in this pic.

 

[Maytagmom]

Can I trade the thongs in for this instead?

Very very nice Gary!

Please post video of the suction power of this Electrolux?

;-)

 

[gadgetgary]

Speaning of thongs MM, see handle.....

After a good D&C(dusting and cleaning), it's fresh and sparkles and ready for action.

Speaking of suction, once the debris and leaves were removed from the fan protection mesh, it sucked really well....

I am guessing early 70's....Does anyone know????

 

[Maytagmom]

Sucks really well

I bet it does! LOL

I know nothing, about vacuums...but hey, I am going to guess 1968. Just for S.A.G.s

I always run patent numbers on all the "junque" I collect.

But you know we have tons of experts on these here, so you will get an answer soon.

I think Robert has a Sunbeam canister identical to what my family had in the 50's-60's. Saw it on a picture he had here, and have been meaning to write him about it. The only thing left of that is the wooden base on wheels, that I still have.

Happy thrifting! You find the neatest stuff, for cheap.

 

[sudsdudeshane]

wow~Great Find!

We had the same Electrolux when I was growing up.I would ask AndrewinOrlando, he has the same vacuum. I would say late '60-early 70's.

 

[danemodsandy]

Gary:

This is an Electrolux 1205. These were introduced in '68, but yours is one of the later ones, around 1972-73 or so. The tipoff is the clip for the dusting brush. Excellent machine, and extremely quiet if it's in good repair.

One tip about Eluxes- be sure and change bags very regularly. A broken bag can send dirt right into the motor, and a full one will cut way down on suction.

Also, be careful not to bump the machine up and down stairways or over door thresholds. On the bottom of the machine, at the front, is a swivel caster surrounded by a plastic piece called the caster guard or sled. If that piece breaks, it's a VERY expensive repair, since the piece is riveted in. Not every vac place can do it, either.

If you need parts or service, Electrolux vacuums are called Aerus now. www.aerusonline.com is the company website.

 

[sudsdudeshane]

dane~

Wow, your knowledge is impressive!"If you need parts or service, Electrolux vacuums are called Aerus now". What do you mean by that statement? I just bought a new Electrolux last year from their company website.

Thanks!

 

[Maytagmom]

whoo hoooo

I got the '68 right...I was close.

Not bad for someone who knows NOTHING about vacs.

I win a prize, right?

Lemme guess...white lacy thongs!

 

[danemodsandy]

Shane:

That is a very complicated subject, but here's the Reader's Digest version:

Electrolux was originally a Swedish company; vacs were the main product. In the 1930's, Electrolux established an American division to make vacs over here; it was basically independent from the Swedish company.

Over the years, the Swedish company branched out into other appliances, like refrigerators, etc. The American one stuck to vacs and floor care.

Eventually, the American one was sold off to Consolidated Foods, who ran it under the Electrolux name until a few years ago. Then- Swedish Electrolux negotiated the return of the Electrolux name in America to their control. Consolidated Foods sold off the vac company, and the new owners (who no longer had a legal right to the Electrolux name) renamed the American company Aerus. Swedish Electrolux now owns Frigidaire and a bunch of other appliance brands.

Electrolux vacuums sold in America now are basically Reginas that have NOTHING in common with machines made by the old American Electrolux. Aerus sells vacuums similar to the old American Electroluxes, but they're plastic now. Aerus also does all the parts and service for older American Electroluxes, through its network of Aerus dealers. The company website has a dealer locator if you need any service.

So, new Electroluxes in this country have nothing in common with the old ones, except the name.

 

[gadgetgary]

Excellent machine, and extremely quiet if it's in good r

The machine seems to be running fine and the motor does not seem to be straining or arcing(perhaps it was the debris that was found in the canister).

I am thrilled to find such a wonderful piece of machinery for such an inexpensive price.

The hose that came with the machine is not 'electrified' but, I have other hoses from my two Olympias that I can interchange.

Maybe will change a yellowed Olympia for a Silverado(which I gave to the ex). To him, a vacuum is a vacuum, as long as it does what is supposed to. This would still leave with the one non-yellowed Olympia.

I could have gotten the Lux for half, if the price tag was the "correct" color for the day(it changes daily...blue, yellow, green).

 

[sudsdudeshane]

ehhh!!...what a waste of money I spent then on my electrolux!..Should have bought an oreck =(

 

[hoover1060]

Nice find Gary!

