A True Canadian Classic

Presenting the made in Canada by Electrolux Canada 2100 vacuum cleaner, manufactured in 1986. This was a Christmas gift of sorts, bought very cheap from a local seller who had recently switched to a Dyson. It only came with the main unit and power nozzle, which, by the way, is no problem for me...I have tons of attachments, and absolutely don't want any useless, braided hoses.

You have to love this very "futuristic", 1980's grid pattern on the control panel and power nozzle:

Some observations about this model:

1. It was certainly the first Canadian model to feature the new, wide path, L-shaped power nozzle. I don't know or care which American model had it first. The first power nozzle with this machine was grey with a dark blue bumper, which actually matches the machine better.
2. As far as I know, it was the first Canadian model to feature the combination dusting brush and upholstery tool. All prior Canadian models had dedicated floor, dusting, and upholstery tools, stored in the standard plastic caddy. It may also be the first Canadian model to have a tool clip on the filter grille for the combo tool and crevice tool. 
3. The 2100, I believe, was the last machine actually made in Canada...subsequent models, even though some of them clearly say "Electrolux Canada", bear the notation "Made in USA".
4. The 2100 may, or may not, have been the first model with a Sidekick. I recall seeing a System 90 (successor of the 2100) manual with the Sidekick in it, so it could have been introduced earlier.
5. The 2100 carries the same colors as its brother models, the LE and Discovery II.
6. When I was in university (for the second time), I stayed in a boarding house with two others, and the vacuum provided by the landlord was this very same 2100. He also owned a dozen or so other boarding houses, each of which, as far as I could tell, had an Electrolux.

Information plate on the inside of the bag door. Nothing beats a made in Canada Canadian Electrolux. There is a 2100 for sale on eBay right now that bears the notation "Made in Canada" on the bottom of the machine, underneath the front caster near the serial number, and also on the blower hose connector. This is slightly different from mine, as can be seen. Perhaps this eBay machine was sold in the U.S. In any event, my comment re: Canadian Electrolux remains true :)

Whichever attachment you use, the 2100 is a bit of a landmark machine. Its very powerful and it gets regular use. The only noticeable flaw is in the cord...its a bit worn near the plug, and taped up. By the way, I believe the plug is original. I recall seeing some machines around that time period with that plug. Speaking of that, the 2100 seemed to be quite popular in its day...I recall seeing lots of them around, and, as evidenced by this one, some of them have remained in regular use to this day.

Here are a couple of pictures of the 2100 "in action". Freshly 2100-ed carpet:

Sidekicking the sofa:

Taking a break:

Dusting, upholstery, and floors:

Bottom of the Line, But More Than Adequate

Presenting the LE, in gray and brown, made somewhere between 1987-9 (in the US, but an Electrolux Canada model), and a companion to the System 90 and Discovery III upright (both of which I also have). I bought this from a local seller (can't remember how much, but it was cheap), and it came with the main unit, power nozzle and wand, and floor brush. The hose, combination tool, crevice tool, and plastic wands are mine.

I haven't even taken this machine apart yet, but it still goes like a charm, with tons of power and no funny noises. The body is in good shape and everything is intact. Often, with used machines, the tool clip on the filter grille of the Style C plastic models (excepting the Epic series) is cracked off, but this little LE still has it. I have several other machines where its cracked off. As with all my other vacuums, the LE gets regular use, and it performs quite well for all tasks. Being a basic machine, it didn't include the Sidekick, and doesn't shut off when the bag is full, nor does it have the "control panel" lights and adjustment dial on the top. Other than this, it shares the same body, motor, and attachments as its top of the line brother.

P.S. I have no earthly idea what "LE" stands for. I'll assume its "Limited Edition", but I may be wrong.

P.S.S. I happened on a picture of the LE which indeed confirms that "LE" = "Limited Edition". I assume this refers to its status as a standard, economy machine, and not its rarity.

A Love of Dirt of Epic Proportions

Pity the Electrolux company didn't use a slogan like that...or perhaps they did, I don't know. At any rate, to continue the Epic theme, here are two more, both in white, gray, and red: the Epic 3500 upright and Epic 6500 cylinder.

The 6500 (Model C102G) is somewhat special to me, as I inherited it in 2002 from an aunt who had recently passed away. She bought it brand new in 1999 (traded in a Genesis upright for it), and I still have the original bill of sale and manual tucked away. My folks have been using it since 2002 as their household vacuum, although of late I do perhaps 99% of their cleaning, so it mostly gets used by me.

The 3500 (Model U110P) was bought from a local seller, who told me his mother had owned it, and since she had gone into a seniors' home some years ago, it had sat unused in his basement. I can believe it, as it looks showroom new. There is hardly a scuff, even on the power nozzle bumper, and everything is intact and in good condition, even the handle assembly, perhaps the weakest point of the Electrolux uprights. I bought the entire ensemble, including all the original attachments, caddy, Germ Grabber bags (that's going back a bit), and older Clean Sweep chips, for $80. It even came with the original bill of sale (bought in 1999).

