1951 Electrolux XXX vacuum cleaner

[@T_eaLeaves]

For some information, just off of the top of my head, being a lux enthusiast, these are some solid machines! I have three of these, my refurbed 1950 model XXX with later model AF motor, my original, workhorse 1948 Model 30, and 1947 Electrolux rebuilt Model 30, with a different motor, and super rare disposable bag adapter. Anyways, the early models had a thin clasp/latch for the front end, flat skis/runners. That was in 1937. The design changed over time, but around 1949/50 the skis were changed to being completely round, tubular steel. The tools it came with were also changed, with the earlier models having usually black trimmed tools, a cord, and a thick air filter. Later postwar models had lighter trim, with a tool holder (named the companion) a cord winder, cord, and thin "disklike" airfilter. A "Garment-Aire", "Vaporizer", and sprayer were also available tools. Also, the motors changed, with the earlier models having 475 watt motors (around 3.9 amps) and postwar models having 535 watt motord (around 4.5 amps). When the back end is opened up, after unscrewing the filter cover, the motor's power switch should have a stamp on the right side of it, with the month, and subsequent date. both of my 40's models have replaced power switches). In the cleaning process of this video, the yellow tube is a suppressor. It was made to prevent interference with electrical signals in AV tv's and radio. Nowadays, everything is pretty much digital, so the suppressor can be removed by undoing the ground leads from the motor leads, and throwing away the suppressor. This is something you'll want to do, because overtime, the suppressors are known to combust. The cloth bags in earlier models were blank canvas, with a rectangular end. The postwar model bags had advertising and a round back end. Washing them will remove the sizing that the bag was treated with at the factory (this was a coating to help the bag hold dust and filter better.) I would normally just vacuum those bags out and go on with my day, but if you do need to wash them, after they are done being washed, dunk them in a 1/2 parts mixture of starch (works fine for me), let the bag hang dry, and then dunk in water for a brief moment to remove any extra starch, and hang dry again. Yes, the woven original hoses look nice, (they would've been tan/gray with black stripes) but they leak badly due to the rubber lining deteriorating in them. Unless you can make a way to reseal them, just get a vinyl or plastic hose from ebay, it will save you the trouble and will never leak unless punctured. I also recommend getting a new cord, who knows what condition the original rubber in the cords are, and I especially recommend this with cordwinders. They aren't safe. If you didn't know, the back end also works as a blower, with the front being for suction! Anyways, that is all, if you have any questions (if you read this, you probably won't) then ask, I can probably answer them. And, the succeeding model to the 30/XXX was the 60/LX, which had disposable bags that were automatically ejected from the machine like a toaster. I have three of those as well, they are my favorite.

[@DMC02766]

This is great information. I have been wanting a model 30 / xxx for some time and have just been able to get my hands on two of them. I plan on doing a full refinish on them and will use this advise you have given.

[@WalterKnox]

i just got a model XXX today. i knew you made a video on one so i had to look it up. the guy had it on craigslist for $5 as "old vacuum" has the hose, the attachment rack and is complete. it is missing the large floor attachment. the old woven hose looses a bit of suction but i have another one that fits. these are absolutely indestructible machines that never die and work better than anything made these days. and with the amount of crap i vacuum up the reusable bag is really nice. because paper ones get expensive.

[@andrewdonohue1853]

my grandma had this exact vacuum decades ago, she died in 1999 but i remember it from my childhood. they are well made, the problem is the filtration cannot compete with a modern vacuum. i have a sebo, it is also well made but doesnt leak dust. anything you buy at walmart is garbage and wont last 2 years (sadly). my sebo is 4 years old and nothing ever breaks on it. it stands up to 2 dogs, 5 cats and 2 kids

[@huskyd2000]

Electroluxes just don't quit! About a year and a half ago I received a silver jubilee model (original sale receipt 1974, so much younger than your art-deco express locomotive) handed down from my parents. After minimal tlc, the thing still works like new. In contrast with all the gadgets and appliances today that earn the phrase "they don't make 'em like they used to," the Electrolux is a gold standard for the "like-they-used-to" era of manufacturing. I'd like to find/fabricate a re-useable bag or hepa-filter-type canister for mine, as the 70's models use the type "y" disposable bags. Till then I have to keep well-stocked on bags, else I'm hit if they ever stop carrying them in the stores.

[@MICHGO1]

MOST ALL ELECTROLUXES FROM 1952 TILL TODAY USE "STYLE C" BAG STILL AVAILABLE AT AERUS/ELECTROLUX SHOPS AND ON-LINE EVERY WHERE. HEPA (H10) BAGS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON-LINE FROM AFTERMARKET MAKERS, TRY EBAY.

