Constellation handle rebuild

[northwesty]

Well I got this Constellation at a store called the Goodwill outlet a while ago. It works fine but unfortunately I didn't get there in time to save it from getting its handle broken. The Goodwill outlet is not like a regular store and things can get thrown around a bit. I was fortunate to find a big piece of the handle though. I've been looking for a replacement handle but am not holding out too much hope so I decided to fix the one I had in the meanwhile. I first glued a steel rod into the channel that is under the handle -- it fits in there tightly.

 

[northwesty]

The front of the handle was broken above the screw, so in order to make it strong again I poured some fiberglass into the cavity there. I was a little worried this would melt the plastic but it didn't.

 

[northwesty]

here is putting on some bondo to fill in that missing gap

 

[northwesty]

Here is that area sanded down. I am thinking there will form a stress crack there but it will be better than nothing. The handle feels real strong.

 

[northwesty]

Here it is primed with a thick coat of primer. I plan on wet sanding this a little with really fine sandpaper after it dries

 

[northwesty]

Well, here it is painted with a light tan spray paint. I was able to finesse some of the imperfections out that were visible after the primer with just sandpaper. I am still on the lookout for a rusty non-working one that has the handle intact. But in all these years I have never seen one of these at an estate sale or thrift store, though they are on ebay and craigslist I know -- I don't want to part out a machine that is restorable though. BTW this machine was the one our family had when I was growing up, before my mom bought the Filter Queen she still uses today. Thanks for looking. Brian

 

[collector2]

Looks good. Nice job

 

[stricklybojack]

Like he said...

.
takes some patience, but it looks like it paid off.
Crazy to think how many great vacs are dumped every day.
I saw a room full of old but mostly still useable vacs at a local Aerus shop waiting for the scrap dealer to haul them away.
This is the step i afraid of taking, making an offer for such a lot. By weight i would guess about a dollar a vac tops using the $50-$100 an old car or truck typically brings at the crusher.

 

[beko1987]

Wow that's a great repair! Is it strong or just for show?

 

[constellation86]

Nice job! Looks great.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

WOW!!

Stellar restoration.