Some impressions of the 6500:

I have to admit to not being much of a fan of the 6500 until relatively recently. I always thought they were loud, and burdened by clunky wands, not to mention the (perhaps) unnecessarily large top "deck". Luckily, one can always change one's mind, and I've really come to appreciate the entire Epic series of cylinders as excellent, basic, hard-working vacuums. Even though the wands and hose handle are certainly clunkier than the older style, they have the benefit of all internal wiring, a 180 degree swivel on the power nozzle neck, accessory on/off switch, and latch fit attachments. Also, the Sidekick and power nozzle can be used with one or two wands, or right on the hose handle, and the hose handle makes carpet cleaning a breeze.

The 6500 is noticeably more powerful than its Style C predecessors. The only motor difference I can see is in the fans: the 6500 front fan is smaller in diameter, but the blades are thicker. In fact, its very power is a hindrance sometimes, especially for delicate tasks. The suction reducer on the hose handle is too small, and the entire ensemble could have benefited from a variable speed motor. However, this is not a serious quibble. As for the sound of the motor and the top deck, I've grown to appreciate both.

Some impressions of the 3500:

In my two-tone gray 3500 post, I talked a little about my love of this series of uprights. The only difference, so far as I know, between the gray and white machines is the color and model number, unless something was changed internally. Being a little newer, and seeing considerably less use, the white 3500 still locks tightly into the upright position, whereas the older ones are a little looser (occasionally, when I pick up the gray 3500s by their handles, the power nozzle drops down, instead of staying locked). The white 3500 is somewhat more elegant looking than its battleship gray predecessor...in fact, Aerus seems to have gone back to this color scheme with their latest model lineup.

So, there you have it...the white, gray, and red Epic 3500 and Epic 6500. If I could only find the matching Epic 8000, I'd be in seventh heaven.

The Grandfather of My Collection

73 years old* and still doing what it was intended for? It must be an Electrolux vacuum cleaner. Presenting the ZB30, made in Canada by Electrolux Canada.

I bought this machine from a fellow collector; it came complete with an original, detachable power cord, and some of the original attachments. Best of all, it still works just fine. At 400 watts (about 3.5 amps, I believe), its amazingly quiet, and has more than adequate power on all bare surfaces. As seen in the pictures, I use updated attachments, and retrofitted an upright hose with the original ball bearing connector (Electrolux Canada used this connector on all their hoses right up to 1973, I believe).

This whole series of Canadian Electroluxes (the 30, 54, 55 [in three different versions], and 57) share the same body style, with gorgeous patterned designs on the main body, and bakelite ends. Bakelite, I believe, is an early form of plastic. The 30 is arguably the plainest of the lot, but its still a very nice looking machine. As seen in the pictures, the body covering has some rips, tears, and dents, but what can you expect from a septuagenarian vacuum cleaner?

Cord. It looks somewhat like an "old-school" kettle cord.

I find the current "bagless" vacuum trend somewhat amusing, considering how paper bags were such a revolutionary development, freeing the user from the need to empty out a dust container after every use. The 30 uses a cloth dust bag and gauze-like after filter (even in the 30's, Electrolux thought after filtration important!), and I empty the bag after every use. Is there really any difference in emptying a vintage cloth bag and a modern "dust bin"? I think not (obviously leaving out issues of performance and filtration on the respective machines).

I have to say, it really is heartwarming to see this beautiful ZB30 still ready to serve after so many years. I wonder how many current machines will have similar longevity?

*I'm in some doubt as to the exact age of this machine. Apparently, it was made from 1939 - 1949, and the year of manufacture can be read from the first digit of the serial number. In this case, the first digit is 9, so it COULD be from 1949. However, the last patent date on the information plate is 1938, and, in addition, my 1949 ZB55 shows various patent dates throughout the 40's, so I'm assuming this machine was made in 1939.

Now, purely for fun, a couple of pictures of the oldest and the newest, side by side, living together in harmony, and not arguing over which one is better! The basic design of Electrolux/Aerus machines hasn't changed radically over the years, has it?

A Cylinder on a Stick With a Power Nozzle?

No, it's merely an upright. A pair of two-tone gray Epic 3500, Model U110B uprights, to be exact. I bought the pair, including the attachment kit, for a grand total of $60, and it was money well spent.

This particular model is a companion to the Renaissance Model C104H, Epic 6500, and Ambassador III, all in the same colors, and was made somewhere in the mid-to-late '90's. These two specimens came to me in somewhat dilapidated condition, with worn out cords and handles, and other signs of use, but the motors in both worked fine. I've since put some work (and money) into them, and it was well worth it.