[@moviking]

Blast from the past, I grew up using one of those (with out the cord reel though) the switch was stiff but was designed for foot use I was told, the hose was cloth covered with metal hook up's on both ends, and then there was two chrome extension tubes to complete the hose assembly. The filter bag was a pita to clean, everyone was happy when the disposable paper filter bags came out. And that old saying, "Buy Electrolux, it really sucks"

[@craigl1838]

Great find--and I like your speaking style, showing us how to put connectors on the wires, etc. Just wish I could have seen you actually clean the motor! The Model XXXs were manufactured 1937-1941 and 1945-1954. Your on/off switch had "4-51", so I think it's actually a 1951 version. One way to confirm that I'm partly correct is to check out the specs that are stamped on the bottom of the front chrome trim of the bag chamber (the serial id is on top--2 letters with 5 numbers in between). Cleaners before 1949 had 475 watt motors and afterwards were 535 watts.

[@RinoaL]

derp i never realized those red number where the date code.

[@craigl1838]

+Rinoa Super-Genius The fact that yours has a cord reel may also be a clue to its age, because they weren't manufactured until 1949--not that it couldn't have been put on a 1939 machine. I also have a Model XXX that I got just last week at a thrift store. Its date code is "4-52", and it has the teal-blue bottom (likely the same paint used on the Model LX, which was introduced in 1952 in teal-blue. Around 1953 the ends were also painted in teal-blue, and the last iterations were covered in the same leatherette as the Model LX.

[@RinoaL]

Randi O'Toole yeah i just wanted to say 1939 couse i think pre-war electronics are cooler haha. ;p

[@craigl1838]

Rinoa Super-Genius Haha! Actually, the design of the Model XXXs was basically the same from 1937 onward with minor revisions over the years; so technically you can say it's design is pre-war. Also, I wanted to mention--in case you overlooked it--that the serial id is stamped in the top of the bag chamber trim (2 letters with 5 numbers in between. Interestingly, Aerus (previously Electrolux USA) has continued that same pattern to its current models. In addition, the specs are stamped on the bottom of the bag chamber trim.

[@otakop67]

My in-laws had one of those, just a 1950's model. My mom-in-law backed her car over it accidentally once when my brother-in-law was detailing his car. Even though it had a Crown Victoria dent, it still worked perfectly!

[@RinoaL]

did he fix the dent or leave it like that?

[@otakop67]

Rinoa Super-Genius Just left it, the dent was too big to pull out & the steel too heavy a gauge. It worked perfectly even when they donated it to Goodwill when they moved out of state many years later.

[@RinoaL]

otakop67 thats a shame because it was prolly thrown away, lots of charities throw things away if they look broken. even if it works. they are too afraid to get sued or charged for a refund. most arent even allowed to sell floppy discs, pretty much every empty floppy disc holder you see at a thrift store arrived there full of game discs but those where thrown out......just pisses me off. i regularly go through dumpsters to find stacks of discs, but they are ussually water damaged or they bend them so they dont work.

[@craigl1838]

Also, I forgot to mention that in order to help your cord winder work better dust the cord with talcum powder--which acts as a dry lubricant. That's an old vacuum cleaner tech's trick.

[@WSUIN02]

Oh, and in case you haven't gotten the rim or the end caps off yet, the little clip ends sticking out of the trim can just be pulled out and then the trim comes off. The brass nuts holding the end caps on are underneath and can be unscrewed.

[@themaritimegirl]

Aw man! We had the 1940's version of that vacuum when I was little. Was never used, but it worked perfectly. Belonged to my great grandparents, I think. This made me think of something you might be interested to try for a video - a battery-powered vacuum cleaner. Universal motors, hence their name, are able to run on DC, as well. There are a few videos of people connecting their cleaners to 12V or whatever just to make them spin slowly, but nobody has gone all out yet. :P

[@RinoaL]

oh that is a fun idea, although my house isnt organized enough to vacuum much, i just have my path of least resistance that i keep clean ;P btw this model was made from 1937-1954 and was the most popular and wasnt ever really changed, so you prolly had the same thing. i really dont know about the date for this. judging by the aluminium it may be late 40s...but hell it's schematics where drawn up in the 30s so i wanna say its from the 30s hahaha

[@themaritimegirl]

Rinoa Super-Genius Ours was a bit different. It had the cursive-style Electrolux logo, was a dark green/grey in color, and didn't have that big fancy thing over the motor housing. Same basic design, though. The first and only time I ever used it was in 2009. Unfortunately, it went underground with Dad's house when it was demolished in 2012. I wanted to take it, but wasn't allowed. Dohhh... However, my mother's Hoover Celebrity III, which she got in the 1970s, is still with us. :P

[@RinoaL]

***** wtf, they demolished his house without taking the stuff out?

[@themaritimegirl]

Rinoa Super-Genius Well, it's a long, complicated story, but to summarize, the house was 100 years old, falling apart, and filthy inside and out, and Dad had let so much old junk and garbage accumulate inside it that after he died, the people who took over the house didn't really know what to do with it all, so they removed everything that looked to be of value (which wasn't much), and left the rest to go down with the house.

