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Thread Number: 2569
Air-Way......The Death Knell Has Sounded......... |
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Post# 28354 1/4/2008 at 13:20 (5,949 days old) by air-waycharlie  (USA) |
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I found out today from Tania Voigt that Air-Way is indeed out of business and it's doors are closed. The phone is disconnected as well. Tania spoke with Air-Way owner Steve Tomberlin yesterday to confirm the information. As most know, I am an Air-Way dealer and had been expecting this due to some recent developments. There are no vacuums left at the factory and the name has been sold to the VitaMix/VitaVac company. Hopefully, they will be able to supply bags and filters. A VCCC member was meeting with Steve Tomberlin today to find out if there are any inventory pieces/parts left that are available for purchase. As of this writing, I only have "bojack" bags, (and a limited number at that), for my customers. So, if you have bags, use them sparingly! I have no vacuums or filters in my inventory. Sadly, another great American, hand made, product has bitten the dust. I guess it's ever onward with the $99 dust blowers from K-Mart! If you own vintage or newer Air-Way products, hang on to them.............they will increase in value down the road. Charlie W. | ||
| Post# 28358 , Reply# 2 1/4/2008 at 14:18 (5,949 days old) by hoover1060 () | ||
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very sad indeed... Its a shame they could not have had more exposure, They had an excellent machine! Why did this Tomberlin guy not sell the company to someone who could have given them a rebirth? | ||
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Post# 28364 , Reply# 4 1/4/2008 at 14:57 (5,949 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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Tom, What I was told by Tania is that there is probably not much left at the factory. Frank Morgan was meeting today with Steve to see if he could get the, "molds", which Steve told Tania, "were just junk". If he is able to get them, then at some time someone may be able to resurrect the vacuum perhaps under another name. The VitaMix people do not plan to manufacture the vacuum, just keep the supply of bags and filters going. We will just have to wait and see. I spoke with Scott Light today, whose father was probably the largest seller/distributor, (more so than Don Clark), for Air-Way in years gone by. Scott, who has a very successful vacuum business in PA, said he lost interest in even selling Air-Way's since they never kept up with the industry. He considered them too large, no cord retractor and at one time they only had the Douglas power nozzle which, even then, by industry standards was terrible. The world only spins in one direction.........forward and sadly for Air-Way, they jumped off years ago and got left behind. And, yes, I did immediately think of Hoover and what has happened to that former trend setter. It's like the death of old friends. Very sad. Charlie | ||
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Post# 28365 , Reply# 5 1/4/2008 at 15:00 (5,949 days old) by arh1953 ( River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida) |
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I'm really sorry to hear this | ||
| Post# 28368 , Reply# 6 1/4/2008 at 15:27 (5,949 days old) by electroluxxxx (……) | ||
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I was wondering if my airway sanitizor model 55 a will also increase in value??? | ||
| Post# 28374 , Reply# 7 1/4/2008 at 16:22 (5,949 days old) by petek (Ontario) | ||
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Oh I'm glad I found one just in time they are as rare as hens teeth here. I think they were only ever sold in Ontario and perhaps Quebec Canada and that was eons ago. | ||
| Post# 28379 , Reply# 9 1/4/2008 at 22:37 (5,948 days old) by luxg () | ||
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Charlie, I am saddened to hear this news as well. So what vacuum companies do we have left here? I know of Kirby but what about Filter Queen and Rainbow? | ||
| Post# 28393 , Reply# 12 1/5/2008 at 08:23 (5,948 days old) by luxg () | ||
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Thanks G3 for the information and yes I am sure we would all love to see "The Kirby Story" | ||
| Post# 28426 , Reply# 14 1/5/2008 at 14:00 (5,948 days old) by timborow (Georgia) | ||
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In honor of Air-way.... could some of you owners post some pictures or videos of you using the machines? Tim | ||
| Post# 28431 , Reply# 15 1/5/2008 at 15:35 (5,948 days old) by vintagehoover () | ||
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... ... 
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| Post# 28432 , Reply# 16 1/5/2008 at 15:36 (5,948 days old) by vintagehoover () | ||
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Oops! Sorry, didn't mean to post that huge version, hit the wrong key :S Anyway, it's my Airway Fleetwood Special, which no one's been able to give me a production date for! | ||
| Post# 28433 , Reply# 17 1/5/2008 at 16:06 (5,948 days old) by williamr1248 (USA) | ||
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Air-Way....the death Here's my parents original 66 ready for action! 
