Free Air-Way 80th Anniversary Edition Vacuum

Joel, if I was you I would reconsider selling that Air Way. First of all, being a 80th anniversary model, I would bet it's a little more rare than the average Air Way models sold. Especially since that would be near the end of Air Way, when they decided to close. Also, a Air Way with that Centec powerhead and hose handle would be hard to find. Most of those came with the cheap Douglas powerhead that really wasn't all that great.

As for parts not being available and decent bags being hard to find, that's not the case. Most of the parts the Air Way and Vita Vac models used were standard, off the shelf parts, with the exception of the hose pigtail cord and ppwerhead receptacle on the canister. The motor is a simple 2 stage Ametek motor, Filter Queen metal pushbutton power switch, Plastiflex hose and wands, and of course you kmow the powerhead is certainly generic. The receptacle and hose pigtail cord could be replaced with TriStar CXL parts if need be from a scrap machine off Ebay, plus you would have a spare motor.

As for decent bags, what I did with my Vita Vac, which is virtually identical to yours except black and single speed motor, is I saved some plastic bag tops and put a plastic tube on the bag door, and made it work with generic Miele U upright bags or Kenmore Q HEPA canister bags. The only other change I made was to put a Ametek double stage motor from Numatic Henry in, as it pulls 110" waterlift instead of the 90" waterlift the original motor pulls, so it cleans a bit better now.

I agree with Tom on this one, this is a GREAT canister! If I had to downsize or sell off my collection, this is 1 I would keep. All you need is to buy a Vita Vac or Air Way parts machine, and you will be all set. I definitely would not sell!

Rob


Forum Topics & Rules Manuals & Literature	New users Click-here to sign-up

Post# 447837 11/15/2021 at 14:49 (904 days old) by mjhoshaw (Western PA)
Checkrate/Likes ^{Greetings, I bought this at an antiques mall last fall. It's in perfect working order but I don't use it. Had I known at the time that Air-Way was out of business, I would've let it sit. Normally I would donate a vac like this, but with few repair parts available and decent bags impossible to find, I think it would be better off in the hands of one of our members. I'm offering it for free. All I ask is that you pay the entire shipping cost because of what I have in it.}^{This is heavy, so it won't be inexpensive to ship. You are free to back away if you're unhappy with that cost. To help put your mind at ease with the transaction, I invite those of you with eBay accounts to view the seller feedback for me, 4kitties.} ^{The cleaner body and the power nozzle have scuffs and scrapes, and there are a few flaws, two of which can be seen in the close-up images. One, the hose handle has a crack. It was taped when I got it. I took the handle apart and both solvent-welded and epoxied the crack, but it has opened up again. Two, the machine end of the hose has a partial kink in it from its own weight pulling on it. The kink doesn't cause problems in use. Three, the main unit was dropped at one point, which bent one of the wheels and the axle. I straightened the axle as best I could. The wheel wobbles but I didn't try to straighten it for fear of breaking it. Four, the clear plastic ring that surrounds the suction port has cracks but is intact.}^{The original non-powered wands and tools were in bad condition, so I replaced them with the ones you see in the image. I recommend you tape the hose handle, but otherwise the entire vac is good to go. The Cen-Tec power nozzle works fine, and the suction motor runs strong with no bearing noise. I just now test-ran everything to make sure there are no mechanical or electrical issues. I've been using cut-up Riccar/Simplicity bags in it, and I'll ship the spares I have with the cleaner.} ^{If you're interested, please email me at the address in my profile. If I have any takers, I'll post an update here so that everyone will know it's spoken for.} ^Joel Photos... < > Photo 1 of 3 View Full Size

Post# 447861 , Reply# 1 11/16/2021 at 09:50 (903 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)
Checkrate/Likes 1 The hose handle is available as a replacement part. Hepa disposable bags are easy to make. That's one of the best canister vacuums ever made. Ever. View Full Size

Post# 447898 , Reply# 2 11/16/2021 at 16:23 (903 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Joel, if I was you I would reconsider selling that Air Way. First of all, being a 80th anniversary model, I would bet it's a little more rare than the average Air Way models sold. Especially since that would be near the end of Air Way, when they decided to close. Also, a Air Way with that Centec powerhead and hose handle would be hard to find. Most of those came with the cheap Douglas powerhead that really wasn't all that great. As for parts not being available and decent bags being hard to find, that's not the case. Most of the parts the Air Way and Vita Vac models used were standard, off the shelf parts, with the exception of the hose pigtail cord and ppwerhead receptacle on the canister. The motor is a simple 2 stage Ametek motor, Filter Queen metal pushbutton power switch, Plastiflex hose and wands, and of course you kmow the powerhead is certainly generic. The receptacle and hose pigtail cord could be replaced with TriStar CXL parts if need be from a scrap machine off Ebay, plus you would have a spare motor. As for decent bags, what I did with my Vita Vac, which is virtually identical to yours except black and single speed motor, is I saved some plastic bag tops and put a plastic tube on the bag door, and made it work with generic Miele U upright bags or Kenmore Q HEPA canister bags. The only other change I made was to put a Ametek double stage motor from Numatic Henry in, as it pulls 110" waterlift instead of the 90" waterlift the original motor pulls, so it cleans a bit better now. I agree with Tom on this one, this is a GREAT canister! If I had to downsize or sell off my collection, this is 1 I would keep. All you need is to buy a Vita Vac or Air Way parts machine, and you will be all set. I definitely would not sell! Rob

Post# 448019 , Reply# 3 11/19/2021 at 08:33 (900 days old) by mjhoshaw (Western PA)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *I hear you, and I know what I have, because* I bought one of these new from Tom when they first came out. I sold it when we moved to a house with mostly hardwood floors (shock, horror!) I have a taker and I am shipping it today, so this is a done deal. It's better in the hands of someone who really wants it. I have no regrets. I value your input though! Joel