The model on the left got a brand new switch, cord, filter assembly, filter, and headlight, and the one on the right got a new filter assembly, filter, headlight, and a whole new handle assembly, which includes the metal steering handle, hand grip, switch, cord, and top cord hook. The upright handle assembly is sold as a unit, and individual pieces are not available.

At any rate, I don't regret putting these machines back in tip-top form. I use them regularly and find them fantastic vacuums. I own an earlier upright, the Discovery III, and find the Epic 3500 considerably better at cleaning. It really is, as I said in my title, like using a canister and power nozzle; in fact, the power nozzle on the upright is exactly the same as the cylinder, but a little bigger in the rear end to accommodate the vacuum body. Both uprights and cylinders share the same attachments, and the motors even sound almost the same (the upright sounds slightly more "hushed"). Of course, the cylinder has more suction, but I find the Epic 3500 has enough suction for dusting and bare floor cleaning, and it cleans carpets well.

A word about the attachment kit: there are two things "wrong" with it. The Sidekick is an earlier model (it should be in matching gray), and one wand is missing. Other than that, its complete.

Here is a closer look at the replacements I made. I like the thick black cord; its much more durable than the original one. Even though the handle assembly on the right is not an exact match, it fits in just fine with the overall gray scheme of things. Note that the carrying handle is not part of the replacement handle assembly; both of these are original.

Guarding Your Home From Evil Dirt?

Since I used this vacuum today, I suppose its as good a choice as any to start off this blog with. The Aerus (by Electrolux) Guardian (Model C154B) is by far the topmost top-of-the-line vacuum I own. I bought it about five months ago from a local seller, and paid, for a used vacuum, a decent price, but I have to admit its worth it. It came with all the standard accessories, namely the Sidekick, upholstery nozzle, dusting brush, crevice tool, and combination rug/floor nozzle. As an added bonus, the seller also threw in an extra hose, Sidekick, wand set, bags, and Clean Sweep Chips that she had saved from an earlier machine, and I recently added a brand new HEPA filter. The only noticeable "problem" is the replacement black cord rewind pedal...it should be pale blue.

The Style R Electrolux and Aerus vacuums (namely, the two Renaissances, Epic 8000, two or possibly three Lux 9000s*, and six Guardians*) are my personal favorites of all the models produced by the company. They came at a premium price, for sure, but when using the Guardian and the other Style R machines, I do get the feeling that I'm using something "first class". 

Here are a few pros of the Guardian, gathered over 5 or so months of use:

1. Relatively lightweight - not as light as the Style C models, but not heavy either. Its noticeably more lightweight than the other Style R models, perhaps because the newer style motor is lighter (I can't think of anything else that would make the weight different)

2. Easy to carry with the top and middle-mounted carrying handles

3. Maneuvers and swivels quite easily on its 5 wheels/casters

4. On-board, recessed, telescopic/swivel/latch fit attachments (I love this attachment set!)

UPDATE 03-03-14: I've long since replaced the dusting brush and crevice tool, because, as can be seen from these pictures, the dusting brush latch was worn, and the crevice tool cracked. Also, the seller had a secondary filter underneath the attachment tray...why, I don't know, but I've since removed it.

5. Top mounted pedal cord rewind (a boon for an arthritis sufferer who finds bending difficult). Also, the flared plug and extra space under the plug makes it quite easy to pull the cord out.

6. Long cord; can clean entire floor of house from one outlet (previous models had considerably shorter cords)

7. HEPA filter - I'll admit to not understanding HEPA filters very well, but I will say that the Guardian doesn't emit much of a smell as the bag fills up, as other vacuums do 

8. Hose handle power and speed controls (one of its best features)

9. Variable speed motor (another of its best features) - pretty much every time I use the Guardian, I use all 3 speeds, for different tasks. 

10. Electric wand system and swivel power nozzle elbow - the wands and hose handle are indeed a bit "fat", but having all the wiring and connectors integrated in the housing is a huge bonus. The wands can be disconnected, and used with both the electric and non-electric attachments (I sometimes grip the underside of the handle to make it a little easier when using attachments), and the power nozzle can swivel 180 degrees to go under furniture.

My Guardian hasn't disappointed me yet...in fact, its made me want to collect all the other Style R machines!

The Guardian doesn't have many disadvantages. Perhaps the most obvious one is the top-mounted HEPA filter. If one is very careful, I imagine the filter would stay tightly latched until the end of its life, but in everyday use, its a mistake to have it there. Pity the engineers couldn't have recessed it in the body of the cleaner.

The pitch of the motor, especially on high speed, took some getting used to, but I don't mind it now. Its just considerably different from other models.

So, there you have it...the Aerus (by Electrolux) Guardian. Truly, even after only 5 or so months of use, one of my most prized vacuums.

*There are so many varieties of the Style R HEPA filter models (i.e. the Lux 9000s and the Guardians) that I've decided to create a separate page to see if I can catalog their differences.