Thread Number: 36654
/ Tag: Pre-1950 Vacuum Cleaners
Improved Wardway |
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Post# 392329   5/25/2018 at 17:06 (2,134 days old) by jrdavis (oklahoma)   |   | |
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Here is an "Improved Wardway" I found at an auction several years ago. I've not seen one like it before or since but I'm sure someone here has? Makes me think of an Apex because of the rotary switch on the top of the handle
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Post# 392341 , Reply# 1   5/25/2018 at 23:09 (2,134 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)   |   | |
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Post# 392345 , Reply# 2   5/26/2018 at 00:36 (2,134 days old) by jrdavis (oklahoma)   |   | |
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Post# 392347 , Reply# 3   5/26/2018 at 01:07 (2,134 days old) by jrdavis (oklahoma)   |   | |
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Post# 392350 , Reply# 4   5/26/2018 at 02:41 (2,134 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)   |   | |
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I found some information online about Wardway. Not this particular model, but the brand in generic. This appears to be a 1932 model so yours might be newer since it states it is "improved".
"This will give you an idea of the competition for the Hoover 541 -- this is the "Wardway" economy model offered by Montgomery Wards. The vacuum sold for $29.95, but could be had in monthly installments of $5.00 ("6 easy payments" in the language of today's infomercials...) It is of some note that the Wards model was offered in a DC version. As noted in our Energy Page, many farms used wind or combustion engines to generate DC power." Source: www.jitterbuzz.com/indvac.html... Note that yours lists DC power as well, but optionally 25-60 cycle AC current. I have this problem with antique vacuums I have too. I don't know if you can safely plug them into your modern wall outlet without needing a step-down voltage regulator or anything where you can dial up a voltage so you don't overload and cook the motor. I asked around on electrical sites but never got an answer.
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Post# 392351 , Reply# 5   5/26/2018 at 05:32 (2,134 days old) by fantomfan57 (Central Texas)   |   | |
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I know what you mean. Thanks for posting. |
Post# 392360 , Reply# 6   5/26/2018 at 10:09 (2,133 days old) by jrdavis (oklahoma)   |   | |
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Post# 392388 , Reply# 7   5/26/2018 at 21:21 (2,133 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)   |   | |
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"this is the "Wardway" economy model offered by Montgomery Wards."
#CALLEDIT So there was such a thing as a farm lighting plant that made 32 volts. You learn something new every day. Husky, what are you asking about exactly? If a motor says 110 volts and 60 cycles, it's good to go on modern 120VAC electric supply. It's usually 120 volts now, but the difference is, what, only 10% more? That's nothing. Especially for a hardy old motor. Vacuums usually use universal motors, aka AC/DC. They work on either. (Not that you'd have DC going into your house anymore...) Although interestingly, I'm pretty sure the ordinary DC supply of eons ago would've been 100 volts, not 110, but I could be mistaken. They might have increased it to 110 later. If you're legit scared to plug in an old vac, get yourself a variac. Set the voltage to what the motor asks for and turn it up to 120 and see how it reacts. But yeah, it should be no problem. jrdavis, I enjoy looking at this old crap, otherwise I wouldn't be here. I'm pretty sure most folks here are of the same inclination, but I think they're not all that inclined to actually post a reply unless they have something to say besides 'ooh and ahh.' idk |
Post# 392393 , Reply# 8   5/26/2018 at 23:07 (2,133 days old) by jrdavis (oklahoma)   |   | |
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Post# 392424 , Reply# 9   5/28/2018 at 02:28 (2,132 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)   |   | |
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Thanks. I meant that because they were made for such low voltage back then, would they be able to handle current flow today.
Also yes, most farms had some form of windmill that made power, or a hit and miss kerosene powered engine in the basement that would act as a generator and recharge a series of glass-filled battery jars neatly arranged on a rack in a series to make one giant power pack. This was before most of america's rural infrastructure was built and most farms did not see a power grid until the 1930's. Here's a video of what this would look like set up, but keep in mind this would be mounted permanently in the basement and not on a cart. The owner also added a few bits and bobs to illustrate how it works. |
Post# 392433 , Reply# 11   5/28/2018 at 12:30 (2,131 days old) by jrdavis (oklahoma)   |   | |
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awesome video husky(may I call you husky or do you prefer huskyvacs? and I also really enjoy hearing(or reading rather) about cool places like the old camp and discoveries as well toli(may I call you toli or do you prefer tolivacs?) if you do decide you'd like to check out my videos of a few of my vacs on youtube, you'll also see some antique fan videos of mine and a few lawnmowers(I collect about anything old-the older the better!) my youtube name is Johnnyb59c
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Post# 392523 , Reply# 14   5/30/2018 at 15:48 (2,129 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)   |   | |
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Post# 392533 , Reply# 15   5/30/2018 at 17:42 (2,129 days old) by jrdavis (oklahoma)   |   | |
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it is a Beatty Cadillac(I would like to take it to the car show next year! just need a bag or find the old one. it was in a box in the garage not too long ago. I just need to find that box the first pic is from last week. the second and third is from 2009
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Post# 392534 , Reply# 16   5/30/2018 at 18:10 (2,129 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)   |   | |
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Post# 392546 , Reply# 17   5/30/2018 at 23:13 (2,129 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)   |   | |
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Post# 392549 , Reply# 18   5/30/2018 at 23:26 (2,129 days old) by jrdavis (oklahoma)   |   | |
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not sure but I think mine may be a Clements Cadillac not sure- I was just going by what was mentioned earlier. I remember seeing and ad once that mentioned "1927 Ball-Bearing Cadillac" I saw some pics of a Beatty Cadillac looked like my Cadillac but the handle looked different. Looked like it had more of a curve at the top and looked like chrome steel and mine is wood with aluminum and a push button switch. That and the dust bag on mine was brown and had Ball Bearing Cadillac painted in red lettering on front and back
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Post# 392552 , Reply# 19   5/30/2018 at 23:41 (2,129 days old) by jrdavis (oklahoma)   |   | |
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ok mine is a Clements
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Post# 392598 , Reply# 20   5/31/2018 at 22:47 (2,128 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)   |   | |
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Well that's... peculiar. I was thinking I had my Cadillacs down to a tee. Old boy Clements had a LOT of different vac designs. I guess it kinda strikes me as odd, why this one has ball bearings (or so the bag claims) and it's much earlier than mine, which has plain bearings. And then later Caddy's went back to ball bearing. It's not the war... cuz mine is prewar. idk. Any chance I could get a closeup of the center cap/ belt cover thingy? I'm missing mine and I'm kinda trying to figure what it's supposed to look like.
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Post# 392600 , Reply# 21   5/31/2018 at 22:59 (2,128 days old) by jrdavis (oklahoma)   |   | |
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I think this is also where the hose goes
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Post# 392633 , Reply# 22   6/1/2018 at 14:16 (2,127 days old) by jrdavis (oklahoma)   |   | |
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Post# 392677 , Reply# 23   6/1/2018 at 23:51 (2,127 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)   |   | |
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Apparently the thread I made got archived. youtube link below. I'm midway through a total restoration. The vac is literally in 20 pieces split between my house and my shop.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO MadMan's LINK |
Post# 392693 , Reply# 24   6/2/2018 at 10:52 (2,126 days old) by jrdavis (oklahoma)   |   | |
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