Curious Constellation

[vimmco]

Hello all Vimm here, I have a likely trivial question about an unusual vacuum the Hoover Constellation. I have done some research on it and have a pretty good understand but I am currently being offered one that "might" currently work for about 30$ without a hose. Being an engineer I'm no stranger to making electronics work but is it work the price to get this thing working and is it something complex that might be the issue?

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Wow.....................

that cleaner saw a good time.
I believe it was the last model made.... until the new white ones and the stainless steel.

 

[vimmco]

Put to "use" you could say

Nothing a bit of love and the doctor's choice Rust-Oleum can't fix! Question is the possible state of the hardware. Just a few more looks around for reference.

 

[real1shep]

They are a very basic vacuum....nothing complicated to work on. I have two in that color. No filter for the US model downstream of the motor so that it can leave motor brush dust on a white carpet. The Euro models got a filter there.

The white and stainless model John mentions is twice the vacuum...very well thought out with respect to the original. I have the white one and use it all the time.

The handle on top of the one pictured is a door pull, I believe. Honestly, the originals are lackluster for real cleaning but the retro models are great.

Kevin

 

[bikerray]

Curious Constellation - Inquiring Constellations want to know ????

 

[vimmco]

Funny handle

I thought that handle looked a bit suspicious, I spoke to the seller and they went in detail about they don't actually know if it's not working. Just that they never plugged it in and it's rather shabby looking state.

Hm motor brush dust might actually be a bit of a problem with my cream colored carpet haha.

 

[human]

That machine has definitely seen better days. Without knowing how well—or even if—it runs, I would tend to give that one a pass unless you were buying it as a parts donor. There's just too much potential for escalating costs. But the wild card in all that is how much you want to undertake the project. The satisfaction of bringing an old, dilapidated vacuum back from the brink is enjoyable for many of us and thus may figure into the value equation for you.

 

[dysonman1]

This is what the handle of your constellation should look like.

 

[vimmco]

Hmm yes that definitely looks more sensible, chances are I don't even know where to find one of those handles. Theoretically I can find a hose but unlikely a new handle.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

The handle might be hard to find

I was lucky to be able to replace a home-fashioned' wooden handle with an original. You might fine one.
That poor cleaner has a lot of miles. It would be a great project for someone who has patience and likes to do that sort of thing. The owner sure was a 'banger'.

 

[vimmco]

Times like this for the 3D printer

Haha what a lucky find, not just the handle but that someone managed to fashion their own. These are the times that make a 3D printer seem like a great value, guess that puts my goal of cleaning the house with an orb on hold.

 

[vimmco]

Stop the presses

I think I might have just found myself an amazing example of the same model just down the street from where I live. Looks like my spherical dreams aren't over yet! This one even comes with the hose and the cleaning wand all for 10$ less than the other.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I'd say.......

well done.

 

[fan-of-fans]

That second one looks good to go!

These are definitely later models at least for the US ones go, I've linked a thread with some dates. Apparently the last 858 models were poppy red, don't know I've seen any on here, most seem to be this pumpkin color.

Those handles aren't all that hard to find, I've seen a few pop up on eBay. The attachments seem a lot harder to get these days, I rarely see any on eBay and forget finding any attachments in stores around here.

Rubbing polish and car wax/polish can really get this paint shining again and remove marks, scratches and dullness.

 

[human]

I'd definitely go for the second one over the first one. It's a much better value all the way around. A little cleaning and polishing is probably all it needs. Hoover tools for it can likely be found on eBay. Tan ones for a 1970s vintage Convertible would probably work.

 

[suckolux]

And the winner is, number two!!

 

[vimmco]

Thanks lads

A rather stroke of luck ay, but the second definitely looks a lot better. Hm I don't seem to see the link "Fan-of-fans", though these things have way more models than I would have expected that's for sure.

Certainly a much better value and less work (aw none of the fun jankery) though chances are those handles go for quite a bit when they do pop up. Not even including the hose which is going for about 60$.

The color choices for these vacs I say is rather interesting, I thought the theme was more of a space sort, but the color says more pumpkin than anything. Always liked Hoover for their somewhat different style. Good tip on the car polish found myself that it gives them a right shine, especially after a light paint on any rusty spots. Not too excited on the lack of a down filter but I believe I could probably fashion one from some carbon filters I have.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Forgotten link

Here are some threads with quite a bit of info:

https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?12271

https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?1993

Seems the original Constellation went away in the US in 1975. I'm aware of it being produced in UK at least until 1980. Then came back again for a short time around 2006-2008 in the retro models.

