700 and an old GE upright.

[hoovercelebrity]

Nice Hoover, Brandon! From what I can tell, that bag looks like it's from a model 26; which was in production from 1938-1941. I'm surprised that you got that bag wet; I'm always so careful with those old original bags - they see water and tend to shrink. I'd also be scared that the graphic would come off. The bag is also on the bag ring backwards; the graphics should be front-facing. Thanks for sharing, and whatever you do, hang on to that bag!

 

[brando_husky]

Thanks Fred! Feels good to have a coffee can back in my arms.

The bag was so gross I tried vacuuming it a few dozen times with no luck getting it unclogged. The machine sat in less than optimal conditions near a furnace since the building was built in '45.

I may have gotten lucky with the wash. The logos came out clean and I used very little delicate fabric detergent. I washed a few older bags couple years ago same method. Hopefully I'll be in luck.

First thing I'll do is reverse the bag when it's done drying!


Not touching the General Electric bag because it looks unused and the silver print appears to be quite thin.

 

[brando_husky]

Got the bag on. Looks and smell much better.


Accidentally broke the fragile original bumper. Will have to attempt and reglue it back together. Or replace if I must.

Going to put a new cord on as well. Just have to find a smooth rubber cord somewhere. going to retain original plug of course.

 

[brando_husky]

Finally got my buffing tools.


Made a bit of progress today and the base of the machine. Lots to go still. Only about half the base has been polished. Had to stop to clean the buffing wheel

Shame on the beautiful bumper being in pieces.

 

[kenkart]

Those GEs

Really clean well..Move a lot of air.

 

[brando_husky]

I'll just have to source a belt for it and it's good to go. Brush roll is in excellent condition and it runs well in both speeds.

My main focus has been the 700 total makeover.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

It's looking really good, Brandon. I'm still drooling over that bag you have. Ugh, it's so pretty!

Similar design, but different colors than what's on the all original model 150 I recently found:
http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?31185_28~1

 

[brando_husky]

Thanks Fred! You're right on the bags. Seems yours is more shades of grey and a bit of blue while mine is black and grey. Would be a fitting 150 replacement for sure. I'm very happy with how this bag turned out. Not usually fond of replacement bags but this one is beautiful and very fitting

 

[brando_husky]

Little by little it gets a bit more shiny.

The dog approves.

 

[brando_husky]

He likes em when they are off but hates em running.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Wow, that 700 is turning out to be quite beautiful, Brandon!

I encountered a former club member back in 2004 or 2005 who found a pretty neat solution for the bumper problem. It's not factory original, but it worked pretty well.

He removed the old bumper, rivets and all, then he got a black rubber bungee cord (see picture), the kind that is flat and elongated. He had to find the right size, (a little smaller is better than a little bigger, because it stretches). Then he removed the hooks, and somehow riveted or used finishing screws and nuts to attach the two ends of the bungee cord at the back of the nozzle housing. Then he simply pulled the slack to the front and stretched it around the front of the nozzle housing. It doesn't say Hoover, and both sides of it may have some molded markings on it, but at a glance you can't tell the difference, and it gives the machine it's complete look. I don't recall if he drilled through the bungee cord and attached rivets to the front, or if he just left those off completely. I also seem to recall that he had to shop around for the one that was 'just right' (size, shape, length). Nonetheless, it's a relatively easy and cheap solution.

 

[brando_husky]

What a great idea! I will definitely have to look into that! I wish I could save he original but it's just far too brittle and already missing sections. All that holds it together is the two strands of thread running through the bumper