Choices, what would you do???

[fantomfan57]

Shetland-Lewyt 2349-J Improved with Lamb motor, BUT....

The cordreel system is not good. To stop the cord from retracting, the designers used a pedal, connected to a shaft, connected to a flat piece of metal with a slot cut out. Basically the cord runs through the slot and when the pedal is released, it "bites" into the cord outer sheath to stop it.
What ends up happening is the cord sheath gets nicked and eventually cuts through.
The Cord reel is strong and usable, but the stop is badly designed.

1. Would you slip on and glue something on the tongs of the slotted metal stop to soften the surface? Would you then re-cord the cord reel to eliminate the damage?

2. Remove the cord reel completely and go with a standard wrap around the body cord.

I really would like to know your opinion.

 

[eurekaprince]

I am not a technician with lots of experience repairing vacs, but I hear repairing old cord reels can be quite dangerous if you have to unwind that metal spring. If you want to have a vintage vac that will be as close to the original as possible, I say why not try adding that bit of plastic so the metal stopper does not cut into the cord as much?

If it does not solve the problem, you can always go to the more drastic Plan B and remove the cord reel feature all together.

Always liked these groovy Shetland Lewyt canisters from the 1960’s - especially the white bristles on the dusting brush. Too bad they were not made that well....

 

[luxlife]

If you do plan to replace the cord, you'll probably need to completely unwind it.Be sure and find some way to isolate the reel so that it doesn't wind back up. Busted springs on cord reels are no fun.

 

[huskyvacs]

Just glue on some kind of rubber sleeve over it and trim to fit. Something similar to these handle grips would probably work: https://www.gripworks.com/flat-hand-grips.htm

Or get a rubberized coating paint and dip it in there a couple times (Flex Seal perhaps?)

If you really wanted to go all-out, find someone that does 3D printing like a plastic parts fabricator, and have them re-make the part out of nylon and swap that in there.

 

[fantomfan57]

Thanks,

for you feedback.

I will find a way to coat the metal slotted piece and I will replace the cord.

 

[vacman1961]

Get a piece of 1/4" fish tank tubing, make it about an inch long, and slice it open and glue the sliced area on the metal "brake" on the arm.

 

[fantomfan57]

Thanks....

Charlie, great idea. I think I already have the material on hand.

Also, for the replacement cord, I will pull a saved cordreel and use the cord off of it.

Cheers!