Columbus B12 -2 Birds with 1 stone polisher/vac combo

Hey Guys,

This is a machine I treasure dearly. As you have noticed in my previous threads posted, Gran and I was very close and this post in memory to her. Mrs Elizabeth Margaret Smith 25/09/1933 -21/01/2013.

This was grans very first machine as she told me tales of it. She got Married to grandpa in February 1955, and when my dad made his entrance 21 August 1956, hence that was when this machine was purchased.

This is a Columbus B12 Floor polisher/ Straight suctioon vacuum cleaner with accessories and a later addition of the roller brush attachment in the mid 60's.

In South-Africa the Columbus Floor polisher became more common, and the B11 version was the same size and dimensions accept for the ability to interchange the foot pieces from vacuum to polisher. The B11 was a grey hammertoned sprayed version with a 400W motor, floor polisher only, as apposed to B12 polished aluminium Alloy.

Unfortunately the glass spray bottle broke after gran's passing. Besides that the machine is still complete, for suction and blowing function.

I have noticed that the roller brush option which was optional and could be added to a machine it indicated that the patent was German made, to my surprise as the earlier Columbus machines were Made in England.

Both the earlier straight Suction pre 65 and Roller Brush attachment post 65, has carpet adjustment levers situated on the cleaning attachment itself and could adjust to 7 different heights.

The Bag is gigantic, and has a measurement of 107 cm when fully deployed.

The Floor polisher attachment and the straight suction attachment has black bakelite wheels each with an off white tyre, avoiding leaving scuffs and marks on floors. The rear wheels also has a slight very limited swivel action adding ease of manoeuvrability at a staggering 16 kilograms, basic floor polisher with main motor, handle and bag and 121 cm in height.

This machine runs smooth and so quiet, something you do not find these days no more.

The handle is also made off Bakelite, with a metal switch, and many people had their hair stand up straight as our friend Einstein's, when switching it on and the machine may not have been earthed. Grans Columbus is 100% concourse/original and had no defects or electrical issues as mentioned. Unfortunately the owners manual was lost, but hey the machine is still cool

the elderly people all referred to these machines when the topic of floor polishers arouse off the shiny head or the emblem of the round earth "ball", probably thought of Christopher Columbus, when thinking of names, I assume.

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 20 View Full Size


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Post# 315456 2/13/2015 at 12:39 (3,353 days old) by columbus (South-Africa)
Checkrate/Likes Hey Guys, This is a machine I treasure dearly. As you have noticed in my previous threads posted, Gran and I was very close and this post in memory to her. Mrs Elizabeth Margaret Smith 25/09/1933 -21/01/2013. This was grans very first machine as she told me tales of it. She got Married to grandpa in February 1955, and when my dad made his entrance 21 August 1956, hence that was when this machine was purchased. This is a Columbus B12 Floor polisher/ Straight suctioon vacuum cleaner with accessories and a later addition of the roller brush attachment in the mid 60's. In South-Africa the Columbus Floor polisher became more common, and the B11 version was the same size and dimensions accept for the ability to interchange the foot pieces from vacuum to polisher. The B11 was a grey hammertoned sprayed version with a 400W motor, floor polisher only, as apposed to B12 polished aluminium Alloy. Unfortunately the glass spray bottle broke after gran's passing. Besides that the machine is still complete, for suction and blowing function. I have noticed that the roller brush option which was optional and could be added to a machine it indicated that the patent was German made, to my surprise as the earlier Columbus machines were Made in England. Both the earlier straight Suction pre 65 and Roller Brush attachment post 65, has carpet adjustment levers situated on the cleaning attachment itself and could adjust to 7 different heights. The Bag is gigantic, and has a measurement of 107 cm when fully deployed. The Floor polisher attachment and the straight suction attachment has black bakelite wheels each with an off white tyre, avoiding leaving scuffs and marks on floors. The rear wheels also has a slight very limited swivel action adding ease of manoeuvrability at a staggering 16 kilograms, basic floor polisher with main motor, handle and bag and 121 cm in height. This machine runs smooth and so quiet, something you do not find these days no more. The handle is also made off Bakelite, with a metal switch, and many people had their hair stand up straight as our friend Einstein's, when switching it on and the machine may not have been earthed. Grans Columbus is 100% concourse/original and had no defects or electrical issues as mentioned. Unfortunately the owners manual was lost, but hey the machine is still cool the elderly people all referred to these machines when the topic of floor polishers arouse off the shiny head or the emblem of the round earth "ball", probably thought of Christopher Columbus, when thinking of names, I assume. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 20 View Full Size

Post# 315465 , Reply# 1 2/13/2015 at 14:24 (3,352 days old) by columbus (South-Africa)
Checkrate/Likes *Columbus B30* Here is the post Office red/ Orange Columbus 3 brush, Being the original coulor you can polish and buff it until you turn blue in the face, it has a matt colour, it will stay a matt colour, and will not turn into red. Known to the South-African Market since the early 70's and become Electrolux versions in different colours in the 80's nd 90's. Pre 70's the same machine was manufactured with a slight different more Square look, named progress. Progress had the first metal bodies contributing to weight which is great for shine at the same wattage as the B30/33 I found it a great machine and weight to 'bohn a floor well. With extra pads the floor could be waxed to a very high gloss at 400W, very noisy especially in constricted areas, and although the machine does a great job, in a constricted area, you may find your self stuck between a rock and a hard place, due to the shape. It is approximately 25cm in height with the brushes fitted, making it somehow challenging polishing underneath furniture, unless you use the machine to push away a cupboard. HAHAHAHA it will surely survive. having such a heavy base, it somehow is an uncomfortable shape, which is not ideal for corners and small areas. The handle feels to short and after a while strains your back. Look at the bright side, it has a large inflatable bag, ensuring good suction, however, you need to schedule a eviction order the day you shake the bag out, as believe me, everyone, and everything will be covered in dust. I have not yet learned in my 38 years how to clean the bag, without causing a national disaster and an extra big whole in the ozone layer with this exercise. You had the B30 and then B33 where the b33, had a push down then tilt handle shich turns the machine on, once the handle is released and the B30 a handle release foot operated button in red, as seen in the photo, and once the handle release the machine turns on. Being a strong durable machine, which lasted for years, and still find them in use, and for sale in charity Shops, privately and auctions. Many Thanks Adrian Photos... < > Photo 1 of 7 View Full Size