Trash Found Triple S Versamate (Sebo 350/1st Gen Windsor Versamatic)

[vacuumchannel6]

Me and my friend decided to go dumpster diving on the weekend the other day and we were checking out dumpsters thinking I wasn't going to find anything but lo and behold I found this, such a rare machine to find in the dumpster and a hose seems to really good condition along with rest of the vacuum just a bit scuffed up. Bits of this were posted on my channel and I still haven't tore into the machine cuz I have to find parts for it but I did get the power head working one of the blue wires was split so I redid that. The note that's posted on the vacuum is what it needs and what I haven't done to it and it's been such a long time since I've had a windsor style vacuum I haven't had one since my childhood and I'm so thankful to have one of these again. 10 plus years ago I went dumpster diving as a kid and I found two Windsors in the dumpster one old one and one new one and I combined the two together to make one working one and the old one had the same problem this one had being the powerhead not working. It seems where the nozzle and air duct pivots is where the wires come out of which created the problem where the wire gets cut from wear being released and put into upright position time and time again and I'm sure that was a common problem on these machines which caused the wire to be cut apart. But I will keep this thread updated on what I do to this machine. Cheers!

 

[cheesewonton]

What an amazing find ! Why would anyone throw something that valuable out ? There is literally nothing you cannot repair on it. Even that old it is better than 95% of the new vacuums you can buy today. While they were sold in the US most often with Windsor branding this is a Sebo product I believe called the BS36 ( someone more knowledgeable correct me if I misspoke ). Pretty much the original Sebo vacuum from 1979 that has carried forward over the years now sold outside the US as the Sebo 360. The upper body has grown a bit to accept a big HEPA exhaust filter but the basic bones of that original Sebo is still being made as the 360. Great designs never really die. Your dumpster diving session was productive indeed. Amazing.

 

[human]

I can't say I'm really familiar with these machines, but it amazes me someone would take the time to print, not just hand write print out, a detailed list of what it needs. That's just crazy. Anyway, nice find.

 

[cheesewonton]

I can't say I'm really familiar with these machines, but it amazes me someone would take the time to print, not just hand write print out, a detailed list of what it needs. That's just crazy. Anyway, nice find.

Sebo was formed by two engineers from Vorwerk who wanted to design a commercial upright vacuum. Vorwerk wasn't interested so they left and started Stein & Co dba Sebo. Their very first vacuum was pretty much this upright you see.

 

[cheesewonton]

A little primer on this old Sebo design.

 

[vacuumchannel6]

I can't say I'm really familiar with these machines, but it amazes me someone would take the time to print, not just hand write print out, a detailed list of what it needs. That's just crazy. Anyway, nice find.

I did hand write a note on it at first but then we just got a printer and I decided to test it and make it look a bit nicer lol

 

[human]

I did hand write a note on it at first but then we just got a printer and I decided to test it and make it look a bit nicer lol

Oh, I thought that was on it when you found it. I thought it was strange once when I picked up an Electrolux Discovery II from off the curb a few years back and found it had a brand new genuine Electrolux bag inside. It was still folded flat, indicating the vacuum had not been turned on after the bag was inserted.

 

[vacuumchannel6]

Oh, I thought that was on it when you found it. I thought it was strange once when I picked up an Electrolux Discovery II from off the curb a few years back and found it had a brand new genuine Electrolux bag inside. It was still folded flat, indicating the vacuum had not been turned on after the bag was inserted.

That's crazy, it's insane some things that people will throw out. I thank the Lord that I was able to save this machine from the crusher.

 

[cheesewonton]

That's crazy, it's insane some things that people will throw out. I thank the Lord that I was able to save this machine from the crusher.

And the fool who tossed it out probably "replaced" it with some bagless pos Shark or similar. One of the all time best upright vacuums ever made still in working order tossed in the trash. Amazing.

 

[panasonicvac]

They are one of my all time favorite designs ever. If I were to buy a new upright today, that or a Lindhaus similar to it would be my first choice. You know where they say if it aint broke, don't fix it. Well, I'd say there's always room for improvement. And they did just that over the years. The newer version they sell today under the Windsor Karcher brand is the best one yet. My friend John who's the CEO of SEBO USA and I are trying to get a residential model to be sold here in the states as the 370 COMFORT has since been discontinued. But, you can get a SEBO FELIX or a DART that's basically similar.

 

[cheesewonton]

I have a 370 Comfort. The Felix and Dart are nothing like a 370. Not even in the same league. The only aspect they share is the brushroll has its own motor but even that feature is implemented very differently in the Felix / Dart thing and the 370. On the Felix Dart you have an on-off switch for the brushroll and can vacuum hard floors with the ET-1. On the 370 the brush roll is always powered unless you tip the upper body into the full upright position, which engages a switch that shuts off power to the brush roll for above floor cleaning. To clean hard floors with a 370 or the Versamatic ( which is sold in household form as the 360 in other markets ) you have to use the extension hose, wand extension and a parquet or other hard floor brush. Unlike the Felix / Dart thing at least the 370 manages to remain upright and doesn't immediately fall over ( on something breakable ) when you use the hose. You can pretty much use the 370 like a good canister vacuum to clean hard floors. The Felix / Dart things are cheap and nasty compared to the 370 blowing hot quasi filtered air all over you, tipping over easily and the poorly secured hose flopping around on top of the vacuum.

