Thread Number: 20835
Shampooer/Polisher History (Electrolux and Others)
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Post# 233255   5/19/2013 at 16:22 (3,966 days old) by Paul (USA)        

Please let me know if there is complete information (i. e. years, models, colors, styles, et cetera) on Aerus-Electrolux and other brand shampooers and polishers (don't know if they're one and the same machine). I tried finding the information online but was unsuccessful.

Also, are the machines as big of collectors as vacuum cleaners?

I saw a tan G-E polisher in a thrift store for $15.00 and wasn't sure if that was a good deal or not. It has some scratches and rust on its hood, and its functionality is questionable.

I wonder if the webmaster has considered having a shampooer/polisher forum?



Post# 233320 , Reply# 1   5/20/2013 at 10:48 (3,965 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
Electrolux polisher/shampooer

Electrolux had a 3 brush polisher from Europe in the early days through the late 50s.Models were at least B-3 & B-6 in black or blue colors.The first B-7 polisher was painted to match Automatic F and had the T shape handle that continued into the 60s in blue Mo G colors.The handle was changed to the 'lawn mower' shape that could hold the new shampoo tank in mid 60s and was now the B-8 that continued in tan,blue,gold,brown and gray colors.Then the B-9/Floor Pro from the mid 80s.B-8 could be bought as polisher and/or shampooer.B-9 came with built in shampoo tank and could be bought with or without hard floor brushes.Hope this helps.

Post# 233324 , Reply# 2   5/20/2013 at 11:29 (3,965 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

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I'm pretty much equally crazy about floor polishers and vacuum cleaners! They both are very iconic from my childhood. Back in those days, every household who had vacuum cleaners also had polishers, frequently matching sets. And anyone who knows me knows just how absolutely batty I am for the 1949-1956 Electrolux air-powered floor polisher!


Post# 233393 , Reply# 3   5/20/2013 at 20:40 (3,964 days old) by Paul (USA)        
Jimmy and Charles,

Thank you for the information and clarification (now I know that there is a difference between polishers and shampooers).

JIMMY, If you have exact years for each model I am interested in that--along with the corresponding colors and styles.

CHARLES, I would appreciate more information on the polishers either by post here or a link (I will take for granted that they had model IDs like the power nozzles and shampooers).



Post# 233401 , Reply# 4   5/20/2013 at 21:31 (3,964 days old) by luxman107 (USA )        

That chrome Electrolux polisher is truly a thing of beauty.

Post# 233422 , Reply# 5   5/21/2013 at 00:57 (3,964 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture

It is pretty, isn't it -- but it's not chrome, just highly polished aluminum. I've never seen another one like it so I think it might have been the very first issue, since all the later ones were painted hammertone gray and then hammertone blue. It was very dull and tarnished when I found it, but after going over it with my electric buffing machine it took on a stunning appearance.

To Paul, Jimmy has already given you a thorough run-down on Electrolux polishers & shampooers. I don't know what I could add to his comments.


Post# 233423 , Reply# 6   5/21/2013 at 01:41 (3,964 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

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Kirby's first power polisher (with its own nozzle casting) was introduced in 1947, during the third and final year of the model 505. It was improved in 1954 with the model 514.

~Ben


Post# 233426 , Reply# 7   5/21/2013 at 03:29 (3,964 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Any videos of the Electrolux and Compact air powered polishers in use-want to see and hear them work.And would like to get those someday.Also it was said Electrolux used an air powered motor powered by their vacuum cleaner to run a drill and circular saw.Again would like to see this-the Electrolux Handi Butler?

Post# 233439 , Reply# 8   5/21/2013 at 06:06 (3,964 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

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Polisher video [see link], and an article from Popular Mechanics about the new Turbotool with attachments for power saw, drill, and hedge clippers!



