Funny.

Wow...

Hey Matt, Yeah I agree about finding fellow poeple around. Thankfully here in Ann Arbor there are several people that I either know in passing, or have become friends with.

I usually start going up that way during the late spring early summer when I go to Grand Haven or Saugatuck for various reasons. Have a few friends that live there and so forth. Becsue I work six days a week now it does make it kinda difficult to go, but I still try on occasion. And, most places are closed on Sundays, which are my day off.

I used to deal with the Servall in Lansing Michigan when I used to work for a appliance rebuilder when I lived there. I picked up the appliances techs parts, when i would go and get stuff I needed from another place for fixing all the the vacuums and rebuilding them and so forth.

Our appliance guy had no time for the old stuff. I got most of my early machnes that way, and always set them off to the side for me.... For awhile when I had my house there I went thru a slew of different machines. I had my 1964 Kenmore wash and dryer set, the 800 series, then later a matching set of 1966 Lady Kenmores, all came to me that way. My most reliable set was the Maytag 806's, which I traded for my later Frigidaire 1-18 WC and matching dryer in white. I also out of that trade got a beautiful almond set of White Westinghouse Spacemates that I had up until I moved to Ann Arbor. These used to be in the aprtment above my garage. I used them for company and other things....

I diddnt take any pics of them cause I never felt the need. Some people find that to mean you never had them but I don't care what others think... I guess now I wish I would have, but I know what I had, and they were large, bukly and very hard to move, and besides my 1-18's, I never have missed any of them to any major degree .

The vacuums, of which I have more of, and am more in touch with nayway are portable, and can be move "fairly" easily.

All I have now for a washer and dryer is a set of 2003 Frigidaire Gallery Washer and dryer with the rear backsplash controls. I opted for them, instead of the front controls, becasue I never used the SPacemates side by side, and never thought I would use the newer ones that way eihter. And now I'm in an apartment anyway, so they are in storage for the duration, until i can have my own Wand D again...

I guess i misread, casue I thought your bro in law lived in Grand Rapids by you and owned the Vac Shack. The last time i was near Cleveland was last August for the vac convention in Canton Ohio. I would make a pilgrimage if he was open on sundays, and wanted to make a special "time to be open" for me to come. Or if i do it right Im sure i can get someone to cover for me. But when you run your own buisness, even when youhave a partmership like I have, it's still hard to get away unless you really need to be...

Great job BTW on your finds. Must be Grand Rapids was better for different kinds of machines, becasue all we ever got in Lansing, or even to be found here in Ann Arbor is Maytag, Whirpool and Sears Kenmore. Occasionally when your lucky you find an old Filter Flo Set. Beyond that brand difference is few and far between.

Chad

Ann Arbor Michigan

P.S. Here are a few of my vac kids that I have, and no I don't have near the number your Bro in Law has.... This is a shot of what I took to that convention, and what you cant see is the ten or so off to the right that I diddn't get, or couldn't get into the picture...LOL


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Post# 329272 2/7/2009 at 22:26 (5,554 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes The ovbious choice for all your vacuum needs.

Post# 329388 , Reply# 1 2/8/2009 at 18:50 (5,553 days old) by qsd-dan (West)
Checkrate/Likes Wonder if they have email capabilities? My buddy is always looking for extra parts for his 1940-1970's Hoover vacs. The building looks like it has been around for several decades so I bet there are some great old NOS parts lurking in there as long as they didn't end up in the trash recently.

Post# 329467 , Reply# 2 2/9/2009 at 08:55 (5,553 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes Oh, if you have any vac needs start with my brother in law. He has 200 vacs in his basement, a real expert. seriously, that's getting close to crazy. Matt

Post# 329493 , Reply# 3 2/9/2009 at 13:47 (5,553 days old) by programcomputer (Ann Arbor Michigan, USA)
Checkrate/Likes *Would that buisness be properly known as....* "The Vac Shack" on Division Avenue South in Wyoming Michigan by chance? Been by the place several times when I'm in and around Grand Rapids, but it is usually always been closed. I've been to a couple of Galls Sewing and Vac Centers, but your bro in law's place...It's one I have not gotten to yet. I know of two "other" "Vac Shack's" here in Michigan and one is on Main Street Downtown Kalamazoo, and the other is on Westnedge Avenue South, down in Portage Michigan. So does your Bro In Law own a chain, or just the one in Grand Rapids? I know that I'm in Ann Arbor, but have been known to throw 200-300 miles on a car within a few hours time to go "huntin" in different woods than my own. Wonder what he has in that basement you refer to? Chad Ann Arbor Michigan

