Thread Number: 2660
Emdeko FILTEX this n that
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Post# 29278   1/15/2008 at 22:39 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Working my way one by one through the latest vacuum finds, tonight I began exploring the Filtx Model 19-B cylinder. First up, the Owner's Manual. Nine uploads

Post# 29279 , Reply# 1   1/15/2008 at 22:40 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Pages 2 & 3

Post# 29280 , Reply# 2   1/15/2008 at 22:41 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Pages 4 & 5

Post# 29281 , Reply# 3   1/15/2008 at 22:42 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Pages 6 & 7

Post# 29282 , Reply# 4   1/15/2008 at 22:42 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Pages 8 & 9

Post# 29283 , Reply# 5   1/15/2008 at 22:43 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Pages 10 & 11

Post# 29284 , Reply# 6   1/15/2008 at 22:43 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Pages 12 & 13

Post# 29285 , Reply# 7   1/15/2008 at 22:44 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Pages 14 & 15

Post# 29286 , Reply# 8   1/15/2008 at 22:44 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Back Cover

Post# 29287 , Reply# 9   1/15/2008 at 22:47 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Mine came with only the hose, inner cloth dust bag and one floor tool...and two electrolux wands, which fit fine.

Post# 29288 , Reply# 10   1/15/2008 at 22:49 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Next I'll post the interesting things I'm finding out about it's features. First, can anyone explain the EMDEKO name before Filtex?

Post# 29289 , Reply# 11   1/15/2008 at 22:53 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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The manufacturer's label on the bottom. No mention of Emdeko?

Post# 29290 , Reply# 12   1/15/2008 at 22:57 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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The grain/skin pattern is extraordinarily beautiful in pale green on cream. The pattern does repeat on a 9 1/8" grid but is so skillfully tooled it's not obvious. This section is 14" wide.

Post# 29301 , Reply# 13   1/16/2008 at 07:03 (5,916 days old) by arh1953 ( River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        

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That's the most car-like vacuum I've seen yet. What good fortune that you ended up with it, and have that swell book with it.

Post# 29317 , Reply# 14   1/16/2008 at 12:47 (5,916 days old) by louvac (A)        

Dave....

Great Find! I have one also in excellent condition.
Can you email me the this set of instructions?
I would appreciate it!

Thanks!
Louis
Lres1@aol.com


Post# 29323 , Reply# 15   1/16/2008 at 15:05 (5,916 days old) by crevicetool (GA )        
It figures....

You would post pics of a manual of someone vacuuming a grand piano. With six legs no less!!!

Post# 29341 , Reply# 16   1/16/2008 at 18:00 (5,916 days old) by crevicetool (GA )        
I may be wrong....

But I think Emdeko was a "re builder" of Filtex machines. Is the tank portion of your machine fiberboard? I repaired a Filtex for a friend's Mother years and years ago. I was surprised to discover the tank was not steel or aluminium.

Rick


Post# 29342 , Reply# 17   1/16/2008 at 18:04 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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It's also the first vacuum Manual I'
ve seen that mentions you can dust your organ as well.

Judging by the illustrations of a basket chair, flat heel foot slippers, bedroom headboard shelves and the automobile, this dates from the very late 50s or early 60s? And refers to the ever popular spinet organs w 13 foot pedals.


Post# 29343 , Reply# 18   1/16/2008 at 18:14 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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yes, I was surprised to see the top section of the cylinder is a heavy fibreboard that joins to the metal bottom.

The motor filter is a 1/2" pad of fibreglas in a perforated - much like an Air-Way Airoma pad grill - cardboard 'puck', the halves joined with masking type paper tape.


Post# 29344 , Reply# 19   1/16/2008 at 18:18 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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The filter pad has a handy twill tape pull tab for removal every 6 months as recommended. Fortunately this machine seems to have very little use and the fibergllas is still a nice healthy yellowish green color.

Post# 29345 , Reply# 20   1/16/2008 at 18:29 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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The Filtex, as the manual points out, takes an inner paper filter bag. Where does one find these these days?

I cut a 1/4" strip off the edge of a round Compact bag and that fits perfectly against the rubber sealing ring, tho the bag length is about 1/2" too short so doesn't touch bottom.