CLICK HERE TO GO TO Electrolux137's LINK


Post# 233460 , Reply# 9   5/21/2013 at 10:12 (3,964 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
a bit more-

The polisher Charles shows above(RARE-only one I know of polished)was mostly gray or blue and evolved into the first Elux shampooer with a smal tank on top and softer brush under.It then became the larger RugWasher in the 60s with the Mo G. and still had polishing brush.Later just a shampooer as it went from Mo G blue to tan,blue,gold,brown,gray and sandstone/jadestone.It was good for stairs,small areas such as closets,vans,etc but 3 brush polisher/shampooer was best ever with third brush balancing what is actually a very easy job.--The T shape handle polishers could have a can of wax on handle to drip through tube to floor.Later B-8s had a spry bottle to apply liquid cleaner/wax that cliped on handle bracket for storage.

Post# 233476 , Reply# 10   5/21/2013 at 15:52 (3,964 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)        

suckolux's profile picture
my neighbor lady that gave me the xxx machine also had an electric floor polisher out in her garage, quite old, Electrolux I think, 2 brush? Is that possible?They bought that house new in 44, her dad created the Tompson Seedless grape,miss the lady, she was a kick in the pants.

Post# 233512 , Reply# 11   5/22/2013 at 00:49 (3,963 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

The air tools for the electrolux-pretty neat-would be nice to have and to try them.There is something about air powered tools tool overs like-just can't pin it down-At the transmitter site we had an air powered grinder tool-ran from the site air compressor-100PSI used it for sanding and grinding arc marks from coils,transmitter cabinet walls and so forth.The main air compressor here is something like 40CFM 20Hp.It has two 10Hp pumps and a 70gal tank.The unit is only a few years old-replaced an older Worthington that blew its pump.It had 15Hp motor.
I have a stack of 1950's PM magazines-see if I have the one that has the article about the Electrolux air tools.
The link didn't work.
The polished electrolux polisher-so nice I would be afraid to use it and mess it up!So after looking at the info about the Electrolux air tools-makes the Kirby air powered Handi-Butler tools seem like toys.Wonder if the 'Lux tools would work on a Kirby in the hose mode?


Post# 233517 , Reply# 12   5/22/2013 at 02:35 (3,963 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

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Here's a corrected link to the one above. Don't know what happened to the first one...


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Electrolux137's LINK


Post# 233524 , Reply# 13   5/22/2013 at 06:31 (3,963 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

SUPER!!!I don't have any pretty wooden floors as in your house-just WW carpet-but want one of those anyway-and the tools-just because its a cool device.I would like to try the 'Lux device on my Kirbys and other vacuums.Bet it would LEVITATE on the NSS M!!!I like the SOUND the polisher makes-interesting.I beleive Compact-TriStar made a similar polisher-spinner.Good bearings in your polisher-note how long it took to "spin down" after you turned the 'Lux vacuum off that powered it.See what I mean that there is a weird fascination for air powered tools-even though electric ones are more efficient.With the "lux units rotary motion-would be easy to adapt it to power other things-like the drill,sander,saw that was in the magazine article.

Post# 233540 , Reply# 14   5/22/2013 at 09:39 (3,963 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

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Yes, the warbling, whistling sound is captivating. It first captivated me when I was a little toddler as I watched Mama use her polisher with her Lux E-A, and it still captivates me to this day!

I used to have an old NSS, the first model. It went the way of one of my "Great American Garage Cleanups." I hooked one of my polishers to it and, yes, I thought it was going to soar right into outer space!

Do you have any older Electroluxes?


Post# 233541 , Reply# 15   5/22/2013 at 09:39 (3,963 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

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Post# 233544 , Reply# 16   5/22/2013 at 09:55 (3,963 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)        

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Nice video Charles, a very different sound from the exhaust powered Compact we had.

Post# 233587 , Reply# 17   5/22/2013 at 14:28 (3,963 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

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Here's collector Roger Proehl showing his beautiful Electrolux Model XXX and polisher.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Electrolux137's LINK


Post# 233593 , Reply# 18   5/22/2013 at 15:27 (3,963 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)        

suckolux's profile picture
Again, nice. Hard to beat the beauty of that XXX

Post# 233595 , Reply# 19   5/22/2013 at 15:31 (3,963 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA)        
I have a model XXX

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but it doesn't seem like it has enough suction to run a polisher.  I wonder if it would?