But ask your friend at Sebo why in the name of love Sebo cannot give us a switch to shut the brush roll of the Versamatic / 360 off so we can use the vacuum to clean hard floors without having to break out the extension hose, wands and such. Even Lindhaus gives you that option.

 

[panasonicvac]

I didn't say they're the same machines, you're correct they do have some differences. I say similar because they both do share some things that are alike with each other, even that Triple S really does remind me of a FELIX/DART. L shaped nozzle, brushroll indicator lights, manual height adjuster, microswitch for not just turning the brushroll off in upright position but also for taking the hose out, pre motor filter, now the Versamatic uses a single fan Ametek motor kinda like the FELIX/DART and the canisters use, and tool storage where not all attachments would fit on-board (at least not on the BS360).

You're also correct that Lindhaus does have a model with a switch to turn off for bare floors. Maybe for the next facelift the Versamatic would have a switch for barefloors, if there is enough demand. My only criticism right now is they're still using paper bags which I'm hoping that'll change eventually, Lindhaus does offer cloth bags which that's another advantage over SEBO.

 

[cheesewonton]

The Sebo website shows the X/G/C/300/350/370 all use the same 5093AM synthetic dust bag. I don't think there is any difference in the upper bodies of the Mechanical 300/350 and the Versamatic so I suspect you can use that same synthetic bag in one.

Lindhaus only offers a paper dust bag for the Diamante, their premium household two motor upright and it's commercial counterpart the Dynamic eco FORCE 380e. I am told you can use a Kenmore Style O bag in them however and that is what I would use. Curiously Lindhaus offers nice synthetic HEPA dust bags for their two lower tier uprights, the HEALTHCARE Pro and Valzer but not for their premium upright.

 

[panasonicvac]

The BS360 and the Versamatic both use the 1055 bags which as of today they're made out of paper. The 370 and the Versamatic Plus use the bags like all the other uprights (minus the new lightweight ones).

Lindhaus labels their HealthCare Pro as a TOL model, at least according to Al who's a Lindhaus USA rep. It can do things that the Diamante doesn't offer. Lindhaus has a couple of commercial models that are similar to the Versamatic, the RX and the CH Pro. The CH Pro has a switch to turn the brushroll off for barefloors.

 

[cheesewonton]

The BS360 and the Versamatic both use the 1055 bags which as of today they're made out of paper. The 370 and the Versamatic Plus use the bags like all the other uprights (minus the new lightweight ones).

Lindhaus labels their HealthCare Pro as a TOL model, at least according to Al who's a Lindhaus USA rep. It can do things that the Diamante doesn't offer. Lindhaus has a couple of commercial models that are similar to the Versamatic, the RX and the CH Pro. The CH Pro has a switch to turn the brushroll off for barefloors.

Hmm. The differences between the Mechanical 300/350 and Versamatic/BS360 are subtle. Never realized the latter only have a paper bag available. Bummer. Glad I bought my 370 !

Wow. I've always thought of the Healthcare Pro as a second tier machine. The Diamante has everything, seems more integrated and because the suction motor is carried lower it has a lower handle weight and lower center of mass. Having the body with the suction motor sitting up above the nozzle base on a neck always bugs me. The weight is too high. They are tiring to use. It is one of the several things that turns me off about the Felix and Dart. With the Diamante the weight is low and easier to manage like a Sebo G Series. I have always thought of the Diamante as being Lindhaus premium upright.

 

[vacuumchannel6]

(UPDATE 11/29/25 11/30/25) Wow! its been so long, well where do i start? So it began with the cord, i had a fun time putting it on jamming out to Lenny Kravitz. Then i ordered some bags and filters it went smoothly then i moved on to the powerhead. The powerhead is a bit finicky, after i use it for a while it starts cutting out off and on off and on, the issue is the wiring is old and could just use new wiring especially where i spliced the one, so throughout the powerhead i will have to install new wire but does work for a little while when it is on. I oiled and greased the bearing blocks however it could use some new bearing blocks i have considered, i have saved one on Ebay. The powerhead is the real meat and potatoes of this project. The brushroll chart was also highly messed up from i guess all the liquids or cleaners sprayed on the base seeping through the lens and brushroll chart indicator discoloring the chart underneath, so i actually took the liberty of having an AI (out of all things) prompt clean it up and kind of made a newer cleaner slight alternate rendition of it by scanning it on my printer, having to sent to my computer and to edit it and size it correctly in Paint.net. I have also made an orange and white version i will put on with actual transparency film but it appears i need uv blocking ink cartridges so that can wait. A part of me wants to leave it original but thats where you guys come in. Should i use the newer but orginal brushroll chart? Or the custom white and orange? I will leave the photos here so you can decide. The base as you can see where the neck pivots is all torn up and has ridges in it from the sand and debris being grinded between the base and pivot neck, i will fill this up with some plastic filler and reseal it with some sort of stripping. I forgot how much i missed using my old Versamatic when i used this, also reminds me of when my school would let me use thier Versamatic to clean up the classrooms. Good times feels good to have a Sebo style machine again. I have many more thing i will do and have done to this machine i just can't post it all here, i will make another post again retaining to updates and other things to that liking, thanks guys -Dakota

 

[vacuumchannel6]

Here is the brush roll charts. The new!, The Old, and The Custom! Decide which one should i use (Obviously not the old one right?) lol

 

[centralsweeper63]

Unless you can get it to be shiny I would use the original one. If you can make it metallic, newer but same colour all the way.