Post# 29349 , Reply# 21   1/16/2008 at 18:57 (5,916 days old) by louvac (A)        
Filtex Paper Bags

Dave....you can also use the open top GE/Premier pink or white filter bags. Just trim away the excess. Also, there are several old packages of paper bags offered on ebay that have the cardboard collar. They may be slighly short but that will work just fine. If a cardboard collar is too wide you can trim it as long as you don't cut into the stitching.

ANOTHER EXCELLENT bag is the Royal power tank type "J" bag. The collar is more closed in with only a hole in the center the size of a juice glass. Now, the cover opening on the machine and hole in the bag do not line up exactly however, if you push the bag up to the top within the cloth bag as far as you can, it will align just fine. OR, simply cut away the juice-glass size opening on the paper J bag. They are also bit longer and will fit closer to the bottom of the cloth bag, too! I use the Envirocare brand or DVC brand. They offer microfiltration. Let me know how this works!

Louis


Post# 29351 , Reply# 22   1/16/2008 at 19:03 (5,916 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Expanding on the cleaner concept of a paper filter dirt bag inside the cloth one, it's surprising that Electrolux didn't get around to marketing a paper bag sized for the XXX, or the Canadian cylinders, considering how long these types stayed in use. Incidently, the diameter of the Canadian cloth bag & rubber ring is smaller than the American XXX.

A Charles Richard question...
Some of my XXXs have the rubber ring around the cloth bag rim while others have the rubber cemented to the cover plate. ?

But! I have a Canadian ZB55 that some enterprising person fitted with a Hoover Type C bag, cut short 7" with the edge rolled over and under the rubber sealing ring. The C bag will fit an XXX the same way, if you're like me and like to actually use the vacuum to vacuum today's dust and the cloth bag has the inevitable pin hole leaks. A daily driver tip.


Post# 29353 , Reply# 23   1/16/2008 at 19:31 (5,915 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Lou, you been reading my mind. Thank you for those tips. Compact and Type C bags are plentiful around here at the Hardware stores. I've never looked for Royal bags, though.

Emailed you those manual scans...hope AOL accepts the 6.5 MB attachments.

Dave


Post# 29362 , Reply# 24   1/16/2008 at 20:32 (5,915 days old) by crevicetool (GA )        
The paper bags

my friends mother used were the ones with no cardboard attached. You can find these anywhere, in stores, on line etc. Some packaging even shows a Lux XXX with one. They simply bottom out inside the cloth bag, then the rest just hangs over the gasket, and is clamped against that and the cover. The two to three inch excess then looks like a clown collar. De De didle de de de de (sound of circus music played on a Calliope)...Also I've heard of emergency room stories about vacuums and organs.

Post# 29368 , Reply# 25   1/16/2008 at 21:20 (5,915 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

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Well, considering that this Filtex came with an actual brown paper lunch bag inside which no amount of air could pass through, anything would be an improvement. LOL

As for ruffled collars, dressing up my beautifully natural vacuum cleaners like insidiously pampered dog shaped objects is not my idea of a good thing...


Post# 29373 , Reply# 26   1/16/2008 at 23:36 (5,915 days old) by charles~richard ()        

I really don't think you need (or want) to use a paper liner in this machine. You already have a cloth bag; inserting another bag inside it is going to greatly reduce airflow. It's not that big a deal to take the cloth bag out and dump after each use.

btw EMDEKO was the name of the company that manufactured the Filtex vacuum cleaner. I have a hunch the name came from someone's initials + "CO" -- e.g., "M.D.Co." But I can't swear to that. I do know that the company's president was a woman -- a real first back in the 1930s when it was founded. They may be her initials, I dunno.

Originally the company was located in downtown Los Angeles, on Spring Street, but aren't there any longer. I don't know where they are located now. They are still in business but only making central vacuum systems.



Post# 302730 , Reply# 27   10/22/2014 at 18:12 (3,445 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

This post has been removed by the member who posted it.



Post# 302741 , Reply# 28   10/22/2014 at 20:08 (3,445 days old) by kenkart ()        
I would love to know...

