Bissell PowerForce Compact

[justjunque]

Hey all,

I pulled another boneheaded move.
I went back to the store where I got my two latest finds, hoping they might still have the Oreck. They did not.
Disappointed, I took a ride to another store. The only vacuum they had was a filthy, 2021 Bissell PowerForce Compact, Model 2112. Yup…bagless.
Maybe because of the disappointment of not finding anything at the first store, and because the Bissell was only $7, I bought it.
I thought, if nothing else, I’ll enjoy cleaning it up, and maybe I’ll resell it. Unfortunately, since I’m not familiar with them, I didn’t know that it had missing/broken parts until I got it home and started looking it over better.
Off the top of my head, it’s going to need a handle release and spring, and there’s a part missing that goes inside the canister. It’s some part of the cyclone. It’s not the blue cone part, but it looks like it fits around that part. Also, and pretty much a given, it needs new filters.
I’ll buy it what it needs, and give it a thorough cleaning. But, by the time I’m finished, I’ll probably be into it for more than I could sell it for. So, I might just own it now.
Oh well. At least it’s cute.

 

[huskyvacs]

These vacs are okay, but they have become the most seen "garbage vacuum" nationwide. If you go curb crawling chances are you'll find 10 of them in a month. Their sub-$50 price point makes them perfect for the disposable cup people who will just throw it away when it gets a clog or they find out that they have to actually remove the bin and empty it.

You should have no problem finding parts for it because they are very common.

What you need to do, is find it's bagged cousin. That is the best bagged vacuum and one of the only few bagged vacuums left on the market under $100 let alone under $50 that you will ever find. It is an amazing little vacuum. I bought 2 to give away as Christmas gifts many years ago and I regretted that immensely. I finally found one on ShopGoodwill for $20 last spring but it reeks of dog and it looks like someone sucked up half a spaniel into it. so it needs some work. But yeah I have no idea how Bissell did it, but for such a cheap vacuum that is also bagged, this will outclean a Shark, no question. The designer that made this model should have been promoted.

 

[justjunque]

Hey, Husky!
I actually have the bagged PowerForce! I resisted the urge for probably a couple of years. Then, maybe a couple of months ago, I gave in and bought one at Walmart.
I don’t have much rug at home, so I can’t really give it a proper workout. But, for what I do have to use it on, I like it!
The exhaust air is a little intense. But, for the price, I can’t complain at all! It even has a height adjustment.
And, I’ve used the hose to clean up shredded cat scratch post debris, and to vacuum my air purifier filter.
Actually, I used the hose to vacuum out another vacuum that had been used without a bag, and was full of sand. Like I said, I have no real complaints! I use HEPA bags in it.
That’s why I wanted to try the bagless version. Actually, I was hoping to find a Helix. Which, I did, but it was $30, and I was looking for a little more of a bargain. So, at $7, this little Compact fit the bill. I hope I can get it cleaned up nice, and working well.

 

[huskyvacs]

Oh nice, glad to hear it!

 

[justjunque]

I didn’t even get to start on the extensive clean-up yet, because I had a bunch of stuff to do today. But, I did plug it in and check how the motor sounded. In my opinion, it sounds like new. It’s a 2021 built machine, but it really appears to have been abused, or at least neglected physically. But, hopefully, it hasn’t been hurt mechanically.
The other thing I did, was started ordering replacement parts. I think I’m officially into it now for what a brand new one would cost. But, the goal was to get an abused one fixed up nice.
I don’t have any experience with these. To me, it seems like the bin/canister fits kind of loosely. Is that normal for this model? Is there a specific part that might need replacing, that holds the canister more securely in place?
I’m just concerned it might leak dust/dirt if it doesn’t fit tight. I mean, bad. Not just like an inexpensive bagless vacuum can be expected to leak.

 

[fan-of-fans]

There was one of those PowerForce Compacts at Goodwill last weekend. It had all the parts and tools. I think they are very cute, but so far I haven’t bought any of the ones I’ve come across.

