Controling A Connie...

[pinkge]

I have been very frustrated with the Stainless steel Constellation,when using it to clean with.It dart's all over and crashes into furniture,cabinet's,etc.So,after watching it move there had to be a way to stop it from being so wildly out of control and be like the original Constellations.
After thinking of a way,a light bulb went off.I turn the connie over and saw it has 5 silicone squares that help it gild.I took 3 large green felt tickers and placed them on the back 3 silicone squares.One under the latch and cord,the other 2 on the sides squares.Well,it works and now does not slam in to walls,furniture,and moves over the carpet,braided rugs,bare floors,hard wood.And makes cleaning now with it a whole lot better.Now I like cleaning with it and if a felt pad wears out just replace with a new one.Try it and let me know how it works for you.Helpful Hint's from Michael

 

[eurekaprince]

Indeed...the tendency to bump into walls and furniture is one of the reasons I sold my retro steel Constellation. The worst part was if you placed the small tool holder on the unit, the attachments themselves would be the parts that damaged walls as the cleaner went sailing into them! I used to let the vacuum ride up on a stretch of cord so it would stop moving.

Mind you, it was an excellent performer as far as removing dirt from all surfaces was concerned. Loved the effective turbo carpet nozzle.

I guess the original Constellation had a weaker motor so the vacuum was a bit easier to control.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Michael, Just put a leash on it and tell it to heel. hehehehe

I'm very glad to have this tip. I don't use mine much for that reason.
When I lived at home my Mom wanted something to do a quick vacuuming in the kitchen and I said here try this. After a few seconds she said get this SOB out of my kitchen. It's hard to control and all the dog hair is now blown up onto my counter top!!!

 

[vac-o-matic]

Yup, watcha all said! I had one, hated the attachment end of the hose, the cheap above floor tools, along with nipping at my heels. Oddly the one thing I did like was the turbo rug nozzle. I didn't keep it, I bought it for a song and sold it to a friend of mine for the same song, and he loves it. When there are more things I don't like about a vacuum than there is, out it goes!

 

[kirbyvertibles]

For me one thing it's missing is a power nozzle. I fixed that. I took a black wind tunnel power nozzle (painted it white) and cut a hole for a receptacle in the machine and using a wind tunnel electric hose with the connie machine hose end I now have a really cool white connie power team.

 

[countryguy]

Do you have a pic of your power nozzle conversion?

 

[real1shep]

Interesting fix....a pic would be worth a thousand words...just sayin'!


 


I've heard this complaint often about the retro-Connie. Doesn't seem to diminish the going auction prices on eBay, however. Like to find one of these reasonable.


 


I have two original Connies....I consider them toys, but they are endearing gliding around. One pulls about 60" of water, the other much less. A member has informed me his old Connies pull 80" of water. Gotta see that to believe it. Sounds like the new one might pull that.


 


I sure don't favor the cheesy floor attachments/heads, as in comparison to Lux stuff. Someone also claimed that you can use the old Connie accessories/hose on the retro Connie....is that true?


 


Kevin

 

[pinkge]

Kevin...

I don't know if the ole connies hoses work on the new retro ones.I don't think so;but who knows.I'll try it and see.
Michael

 

[real1shep]

Cool........

let me know if the old hose will work!


 


Kevin

 

[dysonman1]

I used to turn the thing on its side. Worked much better.

 

[cocobird5]

Orange Connie

My first vacuum cleaner in 1966. Loved it. Later got shag carpeting, so I gave it to my mother, whose old Electrolux was dying. She had it for years.

 

[real1shep]

<a name="start_32806.359999"></a>I used to turn the thing on its side. Worked much better.



 


Seriously...you drug the thing around on its side??


 


Kevin

 

[rugsucker]

"drug the thing"

In an average room using the stretch hose a Constellation could remain in one place.Turning it sideways might improve airflow also.

 

[real1shep]

Weren't.....

those long, Connie stretch hoses for the original units that didn't float yet?


 


Kevin

 

[rugsucker]

Stretch hose

Only the first blue Constellation that introduced the stretch hose didn't 'float on a cushion of air'.The hose continued on all through the 70s.

 

[real1shep]

Hmmm.......

didn't know that. The two orange/pumpkin colored units I have don't have those long, stretchy hoses.


 


Kevin

 

[pinkge]

Kevin...

You asked,or heard,that the older connie hoses would fit on to the new retro(stainless and steel)connies.Well,guess what,they do not.Tried a 858 and a 86 model.So,it was a good try and good thought.
Take care,and Happy Hoovering...Michael

 

[real1shep]

Darn......

good to know that the old hoses won't fit after all. So I guess if I got a chance on the retro Connie, I'd make sure it had all the accessories!


 


Kevin