[@usajsb2]

Love that soldering iron you have.

[@RinoaL]

thanks!

[@usajsb2]

How many watts?

[@RinoaL]

Jim Bradshaw 300

[@User2718218]

The Mother of all Soldering Irons.

[@ironsidefan]

That soldering iron is a magnificent beast!

[@WSUIN02]

I just picked up one of these for twenty bucks-I was in the basement of a century old vacuum shop and the owner and I were looking around by the light of his phone when I tripped over it. When it's finished it's going to be a rocket pack for my Rocketeer outfit. This vacuum was designed for Electrolux by one of Art Deco's premier artists. I hear that this model is in the Smithsonian collection...

[@ironsidefan]

That designer was Lurelle Guild. He was one of the most prolific and varied industrial arts designers of the 20th century.

[@bethelcole4075]

The power switch is supposed to be stiff. The upholstery attachment is aluminum, not Bakelite. I had a Model 30 and also was an Electrolux salesman. The attachments were never stainless steel; however, I was never familiar with Models V and Xll from 1924 thru 1936.

[@cloudstrifeification]

Is there even any parts still available for that old of a machine? Another thing that is amazing is that thing has been sitting for who knows how long and you take it apart then clean it, plug it in and guess what it still works! That speaks volumes of the quality of them. Probably won't find any modern store bought vacuum that can do that!

[@davidwhitmore6588]

i love your accompany adventure music in the background. that machine is very similar to the one my mother used to saddle me with on every saturday morning.

[@craigl1838]

Wanted you to know that I opened my Model XXX, and the switch had "12-52" on it, so yours, indeed, is a 1951 and mine is a 1952. Mine looks very much like yours but it is painted teal on the bottom instead of gray (the new top of the line Model LX that came out in 1952 was also painted teal on the bottom). The floor tool of that period also had a teal-gray rubber covering like mine. Since yours is all metal except for the rubber bumper it must have been one of the last series of them.

[@MICHGO1]

4/51 ON SWITCH IS DATE OF MANUFACTURE.

[@firstsmoofy]

That is exactly like the one we had except for the cord rewinder. The switch did have a strong return spring. Anyway, that is really cool.

[@MrTrentonjs]

I’ve got a few of these for sale on eBay Will be posting more soon.

[@stugrant01]

If you pull on the plug that you soldered in, it will already pull out from the switch. No need to solder the new connectors in.

[@JDLamps1]

I found a 1964 Model G with a lot of parts never unpaked.Now I am trying to fix the hose which has dry rotted and leaks air.

[@adamdickinson1531]

+John Lindsey Go to vacuumland dot com and search for repairing woven hoses. Rubber Dip, made by a Minneapolis company, can be applied to reseal the inside of the hose. The directions seem complicated, but it is a pretty simple procedure and makes the hose work like new again. Btw, the Model G was manufactured in aqua from 1960-66 and tan from 1966-68 (with higher rpms). It is one of Electrolux Corporation's quietest and most effective cleaners. Best regards.

[@MICHGO1]

ELECTROLUX/AERUS STILL SELL NON ELECTRIC HOSES. THE NEW HOSE WILL BE MORE FLEXIBLE AND IF YOUR MACHINE IS IN WORKING ORDER WILL DRAMATICALLY INCREASE SUCTION.

[@huskyvacs]

It will not be the correct hose for the vacuum and will be horrendously ugly.

[@tinawhite9810]

My grandpa had a bunch of those ! In the attic

[@WillPhoneman]

Another cool vacuum, I have a similar one without the cord winder. Vintage appliances are awesome.

[@kdegru]

A great video which reminds me of my childhood with that vacuum appearing somewhere in my life. Fantastic background music also.

[@joeyraul2340]

Just a little Electrolux knowledge you never wash those bags they lose the starch that's on them and dust will flow through them you're supposed to just shake them out really well and they do sell the hoses and stuff on eBay

[@huskyvacs]

"Those bags were meant to be shaken out" - this vacuum is 68 years old. The cloth bag does have to be washed. Any starch it has is long since gone. If you wash the bag right, it will not hurt it. A pan of cold water, enzymatic laundry detergent, a scoop of Borateem, and a cup of white vinegar and scrub away, using one of those soft rubber bristled brushes. The first panful of water will get rid of most of the junk. Repeat twice, then rinse several times, adding a cup of white vinegar to the final rinse. Then dry in the sun for two days. Magic sizing spray is still made.

