Vintage Kenmore Canister

[niclonnic]

This ancient Kenmore canister vacuum is at a community center. It has been sitting in a closet since I started volunteering there, and I've always been curious about it. Today, I decided to take it out and see if it still works. It does, but the Power-Mate is completely plugged up, so it won't pick up anything! Plus, debris was falling out. So I'll have to work on that sometime.

This vacuum is in fairly good condition. However, the headlight lens is missing, and the hose is slightly crushed at one spot.

On the positive side, the noise level is fairly quiet. In addition, the brushroll has beater bars on it! This means it'll do an excellent job at cleaning carpets. The retractable cord does work.

On the top of the unit, it says "Sears Best Kenmore Magicord-Reel 4.1 with Power-Mate." I'm not sure what 4.1 means. The model number is 116.239918.

Has anybody ever used one of these?

 

[niclonnic]

Here...

...Is a pic of the plugged up Power-Mate.

 

[jade_angel]

I've used one of those before; my folks used to have the slightly older version. I'm not sure the exact dates, but those models ran from about 1975-1985 or so, and I think that's one of the later ones.

The "4.1" is referring to 4.1 peak HP, which has... pretty much no bearing at all on the actual motor power. I'm not sure how big the motors are on those, but 7.5A sounds right-ish.

ISTR someone saying that Filter Queen belts work for the power nozzles, but I'd have to look that up again. I'm not sure if new brush rolls are available or not, but that one looks to be in pretty good shape, so...

 

[dysonman1]

I have one in the Museum. And it's not "ancient'. I was an adult when those were new. It uses a geared belt, and Kenmore 5033 bags. Excellent machine. Early 1980's. That was the last of the square bodied Kenmores. It uses a high efficiency Lamb motor, with about 100 inches of water lift.

 

[rugsucker]

Kenmore

Good information above.
This seems to have the variable speed knob at back which makes it more rare.
It was one of the first with a new (and good) power nozzle using the gear belt that would not slip,slide and stretch.To clean lift headlight cover(that should have instructions under),then 2 screws,then lift top.
Sears was using horse power ratings that were measured by testing a motor with no fans.Then Dirt Devil and others started rating amps to display a larger number(and use more electricity).This was further confused when Hoover made their own rating of cleaning effectiveness.
The hose looks very good but it will NOT stay good if stored in the position of first picture.The weight of hose pulling at the end 24/7 will develop cracks.

 

[fantomfan]

Very nice machine!

My grandmother bought one like that in the 80's to replace her Electrolux Model L.
Those old Kenmores have a HUGE amount of suction power, and were truly built to last.
I have a blue Magicord from the 70's. They truly were "Sears' Best." It seems like (At least with Kenmore's bagged canisters) they become lower and lower in quality with each new model.

 

[suckolux]

Just a glance I would have put it around early 80s, they had some serious power, and well built.

 

[niclonnic]

Thanks!

I perceived this vacuum as "ancient" due to my young generation. I was brought up around bagless vacuums.

After hearing your responses, I'm glad I chose the "80s/90s Vacuum Cleaners" tag for this thread. I find it surprising that vintage vacuums I see and use put modern vacuums to shame.

 

[funvacfan]

The Powerhead

is not missing a lens...this is how they came!

Guy

 

[niclonnic]

One more thing...

Last night, I received a few emails from "Count Vacula." He gave me a LOT of information about this vacuum, and even attached some photos of a machine he had recently restored.

I was quite surprised to get email from a total stranger! I wonder if this has happened to anybody else?

Nick

 

[bnsd60m9200]

he got in contact with me a few times. the nature of the anonymous email leaves me a tad un nerved. he also seems to offer advice when ive found much better and effective solutions to problems.

far as your sears best.. its "one of the last of the best" made by whirlpool between 1983 and 1984. in 1985 they went to panasonic and the quality was much worse with those machines. jimmy martin is right. those old hoses need to be hung or lais flat so they dont split. also use vinyl protectant on them from time to time to inhibit splitting.

you can use merv 10 a/c filter for the pre and post motor filters. 5033 bags are very common. unclogging the powermate should be easy too. those last 5th generation powerheads were the best kenmore ever had. i personally like them with the woodgrain, but these are more rare as they arent as "pretty" and most collectors pass them by (guilty as charged).

a new belt and keep an eye on the carbons and lubricate the cord winder and clean all the electrical contacts on the hose connections. it should last you many more years. the only trouble you might run into is brush strips. im not sure if sears carries them for that powerhead anymore. i know they do for my 1979 and 1980 models that use flat belts. get the 116 number off the bottom of the power head and plug it into sears parts direct, they should still at least offer belts, if youre lucky. brush strips. the beater bar inserts have been nla for many years

 

[niclonnic]

Good info

However, this is NOT my vacuum. It belongs to a community center in the city of Pacific, WA. It's been sitting in a closet, and I am just now getting around to posting about it.

I've never done electrical work to a vacuum cleaner. Changing a belt, changing a bag, washing or replacing filters and clearing out a clog are the extent of my skills. So I won't do that kind of work to this vacuum.

 

[bnsd60m9200]

ask if you can buy it. clearly they dont use it.

 

[niclonnic]

Most likely not

It never gets used. They have an Oreck XL that is used as the primary vacuum.

I don't buy vacuums that are used in commercial settings.

 

[kirbylux77]

Niclonnic

Hold on a minute....forget for a minute this vacuum is in a commercial setting. Has it ever occured to you that this vacuum was most likely donated to the community center? Plus, if they already have a Oreck XL, chances are the caretaker prefers upright vacuums. I would bet that it got donated, they used it for a while, it got clogged, & then decided to switch back to the Oreck & not fix it. I doubt this vacuum has seen very little commercial use & probably has less than average wear for it's age. Plus, this vacuum is a TOL model & would be harder to find than most other Kenmore models from the same era.

If I was you, if you really like Kenmore canisters & you like this particular machine, I would reconsider your stance & inquire whether they would sell you the vacuum.

Rob

 

[dartman]

Had one of those

I had one as my first Vacuum on my own in my rental house. Mine still worked but becuase it was a cheap wore out garage sale find it had cracks and leaks all over the case. It did seem it had good suction and the power head was pretty good but of course it blew dust everywhere through the bad spots.
Replaced it with a barely used Royal Power Tank 4.3 I still have today after a couple of years trying to use it.
I would think it would have been a great one if it wasn't so badly broken up, think I paid 5 bucks for it in 87 or so. I got the Royal about 90 as a trade in from a Kirby salesman that realized I needed a better Vacuum but couldn't afford his Kirby.
I paid 200 for the Royal and it was almost new at that point.

 

[niclonnic]

I doubt it

I have ZERO interest in owning this particular machine. I'm just an average user, not a collector. I have no need for bagged vacuums in my home.

 

[ctvacman]

I would love to buy that machine. If you could ask someone at the center if they would be willng to sell it that would be great.

 

[vacuumkid47]

I...

have one. It's loud, though. Mine does not have a headlight. I had to put in an old Bissell cord, in order to have a longer cord.