Thread Number: 5468
Does Anyone Know About A 1912 Tuec - 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 60671   2/17/2009 at 20:31 (5,540 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        

compactelectra's profile picture
Stationary cleaner. Here is a picture. Just received an email and it looks interesting. Looks like an old central vac. Andy Weter - have you seen one of these?

Post# 60677 , Reply# 1   2/17/2009 at 21:47 (5,540 days old) by andy (Boston, MA)        

Hi Fred

Definitely an old central vac. These were manufactured by The United Electric company who also made the Ohio Tuec portable units.

The used one fan, and the model number (in this case 190) denoted the CFM the unit pulled.

The user had to use a special tool to unscrew the inlet cap. Heres a picture of an inlet from a Tuec system still in place in the Pittock mansion in Oregon

Post# 60678 , Reply# 2   2/17/2009 at 21:54 (5,540 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Wow Andy!!

 compactelectra's profile picture
Thanks - that picture of the inlet and switch is fabulous. I am sure the owner will appreciate it.

Post# 60687 , Reply# 3   2/18/2009 at 03:04 (5,539 days old) by buffster ()        
Andy,

 I'm impressed with your depth and breadth of knowledge. Have you been to the Pittock Mansion? It's fabulous; though, I never noticed the central vac system.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO buffster's LINK
Post# 60689 , Reply# 4   2/18/2009 at 10:06 (5,539 days old) by ohio_tuec ()        

Yes, I agree. I didn't know Ohio even made central units. I'll bet the suction is excellent, just like their upright. If I had the room, I would love to have one of those! Do you know when the company went out of business?

Post# 60695 , Reply# 5   2/18/2009 at 14:38 (5,539 days old) by andy (Boston, MA)        

Actually the company is still in business! I think they quit making built in's in the 30's but I'm not sure.

Now they manufacture hoses and attachments for commercial and central vacuum systems.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO andy's LINK
Post# 60704 , Reply# 6   2/18/2009 at 16:45 (5,539 days old) by brandon_w_t ()        
OOOO!!!!

 Way cool! I would love to use one of those! That thing is sweet looking! BIG!

I want to go to that house as a cleaner, and use the Tuec! I have never heard of this brand until now!

Post# 60780 , Reply# 7   2/19/2009 at 15:09 (5,538 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)        

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Hi Andy:

Hope you dont mind a slight correction. The "key" tool wasnt to unscrew the outlet cover. They were just friction fit. They did fit flush, however, so the tool was needed to give you something to hold to pull out the plug. This was especially necessary in large applications (like hotels) where the machine did not have switches by the outlets. It was merely turned on in the morning and a dozen outlets or more were in use at any time. You had to have the tool to be able to pull out the plug against the suction (and they did have incredible suction even by todays standards)

Doug

Post# 60791 , Reply# 8   2/19/2009 at 20:37 (5,538 days old) by andy (Boston, MA)        

Doug, I don't mind the correction at all! I'm glad to learn that those covers just popped out; I always thought it must have been a huge PITA to unscrew the cover every time you wanted to vacuum. Now that I think of it, I don't even know why I thought they unscrewed. I guess they just look that way in pictures. Do you know of any specific buildings that had TUEC systems?

Mike B.

To answer your question, I've never been in the Pittock mansion. It looks amazing though. According to urban legend, the system was so powerful that it would implode the windows. I don't know if that's true or not, but here's the link that talks about it...second paragraph.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO andy's LINK
Post# 60801 , Reply# 9   2/20/2009 at 00:09 (5,538 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)        

collector2's profile picture
Hey Andy:

I know of three houses here in Moose Jaw that had a Tuec central vac (or at least from the description thats what it was). Unfortunately only the outlets remain in two of them and a modern central vac has been hooked to the old piping in the third. I have got a lead on where one of the machines may be so I'm trying to track it down. LOL - it may take a half dozen guys to move it though, from the look of it, even if I do find it.

Doug

Post# 60804 , Reply# 10   2/20/2009 at 10:35 (5,537 days old) by ohio_tuec ()        

Quite an amazing story. Like I say, Ohio was definitely ahead of their time, and their uprights have very strong suction, so I don't doubt the legend. Andy, while you were at the Pittock Mansion, were you able to photograph the central vac unit itself? Was it still there?

Post# 60811 , Reply# 11   2/20/2009 at 14:11 (5,537 days old) by petek (Ontario)        

You know I'm wondering. Do you think the idea for the central vac came from the pneumatic tube thingamajigs they used to use in department stores or vice versa. For those of us old enough to remember them.

BTW there is a small dept store near in London Ont. that still uses its original pneumo tube system since the store opening in the 1800's. You pay the salesclerk, they put your money and receipt in the tube, it flies off upstairs to the offices, they make change etc and it zooms back down to the counter your at. Also has it's original elevator with an operator.. heres a link

CLICK HERE TO GO TO petek's LINK
Post# 60815 , Reply# 12   2/20/2009 at 16:43 (5,537 days old) by shag (Ontario, Canada)        

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Budd's department store in Kitchener was still using their tubes the last time I was in there. That was 8 years ago.
I know they didn't take debit cards, not sure if they took credit cards or not.

