Thread Number: 29170  /  Tag: Pre-1950 Vacuum Cleaners
New to me Electrolux model XXX 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 325907   5/28/2015 at 07:48 (3,255 days old) by Viking66 ()        

Recently purchased a model XXX. It has the attachments that came wit it when new minus the crevice tool 😞. I will be looking for one to complete the set.

I believe it's a 1949 because it has the Saloon doors and the 535 watt motor.

My Mom had one just like it and I remember the doors vividly and also trying to ride it. I was born in 1964, so she must have got it second hand, but I do remember it in the house until the mid through late 70s. I am not sure what happened to it.

I am happy to be part of the fun of vacuum collecting.

Thom

Post# 325942 , Reply# 1   5/28/2015 at 16:41 (3,254 days old) by viking66 ()        
Pics next week

 I will post up some pics next week.. I am sure we all like to see pics ;-)

Post# 325993 , Reply# 2   5/28/2015 at 23:06 (3,254 days old) by ronni (USA)        

Congratulations on obtaining a Model XXX. It is definitely a classic.

While your cleaner could very well be a 1949 (Electrolux Corporation's 25th year), it could also be a 1950 or 1951. Check out this description summary:

Unofficial Timeline of Major Characteristics of Model XXXs:

1937-38: dark gray leatherette--top and lighter gray leatherette--bottom; chrome cover and end cap; filter similar to 1 lb. coffee can; flat bottom runners; rear--heavy gauge aluminum with logo and patents stamped on the bottom; exhaust louvers: split semi-circle at top & circular spring-loaded horizontal-style hose receptacle below; 475-watt motor

1939-41: medium dark gray leatherette top and lighter gray leatherette on bottom; slim, circular filter; flat bottom runners; rear--heavy gauge aluminum; exhaust louvers--circular spring-loaded horizontal-style; 475-watt motor

(1941-45): Production ceased during WWII.

1945-46: medium gray leatherette top and gray painted bottom; slim, circular filter; flat bottom runners; rear--heavy gauge aluminum; exhaust louvers--circular spring-loaded horizontal-style; 475-watt motor

1947-48: medium gray leatherette top and gray painted bottom; slim, circular filter; flat bottom runners; rear--slightly shorter chrome-plated steel; exhaust louvers--circular spring-loaded horizontal-style; 475-watt motor

1949-51: medium-light gray leatherette top and gray wrinkle paint bottom; slim, circular filter; rounded bottom runners; rear--chrome-plated steel; exhaust louvers--"saloon door"-style

**25th Anniversary (1949) Features: a higher 535-watt motor, cord winder, rug cleaner gleaner switch; attachment Companion, air-powered floor/furniture polisher, Garment-AireŽ bag, white brush attachments for walls and delicate surfaces (no decal was used to designate an anniversary tank like succeeding anniversary cleaners).


1950-
1951: gray-colored bottom, chrome cover and end cap; classic gray leatherette top /
floor brush and carpet tool - unpainted metal w/black bumpers; dusting brush - unpainted metal
with black bumper; upholstery tool - unpainted metal; narrow space cleaner - black composite;
fiberglass Companion

1952: teal-colored bottom, chrome cover and end cap; classic gray leatherette top /
floor brush - unpainted metal w/teal bakelite and blue-gray bumper; carpet tool - unpainted
metal with blue-gray bumper; dusting brush - blue-gray bakelite and bumper; upholstery tool -
blue-gray bakelite; narrow space cleaner - blue-gray composite; hammertone gray Companion

1953: teal-colored bottom, hammertone teal cover and end cap; classic gray leatherette top /
floor brush - hammertone teal metal w/teal bakelite and blue-gray bumper; carpet tool -
hammertone teal metal with blue-gray bumper; dusting brush - hammertone teal-painted w/blue
gray bumper; upholstery tool - hammertone teal-painted; narrow space cleaner - blue-gray
composite; hammertone teal Companion

1954: metallic blue bottom, chrome cover and end cap; LX leatherette top /
floor brush - unpainted metal w/teal bakelite and blue-gray bumper; carpet tool - unpainted
metal with blue-gray bumper; dusting brush - unpainted metal w/blue-gray bumper; upholstery
tool - unpainted metal; narrow space cleaner - blue-gray composite; hammertone teal Companion
*At the end of the production some cleaners were sold with the new combination tools that were
introduced with the Model E.

