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I could try steel wool. Not sure what you mean by "[y]ou've just got to make sure that there is no wire left."

"Are the commutator segments linear & flat longitudinally to provide full brush contact ? ? ?" @MPN: Looks like it to me! I just thought I would keep all of you updated on my progress. Like I said before, I have very little experience servicing electric motors; I imagine those of you who have...

Here's the commutator after sanding w/ 220-grit wet/dry sandpaper. How does it look?

@MPN: I do have a Dremel tool if you think that could be useful. If so, could you explain that technique again because I was not quite understanding it. As I am reading each of your comments, I also thought about running the commutator in a lathe and holding up a strip of sandpaper just enough...

I am just trying to put 2-and-2 together since each of you seem to have different opinions. Based on your suggestions, I think I will replace the upper bearing and brushes. I searched the web for commutator stones, as HooverCelebrity advised, but they all seem to be at least $50 (perhaps you...

Thanks for all the tips! @hoovercelebrity: If I were to use a lathe, as MPN suggested, I would imagine I could easily use commutator stones, am I wrong? @vacuumlover: Would 220 grit be good enough, or should I use something finer?

@vacuumlover: Thank you for the tips. I am learning quite a bit of valuable info from this thread as I do not have much experience servicing electric motors beyond lubricating bearings. Do you use the sandpaper dry or with a liquid?

@MPN: I might be able to get my hands on a lathe. Could I use Garnet or wet/dry sandpaper on the lathe or would you recommend something different to machine the commutator? Also, what specific type of Scotch Brite pad should I be using to clean the shaft

More pics: @vacuumlover: Here are the "faces" of the brushes. Hopefully this is clear enough for you to see, but from my perspective, they do look a little scratched up. BTW, the last time I ran the motor by itself without the brushroll and belt attached, the motor was somewhat noisier than it...

Very interesting! Now I wonder why the shaft is not getting lubricated. I have been regularly lubricating the sleeve bearing with 3-in-1 electric motor oil; first cleaning out the sleeve with oil soaked Q-tips and then placing a drop on each felt pad. Could there be a problem with the bearing...

Here are some pics: Close ups of armature, brushes and lower bearing. Motor was very dirty at first; I had to vacuum it out. The model is 719. Let me know what you think.

How would you suggest I clean it?

Those tools sure are useful… …but it seems pretty clear to me that the noise is coming from the brush/armature area. I would like to know if I should disassemble the motor and, if so, what I should examine inside the motor and what I should do depending on what I find.

I sometimes do hear the noise when the belt is removed. It is definitely more of a "sputtering" sound or a bunch of little scraping sounds. How would you recommend that I go about diagnosing this? What should I check for?

@MPN: There is definitely not any vibration nor is this a vibrating noise. I don't mean to dismiss you, but it definitely sounds more like arcing, as kirbyvertibles suggested.

I should have mentioned previously that this is an intermittent problem; I used it yesterday and did not hear the noise.

@kirbyvertibles: It sounds like that could be it. Is this something I should address soon? The cleaner runs fine otherwise, just purrs like a Hoover should.

It is not quite a vibrating sound, and I have a washer between the fan and the bearing which should eliminate vibration. It almost sounds like a bunch of scraping noises inside the motor. It's not that loud at all; I just notice it and it seems to be progressing.

I have an older Convertible that runs perfectly smooth - except when I first turn it on after sitting. For the first few seconds of running after sitting, it sounds almost like dirt being picked up, but it is definitely coming from the motor as I hear this noise even if the base is up off the...

Based on other collections I have been aware of… …definitely some Convertibles, particularly ones from the late '50s to early '70s. A Dial-A-Matic plus a Constellation, Slimline or Portable would also be worth looking for. I would also recommend searching for a few Eureka style F & G uprights...