Here to share my latest vacquisition! Knew I wanted something from before my time... every vac I've possessed up until now has been of more recent make. Big big fan of the look, the lovely colored stripes along the front, the form factor, fun carry handle, and the fact it can act as a blower as well makes it stand out uniquely amidst my little collection. Oddly, checks the same brain-boxes that adore the old EPCOT Center look and vibe. I don't think for a second the PortaPower would look out of place there.
A few wee troubles so far; the only included piece beyond the unit itself was the hose, which I suspect with collecting older vacs is just gonna have to be a thing to get used to, hehe. The exhaust mesh filter looking part seemed to have partly melted into itself, and otherwise practically disintegrated to tiny pieces (anyone know where I can find a vacuum?) but was able to be removed no problem, just to find a replacement now.
The severest kicker is an inconsistency in flipping the power switch. First time doing so, the motor sounded fairly healthy, albeit louder than was anticipating. Since then, switching it on or off has been hit or miss... either it'll rev up for a split second and then shut off, as though whatever the on signal does is being quickly undone, or it'll just not go on at all. Notably when it's set to on position, it takes a little bit more force, an extra press, to induce another little click in the machine than it does just moving the switch... even still it won't always rev up. Motor seems fine, no fuse troubles, it's just that tricky power toggle.
Full disclosure, I am terrified to open it up without much knowledge of the inner workings; just 'cuz I adore vacuums doesn't mean I truly know how to maintain 'em, least beyond the bags and filters and all that. When it does work, it's an absolute champion of a vac! It's just getting it to do so when it should that's the trick.
A remaining point of curiosity, is there any reliable tell for when it might've been manufactured? '80s, that much I'm pretty confident in, but the specifics elude me. Any extra insight would mean the world, but thank y'all either way for checking out this vac, and this post.
A few wee troubles so far; the only included piece beyond the unit itself was the hose, which I suspect with collecting older vacs is just gonna have to be a thing to get used to, hehe. The exhaust mesh filter looking part seemed to have partly melted into itself, and otherwise practically disintegrated to tiny pieces (anyone know where I can find a vacuum?) but was able to be removed no problem, just to find a replacement now.
The severest kicker is an inconsistency in flipping the power switch. First time doing so, the motor sounded fairly healthy, albeit louder than was anticipating. Since then, switching it on or off has been hit or miss... either it'll rev up for a split second and then shut off, as though whatever the on signal does is being quickly undone, or it'll just not go on at all. Notably when it's set to on position, it takes a little bit more force, an extra press, to induce another little click in the machine than it does just moving the switch... even still it won't always rev up. Motor seems fine, no fuse troubles, it's just that tricky power toggle.
Full disclosure, I am terrified to open it up without much knowledge of the inner workings; just 'cuz I adore vacuums doesn't mean I truly know how to maintain 'em, least beyond the bags and filters and all that. When it does work, it's an absolute champion of a vac! It's just getting it to do so when it should that's the trick.
A remaining point of curiosity, is there any reliable tell for when it might've been manufactured? '80s, that much I'm pretty confident in, but the specifics elude me. Any extra insight would mean the world, but thank y'all either way for checking out this vac, and this post.