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| Post# 28435 , Reply# 18 1/5/2008 at 16:54 (5,948 days old) by williamr1248 (USA) | ||
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air-Way...the death knell has sounded Can't forget grandma's Air-Way 88! 
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Post# 28437 , Reply# 19 1/5/2008 at 17:12 (5,948 days old) by arh1953 ( River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida) |
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| Post# 28438 , Reply# 20 1/5/2008 at 17:14 (5,948 days old) by williamr1248 (USA) | ||
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Air-Way...the death knell has sounded Out of her box with seriel #8 in my living room. We hate to see these old companies go! 
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Post# 28439 , Reply# 21 1/5/2008 at 17:24 (5,948 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
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Here Are Some Of Mine | ||
| Post# 28441 , Reply# 23 1/5/2008 at 17:46 (5,948 days old) by petek (Ontario) | ||
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Me looking for dust bunnies in a guest bedroom 
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Post# 28447 , Reply# 24 1/5/2008 at 19:46 (5,948 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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Post# 28448 , Reply# 25 1/5/2008 at 19:50 (5,948 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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Post# 28449 , Reply# 26 1/5/2008 at 19:59 (5,948 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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Rob, Your 66 is georgous!!! That must be a replacement hose, as I think the original would have been brown. If I get time I will post the Instruction Manual for that machine. I believe the hose to be original on the Model 77 that I purchased from Charlie, it doesn't carry suction well anymore, so I have a vinyl hose that I use for normal use. It also still has the aroma pad/filter as well. I can still remember my grandmother pulling the kitchen table close to the refridge, setting the model 66 on it's runners, placing the S wands in the blower port to defrost the freezer on our Philco Refridgerator. Oh the memories!! Morgan | ||
| Post# 28450 , Reply# 27 1/5/2008 at 20:09 (5,948 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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The 77 is my favorite, too. Here are some photos of an Air-Way product that not many people have seen, an air-powered floor polisher. 
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| Post# 28451 , Reply# 28 1/5/2008 at 20:09 (5,948 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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| Post# 28452 , Reply# 29 1/5/2008 at 20:10 (5,948 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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| Post# 28453 , Reply# 30 1/5/2008 at 20:11 (5,948 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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| Post# 28454 , Reply# 31 1/5/2008 at 20:11 (5,948 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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| Post# 28455 , Reply# 32 1/5/2008 at 20:12 (5,948 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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| Post# 28456 , Reply# 33 1/5/2008 at 20:13 (5,948 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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Last but not least, see CLICK HERE TO GO TO charles~richard's LINK
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| Post# 28458 , Reply# 35 1/5/2008 at 20:33 (5,948 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
The Air-Way Memorial Corner. | ||
| Post# 28460 , Reply# 37 1/5/2008 at 20:57 (5,948 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
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Lest we forget... | ||
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Post# 28461 , Reply# 38 1/5/2008 at 21:13 (5,948 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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Post# 28463 , Reply# 39 1/5/2008 at 21:14 (5,948 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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Post# 28464 , Reply# 40 1/5/2008 at 21:15 (5,948 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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Post# 28465 , Reply# 41 1/5/2008 at 21:15 (5,948 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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Post# 28466 , Reply# 42 1/5/2008 at 21:17 (5,948 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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Post# 28467 , Reply# 43 1/5/2008 at 21:18 (5,948 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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Post# 28468 , Reply# 44 1/5/2008 at 21:19 (5,948 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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Post# 28469 , Reply# 45 1/5/2008 at 21:34 (5,948 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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| Post# 28475 , Reply# 49 1/5/2008 at 23:44 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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| Post# 28476 , Reply# 50 1/5/2008 at 23:44 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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| Post# 28477 , Reply# 51 1/5/2008 at 23:46 (5,947 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
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Fascinating deductive reasoning, Charles. Absent eyewitness documantation, it's these nuggets of supposition that can only come from direct study of the engineered innards and I would say you've nailed it. I wondered about its Clydesdale hoof lower houseing shape so similar to the Turbotool polisher foot. A screw in handle on the side is brilliant and addresses the awkward two-handed grip required otherwise, as shown in that Mechanix Illustrated article on the Electrolux Turbotool attachments a while back. I luv that article - it proves the existance of such rarely seen devices...which we fervant fans can look forward to sniffing out as the years roll by. But can you imagine hauling your spouse's precious vacuum cleaner, hose and an extension powercord down to the sandy dockside to polish out the barnicled hull of the family yacht? Thank goodness I found those Black & Decker Versapak batteries for Pete or he'd have to find all those turbotool accesories for his garage woodworking shop and the yardwork and drilling pilot holes to put up more shelves. LOL
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| Post# 28478 , Reply# 52 1/5/2008 at 23:51 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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Original bags! 