(Option) Disposable bag adapter (hammertone teal)


To my knowledge the hoses of all the Model XXXs after 1939 were the same "snakeskin" tracer pattern in black and yellow with a tan background (those prior had a gray background with the "snakeskin" tracer pattern). Additionally, power cords were all black with flat, rectangular plugs with the Electrolux name embossed on each side; however, the diameter was larger on those used for pre-war models than on those of post-war production which had become an industry standard that we still have today.


See Charlie Lester's website for more detailed information: 1377731.com/lux


Another side note: For those like me who appreciate having the attachments with the characteristics of the original ones of cleaners a long-time service tech pointed out to me that there are some slight variations of the logo stamp of the upholstery tools over the years, and I would speculate that the logo stamps on the other attachments also were revised periodically. The pre-war upholstery tools (including those of the models XXII, XXIIA, XXX, and XX), for example, bore the original cursive Electrolux word mark on the insides of their suction ends along with the 1930s block letters w/a circle and rays on the outer part; the cursive word mark was not included in the post-war updates.


Post# 325996 , Reply# 3   5/29/2015 at 00:04 (3,254 days old) by mchmike (West palm beach fl)        

That's not a vacuum it's a fracking Cylon lol.

Post# 326140 , Reply# 4   5/30/2015 at 17:47 (3,252 days old) by viking66 ()        
Got it

 I got my Model XXX. I am happy it came ;-)

I am a bit disappointed in myself for not look closer at what was going to come with it.

I thought it would have both the bare floor, and carpet novel, but instead it came with a Combo type. The Brush also looks like it was painted some kind of blue color at one time.

The suction is not as nice as I would like it to be. I think the hose connection is to loose. Is there a rubber gasket where the hose plugs into?

All in all complaining over, I am happy to have started a new adventure. My wife thinks I am crazy, and I have proven to her time and time again....she is right....LOL



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Post# 326146 , Reply# 5   5/30/2015 at 19:41 (3,252 days old) by mchmike (West palm beach fl)        

You might have poor suction due to a leaky hose. Also there is a round sponge filter in the rear of the machine that may be clogged. Also you might want to launder/replace the bag it's made of a natural material and could be dust clogged as well.

Post# 326164 , Reply# 6   5/31/2015 at 09:02 (3,252 days old) by viking66 ()        
Combo Attachment

 Does anyone know what model the Combo Attachment really went with?

I am searching for the real Floor and Rug attachments and a Crevice Tool so I have a complete set.

I am willing to make a trade or sell outright that Combo Attachment if anyone needs it.



Post# 326173 , Reply# 7   5/31/2015 at 13:14 (3,252 days old) by ronni (USA)        

Regarding the low suction check out this older thread with more possible solutions beyond those offered above: www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-...

As for the original tools you might try checking with your local vacuum cleaner stores to see if they have any from trade-ins. Otherwise, they do appear on eBay at decent prices from time to time. Garage sales, thrift stores, and Craigslist are other places to look--if no one from Vacuumland is able to help.

I have a painted rug cleaner and floor tool in hammertone teal (or aged blue). Their rarity suggests that they were either painted at the end of the Model XXX run by Electrolux (along with the bag door and end cap) or by a rebuilder at some point. Your combination tool was made in the aqua Model G color scheme.

CORRECTION on the 1949-51 bumper color from my list above ... it should be GRAY. So that's what your cleaner would have had originally. Those with black bumpers or no bumpers would be older.

Also, you may have noticed that I added the pre-1950 information in my reply (#2) to an existing list I had composed; therefore there is a '1949-51' and a '1950-51'. I am not as knowledgable about the pre-1949 tools.