Post# 233599 , Reply# 20   5/22/2013 at 16:10 (3,963 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture

You have to have a hose with an airtight seal.


Post# 233602 , Reply# 21   5/22/2013 at 16:49 (3,963 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA)        
I ordered a new hose

jfalberti's profile picture

for it.  Hopefully it will improve the suction.  Is there anything else I can check on the machine that might cause air flow problems?


Post# 233608 , Reply# 22   5/22/2013 at 17:18 (3,963 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

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The hose is usually the biggest issue. Another thing might be that the fan blades are dirty but that's something of a delicate job that I personally wouldn't try to tackle. Getting the motor out is a pain, and getting it back in with the fans properly aligned and balanced is an even bigger problem. Also, of course, make sure the cloth bag is spotless. Whenever I empty one, I always whap it against the side of the building to dislodge all the fine dirt. You'd be surprised what a difference that can make.

You guys should keep your eyes on eBay -- polisher attachments turn up fairly often. I think there are a couple of them running now.



Post# 233665 , Reply# 23   5/22/2013 at 23:24 (3,962 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        

kirbyvertibles's profile picture
I have a compact c-1 polisher I'll have to see if I can post a pic tomorrow stay tuned

Post# 233668 , Reply# 24   5/23/2013 at 01:24 (3,962 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        
Odd Royal Polisher Attachments

electrolux137's profile picture

Here's an odd floor polisher for y'all -- actually two of them, both the same mechanism but one is polished aluminum and the other one is black wrinkle finish.

I used to have an old Royal that these fit onto but I could never figure exactly how. I mean, obviously, the brush and wheels rested on the floor and the motor unit would be connected to the open "neck" on top. A long belt that looped around the brush and then around a sealed bearing which the motor shaft would press against. When the machine was running, the motor shaft would, by pressure somehow, spin the bearing which in turn would drive the rubber belt, which in turn would spin the brush.

But the thing is, there really wasn't any way (that I could figure out) how to get the motor unit attached in such a way as to be able to steer this thing. "The angle of the handle" was awkward no matter how I attached it. Does anyone have any info on these polishers, especially an illustrated instruction sheet?

It seems to be a really silly kind of "Rube Goldberg" contraption, and I wonder how effective it could possibly have been.

Stay tuned for a neat old Eureka suction-powered polisher.......


Post# 233669 , Reply# 25   5/23/2013 at 01:25 (3,962 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        
Royal polishers

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Bottom view...


Post# 233671 , Reply# 26   5/23/2013 at 01:48 (3,962 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Yes,I have a few older 'Luxes.The hoses are still pretty sound.got one from an Applianceville member-others from the trade in piles at vac places.One came from the dump.someone tried to use it without a bag-Used My M1 to clean it out.
When I lived in Wash DC,knew a man that was the manager of the large downtown DC 'Lux place on Embassy Row.Conn Ave.The Embassies were his main business-its like they would send their janitorial crew to the 'Lux place and pay CASH for several machines at one time and CASES of bags.Then the fellow ran a vacuum store in Manassas,Va.He knew "feild stripping" ANY Lux machine blindfolded-helpted him on a few occasions.He routinely stripped down machines and cleaned the motor fans-no real problem.I would dry the fan wheels and motor parts with a Royal canister set up as a blower.We did well.It was amazing how well the 'Lux vac worked after having the fans cleaned.And the inside of the fancase on the motor.Motor would run cooler,too.
Reusable cloth 'Lux bags-I vacuum them out like other cloth dump bags-with another vacuum-and one with a disposable bag.The cloth bag works much better!
Will start looking for a 'Lux polisher-and the Compact-TriStar one!