 

[cheesewonton]

Here is the brush roll charts. The new!, The Old, and The Custom! Decide which one should i use (Obviously not the old one right?) lol

Lol, I was scratching my head wondering what a "brush roll chart" was. Now I know. Just me I like to stick with original when restoring a worthy vintage machine.

 

[centralsweeper63]

I always thought that two lights giving that amount of info was so cool.

 

[cheesewonton]

I always thought that too lights giving that amount of info was so cool.

More to go wrong. Somehow I have manged to clean my homes adequately for many decades with machines that have an on off switch and maybe full bag indicator and a way to change motor speed. No light show. No LCD screens. No software uploads. My favorite machines tend to be the ones with the fewest, cough cough, "features". Tristar, most Electrolux models ( American and Swedish ), Patriot, Miracle Mate, Metrovac, old steel body 1700 series Eurekas, old square Kennys, Sebo C3.1, stuff like that.

 

[centralsweeper63]

It is more novelty than anything for me. Cool though.

 

[vacuumchannel6]

Here are some more photos, I redid the wiring yet again and the powerhead stays on a bit longer when I lifted it up slightly it turns off but stays on for the most part I absolutely love using this machine right now!

 

[cheesewonton]

I'm thinking the switch in the neck that turns the power nozzle off and on is loose or otherwise malfunctioning causing the power nozzle to be intermittent. I will bet more than a good German beer that switch is still available too but have a look at how it is mounted to make sure it is not loose.

Great looking machine. Made in West Germany definitely dates it.

 

[centralsweeper63]

I was thinking that too.

 

[huskyvacs]

I'm thinking the switch in the neck that turns the power nozzle off and on is loose or otherwise malfunctioning causing the power nozzle to be intermittent. I will bet more than a good German beer that switch is still available too but have a look at how it is mounted to make sure it is not loose.

Great looking machine. Made in West Germany definitely dates it.

If its a trigger switch the spring is likely bent back too far over time and just needs to be bent back forward a little more, also likely needs to be polished, I'm sure after 30 something years of use it's gotten dirty.

The Shark Navigators with the swivel neck all get this problem with that contact ring around the power nozzle's yoke. The plastic rubbing together over time dirties up the contacts and then it slowly stops working one segment at a time. The one I got it will only work if you turn the vacuum fully right at this point. Need to take a dremel and a bit of metal polish and clean it. And then I have a Hoover Power drive that the seller said wont stay turned on. I found out it only works in a fully upright position and will stop working at the normal positon. That one was a pinched wire from the factory, a wire got pinched in the seams and it had a small break. One of those heatshrink splices that have the solder pre-installed in them fixed that one up. Love buying brand new vacuums from retail store salvage and it's a 5 second fix for a 96% savings (1-2 year old $190 vacuums for $30-$40)

 

[centralsweeper63]

I hope that will be helpful, I hope it will help the OP.

 

[paul]

I can't say I'm really familiar with these machines, but it amazes me someone would take the time to print, not just hand write print out, a detailed list of what it needs. That's just crazy. Anyway, nice find.

I would guess that the person made the list as part of an attempt to sell it to someone into DIY repairs; both to inform and insure against lack of disclosure. As for word-processing the list, he or she might be lacking in legible penmanship skill or suffer from a disease such as arthritis. Just saying

 

[paul]

What an amazing find ! Why would anyone throw something that valuable out ? There is literally nothing you cannot repair on it. Even that old it is better than 95% of the new vacuums you can buy today. While they were sold in the US most often with Windsor branding this is a Sebo product I believe called the BS36 ( someone more knowledgeable correct me if I misspoke ). Pretty much the original Sebo vacuum from 1979 that has carried forward over the years now sold outside the US as the Sebo 360. The upper body has grown a bit to accept a big HEPA exhaust filter but the basic bones of that original Sebo is still being made as the 360. Great designs never really die. Your dumpster diving session was productive indeed. Amazing.

It may have been foolishness, ignorance, necessity, or a last resort after attempting to sell it or give it away.

Unfortunately, a while back I had to dump several vintage vacs due to the immediacy of the moment and a lack of resources. My choices were to put them at a curb arbitrarily and hope for the best or contact a recycling service to haul them away. I chose to do the latter.

 

[centralsweeper63]

Hey, that's why my tin can looks funny. It's a bit dusty too.