One thing I neglected to mention before is to remove the back cover to view the date stamp on the body of the on/off switch. While it wouldn't necessarily be the exact month/year your cleaner was assembled it would be close (unless, of course, the switch has been replaced).
_____


Even though you may be a bit disappointed about your cleaner's attachments and lack of suction you should be glad to have such a well-kept Electrolux icon. In time--and with some of your own elbow grease or someone else's--you can bring it back to its original condition and set.



Post# 326191 , Reply# 8   5/31/2015 at 14:51 (3,251 days old) by viking66 ()        
Checking a few things

 Thanks Ronni and all for the responses.

I looked at both filters, they are somewhat dirty, but not a total mess. I will launder the main filter soon, and blow out the other filter that goes near the motor. The rubber ring on the main filter is still there, pliable and I think working.

I tool the end cap loose and got a pic of the date code on the switch, 9-49. I also noticed one of my motor mounts is loose from the rubber, so will need to locate a replacement.

I want to know if some sort of gasket that goes in the hole where the hose plugs into (Arrow on pic). When I run the machine I seem to get pretty good suction at that end. Once I plug the hose in, it feels loose and not much suction at the working end.

It started to downpour while I was in my Garage, so I went ahead and threw the hose end cap on my polish wheel...looks nice and shiny now ;-)



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Post# 326193 , Reply# 9   5/31/2015 at 15:38 (3,251 days old) by ronni (USA)        

You're welcome for the responses, Viking66. Great polishing job!

Here are replies to your comments and answers to your recent queries:

1) By "main filter" do you mean the filter bag? I read somewhere that it was not advisable to launder the filter bags due to the sizing that was originally sprayed on the material. Instead, a thorough vacuuming would be better. New ones do appear on eBay from time to time.

2) The exhaust filters--to my knowledge--are all disposable; not meant for cleaning. Do make sure it is in the correct position (see old thread as referenced in my previous reply).

3) Glad you found the date stamp. You were right on when you said you had a '49!

4) I do not know of any gasket that goes in the hose inlet. I'm not an expert by any means, so someone that is more knowledgable will know for sure.

____

You may also want to look for your serial which is composed of 2 letter affixes and 5 digits. It is stamped on the top of the front trim. For the ratings look at the bottom of the front trim.

Aerus seems to be very secretive about its serials so a date list has never been made available to the public (unlike Kirby, Hoover, and other companies). Its personnel will attempt to provide information on newer models--over the last 30 or so years--but do not provide information on older cleaners (serials have been reused over the years). Anyway, knowing your serial would be good for identification in case your cleaner were ever stolen.

You should also try to purchase an owner's manual for your cleaner at some point. I don't believe they were published every year, so I believe one with a 1947 copyright year would be what you'd want. Beginning in 1950 the style was changed to a booklet form. I have seen these copyrights of it on eBay: 1950, 1951, and 1953.

______


Here is a photo I meant to post before of a Model XXX and its original attachments (sans one of the wand sections). The eBay listing from which it came did not mention a year, but it appears to be sometime in the early '50s going by the blue-gray bakelite upholstery tool and dusting brush; and the covering of the rug cleaner. The "XXX"-pattern hose is supposedly the only pattern of hose made for the Model XXX, but I am beginning to wonder if the LX hoses were used on the latter Model XXXs.

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Post# 326204 , Reply# 10   5/31/2015 at 18:52 (3,251 days old) by viking66 ()        

I will take your advice and not launder the filter bag. I can blow it out with compressed air.

I cruised eBay this afternoon and was able to find both the floor tool and rug tool for very reasonable prices. Both have the Gray rubber you mentioned in a previous post as what my 49 XXX should have with it. I will need to find a brush with gray trim, but I will clean up the one I have for now and polish it up nicely and you will never know it had some blue on it. Now the search continues for the all elusive Crevice Tool.

I restore many other things and usually take them completely apart and fix everything possible and as accurately as possible. I plan on doing the same with this machine. It doesn't look to difficult and I hope I can find any parts I need to do the job.

Thanks again for all responses and advice.


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