Post# 233672 , Reply# 27   5/23/2013 at 01:55 (3,962 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

I have two triple X 'Luxes-one from a lady who was about to THROW IT AWAY-was in nice shape-she said she used it when she was little-another came from the swap shop.Have two LX-the one with the bag ejector-in both the equipment for ejecting the bags is corroded away-but the motors work and the machine works.You just have to replace the bags manually.I would have to dig these machines out of my storage room-many others in front of them!

Post# 233801 , Reply# 28   5/23/2013 at 23:55 (3,961 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture
.
.

Here's an eBay listing showing the second version of the Electrolux air-powered attachment, the first to be called the "Turbotool." This was sold with the late run of the E-Automatic. You can see the various attachments here that came with it. The Rug Washer set came later, with the Model F. I'm guessing the Friendly Electrolux Man came by and showed the customer the new Rug Washer and s/he got it for their older Turbotool.

(I have posted this here instead of the "Super Market" Dept. since it has a direct correlation to this thread.)


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Electrolux137's LINK on eBay


Post# 233845 , Reply# 29   5/24/2013 at 07:30 (3,961 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA)        
Was this

jfalberti's profile picture
Electrolux's answer to the Kirby Handi Butler?

Post# 233895 , Reply# 30   5/24/2013 at 17:26 (3,961 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        

kirbyvertibles's profile picture
haha I never thought of that, I wonder too if it was competing with kirby

Post# 233897 , Reply# 31   5/24/2013 at 17:43 (3,960 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        
compact

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compact

Post# 233900 , Reply# 32   5/24/2013 at 18:19 (3,960 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        
top

kirbyvertibles's profile picture
Top of compact

Post# 233901 , Reply# 33   5/24/2013 at 18:22 (3,960 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        

kirbyvertibles's profile picture
I'm sorry second pic sucks, I bought a new computer and new internet through a mobil hot spot (only option I can get out in the sticks) ok so I hate laptops and I hate windows 8 and I hate my internet of course it doesn't work as fast as the phone. Oy what are us hillbilly folk gonna do? Lol anyhow what do you know about this compact?

Post# 234414 , Reply# 34   5/28/2013 at 22:01 (3,956 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        

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does anyone know anything about this polisher

Post# 234445 , Reply# 35   5/29/2013 at 09:08 (3,956 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)        

That Compact polisher resembles a Electrolux Automatic E polisher; could it be from a C2?

Post# 234469 , Reply# 36   5/29/2013 at 14:41 (3,956 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA)        
It also looks like a

jfalberti's profile picture

Filter Queen Pow-r polisher/scrubber.


Post# 234515 , Reply# 37   5/29/2013 at 22:15 (3,955 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        

kirbyvertibles's profile picture
it's not a c-2 unless it's just an early one? Joe I didn't even think about the FQ polisher, it does look a bit like it.

Post# 235755 , Reply# 38   6/8/2013 at 22:56 (3,945 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        
Further to this thread about polishers...

electrolux137's profile picture

Here's an oddity. This is a very old blower-powered polisher that was sold with Eureka UPRIGHT cleaners including the deluxe Model M and the standard Model K. This would have been in the late 1930s; I don't know the exact years. (John Lucia, are you there?)

I only know this because of some Eureka parts & repair literature that John Lucia sent me quite a few years ago. In it were diagrams and (I think) photos of the polisher in use with the Model M.

It's hard to imagine this thing really did much of anything, given the relatively low power of the Eureka's exhaust. I'd guess that the felt ring around the revolving brushes did as much polishing work as the brushes did!

It's an oddly beautiful thing, though, and I think it's really cool how the designer called for a glass window on the top so you could see the vanes spinning when the polisher was running.




This post was last edited 06/08/2013 at 23:14
Post# 235756 , Reply# 39   6/8/2013 at 22:56 (3,945 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

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Another view.


Post# 235757 , Reply# 40   6/8/2013 at 22:58 (3,945 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

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View of the underside. Note the radiating brush strips and circular ring made of carpeting material.




