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Don't overlook the 'obvious' The mains lead (cord) on any vacuum is subject to lots of movement, pulling, etc. they are prone to failure, usually where they enter the 'strain relief'at either end. If it's a re-wireable plug, have you checked for loose screws/fuse (if fitted in U.S. plugs)...

Useful Thanks, Charles, for a really useful and informative post. Vacuum cleaners aren't the only things to get leaky rubberised hoses. The caveat about trying to hasten the drying process has probably saved me some heartache. I'm not known for my patience.... ;-) All best Dave T

Repair and reuse = Thrifty I finally found this image hiding on an old Hard Drive. I've been looking for it for a while. Thought I'd share it with you all. It pretty much sums up my attitude towards manufactured goods. Please note that I do NOT own this image, but I understand that it is...

More on 'Thrift' A big 'Hear, Hear' to Spiraclean (reply#12). I couldn't have put it better myself regarding food waste and sensible buying (that's food, clothes, and everything else). My policy (being a poor man) is to buy secondhand (I think that's just referred to as 'used' Statesside)...

Dyson (and others) marketing At risk of weighing into a discussion which is technically 'over my head'..... I largely agree with MadaboutHoovers' comments (reply#27) regarding the gullibility of the 'general public', and their willingness to be persuaded that something they have been using...

Thriftiness/upbringing Our respective Governments are making a big fuss about recycling these days, but it's a far cry from when reuse, recycling and economising was just an ordinary, expected and 'unsung' part of everyday life. I count myself fortunate that my parents grew up during WW2, when...

Mixer collection I have several mixers in my collection.... Soundcraft 200B 16ch Soundcraft Series 2 24ch Alice/Soundtech 8ch Fostex 350 8ch Behringer 3282 28ch I also have the remains of a (dismantled) vintage Midas 10ch and a Hill 24ch Oh!! Sorry!! Wrong kind of 'mixers'... ;) All...

Motor damage Whether it's 'terminal' or not probably depends on how much damage there is to the field winding, and how good you (or a friend) are with a soldering iron. The 'flat' was machined into the armature as part of the balancing process at the factory, and is not 'damage'. I'm not...

No luck I had hoped to have a 'redundant' DC01 DeStijl by now. A nice red/yellow one with a grey mains lead..... Unfortunately, it's owner has decided to keep it 'for upstairs', despite having just purchased a new Vax upright. I am keeping an eye on the situation.... ;) All best Dave T

More...... Still been unable to listen to 'part 2' of sounds.... It needs some weird player which I don't have installed... :( The info on mobiles is interesting... None of ours in the '70s and '80s had their own names, they just extended the switching capacity of the exchanges which they...

Abandoned houses The first picture reminds me of a similar house (fairly) near to me. I've not been near it for over 20 years. If it's still there, I'll take some photographs. Many rural properties are abandoned because they have no utilities (mains water, gas, electicity, sewerage) and it...

Broken Link :-( The 'link' in Reply#13 doesn't work (not for me, anyway ;) ) I have now listened to the 'tones' recording... It appears that this is only 'part 1' of a longer recording. It seems to be VERY comprehensive, covering a number of private installations as well as the public G.P.O...

Nice Project!! Recirculating Hot Water is GOOD!! (Reply#14) Sadly, you don't see it much these days... :( All the best hotels used the recirculating system, until they decided it was cheaper to use (so-called) 'instant' heaters (which aren't)..... :-( All best Dave T

Rubber Butt Yes, I think I still have one somewhere. I still use my 'Blue Butt' (Chesilvale Tele 284A) as my domestic telephone. Regular use for 30 years and has only needed a new tone caller. Loving the thread Dave T

Birthday gifts My (early!!) Birthday present to myself was a nice lathe, with milling head. Not really vacuum-related I know (unless I start using it to clean-up chewed brushroll ends, or make new axle spindles), but thought I'd share that with you all... ;-) All best Dave T

Eye stickers I confess that I was unaware that modern 'Henries' don't have eye stickers!! Are the eyes now screen-printed, or absent altogether??? Please forgive my ignorance, as I avoid white goods / electrical goods shops like the plague. I have more than enough old/vintage appliances to...

Beast!! It's a beast by any standards!! Video please!!!!!! All best Dave T

Ringing tones Not listened to your 'link' yet, Seamus, but can confirm that 'Crowbar' exchanges sent a single 'long' burst of ringtone before commencing the regular cadence. I made a sound recording of the last Strowger exchange of any size in my local area, but unfortunately the tape has...

3-phase connector Is a BS6363 or CEE23 standard connector. It is now the standard connector for industrial/commercial use on this side of the 'Pond'. It is available in various voltage/current configurations, colour-coded for voltage. Red (as shown) corresponds to 380-440V. Blue is used for...

Thanks, Seamus For the new link..... I never had much time for 'Crowbar' equipment.... Fast, efficient, and reliable it may have been, but it lacked the 'animation' of the Strowger racks. All our exchange changeovers ocurred at night, when traffic was at a minimum, and I was never on a...