Post# 60817 , Reply# 13   2/20/2009 at 17:29 (5,537 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)        

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Home Depo uses pneumatic tubes for the cashiers to "get rid of extra cash" in the new stores.

Post# 60828 , Reply# 14   2/20/2009 at 23:54 (5,537 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        
I was in Portland for a few memorable days visiting with Bra

 aeoliandave's profile picture
I was on my 6 week 50th Birthday Grand Tour roadtrip out to the West Coast and back. Searching for things to do I was looking through the Motel City Guide and saw the advert for the Pittock Mansion. So next day in the misty rain off I went up the mountain for the full tour. I went through all the pictures but found only one showing a Tuec baseboard outlet.

Post# 60830 , Reply# 15   2/20/2009 at 23:57 (5,537 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        
An Intercom Station

 aeoliandave's profile picture
These are frequent thoughout the entire hose, the ones on the main floor usually concealed within wall panels.

Post# 60831 , Reply# 16   2/21/2009 at 00:04 (5,537 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

aeoliandave's profile picture
The House is perched on the very peak of the hill/mountain. A long drive snakes up the hill through a forest of Aspens and Fir trees to arrive at either the lower level marble grand staircase or to a side Port Cochere. The drive continues around the back of the home to a front lawn which runs about 200 feet to the sheer cliff edge overlooking Portland far below and Mount Hood in the distance.

This is a view of the house looking west from this cliff edge.

Post# 60832 , Reply# 17   2/21/2009 at 00:09 (5,537 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

aeoliandave's profile picture
I got an artsy-fartsy silhouette shot of this nice tree. What I call the front lawn could very well be the more private back to the Family but while the rest of the forested estate is pretty much in a manicured natural state, the top of the mountain here is leveled and landscaped to afford a magnificent view - one can imagine the glorious Sunrises.

Post# 60836 , Reply# 18   2/21/2009 at 05:40 (5,536 days old) by clarkecombi ()        

ant someone got a pic of the central vac out of that house

Post# 60839 , Reply# 19   2/21/2009 at 11:47 (5,536 days old) by brandon_w_t ()        

Yea I know why cant someone go up there and ask for a private tour of the house and ask to see the vac system! I bet it is mint.

2 questions though- What do the tools look like?

And is that picture that compactelectra took of the tuec for sale? how did you find such a vacuum?

Post# 60840 , Reply# 20   2/21/2009 at 11:53 (5,536 days old) by brandon_w_t ()        
LOOK WHAT I FOUND!

 A working TUEC!!!!

Post# 60841 , Reply# 21   2/21/2009 at 11:54 (5,536 days old) by brandon_w_t ()        
400 pounds

 It weighs for hundred pounds!

Post# 60850 , Reply# 22   2/21/2009 at 13:20 (5,536 days old) by shag (Ontario, Canada)        

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It almost looks like a gas meter on the top.I have that carpet sweeper beside it.

Post# 60889 , Reply# 23   2/21/2009 at 21:31 (5,536 days old) by brandon_w_t ()        
210?

 I think this one says 210 on it. Hard to tell. Looks identical to the one above.

Post# 60895 , Reply# 24   2/22/2009 at 10:22 (5,535 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)        

collector2's profile picture
Hey Brandon - Where is the one you found?

Post# 60896 , Reply# 25   2/22/2009 at 11:38 (5,535 days old) by brandon_w_t ()        
here

 this is where I found it

CLICK HERE TO GO TO brandon_w_t's LINK
Post# 61034 , Reply# 26   2/24/2009 at 00:18 (5,534 days old) by centralvacs1928 (Chicagoland)        

Andy - I was glad to find out what the model number stood for. I have an old 1916 TUEC catalog that shows models from 170 to 1200, with corresponding motor sizes and max. simultaneous operators, but makes no mention of suction/airflow. Now it's more clear. From what I've heard these systems operated on a maximum of about 30" waterlift, and used a 1 3/4" hose so as not to choke off too much airflow.

Given that, using one must have been a lot like an NSS "Pig" with 50 feet of hose. Probably picked things up OK, but didn't have an impressive amount of suction like a modern central vacuum.

Has anyone ever been able to use a TUEC system? I'd be curious to see what it was like, as opposed to a system based on the opposite design principle for 1910s central vacuums (narrow hose, lots and lots of suction, low CFM -- Arco Wand, for example). Betcha the TUEC actually ended up cleaning better.

Post# 61054 , Reply# 27   2/24/2009 at 21:40 (5,533 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        

kirbyvertibles's profile picture
What was the system that was used in the Fox in St. Louis?

