Vintage Vac

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Posted by admin | Posted in Agriculture & Forestry | Posted on 27-10-2009

Vintage Vac

Vintage Vacuum Cleaner Collectors? Why?

I can't understand what makes people want to collect some vintage vacuums. They are so big their bound to take up plenty of space and don't forget, there is a definite odor involved too. You may love the smell and the roar of the motor as it sucks everything up in it's path, that is, if the old girl is still running.

However, that "smell" is a part of history that may have been before your time or during your childhood. Who doesn't enjoy reminiscing about the "olden days?" Just imagine the flood of memories once you flick the switch from an old vacuum cleaner your mother use to run and I'm sure a smile will appear.

Believe it or not, there are more collectors than just you and me. Vacuum Clean Collectors' Club News is a terrific place for our hobby." You can visit them but get ready for information overload. There are actual meetings for us vintage vacuum hobbyists and so the social aspect of collection is just another great reason to be a vacuum collector. Wouldn't it be great to meet with others and learn their stories of where, how and when they found their cleaners?

Did you know there are some amazing museums solely built just for these antique vacuums. Next time you're planning a vacation, do some research and you'll be surprised at the choices you have. There is an over abundance of vintage vacuum cleaners when it comes to styles, colors and makes so there will always be something new to peak your curiosity.

And then there is the mechanical aspect of old broken down vacs that just seem to beckon us with the pleas of, "FIX ME, FIX ME!" I mean, who can resist the urge to resuscitate what seems to have been a long forgotten mechanical friend that once worked so hard for us. Awww, listen to me, getting all sentimental about a vintage vacuum. What can I say; a vintage vacuum can be related to an old friend, finding one can be a real plus to your day. Yikes!!

The main reason to collect is just for the sheer joy of it, albeit a strange and interesting hobby. I'm sure there are even stranger ones out there in the collector's world. Can you imagine collecting vintage vacuum cleaners and turning it into an income generating business. Whatever you do, just have fun with it as you never know when that golden treasure will appear.

Can anyone tell me anything about a vintage electronics multi tester model M3C made by Radio Kits Co.?

This is a multimeter that tests volts, ma, and ohms. It is average size though it's cabinet is made of wood with dovetailed corners. When I disassembled it it had 3 Ray-O -Vac Pinlite batteries hard wired in it that said 15 cents each on them. On the face it says Radio Kits Co Multitester Model M3C. There is no other information avalaible.

Sure. Radio Kits Co. made a variety of test instrument kits right after WWII. Yours is a typical wood-cased multimeter of that period. When new, it sold for eight dollars. Leaving out battery clips was one way to keep the cost down, though changing the penlite cells is a pain when they are soldered in place. My info shows the company went under in 1956. With new batteries, it's still useable, though I'd be careful not to use it for measuring resistance (ohms) on modern digital electronics.