When they stopped making them, thanks for posting the instructions, I had never seen them, Filtex was sold here by a guy in Statesville who has been dead for years, I talked to him once in the 80s, but never really got any worthwhile info, I was a teenager and didnt have sense enough to ask the right questions!LOL


Post# 302744 , Reply# 29   10/22/2014 at 20:42 (3,444 days old) by packardmanken (atlanta ga)        
Filtex Floor tool

Hi Kenkart! Beautiful machine. I have a pristine rug tool for this machine in stash if you would like to contact me. I have kept it for many years as the design is beautiful and its in such good shape. Just reach out thru the site if you are interested.
I do (or did) have paper bags that fit the old Electrolux XXX and just saw a bag of them at an old store.
LEt me know if you would like me to grab them for you.
Congrats!


Post# 302754 , Reply# 30   10/22/2014 at 22:09 (3,444 days old) by kenkart ()        
The rug tool ,

 That came with the machine, is less than perfect, but I have 4 or 5 of them and a couple are about new, I really appreciate you thinking of me, but someone else might need it more than I do, I found out that Eureka 800 bags fit perfectly, and I have a bunch of them., Hope to get down your way soon, we havent made our annual trip to Atlanta this fall, Mary Macs Tea Room is waiting!...


Post# 302756 , Reply# 31   10/22/2014 at 23:00 (3,444 days old) by packardmanken (atlanta ga)        
rug tool

Kenkart! Would love to see you when you get this way. YEs, MM's is a fun place. Familiar w the Colonade?
Didnt realize that you had a rug tool, must have mis-read the post. Great hearing from you though..
Ken


Post# 302759 , Reply# 32   10/23/2014 at 00:34 (3,444 days old) by kenkart ()        
Collonade

I love it too!  We have eaten at both of those, we also like Cowtippers.!


Post# 302828 , Reply# 33   10/23/2014 at 17:30 (3,444 days old) by beerad (Beautiful Vancouver BC)        
A beautiful Filtex!

How about a video of the Filtex?

Post# 426509 , Reply# 34   6/5/2020 at 12:26 (1,392 days old) by Radiance (Oregon)        
Newbie :)

My partner and I just moved in together and he has one of these beautiful vacuum. Unfortunately he’s not the best at taking care of things and he never looked into replacing the filter parts. I discovered a mess. The fiberglass square is pretty full, I was wondering if anyone has every done anything to replace that? The cloth bag is also pretty gross, are those hand washable? I looked for the Eureka 800 mentioned in 2014 but I’m guessing the model is no longer in production. Has anyone tried those HEPA type filters that are cylindrical with the ruffles going around? I wonder if there is one that would slide right in and replace the other aspects. Or slide into the cloth bag? Any advice would be super amazing I’m so thankful I found this thread regardless, there’s been lots of helpful information.

Ruby


Post# 426516 , Reply# 35   6/5/2020 at 14:48 (1,392 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        

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Hi Ruby:
If the cloth bag is very soiled and stained, hand washing it is the only thing you can do. But washing any cloth bag is not recommended very often. Sometimes the old fabric can just get holes in it. Just be gently and soak it more than scrub it.

If you need a new filter, the one Royal makes for the tank cleaner (and is included with a package of the HEPA bags) will fit and work.

I use my Filtex quite often. It was made in 1953. So quiet and powerful. The pics are my machine in my living room.

Congrats on a very nice, and rare, piece of history.


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 2         View Full Size
Post# 426520 , Reply# 36   6/5/2020 at 17:08 (1,392 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

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Are Filtex related to Electrolux in any way? A lot of their attachments and styling looks really similar.

I have the Model 1 I bought off eBay from some guy that found it in the trash.


Post# 426523 , Reply# 37   6/5/2020 at 19:53 (1,392 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
History

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They were made by airvac. They are from Los Angeles. They sold high end vacuums gradually sold central vacs. They sold vacuums and motors to in 50s-60s. They were in businesses in the 80s selling motors for central vacs. There no longer in business.
Les


Post# 426536 , Reply# 38   6/5/2020 at 22:25 (1,391 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

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Interesting, its unique they are made of some kind of fiberboard material, never seen a vacuum made of that before.

Post# 426551 , Reply# 39   6/6/2020 at 09:11 (1,391 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        

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Filtex started life in Jackson, Michigan with their first cleaner in 1937. Mr. Hoppe was alive then. The machines were sold door to door and caught on quickly since the filtex tank was on wheels where electrolux was on runners. It used a Black and Decker motor (which would become Lamb).