This post was last edited 06/08/2013 at 23:15
Post# 235758 , Reply# 41   6/8/2013 at 22:59 (3,945 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture

Now, here's another oddity: The Red Devil electric polisher. Why am I including this with my postings about the Eureka air-powered polisher? You'll see in a minute...


Post# 235759 , Reply# 42   6/8/2013 at 23:00 (3,945 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture

A closer shot of the motor unit.


Post# 235760 , Reply# 43   6/8/2013 at 23:04 (3,945 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

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Nameplate. Note that the machine was manufactured in Irvington, New Jersey. That's nowhere near Detroit, Michigan. (Hint hint!)


Post# 235761 , Reply# 44   6/8/2013 at 23:05 (3,945 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture

Okay now, here's the kicker. LOOK at the brushes of the Red Devil Polisher. Where have you seen that before?!


Post# 235762 , Reply# 45   6/8/2013 at 23:09 (3,945 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture

Yep! The brush configuration is NEARLY identical to that of the Eureka!

There are slight differences, such as the color and material of the outer ring (carpet material for the Eureka and felt for the Red Devil), and the way the brush strips are attached to the metal disk, and the configuration of the little holes (purpose unknown - perhaps for aerodynamic considerations - the holes might allow for air flow through the disk and thus less resistance against the wind as the brush revolves.)


Post# 235763 , Reply# 46   6/8/2013 at 23:11 (3,945 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture

Here's a closer view of the Eureka brush so you can more clearly see the slots that the brushes slide into. Note where the yellow lines are pointing.


Post# 235764 , Reply# 47   6/8/2013 at 23:14 (3,945 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture

And the same close-up of the Red Devil brush.

Okay, now, really! There HAS to be a connection here. I mentioned that the Red Devil polisher was made in New Jersey, nowhere near Michigan (the original location of the Eureka factory). Perhaps there was a 3rd-party company who made the brushes for both companies. Fuller, perhaps? Those brush strips do look like the Fuller brush strips used in many attachment brushes including for the Electrolux combination floor tools.


Post# 235852 , Reply# 48   6/9/2013 at 15:06 (3,945 days old) by luxman107 (USA )        

I love the hedge trimmer attachment. I wonder how many people use it amd actually took their vacuum outside to trim hedges with it.

Post# 236107 , Reply# 49   6/11/2013 at 05:15 (3,943 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)        

I sometimes use the Rug Washer for scrubbing floors (with "scrubby" pad) before using the FloorMATE; it does really nice job.

This unit has a unique sound, which I refer to as the "buzzing bees" sound.


Post# 236116 , Reply# 50   6/11/2013 at 07:49 (3,943 days old) by normvac (COLUMBUS, OHIO)        
Charles

I am confused about how the Eureka Polisher worked. Did you
use it attached to the exhaust ( hose attached, where the cloth
(1930's style) would go ? Is it attached with the suction
tools to the front of the upright Eureka. Maybe it was used
for a Tank (? 1930s )Eureka? Thought they only made uprights
back then ?
Thanks for the help.
Norm Brown


Post# 236144 , Reply# 51   6/11/2013 at 13:44 (3,943 days old) by Electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture

Norm, it attaches (via the hose and wand) to the blower end of the motor. I don't know whether or not it was sold with tank machines or not. The only illustrations I've seen of it, as I said, show it with the Model M upright.



Post# 236201 , Reply# 52   6/12/2013 at 10:22 (3,942 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
Eureka polisher

Charles is right.I also found one with a one owner Eureka upright.(I think G instead of M).Mine had box and instruction folder with picture mentioned above.The window is a simple but great idea as was Brooks Stevens first clothes dryer window.Unlike dryers I can think of no other air turbine see through vac atts until the modern tools with tinted plastic.I think this was gone by the time of Eureka tanks.- Eureka had a bit of a problem in the early days of tanks as they wanted a Eureka customer buying the upright and wanting atts to also purchase the tank to get them.The government called this an unfair sellig practice.


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