Vintage Vax 121 dry vacuuming

The ledgendary Vax 121, almost as well recognised and popular as Henry. The Vax machine was first launched in 1979 and was the first 3in1 machine designed to be used in the home. In the 80's and early 90's it became one of the best selling vacuums in Britain and you can still find 1000's of them still in everyday use. This was down to the 121's reliabilty, durabilty and versatility. It's quite happy being used as an everyday regular vacuum as it is washing carpets or cleaning up after big messy DIY jobs. Many of them also ended up being used in commercial environments like shops and offices.

The basic design hasn't really changed to this day and Vax have even stuck to the famous orange and black colour scheme on some models.

Although its a great vacuum, I found that the 121 never felt as powerful, well made or as quiet as its closest rival the Hoover Aquamaster. The 121 was replaced in 1992 by the slightly more modern looking Vax 2000.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Vax
• vintage
• Hoover
• Vacuum
• cleaner
• wet&dry
• Electrolux
• Numatic
• Dyson
• Junior
• Senior
• Turbopower
• Miele
• Sebo

[RapidAssistant]

I wish VAX would re-release it - I bet they would make a fortune given the nostalgic value of old stuff now among us 30-somethings; and the old gravity fed wash head cleans far better than the pump-assisted canister vacuums.

[U5096]

@RapidAssistant yes I agree, i do think the Hoover Aquamaster was a slightly more effective machine compared to the Vax but the Vax definitely looks cooler. 1000's of them seemed to have survived though, they're everywhere

[Amingr]

My partner has a vintage Vax like that, only it's a model 111 and it hasn't been used for ages. Can anyone help me as to how to assemble the thing and have it wash the carpets again??

[U5096]

@Amingr Yeh they're really easy to use, the 111 is actually quite rare, it was the original Vax, i think it was called the Vax Valet 111. I'll send you message with an online link to the instructions for it

[videovac]

@U5096 hey, Ive been after a 111 for donkeys years! could you send me a link too please?

My aunt had one yonks ago that was mistreated and had duct tape everywhere

Id love to see one again lol

CP

[U5096]

@videovac hi the link was for some vax 121 instructions but its the same machine basically. Strangely enough, original 111's crop up quite often on ebay

[Nymphonic22]

Please please help..!!!! My friend has lent me her vax 121 but she got it n her electrics are well done in on her house so she hasn't bothered using it again.. I have NO manual n I can switch it on n it has that red light but I can't seem 2 move it any futher 2 make it start..!! I'm so stuck n wanted 2 use it 2 wash my carperts please u can u help me like asap xxx

[dazzazmc]

these things last a life time and wash carpets just as good as the new models

[garymitchell1994]

How old is this mashine?

[mark89474]

i haD a 6140 pet before my 6131 and i had that 7yrs and thats still going strong my friend has it now it just had a broken floor head so ive had a vax bout 8yrs nearly and my nan had the first one of these and she had it 8yrs before it broke so id say hte tough machines and we used them everyday