I did get one of those bagged Powerforces, although I’ve yet to do anything with it. I like the colors and simplicity of it. It reminds me a lot of the simple honest vacuums of the 90s, like Hoover Elites and Eureka Bravos, except of course it’s not direct air.

I also really like the smel of those Febreeze bags they come with.

 

[justjunque]

I don't think I would have bought this one, normally. But, I was a little bummed that the Oreck at the other store was gone. But, it was cheap, and, it just looked so small and abused. Kind of like how we ended up adopting our cat, who was a stray.
This one has both of its on-board tools. The only thing I see missing, is a semi-transparent piece that attaches to the blue cone inside the canister. And, of course, the filter.
Then, the blue piece that holds the handle/wand in place is broken. I ordered one, but I'm hoping I can figure out how the "spring" works. It's just a bent strip of metal that fits behind the plastic piece somehow.

 

[justjunque]

Requesting positive thoughts

Well, I just broke it down, and have the parts soaking in detergent water.
The only thing I didn't take apart is the motor housing.
This is way too many parts and screws for me. I'm 99% sure I'm not going to be able to get it put back together correctly.
Right now, it's all semi fresh in my poor memory. But, by the time all the parts dry thoroughly, it's likely to be a very different story.

 

[justjunque]

Well, I did manage to get it put back together. All that's left is the upper hose, because it's not fully dry.
If it's like the extension hose for the little Eureka I cleaned up, I was still getting water out of it like two weeks later.
And, I have filters and a couple of replacement parts ordered that will need to go on, before I can call it done.
Unfortunately, although I think it's cute, I don't really see myself keeping this one. Everything just feels loose. The upper handle/wand, the canister.
I don't know if it was a good idea, but I made a post motor filter for it, using bulk a/c filter material. In part, I had hoped it might tighten up the fit of the canister. (It didn't) And, I hoped maybe it would help clean the air that blows back into the house. I was a little surprised the vacuum didn't have any sort of "after filter" in it originally. So, I hope my creating one doesn't restrict the exhaust air or something.
Even after investing what I consider "real money" into this little guy, I'm afraid I'm probably going to end up re-donating it somewhere.
Live and learn, I guess.

 

[huskyvacs]

Plan the work, then work the plan.

Always take photographs before removing each part, or record the entire disassembly, and poke the screws through or tape them to a sheet of cardboard while labeling what part they go to.

Lay the vacuum out on a workbench dissembled in a loose spread in the same patttern that it goes together. Take only one part at a time to wash and then put it back to its spot to dry.

For stretchy hoses, they must be fully extended to either drip dry, or have a vacuum in blower mode connected to the hose.

When all is said and done, you're still dealing with a sub $50 priced vacuum, not a Cadillac, so it will feel cheap. If it feels overly loose, double check you fully seated the parts home and the screws are snug but not over-tightened.

You can make good money restoring and reselling vacs on eBay. People pay $80+ for vintage Dustbusters now. It's a new world.

The more you practice the more you will get better at doing these rebuild projects.

 

[justjunque]

Thanks, husky.
I know, a cheap, modern, Chinese, plasticrap bagless vacuum isn't exactly scintillating conversation fodder. I appreciate you chiming in.
I like that idea of poking or taping the screws onto a piece of cardboard and marking them!
As for a well organized workbench; that exists only in my dreams. My workbench is the floor. Usually, the breezeway, because that's where we have the best light.
The vacuum is all back together, and everything is sufficiently tightened down. The parts that feel loose felt that way when I got it. I've never played with one of this model before. Maybe it's just how they're made. Or, maybe this one is high mileage, and has been ridden hard.
Once I've received and installed the replacement parts I ordered, I will give it a little test run, to see how it does. But, even though it means taking a loss, I'll probably just donate it. At least it will be a lot cleaner and more complete than it was when I got it. So, the next person will get a better little vacuum. Maybe they'll like it, and it will be just what they need.