[@markfurrer190]

nice job hoses are usually around…..swap meets etc

[@sixtyfiveford]

That's a neat ROCKET SHIP.

[@Selectrolux]

Also, the capacitor's only purpose was to prevent RF interference with old-school electronics such as TV sets and radios that employed tubes instead of solid state circuitry while the vacuum was running.

[@inspectyerbooty]

at 10:20 i can hear your ear to ear grin and it made me laugh my head off...you definitely were super happy with that vacuum :D rubbing all over it and loving it LOL ... by the way i used to own a vacuum store here in Canada and the hose connector for that model was a dual metal sleeve collar with about eight ball bearings in it that were like a modern quick connect valve body and the ball bearings would lock into the channel inside the front cover and release by pulling the outer sleeve. the ball bearings looked sorta like a ball that holds a socket on a socket wrench :) and the capacitor is to reduce arcing at the brushes and is not a starter capacitor like some other motors [ i know you did not say it was a starting capacitor , i am just saying what it is] they dont make them like they used to, now days they exclude the capacitor so that we have to buy parts or new machines sooner ;( i like your videos

[@CarlosGomez-vt9pk]

Thank you! Egg-zactly what I wanted to learn!

[@craigl1838]

Just found out how to remove the Electrolux nameplates ... pull the two metal tabs on the underside straight down. To reinstall just push back in place.

[@RinoaL]

thanks, i saw people had done that but didnt look really close to see how.

[@BuffaloBetties]

Wow. It looks almost like one we had in the 1960s. I guess they didn't change the design much over the years.

[@RinoaL]

it stayed pretty much the same from the mid 30s to the late 50s.

[@jasondean3332]

1937-1952

[@ironsidefan]

Production began in 1937, was halted for three years during World War ll beginning in 1942 and resumed in 1947, ending in 1954. All together 14 million units were produced and sold. Being that it was in production 14 years altogether that means one million were produced each year.

[@tylerdavis9820]

Beautiful motor that vac has, very high quality.

[@rodneypoe2150]

Considering how old it is, I found it surprising how quietly it runs, and how much air power it has. No telling how many hours that unit ran, and it sound like brand new.

[@photovibrance]

Good video, I just got a 1949 one from the thrift store and I hate to break this to you but the leads pull right out of that switch with a little force and wiggle. But it was nice to see that solder job anyhow.

[@101Volts]

The metal casing of that one you got there is in much cleaner shape than the two I got. I bought them with a third canister vacuum called a "SpeedVac" at a yard sale and both the Model 30s that I got have surface rust in them. They still work fine, they're just a bit rusty.

[@gorp27]

That is the most humungest soldering iron I have ever seen. Any idea what it was desiged to be used on?

[@RinoaL]

industriaal assembly line use. or perhaps soldering roofing metal together. the company really just made it as a generic super-heavy-duty iron though. even though this one is from the 1960s they still make it today just with plastic handle and rubber cord. costs like 300$ i think.

[@ironsidefan]

Actually, if you check current listings on eBay you’ll find that the company still makes those soldering iron models with wood handles. They also make a version of it bent like a boomerang which they explain is to avoid fatigue on the user’s hand and arm. If I ever get one it will be that version.

[@bobmarker6812]

I have my grandmothers Electrolux, made in the 30's.

[@lewisdoherty7621]

That is a great find and a great buy. Mention to the people at the thrift store that the vacuum more than paid for itself in the jewelry you found in its bag.

[@JeffryLandry]

Very nice find. Where are you from, for some reason I thought you were in Pennsylvania, but you pronounced Aluminum as Aluminium as an Aussie would do. So, Are you in the states or abroad? Oh, BTW... I love that huge soldering iron. I must find one for myself.

[@RinoaL]

www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=american+beauty+soldering+iron&_osacat=0&clk_rvr_id=627510283234&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xamerican+beauty+3178&_nkw=american+beauty+3178&_sacat=0&_from=R40 i'm currently in illinois, btw aussies arent the only ones who say aluminium. pretty much only the us and canada say it "aluminum" and thats so painful for me to say because metals have "ium" at the end for a reason,

[@brianthestovie]

Nice one rinoa love the art deco/streamline moderne design it reminds me of flash Gordons rocket ship, the 1930's version with Buster Crabbe LOL. I wonder how the modern versions of today would look like when they are 75 years old

[@RinoaL]

i bet they will look just as crappy as they do now.