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| Post# 28479 , Reply# 53 1/5/2008 at 23:52 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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This can is huge! It stands about 10" tall and is about 5" in diameter!! 
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| Post# 28480 , Reply# 54 1/5/2008 at 23:53 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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Here's a good shot of the top of the polisher. 
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| Post# 28481 , Reply# 55 1/5/2008 at 23:54 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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Bag sealing stickers 
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| Post# 28482 , Reply# 56 1/5/2008 at 23:55 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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Note the 1953 postmark and 3¢ stamp! 
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| Post# 28483 , Reply# 57 1/5/2008 at 23:55 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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First this owner bought a 66... 
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| Post# 28484 , Reply# 58 1/5/2008 at 23:56 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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... then traded it in on an 88 -- brand loyalty! 
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| Post# 28485 , Reply# 59 1/5/2008 at 23:57 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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Air-Way playing cards 
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| Post# 28486 , Reply# 60 1/5/2008 at 23:58 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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"Magic Sponge" 
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| Post# 28487 , Reply# 61 1/5/2008 at 23:59 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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Polisher instructions 
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| Post# 28488 , Reply# 62 1/6/2008 at 00:00 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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And here's a straight-above shot of the polisher housing. Isn't it beautiful! 
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| Post# 28489 , Reply# 63 1/6/2008 at 00:01 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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| Post# 28491 , Reply# 65 1/6/2008 at 00:23 (5,947 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
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And, last but not least, a final view of the aerodynamic 77! Btw, on the black vinyl handle grip on the wheel-dolly it says "R B & Co." -- that mean anything to anyone?? 
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| Post# 28493 , Reply# 67 1/6/2008 at 00:29 (5,947 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany) | ||
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Funny, though... If I switch views-- the building is still there... They must have taken the satellite pictures on different days!! 
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| Post# 28494 , Reply# 68 1/6/2008 at 00:30 (5,947 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany) | ||
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And one more... Doesn't look like the factory had been used in quite some time. 
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| Post# 28495 , Reply# 69 1/6/2008 at 00:31 (5,947 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany) | ||
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Eh, might as well go full circle... 
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| Post# 28496 , Reply# 70 1/6/2008 at 00:34 (5,947 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany) | ||
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Oh-- the address of the above factory was/is: 2101 Auburn Ave Toledo, OH. Here's a factory that Tania said was on something dated from 1973... 518 S St. Clair St. Toledo, OH 
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| Post# 28499 , Reply# 71 1/6/2008 at 03:23 (5,947 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH) | ||
So Sad, | ||
| Post# 28500 , Reply# 72 1/6/2008 at 04:05 (5,947 days old) by buffster () | ||
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Rob, Morgan, Ida, Charles Richard and Veda... You have some beautiful Air-Ways. I especially love the 77 and 88. I also love my purple anniversary edition, now I just need to get a set of air-tec tools and I'll be set. M. 
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Post# 28501 , Reply# 73 1/6/2008 at 04:59 (5,947 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC) |
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Which of the sites shown is their current one that is in Alabama? | ||
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Post# 28516 , Reply# 74 1/6/2008 at 10:07 (5,947 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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My Favorites | ||
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Post# 28517 , Reply# 75 1/6/2008 at 10:11 (5,947 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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Post# 28518 , Reply# 76 1/6/2008 at 10:12 (5,947 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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Post# 28519 , Reply# 77 1/6/2008 at 10:18 (5,947 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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I've been informed from Tania, that George Lovely, Jr., may buy the dies/casts/molds from Steve Tomberlin so we may not have seen the last of Air-Way. If in fact George uses any of those dies, the name would be something else. He is the current owner of the Black Knight vacuums which are very similar to the Sani-Clean/New Century. That company also makes the filtrete bags which fit all the Air-Way models from the 55 to the last machine including the Sani-Clean and the New Century models. | ||
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Post# 28523 , Reply# 80 1/6/2008 at 10:33 (5,947 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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Rob, I am curious about the differences in the books. Perhaps mine is an older/newer version than yours, however, I think mine may be the older version as it still has the metal upholstery tool with the plastic base, my grandmothers was an all maroon colored plastic. I am sure it was not a replacement as she always was proud of the fact that her machine had never needed servicing, unlike my mothers Kirby which she had sent to the company for it first rebuild after 20 years. If you could post a pictures of the original hose, I would greatly appreciate it. Charlie, I have often thought I would love to have one of the George Lovely machines. They have a website as well with demo of the Air-way/Air Tec tools. The Black Knight machines are very similar. Perhaps it may be a birthday present from me to me...now theres a thought... Morgan | ||
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Post# 28526 , Reply# 82 1/6/2008 at 11:11 (5,947 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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Correction.......... | ||
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Post# 28528 , Reply# 83 1/6/2008 at 11:23 (5,947 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA) |
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| Post# 28529 , Reply# 84 1/6/2008 at 11:29 (5,947 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
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The Wirl-A-Way Insector - Part No. 6891
"In accordance with your Dealer's Agreement, this WHIRL-A-WAY INSECTOR has been sold to you, for resale at retail. Because the WIRL-A-Way is a specialized unit, it is not part of the standard equipment...You are to pay this Company for it in cash as soon as you have resold it" The green one came with one of my 77s in this tattered box with no jar. The blue one came with the blue 66 and appears to have never been used. 