Post# 61056 , Reply# 28   2/24/2009 at 22:31 (5,533 days old) by cleaningbuff (Quincy, IL)        
central vac at the Fox

 cleaningbuff's profile picture
Spencer system

Post# 61078 , Reply# 29   2/25/2009 at 16:51 (5,532 days old) by brandon_w_t ()        
The fabulous fox???

 Do you mean the fabulous fox???!!!! The best theatre in the world. And has one mighty wurlitzer TPO in it!

Post# 61088 , Reply# 30   2/25/2009 at 20:21 (5,532 days old) by cleaningbuff (Quincy, IL)        
Spencer central system

 cleaningbuff's profile picture
YES,,,,
THE FABULOUS FOX

Post# 61093 , Reply# 31   2/25/2009 at 21:22 (5,532 days old) by brandon_w_t ()        
Stan kann!!!!!!!

 You have to guess.... the organist of the fox, Stan Kann, and Vacuum collector, Knew something about this!

Post# 61245 , Reply# 32   2/27/2009 at 19:37 (5,530 days old) by centralvacs1928 (Chicagoland)        

Here's a picture of the Spencer that serves the St. Louis Fox Theater. 3 operators can use the system at once. The large horizontal part to the left is the multistage turbine vacuum producer. The vertical part on the right is the cyclone dirt collector. Dirt gets shoveled out the removable door at the bottom.

The piping is all threaded cast iron, the largest being 4" I believe. The system exhausts up a chimney to the roof.

Post# 61251 , Reply# 33   2/27/2009 at 20:39 (5,530 days old) by brandon_w_t ()        
Oh thanks!

 THAT THING IS HUGE!!!!!! Looks like fun!!! I wonder how often Stan used it.

Post# 61252 , Reply# 34   2/27/2009 at 21:05 (5,530 days old) by centralvacs1928 (Chicagoland)        

Stan personally? Probably not very often. But I do believe the system is still in regular use, just not for the whole theater. I think they find it easier to use backpack vacuums than to work that long hose in and out of the rows of seats. I know I would still be using the Spencer for everything, but then...I don't clean movie theaters for a living :D

If you ever get the chance to hear the thing run, you'll be amazed how quiet it is. Very little noise or vibration, just the sound of the air moving through the machine and the dirt swirling in the separator.

What amazes me is to contemplate the fact that this piece of equipment has been in use for eighty plus years (minus the years the Fox was vacant) with nothing but a new motor and starter twenty some years ago. AND, that you can buy the exact same system today, down to the inlet valves and accessories.

Post# 61254 , Reply# 35   2/27/2009 at 21:38 (5,530 days old) by andy (Boston, MA)        
Hi Owen

 If you can, you should scan that catalog and post it! Thanks for putting the pic of the Spencer up!

Post# 61260 , Reply# 36   2/27/2009 at 22:02 (5,530 days old) by centralvacs1928 (Chicagoland)        
Hey Andy,

 I will have to get a flatbed scanner but once I do I'll be happy to post it.

I also have a little flip book thing put out by Spencer Turbine sometime in the 'teens which goes into proper piping installation, unit sizing, electrical requirements (down to the way the control switches should be mounted!), etc. Fascinating, for me at least :D

Check this link out, too: books.google.com/booksQUESTIONMAR...

There's a book that's referred to a lot in early central vacuum literature. I did a Google search for it out of curiosity, to see if it was up on eBay or one of the used book websites, and look what I found! Someone took the time to scan every page and digitize it for all to see! I actually printed it out (before I discovered it was 250-odd pages; that was a mistake) and read it. Goes into filtration systems, types of vacuum pumps, hose lengths, etc, etc. I think you've checked this book out of some public university library before, right? I remember you saying the old systems used 100 foot hoses (!) and that's what this book says too.

Cool stuff. BTW call me sometime.

Post# 61287 , Reply# 37   2/28/2009 at 08:35 (5,529 days old) by clarkecombi ()        

wonder if u could attach a big 20inh power nozzle. LOL

Post# 261712 , Reply# 38   1/3/2014 at 20:03 (3,759 days old) by KKKinney ()        
Does anybody know about a 1912 TUEC (Feb. 2009)

 A number of people posted comments to this thread. I recently gave a tour of my 1912 home to a friend who was fascinated by the old motor for my mother's 1912 TuEC that is languishing in my basement. This friend researched the old vacuum for me and sent me a copy of this thread from 2009. I now have a contract for sale on my home, and I need to find homes for a number of things, not the least of which is this old vacuum relic. Does anyone have a suggestion for how I would go about finding a home for this 400 pound motor? I no longer have the hoses or attachments. My mother used the vacuum until about the end of WWII when she could no longer get household cleaning help. The hose was heavy and all the debris collected in the bottom of the motor and had to be brushed out by hand which was a dirty job. She loved her new electrolux that could be pulled along like a puppy and had disposable bags. I would appreciate suggestions for a new home for this collector's item. I can send photos if it would help. I also have a 1936 Maytag Mangle with instruction papers that needs a new home. Thanks for any suggestions.



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