constellation 85 questions

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dirtsniffer

dirtsniffer

Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2018
Messages
8
Location
iowa
Hello I'm a newbie from iowa. I help out at a thrift store and got the 85 in today but it's missing the 90 degree elbow and the switch is broke off flush. Thought it was a key slot for a minute! Anyway runs good and paints about 60-70% but useless without that part. Being a fan collector i bet the only option is find a doner unless you people have come up with a work around. Will try and get a picture tomorrow, thanks.
 
Thanks, the vac is kinda pink with a off white base. the switch has a screw on bezel around it i think, and the part you hold on to is red but broke off inside so all you see is a round metal disc with a vertical slot in it. Looks just like a keyhole. Original cream color cord with hoover on the plug. Have the hose and 2 nozzles attachments that are dark brown. And 3 pieces of aluminum tubing, 2 that are the same length and 1 shorty. they all fit together. Will check if the flex hose fits the aluminum hose. from what i googled everything looks right except the hose color. This store you never know if they will sell it or will get thrown out if you don't keep an eye on it. I'm there on light duty due to a construction accident workers comp set it up. Nice people, I'm just trying to get some info on the vac so they know what they have.
 
Well when i got there it was gone, in dumpster. I got it out and found what i could. here is whats left, cut cord and all.

dirtsniffer-2018080415031706907_1.jpg
 
Hey Brice

I'd like to say "welcome" as well.
And thank you for rescuing that beautiful Constellation from the dumpster.
What a shame. I hate that about Goodwill.
I really like it in that color!
Do you have the know-how to reattach/replace the cord?
I would think, between the good folks here, and eBay, you should be able to find the parts that you need to make it complete and useable.
Be careful though...it's an addiction!
You may soon have to describe yourself as a collector of fans AND vacuums!

Barry
 
here are more pic's and thanks for the welcome MadMan & Barry. The lower base hinge is cobbled and broke loose during the dumpster launch. Cord cut at both ends of course. Really burns me but nothing to be done, glad i have this much o_<.

dirtsniffer-2018080415495402604_1.jpg

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I see what you mean now... that really does look like a keyhole!
I wonder if this one could still be brought back; or is it done for?
Even if all you can do with it is display it and look at it, it still deserves better than being tossed in a dumpster.
I wonder if it would do any good to e-mail Goodwill "corporate" about that policy.

I guess in some areas, they have Goodwill outlet stores, where they sell stuff deemed "too old" to put out in the store.
We had one a few towns away. But, by the time I learned of their outlet stores, they closed it.

Barry
 
It ran good before this happened so i think motors good yet. If i can find an elbow the rest can be sorted out. It's not a goodwill store but a church run thrift store deal.
 
Ah. My bad

I had gotten the impression it was at Goodwill.
I have heard similar stories of them throwing away vintage items because they feel they're too old to sell in the store.
I'm thinking about taking up dumpster diving.

Barry
 
Photos of switch

This is my model 86, immediate one after yours. I'm not completely certain, but I believe the switch missing on yours would have been the same as this one on mine. Where to find one? Keep eyes peeled up here for people selling/parting out...I have no idea if this exact switch was common to other machines back then or not...

funktionalart-2018080420010508484_1.jpg

funktionalart-2018080420010508484_2.jpg
 
Thanks for the pictures. Now a dumb question (first of more I'm sure) Is the switch 3 position or spring loaded and just push down to cycle?
 
O. K. another couple. Will any newer constellation hose fit in the top of an 85? Also i searched but never found any threads on fixing these, any one know of one or youtube on the older units?
 
The switch, though clearly a special style, looks like a standard toggle switch, though perhaps one meant for a deep mounting. Something *like* the one in the link below, but I would definitely take the old switch out, and measure the diameter of the hole, and look at the form of the switch to be certain. Then, just look on ebay, google, and digikey for a switch that fits the hole diameter AND depth, and functions like it's required to (probably just ON/OFF SPST).

I doubt you'll find a switch that looks like the original, but I'm 99% sure that a standard toggle will fit and function.

http://https//www.ebay.com/itm/Togg...ggle+switch&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=p2380057.
 
no

a newer connie hose coupling wont work. the fittings are entirely different. only the 82,84 and 85 had the top swivel hose coupling. youll have to find a parts machine or go dig in a hoardy vacuum shop. connie parts are nearly impossible to find on ebay. hoses are the most difficult to find. even pilfering vacuum shops, i rarely come across original connie hoses, even for the model 86 and newer with the different coupling.
 

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