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| Post# 28530 , Reply# 85 1/6/2008 at 11:30 (5,947 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
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Box closeup - To the Dealer | ||
| Post# 28531 , Reply# 86 1/6/2008 at 11:32 (5,947 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
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Box side two | ||
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Post# 28532 , Reply# 87 1/6/2008 at 11:39 (5,947 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
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And yet another correction............ | ||
| Post# 28533 , Reply# 88 1/6/2008 at 12:14 (5,947 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
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On the subject of the Air-Way wand end flange.
Mentioned this before but I have two slightly different wands. One set came with a 55 and the other with a 66. No wands with the 55s, just tools. While the hose end wand section is identical, the foot ends and their floor tool hole are incompatible with the other's tool 'sockets'. It's not a simple matter of the one on the left being longer. The wand on the right has a wider taper that doesn't fit in the left tools, and the wand on the left is too long to insert far enough for the clip to engage the flange rim. The 55 tools also only fit the '66' wand on the right and do not have the same press clip as furnished with the 66 and 77 floor tools. The 55 tools use a simple static clip that engages the flange rim. ok, that was exhausting to explain but I think the picture illustrates the difference. Can anyone else confirm and possibly explain this flange design change and if it did occurr when the 77 was introduced? I note the hose turret coupling fit is the same for all three Air-ways. Ever curious Dave 
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| Post# 28534 , Reply# 89 1/6/2008 at 12:31 (5,947 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
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Floor Tool Business end
You can see the wand clip differences. Left & right large floor tools have a gleaner bar, while the center one has a static brush instead. Confusing photo disclaimer: The center tool with brush fits the left side wand end. The left large tool with gleaner only fits the right wand. I'm luvin' Air-Ways today... 
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| Post# 28536 , Reply# 90 1/6/2008 at 12:50 (5,947 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
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Leading me to deduce that gleaners came with the 55 & 66 and the full width brush came with the 77. Also that the double brush smaller tool replaced the interchangeable felt pad or chevron brush/nozzle fittings of the 55 & 66, while a wider clip-on felt pad was provided for the wider smooth floor tool.
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| Post# 28866 , Reply# 96 1/11/2008 at 01:59 (5,942 days old) by beerad (Beautiful Vancouver BC) | ||
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what an absolutely beautiful vac!!! | ||
| Post# 28892 , Reply# 98 1/11/2008 at 22:22 (5,941 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada) | ||
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Early & Odd 66
Found this today at a huge 2 story Woodstock (Ontario) junk building. This is all that came with it...for $10!!! Also an unopened bag of 8 Air-Way bags. The hose is real nice and next in line to get the latex treatment. Although the machine is in excellent running & cosmetic order, the wood floor tool must have sat in a puddle; the aluminum is severely pitted and eaten away. Other brushed tool is fine. It has the early rounded cast aluminum motor casing with the single exhaust hole diretced down. But here's the thing - notice the emblem. It is mounted on the Right front on that peculiar angle. This placement is original - there are no other holes in the casing for the pegs to fit into. My guess is this piece of flat sheet metal for the body was prestamped with runner, emblem and screw holes at the factory...and this one got painted & formed wrong side out. Rather than toss it the Factoryo stuck the emblem on anyway and shipped her out. Oh, made in Wellend, Ontario Canada by Delta Engineering Co. May be one of a kind? Dave 
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