The Legendary Electrolux Z345 Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner - Overview and Demonstration

[@ProfessorChronotis]

My paternal Grandmother's machine of choice that I remember. She lived on a farm, and managed to completely wreck any vacuum cleaner in a year. Her 345 met its end when the hallway carpet was brown, the Lux 345 was brown.... and what her Old English Sheepdog had uh.... left for her on the carpet, shall we say... was also brown. She didn't see the last item on the list, ploughed through it with the 345 (which to its credit did pick up the mess), and then the cleaner started to reek. It was binned the next day.

[@nick2203]

They were a good vacuum cleaner My parents bought a 330 in either late 73 or early 74, like you these machines are part of my childhood The 330 was a replacement for a Hoover Harlequin. The thing that sticks in my mind was how much more powerful the suction was on the 330 compared to the Hoover, also the distinctive squeal from the motor if the hose end was blocked. They were advanced for their time with the automatic motor cut off when the bag was full and the automatic floor tool.

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

The 330 would blow the Harlequin out of the water! A massive upgrade for your parents

[@Eluxfan71]

We had here at that time the Swedish made Z325 which was different in colours (orange-brown) and had a different automatic nozzle and the power outlet. Here it was also one of the most popular cleaner at that time. Can remember as child that people were speaking positiv about it and were fascinated about the automatic control which stops the machine

[@mrxr2]

Really enjoyed this, I think the 345 is one of my favourite lux cylinders too. Fantastic little machines, great video :) keep them coming

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

Thanks, will do!

[@pauljohnson4053]

We have one of these that was in regular use until a few years ago. When we got it out to use it after its period of inactivity it started to produce a really acrid smoke. I think it may be the supressors because the machine still runs pretty smoothly. So...question, can we continue to use this vac with burnt out suppressors? (Not worried about radio interference!!)

[@andyElec]

You can use it. Mine went a while ago and I use it all the time, I just ran it outside for 10 mins in case it smelt smoky, and put new filters in and you can't tell it had blown! 😊

[@pauljohnson4053]

@@andyElec Thanks. Good shout. No way is this bit of history going down the tip then!!

[@andyElec]

Definitely don't throw it! 😄 I've had a look at trying to take the motor out to remove the suppressor but it looks a bit too fidly for me and I'm worried I'll snap something so just going to leave it where it is!

[@vintageelectroappliancesandrad]

That’s interesting! I’ve never seen such a Electrolux model here in Germany. I have a Electrolux Z 325, which have the same automatic control but the colour is orange and was made in the German Electrolux factory in 1977. But your machine is in a very good condition. Electrolux models are not the same as in different countries. But the HOOVER models we could buy here in Germany were the same as in GB.

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

It's strange how they varied the models according to country. I remember going to Holland in the 90s and the Electrolux machines there were totally different to anything I'd ever seen in the UK

[@macraghnaill3553]

The 1976 Argos catalogue has the Electrolux 345 at list price £66.58 and their price £48.95, to put that in perspective my weekly wage in 1976 before tax ect was £25

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

£420 in today's money! Incredible really, SO expensive, but at least you got a machine that was almost guaranteed to last 10+ years with minimal user maintenance

[@carcrly]

Thats the same 1 i just bought fantastic machine

[@carcrly]

I have a spare motor floor head pipe and hose if anyone wants them

[@Bunkysworkshop]

I do like the vintage canister vacuums but for some reason I always lean towards the uprights.

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

Me too, I much prefer an upright

[@dysonmike69]

The 345 was replaced by the 355

[@WeHadOneOfThose]

Great video Steve - BUT Three Four Five or Z Three Forty Five ? Enquiring minds an all that ?

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

The eternal question Mike. I'm guilty of usually calling it the Three Forty Five but most people, I think, call it the Three Four Five. What's your preference?

[@WeHadOneOfThose]

@@TheVintageApplianceEmporium Interesting Steve, every demo trainer and staff of Lux said three Forty Five, like we say Eighty Seven and Three Thirty , so Ive just carried on ...no right or wrong ...But didnt Victoria Wood say Five Seven One after Kimberley swallowed the crevice tool ? lol...