Post# 329560 , Reply# 4 2/9/2009 at 21:25 (5,552 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes Oh I love running into a fellow Michigander. You are exactly right, the "Vac Hack" has not found the time to replace the "S" that fell down about two years ago. It is right on the way to Servall, so I get a good laugh everytime. I service Gall's appliance needs too. Next time you're in town, please, swing by, I get lonely. Sometimes It seems like I'm the only one who loves vintage. You people keep me sane by reminding me that I'm not crazy, everyonelse is! Thanks Chad. My Bro in Law lives in the Cleveland area, and started as a teenager with vacs. I have a picture of his basement. It's freaky, two hundred vacuums lined up. I'll see if I can dig up the pic. We would tease the Sh** out of him out about the vacs, but it looks like he'll have the last laugh. He has some amazing machines, and tons of NLA parts. Now he does major appliance service work. Very talented, has a natural aptitude I envy. I'll ask if he minds me posting his number. Cleveland has some heavy hitters, real pros and some astounding collections. But, I can't give out any of their info without permission, I would be in major trouble if suddenly their phones started ringing. Something about Cleveland makes people there testy. But my bro in law gave me a new life. I am the answer to the question: "What do you do with a Master's degree in Philosophy?" Fix appliances of course! Matt

Post# 329588 , Reply# 5 2/10/2009 at 02:38 (5,552 days old) by programcomputer (Ann Arbor Michigan, USA)
Checkrate/Likes *Oh I love running into a fellow Michigander.* Wow... Hey Matt, Yeah I agree about finding fellow poeple around. Thankfully here in Ann Arbor there are several people that I either know in passing, or have become friends with. I usually start going up that way during the late spring early summer when I go to Grand Haven or Saugatuck for various reasons. Have a few friends that live there and so forth. Becsue I work six days a week now it does make it kinda difficult to go, but I still try on occasion. And, most places are closed on Sundays, which are my day off. I used to deal with the Servall in Lansing Michigan when I used to work for a appliance rebuilder when I lived there. I picked up the appliances techs parts, when i would go and get stuff I needed from another place for fixing all the the vacuums and rebuilding them and so forth. Our appliance guy had no time for the old stuff. I got most of my early machnes that way, and always set them off to the side for me.... For awhile when I had my house there I went thru a slew of different machines. I had my 1964 Kenmore wash and dryer set, the 800 series, then later a matching set of 1966 Lady Kenmores, all came to me that way. My most reliable set was the Maytag 806's, which I traded for my later Frigidaire 1-18 WC and matching dryer in white. I also out of that trade got a beautiful almond set of White Westinghouse Spacemates that I had up until I moved to Ann Arbor. These used to be in the aprtment above my garage. I used them for company and other things.... I diddnt take any pics of them cause I never felt the need. Some people find that to mean you never had them but I don't care what others think... I guess now I wish I would have, but I know what I had, and they were large, bukly and very hard to move, and besides my 1-18's, I never have missed any of them to any major degree . The vacuums, of which I have more of, and am more in touch with nayway are portable, and can be move "fairly" easily. All I have now for a washer and dryer is a set of 2003 Frigidaire Gallery Washer and dryer with the rear backsplash controls. I opted for them, instead of the front controls, becasue I never used the SPacemates side by side, and never thought I would use the newer ones that way eihter. And now I'm in an apartment anyway, so they are in storage for the duration, until i can have my own Wand D again... I guess i misread, casue I thought your bro in law lived in Grand Rapids by you and owned the Vac Shack. The last time i was near Cleveland was last August for the vac convention in Canton Ohio. I would make a pilgrimage if he was open on sundays, and wanted to make a special "time to be open" for me to come. Or if i do it right Im sure i can get someone to cover for me. But when you run your own buisness, even when youhave a partmership like I have, it's still hard to get away unless you really need to be... Great job BTW on your finds. Must be Grand Rapids was better for different kinds of machines, becasue all we ever got in Lansing, or even to be found here in Ann Arbor is Maytag, Whirpool and Sears Kenmore. Occasionally when your lucky you find an old Filter Flo Set. Beyond that brand difference is few and far between. Chad Ann Arbor Michigan P.S. Here are a few of my vac kids that I have, and no I don't have near the number your Bro in Law has.... This is a shot of what I took to that convention, and what you cant see is the ten or so off to the right that I diddn't get, or couldn't get into the picture...LOL

Post# 329611 , Reply# 6 2/10/2009 at 09:05 (5,552 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes Chad, if you want to post or email me your nuber, I'll get you in contact with my Bro. My email is pre.matt@yahoo.com Let's see what we can do about your appliances too, can't have my neighbors with modern Frigidaires, that just won't do! I own my own business too, have a storefront/shop and live upstairs in an apartment. So I know all about 6/7 day weeks. It's a neat building and stuffed with treasures, many of which I just want out, too much stuff! What do you do? Matt