 

[real1shep]

Dave gave a great history lesson on the Connie. As I said earlier, kind of a whimsical vac....the originals.

Most interesting are the swivel tops and then the model that tilts forward.....then you just collect for cool colors.

Those wands that have the Teflon inserts to seal the segments.....good luck finding those if you wanna use your Connie.

These were cheaper vacs originally....just to get you into Hoover with some novelty. And because of that, I suspect they were kicked around a bit. I bought one that had lived on a boat.

Kevin

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Love them all

That mode, "pumpkin" and "Seal Greige" (Tom A. has the colors... gave me the list, too. That cleaner sold in the late 70s for only $39.99 ($42.00 w/ tax)

 

[fan-of-fans]

I have the first tilted model, early 1960s, with tool caddy on the back. It was branded as Penncrest Canister for JCPenney, then Hoover got it after JCPenney changed models.

Good idea on getting a Hoover Convertible attachment sets in order to get the attachments for these. I've thought of doing that too, plus if I ever get a Convertible, I can use them with it too.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

they ARE the same tools

Colors may vary, but..................

 

[real1shep]

Some of the color....

schemes are breathtaking. One could collect for just that reason! I love the Pumpkin color I have, but that 'Nassau Blue'....hubba hubba!

And who wouldn't like that floor tool with the support wheels....never even seen one in the flesh.....

Kevin

 

[vimmco]

Ladies and gentlemen we got it

Hello everyone I have successfully retrieved Connie, after a quick test it's pretty muxh everything I was expecting. The floating is just as impressive as I hoped it would be (I'm a sucker for silly features) while having fairly great suction at least enough for a slight temperature different. From what you all said about the lack of a down filter seems the previous owner noticed that issue too and added their own (I'll send pictures later). Looks even better up close though!

The Teflon inserts on it should be fine since it doesn't seem anyone has taken the wand apart, but if needed I have some of a similar shape made for pipes and it should work. Biggest issue I had was figuring out the bag needed as it didn't come with one, however I found someone said the S type works so I ordered a few of those might filter a bit better than the old J type. She's got some weight to her I'll say, certainly more than any 40$ new vacuum I've felt haha. For now I think I'll look for those Hoover convertible attachments, but I have to say the pumpkin color is kinda growing on me.

 

[real1shep]

Great....

....welcome to Connie Wonderland!

If you're a sucker for whimsical, you sure got it...lol. I'm a plumber by trade and I can think of nothing Teflon or seal-like that are similar to what Hoover put in the wand segments. Perhaps you can post a pic of what you have?

It's not an issue if you leave them alone and the wand intact. Breaking it down is where the issues start.

The 'J' type bags are plentiful on eBay.....I've never tried anything else. I may never use my older Connies now for anything but display. The retro Connie is that much better.

I wonder if your PO copied the extra filter arrangement from the UK version? It's not complicated at all. Please post some pics of what you have. There's a vid on YouTube of a British guy opening up an old Connie from a box and in the discussion you can clearly see the extra filter for the motor dust. That's how I knew about it.

Kevin

 

[bikerray]

I don't remember Teflon in the wands, I do remember a plastic collar in the end of the wand to help seal the wands for better suction.

 

[real1shep]

Semantics....either plastic or Teflon.....I assumed Teflon because they are still very pliable after all these yrs....not usually indicative of plastic.

They are very flat/thin pliable rings. I had smeared them with grease with some success, but the grease attracts dirt. Maybe a carrier which dries and leaves a lubricant like Teflon.

Kevin

 

[real1shep]

The Teflon inserts on it should be fine since it doesn't seem anyone has taken the wand apart, but if needed I have some of a similar shape made for pipes and it should work."

You're probably thinking of the Teflon compression washers for 1 1/4' and 1 1/2" sink drain piping. I don't think those are gonna work, although I've never tried that. They need to remain in the segment grooves and not stay on the tubing.

Kevin

 

[vimmco]

Mentioned above

Real1shep mentioned it above, I just pretty much take it at face value since I haven't looked "down the barrel" yet. However if it is I'm prepared to find a way around, but if not then phew at lot less seal worry haha.

Though whimsy is the ultimate deal maker for me, hopefully modern companies never find out haha. I'm perfectly find with leaving it together if so, learned that the hard way with engine seals...

Hm I just went with Amazon as I have prime as it offered me more bags for about the same price, it looks to be a big cloth strapped around the big center hole of the vacuum. About exactly like this picture but a bit thicker I haven't gotten home yet to mess around with it but this looks right.