[@dictare]

My grandmother had one of these she called it "The Sweeper" That switch is supposed to be stiff. It's a foot switch.

[@uwusmolbean]

granma had a similar one, (green colored) ppl called them a "sweeper" (from carpet sweeping)

[@User2718218]

Hi great clip! About 25 years ago I bought a quite similar 1952 model and have been using it ever since. Then two months ago it was on for 10 seconds and then I heard this horrible grinding noise from it. I turned it off within 5 seconds. I am guessing one of my commutator brushes finally was ground completely away and it was running on a spring. Looking at your clip it looks like it will be fairy easy to get at the brushes. I am assuming the commutator is still okay and even the spring will be okay. So the question is, can I find new replacement brushes or will that be a hassle? You mentioned making your own brushes which I know nothing about. Any advice you can offer will be appreciated. I figure if the old brushes lasted 65 years, then the replacement brushes will outlast me!

[@Selectrolux]

Don't wash that cloth bag! There was a sizing (a.k.a. chemical treatment) that was applied to the cloth to maintain it's filtration properties. If you wash it, the sizing is likely to be rinsed off and the bag won't be as effective at capturing fine particles of dust--which could cause the motor to become dirty. Those bags were meant to just be shaken out.

[@RinoaL]

yeah but they where also meant to be replaced atleast once every 10 years. over time they just get so dirty that it doesnt matter and junk starts getting through.

[@Selectrolux]

Rinoa Super-Genius Replacement cloth bags for these vacuums are still easily found on eBay for about $15, as well as replacement exhaust filters. Many of these machines still exist (although in captivity and in varying condition...yours looks quite pristine). Yours looks as though it was made around 1949-1950. I have a 1952 Model XXX that is hammertone blue in color. Hoses for these are also readily available on the internet...the Electrolux straight-suction hose couplings remained unchanged from 1939 until around 1992.

[@RinoaL]

Brian Jacob would be easier to just build my own hose from scratch than messing with buying one.

[@huskyvacs]

"Those bags were meant to be shaken out" - this vacuum is 68 years old. The cloth bag does have to be washed. If you wash the bag right, it will not hurt it. A pan of cold water, enzymatic laundry detergent, a scoop of Borateem, and a cup of white vinegar and scrub away, using one of those soft rubber bristled brushes. The first panful of water will get id of most of the junk. Repeat twice, then rinsed several times, adding a cup of white vinegar to the final rinse. Then dry in the sun for two days. Magic sizing spray is still made.

[@MyPlayHouse]

Hi Super-Genius Two of them and you have a Rocketeer rocketpack :-)

[@zx8401ztv]

Didnt they go to a lot of trouble to make an appealing product, your right it does look like a train or one of those long aluminium caravans :-)) You might use a nail brush and some oil to bring up the patterned material on the body? The capacitor is likely open circuit, just a noise suppressor.

[@alucard87]

why do you use that big ass soldering iron? why not getting something smaller :D

[@RinoaL]

Because the smaller ones never really work, they are garbage. Not counting a lot of the small ones burn your hands on the handle. So I stick with this for now.

[@furekmody7749]

how many turbines are in the motor?

[@ironsidefan]

Two turbines and a spacer disc in between them.

[@okwhatever2995]

Looks like an airstream camper lol

[@ironsidefan]

Actually, it looks way better than any Airstream ever has!

[@AdamsCarWashVids]

is that an old soldering iron or a new one and are you a vacuum cleaner collector

[@ronniezzzz]

needs new filter

[@SpeedingEngineered]

3d comment

[@huskyvacs]

6:13 "pretty good condition" I can tell that it's going to need new carbon brushes, the armature polished, and fresh grease and bearings just by looking at it. You will destroy a motor powering it up after its been sitting un-moved for several decades.

[@RinoaL]

as i said, pretty good condition. it still has all its wires and isnt covered in rust.

[@Thedarkslender]

Get a dyson dc07 there really good vacuums and you can get them on ebay for less than £50. Or $62 for you. If you can get a bargain it'll probably be around 25-$30.

[@MICHGO1]

IF YOU'VE EVER USED AN AMERICAN ELECTROLUX (NOT A EUREKA) YOU WOULDN'T BE PUSHING DYSON. CHANGE THE BAG IN 10 SECONDS, NO DUST CLOUD. COMBO DUST/UPHOLSTERY ATTACHMENT SITS ON TOP FOR EASY ACCESS. QUIET MOTOR...

[@bread-gz3rl]

Buy a henry