I concour thats a later model, 72-73 or so. My Aunt Ruth has a 1205 as well, she loves it.
That was Lux's first model in that style, and is notable for the changes they made during the run of it.
Early ones have both the integral contacts and the P/n outlet on the front of the canister, and did NOT have the screen over the fan opening in the bag compartment, as well as they lacked the previously mentioned clip for the dusting brush.
I like the blue too.
For $4.99 you got a bargain for sure!

 

[danemodsandy]

Gary:

If you have Electrolux hoses that are the old, braided style, put 'em away and keep them as collector pieces. These old hoses are natural rubber inside, and if you keep using them, they'll crack inside and leak air. If you don't use them, they'll maintain the value of the vac for collectors. You can get new hoses on eBay. I recommend getting a genuine Electrolux/Aerus hose over the generic ones sold on eBay; a genuine hose will outlast a generic about three-to-one. Now for Shane:

If you want a good vacuum, get a vintage Electrolux and put the money into it for what repairs or parts it needs. These vacs are metal-bodied, and will outlast anything made today. Parts and service are readily available. Some Electrolux models that are available at a reasonable price include the 1205, the Olympia, the Silverado, the Diamond Jubilee, and the Marquis. You might also consider a TriStar CXL, which is also a metal-bodied vac. Again, these will last forever.

Generally, when you buy a vintage Electrolux, you're looking at the following repairs:
- New hose
- New brush roll and bearings in the power nozzle
- Replacement of missing wands and tools. An Elux of this vintage should have two wands, a floor/rug tool, a dusting brush, a crevice tool, and the power nozzle.

That's usually pretty much it. I have a Diamond Jubilee I bought for $2.02 in a thrift. I've spent about $100 on a new hose and parts. Try getting a new vac of any quality for that- a new Aerus can run $1300, and they're plastic. Orecks are very cheaply-made machines with a lot of sales hype.

 

[hoover1060]

since we're on the subject of Electrolux

I got this from my BF Michael, it belonged to his mother. Michael says she loved this vacuum and swore by it. He remembers the salesman coming to their house and making the sale.

Michael's mom passed away a couple of years ago. I'm touched he wants me to have this, but I keep asking him if he's sure he wants give this away. I'd like to restore it and present it back to him as "like new" as I can.

Its been well used, but runs good. I need to find a handle for it, and fix the plug.
This must be an early Super J, its got a PN2.

 

[hoover1060]

closeup

of the missing handle. I'm going to need a whole top I think...

 

[danemodsandy]

Hoover:

I'd look for a parts machine if I were you; that plastic top probably isn't going to be available new from Aerus. An Aerus dealer or vac shop MIGHT have a used part on hand.

On the plus side, it's rare to see a PN-2 with the lock button still on its telescoping wand. That's a HTF part.

If you need a hose (and the pic tells me you do), then go genuine Elux/Aerus. You'll be much happier with it than a generic, trust me. Around $50, if you watch eBay carefully.

You won't believe the performance of this vac with a new hose and a fresh bag.

 

[scott55405]

Great machines! These are among my favorite Luxes. The first Lux I ever saw was a 1205.

 

[andrewinorlando]

Gary - that is indeed an early 70's model and in beautiful condition. Don't be surprised if you get 50 years out of its motor. Just remember to change the carbon brushes ( fairly easy procedure to take the vacuum apart and the motor out) and it will be good to you for a looooong time.

If you need an electrified hose for it, I just bought a brand new one off of eBay for $15!! It's a genuine Electrolux hose and there were more available from a vendor in NY. It's not the cloth hose, but the new style they use today. Works great! My Super J is from 1977, and it still works beautifully. It can actually outsuck (is that a word???) my newer Panasonic, which was supposed to be one of the best vacuums ever buit (and I have to agree that the Panasonic is a great vacuum - certainly quiet). But what's that saying...."nothing sucks like an Electrolux"!! Indeed!!

 

[danemodsandy]

Also don't forget to stick a new brush roll and bearings in that PN-2; it'll make a huge difference. The bristles on brush rolls wear down and worn bristles don't do such a hot job of sweeping and beating the carpet. The parts are cheap on eBay; be sure to get the correct ones for a PN-2. You'll also need a new belt. Replacement takes about 10 minutes; a flat-blade screwdriver is the only tool needed. You'll think you turbocharged the power nozzle- it will perform THAT much better.