After Mr. Hoppe died, his wife moved the company to LA. Still sold by door to door salesmen, the Filtex never quite got as popular as other tank cleaners. The first instruction manual talked about germs and bacteria and how the filter (fiberglass) could stop their spread.

The Filtex Company in LA made war items during World War II and got back into vacuums in 1946 like everyone else. They used a smaller amount of aluminum due to the cardboard tank, and had no problem going back into peacetime production.

By the end of the 1950's the lack of change to the cleaner combined with the rise of discount stores and the wariness of the housewife to door to door salesmen, plus the rise of "buying clubs" (which is what EMDEKO was) made sales slip. Interstate Engineering (Compact) and Filtex, plus White Sewing Machine made items to be sold by EMDEKO buying clubs.


Post# 426566 , Reply# 40   6/6/2020 at 12:22 (1,391 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

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Thanks Dysonman for the info! 👍

That's cool it has a B&D motor in it, I have a lot of their tools new and old.


Post# 426568 , Reply# 41   6/6/2020 at 13:46 (1,391 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Tom

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You should write about the history of every vacuum cleaner company. I have researched a few companies and their information is written by you or quoting articles you wrote.
Thanks for the information on filtex. There is pieces together bits of information but not all in one place.
Les


Post# 426579 , Reply# 42   6/6/2020 at 16:54 (1,391 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

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There was a vacuum cleaner history book written in 2012 - but I am not sure if just one author contributed everything or if it was a group effort by several people.

www.amazon.com/Vacuum-Cle...


Post# 426702 , Reply# 43   6/9/2020 at 12:56 (1,388 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
Les! Amazint that you would bring up vac history

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We, who are now in charge of the newsletter of The VCCC(the one and only) ...only can be called old due to the fact that the VCCC is now over 30 years OLD, decided to print the histories of our beloved vacuum companies. Each newsletter WILL expound on the humble beginnings of these companies. Our first one, will be The HOOVER Company.Accurate, factual, true history will be in there.
We'll also focus on Eureka, Kirby, AND the rest.
It's an arduous task compiling correct info. Sure, there's a lot of info 'out there'. Some is incorrect. Some people, who are supposed to know true info have said, "They won't know the difference. I just make it up". We will post great info on the origins of these fine vacuum companies.
Next issue will be here this summer.



Post# 426709 , Reply# 44   6/9/2020 at 14:24 (1,388 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        
Huskyvacs

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That book is a well written book that several people (myself included) contributed to.

The Air-Way and the Dial-A-Matic photo on the front cover of the book are my machines. They used a number of my machines for photos in the book.


  View Full Size
Post# 426711 , Reply# 45   6/9/2020 at 15:04 (1,388 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
We have numerous "insides" for Kirby. And, of cours

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of the Hoover info will be right at our fingertips. The "legend of Susan Hoover, Murray Spangler, etc" much has been incorrectly told, it has become a 'new truth'.
It will be exciting.


Post# 426730 , Reply# 46   6/9/2020 at 22:02 (1,387 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Nice

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Knowing the book has creedance I shall buy it.
The newsletter sounds like it's going to be great.
Les


Post# 426734 , Reply# 47   6/9/2020 at 22:23 (1,387 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
Carroll Gantz wrote a book

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indeed. However, there are numerous errors in said publication. Ann Haines, herself, made corrections to the Hoover facts, at minimum. But, sadly, all corrections never made it to print.Victoria Kasuba Matranga, an editor, historian, publisher, Fred S. , Mark Lawson, (no relation to Helen)also added to the book. Thus, the need for true facts is paramount.
This is how false info happens.


Post# 426735 , Reply# 48   6/9/2020 at 22:26 (1,387 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
Looking at tthe publication right now,

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the pages with some errors are marked. Eldin concurred.

Post# 426736 , Reply# 49   6/9/2020 at 22:30 (1,387 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
But, $35.00 for a book with errors??!!

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I won't be buying another. Think I'll pass.

Post# 426749 , Reply# 50   6/10/2020 at 09:10 (1,387 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        
Les:

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It's a wonderful book. You should read it sometime.

Post# 426755 , Reply# 51   6/10/2020 at 12:25 (1,387 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
Although I can,

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I wouldn't want to cast a spotlight on some of the mistakes in here. But, they are there.


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